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Supreme Court upholds acquittal of prosecutor in political meddling case
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a lower court's acquittal of a senior prosecutor indicted for conspiring in 2020 with a then opposition lawmaker to have complaints filed against then ruling camp figures. The top court handed down the ruling to Son Jun-sung, deputy chief prosecutor of the Daegu High Prosecutors Office, after a court of appeals last year acquitted him of leaking official secrets and violating the personal information protection law in connection with the so-called political m
April 24, 2025 -
Acting president seeks swift passage of extra budget proposal in speech to parliament
Acting President Han Duck-soo called on the National Assembly on Thursday to swiftly pass the government's extra budget proposal of 12.2 trillion won ($8.55 billion), stressing that time is of the essence to deliver economic relief and support to struggling citizens and industries. In a budget speech before parliament, the first by an acting leader since 1979, Han laid out the challenges facing the nation, from US tariffs and intensifying global competition in the artificial intelligence and sem
April 24, 2025 -
Lee Jae-myung calls for peaceful coexistence with North Korea
The Democratic Party of Korea's presidential front-runner Rep. Lee Jae-myung said Wednesday that South Korea should reduce hostility with North Korea and pursue peaceful coexistence for the economy to flourish. Lee said that the first steps toward the unification of Koreas, which may seem like a distant future, were robust inter-Korean exchanges. In a televised debate, Lee said peace on the Korean Peninsula is a "matter of survival" that has "direct repercussions on the economy." Under the Yoon
April 23, 2025 -
Burden of Yoon’s martial law looms over PPP primary race
The lingering risks stemming from former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law decree became a thorny issue among presidential hopefuls running in the People Power Party’s primary for the June 3 presidential election. A moment of tension was observed on Wednesday between former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo and ex-People Power Party Chair Han Dong-hoon during a second press event held for the four contenders who advanced to the next round of the race. Besides Kim and Han, People Power Party Rep. A
April 23, 2025 -
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 — and it is being fought with wallets. According to the National Election Commission, 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 campaigns. The NEC said the cap was calculated by multiplying the national population as of Feb. 28 by 950 won, adjusting for the consumer price index (13.9 percent)
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 interim leader Han Dong-hoon’s presidential campaign, concluding the fundraising event after just 11 hours, his representatives said Monday. Han is currently running in the ruling conservative party’s primary, vying for its nomination for the June 3 presidential election. His team said that the total amount raised came to 2.94 billion won, as of 7:55 p.m. on Monday, reaching the maximum limit that a candidate may raise un
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 having been from removed from office on April 4, does not have the authority to make trade deals with the US Donald Trump administration, 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 h
April 21, 2025