S. Korea to expand climate finance for developing nations: PM

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Thursday that South Korea will increase its funding to help developing nations mitigate the impacts of climate change. South Korea "will strongly support developing nations' efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and respond to climate change," Han told a conference on sustainable dialogue in the pan-Pacific region. Han said South Korea will increase its overseas aid on climate finance and expand its funding for the Green Climate Fund, an inter

Oct. 27, 2022

Govt., ruling party vow to step up fight against drugs

The government and the ruling People Power Party pledged Wednesday to significantly bolster efforts to tackle ever-growing drug use, officials said. The People Power Party and the government held a policy consultation meeting at the National Assembly and discussed various measures to prevent people from abusing substances and provide help to those suffering from drug addiction. "Our party and the government will put in all-out efforts to completely eradicate drugs from people's daily l

Oct. 26, 2022

Yoon voices regret over opposition's boycott of budget speech

President Yoon Suk-yeol voiced regret Wednesday after the main opposition party boycotted his budget speech, saying the party has left a bad precedent that could weaken public confidence in the National Assembly. Yoon delivered a budget speech in a half-empty National Assembly hall Tuesday after the main opposition Democratic Party decided to boycott the session in protest over the prosecution's recent raid of its headquarters and other actions it described as suppression of the opposition. &quo

Oct. 26, 2022

Yoon visits ex-President Park's grave ahead of death anniversary

President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the grave of late former President Park Chung-hee on Tuesday to mark the 43rd anniversary of his death, his office said. Park was killed by his spy chief on Oct. 26, 1979, after ruling the country with an iron fist for 18 years. Yoon paid his respects at Park's grave at Seoul National Cemetery a day before the death anniversary, according to his office. He was joined by his chief of staff Kim Dae-ki, National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han, Veterans Minister P

Oct. 25, 2022

Yoon highlights North Korea threat, budget to half-empty National Assembly

President Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday addressed the National Assembly amid escalating partisan conflict that led to an unprecedented complete boycott by the main opposition party. Doubling down on defense In the address, Yoon stressed the need to strengthen deterrence against North Korea, saying that another nuclear weapons test by Pyongyang is imminent. “It is judged that North Korea has already completed preparations for its seventh nuclear test,” Yoon said. "North Korea has rece

Oct. 25, 2022

PM calls for preemptive responses to economic risks

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Tuesday called for preemptive responses to downside economic risks to cope with rising volatility in financial markets. With major economies jacking up interest rates to deal with red-hot inflation, "concerns are also growing over uncertainties and volatility in our financial market," Han told a Cabinet meeting. "It is time for agile and preemptive risk management," Han said. Han also painted a bleak picture for next year's global economic

Oct. 25, 2022

Tensions simmer in Korea's National Assembly after opposition think tank raided

Tensions between the ruling and main opposition parties are intensifying, as prosecutors investigations close in on Democratic Party Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung. After a previous failure to raid the party’s Institute for Democracy think tank in Yeouido, Seoul, the prosecution again raided the institute Monday morning as part of its investigation into its Vice President Kim Yong, a close aide to Lee Jae-myung. The Democratic Party immediately criticized the move and postponed the ongoing

Oct. 24, 2022

Yoon appoints first, second vice ministers for health

President Yoon Suk-yeol on Monday appointed the first and second vice ministers for health, his office said. Lee Ki-il, the current second vice minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, was named first vice minister, while Park Min-soo, presidential secretary for health and welfare, was named second vice minister. Lee has served in various senior positions in the ministry, including as spokesperson and chief of the Office for Healthcare Policy. Park served as chief of the ministry's O

Oct. 24, 2022

Prosecution raids Democratic Party headquarters over illegal political funds probe

Prosecutors on Monday raided the headquarters of the main opposition Democratic Party as part of an investigation into bribery allegations involving a close confidant of party leader Lee Jae-myung. The Seoul Central Prosecutors Office is probing Kim Yong, deputy head of the Democratic Party-affiliated Institute for Democracy think tank, on suspicion of receiving a total of 847 million won ($591,000) from property developers in the city of Seongnam, just south of Seoul, in violation of the politi

Oct. 24, 2022

Prosecution accelerates investigation on former administration and opposition party

Pressure on the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea and the previous administration is growing, with the prosecution honing in on Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and past developments that could implicate former President Moon Jae-in. The opposition party, for its part, is denouncing the investigations as "political oppression," increasing the possibility of deepening the rift between the ruling and opposition blocs. Death and repatriation The prosecution is investigati

Oct. 23, 2022

Arrest warrant issued for close aide of opposition leader on illegal political funds charges

A court on Saturday issued an arrest warrant for a close confidant of Lee Jae-myung, the chairperson of the main opposition Democratic Party, on charges of taking illegal political funds from real estate developers. The Seoul Central District Court issued the warrant for Kim Yong, deputy head of the DP-affiliated Institute for Democracy think tank, on suspicion of receiving a total of 847 million won ($593,552) from property developers in the city of Seongnam in violation of the political fund

Oct. 22, 2022

Lee Jae-myung urges Yoon to accept special prosecution

Main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung urged President Yoon Suk-yeol and the ruling People Power Party to accept the special prosecution of controversial property development as political tension escalates after the prosecution arrested Lee’s close aide on election violation charges. As the prosecution's investigation into the property development related to Daejang-dong spread to allegations of illegal presidential campaign funds, Lee counter-attacked by raising suspic

Oct. 21, 2022

Yoon calls on police to uphold legal order

President Yoon Suk-yeol said Friday police should uphold the legal order in every sector of society in order to help people fully enjoy safety and freedom. "Only when police protect the lives and property of people and set right the legal order in every sector of society will people enjoy full freedom," Yoon said in a congratulatory message on the 77th Police Day. Yoon said the safety of people is a foundation of the government's commitment to freedom. "Without the belief tha

Oct. 21, 2022

Opposition leader to hold news conference over prosecution's probe

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung will hold a previously unannounced press conference at 11 a.m., officials said, as a prosecution investigation closes in on him after an arrest warrant was sought for one of his closest aides on charges of taking illegal campaign funds. Kim Yong, a long-time confidant of Lee, is suspected of receiving 847 million won ($593,552) in illegal political funds last year from real estate developers involved in a corruption-laden project in the city of Seongnam when Lee w

Oct. 21, 2022

Court sets hearing on arrest warrant for ex-defense chief over slain fisheries official

A Seoul court is set to hold hearings Friday to decide whether to issue arrest warrants for former Defense Minister Suh Wook and former Coast Guard Commissioner General Kim Hong-hee in connection with the previous administration's handling of the 2020 death of a fisheries official at the hands of North Korea, officials said. The Seoul Central District Court will hold hearings for the two, and the decision is expected later in the day or early Saturday. The two are facing various charges, in

Oct. 21, 2022

Arrest warrant sought for close aide of opposition leader on illegal political funds charges

Prosecutors sought an arrest warrant Friday for a close confidant of Lee Jae-myung, the chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party, on charges of taking illegal political funds from real estate developers, officials said. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office filed for the warrant for Kim Yong, deputy head of the Democratic Party-affiliated Institute for Democracy think tank, on suspicion of receiving a total of 847 million won ($594,000) from property developers in the city of Seo

Oct. 21, 2022

Lee Jun-seok investigation hits another dead end

Police concluded footage that allegedly proved Lee Jun-seok received sexual favors never existed, thus proving Lee did not destroy it to clear his name. Lee, the former chairman of the ruling People Power Party, has been accused of receiving sexual favors paid for by Kim Sung-jin, CEO of tech company I-kaist. In December, YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, run by conservative-leaning lawyer Kang Yong-suk, claimed Kim arranged sexual services for Lee in 2013 in exchange for help in meeting fo

Oct. 20, 2022

Parliamentary audit falls into chaos as main opposition denounces probe

The fallout from the probe surrounding the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea’s leader hit the political arena Thursday, with Democratic Party lawmakers demanding certain conditions be met for a parliamentary audit to proceed, reiterating that the party is facing "political oppression." The Democratic Party halted the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's audit of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, demanding an end to what they call "retaliatory investigation&

Oct. 20, 2022

PM vows to achieve carbon neutrality

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Thursday that the government will "minutely adjust" energy policies to help achieve its target of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. "The goal of carbon neutrality is audacious and challenging, but the implementation process that underpins it must be very reasonable and feasible," Han told a conference on carbon neutrality. To achieve the goal of carbon neutrality, Han said the government will "minutely adjust its energy policy direction

Oct. 20, 2022

Yoon orders inquiry into death of worker at bread factory

President Yoon Suk-yeol lamented the recent death of a young worker at a bread factory Thursday, saying it was "truly regrettable" and that he has instructed officials to determine the details of the incident. A 23-year-old worker at a factory affiliated with food and beverage giant SPC Group died Saturday after getting caught in a mixer at the plant in Pyeongtaek, 65 kilometers south of Seoul, according to police. Her death prompted an outpouring of grief among the public as questions

Oct. 20, 2022