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UN to host 1st high-level meeting on N. Korea's human rights violations
The United Nations General Assembly will hold its first high-level meeting next week over human rights abuses and violations by North Korea, diplomatic and civic group sources said Monday. In a circulated letter, UNGA President Philemon Yang announced a plan to convene a high-level plenary meeting on May 20 to address North Korea's human rights violations, in accordance with a relevant UNGA resolution adopted in December last year, the sources said. It marks the first time that a high-level meet
May 12, 2025 -
Court again delays hearing on Lee's case until after election
The Seoul High Court on Monday postponed its hearing on Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung's subornation of perjury case due to the upcoming presidential election, following two similar moves by the judiciary last week. The appellate court said the first hearing in Lee's subornation of perjury trial, slated for May 20, has been changed to a later date as the defendant registered as a presidential candidate last weekend. The court previously planned to hold the final hearing Ju
May 12, 2025 -
Official campaign starts for June 3 presidential election
Candidates started their official campaigning Monday for the June 3 presidential election, with polls showing that Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung has led the race. Opinion surveys have shown that voters are likely to end three years of conservative rule after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted over his failed martial law bid in December. Lee is the front-runner, trailed by People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo, former labor minister whose candidacy was confirmed only two day
May 12, 2025 -
S. Korea, NATO to hold 3rd military staff talks in Seoul
South Korea and the NATO will hold their third military staff talks in Seoul on Monday to discuss ways to strengthen their defense cooperation, the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Maj. Gen. Kwon Young-min, chief of the directorate of strategic planning at the JCS, and Brig. Gen. Eray Unguder of the Turkish army, deputy director of NATO's cooperative security division, will lead the talks scheduled for later in the day, the JCS said. During the meeting, the two sides are expected to assess th
May 12, 2025 -
Democratic Party candidate Lee set to begin official campaign for presidential election
Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung was set to begin his official campaign in central Seoul on Monday for the June 3 presidential election. Seven candidates made their bids official for the presidential vote, triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid in December, with Lee expected to face People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo. Public opinion polls have showed Lee has kept his lead, as the PPP had been in an internal rift
May 12, 2025 -
People Power Party candidate Kim kicks off official campaign for presidential election
People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo kicked off his official campaign for the presidential election at a traditional market in Seoul on Monday, after days of strife within the conservative party on a possible candidacy merger with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Seven candidates made their bids official for the June 3 presidential vote, triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid in December, with Kim facing Democratic Party candidate L
May 12, 2025 -
Ex-President Yoon set to attend 3rd hearing of insurrection trial
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday attended his insurrection trial using the court's open entrance for the first time. This was the first time the former president's arrival at a court was seen by the public, as his use of underground parking was allowed for the previous two hearings. For the third hearing, court authorities rejected the Presidential Security Service's request to use the underground route. Yoon arrived at the Seoul Central District Court in a black van and walked up to the
May 12, 2025 -
Acting president orders top-level security for presidential candidates
Acting President Lee Ju-ho ordered top-level security for presidential candidates Sunday as the official campaigning period kicks off this week. Lee instructed the National Police Agency to go all-in on protecting candidates during the 22-day campaigning period that begins Monday ahead of the June 3 election, according to his office. "Elections are the foundation of democracy, and any threat to a candidate cannot be tolerated," he was quoted as saying, stressing the need to mobilize all availabl
May 11, 2025 -
S. Korean, US navies stage joint drills in East Sea
The South Korean and US navies have concluded four days of joint naval drills in the East Sea in the latest move to enhance their ability to counter simultaneous enemy attacks, officials said Sunday. The drills, which were held from Thursday to Sunday, involved about 10 South Korean naval ships, including the 7,600-ton ROKS Yulgok Yi I destroyer, and around 10 aircraft. From the US side, the USS William P. Lawrence guided-missile destroyer and a maritime patrol plane participated, according to t
May 11, 2025 -
Official campaigning for June 3 presidential election to begin Monday
Official campaigning for the June 3 presidential election will begin this week with the close of candidate registration on Sunday. The 22-day campaign period will kick off Monday, allowing candidates and their campaign teams to give speeches in public places between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., distribute leaflets and other campaign materials, and put up campaign banners. The election, triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid in December, has shaped u
May 11, 2025 -
Yoon Suk Yeol urges conservative unity around Kim Moon-soo
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday called on conservatives to rally behind People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo in the upcoming early presidential election. The disgraced former leader, who threw the country into political turmoil with his abrupt declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 that led to his ouster, wrote, “Our opponents are formidable. But if we trust one another and stay united, they cannot defeat us.” Yoon’s remarks followed a dramatic conclusion to days of i
May 11, 2025 -
People Power Party scrambles to heal rift after candidate shake-up backfires
The conservative People Power Party is scrambling to heal internal rifts and rebuild unity while containing the fallout from a botched leadership attempt to replace its presidential candidate — a move that failed to secure majority support in a vote of all members. Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo said Sunday, “Now is the time to embrace past wounds, come together and move forward toward the future,” after his status as the party’s official presidential candidate — chosen through its primary —
May 11, 2025 -
Yoon Suk Yeol to face press upon entering court for 3rd criminal hearing
Disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to face the press for the first time since his ouster Monday, as he must now enter the courthouse through its public entrance when attending hearings for his criminal trial. Yoon’s public appearance at the Seoul court comes after it banned use of the underground parking lot, which he had previously used to avoid the press and so-called "photo line." Though Yoon may also choose to head into the court building and ignore the photo line, he will
May 11, 2025 -
Now more than 200 pensioners over age 100, oldest at 111
More than 200 people aged over 100 are receiving national pension benefits in South Korea, with the oldest beneficiary aged 111, government data showed Sunday. According to the National Pension Service, 201 people over the age of 100 were receiving benefits as of January this year, out of a total of 7.07 million pension recipients. Among them, 138 were women, more than double the 63 men. The number of centenarian pension recipients has steadily increased over the years in line with the country’s
May 11, 2025 -
Lee Jae-myung vs. Kim Moon-soo race set after PPP's drama-filled weekend
The campaigning period for the early June 3 presidential election is poised to officially begin Monday, as all eyes are on whether liberal presidential front-runner Rep. Lee Jae-myung is able to maintain his strong lead over conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, who cemented the People Power Party's presidential nomination after a political debacle within the party that appeared to have resolved Saturday night. Presidential candidates and their supporters with permission from election authorities may
May 11, 2025