President Yoon Suk-yeol said Wednesday that the South Korean government does not back the use of force in bringing about changes in North Korea, but that guaranteeing regime security is not an element of his “audacious initiative.” Yoon also said that he sees dialogue with the North as “necessary,” but it should not be political showmanship. “Guaranteeing regime security is not something the So...

President Yoon Suk-yeol hinted at reorganizing the presidential office, saying he intends to “make changes” meticulously and substantially for the people as his approval ratings show no sign of rebounding. It was once expected that a full personnel reshuffle would take place ahead of the 100th day of his office’s inauguration, but Yoon is likely to reorganize his office in a way that reinforces ...

Since the turn of the 21st century, South Korean pop culture has grown in prominence to become a major export driver in entertainment, music, TV dramas and movies, strengthening its soft power and cultural diplomacy in addition to economic gains. On Netflix, a string of original Korean-produced content such as “Squid Game,” “Hellbound” and “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” have become megahits. The ...

President Yoon Suk-yeol is likely to exclude politicians, including former President Lee Myung-bak, from the list of special pardons for National Liberation Day on Aug. 15, apparently because he is mindful of public opposition to the pardon of politicians amid low approval ratings. Yoon has hinted at a possible pardon for former Lee since taking office. In early June, he told reporters during a ...

Service has been restored to all sections of Line Nos. 1 through 8. The Ui New Line and Sillim Line are also operating normally as of this morning. Subway Line No. 9 resumed the operation at 2 p.m. Major roads were blocked by heavy rains in the Seoul metropolitan area beginning Tuesday morning, causing severe traffic congestion in various places. Some urban highways and bridges are under control...

President Yoon Suk-yeol, whose approval ratings continue to slide, vowed to carefully observe and uphold the people’s will by keeping to his original intentions in entering politics upon his first day back after his summer vacation Monday. But critics say his rhetoric must be followed up with action if he is to regain public trust. On Monday, media attention was focused on what Yoon would say d...

Yoon Suk-yeol has shrugged off the decline in his approval ratings, but as they fall below 30 percent, he faces an uphill battle if he wants to get public opinion on his side. According to a poll released by Gallup Korea on Friday, which surveyed 1,000 people from July 26-28, only 28 percent of the respondents said Yoon was doing well. Personnel management accounts for the biggest part of the d...

Anyone can quickly lower their stress through breathing and muscle relaxation. First, sit on a comfortable chair. A chair that has a back and can support a head is good. Close your eyes, relax your whole body and put your arms down. Breathe using your belly slowly. Breathe in with your lower stomach, and when you exhale, slowly drain air through your nose as if the air is escaping from the rubber...

The leaders of South Korea and Indonesia have agreed to stabilize supply chains of materials crucial for manufacturing of technology, and strengthen ties to support smooth delivery of Indonesia’s capital city relocation project. President Yoon Suk-yeol also conveyed Korea’s strong willingness to strengthen ties with ASEAN nations and shared its views on the region’s strategic importance. The agr...

President Yoon Suk-yeol will hold a summit with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Seoul on Thursday and discuss pending bilateral and major international issues, the presidential office said on Monday. According to Kim Sung-han, head of the National Security Office, Widodo will arrive in Seoul Wednesday for a two-day visit. On Thursday, the Indonesian leader will visit Hyundai Motor Technolog...

Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s first interpellation began on Monday afternoon at the National Assembly, with the ruling and opposition parties clashing over multiple pending issues ranging from the economy to national security. Pending issues, such as the launch of a new “police bureau” under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the repatriation of North Korean fishermen and Yoon’s controver...

President Yoon Suk-yeol stressed on Thursday that economic diplomacy is important and that he is willing to go anywhere if it helps the economy during a meeting with Foreign Minister Park Jin on Thursday. After a two and half hour meeting, Minister Park held a press briefing where he said that President Yoon ordered him to look after the diplomatic relationships with Russia, China, Japan and the...

President Yoon Suk-yeol again called for an end to “illegal activities” related to the prolonged strike by unionized Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering’s subcontractors on Thursday. Although Yoon’s tone was more cautious than his earlier remarks that hinted at the use of force two days ago, he still reiterated suspending the occupation of the company’s shipyard in Okpo, South Gyeongsang Pr...

As President Yoon Suk-yeol’s approval rating continues to decline, critics -- and even some within the ruling bloc, although cautiously -- say reshuffling the presidential office is needed for a rebound in the rating. It has been little more than two months since Yoon took office. But his support ratings have continued to decline, spurred by multiple controversies, including in personnel appoint...

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service Director Kim Kyou-hyun is in the US for an unofficial visit, amid the possibility of North Korea’s seventh nuclear test. He is expected to discuss issues related to Pyongyang’s provocations and recent controversies over the repatriation of North Korean fishermen with US top intelligence officials. Kim was seen by the media entering the country on Tuesd...