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Prime Minister Han Duck-soo emerges as potential presidential contender
South Korea's political landscape has been stirred by the possibility of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo entering the upcoming presidential election set for June. Speculation intensified after local media reported that Han, who is also acting president, told US President Donald Trump that he was considering a presidential bid during a 28-minute phone call on Tuesday. According to local media, Han reportedly said he was “considering (the matter) due to several demands and the (current) situation,” ad
April 11, 2025 -
Lee Jae-myung paints Korea as 'model democracy' in light of ex-president's ouster
Democratic Party of Korea presidential hopeful Rep. Lee Jae-myung said Friday he would end "insurrection" waged by ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol and turn the country into "a model and beacon of hope for democracy in the world." In a press conference laying out his vision for his presidency, Lee said he would put an end to Yoon's "insurrection that is still perpetuating to this day," referring to the former president's botched imposition of martial law on Dec. 3 last year. The former Democratic
April 11, 2025 -
Xi 'seriously' considering visit to S. Korea for APEC summit: Chinese official
Chinese President Xi Jinping is seriously considering a visit to South Korea in conjunction with the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, a senior official from China's top legislature said Thursday. Losang Jamcan, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, made the remarks during a meeting with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik in Seoul. "President Xi places great importance on a potential visit to South Korea in conjunction with t
April 10, 2025 -
Will defense cost renegotiation become Seoul's tariff tradeoff?
Seoul not seeking package deal, officials say Most countries breathed a sigh of relief after Washington’s surprise 90-day pause on the Trump administration's "reciprocal" tariffs just hours after they took effect. Despite the temporary drop in US tariffs on Korean goods from 25 percent to 10 percent, South Korea now faces a new concern as US President Donald Trump hints that defense cost-sharing could come up in tariff talks. Claiming that South Korea — one of the 56 nations along with European
April 10, 2025 -
In another run for president, Lee Jae-myung casts self as champion of people
Rep. Lee Jae-myung officially announced his run for president Thursday, a day after resigning as the chair of the Democratic Party of Korea. In a 10-minute video clip released by the Lee campaign, the former Democratic Party leader presented himself as a champion of the people, vowing to tackle income inequality and lead economic growth. Lee said the country's economy was "on a downward spiral in a lot of ways" after "three years of neglect" under the current administration. "The economy cannot
April 10, 2025 -
Han Dong-hoon declares presidential bid, vows shorter term
Han Dong-hoon, former chair of the ruling People Power Party, officially declared his presidential bid Thursday, presenting himself as the candidate most feared by Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leading contender from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. “Who can defeat Lee Jae-myung? Who does he fear the most?” Han said during a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. “We must choose someone who can win. I will achieve a decisive victory, together with the people.” Calli
April 10, 2025 -
Lee Jae-myung steps down as Democratic Party of Korea leader
Leaving post as Democratic Party of Korea leader, Lee teases Thursday announcement through online video clip Rep. Lee Jae-myung stepped down Wednesday as the chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, hinting toward his widely anticipated presidential bid. "I am grateful that I was able to serve as the party's chair for three years. Now I'm taking on a new job," Lee said at a meeting of the Democratic Party leadership, without mentioning the presidential election on June 3. "The Democratic Party ha
April 9, 2025 -
Seoul says will prioritize tariff negotiations after phone call with Trump
Adjusting the US' tariffs on imported goods from South Korea is "a top-priority goal" in Seoul's upcoming deals with Washington, the prime minister's office said Wednesday, hours after acting President Han Duck-soo's phone call with US President Donald Trump. A government official said Wednesday that Seoul will work to lower the US tariffs expected to take a toll on South Korea's export-driven economy. A 25 percent tariff on most of South Korea's imported goods to the US went into effect at 1:01
April 9, 2025 -
Labor activist-turned-conservative politician announces bid for president
Kim Moon-soo, a former labor activist-turned-conservative politician, on Wednesday officially announced his candidacy for president for the June 3 election. The former labor minister declared his presidential bid for the election, triggered by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law declaration in December. The 73-year-old characterized himself as a strong candidate who can defeat Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, widely considered the
April 9, 2025 -
Trump, acting President Han Duck-soo hold phone talks ahead of ‘reciprocal’ tariffs taking effect
Acting President Han Duck-soo and US President Donald Trump on Tuesday held a phone conversation ahead of the latter’s imposition of "reciprocal" tariffs of 25 percent on most South Korean goods exported to the United States effective Apr. 9. Eastern Daylight Time. The 28-minute phone conversation wrapped up at 9:31 p.m. Tuesday, Seoul time. Han's office said in a statement that the phone call — the first between Trump and a South Korean leader since Trump's return to the White House Jan. 20 — c
April 8, 2025 -
Conservative contenders announce presidential bids
Conservative politicians mentioned as top contenders for the upcoming early presidential election in opinion polls started to announce their candidacies Tuesday. The announcements come as the South Korean government formally designated June 3 as the date of the election, following the Constitutional Court's decision to remove former President Yoon Suk Yeol from office over his Dec. 3 martial law declaration. Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, considered a favorite of conservative voters, told reporter
April 8, 2025 -
New presidential office for new president?
Following the removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, many are wondering if the next administration might relocate the presidential office, currently located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, back to the previous location of Cheong Wa Dae, also known as the Blue House, or to a new site. "Regardless of which party takes power, I think the majority of the public is unlikely to agree with the presidential office remaining in Yongsan in the long term," said Rep. Kim Min-seok, a senior leader of the libe
April 8, 2025 -
Acting president fills in judicial vacancies following Yoon ouster
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Tuesday he had approved the parliament-led appointment of senior judge Ma Eun-hyuk as the ninth Constitutional Court justice and filled other major judicial vacancies. In a written address to the nation released just before the Cabinet meeting held Tuesday, Han said he appointed Ma as the new justice after consulting with Cabinet ministers. This complied with the Constitutional Court Act and the court's ruling in February that recognized his
April 8, 2025 -
Lee Jae-myung dominates presidential matchups
Rival parties likely to finalize candidates by early May The handful of other presidential hopefuls in the Democratic Party of Korea is overshadowed by the party's leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung, who was narrowly beaten by Yoon Suk Yeol in the 2022 presidential election. By contrast, the People Power Party's pool of potential presidential candidates continues to grow in the absence of a standout candidate. Lee, despite pending criminal cases against him, remains the dominant pick among potential cont
April 8, 2025 -
South Korea confirms presidential election on June 3
South Korea's Cabinet confirmed that an early presidential election would be held June 3, following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's ouster through parliament-led impeachment over his botched imposition of martial law last December. Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo approved the plan at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, as the Constitution stipulates that an early presidential election shall be held between 50 and 60 days after the sitting president's removal. Yoon was formally removed f
April 8, 2025