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Probe targets alleged link between Mongolia operation, martial law
A special counsel is investigating a covert operation conducted by the military in Mongolia in November, in which two intelligence officers allegedly attempted to contact North Korean officials, as part of its probe into former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Investigators suspect that the operation was designed to provoke North Korea or to open a line of communication that could serve as justification for Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 of last year. The special council has also underscore
July 23, 2025 -
China's top envoy optimistic that bilateral public sentiment will improve
Chinese Ambassador Dai Bing expressed confidence Tuesday that recent strains in public sentiment between South Korea and China, particularly among the younger generations, will ease over time, stressing that friendship and cooperation will define the future of bilateral relations. Dai made the remarks during an embassy event promoting youth exchanges, as he addressed the recent rise in anti-China sentiment in Korea, fueled by some far-right conservatives, amid the political turmoil following for
July 22, 2025 -
Presidential Office to continue airing Q&As, warns against attacks on reporters
The presidential office on Tuesday reaffirmed its support for a new live briefing format that places both spokespersons and reporters on camera, calling it a step toward greater transparency and improved public access to information. At the same time, the office addressed growing controversy over online harassment of reporters, voicing concern about potential threats to press freedom. The “interactive briefing” system, introduced on June 24, allows the camera to alternate between the spokesperso
July 22, 2025 -
Lee pushes forward with gender minister appointment
Kang Jun-wook, the presidential secretary for national integration, resigned Tuesday, the presidential office has announced, after drawing public criticism over his book defending former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law bid. Merely a week after President Lee Jae Myung named Kang to take on the newly established position within his office, the secretary offered to resign in them morning, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. The president accepted the resignation after
July 22, 2025 -
All of President Lee's criminal trials now suspended
All five criminal trials against South Korean President Lee Jae-myung have now been put on hold, following the suspension of proceedings in his case concerning alleged illegal remittances to North Korea — the last remaining active case. The Suwon District Court on Tuesday announced the postponement of the trial, which involves President Lee, former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young, and Kim Seong-tae, former chairman of the underwear conglomerate Ssangbangwool Group. "The defendant c
July 22, 2025 -
Lee likely to appoint gender minister nominee despite mounting criticism
President Lee Jae Myung is expected to request the National Assembly send a confirmation hearing report for Gender Minister nominee Kang Sun-woo on Tuesday, his office said, signaling her appointment despite mounting public criticism. A parliamentary confirmation hearing for Kang, a ruling party lawmaker, was held July 14, but the main opposition People Power Party has refused to adopt the report, citing allegations of workplace abuses during her time at the Assembly. "President Lee will request
July 22, 2025 -
Ex-President Yoon, former first lady summoned for questioning
A special counsel team announced Monday that it has summoned both former President Yoon Suk Yeol and ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee for questioning scheduled to take place in the following weeks, over their alleged roles in election interference and other scandals. The team led by prosecutor Min Joong-ki team ordered Yoon and Kim to each appear as suspects for separate questioning sessions scheduled on the mornings of July 29 and Aug. 6, respectively, assistant special counsel Moon Hong-ju said to a
July 21, 2025 -
DP leadership stands behind gender minister nominee: presidential secretary
A senior presidential aide said Monday he believes the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea’s support for Gender Minister nominee Kang Sun-woo heavily influenced President Lee Jae Myung’s decision to push forward with the appointment process. The remarks came a day after Lee decided to withdraw his nomination to head the Education Ministry, Lee Jin-sook, who has been mired in an academic plagiarism scandal, while the president declined to do so for Kang. The two-term Democratic Par
July 21, 2025 -
Top security adviser heads for U.S. as tariff deadline nears
SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac has reportedly departed for the United States on Sunday, a ruling bloc official said, with less than two weeks left until the Aug. 1 negotiation deadline for tariff talks with the Donald Trump administration. The reported visit comes just 11 days after Wi visited the U.S. from July 6-9 to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, raising views his latest trip is aimed at engaging with high-level counterparts to accelerate tari
July 20, 2025 -
Special counsel detains drone command chief in martial law probe
Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team said Sunday it has detained the head of the Drone Operations Command and sought a warrant to formally arrest him over charges related to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law attempt. Maj. Gen. Kim Yong-dae was detained without a warrant on Friday, a day after the special counsel team questioned him over charges of benefiting the enemy, drafting fabricated documents and power abuse. The charges stem from allegations he followed Yoon's order to dispatch d
July 20, 2025 -
Lee Jae Myung pulls Education Minister nomination
President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday pulled Lee Jin-sook's nomination to become Education Minister in an unconventional fashion for South Korea's politics, Woo Sang-ho, Lee's senior secretary for political affairs, said in a briefing Sunday. Lee Jin-sook, who became the first minister nominee to have dropped out under the new administration, was one of the liberal president's picks for inaugural Cabinet members. But the 65-year-old has been embroiled in allegations related to academic plagiarism an
July 20, 2025 -
Lee Jae Myung faces mounting criticism over minister picks
President Lee Jae Myung faces calls to cancel some ministerial picks as he moves to fill Cabinet posts, while all eyes are on whether Lee will override the criticism raised against some nominees. The conservative main opposition People Power Party's interim leader, Rep. Song Eon-seog, demanded that Lee not proceed with presidential nominations of at least two nominees at a closed-door meeting with President Lee and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's floor leader Rep. Kim Byung-kee, according
July 20, 2025 -
Far right rears its head in conservative leadership race
South Korea’s main opposition People Power Party is heading into a turbulent leadership race — with a far-right firebrand gaining ground and threatening to upend the party’s future, while the party is still reeling from its June 3 presidential defeat. Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate who was labor minister in the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, declared his candidacy on Sunday in the party's Aug. 22 leadership election. In his announcement, Kim echoed far-right talking points, blaming the
July 20, 2025 -
Special counsel indicts Yoon on charges of power abuse in martial law declaration
A special counsel team indicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday on charges of abuse of authority over his short-lived imposition of martial law. It marks Yoon's third indictment with detention following previous ones in January and in March related to his martial law declaration on Dec. 3 and other power abuse charges. According to the team led by special counsel Cho Eun-suk, Yoon is accused of violating the rights of Cabinet members during the martial law deliberation process, retroa
July 19, 2025 -
Special counsel raids ex-investment firm chief in probe into ex-first lady
A special counsel on Saturday raided the residence of a former chief of an investment firm in a widening investigation into corruption allegations surrounding former first lady Kim Keon Hee, officials said. Investigators from special counsel Min Joong-ki's team seized a mobile phone during a raid on the home and car of Lee Jong-ho, former head of Blackpearl Invest, in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, according to the officials. Lee is suspected of violating the Attorney-at-Law Act. The special cou
July 19, 2025