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Yoon faces wave of lawsuits seeking compensation for martial law distress
Civil lawsuits seeking compensation for distress caused by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law are being files across the nation, following a court ruling that recognized Yoon’s liability. The Democratic Party’s South Gyeongsang chapter held a press conference Thursday announcing plans to gather 10,000 participants to seek 100,000 won ($71) per person in compensation from both Yoon and his wife, citing psychological harm stemming from the Dec. 3 martial law. “The greatest
July 31, 2025 -
S. Korea deal cuts US tariffs to 15%; Lee to visit Washington in 2 weeks
South Korea and the United States struck a massive deal to lower prospective US tariffs on South Korean imports to 15 percent from a proposed 25 percent, in exchange for $350 billion of South Korean investment in the US, leaders of the two countries said Thursday. "We've overcome a major hurdle," President Lee Jae Myung noted on his Facebook Thursday as he confirmed the deal, saying it had removed uncertainties on Korea's export front. "Despite the tight deadline and challenging conditions, the
July 31, 2025 -
Kim Yo-jong's remarks suggest N. Korea sees it has strategic advantage in nuclear diplomacy: spy agency
Recent statements by the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un suggest that the regime believes it holds a strategic advantage in its stalled nuclear diplomacy with the United States and inter-Korean engagement, South Korea's spy agency reportedly told lawmakers Wednesday. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) shared its assessment on the remarks made by Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the ruling party's Central Committee, citing the North's enhanced nuclear capabilities
July 30, 2025 -
Lee vows to ease excessive penalties on corporate activities
President Lee Jae Myung pledged Wednesday to launch a government task force to explore ways to ease excessive penalties on corporate activities in a bid to help reduce regulatory hurdles and boost investment. Lee outlined a series of measures for what he described as a "pragmatic, market-oriented" government, including easing outdated regulations and limiting excessive penalties, while encouraging companies to enhance shareholder value. "It is time we should address concerns that breach of trust
July 30, 2025 -
Lee invites citizens to attend 'People's Appointment Ceremony'
President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday invited citizens to attend a ceremony next month symbolizing his appointment by the people. In a Facebook post, Lee said the "People's Appointment Ceremony" will be held at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul on Aug. 15, shortly after the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day. "It will be an occasion for the people as sovereigns to personally appoint the 21st president, and convey their individual expectations and wishes," he wrote. "I would
July 29, 2025 -
Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo declares bid for opposition leader
Ahn Cheol-soo, a four-term lawmaker of the main opposition People Power Party, announced his bid to become the leader of the conservative party Tuesday. Ahn, considered a non-mainstream lawmaker of his party, made the announcement during a press conference at the National Assembly, three weeks after abruptly resigning as head of the PPP's innovation committee amid clashes with the party leadership over his push for a personnel reshuffle. "I will become the leader of a party driven by reform whic
July 29, 2025 -
Trump reaffirms Seoul-Washington alliance; NK repudiates nuke talks
US President Donald Trump highlighted the need for the US armed forces to work together with the South Korean military in an "ironclad alliance" for peace on the Korean Peninsula in a statement released Monday, US time, to mark Korean War veterans day. The comments came as Pyongyang put out a statement Tuesday stating that personal ties between the leaders of the North and the United States were "not bad," but rebuffing any talks on Pyongyang's denuclearization. In the presidential statement to
July 29, 2025 -
Ruling bloc to raise corporate tax, reversing Yoon-era cut
South Korea’s ruling bloc on Tuesday outlined plans to raise the corporate tax rate and expand the scope of capital gains taxation, signaling a U-turn from policies aimed at tax relief under the previous conservative Yoon Suk Yeol administration. Following a policy consultation held at the National Assembly in Seoul, the government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said they had agreed to raise the top corporate tax rate from the current 24 percent to 25 percent — the same level as in 202
July 29, 2025 -
Special counsel raids home of minor party leader in probe into ex-first lady
A special counsel team raided the home of minor party leader Lee Jun-seok on Monday as part of its investigation into former first lady Kim Keon Hee's alleged election meddling. Investigators from special counsel Min Joong-ki's team searched the home of the New Reform Party (NRP) leader in Seoul's northern Nowon district, as well as his office, to secure documents and computer files, assistant special counsel Oh Jeong-hee said during a press briefing. Lee is a suspect in the election meddling ca
July 28, 2025 -
USFK says decisions regarding joint drills will be made via 'established consultation'
U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said Monday that decisions regarding potential changes in combined South Korea-U.S. drills "will be made through established consultation processes," after Seoul's unification minister said he will propose adjusting such drills to President Lee Jae Myung. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young made the remarks earlier in the day, hours after Pyongyang denounced the Lee administration of "blindly adhering" to the South Korea-U.S. alliance, declaring it will never engage in
July 28, 2025 -
S. Korea poised for Lee Jae Myung's formal inauguration ceremony on Liberation Day
South Korea is poised to hold an official inauguration ceremony on Aug. 15 for President Lee Jae Myung, according to the government and the presidential office on Monday. The ceremony for Lee, who assumed the presidency on June 4 immediately after his election victory -- without the customary transition period or ceremony -- will align with the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, commemorated annually as National Liberation Day. The ceremony is scheduled to take p
July 28, 2025 -
Probe into Yoon couple's alleged 2022 influence-peddling intensifies
The special counsel team on Monday ramped up its probe into former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee’s alleged meddling in the People Power Party's candidate nomination process for the June 2022 elections. The team conducted a search and seizure at the home and office of Rep. Lee Jun-seok in Seoul. Lee is currently the leader of the minor opposition Reform Party and was chair of the conservative People Power Party during the 2022 poll for local elections and by-elections for empt
July 28, 2025 -
S. Korea vows to consistently take actions for peace after N. Korea rejects Lee's overture
The presidential office said Monday it will consistently take necessary actions to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea rejected President Lee Jae Myung's proposal to resume dialogue. Earlier in the day, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said North Korea is not interested in any policy or proposal from South Korea and will not sit down with Seoul for talks. The presidential office said it is "taking note of" Pyongyang's first official stateme
July 28, 2025 -
Lee's approval rating falls for 2nd straight week to 61.5%: poll
President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating fell for a second straight week, a survey showed Monday, amid controversies over his personnel appointments. According to the survey by Realmeter and commissioned by a local news outlet, 61.5 percent gave a positive assessment of Lee's handling of state affairs, down 0.7 percentage point from the previous week, while the negative assessment rose 0.7 percentage point to 33 percent. Realmeter cited Lee's personnel appointment controversies, along with the
July 28, 2025 -
Yoon’s insurrection trial on hold as courts begin summer recess
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s criminal insurrection trial over his short-lived martial law imposition, will be put on hold, as courts across the country begin a summer recess on Monday. The Seoul Central District Court, where Yoon’s trial is being held, is scheduled to enter a two-week annual summer recess period from Monday to Aug. 8, a notice posted on its website showed Sunday. During this period, the court will have a reduced schedule for hearings. For all civil cases, hearings and prepar
July 27, 2025