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Lee vows to improve relations with N. Korea based on cooperation with US
President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday that his administration will work to improve relations with North Korea based on cooperation with the United States, but acknowledged that dialogue with Pyongyang looks difficult for now. Speaking at a press conference marking his first month in office, Lee emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation with Pyongyang. "We should improve relations with North Korea based on fixed coordination with the United States," he said. "Completely cutting off di
July 3, 2025 -
Ex-PSS deputy chief appears for special counsel questioning in martial law probe
Kim Seong-hoon, former deputy chief of the Presidential Security Service (PSS), appeared before a special counsel team Thursday to undergo questioning in connection with former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid. Kim arrived at the office of special counsel Cho Eun-suk as the team looks into allegations Yoon ordered the PSS to block investigators from executing a warrant to detain him in early January. The special counsel team has also been looking into whether Yoon ordered the PSS to del
July 3, 2025 -
Natl. Assembly approves PM nominee Kim Min-seok
The National Assembly was set to vote on Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok on Thursday amid objections from the main opposition over allegations surrounding his wealth and family. The ruling Democratic Party, which currently holds a parliamentary majority with 167 out of 298 seats, can single-handedly pass Kim's motion without the support of the main opposition People Power Party. A plenary session is scheduled for 2 p.m. to confirm Kim as the country's No. 2 official. In South Korea, the prim
July 3, 2025 -
Yoon may have ordered drone incursion into North: local reports
South Korea’s special prosecutor investigating former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law is looking into the possibility that Yoon may have ordered a covert drone incursion into North Korea to provoke a military response, multiple local media outlets reported Wednesday, citing unnamed sources. According to the reports, the investigation team has obtained an audio recording that may be related to the suspected drone operation. While the contents are not considered direct evidence
July 2, 2025 -
Cabinet nominees face 'ethics test' over wealth
Soon after Han Sung-sook, a famed business executive, was nominated to be minister of small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, her wealth quickly began making headlines. According to financial disclosures Han submitted to the National Assembly, the nominee had declared around 18.1 billion won in assets. But that failed to reflect her Naver stock options, an extensive portfolio of US stocks and crypto assets or real estate holdings, according to nondisclosed statements obtained by the opp
July 2, 2025 -
Cash subsidies coming this month: ruling party
South Korea's ruling and opposition parties reached a surprise agreement Tuesday on a key component of the supplementary budget plan, bringing President Lee Jae Myung’s universal cash subsidy proposal a step closer to final parliamentary approval. With the deal in place, the National Assembly’s budget committee is expected to fast-track deliberations on the 13.2 trillion won ($9.5 billion) package, which will fund the distribution of consumer coupons to all residents — reportedly including forei
July 1, 2025 -
Prosecution chief resigns amid overhaul
Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung stepped down Tuesday after nine months in office following Sunday's nomination of a new justice minister and the administration's plans for prosecutorial reform. Expressing concerns about the Lee Jae Myung administration's reform plan, Shim said he has decided to "step down from the heavy responsibility as prosecutor general," in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. "Considering the various situations, I have decided that stepping down from the position now wo
July 1, 2025 -
President Lee's approval rating inches up to 59.7%
President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rose for the second consecutive week to 59.7 percent, a survey showed Monday. According to the survey by Realmeter and commissioned by a local news outlet, the positive assessment of Lee's performance rose 0.4 percentage point from the previous week, while the negative assessment rose 0.1 percentage point to 33.6 percentage points. Realmeter assessed that Lee's approval rating was backed by a series of livelihood-related measures, including his first sup
June 30, 2025 -
Lee’s longtime aide, political heavyweight tapped as justice minister
Five-term lawmaker and Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Jeong Seong-ho, who is known as a close aide to President Lee Jae Myung, was tapped as the new justice minister on Sunday. Before entering politics, Jeong worked as a human rights attorney for over a decade after passing the country’s bar exam in 1986. The 63-year-old entered politics in 2000 and won a seat in parliament for the first time in 2004, representing the constituency of Yangju, Gyeonggi Province -- a constituency he has won five ti
June 29, 2025 -
Interior Minister-nominee Yoon Ho-jung a veteran politician, strategist for liberal bloc
Five-term lawmaker Yoon Ho-jung has been nominated to be the first minister of the interior and safety in the Lee Jae Myung administration, entrusted with the task of addressing organizational revamping related to criminal investigative branches. The 62-year-old won his first parliamentary seat in 2004. He was a member of the presidential advisory council on policies during the Moon Jae-in administration and was a key member in the nomination process for the Democratic Party of Korea ahead of th
June 29, 2025 -
Koo Yoon-cheol, budget veteran, named finance minister
Koo Yun-cheol, former head of the office for government policy coordination and vice finance minister, has been appointed to be the next finance minister, the presidential office announced Sunday. Koo, 60, is widely regarded as a veteran budget expert. After passing the civil service exam in 1988, he built his career primarily at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, serving in roles such as director general for policy coordination, director general for budget planning and head of the budget offi
June 29, 2025 -
Health minister nominee Jeong Eun-kyeong, disease specialist who spearheaded battle against COVID-19
Jung Eun-kyeong, President Lee Jae-myung's pick to head the Ministry of Health and Welfare, earned nationwide fame during her tenure as the inaugural commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The 60-year-old was at the forefront of the nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and headed the KDCA as a vice minister-level official from September of 2020 to May 2022. She joined Lee's presidential campaign this year, ahead of the June 3 presidential election. She had risen
June 29, 2025 -
Lee Jae Myung picks 6 more ministers, 5 vice ministers, 2 senior aides
President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday announced nominations for six ministerial roles, including the ministers of finance and education who double as deputy prime ministers, as well as top presidential office staff positions. Koo Yoon-cheol, former deputy finance minister, has been tapped as finance minister and Lee Jin-sook, former president of Chungnam National University, as education minister, according to Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to Lee. Jeong Eun-kyeong, a celebrated former head of the co
June 29, 2025 -
Tensions escalate as DP pushes to approve PM nominee, extra budget
Tensions between the main parties are projected to intensify this week over whether to approve the nomination for prime minister for Kim Min-seok, as well as the review of an extra budget proposal. The main opposition People Power Party on Sunday said it plans to hold a “people’s” confirmation hearing for Kim, where the four-term lawmaker would be questioned by members of the public from outside the National Assembly. The party’s remarks come as the People Power Party and the ruling Democratic P
June 29, 2025 -
One month on, what are Lee Jae Myung's top policy priorities?
Less than a month into the Lee Jae Myung administration, several of his key policy priorities are now starting to take shape. Below is a breakdown of top policy moves based on the announcements out of the presidential State Affairs Planning Committee and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. As a candidate, Lee had pledged to take away the public prosecution service's investigative functions entirely. Shortly after Lee took office, the Democratic Party announced sweeping bills that would abolish
June 29, 2025