Seoul mayor denies seeking help from pollster for 2021 election

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon denied a claim by pollster Myung Tae-kyun that the two had met on several occasions ahead of the 2021 by-elections. The mayor said he would face Myung at a prosecution questioning slated next month, rather than countering his claims in front of lawmakers. Speaking at a parliamentary audit held at Seoul City Hall on Thursday, Oh said his encounters with Myung were brief, denying Myung's claim that he asked the pollster to help him win the election. The mayor said he met Myu

Oct. 23, 2025

Previous first lady sitting on throne at royal palace sparks yet another controversy

Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol who herself is no stranger to scandal, has touched off yet another dispute, as it was recently revealed she sat on the throne at Gyeongbokgung during a 2023 visit. The Korea Heritage Service on Wednesday confirmed that Kim had sat atop the throne located in Geunjeongjeon of the main palace of the Joseon era (1392-1910) during a welcoming ceremony for guests from the United Arab Emirates. Kim and her companions had not been officially scheduled

Oct. 23, 2025

S. Korea narrows most gaps with US in tariff talks, seeks deal in line with national interests

South Korea has narrowed most differences with the United States in tariff negotiations, with "one or two" unresolved issues remaining, the presidential chief of staff for policy, Kim Yong-beom, said Wednesday, adding that Seoul seeks to strike a deal with Washington in line with national interests. Kim made the remarks as he was set to depart for Washington for follow-up tariff talks, along with Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, just two days after they returned home after holding talks with US

Oct. 22, 2025

Lee calls for police innovation trusted by public amid prosecution reform

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called on the national police to push reforms to reshape itself into a law enforcement that earns public trust as he vowed to boost police neutrality and democratic oversight. Lee made the remark during an event celebrating National Police Day as his government is pushing for a prosecution reform aimed at separating its indictment and investigative powers, and gradually expanding regional police systems. "To truly transform into police loved and trusted by the

Oct. 21, 2025

CIO questions ex-chief state auditor over power abuse allegations

The state anti-corruption investigation office said Monday it has questioned a former chief state auditor on charges of abusing his authority to conduct an audit of a state commission in an attempt to pressure its then head to step down. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials said it summoned Choe Jae-hae, former chair of the Board of Audit and Inspection, for questioning as a suspect on Saturday. Choe is accused of ordering a special audit in July 2022 targeting Jeon Hyu

Oct. 20, 2025

DP unveils reform draft to add 12 more Supreme Court justices

South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party of Korea on Monday unveiled its first draft of a judiciary reform plan, proposing to increase the number of Supreme Court justices from 14 to 26. If enacted, the reform would allow President Lee Jae Myung to appoint a majority of the bench by the end of his term. According to the party, the new system is intended to take effect one year after enactment, with four new justices added each year over three years. Currently, the Supreme Court comprises 14 justice

Oct. 20, 2025

Lee vows aggressive R&D push for defense exports, military self-reliance

President Lee Jae Myung said Monday his administration will push for research and development through increased government spending to nurture Korea's defense and aviation industry, a new export driver in Asia's fourth-largest economy. Lee also stressed that the development of South Korea's defense industry will contribute to achieving self-reliant defense, in line with his liberal administration's bid to regain wartime operational control of South Korea's military from the United States based o

Oct. 20, 2025

Lee’s approval rating falls again after brief rebound

President Lee Jae Myung’s approval rating dipped after a brief rebound last week that ended a four-week slide, data showed Monday. According to a survey conducted by local pollster Realmeter from Oct. 13 to 17, 52.2 percent of respondents said they view Lee’s performance in state affairs positively, down 1.3 percentage points from the previous week. In contrast, 44.9 percent gave a negative assessment, up 1.6 percentage points from a week earlier. The poll surveyed 2,518 respondents aged 18 and

Oct. 20, 2025

Lee pledges bold defense, aerospace R&D investment by 2030

President Lee Jae Myung said Monday the government will make bold investments in research and development in the defense and aerospace industries by 2030 to support efforts to secure key technologies and develop advanced weapon systems. Lee reaffirmed the government's vision to make South Korea one of the world's top four defense powers during his opening address at the opening ceremony of the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2025. "By 2030, we will inject an unprecedented leve

Oct. 20, 2025

[Contribution] US Congress must pass Partner With Korea Act

By Rep. Bae June-young My father was a small boy living near Incheon Port when, on the dawn of Sept. 15, 1950, the sea and sky were lit by flashes of the Incheon Landing Operation, through which South Korean and US troops retook territory from the North. He fled 20 kilometers inland with his family to escape the fighting. The operation — once deemed impossible due to the extreme tides and said to have only a 1 in 5,000 chance of success — liberated South Korea from the grip of the 1950-53 Korean

Oct. 20, 2025

Lee's aide sees progress in US tariff talks, but says more coordination needed

Kim Yong-beom, director of national policy at the presidential office, said Sunday that Seoul saw tangible progress in narrowing down differences over tariff talks with Washington as he returned from a four-day trip. "During the meetings to coordinate (over tariff talks), we have seen practical progress in most of the points of contention," said Kim, though “a few matters still require coordination.” The key aide to President Lee Jae Myung added that Seoul and Washington are “doing their utmost

Oct. 19, 2025

Presidential chief of staff travels to Europe in defense export push

Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff for President Lee Jae Myung, said Sunday that he would be flying to undisclosed European countries, as the administration seeks to win more defense contracts in the highly competitive industry on the continent. Kang's trip to deliver a letter from the president to the countries as Lee's special envoy would be the first of its kind. The chief of staff is expected to make similar trips three times by the end of June next year. "I will go all out to make South Korea be

Oct. 19, 2025

Cambodia scam fallout continues despite weekend repatriations

After dozens of repatriations on Saturday, South Korea continued to simmer over Cambodian crimes against its citizens, with Seoul dispatching investigators, a major water project being put on hold, and some calling for a review of aid to the country. Korean police on Sunday dispatched investigators and forensic pathologists to Phnom Penh to conduct an autopsy with Cambodian authorities Monday, on a 22-year-old South Korean man who is believed to have been tortured at a crime compound there. The

Oct. 19, 2025

Lee vows justice for Yeosu-Suncheon victims on 77th anniversary

President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday offered his condolences to the victims of the government's bloody crackdown on a military rebellion. In a Facebook post marking the 77th anniversary of the so-called Yeosu-Suncheon incident, Lee pledged to seek justice for the civilians who were killed. "I will take solemn responsibility as president and take every possible measure to ensure there will never again be innocent victims of state violence," he wrote. He stressed the government will strive to uncover

Oct. 19, 2025

Constitutional Court chief says allowing complaints against Supreme Court rulings ‘ideal’

Kim Sang-hwan, the chief justice of the Constitutional Court, expressed support during an Assembly audit Friday for allowing constitutional complaints against Supreme Court rulings, saying such a mechanism could enhance the protection of basic rights. While Kim stressed that the matter should ultimately be determined by lawmakers, he acknowledged that recognizing judicial rulings as subject to constitutional review could be “an ideal direction” for ensuring people’s rights. His remarks came as l

Oct. 17, 2025