Presidential aide resigns over alleged influence-peddling in personnel recommendation

Kim Nam-kuk, the presidential office’s digital communication secretary, resigned Thursday over allegations of an improper request to influence a personnel recommendation involving the country's main auto industry body, the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association. The presidential office said in a notice to reporters, “Secretary Kim submitted his resignation to the presidential secretariat today, and it has been accepted." The scandal erupted after local media reported on Telegram messages exc

Dec. 4, 2025

Seoul’s search for stability: political turmoil underscores need for a consistent North Korea policy

One year after South Korea witnessed its first declaration of martial law since 1979, the political aftershocks continue to reverberate — stretching far beyond constitutional law and deep into North Korea policy. On Dec. 3, 2024, then-President Yoon Suk Yeol stunned the country by declaring emergency martial law, claiming, among other things, that South Korea faced “pro-North Korea and anti-state forces” and accusing the opposition-controlled National Assembly of paralyzing the government. His d

Dec. 4, 2025

Lee to meet SoftBank CEO for talks on AI, semiconductor cooperation

President Lee Jae Myung is meeting with SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son on Friday to discuss cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and large-scale infrastructure investment, the presidential office said Thursday. The presidential office announced, “President Lee will meet Masayoshi Son and his delegation tomorrow to discuss cooperation in the AI and semiconductor sectors, as well as related infrastructure.” Other attendees are to include chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, presidenti

Dec. 4, 2025

Journalists recall fear, confusion 1 year after martial law debacle

Reporters who were on the front lines of last year’s martial law declaration gathered Monday for a live discussion hosted by the presidential office, recounting in stark detail the fear, chaos and disbelief they experienced within the presidential office in Yongsan-gu and the National Assembly in Yeouido on Dec. 3, 2024. The livestreamed session, titled “Marking One Year Since the Revolution of Light: Remembering and Recording the Day of Martial Law,” brought together correspondents from major n

Dec. 2, 2025

Lee warns ‘unrealistic’ nuclear armament debate hinders Seoul’s push for fuel-cycle rights

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday criticized "unrealistic claims" that South Korea intends to pursue its own nuclear arsenal, warning that such mischaracterizations are obstructing Seoul’s efforts to secure its uranium enrichment and spent-fuel reprocessing rights. Presiding over a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, central Seoul, Lee said discussions with Washington have been hindered due to concerns that expanded fuel-cycle capabilities could be diverted for nuclear weapon

Dec. 2, 2025

Yoon trial begins over Pyongyang drone allegations

Another trial began Monday for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, this time over his alleged involvement in South Korean military drones being flown over Pyongyang last year. The drone deployment, the investigators argue, was aimed at goading North Korea into retaliatory actions that could be used to justify declaring emergency martial law. The Seoul Central District Court kicked off its first preparatory hearing at 2:10 p.m. for Yoon and three former senior defense officials — former Defense Minis

Dec. 1, 2025

Lee to mark anniversary of martial law declaration with national address

President Lee Jae Myung will deliver a special address on Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of last year’s Dec. 3 martial law crisis, the presidential office said Sunday, saying that the administration plans to use the occasion to underscore what it describes as the restoration of democracy and the public’s role in overcoming the political turmoil. Lee Kyu-yeon, the presidential secretary for communication and public relations, told reporters during a briefing the presidential office in Yo

Nov. 30, 2025

Ruling party lawmaker denies sexual harassment as police probe launched

Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Jang Kyung-tae on Sunday denied allegations that he sexually harassed a female National Assembly aide last year, saying he would file a criminal complaint against the alleged victim for false accusation. The accusation surfaced Thursday after TV Chosun broadcast video footage submitted by the alleged victim’s boyfriend. The clip, filmed at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, in October 2024, shows Jang seated closely beside the woman, who appears heavily intoxicated an

Nov. 30, 2025

Ruling party faces leadership shakeup as several eye local election bids

Several members of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea’s Supreme Council are poised to step down in the coming days to launch bids in next year’s June 3 local elections, party officials said. Despite the expected departures, the party is not anticipated to shift into an emergency leadership system, as the number of vacancies falls short of the threshold required under party rules. The party’s senior spokesperson Park Soo-hyun told reporters after a Supreme Council meeting Friday that several me

Nov. 30, 2025

Kim Jong-un vows to provide 'new strategic assets' for Air Force

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un emphasized the growing role of the country’s air force and stated that the branch would be given "new strategic assets," as he marked the service’s 80th anniversary, state media reported Sunday. Kim presided over a large-scale celebration Friday at Kalma Airport in Wonsan, Kangwon Province, home to the 59th Kil Yong Jo Hero Flying Group under the 2nd Air Wing, according to the Korean Central News Agency. His daughter, Kim Ju-ae — widely viewed by North Korea watch

Nov. 30, 2025