President Yoon Suk-yeol again called for an end to “illegal activities” related to the prolonged strike by unionized Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering’s subcontractors on Thursday. Although Yoon’s tone was more cautious than his earlier remarks that hinted at the use of force two days ago, he still reiterated suspending the occupation of the company’s shipyard in Okpo, South Gyeongsang Province, by seven striking workers. “Resolving and normali

Politics July 21, 2022

As President Yoon Suk-yeol’s approval rating continues to decline, critics -- and even some within the ruling bloc, although cautiously -- say reshuffling the presidential office is needed for a rebound in the rating. It has been little more than two months since Yoon took office. But his support ratings have continued to decline, spurred by multiple controversies, including in personnel appointments, Yoon’s occasional gaffes and continuing to put blame on the previous government,

Politics July 21, 2022

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service Director Kim Kyou-hyun is in the US for an unofficial visit, amid the possibility of North Korea’s seventh nuclear test. He is expected to discuss issues related to Pyongyang’s provocations and recent controversies over the repatriation of North Korean fishermen with US top intelligence officials. Kim was seen by the media entering the country on Tuesday morning (local time) through Dulles International Airport near Washington, DC.

Politics July 20, 2022

President Yoon Suk-yeol will meet with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Yongsan, Seoul, on Tuesday, and they are expected to discuss issues related to economic security, including supply chains and the establishment of economic partnerships between the two countries. “The economic situation between Korea and the US is very difficult, not only in Korea but also in the US and internationally. So we will discuss various pending methods to stabilize the situation,” the president

Foreign Affairs July 18, 2022

President Yoon Suk-yeol was unusually silent at a regular morning briefing on Monday, an apparent move to shift his communication style with the media amid a continuing drop in approval ratings and lingering controversies. Monday morning’s briefing at the Yongsan presidential office drew a bigger crowd than usual, with reporters ready to grill Yoon about ongoing controversies over personnel appointments and the repatriation of two North Korean fishers. But Yoon seemed somewhat differ

Politics July 18, 2022

The UN-Habitat Korean National Committee signed a deal with the Economic Crisis Management Research Institute on Friday in Yeouido, western Seoul, to establish a cooperative relationship for the realization of the UN‘s Sustainable Development Goals and new urban agenda. (UN-Habitat Korean National Committee)

Social Affairs July 15, 2022

Despite efforts to dissuade her, Park Ji-hyun, former co-chair of the emergency steering committee for the Democratic Party of Korea, announced her candidacy for party leadership on Friday, vowing “zero tolerance” for sex crimes within the party. “Today, I would like to tell the people that I have decided to run to be party leader to transform the Democratic Party into an open party that can better hear diverse voices, take better care of the people’s livelihoods, and

Politics July 15, 2022

After photos showing the North Korean fishermen being repatriated in 2019 were released by the Unification Ministry on Tuesday, the presidential office vowed it will “uncover the truth in detail.” The Democratic Party of Korea immediately denounced President Yoon Suk-yeol‘s office, saying it has a political motivation to attack the former Moon Jae-in administration. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Unification released 10 photos of a“ North Korean defectors’ repatria

North Korea July 13, 2022

A sister of a far-right YouTuber staging abusive protests in front of former President Moon Jae-in’s residence offered to resign from the presidential office, adding yet another controversy to President Yoon Suk-yeol’s personnel management track record. According to the presidential office on Wednesday, the official, surnamed Ahn, tendered her resignation shortly after her previous experience and connection to a YouTuber were revealed. She formerly worked on Vellado, a video pl

Politics July 13, 2022

President Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday visited the Japanese Embassy in Seoul to pay his respects to late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. President Yoon arrived at the Japanese Embassy‘s public information and cultural center at 4 p.m. and entered the memorial altar under the guidance of Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Aiboshi, according to the presidential office. President Yoon wrote in the guest book, “I pray for the repose of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Ab

Foreign Affairs July 12, 2022

President Yoon Suk-yeol resumed his morning press briefing after suspending it just a day earlier, hinting at a possible miscommunication within his office. When reporters greeted Yoon at a distance of about seven or eight meters in the lobby of the presidential building on his way to his office on Tuesday morning, he stopped and said, “I heard you (some reporters) were confirmed as having COVID-19, so we recommend that you work from home as much as possible. But you all still came.&

Politics July 12, 2022

The first few months of a new president’s term can often be referred to as the “honeymoon” period, in which the new leader usually enjoys the benefit of high public support. But that no longer seems to apply to President Yoon Suk-yeol, as his constant blunders, controversies surrounding his spouse, personnel failures and issues within the ruling party continue to weaken his public support base. Yoon’s approval rating plunged again, a survey showed Monday, with negat

Politics July 11, 2022

President Yoon Suk-yeol‘s symbolic efforts to communicate with the press every morning have been temporarily suspended. The presidential office said the halt is due to coronavirus resurge, but some critics say the recent plunge in Yoon’s approval ratings and his unprepared remarks could have affected the decision. On Monday, Yoon went to his office without talking to the press for the first time since his inauguration. The presidential office said, “It is inevitable to adj

Politics July 11, 2022

National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han was briefed on North Korea's firing of a rocket launcher and monitored South Korea's military's readiness, the presidential office said Sunday night.  “From 7 p.m. to 8:08 p.m, Kim received a report from the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the National Crisis Management Center regarding North Korea's estimated launch of a rocket launcher into the Yellow Sea and checked the South Korean military's readiness,” the office said in a press statement.&

North Korea July 11, 2022

President Yoon Suk-yeol will soon visit a memorial altar set up by the Japanese Embassy in Korea to pay his respects to Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the presidential office said Sunday. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Foreign Minister Park Jin are expected to accompany Yoon. The Japanese Embassy in Seoul is preparing to run a memorial altar for former Prime Minister Abe early this week. President Yoon also plans to send a delegation of condolences to Japan when an offici

Foreign Affairs July 10, 2022