Lee says Korea must learn from Europe’s unrest

President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday that low economic growth was the root cause of social unrest across Europe, and that South Korea must learn from the turmoil. His remarks came as Europe grappled with a wave of protests stretching from Albania to Belgium, Italy, Portugal and Spain, alongside mass demonstrations in France, where thousands of people have been arrested in recent weeks. The grievances vary across the continent, ranging from rising living costs and strained public services in Fran

2026-10-27 13:48:02:00

Lee backs CPTPP entry but rejects unfair burden on farmers, fishers

President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed the need for South Korea to join a major trans-Pacific trade pact, but vowed farmers and fishermen would not be left to shoulder the costs of trade liberalization without compensation. "We must no longer force losses and suffering on people simply because they lack power or are small in number," Lee said Monday during a meeting with around 110 farmers and fishermen at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. It marked the first time since 2018 that a sitting South Korean presid

2026-10-26 15:35:58:00

In Dandong, Kim Jong-un invokes wartime past, eyes economic future

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's whirlwind one-day visit to China's border city of Dandong on Saturday brought together two defining features of Pyongyang's relationship with Beijing: A longstanding alliance rooted in the Korean War and the prospect of expanded economic cooperation. The trip, Kim's sixth to China overall and his first in 13 months, came just nine days after the long-delayed opening of a bridge expected to boost cross-border trade. It also fell on the eve of a major Chinese comm

2026-10-25 15:23:01:00

Cheong Wa Dae holds emergency meeting over PHP security flaws

South Korea’s presidential National Security Office convened an emergency cybersecurity meeting on Thursday to coordinate a response to a critical vulnerability in PHP, a programming language widely used to power websites around the world. The meeting, chaired by Song Ki-ho, the third deputy director of the National Security Office, brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of National Defense and the National Intelligence Service, according to Cheong W

2026-10-22 16:58:02:00

After 10 years, watchdog on presidential inner circle returns: why it matters

After a decade in limbo, South Korea's long-dormant presidential watchdog is poised for a revival under the Lee Jae Myung administration, bringing back a key check on presidential power. The independent inspector general is tasked with investigating suspected misconduct involving the president's spouse, relatives within the fourth degree of kinship and senior presidential aides. The revival of the post, vacant since September 2016, marks the restoration of an oversight mechanism designed to prev

2026-10-22 15:28:04:00

Lee vows ‘no exceptions’ as record bonds put on Chinese boats

President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday reaffirmed his administration's tough stance against illegal fishing by Chinese vessels in South Korean waters. Lee declared that there would be no exceptions to law enforcement, as authorities imposed record-high financial bonds on several seized boats. “In the Republic of Korea, the law is the law. No exceptions, under any circumstances,” Lee wrote on X, sharing a news report on Chinese fishing vessels facing the maximum bond of 1.5 billion won ($1.13 millio

2026-10-22 14:48:50:00

[Key Points] Lee Jae Myung’s public outreach push: What’s behind the shift?

Communication reset: President Lee Jae Myung is expanding social media engagement, press interactions and face-to-face meetings, acknowledging his administration has fallen short in explaining policies and addressing public concerns. Approval ratings slide: Lee’s approval rating fell to 35.2 percent in an Oct. 12 Realmeter survey before recovering to 37.3 percent, amid controversies over judicial reforms, security and housing costs. Personal accountability: Lee admits he has become disconnected

2026-10-21 16:02:00:00

Why is President Lee reaching out to the public more than ever?

Governing is one thing. Making sure the public hears you — and feels heard — is another. More than 500 days into his presidency, Lee Jae Myung is redoubling his efforts to connect directly with the public — engaging more frequently on social media, meeting informally with reporters and seeking more opportunities to speak with citizens face to face. The renewed outreach comes as Lee presses ahead with ambitious reforms while acknowledging that his administration may not have done enough to explai

2026-10-21 15:50:32:00

‘Words alone won’t restore trust’: Lee calls for bold police reform

President Lee Jae Myung called for police reforms after a series of violent crimes raised questions about police capabilities as they assume greater investigative powers under an overhaul of the criminal justice system. Speaking at a ceremony marking National Police Day in Seoul, Lee stressed that the police force must confront shortcomings in its response to violent crimes and demonstrate tangible improvements to regain public trust. “Public trust cannot be restored through words alone,” Lee sa

2026-10-21 13:47:53:00

Lee calls for full speed ahead on housing amid supply crunch

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for accelerating housing supply to the “fullest extent possible” to address a looming shortage after years of sluggish construction, as his administration faces mounting pressure to stabilize the property market. Lee made the remarks during a visit to the Gyeyang public housing district in Incheon, west of Seoul, where he welcomed residents moving into the first completed housing complex among South Korea's third-generation new towns. “The rapid supply o

2026-10-20 17:40:17:00