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Election in money: What it costs and spending limits running for president in South Korea
Before a single vote is cast in South Korea’s 2025 presidential election, the first battle is already underway: to raise campaign funding. However, that amount must not exceed certain limits set by South Korean law. According to the National Election Commission, each of the candidates for South Korea’s upcoming 21st presidential election will be allowed to spend up to 58.8 billion won ($41.3 million) on their campaign. The NEC said that in Article 121 of the Public Official Election Act, the cap
April 23, 2025 -
Is Yongsan's brief time as seat of presidency coming to an end?
In 2022, former President Yoon Suk Yeol pushed forward with a controversial and costly plan to relocate South Korea’s presidential office from Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential compound used since 1948, to the former Defense Ministry headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Nearly three years later, the future of the new presidential office has become a key issue in the presidential election campaign, with some leading candidates pledging to reverse the move. Several of them — on both sides of the polit
April 23, 2025 -
Democratic Party's presidential contenders to hold another public debate for primary race
Three presidential contenders of the Democratic Party were set to hold their second public debate Wednesday, four days before the party plans to pick its candidate for the June 3 presidential election. The debate will bring together former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Dong-yeon and Kim Kyung-soo, a former South Gyeongsang Province governor. During the 90-minute debate, the candidates will present their visions in key areas, including politics, the economy, di
April 23, 2025 -
PPP primary race down to final 4 contenders
The ruling People Power Party on Tuesday evening announced the four contenders for the party nomination who are advancing to the second round of its primary process ahead of the June 3 presidential election. Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, People Power Party Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon and ex-Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo were shortlisted by the party’s election management committee to continue competing in the primary. Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, North Gy
April 22, 2025 -
PPP shortlists 4 contenders for presidential election
The People Power Party on Tuesday shortlisted four contenders in the first round of its presidential primary, ahead of the June 3 election. The four candidates are former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, according to the party's election commission. The results were determined based on surveys conducted by five polling agencies from Monday to Tuesday, covering a combined total of 4,000 respondents. The PPP
April 22, 2025 -
Acting president expects 'win-win' from US trade talks
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Tuesday he expected a "win-win" from the South Korean delegation's "trade consultation" with the United States, as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok flew to Washington Tuesday morning for the meeting. "Based on candid dialogue and cooperation between the economic and trade officials of the two countries, I expect (the bilateral consultation) to open the door to a win-win solution that would be mutually beneficial," Han
April 22, 2025 -
PPP contenders wary of Yoon Suk Yeol's shadow lingering over party
Candidates vying for the People Power Party's presidential nomination voiced concerns over former President Yoon Suk Yeol's continued activities despite his removal from office, with some in the conservative bloc saying that his continued visibility -- and his avid supporters -- could sabotage the party ahead of the June 3 presidential election. Such concerns were raised after Yoon was spotted meeting with lawyers who defended him at the Constitutional Court in his impeachment trial. On April 4,
April 22, 2025 -
Han Dong-hoon’s presidential campaign raises W2.9b in 11 hours
Over 2.9 billion won ($2 million) was raised for former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon’s presidential campaign, concluding a fundraising event after just 11 hours, his representatives said Monday. Han is running for the conservative party’s nomination in the June 3 presidential election. His team said that the total amount raised had come to 2.94 billion won as of 7:55 p.m. Monday, reaching the maximum limit that a candidate can raise under the Political Funds Act. The act stipulates th
April 22, 2025 -
Policy Watch: Lee Jae-myung proposes phasing out plastics, coal-fired power plants
Liberal Democratic Party of Korea former chair, Rep. Lee Jae-myung, who leads the field of presidential hopefuls, on Tuesday announced he would create a road map to phase out plastics to tackle pollution and make South Korea more sustainable. "We will turn South Korea into the leader in the plastic-free movement," Lee wrote on his Facebook page Tuesday, adding that he would work to establish necessary infrastructure for a circular economy and introduce the consumer "right to repair" movement to
April 22, 2025 -
Policy Watch: Kim Dong-yeon vows W400tr fund for renewable energy belt
Liberal presidential hopeful Kim Dong-yeon pledged to establish a renewable energy belt along the southwestern coastline of the North and South Jeolla Provinces bound by the Yellow Sea. A total of 400 trillion won ($281 billion) in spending of the public and private sectors combined would be involved, according to the incumbent Gyeonggi Province governor vying for the nomination from the Democratic Party of Korea. He added that the goal is to achieve the goals of RE100, with renewable energy gen
April 22, 2025 -
PPP set to shortlist 4 contenders for presidential election
The People Power Party was set to shortlist four contenders on Tuesday for the June presidential election, as part of the first round of its primary process based on public polling. The results will be determined using surveys conducted by five polling agencies from Monday to Tuesday, covering a combined total of 4,000 respondents. The party's election commission will announce the top four contenders around 7 p.m. In the second round, two candidates will be selected through a process that equall
April 22, 2025 -
South Korean presidential hopefuls offer condolences on Pope Francis' death
South Korea's presidential hopefuls offered condolences on Monday following the death of Pope Francis, each reflecting on how the late pontiff's message of peace, compassion and justice resonated with Korean society. Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leading contender from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, highlighted the pope’s call to “end all wars,” delivered just a day before his passing. He also recalled the pontiff’s 2014 visit to Korea, when he baptized bereaved relatives of the Sewol
April 21, 2025 -
Seoul offers condolences on Pope Francis’ death
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited Myeongdong Cathedral in central Seoul on Tuesday to pay tribute to Pope Francis, as the cathedral had prepared a condolence altar following the pontiff’s death the previous day. According to the Prime Minister's Office, Han said after offering his respects, “The late Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, left behind a profound spiritual legacy and teachings for Catholics and people around the world.” “We are deeply
April 21, 2025 -
Democratic Party of Korea says Han Duck-soo should let new government handle US trade deals
Han Duck-soo, who is serving as South Korea's acting president due to Yoon Suk Yeol's removal from office on April 4, does not have the authority to make trade deals with the administration of US President Donald Trump, the Democratic Party of Korea said Monday. The Democratic Party of Korea's task force for trade security held its first meeting Monday and said the acting president would be "stepping out of his lane" if he tries to realize any high-stakes negotiations with the US. Task force hea
April 21, 2025 -
Lee Jae-myung pledges to eliminate 'Korea discount,' achieve 5,000-point Kospi
Liberal presidential front-runner Rep. Lee Jae-myung vowed Monday to usher in a new era free from the so-called "Korea discount," pledging to double the nation's benchmark Kospi index to surpass 5,000 points if elected. Lee said Monday that his market reform push could put an end to the long-standing phenomenon of South Korean stock undervaluation due to weaknesses in corporate governance and a lack of market transparency, known as the "Korea Discount." He added that enhancing minority sharehold
April 21, 2025