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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 -
Nazi, Hitler rhetoric back in Korean politics — and expats, experts are alarmed
References to Nazism and Adolf Hitler are appearing with increasing frequency in South Korea’s political discourse — raising concerns among foreign residents and scholars that such rhetoric must be used with far greater caution. On Thursday, Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok, chair of the main opposition People Power Party, likened President Lee Jae Myung to Adolf Hitler during a party leadership meeting, accusing Lee of pursuing authoritarian rule. “He is threatening the public by invoking Nazi war criminal
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 -
US gov't puts S. Korea-US tariff deal on Federal Register
US President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday posted on the Federal Register a notice on the implementation of a South Korea-US trade and investment deal, including a reduced tariff rate of 15 percent on Korean autos retroactive to Nov. 1. The Office of the US Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce posted the document to implement certain tariff-related elements of the US-Korea Strategic Trade and Investment Deal ahead of its official publication date set for Thursday. The
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Assembly committee passes bill on special insurrection tribunal
A parliamentary committee on Wednesday passed a bill calling for the creation of a dedicated special tribunal to handle insurrection cases stemming from former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed imposition of martial law. The bill passed the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee -- the final committee to handle a bill before it is sent to a plenary parliamentary session -- amid a boycott by the main opposition People Power Party. The ruling Democratic Party has been pushing to es
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Lee, IOC chief highlight sports' role in improving inter-Korean ties
President Lee Jae Myung met with International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry on Wednesday and discussed the role of sports in improving inter-Korean relations, his office said. The two met at the presidential office during Coventry's visit to South Korea to attend a world anti-doping conference in the southeastern city of Busan. Lee asked the IOC chief for her interest and support for the development of South Korean sports, saying he hopes to be able to "see the Olympic flag" in th
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Lee says Trump proposed 5:5 partnership for uranium enrichment project
President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that US President Donald Trump proposed the two countries form a 5:5 partnership to achieve South Korea's aim of enriching uranium and reprocessing spent nuclear fuel on its soil. Lee disclosed what he said was Trump's proposal at a recent summit meeting during a press conference with the foreign press that marked one year since former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed imposition of martial law. "In the end, we agreed to partner," Lee said, adding that Trump
Dec. 3, 2025 -
1 year after martial law, conservatives say sorry
From social media to the National Assembly, South Korea's right-wing politicians on Wednesday marked the first anniversary of the Dec. 3 martial law debacle with apologies. In front of the National Assembly Library in Seoul, Han Dong-hoon, the former leader of the conservative opposition People Power Party, bowed deeply in apology, saying the party had failed the public in the political crisis triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. “I deeply apo
Dec. 3, 2025 -
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 -
Court’s refusal to arrest Choo sparks partisan clash
The ruling Democratic Party on Wednesday denounced a court decision refusing an arrest warrant for Choo Kyung-ho, the former floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, as part of investigations into ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law. DP senior spokesperson Rep. Park Soo-hyun called the ruling “senseless,” claiming there is ample evidence that Choo actively impeded the parliamentary vote to lift the martial law declared by Yoon on Dec. 3 last year. Prosecutors ar
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Martial law review disrupts civil service, military
A sweeping review of government departments to identify areas of cooperation with last year's martial law declaration has already begun to disrupt their work, civil servants say, as the vague terms of the probe leave many uncertain over their future. The review, launched Nov. 21 by a task force under Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, spans 49 ministries and agencies — including the military, prosecution and police — with its assessment due Jan. 31 and personnel actions due by Feb. 21. But civil serva
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Lee to designate Dec. 3 as day of people's sovereignty to mark overcoming of martial law crisis
President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday he will designate Dec. 3 as a day for people's sovereignty to mark overcoming the failed martial law bid that put the nation into turmoil a year ago, highlighting that it demonstrated South Korea's democratic resilience to the world. In a special national address marking the one-year anniversary of the short-lived martial law imposition, Lee also said that by "defeating an unjust power" through peaceful means, the South Korean people have made themselves fu
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Lee says S. Korea could play mediating role, where possible, in China-Japan dispute
President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that South Korea could play a mediating role, where possible, to ease rising tensions between China and Japan, stressing that taking sides would only escalate the dispute. Lee made the remark during a press conference with foreign media, when asked by a reporter if South Korea was willing to express support for Japan amid the tensions sparked by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Taiwan remarks. "Taking sides would only escalate the conflict. This app
Dec. 3, 2025