-
Tilting playing fields in party selection contests
South Korea’s two major political parties are each racing to rewrite their primary rules ahead of next June’s local elections, igniting fierce internal battles over who should hold greater sway in deciding their candidate slates. In Korean politics, primary rules involve complicated political math that is recalibrated every major election cycle — tilting the electoral landscape and decide a race’s winner. This time, both the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and main opposition People Power Party
Nov. 25, 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 -
S. Korea pushes for soldiers, civil servants to have right to refuse unlawful orders
The South Korean government is moving to remove long-standing obedience requirements for civil servants and soldiers, on the heels of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024. The Ministry of Personnel Management on Tuesday announced plans to abolish provisions that have obligated officials to follow superiors’ commands even when they may be improper or unlawful. “The revision comes as part of the Lee Jae Myung administration’s policy agenda to build a more compet
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 -
Civil service on edge as martial law probe engulfs 49 state agencies
Scores of government task forces investigating potential misconduct by officials tied to the Dec. 3 martial law declaration formally began operations Monday, with investigations launched into 49 government ministries and agencies. The launch of the sweeping probes has sent ripples of unease through the civil service. Many government officials fear that the push for visible results could lead to the creation of scapegoats and drive the civil service deeper into a defensive crouch. The main opposi
Nov. 24, 2025 -
Special presidential inspector post still vacant despite Lee's pledge
The post of presidential special inspector has remained vacant for nearly a decade, despite pledges made by President Lee Jae Myung during his election campaign and again after taking office. Lee vowed throughout the campaign to fill the post without delay and reaffirmed the pledge at a press conference on July 3, saying that “power must be kept in check” and that “for the sake of the president’s own integrity, it is better to be monitored.” He added that he had instructed his office to initiate
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's approval rating inches up to 55.9%: poll
President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rebounded last week, driven by positive sentiment toward his economic diplomacy during recent visits to the Middle East and Africa, a survey showed Monday. According to the survey by Realmeter commissioned by a local news outlet, 55.9 percent gave a positive assessment of Lee's job performance, up 1.4 percentage points from the previous week. Negative assessment of Lee fell 0.7 percentage point to 40.5 percent. Realmeter said Lee's approval rating climbe
Nov. 24, 2025 -
Lee concludes G20 diplomacy in South Africa, heads to Turkey
President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday wrapped up his three-day visit to South Africa for the Group of 20 summit and departed for Turkey, the final stop in his four-nation swing to the Middle East and Africa. His participation in the G20 meeting marked the final leg of his multilateral diplomacy this year, following his attendance at the Group of Seven summit in Canada, the UN General Assembly in New York and South Korea's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Lee arrived in Johann
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 -
Opposition steps up Lee attacks as anniversary of martial law nears
The main opposition People Power Party has launched a campaign of outdoor rallies targeting the Lee administration, as the first anniversary of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration approaches. What the opposition presents as a nationwide tour to hear local concerns is, in practice, focused on amplifying criticism of the President Lee Jae Myung and boosting the party’s moribund support ratings. But the timing of the campaign also appears designed to preempt the Democratic Part
Nov. 23, 2025 -
Thai PM pledges support for Korean investment, urging deeper ties
Korea Herald correspondent BANGKOK — Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to supporting South Korean companies expanding their investment and operations in the country, highlighting that the two economies can deepen cooperation by leveraging Korea’s technological strengths and Thailand’s industrial base and skilled workforce. Speaking to a South Korean economic delegation consisting of more than 30 business and political leaders, Anutin said, “Korea is one of
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 -
First lady shares Korean traditional food recipe with chefs, students in South Africa
First lady Kim Hea Kyung demonstrated how to make a signature Korean stew in a meeting with South African chefs and students in Johannesburg on Saturday as she explained the Asian country's culinary tradition that has gained steady global attention amid the continuing popularity of Korean culture. The event took place at the Korean Cultural Center as she was accompanying President Lee Jae Myung, who was in the city to attend the Group of 20 summit. Kim prepared the Korean stew made with "doenjan
Nov. 23, 2025