Lee Jun-seok vows to lead S. Korea's charge in digital innovation

Rep. Lee Jun-seok, a presidential contender from the minor opposition New Reform Party, on Monday vowed to bolster international cooperation to strengthen the country's technological edge. The Harvard graduate said he would drive South Korea to "emerge as a global leader" in digital innovation and artificial intelligence, citing his academic background in engineering. "In particular, I will focus on fostering advanced technologies and nurturing talent," so that South Korea can lead global compet

April 28, 2025

Lee Jae-myung leads with 48.5%: Poll

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the presidential nominee for the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, secured nearly half of voter support in a recent poll of preferred presidential candidates. Until recently leader of the Democratic Party, Lee officially secured the nomination as the party’s presidential candidate on Sunday. According to a Realmeter survey released Monday, Lee garnered 48.5 percent support of 1,505 respondents aged 18 and older, down 1.7 percentage points from the previous week. The

April 28, 2025

Han faces candidacy deadline as his potential run roils conservative bloc

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's potential candidacy in the upcoming presidential election has emerged as a key variable for the conservative bloc, with an announcement speculated to come as early as this week. The time is approaching for Han to make a decision. Under election law, he must resign from his current position by May 4 — 30 days before the early election on June 3 — to run for president. Presidential hopefuls from the People Power Party have expressed their willingn

April 27, 2025

S. Korea, US, Japan hold tabletop exercise ahead of 3-way defense talks

South Korea, the United States and Japan held a working-level meeting in Seoul this week in preparation for the next round of Defense Trilateral Talks, the three countries' vice-ministerial-level security dialogue, the Defense Ministry said Thursday. The meeting took place Tuesday and Wednesday at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Yongsan, central Seoul, with participation from Andrew Winternitz, US deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia; Woo Kyung-seok, South Korea’s deputy dire

April 24, 2025

Satire, selfies, and 'SNL': Korean presidential hopefuls dive into entertainment politics

Han Dong-hoon, a leading presidential contender and former chair of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, became the talk of the nation this week ahead of an appearance alongside his doppelganger on "SNL Korea" — the local adaptation of the sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live". The buzz started Tuesday when Han posted a photo on Facebook with comedian Jung Sung-ho, known for his spot-on impersonations of the candidate. In the image, Jung mimics Han’s signature hairstyle, glasses and gestu

April 24, 2025

US special envoy for NK human rights remains vacant

The position of US special envoy for North Korean human rights issues has remained vacant for more than three months since the start of US President Donald Trump’s second term. According to the US Department of State on Wednesday, Julie Turner — who had held the post since October 2023 — now serves as acting deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Her departure came as part of a broader reshuffle during the administrative transition — a common process in wh

April 23, 2025

Seoul launches 4th spy satellite to boost NK surveillance

South Korea’s military launched its fourth domestically developed spy satellite on Tuesday, advancing efforts to build a constellation of reconnaissance satellites aimed at enhancing the nation’s capability to monitor North Korea and detect signs of potential provocations in real time. The satellite lifted off at 9:48 a.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket operated by US space company SpaceX. It successfully separated from the launch vehicle approximatel

April 22, 2025

Seoul offers condolences on Pope Francis’ death

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited Myeongdong Cathedral in central Seoul on Tuesday to pay tribute to Pope Francis, as the cathedral had prepared a condolence altar following the pontiff’s death the previous day. According to the Prime Minister's Office, Han said after offering his respects, “The late Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, left behind a profound spiritual legacy and teachings for Catholics and people around the world.” “We are deeply

April 21, 2025

South Korean presidential hopefuls offer condolences on Pope Francis' death

South Korea's presidential hopefuls offered condolences on Monday following the death of Pope Francis, each reflecting on how the late pontiff's message of peace, compassion and justice resonated with Korean society. Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leading contender from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, highlighted the pope’s call to “end all wars,” delivered just a day before his passing. He also recalled the pontiff’s 2014 visit to Korea, when he baptized bereaved relatives of the Sewol

April 21, 2025

Pilot mistook jettison button for heating in KA-1 incident: Air Force

A South Korean Air Force pilot mistakenly pressed the emergency jettison button while attempting to adjust the heating in a KA-1 light attack aircraft that accidentally dropped its weapons and fuel tanks last week, authorities said Monday. The Air Force said the pilot was attempting to adjust an air vent that was disrupting his vision when the incident occurred at 8:22 p.m. on Friday over Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, during a nighttime mock firing exercise. The vent and emergency jettison butt

April 21, 2025