Main opposition chief ups call for election do-over, seeks to abolish early voting

Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok, chair of the main opposition People Power Party, on Sunday escalated his demands for an election do-over after the ballot shortage incident, citing ongoing protests. “The people want a reelection. Attempting to gloss over the matter with a parliamentary investigation, push it aside with a special counsel recommended by the ruling party, or end it by replacing only a few election commission staff members, they will never be able to quell the public anger that has spread like

2026-06-07 15:53:21:00

Han to propose bill making NEC subject to state audit

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who entered the National Assembly after winning the June 3 by-election in Busan’s Buk-A constituency, said he will propose an amendment to the Board of Audit and Inspection Act that would subject the National Election Commission to state audit. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Han said the election watchdog had become “a sanctuary free from oversight,” arguing that recent problems had reached a point where even the basic principles of election management were bei

2026-06-07 15:51:38:00

PM says ‘every measure’ will be taken to delve into ballot shortage

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Friday said that all possible measures would be employed to investigate the ballot shortage that occurred in Wednesday’s local and parliamentary by-election. “The National Election Commission’s ballot shortage incident cannot be overlooked. It is a grievous challenge against K-democracy,” Kim wrote on his X account. “(I will) order all measures, including criminal investigation, to uncover the truth and hold (those responsible) accountable. If necessary, a parliame

2026-06-05 14:49:29:00

NK leader inspects new material plant, calls for rapid expansion of arsenal

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a newly opened nuclear material production facility and called for a faster expansion of the country’s nuclear arsenal, state media said Thursday. The move appeared to be the latest indication of Pyongyang's intention to press ahead with its weapons program despite international pressure. The Korean Central News Agency said Kim visited the facility on Wednesday, accompanied by senior officials from the ruling Workers’ Party’s munitions industry departmen

2026-06-04 16:26:05:00

Han Dong-hoon clinches assembly seat in Busan

Independent candidate Han Dong-hoon, the former leader of the main opposition People Power Party, clinched a National Assembly seat in a Wednesday by-election, taking Busan’s Buk-A district. With 99.51 percent of ballots counted, 43 percent went to Han, narrowly ahead of Ha Jung-woo who got 41.2 percent. Ha is a former senior secretary to President Lee Jae Myung for artificial intelligence who quit his post to run in the by-election. Exit polls had indicated that Ha had a narrow lead over Han. H

2026-06-04 02:31:24:00

Police deployed to Songpa polling station amid standoff over ballot box removal

Dozens of police officers were deployed early Thursday to a polling station in Seoul’s Songpa District where citizens continued to block the removal of a ballot box after voting hours were extended due to a ballot paper shortage. According to police and other authorities, several dozen riot police officers were sent to the No. 2 polling station in Jamsil 7-dong at around 12:30 a.m. Thursday as the standoff continued. The deployment came as citizens at the site tried to prevent election officials

2026-06-04 01:10:01:00

Lee urges public to vote, says Korea’s future hangs on choosing capable and loyal civil servants

President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday urged voters not to give up their ballots, arguing that South Korea’s future depends on choosing capable and loyal public servants. In a message posted on social media, Lee said that he will make it impossible to profit from actions that violate the law and harm others, and that giving opportunities to capable individuals in a transparent manner is the foundation of such change. “As South Korea transforms from a country of real estate speculation into a premi

2026-06-03 11:12:40:00

Cabinet approves bill to support defense semiconductor industry

South Korea’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a bill aimed at fostering the country’s defense semiconductor industry, the Ministry of National Defense said. The bill on nurturing and supporting defense semiconductors is expected to be promulgated later this month and could take effect as early as the fourth quarter, after related enforcement decrees and regulations are prepared. Defense semiconductors are key components of advanced weapons systems, but the sector has lacked a dedicated legal framewo

2026-06-02 17:24:10:00

NIS to draw up rules on tackling transnational crime

South Korea’s spy agency plans to establish new rules to respond to growing transnational crimes, including drug trafficking, scams and cyber gambling. The National Intelligence Service said Tuesday it has issued an advance notice of a proposed decree on response procedures against international criminal organizations and will collect public opinions until July 13. The NIS said the measure aims to strengthen its response to crimes that increasingly threaten public safety and national security. T

2026-06-02 17:11:17:00

Korea steps up support for war veterans as monthly allowance reaches W490,000

South Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said Monday it is expanding support for Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, as the country marks Patriots and Veterans Month in June. According to the ministry, veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars receive a monthly honorary allowance of 490,000 won ($324) this year. The allowance, first introduced in 2002 at 50,000 won, has steadily increased. Local governments also provide separate monthly allowances for war veterans, averaging 263,00

2026-06-01 17:40:51:00