[KH Explains] Defining political ideologies in South Korea

The ideological divide between liberalism and conservatism is apparent in South Korea just as it is in most democratic countries, but here it is slightly different from what is visible in other places. It does not fit the textbook definition, and that is largely because South Korea’s unique geographical and historical background play a role in shaping unique political ideologies. Through research article excerpts and expert opinions, we delve into what constitutes being conservative or

April 9, 2022

Ex-president Park endorses Daegu mayor hopeful

Impeached President Park Geun-hye on Friday endorsed her close aide Yoo Young-ha, who seeks to run for Daegu mayor in the June elections, making her first political move after being freed from prison in December. “I believe that the dream I wanted to achieve will come true by Yoo in Daegu that is my hometown and Yoo’s,” the former leader said in a five-minute video released via Yoo’s YouTube channel. Park, who was ousted from power in 2017 after a corruption scandal i

April 8, 2022

Rep. Kweon Seong-dong elected as new floor leader for People Power Party

South Korea’s conservative People Power Party on Friday elected Rep. Kweon Seong-dong as its new floor leader. He is expected to face a steep uphill battle at the parliament and is tasked with closely cooperating with the incoming Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Kweon, one of the figures closest to Yoon, was up against Rep. Cho Hae-jin, who essentially has no ties to the president-elect. Kweon, a four-term legislator, was widely expected to win the internal election due to the belief of man

April 8, 2022

Moon offers condolences to victims of Coast Guard helicopter crash

President Moon Jae-in on Friday expressed deep condolences after two Coast Guard officials were killed in a helicopter crash earlier in the day, Moon's spokesperson said. Moon also called for utmost efforts to find one missing crew member of the helicopter and wished for the recovery of another crew member who was rescued, presidential spokesperson Park Kyung-mee said in a statement. Four people were aboard the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter when it went down in waters 370 kilometers southwest of Mara

April 8, 2022

PM nominee vows to clarify conflict of interest allegations

Prime Minister nominee Han Duck-soo said Friday he will explain the allegations of conflicts of interest related to his home in the upcoming confirmation hearing. "I submitted explanatory materials and data (on personal assets). All of my explanations may not be accepted but I think (confirmation hearing) members will understand it well if I faithfully explain," Han told reporters on his way to the office. Han's conflict of interest allegations center on his house being rented to local

April 8, 2022

Yoon to visit Daegu next week amid speculation about meeting with ex-President Park

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol will embark on a national tour next week, starting with a trip to the southeastern region of Daegu where a visit with former President Park Geun-hye is under consideration, his spokesperson said Friday. During the visits to Daegu and the surrounding North Gyeongsang Province, Yoon will thank the people for his election victory and gather opinions on ways to achieve balanced growth across regions, a task he has repeatedly highlighted, Bae Hyun-jin said during a press

April 8, 2022

Yoon to hold phone call with IOC chief

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol will hold a phone call with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach on Friday, Yoon's spokesperson said. It will mark the first time Yoon will be speaking with the chief of an international organization since his election last month. During the call, Yoon plans to express his gratitude to Bach for sending a congratulatory letter on his election and discuss cooperation in South Korea's planned hosting of the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, Yoon's spoke

April 8, 2022

Govt. to finalize decision on downgrading disease level of COVID-19: PM

The government will finalize a decision on adjusting the infectious disease level of COVID-19 as virus cases are clearly on a downward trend, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said Friday. The novel coronavirus is currently classified as "Class 1 infectious disease," the highest in the four-tier classification that falls under the same category with diseases like the Ebola virus and the Middle East respiratory syndrome, and the government is considering downgrading it by one notch. The move

April 8, 2022

Ex-President Park endorses key aide for Daegu mayor

Former President Park Geun-hye openly endorsed a key aide for mayor of her hometown of Daegu in June's local elections Friday, in her first political move since returning to her hometown last month following a presidential pardon. Park, who was pardoned in December after spending four years and nine months in prison on a 22-year sentence for corruption, appeared in a YouTube video to declare her support to lawyer Yoo Yeong-ha of the People Power Party (PPP), who is considered her closest aide. &

April 8, 2022

Yoon to start presidency at Defense Ministry, confident about no ‘security gap’

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s new government is taking shape, with the transition committee saying Yoon would start work at the Yongsan Defense Ministry building immediately after taking office and the Cabinet will be formed based on the current government organization. “President Yoon Suk-yeol will begin his presidency without a security gap on the day the new government is inaugurated on May 10,” a transition committee official said Thursday. The committee said the reloc

April 7, 2022

People Power Party looks to run in new direction

South Korea’s conservative People Power Party is set to elect a new floor leader Friday, as it readies for a party merger and the launch of the Yoon administration. On Friday, the party will elect a new floor leader to succeed Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon for a full year, and the election is seen as a battle between those who have connections to President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol and those who do not. Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, one of the closest figures to Yoon, is up against Rep. Cho Hae-jin, who essent

April 7, 2022

Fans upset about politicians using BTS

The presidential transition committee is facing rising criticism from BTS fans over reports that it is considering including the band in President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s inauguration ceremony. More than 1,000 comments were posted on the presidential transition committee’s website protesting the plan. Most comments were like “the inauguration ceremony is not a festival,” “BTS is not politicians’ plaything,” or “Don‘t use BTS politically.&rd

April 7, 2022

Yoon en route to US military base Camp Humphreys

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol was en route to the US military base Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek on Thursday, his spokesperson said, as tensions have been running high over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. The base, located some 70 kilometers south of Seoul, serves as the headquarters of the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea. His visit comes as North Korea has ratcheted up tensions by conducting an intercontinental ballistic missile test last month. (Yonhap)

April 7, 2022

Yoon administration to keep current govt. structure, including gender ministry, for now: Ahn

The incoming administration of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol will maintain the current government structure, including the gender ministry, as it seeks to focus on addressing pending state affairs, transition team Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo said Thursday. Ahn said the transition team will announce a nominee for gender minister when it unveils a list of candidates for ministers. "It was judged that it would be better to focus on current state affairs rather than making an early decision and push

April 7, 2022

BTS show not being planned for Yoon‘s inauguration ceremony: transition committee

A performance by K-pop sensation BTS is not being planned for President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s inauguration ceremony next month, the presidential transition committee said Wednesday, denying an earlier remark by an ex-lawmaker involved in the ceremony preparation. “We have made no proposal or contact with BTS’ agency in relation to the inaugural ceremony,” the public relations office of the transition committee said in a message to the media. It added the remarks from

April 6, 2022

Transition team chief seeks China‘s cooperation for stability on Korean Peninsula

Transition team Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo on Wednesday called for China‘s cooperation for stability on the Korean Peninsula, as he met with Beijing’s top envoy to Seoul. Ahn and Ambassador Xing Haiming met at the transition team‘s office and discussed bilateral relations at a time of heightened tension surrounding North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. “One of my concerns is that North Korea (recently) test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile and sig

April 6, 2022

Yoon delegation discuss possible deployment of US strategic assets with US

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s delegation discussed the possible deployment of US strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, as they agreed on the need for extended deterrence against Pyongyang’s nuclear threats, the chief delegate said Tuesday. In their 40-minute meeting in Washington, the delegation and the US side recognized North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons as threats, and agreed on strengthening the bilateral all

April 6, 2022

Yoon’s former aide to run for Gyeonggi Province governor

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s close aide Kim Eun-hye announced her bid for Gyeonggi Province governor, heating up the race for what is considered the biggest prize of the June 1 location elections. The journalist-turned-politician who was Yoon’s spokesperson held a press conference Wednesday, saying, “I, Kim Eun-hye, as a Korean citizen and Gyeonggi Province resident, declare my candidacy for the governor of Gyeonggi Province.” The first-term lawmaker vowed to make

April 6, 2022

586 Generation clings on despite promises to step down

Despite promising before the presidential election to step aside to allow fresh faces into politics, senior members of the Democratic Party of Korea are announcing bids for key posts in the local elections. Rep. Song Young-gil, former chief of the liberal party, is gunning for the Seoul mayoral post, while Reps. Cho Jeong-sik and An Min-suk have declared their intentions to run for Gyeonggi Province governor. Other senior party members are weighing options with less than two months left until t

April 6, 2022

Yoon unlikely start his term in Yongsan on May 10

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is unlikely to begin his term in the new presidential office as the time frame is too short to relocate in, Yoon’s office conceded Wednesday. “Once the reserve funds for the relocation are approved (at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday), working-level discussions will begin in earnest,” said Yoon’s spokesperson Bae Hyun-jin at a morning briefing. “It is impossible to relocate the office on May 10 due to the time spent (for the previo

April 6, 2022