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Ex-US diplomat alleging vote fraud in S. Korea barred from meeting Yoon Suk Yeol
A special counsel team looking into detained ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's alleged insurrection blocked Morse Tan, former US ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice, from visiting Yoon's cell on the outskirts of Seoul on Wednesday. Tan is now embroiled in a controversy here for his claims about election rigging in South Korea and about incumbent liberal President Lee Jae Myung. With the special counsel team's measures effective starting Tuesday, Yoon has been barred from meeting anyone ot
July 16, 2025 -
Top security advisers of S. Korea, Britain discuss defense, trade cooperation
The top security advisers of South Korea and Britain held talks Tuesday on efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation in the defense industry, trade and investment, the presidential office said. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac discussed these issues with his British counterpart, Jonathan Powell, in a meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, central Seoul, the office said. Wi expressed hope that the two countries will continue to deepen their "global strategic partnership," with Powell
July 15, 2025 -
HS Hyosung vice chairman to be quizzed in probe into ex-first lady
An heir to a major South Korean business enterprise, Hyosung Group, will appear for questioning next week by the special counsel over corruption allegations surrounding former first lady Kim Keon Hee, officials said. Cho Hyun-sang, vice chairman of HS Hyosung, has agreed to undergo questioning next Monday, officials with special counsel Min Joong-ki's team said. Cho is being called in as a person of interest, not a suspect. Min's team is investigating allegations that a man surnamed Kim, who has
July 15, 2025 -
Lee sends APEC invitation letters to 20 countries
President Lee Jae Myung sent invitation letters Monday to 20 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ahead of the 2025 event hosted by South Korea in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, scheduled from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, Lee's spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Tuesday. According to Kang, some of the leaders who received formal invitations "already expressed their willingness" verbally to attend the event, without elaborating which countries she was referring to. She added that som
July 15, 2025 -
Presidential office plays down defense nominee's remarks on OPCON transfer
President Lee Jae Myung's office moved to clarify the administration's position on wartime control of the country's military Tuesday, after the nominee for defense chief, Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Ahn Gyu-back, painted taking full charge of operational control as a key goal. Speaking at a National Assembly hearing on his nomination as defense minister, Ahn said retrieving wartime operational control of the South Korean military from the US-led combined forces was a goal of the Lee administr
July 15, 2025 -
Stricter fiduciary duty, tougher rules for martial law gain Cabinet approval
South Korea's Cabinet on Tuesday approved a revision bill of the Commercial Act to require the boardrooms of companies here to fulfill a fiduciary duty not only to the companies, but also to their shareholders, which the liberal government regards as a long-awaited move to tackle the chronic undervaluation on the South Korean market. Before the Cabinet approval, boards of directors had the obligation to act solely in the company's interests, not shareholders. The new bill is to take effect immed
July 15, 2025 -
Opposition party denounces Chinese participation in Korea’s offshore wind project
The main opposition People Power Party on Tuesday condemned China Energy Engineering Corporation's participation in Korea’s offshore wind power plant project in the West Sea, raising concerns over possible security threats. “According to a media report, China’s state-run company CEEC is taking part in the 365 (megawatt) wind power project in the waters of Yeonggwang in South Jeolla Province,” said People Power Party spokesperson Lee Jun-woo. “China’s entrance into our domestic offshore wind powe
July 15, 2025 -
Lee calls for efficient budget planning to support economic recovery
President Lee Jae Myung called on the government to drastically adjust inefficient budget spending to ensure that next year's budget is allocated effectively to support the sluggish economy. Lee emphasized the need for a prudent and strategic fiscal policy during a Cabinet meeting as the government is drafting the 2026 budget proposal amid an economic slowdown and trade uncertainties. "Given the difficult conditions facing our economy and the significant weakening of the private sector's fundame
July 15, 2025 -
Arrest warrants sought for construction firm officials in case allegedly involving ex-first lady
The special counsel team investigating allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee filed for warrants Monday to arrest four construction company officials over a stock manipulation case allegedly linked to her. The investigation team, led by special counsel Min Joong-ki, said it filed the warrants against Lee Il-jun and Cho Sung-wok, current and former chairman of Sambu Construction Co., respectively, along with a former vice chairman and a former CEO, on charges of violating the Capita
July 14, 2025 -
Special counsel summons Kakao founder, others for questioning in probe into ex-first lady
The special counsel team investigating allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee on Monday summoned the founder of Kakao Corp. and executives of several other companies for questionings over an investment scandal linked to one of Kim's aides. The investigation team, led by special counsel Min Joong-ki, said it summoned Kakao founder Kim Beom-su; vice chairman of HS Hyosung Corp. Jo Hyeong-sang; former president of the Korea Securities Finance Corp. Yoon Chang-ho; and former Daou Kiwoo
July 14, 2025 -
Meet Bobby, South Korea's new 'first dog'
President Lee Jae Myung's office on Monday introduced the nation's 'first dog,' Bobby. On his Instagram post, Lee unveiled a photo of himself sitting on an armchair along with the dog. Lee said in the post that his family has been raising the dog. "A fourth of South Korea's population lives with a pet. Through Bobby, who gives us happiness and solace by just being with us, I could understand the minds of people who are living with their pets," read the post. Lee's office did not immediately elab
July 14, 2025 -
Drone operations command raided in Yoon martial law probe
South Korea’s special counsel team raided the military’s drone operations command Monday as part of its investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Led by Special Counsel Cho Eun-suk, the raid was part of a broader investigation into whether Yoon orchestrated a drone operation over North Korea in an attempt to fabricate a pretext for declaring martial law on Dec. 3. Monday's raid marked a sign that the insurrection probe has expanded into treason charges. Some of Yoon's opponents have cla
July 14, 2025 -
Land Ministry raided in ex-first lady’s Yangpyeong expressway probe
The special counsel team investigating allegations surrounding former first lady Kim Keon Hee on Monday raided the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and other locations accused of involvement in a suspected land price manipulation scheme. The investigators under the team, which was launched last month, conducted search and seizure operations at a total of 10 locations, including the Land Ministry and two subcontractors, which are local construction and engineering firms. The team is
July 14, 2025 -
Lee calls for strict penalties over deadly safety lapses at tunnel flood site
President Lee Jae-myung on Monday called for strict penalties for safety negligence during a visit to an underpass in Osong-eup in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, where a deadly flash flood killed 14 people in July 2023. With a black ribbon pinned to his chest in a show of condolences for the lives lost, Lee was briefed about the cause of the riverbank collapse and the inundation two years ago by officials of both the Environment Ministry and North Chungcheong Province, according to Lee's
July 14, 2025 -
Assembly starts packed week of hearings for Lee's inaugural Cabinet
The National Assembly began confirmation hearings Monday for President Lee Jae Myung’s first Cabinet nominees, with the main opposition People Power Party vowing to conduct a rigorous review of each candidate. Among those drawing the most attention are Education Minister nominee Lee Jin-sook and Gender Equality Minister nominee Rep. Kang Sun-woo, both of whom face allegations of misconduct. Lee, who served as president of Chungnam National University in South Chungcheong Province, is accused of
July 14, 2025