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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 -
Pro-Yoon lawmaker quizzed in special counsel probe
Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, a lawmaker of the conservative People Power Party, was quizzed Sunday by investigators looking into influence-peddling allegations against Kim Keon Hee, former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s wife. The five-time lawmaker, who was considered one of Yoon Suk Yeol’s leading supporters, appeared for questioning at the office of the special counsel leading the investigation. Asked about his stance on claims he had helped Yoon and Kim interfere in the party’s nomination process for a Na
July 27, 2025 -
Trump says US will have most of its trade deals finished by Aug. 1
US President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration will have most of its trade deals with countries finished by Aug. 1, as South Korea and other trading partners are striving to reach agreements to lower its "reciprocal" tariff rates by the negotiation deadline. During a press availability at the White House, Trump also said his administration might send close to 200 countries a letter on their tariff rate, which he said means, "They have a deal. It's done." South Korea has been crank
July 26, 2025 -
Lee to dispatch special envoys to Poland, Vietnam, Australia, Germany
President Lee Jae Myung will dispatch special envoys to Poland, Vietnam, Australia and Germany to deliver personal letters and discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation, the presidential office said Friday. The envoys will depart consecutively starting Sunday and will meet with key officials in each country to convey Lee's message and explore opportunities to enhance friendly and cooperative ties, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. The delegation to Poland, comprised of Reps
July 25, 2025 -
Lee visits Busan, pledges swift relocation of oceans ministry
President Lee Jae Myung visited Busan on Friday and pledged to swiftly relocate the oceans ministry to the southeastern port city. The relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries from the central city of Sejong was one of Lee's campaign pledges. "I will swiftly execute the relocation of state organs, including the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, to Busan, as much as is possible," Lee said during a townhall meeting held at Pukyong University, adding he is not sure the ministry relocation
July 25, 2025 -
Agricultural items will be part of tariff talks: Seoul
Seoul's ongoing trade talks with Washington now encompass agricultural items, a high-ranking official of the presidential office said Friday amid growing speculations over what concessions Korea could make to reduce tariff threats on most goods exported to the US. “Talks between Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and his counterpart, US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer, are now underway, and agricultural products are included in the list of items that are now being negotiated,” Kim Yong-be
July 25, 2025 -
Opposition leader accuses ruling bloc of trying to eradicate political enemies
Rep. Song Eon-seog, interim leader of the main opposition People Power Party, on Friday accused the Lee Jae Myung administration and the ruling Democratic Party of seeking to “annihilate” the opposition through politically motivated measures — from deploying special counsel investigations targeting PPP lawmakers to pushing a parliamentary resolution calling for their expulsion. “This is a declaration by the Lee administration to complete one-party rule by using the special counsels and the Democ
July 25, 2025 -
Ministers of defense, unification, veterans affairs appointed
President Lee Jae Myung has appointed Ahn Gyu-back as the Defense Minister, Chung Dong-young as the Unification Minister and Kwon Oh-eul as the Veterans Affairs Minister, the presidential office announced Friday. Including the prime minister, this brings the number of confirmed Cabinet ministers in the Lee administration to 16 out of the total 20 as of Friday. Ahn, a five-term lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, said he would restore people's trust toward South Korea's military aft
July 25, 2025 -
Opposition urges Lee to engage with Trump over canceled US tariff talks
South Korea’s main opposition People Power Party on Friday lashed out at President Lee Jae Myung over Washington’s abrupt postponement of a high-level tariff negotiation, calling for immediate diplomatic engagement with US President Donald Trump. Rep. Song Eon-seog, interim leader of the conservative People Power Party, said during a radio interview with local broadcaster SBS that Lee must fly to the US immediately and meet with Trump. "Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met directly with Tr
July 25, 2025 -
Ex-PM’s house raided over suspected role in Yoon’s martial law decree
A special counsel team on Thursday carried out a search and seizure operation at the residence of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, accused of involvement in impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to impose martial law. The team led by special prosecutor Cho Eun-suk, formed to investigate the Dec. 3 martial law debacle, sent investigators to raid Han’s residence in Seoul’s central Jongno-gu district in the morning. Han is accused of adding his signature to the martial law decree, d
July 24, 2025 -
Former DP whip vows to rectify 'politically motivated' prosecutions
Rep. Park Chan-dae, former floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, on Thursday pledged to introduce a bill to establish a special commission tasked with investigating "politically motivated" prosecutions, including ones against President Lee Jae Myung. The move is considered part of the liberal bloc's broader proposal to carry out a reform of the prosecution. Park, a three-time lawmaker who currently contends with Rep. Jung Chung-rae for the post of ruling party chair, told reporte
July 24, 2025 -
Ex-PPP leader Han Dong-hoon says not to run for next party chair
Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the main opposition People Power Party, said Thursday he will not run in the party's upcoming leadership race. Han made the announcement in a Facebook post, vowing instead to dedicate himself to political reform and rebuilding the conservative party that has suffered from a sharp fall in public support following the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid. "I will not run in the August party leadership election," he said. "Instead
July 24, 2025 -
Gov't vows measures to stabilize supply chains
South Korea's first vice finance minister instructed government officials to come up with measures to ensure stable supply chains Wednesday, amid the nearing deadline for trade negotiations with the United States. "Global supply chain risks are escalating due to various external factors, including major economies changing their trade policies and deepening geopolitical conflicts," Lee Hyoung-il said in an expert committee meeting to discuss economic security items, goods and services that are cr
July 23, 2025 -
Lee, Kazakh president hold phone talks, discuss bilateral cooperation
President Lee Jae Myung held phone talks Wednesday with Kazakhstan's president and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, Lee's office said. During the call, Lee expressed gratitude to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for sending a congratulatory message on the launch of his administration, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing. The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation in areas such as infrastructure and critical minerals, Kang said. Lee also voice
July 23, 2025 -
Embattled lawmaker declines Gender Equality Minister nomination
Rep. Kang Sun-woo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea on Wednesday expressed her intention to decline President Lee Jae Myung's nomination for the role of gender equality minister amid ballooning controversies over her suspected abuse of authority in the workplace. Her announcement comes a day after President Lee reaffirmed his intention to push ahead with the troubled nomination on Tuesday, by requesting that the National Assembly forward a report on the confirmation hearing proceedings by
July 23, 2025