DP leader says possibility of US-NK talks up after Trump election

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said Friday the possibility of dialogue between North Korea and the United States seems to be high under the incoming Donald Trump administration, calling on the government to come up with a strategy to prevent South Korea from being bypassed. Lee, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, made the remarks at a supreme council meeting at the National Assembly, noting media reports that Trump's transition team is considering direct talks with North K

Nov. 29, 2024

[Bills in Focus] Promoting chip sector growth, fair LLC audits

Proposed Bill: Special Act on Strengthening Competitiveness and Promoting Innovative Growth in the Semiconductor Industry Proposed by Rep. Lee Chul-gyu (People Power Party) ● Amid the intensifying global competition for semiconductor dominance, this bill introduces measures to bolster Korea’s semiconductor industry. It establishes legal grounds for providing subsidies for infrastructure development and forming administrative bodies to support semiconductor policy formulation and execution.

Nov. 29, 2024

Assembly passes bills to limit power of ruling bloc

The opposition-led National Assembly on Thursday passed two bills that could limit the authority and the power of the current ruling bloc. The Assembly, in a 179-102 vote, passed a bill that strips the current ruling People Power Party of the right to recommend candidates for a special counsel when investigating allegations against the president or the president’s family members. The revision to the Act on the Appointment of Independent Prosecutor bans the political party that the presiden

Nov. 28, 2024

Ukrainian delegation in Seoul did not request South Korean weapons: minister

The delegation from Ukraine did not request that South Korea provide defensive weapons during a series of high-level meetings held Wednesday in Seoul. Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, who spoke with his visiting Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov for 30 minutes on Wednesday, said he “did not receive any proposals” from the delegation about buying the Cheongung air defense system, as some reports had speculated. The South Korean defense minister was speaking Thursday in re

Nov. 28, 2024

Ishiba's potential visit to S. Korea in Jan. not yet decided: presidential office

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's possible visit to South Korea in January for a summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol has not yet been decided, the presidential office said Thursday. Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun earlier reported that Ishiba has been coordinating the visit to Seoul in early January for a summit with Yoon. "Nothing has been decided. The two leaders have agreed to continue advancing shuttle diplomacy," a senior presidential official at Yoon's office said.

Nov. 28, 2024

Yoon receives Ukrainian special envoy; Seoul silent on possibility of weapons aid

President Yoon Suk Yeol met with a delegation from Ukraine led by the country's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Wednesday at his office in Seoul, according to Yoon's office. Yoon was quoted by the presidential office as saying that he hoped South Korea and Ukraine could find a practical breakthrough to counter the security threat posed by military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Yoon's office did not disclose what Umerov said during his meeting with Yoon. Following t

Nov. 27, 2024

Presidential office worries over impact of Trump's proposed tariffs on Korean firms in Canada, Mexico

The presidential office on Wednesday expressed concerns about the potential impact of President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on Korean businesses in Mexico and Canada, vowing proactive measures to address the risks. Sung Tae-yoon, the presidential chief of staff for policy, held an interagency meeting to assess the potential effects of Trump's pledge to levy a 25 percent tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada, along with an additional 10 percent tariff on China. Trump&#

Nov. 27, 2024

Yonsei University to hold additional essay test amid question leak controversy

The Ministry of Education approved Yonsei University's plan to conduct an additional essay test for natural sciences applicants after the original exam -- part of the 2025 admissions cycle -- was marred by a leaked question. The decision aims to resolve ongoing legal disputes over the leak and stabilize the university’s admissions process. The additional test, scheduled for December 8, comes in response to a court ruling that suspended the results of the original exam after proctors a

Nov. 27, 2024

Trump presidency could be opportunity for Korea as arms exporter: minister

GWACHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- South Korea’s defense acquisition minister said the upcoming US administration under returning President Donald Trump could be an opportunity for the country’s defense industry. Seok Jong-gun, who heads the Defense Acquisition Program Administration in charge of arms exports, told reporters Tuesday that Trump decreasing support to US allies could open up a new market for South Korean defense companies to explore. The minister said he sees Trump presiden

Nov. 27, 2024

Debate on easing presidential term limit revived

Talk of a constitutional amendment to ease the presidential term limit has reemerged in South Korea, with a new proposal allowing a president to seek reelection. Chyung Dai-chul, a former lawmaker who served five terms until 2004, said Wednesday he would work to let either the legislature or the government finalize their proposal of an amendment to the Constitution by the end of 2025. His proposal will allow presidents to serve a second term, while shortening the length of a single term from fiv

Nov. 27, 2024

Prosecutors raid ruling party offices on election interference probe

Prosecutors on Wednesday raided the ruling People Power Party headquarters and its offices in western Seoul as part of an inquiry into claims that a self-proclaimed power broker interfered in the conservative party’s 2022 by-election candidate nominations. The Changwon District Prosecutors' Office conducted a search and seizure based on the allegations that Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker, received around 76 million won ($54,400) from former People Power Party Rep. Ki

Nov. 27, 2024

Presidential office to hold emergency meeting on Trump's proposed tariffs

The presidential office plans to hold an emergency meeting Wednesday to discuss responses to US President-elect Donald Trump's proposal to impose tariffs on three trading partners, a senior presidential official said. The meeting comes after Trump said on social media that he will use an executive order to levy new tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico on his first day in office. The meeting is expected to analyze the US trade policy in Trump's second term and discuss potential counterme

Nov. 27, 2024

Prosecutors raid ruling party headquarters over influence-peddling scandal

Prosecutors on Wednesday raided the headquarters of the ruling People Power Party as part of an investigation into an influence-peddling scandal linked to the 2022 parliamentary by-elections. Prosecutors sought to confiscate materials related to the party's nomination of candidates for the 2022 elections but were unable to do so as the relevant office is located in a separate building within the National Assembly compound, according to PPP officials. Authorities are currently working to gai

Nov. 27, 2024

Govt. pledges support for semiconductor industry amid Trump concerns

South Korea unveiled a comprehensive package of support measures for the semiconductor industry Wednesday, with its top economic policymaker highlighting "growing headwinds" amid concerns over potential shifts in US trade policy under the incoming Donald Trump administration and intensifying competition from Chinese rivals. "The next six months will be the 'golden time' that will decide the fate of our industries," Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said during a meetin

Nov. 27, 2024

Legal principle expert recommended as Supreme Court justice

The Supreme Court chief on Tuesday recommended a senior judge from the Seoul High Court, known for his expertise in legal principles, as a new justice for the top court. Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae recommended Ma Yong-joo to President Yoon Suk Yeol as a new Supreme Court justice to replace Kim Sang-hwan, who is scheduled to retire on Dec. 27. Once Yoon submits a motion seeking the National Assembly's approval for Ma's appointment, the Assembly will hold a confirmation heari

Nov. 26, 2024

Yoon vetoes 3rd bill targeting first lady

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday vetoed a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into multiple allegations against first lady Kim Keon Hee, including her alleged meddling in past elections, with the legislation marking the third of its kind. Tuesday’s approval comes 12 days after the National Assembly passed the bill on Nov. 14, in a vote boycotted by the ruling People Power Party. Yoon has already vetoed two similar special counsel bills passed in December 2023 and September, wh

Nov. 26, 2024

Seoul Mayor denies ties with political broker

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Tuesday refuted allegations that he received help during the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election from Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker at the center of a growing political scandal. With a background in public opinion polling, Myung Tae-kyun has claimed he supported Oh's victory by providing polling data and strategic advice. Speaking at a press briefing at City Hall on Tuesday, Oh denied ever commissioning polls from Myung or receiving any related data. Th

Nov. 26, 2024

S. Korea committed to 'best possible' alliance with US under 2nd Trump term: envoy

South Korea will continue to make efforts to develop its alliance with the United States in the best way possible under the incoming second Donald Trump administration, its top envoy said Monday. Ambassador Cho Hyun-dong made the remarks amid concerns that Trump's reelection could lead to significant changes in policies related to the alliance, security and other shared issues, given his unconventional and transactional approach to running state affairs. "We put the top priority on con

Nov. 26, 2024

Govt. demands parliamentary reconsideration of first lady special counsel bill for 3rd time

The Cabinet on Tuesday demanded the National Assembly reconsider a bill calling for a special counsel investigation into corruption allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee, the third time the government has sought a veto of the opposition-led bill. A motion demanding reconsideration was approved during a Cabinet meeting held 12 days after the bill passed through the opposition-controlled National Assembly. President Yoon Suk Yeol is widely expected to endorse the motion. "The right to

Nov. 26, 2024

Govt. demands parliamentary reconsideration of first lady special counsel bill for 3rd time

The Cabinet on Tuesday demanded the National Assembly reconsider a bill calling for a special counsel investigation into corruption allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee, the third time the government has sought a veto of the opposition-led bill. A motion demanding reconsideration was approved during a Cabinet meeting held 12 days after the bill passed through the opposition-controlled National Assembly. President Yoon Suk Yeol is widely expected to endorse the motion. The bill calls for

Nov. 26, 2024