Lee says US alliance vital, differences must be managed in Korea’s interest

President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday that South Korea should continue to strengthen its alliance with the US, adding that differences between nations are inevitable but should not be seen as a problem in themselves. Lee stressed that such differences should be managed through dialogue and compromise without sacrificing South Korea's national interests, underscoring his administration's policy of "pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests." Lee’s remarks came as strains in intelligence c

2026-10-13 13:45:35:00

Battery plant accused of telling workers injections to remove heavy metals were 'vitamin shots'

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday ordered a thorough investigation into allegations that an automotive battery manufacturer repeatedly injected workers with heavy metal-removing drugs disguised as vitamin shots. Lee had received a report from the Ministry of Employment and Labor on measures taken in response to the allegations and its plans for further action before issuing the instructions, according to senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. Lee instructed the ministry and investigative

2026-10-12 14:38:00:00

Lee reaches out more on X. His approval keeps falling

President Lee Jae Myung is increasingly turning to social media to reach out directly to the public in face of mounting political headwinds, but with little immediate impact on his approval rating. A Realmeter poll released Monday showed Lee's approval falling for a second consecutive week, with support weakening among both liberal and moderate voters. His ruling Democratic Party of Korea suffered an even sharper setback, losing seven percentage points amid disputes over prosecution reform and j

2026-10-12 14:27:50:00

New crime agency’s first internal probe targets critic of its would-be chief

Just nine days after its launch, South Korea's new Serious Crimes Investigation Agency is set to conduct its first internal inspection, targeting a regional office chief who has repeatedly criticized the nominee to lead the agency. Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung said Sunday he would order an inspection of Im Eun-jeong, head of the agency's Gwangju regional office, over her continued public criticism of Kim Ji-yong, the nominee for the agency's inaugural chief. "Im seems to be mistaking the SCIA f

2026-10-11 21:31:38:00

Killing of victim’s mother exposes gaps in police protection

A man under investigation for domestic violence allegedly killed his mother-in-law and abducted his wife on Sunday after a court-ordered restriction barring him from approaching her expired. The case has renewed scrutiny of gaps in South Korea's system for protecting victims of domestic violence. Seoul's Songpa Police Station said it had arrested the man, in his 20s, on suspicion of fatally stabbing his mother-in-law, in her 50s, and forcibly taking his wife away in a vehicle from her family hom

2026-10-11 20:54:08:00

Seoul raises travel alert, urges citizens to leave Saudi Arabia

South Korea has raised its travel advisory for all of Saudi Arabia to Level 3, the second-highest level, urging its citizens to leave the country, the Foreign Ministry in Seoul said Sunday. The upgraded advisory will take effect at 10 p.m. Sunday, with South Korean nationals currently in Saudi Arabia advised to leave unless their stay is essential and those planning to visit urged to cancel or postpone their trips. Under South Korea's four-tier travel advisory system, Level 3 recommends that cit

2026-10-11 20:34:13:00

Lee cautions against preferential nuclear power access for big firms

President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday cautioned against granting major steelmakers preferential access to low-cost nuclear power. Lee stressed that a handful of large corporations should not be allowed to reap the benefits of nuclear power while the public bears the risks and social costs associated with operating nuclear power plants. "We should be cautious about granting exceptional privileges that would allow just a handful of major corporations in certain industries to monopolize the benefits of

2026-10-11 19:49:27:00

Seoul defends US intelligence ties, warns of fallout from allegations

South Korea's spy agency reiterated Sunday that intelligence cooperation with the United States remains active across a wide range of areas, as Seoul seeks to counter the narrative of strained intelligence ties between the allies. The National Intelligence Service has taken the unusual step of issuing a series of detailed and sharply worded rebuttals to local media reports alleging friction between the two countries' intelligence agencies and disruptions in intelligence sharing. The NIS has also

2026-10-11 14:46:51:00

Lee calls for green transition to drive industrial growth, not hinder it

President Lee Jae Myung called Wednesday for a sweeping green transition that would make climate action a driver of industrial growth and national competitiveness, rather than a trade-off between the environment and the economy. Lee presided over a public briefing in Seoul to unveil the government’s Korean Green Transformation, or K-GX, strategy, outlining its policy framework alongside corporate investment plans for flagship projects under the initiative. Lee underscored the urgency of the tran

2026-10-07 15:14:05:00

Lee orders fresh review of CPTPP bid from scratch

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday ordered a fresh review of South Korea’s possible entry into a major trade pact from scratch, noting strong concerns from the agricultural and fisheries sectors. Lee gave the instruction on South Korea’s possible entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, during a closed-door session of a Cabinet meeting, senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said at a press briefing. “President Lee noted that some hav

2026-10-06 18:17:37:00