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Former People Power Party chief 'grief-stricken' by Yoon's alleged order to kill him
Han Dong-hoon, the former leader of the People Power Party, said Monday evening he was "grief-stricken and devastated" by courtroom testimony that former President Yoon Suk Yeol wanted him shot and killed. The remark was part of testimony by former Army Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-keun, who told the court that Yoon instructed him on Oct. 1, 2024, to arrest Han and other political figures, saying, "I'll have him shot to death if I have to." Han had been a longtime colleague and confidant
Nov. 4, 2025 -
Lee says US tariff deal eases uncertainties, touts progress on fuel for nuclear-powered subs
President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday that a tariff deal with the United States that was finalized last week has eased economic uncertainties while touting progress in talks with the US on the supply of fuel for nuclear-powered submarines. In his budget speech at the National Assembly, Lee reviewed the results of his summit with US President Donald Trump, which finalized details of Seoul's $350 billion investment pledge in exchange for lower US tariffs. Last week, Lee asked Trump to allow South K
Nov. 4, 2025 -
China extends visa-free policy for S. Koreans until end-2026
China said Monday it has extended a visa-free program for nationals of 45 countries, including South Korea, until the end of next year. The waiver for South Koreans was introduced last November under a broader visa-free program aimed at boosting China's economy. Under the program, ordinary passport holders from the 45 countries can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days for purposes of business, tourism, family visits and transfers. In announcing the extension until Dec. 31, 2026, China's forei
Nov. 3, 2025 -
Defense chiefs of S. Korea, U.S. visit DMZ amid efforts to resume N.K. diplomacy
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas on Monday, as the allies seek to resume diplomacy with North Korea while ensuring a robust combined defense posture. The defense chiefs visited Observation Post Ouellette, the U.N. Command's military facility close to the Military Demarcation Line, and the Joint Security Area (JSA) inside the DMZ, marking the first joint visit to the buffer zone by the two countrie
Nov. 3, 2025 -
S. Korea imposes travel ban on Mali over terrorist activities
The foreign ministry said Monday it imposed a travel ban on Mali over increased terrorist activities in the African nation. The ban, the highest Level 4 of a four-tier travel warning system, will be in effect starting midnight and came as public safety has deteriorated with the increased activities of al-Qaeda-linked armed group JNIM. Mali's capital, Bamako, where most of the South Korean nationals in the country reside, is effectively under a blockade. The ministry said those who are planning a
Nov. 3, 2025 -
Military chiefs of S. Korea, U.S. conduct first-ever joint commander's flight
The military chiefs of South Korea and the United States conducted a joint commander's flight Monday for the first time in the alliance's history. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung and his U.S. counterpart, Gen. Dan Caine, oversaw a combined formation flight aboard South Korean and U.S. fighter jets, respectively, after holding the 50th Military Committee Meeting in Seoul, according to the South's JCS. The flight marked the first time the allies' military chiefs have jointl
Nov. 3, 2025 -
Lee orders immediate halt to sales of govt. assets
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday issued an emergency order to halt all procedures for the sale of assets owned by the government amid speculation about illicit gains by undisclosed prospective buyers, Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young said in a statement on Monday. Lee ordered all Cabinet ministers to completely stop state-owned asset sales and reconsider all such sales currently underway or under review. Lee also instructed his administration that sales should receive Prime Minister Kim Min-seok
Nov. 3, 2025 -
Brakes put on bill to halt incumbent president's trials
South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party of Korea on Monday stopped pursuing a bill designed to block criminal trials against a sitting president, quickly reversing its plan announced Sunday to pass the bill before the end of November. The proposal, initially dubbed the Trial Suspension Act, passed the Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee in May, where the party holds half the seats, including the committee chair. But the party on Sunday unveiled its plan to rename the bill the “National
Nov. 3, 2025 -
Buoyed by APEC gains, Lee to outline 8% budget boost
After a dramatic week of diplomacy at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, President Lee Jae Myung is turning his attention to the domestic agenda as he presents his expansionary fiscal policy as necessary to weather economic headwinds. Lee will deliver an address Tuesday on the government's budget proposal for next year, and outline his administration's policy priorities, according to the presidential office Monday, Rival parties are expected to c
Nov. 3, 2025 -
Lee's approval rating rebounds to 53% on tariff deal with US: poll
President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rebounded for the first time in three weeks, driven by positive sentiment over a recently finalized tariff deal with the United States, a survey showed Monday. According to the survey by Realmeter commissioned by a local news outlet, 53 percent gave a positive assessment of Lee's job performance, up 1.8 percentage points from the previous week. Negative assessment of Lee fell 1.6 percentage points to 43.3 percent. Realmeter attributed the rebound to Lee'
Nov. 3, 2025 -
Lee asks Xi for closer communication on N. Korea
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — South Korea and China signed a series of agreements after a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping, at which Lee called for Beijing's support for talks with North Korea. The two signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in tackling voice phishing and online scams, the presidential office said, along with others to strengthen cooperation in services and trade, and renew a currency swap. At the summit, Le
Nov. 1, 2025 -
Lee to preside over APEC session on AI, demographic changes
President Lee Jae Myung is set to preside over a session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Saturday, focusing on artificial intelligence and demographic issues, the presidential office said. During the Retreat Session, APEC leaders will exchange views on regional issues in an informal and open atmosphere under the theme "Preparing a Future-Ready Asia-Pacific." In his remarks, Lee plans to outline a vision for restoring trust and cooperation a
Nov. 1, 2025 -
Parties split over US-Korea tariff deal
South Korea’s rival parties on Friday offered contrasting interpretations of the trade deal reached between Seoul and Washington during Wednesday’s summit between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, as well as over the next steps for the National Assembly. The deal reportedly revised Washington’s initial demand for an upfront, $350 billion cash investment into a $200 billion installment plan to be paid over 10 years. Additionally, the rem
Oct. 31, 2025 -
Clever strategy or cultural misstep? Crown gift to Trump has people talking
President Lee Jae Myung presenting a gold crown to US President Donald Trump immediately sparked heated debate in both the United States and South Korea, with many expressing bewilderment at the timing and cultural implications of the gift. In online South Korean communities, opinions were divided. Some criticized the gesture as “tone-deaf” in the wake of massive “No Kings” demonstrations in the US, while others viewed it as a strategic act of pragmatic diplomacy, particularly given the high-sta
Oct. 30, 2025 -
Xi in S. Korea for 1st time in 11 years for talks with Trump, Lee
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at Gimhae International Airport in Busan on Thursday, marking his first visit to South Korea in 11 years. He met with US President Donald Trump for their first summit in six years and was due to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday, also for their first summit. Xi landed at 10:30 a.m., kicking off a three-day state visit that coincides with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which opens Friday in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Pro
Oct. 30, 2025