Nuclear-powered submarines key outcome of US deal: Lee

President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that his agreement with US President Donald Trump to allow South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarines was one of the most significant outcomes from months of negotiations on trade and security. Speaking at a news conference with foreign media at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday, Lee emphasized that South Korea’s acquisition of nuclear submarines, as well as nuclear fuel reprocessing, would not constitute a violation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of

Dec. 3, 2025

Democracy prevails, Lee says, a year after martial law debacle

President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday thanked the people for their part in resisting the martial law declared by previous President Yoon Suk Yeol, but added that the work toward reconciliation that started on Dec. 3, 2024, was incomplete and must continue. In a special address to the public, Lee expressed gratitude to the people who bore the brunt of that winter night of martial law. The president also proposed to designate Dec. 3 as “People’s Sovereignty Day” to commemorate the role the people p

Dec. 3, 2025

Lee says Dec. 3 will be desginated as 'people's sovereignty day' to commemorate renewed democracy

President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that he would work to designate Dec. 3 as “People’s Sovereignty Day” to commemorate the role of the people in stopping the martial law declared last year by former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Expressing gratitude to South Korean citizens who demonstrated courage and solidarity in the face of a military threat, Lee stated in a televised public address that his government "will designate Dec. 3 as 'People’s Sovereignty Day' to honor the great courage and actions

Dec. 3, 2025

Auditors accused of leaking military secrets in NK border killing, guard post removal

Seven auditors from the state-run Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea (BAI) have been accused of leaking military secrets during inspections related to the 2018 dismantling of guard posts along the border and a 2020 border killing incident. The BAI's internal task force, formed to lead reform efforts within the agency, raised the allegations Monday, citing violations of the Military Secret Protection Act for failing to safeguard classified information. Among the accused are former BAI chief C

Nov. 26, 2025

Lee's Middle East, Africa trip underscores regional ties

President Lee Jae Myung's 10-day trip of the Middle East and African nations was to wrap up Tuesday, with South Korea having put particular emphasis on defense and nuclear energy ties. On the final leg of the trip in Turkey, Lee and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to deepen the two countries' strategic partnership and bolster ties in such fields. Lee’s meetings with leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, held before the G20 summit in Johannesburg over the weekend, had simi

Nov. 25, 2025

Leaders of S. Korea, Turkey vow stronger ties in nuclear energy, defense

South Korean and Turkish leaders on Monday agreed to deepen the two countries' strategic partnership and bolster ties in multiple fields, including defense, nuclear power, biotechnology and renewable energy. The plans were announced in a joint address by President Lee Jae Myung and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan following their summit meeting in Ankara. Addressing the media, the leaders shared that a joint statement has been adopted on the strategic partnership between the two nations.

Nov. 25, 2025

Lee seeks stronger defense, energy, cultural ties with Turkey

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday arrived in Ankara, Turkey, on a state visit for the last leg of his 10-day trip to Middle Eastern nations and the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Lee on Monday was set to visit the memorial mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the first president of modern Turkey; hold a summit with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan; and attend a state dinner hosted by his Turkish counterpart. Before departing on Tuesday, Lee will hold a flower-laying ceremony in the Korea

Nov. 24, 2025

Lee underscores need for persistent efforts to talk with NK

President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the importance of persistent efforts to hold dialogue with North Korea amid a "very dangerous" state of inter-Korean relations, asserting Seoul has no intention of seeking unification by absorption. When asked whether the South would consider scaling down joint military drills to ease tension, Lee noted that while it was difficult to predict the future, if a peace regime were established, it would be appropriate to stop the exercises. Speaking to reporters on t

Nov. 24, 2025

Lee calls for climate solidarity as G20 issues early declaration

President Lee Jae Myung called for solidarity among the international community to tackle global crises such as climate change, disasters and food shortages, highlighting South Korea's commitment to spreading resilience and spearheading joint actions. During the Group of 20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Lee said that South Korea would serve as "a responsible partner" in the world's shared journey to tackle climate change. Lee also called for substantial investment in infrastructure for t

Nov. 23, 2025

S. Korea to host G20 in 2028

South Korea will host the 2028 Group of 20 Summit, as its leaders' declaration adopted on Saturday confirmed the country would assume the rotating presidency of the annual multilateral summit. "We commit to working together under the United States’ Presidency in 2026 and meeting again in the United Kingdom in 2027 and in the Republic of Korea in 2028," read the declaration. The Republic of Korea is South Korea's official name. President Lee Jae Myung will chair the international summit, which fa

Nov. 23, 2025