GWANGJU -- Moon Jae-in of the nation’s biggest Democratic Party of Korea scored a landslide victory in the party’s first primary race Monday, taking the first major step to becoming the official liberal standard-bearer in the May 9 presidential election. The former party chief won 60.2 percent of the primary vote in the first round of the party’s four planned primaries, held in the traditional liberal stronghold of Gwangju. Moon Jae-in of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (Yonhap)South Chung

Politics March 27, 2017

Presidential hopefuls of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea made full-fledged efforts Friday to garner votes in the party’s stronghold, which is likely to sway the outcome of the imminent primary. For the first round of the scheduled four primary votes, the result of which is due Monday, the four contenders hurried to the liberal-leaning Honam region -- the nation’s southwest Gwangju and Jeolla provinces -- to set out electoral pledges targeting the area.“As a prepared aspirant, I wil

Politics March 24, 2017

Facing a tight schedule for this year’s early presidential election, overseas voters are paying more attention to choosing the nation’s leader than ever before.As of Thursday, more than 14,000 overseas Korean nationals have registered to vote as the registration period is to close on March 30, according to the national election committee.The Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles identifies a voter before giving him a ballot sheet for the April general election last year. (Yonhap file photo)In

Politics March 23, 2017

Leading presidential hopeful Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea has made his phone number public in a bid to receive feedback from voters on his election pledges.He is the first presidential aspirant to do so. Moon said through a Facebook post that he will use the opportunity to reflect the views of citizens as much as he can.  Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea (Yonhap)“The upcoming presidential election signifies a meeting of prepared citizens and a prepared candidate,” Moo

Politics March 21, 2017

One of the most talked about and controversial election pledges in the South Korean presidential race so far was proposed by An Hee-jung, a young and center-left candidate from the liberal Democratic Party of Korea. In a country notorious for long working hours and a rigid work culture, he has suggested a sabbatical leave of one year for all laborers after 10 years of employment. Having been both rebuked and praised for the idea, the South Chungcheong Province governor Monday hosted a forum sole

Politics March 20, 2017

Presidential hopefuls of the Democratic Party of Korea are divided over what to do with a US-led missile defense system, showed a TV debate Sunday. A leading contender, Moon Jae-in, said the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in the country should be put on hold and be passed on to the next administration. Liberty Korea Party’s presidential hopefuls (Yonhap)“South Korea can use the THAAD system as diplomatic leverage. Any decision over the matter should be further made

Politics March 19, 2017

Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party announced his bid in the presidential election Sunday, while his in-house rival Sohn Hak-kyu also declared his run on the same day. Vowing to lead changes for the “new future” of the nation, Ahn said he would lead a reform in society and also care for the lives of people.  Ahn Cheol-soo (Yonhap)The former leader of the party, Ahn has a high chance of becoming its flag-bearer, with 12 percent support in a poll of presidential candidates of all camps by Realmete

Politics March 19, 2017

Presidential hopeful An Hee-jung on Thursday pledged to grant a year of sabbatical leave to all citizens who have worked for 10 consecutive years. “Those who work for 10 years should be able to go on a yearlong holiday,” South Chungcheong Province Gov. An of the Democratic Party of Korea said in a press conference at the National Assembly. “Citizens should be able to pursue education, leisure and their lives without having to walk on eggshells around their workplaces.” Presidential hopeful South

Politics March 16, 2017

 진행자: 조혜림, Kevin Lee Selzer1. 헌재 박근혜 탄핵 인용판결기사 요약: 3월 10일 헌법재판소가 박근혜 대통령의 파면을 만장일치로 결정했다. 10일 오전 11시 23분 이정미 헌재소장 권한대행이 “피청구인 대통령 박근혜를 파면한다”고 주문을 선고하며 헌정 사상 최초로 현직 대통령 탄핵이 인용시켰다. 헌법과 공직 선거법에 따라서 파면이 결정된 당일부터 60일 이내 차기 대통령 선거가 진다.아이튠즈(아이폰): https://itunes.apple.com/kr/podcast/koliaheleoldeu-paskaeseuteu/id686406253?mt=2 팟빵 (안드로이드): http://www.podbbang.com/ch/6638Park Geun-hye ousted[1] South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Friday ruled unanimously to remove President Park Geun-hye from office, th

Podcast March 15, 2017

Presidential hopeful Ahn Cheol-soo on Wednesday unveiled the electoral pledge that he would seek to relocate the presidential office and the National Assembly to Sejong.Ahn from the minor opposition People’s Party citied balanced regional development as the background of his pledge. Presidential hopeful Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo from the People’s Party announces the pledges at the National Assembly in Seoul on Monday. (Yonhap)Sejong was initially envisioned by the late President Roh Moo-hyun as a new c

Politics March 15, 2017

With a maximum of 55 days left to the election, South Korea’s presidential hopefuls sped up preparations for their campaigns Tuesday, with some declaring their bids in the race and others registering their primary candidacy with the election body.The government has yet to finalize when the nation will elect the successor of Park Geun-hye, who was removed from her position Friday over a corruption scandal, but May 9 is widely seen as the most feasible date. Rep. Kim Jin-tae, a staunch supporter o

Politics March 14, 2017

Former President Park Geun-hye’s loyalists and aides are showing unrelenting support for the disgraced leader even after the top court forced her out of office over a corruption scandal. On Sunday evening, Park moved from the presidential residence back to her private house in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, and some eight lawmakers greeted her at the entrance of her house. A large crowd of supporters also gathered to welcome her return. Rep. Cho Kyung-hwan (right) and other lawmakers of the Libe

Politics March 13, 2017

Sunday evening marked the second time that Park Geun-hye has bid farewell to Cheong Wa Dae, her home and office for the past four years. As with the first time, it was not by her own will, but a forced move that had left her in a somber mood. Yet, the former president smiled, at least to her supporters gathered in front of her old home in Samseong-dong to greet her. Former President Park Geun-hye smiles to her supporters gathered in front of her old home in Samseong-dong to greet her. (Yonhap)Bo

Politics March 12, 2017

The Democratic Party of Korea, which led the parliamentary campaign to impeach President Park Geun-hye, on Friday hailed the Constitutional Court’s decision to uphold the sacking, calling it the “people’s triumph.”“The Constitutional Court made a historical decision today and proved that the nation still maintains its rationality after it was brought down by corruption,” party Chairwoman Rep. Choo Mi-ae said in a press conference after the verdict was announced. It marked the victory of millions

Politics March 10, 2017

The conservative Liberty Korea Party, who had supported former President Park Geun-hye, said Friday that it would accept the Constitutional Court’s decision to oust her, apologizing to the public for its failure to assist the president as a ruling party.Formerly the Saenuri Party, the political party said the result respects citizens’ aspirations and constitutional values.“We also apologize for failing to protect the nation’s dignity and the people, and failing in our duty as a ruling party,” th

Politics March 10, 2017