Lee says ‘fairness’ must guide support for multicultural families

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday stressed that fairness must guide policies supporting multicultural families, calling for a review of preferential benefits while emphasizing the need to strengthen support that addresses their specific disadvantages. It is the third consecutive day Lee has publicly raised concerns about preferential treatment for multicultural families, drawing criticism from political opponents who warn that questioning such benefits could fuel discrimination. "Fairness is a c

2026-10-30 18:35:14:00

Korea, US near deal on military facility relocations, including Gwangju: Cheong Wa Dae

South Korea and the United States are close to finalizing a comprehensive agreement on relocating US military facilities at several air bases, including Gwangju, national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said Friday. The agreement could help pave the way for the relocation of US military facilities at Gwangju Air Base, a key issue in plans to develop a semiconductor manufacturing cluster in the southwestern Honam region, one of three "megaprojects" pursued by the Lee Jae Myung administration. Wi str

2026-10-30 17:08:30:00

Seoul seeks ‘way out’ of Ukraine dispute, denies tilt toward Russia

Seoul is seeking a way out of its diplomatic dispute with Kyiv over the disclosure of the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war, stressing that its engagement with Russia remains within the international sanctions framework. A senior presidential official said discussions were continuing with Ukraine, signaling Seoul's desire to resolve a dispute that has strained relations between the two countries. "We do not believe it is desirable for this issue to drag on. We are holding discussions

2026-10-30 15:25:01:00

Seoul weighs expanding overseas naval unit’s mission toward Hormuz

South Korea is weighing an expanded role for its Cheonghae naval unit, currently deployed overseas, to contribute to international efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Cheong Wa Dae. National security adviser Wi Sung-lac said the government was “continuing to explore ways to play a necessary role and make contributions to protect our citizens and safeguard our economic interests.” “Specifically, we are carefully considering ways to expand and streng

2026-10-30 15:24:34:00

Korea, Germany forge ‘enhanced strategic partnership’ as global risks mount

South Korea and Germany agreed to elevate their ties to an "enhanced strategic partnership," pledging to expand the scope of cooperation to advanced industries and future growth sectors while strengthening defense and security ties. President Lee Jae Myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz outlined the expanded partnership in a joint statement issued after their summit at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Thursday. The two leaders noted that their meeting came "at a time of increased strategic conver

2026-10-29 18:46:00:00

Lee, Merz seek stronger supply chain, high-tech ties amid global volatility

Securing critical supply chains in key industries and expanding high-tech cooperation sit high on the agenda as President Lee Jae Myung and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pursue stronger South Korea-Germany relations, according to Seoul. Lee is scheduled to host Merz at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Thursday afternoon, with renewable energy, power grids and defense also among the areas of potential cooperation. The two manufacturing powerhouses face growing pressure to diversify supply chains and

2026-10-29 13:47:51:00

Lee sets sights on reviewing preferential benefits for multicultural families

President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that his administration will closely examine local governments' benefits for multicultural families that go beyond ensuring equal opportunities and support. “Policies that give preferential treatment to multicultural families in Seoul and other local jurisdictions have become an issue,” Lee wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Multicultural families are defined as households formed by a Korean national and an individual from a different cultural background. “We wi

2026-10-28 18:01:28:00

‘We must reduce preventable deaths,’ Lee urges on eve of Itaewon anniversary

President Lee Jae Myung urged the government on Wednesday to act faster to prevent avoidable deaths, on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy that claimed 159 lives. Lee made the remarks while chairing a national safety meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, his first time presiding over a plenary session of the Presidential Committee on Life and Safety since its launch in July. "Both before and after the tragedy, there have been many deaths that could have been prevented and many

2026-10-28 15:06:21:00

Lee says migrant worker remarks aimed at prioritizing Korean hiring

President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday defended his recent remarks on migrant workers, saying that his intention was to emphasize the need to prioritize hiring Korean workers to address the country's "serious unemployment problem." His explanation came amid criticism of comments he made at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, when he questioned foreign workers' contributions to the South Korean economy, saying that they send their earnings overseas. The comments sparked a backlash from migrant rights adv

2026-10-28 13:41:45:00

Lee suggests ways around legislative delays in lowering juvenile criminal age

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday suggested exploring alternatives to lengthy legislative procedures as his administration moves toward a decision on the extent and scope of lowering the age of criminal responsibility. Lee made the suggestion during a closed-door session of a weekly Cabinet meeting, where the Justice Ministry presented its review of public opinion survey results on lowering the age threshold, according to senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. The proposal revisits a lo

2026-10-27 17:13:57:00