Ex-President Yoon allegedly used envoy appointment to shield former defense minister from Marine death probe, indictment shows

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol rushed to appoint former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup as the top envoy to Australia in 2023 to help him evade an investigation into a Marine's death, a special counsel's indictment showed Saturday. The ousted president, already on trial for his botched martial law attempt, was further indicted earlier this week for allegedly helping Lee escape from the widening probe that centered on suspicions of negligence by senior Marine leadership. The indictment, obtained by

Nov. 29, 2025

Rival parties reach agreement on tax reform plan for dividend income

The ruling and opposition parties agreed Friday on a tax reform plan to create a new bracket for dividend income subject to separate taxation, adding a top-tier category for amounts exceeding 5 billion won (US$3.4 million) that will be taxed at a maximum tax rate of 30 percent. Financial income is currently taxed at 15.4 percent for amounts up to 20 million won per year, while income above that threshold is subject to comprehensive taxation, with rates reaching up to 49.5 percent. Under the agre

Nov. 28, 2025

Lee urges spy agency to remain faithful to original role

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday urged the National Intelligence Service to faithfully carry out its original duties, expressing regret that the spy agency had been misused for political purposes in past administrations, the presidential office said. Lee made the remarks during his first visit to the NIS since taking office in June. It also marks his first visit to a government agency for a policy briefing, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung told reporters. "It is regrettable that the vast

Nov. 28, 2025

Law school professor nominated as head of new media regulator

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday nominated a law school professor at Yonsei University as the inaugural chief of the country's refurbished media regulator, the Korea Media and Communications Commission. Kim Jong-cheol, a professor at Yonsei Law School, has been tapped to lead the media regulator, previously known as the Korea Communications Commission, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. Kim previous served as a deputy chair of a presidential advisory committee on constitutiona

Nov. 28, 2025

Prosecutors seek fines for DP lawmakers over 2019 fast-track clash

Prosecutors on Friday sought fines for former and sitting lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea over their involvement in a 2019 physical clash at the National Assembly during deliberations on fast-tracked reform bills. During the final hearing at the Seoul Southern District Court, prosecutors requested a fine of 4 million won ($2,700) for fourth-term lawmaker Rep. Park Beom-kye, and 3 million won for three-term lawmaker Rep. Park Joo-min on charges including joint assault under the

Nov. 28, 2025

Could PM Kim Min-seok’s next move be Seoul mayor or DP leader?

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok’s increasingly political public schedule is fueling speculation that he may seek the Seoul mayorship or a leadership post within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. The discussion intensified in recent weeks as his public schedule took on a broader political nature. After representing the government at last month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Kim embarked on a series of high-visibility activities, including visits to Gwangju, Daejeon, Sejong and Incheo

Nov. 28, 2025

Roh Moo-hyun receives highest post-presidency approval, Yook Suk Yeol lowest: survey

Former President Roh Moo-hyun received the highest retrospective approval rating among South Korea’s past presidents, while former President Yoon Suk Yeol ranked lowest, a poll showed Friday. In the Gallup Korea survey, 68 percent of respondents said Roh “did many good things as president.” He was followed by former Presidents Park Chung-hee (62 percent), Kim Dae-jung (60 percent), Kim Young-sam (42 percent), Lee Myung-bak (35 percent) and Moon Jae-in (33 percent). Yoon topped the list of leader

Nov. 28, 2025

FM Cho extends 'sincere condolences' to victims of deadly Hong Kong high-rise fire

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Friday expressed condolences and sympathy to the victims of a recent deadly fire at a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong and their families, as the death toll surpassed 80. "Together with the people of Korea, I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic fire in the Tai Po District of Hong Kong, which resulted in significant loss of lives," Cho wrote on his social media account. "On behalf of the Korean Government and people, I extend my sincere condolences an

Nov. 28, 2025

Assembly approves former PPP floor leader's arrest

South Korea's National Assembly on Thursday approved a motion to allow the arrest of Rep. Choo Kyung-ho, former floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, in connection with the martial law declaration by former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 3 of last year. The motion, which allows investigators to apply for an arrest warrant for Choo, passed with 172 votes in favor, four against, two abstentions and two invalid ballots out of 180 participating lawmakers. The ruling Democratic Par

Nov. 27, 2025

[Breaking] National Assembly passes arrest motion for ex-PPP floor leader in martial law probe

South Korea's National Assembly on Thursday approved a motion to arrest Rep. Choo Kyung-ho, former floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, over allegations that he disrupted a parliamentary vote to lift martial law declared by former President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3 of last year. The motion passed with 172 of the 180 ballots cast in favor. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea holds 166 seats. Lawmakers from the People Power Party — numbering 107 — did not cast their ballots.

Nov. 27, 2025

Ruling party submits US investment bill, locking in retroactive auto tariff cut

South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party on Wednesday introduced a special bill to implement its $350 billion US investment pledge, with the goal of expeditiously locking in tariff cuts on autos that would apply retroactively to Nov. 1. The legislation — a central follow-up to the joint fact sheet — paves the way for Washington to reduce levies on Korean automobiles and parts to 15 percent from 25 percent. The bill, titled “Special Act on Managing Korea–US Strategic Investments,” was submitted less

Nov. 26, 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

Lawmakers’ YouTube spending more than doubled

South Korean lawmakers’ spending on YouTube-related political activities increased by more than 40 percent last year compared with 2023, according to a report released Wednesday. The report, jointly compiled by Kyunghyang Shinmun, Newstapa and OhmyNews, found that average spending per lawmaker rose from 2.09 million won ($1,400) in 2023 to 3 million won in 2024, a 43.5 percent increase. Total expenditures surged from 285.4 million won in 2023 to 646 million won in 2024, marking a 126 percent ris

Nov. 26, 2025

Ruling party submits special bill on investment in US under tariff deal

The ruling Democratic Party submitted a special bill Wednesday to support South Korea's investment pledge in the United States under a tariff deal that was finalized last month and reduced US tariffs on the nation's exports, officials said. The bill, introduced by DP floor leader Rep. Kim Byung-kee, outlines the installation of a special strategic investment fund to facilitate the $350 billion pledge, among other support measures. Under the terms finalized during President Lee Jae Myung's meetin

Nov. 26, 2025

Lee pays tribute at Korean War Memorial in Ankara

President Lee Jae Myung paid tribute at the Korean War Memorial in Ankara on Tuesday and met with Turkish veterans who fought in the 1950–53 conflict, honoring their service and sacrifice. Lee laid a wreath of red and blue flowers -- the colors of the South Korean national flag -- at the memorial and observed a moment of silence, accompanied by first lady Kim Hea Kyung. Four surviving Turkish veterans and 13 family members of fallen service members attended the ceremony. Turkey dispatched more t

Nov. 25, 2025