Series

Lee Jae-myung runs on serving national interests, redistributing wealth

The Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate Rep. Lee Jae-myung has promised to take a national interest-driven approach to foreign and trade policies and pursue a fairer economy through an even distribution of prosperity. In a breakdown of his top policies, Lee's campaign said Monday that the Democratic Party candidate, if elected, would make his policy decisions to "serve national interests" on diplomatic and trade fronts. The keyword defining Lee's approach to foreign relations is "

Kim Moon-soo pledges business-friendly Korea, more jobs, nuclear-powered submarines

People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo on Monday pledged to create a more business-friendly environment and create more jobs amid the export-reliant economy’s growing exposure to risks posed by the US-China trade war. Unveiling his top 10 policy promises if elected as president, Kim said that his primary goal is to turn South Korea into “a country that is good for businesses and creates jobs.” “The number one pledge is a key pledge that reflects candidate Kim Moon-soo’s vision to

Lee Jun-seok pushes for government reform, youth welfare, reshoring

Rep. Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate of the minor conservative New Reform Party, unveiled a comprehensive set of policy pledges Monday, focusing on improving efficiency and sustainability across government, society and industry. Central to Lee’s platform is a plan to restructure the government by reducing the number of ministries from 19 to 13. Specifically, Lee proposed merging the Foreign and Unification ministries, combining the Education and Science ministries, abolishing the Gender

Seven candidates register for presidential race: election body

South Korea's National Election Commission said Sunday that a total of seven candidates have registered to run in the country’s presidential election, scheduled for June 3. With two-day registration now closed, Lee Jae-myung of the main liberal Democratic Party of Korea — a clear frontrunner in the polls — was assigned the No. 1 spot on the ballot. He is followed by Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party at No. 2 and Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party at No. 4. Candidate num

People Power Party picks Kim Moon-soo, unpicks him, then picks him again. Why?

Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo registered on Sunday as the People Power Party’s standard bearer for the June 3 election, capping another whirlwind week of political turmoil in South Korea centered on drama within the conservative bloc. His candidacy — confirmed through the party primary, then abruptly canceled by the conservative party leadership at 3 a.m. Saturday and reinstated late the same night — has left many stunned, worried and struggling to understand the chaotic twists and turns. H

From liberal roots to conservative flag-bearer: Who is Kim Moon-soo?

Kim Moon-soo, formerly labor minister in the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, officially registered Sunday as the People Power Party’s presidential candidate for the June 3 election — clinching the nomination after days of internal strife and pressure to step aside for former Prime Minister and two-time acting President Han Duck-soo. Kim’s rise as the conservative standard-bearer against Lee Jae-myung, the candidate for the liberal Democratic Party of Korea, marks a striking political turn for some

Not all blue: Lee Jae-myung adds splash of People Power Party red to campaign branding

The Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate Rep. Lee Jae-myung is embracing red, the color of the rival People Power Party, in his campaign branding in the spirit of uniting the country. Lee's campaign office said Friday that a splash of red would be incorporated into Lee's posters and other promotional items to stress his promise to be "a president for all Koreans." The office added that the mix of blue and red also incorporates the colors of the Korean flag. Lee would be a leader wh

Policy Watch: Lee Jae-myung outlines plans to improve social safety net for seniors

Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Rep. Lee Jae-myung on Thursday announced a policy package aimed at increasing the social safety net for senior citizens. "I believe that all senior citizens, who worked their entire lives to build this country, are entitled to retire with dignity. It's time we pay them back for their contributions," Lee said. Lee said he would boost pension benefits for senior citizens, increase postretirement jobs, expand dental care coverage and implement a home

Politicians use ‘mukbang,’ YouTube livestreaming to engage with voters

Former ruling People Power Party Chair Han Dong-hoon may have missed out on the party's presidential nomination, but he is still trying to eat his way into voters' hearts. “I love lamb skewers. Did you guys eat yet?” he asked, greeting viewers on a live YouTube broadcast Monday. Han then starts eating his food, in “mukbang” style, a Korean termfor people consuming a large quantity of food on livestreams, while donned in a casual gray T-shirt. “I love lamb skewers too,” one of the viewers replied

Policy Watch: Lee Jun-seok pledges to enhance public math education

Rep. Lee Jun-seok, the presidential nominee for the minor opposition New Reform Party, on Thursday unveiled plans to strengthen the country’s public mathematics education, in line with his broader campaign pledges to cultivate national science and technology professionals. The proposed measures include conducting a nationwide mathematics achievement test annually for students from fourth grade in elementary school through third grade in middle school. Customized instruction will be provided base

Policy Watch: Han Duck-soo plans to launch AI-focused government agency

Han Duck-soo, who resigned as prime minister and acting president to run for president last week, unveiled his first campaign pledge Wednesday: the establishment of a national strategy department for artificial intelligence. The proposed department would oversee scientific and technological advancements across government agencies, under the leadership of a deputy prime minister-level official. The plan includes producing at least 500,000 advanced AI chips by 2030 and proactively reforming indust

Policy Watch: Lee Jun-seok pledges pension benefits for top scientists

Rep. Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate for the minor conservative New Reform Party, unveiled on Wednesday an enhanced benefits program aimed at supporting South Korea’s top scientific talent and fostering a stronger research environment. Lee pledged to offer a monthly pension of up to 5 million won ($3,600) and a one-time cash award of up to 500 million won to recipients of internationally renowned science awards such as the Nobel Prize, the Turing Award and the Fields Medal. Scientists w

Lee Jae-myung, on his third try and closer than ever

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, 61, is making a bid for the presidency once again as a Democratic Party of Korea candidate, three years after he lost by the razor-thin margin of 0.73 percent to now-ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol in March 2022. When Lee clinched the Democratic Party presidential nomination on April 27, it wasn't a surprise to anyone. Lee's lead over his two challengers, Kim Kyoung-soo and Kim Dong-yeon, was so overwhelming that the primary wasn't even a competition. But the win was emotional

Who in conservative bloc will embrace Han Duck-soo candidacy?

The entry of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in South Korea’s June 3 presidential race is emerging as a pivotal development for the conservative bloc, potentially redrawing the People Power Party’s strategy in its bid to defeat liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung. Han, who declared his candidacy Friday, is widely viewed as a credible conservative figure and a potential unifying alternative. But his late entrance has complicated the ongoing primary for the biggest conservative party, which has

Han Duck-soo declares presidential bid pledging constitutional reform, early resignation

Now-former Prime Minister and acting President Han Duck-soo on Friday officially declared his bid for president, pledging to amend the Constitution, saying that such efforts have lost momentum into the past because all other politicians were only focused on taking power, unlike him, who is a career civil servant. Han's official announcement, made the morning after his resignation from his post, included a pledge to step down in the third year of his presidency — if elected — should he succeed in