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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 gifts Xi with Go table, lacquerware
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday gifted a Go table and lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl to China's President Xi Jinping, who was in the country for the first time in 11 years. Xi, who arrived on a state visit to South Korea on Thursday, coinciding with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conferences in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, received a 9-centimeter-high, 1,978 square-centimiter-large wooden Go table made of torreya wood, with each s
Nov. 1, 2025 -
Lee says role of US, China important to peninsular peace
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the pivotal roles of the US and China in achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula, as he was closing this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Speaking at a news conference Saturday in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, just after the conclusion of the two-day APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, Lee said that Pyongyang’s hostile actions and provocations largely reflect its desire for security guarante
Nov. 1, 2025 -
Lee vows to sustain proactive initiatives to foster peace with North Korea
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — President Lee Jae Myung, in his closing remarks at the APEC summit on Saturday, vowed to continue measures toward peace with North Korea, emphasizing South Korea’s commitment to stability and dialogue on the Korean Peninsula. Noting that military confrontation, escalating tensions, and nuclear issues were undermining stability and cooperation not only on the Korean Peninsula but across the Asia-Pacific region, Lee said that under the principle of resolving i
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 -
Korean Peninsula peace, denuclearization on Lee-Xi summit agenda: Seoul
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — The high-stakes summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conferences may touch on the matter of peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, according to Lee's office on Friday. "Regarding the exchange of opinions, I heard that (the two sides have) reached a consensus to discuss denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and peace, as part of the livelih
Oct. 31, 2025 -
Iconic Gyeongju pastry praised by Xi during APEC visit
In their first encounter Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping shared a lighthearted remark with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, saying he enjoyed Hwangnamppang — a golden, round pastry filled with sweet red bean paste. Lee was hosting Xi for the opening of the APEC summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Xi is currently on a three-day state visit to South Korea, his first in 11 years. The unexpected topic of the leaders’ conversation was the pastry, an iconic treat from a bakery in
Oct. 31, 2025 -
Lee touts S. Korea's investment appeal to APEC business leaders
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — President Lee Jae Myung on Friday touted South Korea's investment appeal in his speech to dozens of business leaders from member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. During a working lunch with members of the APEC Business Advisory Council at the Gyeongju Hwabaek International Convention Center in North Gyeongsang Province, Lee said his administration has pursued “market-oriented pragmatism,” cutting red tape and boosting support for future in
Oct. 31, 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 -
Lee, Takaichi hold 1st talks, keep shuttle diplomacy on track
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — President Lee Jae Myung and his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi, who became Japanese prime minister last week, held talks Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conferences in South Korea, continuing "shuttle diplomacy" as her predecessor had vowed. "I believe this is the time for our two nations to strengthen future-oriented cooperation more than ever before," Lee said, addressing Takaichi at the Gyeongju Hwabaek Internationa
Oct. 30, 2025