AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Lee Jung-woo
Lee Jung-woo이정우
ReporterMinistry of Unification & North Korea, Politics, Foreign Affairs
'I studied philosophy in college, and sociology and journalism in graduate school. I cover North Korea, South Korean politics, foreign affairs and films. I enjoy Nordic cinema, Indian cuisine and Japanese detective novels. I have a cat and like bright, acidic coffee.
"Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."
Latest by Lee Jung-woo
  • Forum highlights Lee administrations major achievements and challenges ahead
    Forum highlights Lee administration's major achievements and challenges ahead SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's major achievements were highlighted at a forum in Seoul on Thursday. At the forum at the National Assembly in Yeouido, hosted by the office of lawmaker Sohn Myung-soo of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) to mark Lee's first anniversary in office, persistent challenges such as demographic decline and economic uncertainty as well as a widening wealth gap and inequality, were also raised. Speaking at the event, DP leader Jung Chung-rae credited Lee with restoring national stability following what he called a period of economic turmoil and political crisis. "South Korea has entered an era of a 'Korea Premium,'" Jung said, citing rising international confidence in the country and improvements in economic indicators. He argued that Lee's leadership had strengthened the country's global standing and positioned South Korea among advanced nations. Jung also described the Lee government as the product of a "revolution of light," referring to the public movement that led to the ouster of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yoel over his botched martial law debacle. He added the Lee administration was committed to democratic governance and improving citizens' lives. Lawmaker Han Jeoung-ae said the government had navigated a series of challenges over the past year, including political instability, a presidential election, U.S. tariff negotiations and regional security tensions. She said South Korea had demonstrated the resilience of its democracy and achieved strong economic growth, but noted that many households had yet to feel the benefits. "High inflation and a weak currency continue to put pressure on people's livelihoods," Han said. Another lawmaker Yoon Chang-ryeol said the administration had focused on restoring growth, improving public safety and expanding communication with citizens. He pointed to economic growth that reached its highest level in more than five years, a rebound in the stock market, the restoration of research and development spending and stronger measures against crimes affecting ordinary citizens. "Of course, we cannot be satisfied with the achievements of just one year," Yoon said, citing low birth rates, regional decline and widening inequality as long-term challenges. Several speakers stressed that the administration's second year should focus on structural reforms rather than short-term achievements. Lawmaker Hong Sung-kook said South Korea was facing a rare opportunity to strengthen its economic position through growing exports and advances in key industries such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence. However, he warned that the country continued to face a "K-shaped" economic structure in which gains are unevenly distributed across society. "If we fail to make structural changes over the next year, it will be difficult to do so in the future," Hong said. Lee Chul-hee, a professor of economics at Seoul National University said the government had made notable progress in labor policy, public safety and social welfare but had fallen short on long-term issues such as education reform and population policy. He called for stronger monitoring of government policy implementation and greater attention to emerging challenges including artificial intelligence, immigration policy and wealth inequality. Jung Sung-eun, a professor at Konkuk University's Graduate School of Public Administration, said the first year of the administration had focused on restoring democracy and constitutional order. The next four years, he said, should be devoted to institutionalizing "popular sovereignty" through reforms including changes to the prosecution and police systems, expanded public participation and constitutional revision. On foreign policy, lawmaker Kim Young-bae said the administration had pursued a "pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests" while seeking to normalize relations with major powers including the United States, China and Japan. Kim said Seoul had successfully managed pressure from Washington over tariffs and economic security issues while rebuilding ties with Beijing and advancing cooperation with Tokyo. He also cited the administration's efforts to strengthen the U.S.-South Korea alliance, including discussions on revising the bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement and introducing nuclear-powered submarines. Asked by AJP how South Korea planned to address potential U.S. concerns about nuclear proliferation related to its pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines, Kim said securing the support of U.S. President Donald Trump would be a key factor in the process. He said discussions were underway within the U.S. government and argued that a stronger South Korean military operating within the framework of the alliance would ultimately benefit both countries and align with broader U.S. strategic interests. Kim added that building trust with Washington across a range of issues, not only security matters, would be essential to advancing the discussions. The forum concluded with calls for closer coordination between the government and the ruling party as the administration enters its second year in office. Meanwhile, when asked by reporters about recent calls within the DP for his resignation as party leader following the results of this month's local elections, in which the DP lost some key races, Jung quipped, "In any case, I've heard them," before leaving the forum. 2026-06-11 18:01:19
  • Koreas ruling front humbles as approval rating droops in election aftermath
    Korea's ruling front humbles as approval rating droops in election aftermath SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - The honeymoon period had been unprecedentedly longer for South Korean President Lee Jae Myung compared with past leaders, but it eventually came to an end. Just before departing for a European tour on Wednesday, Lee took time for a moment of self-reflection. In a post on X, he apologized to the public and pledged to "work harder" with greater modesty and openness after a string of polls showed his approval ratings falling sharply in the aftermath of the June 3 local elections. The remarks echoed the contrite tone Lee adopted days earlier during a news conference marking the first anniversary of his inauguration, when he described the ruling party's disappointing local election performance as "a warning from the people." Lee's approval rating, which had remained comfortably above 60 percent throughout much of his first year in office, has fallen rapidly since the local elections exposed growing voter fatigue with the ruling camp and signaled a revival of the conservative opposition. A survey conducted by the Korea Society Opinion Institute on Monday and Tuesday and released Wednesday showed Lee's approval rating falling 9.4 percentage points from late May to 50.4 percent. Negative assessments rose 10.5 percentage points to 45.7 percent, narrowing the gap between approval and disapproval to within the survey's margin of error for the first time since he took office. Support for the governing Democratic Party slid in tandem, dropping 4.7 percentage points to 38.6 percent, while the opposition People Power Party climbed 6.5 points to 38.1 percent. The decline was particularly pronounced among younger voters and in the southeastern industrial belt. Disapproval reached 62.3 percent among voters in their 20s and 59.9 percent among those in their 30s, while negative views also surged in the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang region. A separate survey released Wednesday suggested the political momentum may be shifting even more dramatically. The poll, conducted by Cho Won C&I for Straight News from June 6 to June 8, showed support for the PPP at 41.6 percent, edging past the DP at 40.4 percent. It marked the first time the conservatives outpaced the liberals since Yoon's martial-law stunt and impeachment. The same survey showed Lee's approval rating dropping 13.3 percentage points to 50.6 percent, while disapproval climbed 12.5 percentage points to 45.5 percent. Taken together, the polls suggest the June 3 local elections may have served as a watershed moment — one that has shaken what once seemed an iron DP grip on power and clouded the party's once-comfortable path to extending its rule into another term. Rep. Park Sun-won of the DP told AJP the waning numbers were "deeply distressful." Lawmakers from both parties cited a combination of factors behind the shift in public opinion, including the ballot paper shortage controversy during the local elections, growing unease over the ruling party's legislative agenda, and the emergence of new conservative leadership figures. The ballot shortage incident, which forced some polling stations to suspend voting temporarily and left voters waiting for extended periods, sparked nationwide criticism and allegations that citizens' voting rights had been compromised. "The decisive cause was the infringement of citizens' voting rights resulting from the ballot paper shortage incident," said PPP lawmaker Park Sung-hoon. Park also cited a range of factors that fueled public resentment toward what he described as the ruling camp's growing arrogance, including its push for the special prosecutor bill on canceled prosecutions, the politicization of the Starbucks controversy and the consolidation of conservative voters during the local elections. The legislation, championed by the DP, seeks to investigate allegations of politically motivated prosecutions under the previous Yoon administration. Critics, however, argue that parts of the bill could effectively grant a special prosecutor authority to nullify existing indictments, making it one of the most contentious legislative proposals in recent months. "Through the local elections, the public warned that the Lee Jae Myung administration and the DP were acting too arrogantly and doing whatever they wanted," said PPP lawmaker Ahn Sang-hoon. Calling the bill a symbol of overreach, Ahn said voters were bewildered that the ruling party appeared determined to revive the proposal immediately after the election. Ahn also cited concerns over housing policy and efforts to support the stock market through the National Pension Service, while attributing the PPP's improving fortunes to growing expectations surrounding Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and former Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon. Their victories in the local elections were widely viewed as strengthening the reform-minded wing of the conservative party and broadening its appeal among moderate voters. PPP lawmaker Woo Jae-jun similarly argued that public expectations for change within the opposition had helped boost the party's support. "I think expectations that our party will change before the DP have been reflected in the PPP's approval ratings," he said. Even within the ruling party, some lawmakers acknowledged growing public frustration."The ruling party must be humble and inclusive," a three-term DP lawmaker said on condition of anonymity. "During this local election, we became complacent." The lawmaker also criticized what he described as excessive enthusiasm for stock market promotion by the government and ruling party, arguing that many ordinary investors had not benefited from recent market gains while foreign capital continued to leave Korean equities. He added that the party must use its upcoming national convention to reorganize its leadership and reconnect with voters before public dissatisfaction hardens into a more lasting political trend. 2026-06-11 16:53:18
  • UKs Princess Anne to visit Seoul next month
    UK's Princess Anne to visit Seoul next month SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - Britain's Princess Anne will visit South Korea next month for a series of engagements to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries, the British Embassy in Seoul said on Wednesday. Anne, known formally as the Princess Royal, will travel to Seoul from July 13 to 15 with her husband, Sir Tim Laurence, a retired British Royal Navy officer. During their stay here, the royal couple will attend an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Imjin River and honor British soldiers who fought in the Korean War (1950–1953). The princess, who previously visited South Korea during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, will also participate in several events aimed at boosting cooperation in areas such as maritime manufacturing, advanced technology, research, and education, as well as supporting charitable organizations and other causes she is involved with. British Ambassador to South Korea Colin Crooks said her upcoming visit would symbolize the "strength and warmth" of relations between the two countries. "There are fond and longstanding ties between the Royal Family and the Republic of Korea, from Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's visit in 1999 to the three State Visits by Korean Presidents to the United Kingdom since," Crooks said in a statement. Anne, who turned 75 in August last year, is the only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and the younger sister of King Charles III. She has held the title of Princess Royal since 1987. Widely regarded as one of the hardest-working members of the British royal family, Anne has carried out official duties on behalf of the monarchy for decades and serves as patron or honorary president of more than 300 organizations. A former elite equestrian, she became the first member of the British royal family to compete in the Olympic Games when she represented Britain at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. She has also been closely associated with youth charity Save the Children for more than 50 years. After wrapping up her itinerary here, she will leave for Thailand as her next stop in Asia. 2026-06-10 15:49:46
  • South Koreas opposition party picks former Yoon ally as floor leader
    South Korea's opposition party picks former Yoon ally as floor leader SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) -Jeong Jeom-sig, a prosecutor-turned three-term lawmaker and longtime ally of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was elected floor leader of South Korea's main conservative opposition on Wednesday, underscoring the People Power Party's continued reliance on pro-Yoon figures despite its crushing defeat in last week's local elections. The People Power Party (PPP) said Jeong defeated four-term lawmaker Kim Do-eup in a runoff vote among party lawmakers at the National Assembly, winning 55 votes to Kim's 48 after no candidate secured a majority in the first round. Jeong received 47 votes in the initial ballot, followed by Kim with 39 and three-term lawmaker Sung Il-jong with 20. The leadership race came just one week after the PPP suffered a major setback in the June 3 local elections, losing 12 of 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial contests to the ruling Democratic Party, deepening questions over the party's direction and leadership. A former prosecutor and one of the most prominent members of the party's pro-Yoon camp, Jeong is expected to play a pivotal role in determining whether the PPP pursues reconciliation among rival factions or doubles down on its existing power structure. Born in South Gyeongsang Province, Jeong graduated from Seoul National University's law school and spent 25 years as a prosecutor before entering politics through a 2019 parliamentary by-election. He was subsequently reelected in the 2020 and 2024 general elections. Jeong previously served as a member of the party's emergency leadership committee and as policy chief. He stepped down from the latter post in 2024 after then-party leader Han Dong-hoon took office amid demands from Han supporters for the collective resignation of the leadership. The episode exposed sharp tensions between Jeong and Han, who publicly clashed over the party's future direction. More recently, Jeong resigned as policy chief following the PPP's June 3 election defeat, accepting responsibility for the result. His election as floor leader, however, swiftly returns him to one of the party's most influential positions. The one-year post places Jeong at the center of efforts to contain widening factional divisions and rebuild the conservative party ahead of the next parliamentary elections in 2028. In his acceptance speech, Jeong sought to project unity. "As I promised, I will never be swayed by the voices of certain individuals or specific factions," he said. "I will make the People Power Party a party that earns the expectations of the people and one that its members can be proud of." His election is also being closely watched for what it could mean for relations with PPP chairman Jang Dong-hyeok, another leading figure associated with the pro-Yoon bloc. A five-term PPP lawmaker told AJP that Jeong is unlikely to align completely with Jang despite their shared political roots. "Jeong won't likely entirely align with hardline leader Jang Dong-hyeok," the lawmaker said. "Jeong is a lawmaker with the attitude of a traditional bureaucrat. He does not make remarks that stand out publicly, but he has his own convictions and thinks very differently from Jang." The assessment suggests that while both men are broadly categorized as pro-Yoon conservatives, disagreements over key party strategies and legislative priorities could emerge as the PPP struggles to redefine itself after the election defeat. PPP lawmaker Kim Gunn described Jeong as "a gentle and reasonable person," while another party member characterized him as a strategic politician, suggesting a less confrontational leadership style than that associated with Jang. 2026-06-10 15:47:50
  • Koreas election watchdog faces scrutiny over ballot-printing cuts in June 3 vote
    Korea's election watchdog faces scrutiny over ballot-printing cuts in June 3 vote SEOUL, June 10 (AJP) - South Korea's election watchdog is facing growing scrutiny after it emerged that the minimum ballot-printing threshold for the June 3 local elections was lowered from 60 percent to 50 percent of registered voters through internal approvals without a formal commission meeting, a move that could be associated with the unprecedented ballot shortages. The controversy has fueled calls for investigations and reforms amid ongoing blockade of a polling station in Seoul's Jamsil by hundreds of protesters demanding the invalidation of the June 3 election and a rerun, claiming they were effectively deprived of their voting rights because of a lack of ballots. Documents submitted by the National Election Commission (NEC) to People Power Party lawmakers Kim Seung-soo and Kim Min-jeon showed that the commission revised its "Comprehensive Management Guidelines for the 9th Nationwide Local Elections" on Dec. 10 last year through approval by the secretary-general alone. The commission also revised its "Election Procedure Manual for Public Officials Elections" on Dec. 24 through approval by the director of election policy, again without a formal meeting of commissioners. Under the revised guidelines, the Songpa-gu Election Commission decided to print ballots equivalent to 50 percent of eligible voters in 25 neighborhoods, excluding Jamsil 3-dong and Jamsil 4-dong. The agency denied any wrongdoing. A National Election Commission official told AJP that the decision had been made in accordance with existing regulations. "It is true that the decision was made through the secretary-general's approval, but it was done in accordance with the regulations stated in the commission's Comprehensive Management Guidelines," the official said, adding that procedural legitimacy had been maintained. The revelations came after ballot shortages disrupted voting at multiple polling stations during the June 3 local elections. Songpa-gu, where some of the most severe shortages occurred, recorded a turnout of 65.8 percent, 2.2 percentage points higher than Seoul's average turnout of 63.6 percent. The district ranked fourth among Seoul's 25 districts, behind Seocho-gu, Seongdong-gu and Yangcheon-gu. The NEC said the minimum ballot-printing threshold had been gradually reduced over the years, from 80 percent in 2009 to 70 percent in 2016 and 60 percent in 2021 before being lowered again to 50 percent for this year's election. According to the commission, the reductions reflected rising early-voting rates, difficulties securing printing companies because of compressed production schedules, logistical challenges in inspecting and storing millions of ballots and concerns over the management of unused ballots. The commission also argued that printing significantly more ballots than anticipated election-day turnout could fuel allegations of election fraud. However, the commission acknowledged that it lacked detailed contingency guidelines for handling ballot shortages once they occurred, including procedures for emergency ballot redistribution and the division of responsibilities among election officials. Ballot shortages have so far been confirmed at 91 polling stations nationwide, including 42 in Seoul, 23 in Gyeonggi Province, 11 in Incheon, four in Daegu, three in Busan, two each in Ulsan, South Gyeongsang Province and South Jeolla Province, and one each in North Chungcheong Province and North Jeolla Province. The estimated number of insufficient ballots has also increased. The commission initially reported 4,726 missing ballots but revised the figure to 7,194 in documents submitted Tuesday to the office of People Power Party lawmaker Chung Hee-yong. Voting was suspended for as long as 105 minutes at some affected polling stations, while authorities were unable to determine the exact duration of disruptions at three polling stations in Songpa-gu. The controversy is now drawing judicial scrutiny. The Seoul Eastern District Court conducted an on-site inspection Tuesday afternoon at the polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa-gu, where ballot shortages triggered one of the most serious disruptions during the June 3 election. The court moved to secure evidence including a ballot storage box marked as containing 1,900 printed ballots and closed-circuit television footage showing ballot-box storage and handling at 10 polling stations in Songpa-gu between June 3 and June 5. The evidence is expected to be sealed and transferred to a separate court facility for preservation. The Jamsil 7-dong polling station became the focal point of the ballot shortage controversy after voting was disrupted by a lack of ballots, prompting an extension of voting hours and triggering a two-night, three-day blockade protest by hundreds of demonstrators demanding an investigation into the election. The dispute is also spreading beyond the political arena. Major university student councils plan to issue joint statements Friday condemning the ballot shortages and calling for institutional reforms. Student councils from 16 universities, including Seoul National University Student Council, Yonsei University Student Council, Korea University Student Council and Hanyang University Student Council, are expected to release coordinated declarations on their campuses at 6 p.m. on the anniversary of the June Democratic Struggle. The groups are expected to call for a parliamentary investigation and special counsel probe, punishment of those responsible, remedies for alleged violations of citizens' voting rights, structural reform of the National Election Commission and the establishment of a citizen-participation oversight body to monitor the reform process. 2026-06-10 11:40:05
  • North Korea returns to international headlines amid renewed China-Russia rivalry
    North Korea returns to international headlines amid renewed China-Russia rivalry SEOUL, June 09 (AJP) - North Korea's young ruler Kim Jong-un, who once dominated international headlines through his unprecedented courtship with U.S. President Donald Trump during the latter's first term, is back on front pages – this time under the arms of the elder strongmen of a resurgent authoritarian axis. During his latest visit to Pyongyang — his first in seven years — Chinese President Xi Jinping called for expanded exchanges with North Korea in diplomacy, law enforcement and, notably, defense, reflecting Beijing's growing concern over Pyongyang's rapidly deepening military ties with Moscow. Xi arrived in Pyongyang shortly after hosting both U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, highlighting North Korea's rising strategic value as U.S.-China competition intensifies and Russia's war in Ukraine reshapes global alignments. According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, Xi urged deeper cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including military exchanges — a rare public reference that underscored Beijing's determination to remain North Korea's primary strategic partner. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun accompanied Xi on the trip, unlike Xi's previous visit to Pyongyang in 2019, when China's defense chief was absent from the delegation. Xi's visit, his first overseas trip of the year, came less than three weeks after his summit with Putin in Beijing. The timing suggested that China was seeking not merely to celebrate traditional friendship with North Korea but to recalibrate the evolving triangular relationship among Beijing, Pyongyang and Moscow following the Ukraine war. The summit also comes ahead of the 65th anniversary next month of the China-North Korea Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, signed in 1961. The treaty, which includes a mutual defense clause often described as an "automatic intervention" provision, had largely faded into irrelevance after the Cold War. Despite their deep-seated alliance between Pyongyang and Beijing, North Korea's growing military partnership with Moscow has reshaped regional dynamics. Since Pyongyang signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Moscow in 2024, North Korea has emerged as one of Russia's most important wartime partners, supplying artillery shells, missiles and troops for the war in Ukraine in exchange for military technology, energy and economic support. For the first time since the Soviet collapse, North Korea is no longer reliant on a single benefactor. Russia needs Pyongyang for its war effort, while China increasingly sees strategic value in preventing North Korea from drifting too far into Moscow's orbit. The result is a rare geopolitical moment in which Kim enjoys greater diplomatic leverage than at any point in recent decades. That shift helps explain the significance of Xi's visit. While Beijing welcomes closer Russia-North Korea ties insofar as they complicate U.S.-led security cooperation among Washington, Seoul and Tokyo, it has little interest in seeing Moscow emerge as Pyongyang's dominant strategic patron. Analysts say Xi's decision to visit Pyongyang shortly before the treaty anniversary reflects Beijing's anxiety. Chinese analyst Deng Yuwen recently wrote in Foreign Policy that if Beijing distances itself from North Korea, it risks pushing Pyongyang entirely toward Russia and weakening China's influence on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea's strategic importance has risen significantly since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, allowing Kim to strengthen his diplomatic leverage between Beijing and Moscow. Russia is eager to preserve its hard-won partnership with North Korea, while China is moving to reaffirm its own influence over Pyongyang. The three countries publicly displayed their growing alignment during China's military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II last September, when Putin and Kim stood alongside Xi atop Beijing's Tiananmen Gate. Yet despite its closer ties with Russia, North Korea remains economically dependent on China. More than 90 percent of North Korea's external trade is believed to involve China, making Beijing the country's indispensable economic lifeline. Still, North Korea's expanding relationship with Moscow has given Kim greater room to maneuver diplomatically than at any time in recent years. Xi's delegation included Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, who oversees sanctions-related trade issues, and Zheng Shanjie, head of China's National Development and Reform Commission, signaling that economic cooperation was a major topic of discussion. China had long adopted a cautious approach toward economic engagement with North Korea because of international sanctions, refraining from large-scale direct investment even before the COVID-19 pandemic largely shut down cross-border trade in 2020. But the geopolitical environment has changed dramatically. When Xi made his first state visit to North Korea seven years ago, Pyongyang was heavily dependent on Beijing and largely in the position of seeking Chinese support. Today, China also sees growing strategic value in maintaining close ties with North Korea as competition with the United States intensifies. North Korea, meanwhile, has broadened its diplomatic options through its wartime alignment with Russia and no longer relies exclusively on Beijing. During Kim's visit to China last September, he called for deeper economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. Analysts say Xi's remarks during this week's summit suggest Beijing may now be prepared to restore bilateral economic cooperation to levels exceeding those seen before the pandemic. Xi also directly mentioned fully reopening border trade ports between the two countries, signaling a likely expansion of cross-border commerce through more than 10 major crossing points, including Dandong-Sinuiju and Hunchun-Rason. The message was clear. Beijing is not merely reaffirming a traditional alliance; it is re-engaging North Korea at a moment when Pyongyang has acquired new strategic options. As strategic competition deepens across Eurasia, North Korea has regained something every small state seeks in international politics — leverage. The greatest beneficiary of the renewed China-Russia rivalry may ultimately be Kim Jong-un himself. 2026-06-09 18:07:22
  • Chipmakers emerge as best companies to work for among job seekers as tech firms lose ground
    Chipmakers emerge as best companies to work for among job seekers as tech firms lose ground SEOUL, June 9 (AJP) - South Korea's two major chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics were voted the best companies to work for by job seekers, recruitment portal Job Korea said on Tuesday. In a recent survey of about 3,287 job seekers conducted by Job Korea, SK hynix ranked first among companies for which respondents said they would "start work immediately," followed by Samsung Electronics. Internet, IT and platform companies that once dominated such rankings have slipped behind semiconductor and manufacturing firms, as companies like Naver, Toss, Hyundai Motor, AmorePacific, Google, Kakao, Nexon, and Hybe rounded out the top 10. In a similar survey about five years ago, Kakao ranked as the most preferred employer but fell to eighth place this year. SK hynix, which stood at fifth place in 2022, rose to the top spot, while Samsung Electronics has steadily remained within the top two. The changes in the rankings appear to be driven by skyrocketing salaries and benefits amid the recent artificial intelligence (AI)-driven chip boom. Respondents, in fact, cited high salaries and bonuses as their biggest reason when choosing a company to work for, accounting for 32 percent. Perks and other benefits accounted for 15 percent, followed by opportunities for career growth at 13 percent. Meanwhile, a separate survey by the portal revealed the growing financial burden facing university graduates preparing for jobs. A survey of some 485 young job seekers found that they spent an average of 4.55 million won (US$3,000) last year on prep courses to land a job. The amount rose sharply from an annual average of 2.27 million won in 2022, up 2.28 million won over the past three years, meaning spending increased by roughly 200,000 won per month. The largest portion of their spending went to obtaining certifications related to their field of study, followed by English proficiency tests, IT and computer-related skills, and other consulting services. Many respondents also said they were forced to take part-time jobs while preparing for employment in order to make ends meet. 2026-06-09 15:34:15
  • Experts urge peaceful coexistence strategy at timely forum as Xi visits Pyongyang
    Experts urge 'peaceful coexistence' strategy at timely forum as Xi visits Pyongyang SEOUL, June 8 (AJP) - "South Korea should become a country that designs the agenda and conditions that force North Korea and the United States to meet again, rather than a country waiting for a North Korea-U.S. summit." A forum hosted by a South Korean parliamentary research group, which coincided with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang on Monday, called for Seoul to pursue a strategy of "peaceful coexistence" with North Korea amid the shifting dynamics of U.S.-China relations and growing uncertainty surrounding the Korean Peninsula. The forum was held at the National Assembly in Seoul and organized by the Northeast Asia Peaceful Coexistence Forum, a parliamentary study group led by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young. In his opening remarks, Chung said, "The tectonic plates surrounding the Korean Peninsula are shifting violently." He described the event as a gathering where some of South Korea's leading experts would discuss what kind of peaceful coexistence strategy Seoul should pursue toward North Korea amid the changing international situation. Chung added that he viewed the discussion as a "very solemn opportunity to hold an important debate at an important moment." Former Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul said the forum was "timely." "Only by comprehensively evaluating the U.S.-China summit can we discuss the significance of Xi's visit to North Korea today within the broader context of the U.S.-China summit," Kim added. Choi Jong-kun, a professor of political science and international relations at Yonsei University and one of the presenters at the forum, argued that the recent Beijing summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Xi represented a framework for "managed stabilization" rather than a comprehensive breakthrough in bilateral relations. According to Choi, the summit followed earlier face-to-face meetings between Trump and Xi in Busan in October 2025 and in Beijing in May 2026, reflecting a mutual recognition that neither side could overwhelm the other and that direct confrontation would impose heavy costs on both countries. "The core phrase of the summit was a 'constructive U.S.-China relationship of strategic stability,'" Choi said. He said Washington emphasized transactions and trade outcomes, while Beijing focused on order and red lines, particularly on Taiwan. Choi said the summit did not restore free trade or produce a "big deal," but instead marked the emergence of “managed trade” involving selective easing and continued tariff pressure. He also argued that the Korean Peninsula had become a secondary issue in U.S.-China relations. "The Korean Peninsula agenda has been structurally pushed down the priority list," Choi said. "This is the most uncomfortable but most important reality for South Korea." Choi said the absence of a new North Korea-U.S. summit was not accidental but reflected structural conditions, including the unresolved clash between denuclearization and regime survival, North Korea's changed negotiating calculus after the collapse of the 2019 Hanoi summit, deepening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, and Washington's broader strategic distractions. He warned that Taiwan-related tensions could directly affect security conditions on the Korean Peninsula, saying a crisis in the Taiwan Strait could simultaneously involve U.S. forces in South Korea and Japan, Japan's security role and North Korean military opportunism. Choi argued that a strategy of peaceful coexistence with North Korea did not amount to abandoning unification but rather establishing the minimum conditions necessary to make future unification possible. He called for restoring mechanisms to reduce military risks, including communication channels and measures to prevent accidental clashes, and urged broader non-state engagement with North Korea through local governments, civil society, culture and sports exchanges. Min Jeong-hun, a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy's Department of North American and European Studies and another presenter at the forum, said the Trump administration's recent military actions against Iran were difficult to justify as an immediate security necessity because Tehran did not possess deployable nuclear warheads or long-range missiles capable of directly striking the U.S. Min said the Trump administration's China policy in its second term was expected to pursue "competitive coexistence," maintaining pressure on Beijing while managing economic and trade relations to maximize U.S. interests. He said the goal of strategic competition was not to defeat China outright but to preserve U.S. superiority by constraining China's rise. Min described the recent U.S.-China summit as focused primarily on managing bilateral ties and reducing friction in trade and economic areas. He noted that both countries agreed to pursue a "constructive relationship of strategic stability" based on fairness and reciprocity and said planned future meetings between Trump and Xi could help stabilize relations through what he described as "shuttle diplomacy." Min said China's reaffirmation of its hard-line stance on Taiwan was one of Beijing's key achievements at the summit, while Trump maintained strategic ambiguity by avoiding direct public confrontation over the issue. He said the summit underscored the need for South Korea to recalibrate its strategic position between Washington and Beijing based on a "pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests." Min also called for South Korea to strengthen cooperation with the United States and other advanced economies in strategic industries and technology while simultaneously expanding practical cooperation with China in economic and cultural areas. He said Seoul should continue communication with Beijing on North Korea-related issues and work toward a more reciprocal and future-oriented alliance with the United States. Min added that South Korea should play an active "pace maker" role in helping restart dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang and in facilitating meaningful progress in future negotiations. Asked by AJP about the outcomes of Xi's visit to North Korea, Chung replied, "Let's wait and see." Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a rare public appearance at an airport to welcome Xi, who arrived in Pyongyang on early Monday afternoon for a two-day visit, the first in nearly seven years. 2026-06-08 18:12:34
  • What lies ahead for DP after falling short where it mattered most despite overall win?
    What lies ahead for DP after falling short where it mattered most despite overall win? SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - South Korean voters handed President Lee Jae Myung's ruling Democratic Party (DP) a broad victory in this week's local elections while simultaneously delivering a warning against one-party dominance, as the conservatives retained the key Seoul mayoralty and narrowed losses in parliamentary by-elections. The DP won 12 of 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races in the June 3 local elections, a sharp reversal from its crushing defeat in the 2022 vote, when it lost 12 governorships and mayoralties to the conservative People Power Party (PPP). But the ruling party failed to capture Seoul, the country's biggest political battleground, where conservative incumbent Oh Se-hoon won reelection over DP candidate Chong Won-o after a tight race. The result dimmed what initially appeared to be a sweeping victory for the liberals and suggested voters were seeking checks and balances rather than giving the government a free hand. The DP also faced unexpectedly close contests in several regions, including Gangwon, South Chungcheong and Ulsan, where the ruling camp had been widely expected to cruise to easy victories. Results from 14 parliamentary by-elections held alongside the local elections carried a stronger political warning for the ruling bloc. Before the vote, 13 of the 14 seats had been held by DP lawmakers. But the party won only nine seats, reducing its parliamentary strength by four seats, while the PPP captured four constituencies and an independent candidate won one. The elections were widely viewed as the first nationwide referendum on Lee’s administration since he took office a year ago following the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Lee entered the elections with approval ratings above 60 percent, and many in the ruling camp had expected a decisive victory. Instead, the outcome indicated that voters broadly supported Lee's governing agenda while also signaling discomfort with what critics described as the DP's increasingly unilateral style of governance, backed by its legislative majority. Political observers said the results reflected growing concerns over hard-line legislative pushes led by pro-Lee lawmakers and perceptions that the ruling bloc had become complacent after consolidating control of both the executive and legislative branches. The DP's nomination process also became a source of controversy during the campaign. Critics accused party leader Jung Chung-rae and the party leadership of forcing through contentious nominations in races including the North Jeolla governorship and a parliamentary by-election in Pyeongtaek. The internal disputes diverted senior party officials from nationwide campaigning and may have contributed to Democratic losses in Seoul and several closely fought races in the country's southeastern conservative strongholds, analysts said. AJP asked lawmakers how they analyzed the reasons behind the DP’s defeats in the Seoul mayoral race and key parliamentary by-elections. PPP lawmakers pointed to the Lee Jae Myung government as the cause. Rep. Kang Seung-gyu said, "Elections are a judgment." "The biggest reason" the Democratic Party lost in key battlegrounds is that "citizens judged the Lee Jae Myung government," he added. "The public evaluated and judged the Lee government for pushing ahead with unreasonable laws with arrogance and self-righteousness and for pursuing the prosecution cancellation special counsel." Rep. Kim Gunn made similar remarks. "Seoul citizens felt it was wrong for the government and ruling party to push ahead with the prosecution cancellation special counsel and to exercise excessive public power in matters that should be morally condemned, such as the Starbucks incident," Kim said. "It was also effective that Oh clearly showed an effort to break with our party's past mistakes," he added. The "prosecution cancellation special counsel" mentioned by the two lawmakers refers to the special counsel bill on fabricated indictments proposed by the DP last month. The bill calls for a special counsel investigation into whether charges brought against President Lee before he was elected president and while he was standing trial were fabricated. The bill includes a provision allowing the special counsel to make a "decision on whether to maintain the prosecution" (Article 8, Clause 7) after receiving the cases from prosecutors. This means the special counsel could cancel the prosecution in Lee's cases. DP Rep. Kim Sung-hoi also said that Mayor Oh Se-hoon's acknowledgment that the Dec. 3 martial law declaration constituted insurrection and his apology over it were reasons he won the Seoul mayoral election. "Moderate conservative voters were highly dissatisfied with the Jang Dong-hyuk leadership system, but they went to the polls hoping that 'normal conservatives' would win," he said. "'Normal conservatives' refers to conservatives such as Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Rep. Han Dong-hoon who oppose insurrection," he explained. Three-term DP Rep. Eo Gi-gu said, "From the public's perspective, our Democratic Party appeared arrogant and conceited." "You win elections only when you are humble, desperate and earnest," he said. "I think only looking toward the president and complacently assuming we would win were also reasons for our defeats in places such as Seoul," he added. Rep. Kim Young-bae said, "In Seoul, we failed to manage the issues properly," adding that "we failed to ease public anxiety over the real estate market." He pointed to the lack of strategy from the party leadership as a cause of the defeats in Pyeongtaek and Busan's Buk district. "As seen in the Ulsan mayoral race, the central party also wavered over the issue of forming a unified candidacy with other progressive parties," he said. "Overall, the DP acted arrogantly, as if it had already won every election," he added. 2026-06-05 18:25:37
  • Lee mulls cabinet reshuffle after DP falls short in key local election races
    Lee 'mulls cabinet reshuffle' after DP falls short in key local election races SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is reportedly mulling a new prime minister as part of a partial cabinet reshuffle, after the ruling Democratic Party (DP) failed to win several key posts such as Seoul mayor despite its overall victory in this year's local elections, which wrapped up earlier this week. His longtime aide Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho and presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik are emerging as the two possible candidates to carry out Lee's sweeping reforms and shape the future direction of his administration. According to DP lawmakers and multiple presidential officials, Lee is expected to announce his nominee as early as Sunday, as Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is widely expected to resign to run in the DP's national convention later this summer. In recent days, Lee has reportedly held separate private meetings with them, fueling such speculation A DP lawmaker said Lee discussed Kim's political future including a possible party leadership bid, during their regular weekly meeting last Monday. The following day, Lee asked Jung to remain after a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae and held a private lunch with him without other aides present. Jung told AJP, "It was simply a gathering over a meal where we talked about old times." "There were no discussions whatsoever regarding the prime minister or a Cabinet reshuffle," he added. Then on Thursday evening, Lee separately met Kang after the chief of staff returned from Canada, where he had traveled as a special presidential envoy for strategic economic cooperation talks focused on resources and supply chains. Lee remained at his office into the evening to receive Kang personally. The two finalists represent sharply different political calculations for Lee. Jung, a five-term lawmaker and longtime ally of the president, is widely viewed as a safe and stabilizing choice. Lee and Jung have known each other for roughly four decades and trained together at South Korea's Judicial Research and Training Institute. As justice minister, Jung has overseen the Lee administration's prosecutorial reform drive and has maintained working relationships with opposition lawmakers, despite rising partisan tensions. Supporters say his moderate image and legislative experience could help Lee navigate politically sensitive reforms that would require cooperation from rival parties. Ruling party officials say Jung is seen internally as one of the few figures capable of coordinating negotiations over Lee's so-called "six major reform tasks" including changes to pensions, labor policy, finance, education, regulation and the public sector. Some officials also believe Jung could complete follow-up legislation tied to the administration's prosecutorial reforms before moving to the prime minister's office. Jung has expressed reluctance about taking the job, citing health concerns and personal reasons. A senior DP lawmaker close to Jung told AJP, "Jung says in private that he even wants to step down from his ministerial post." "Jung says he wants to return to the National Assembly as soon as possible," he added. Kang, meanwhile, represents a younger and more future-oriented option for Lee. The 52-year-old chief of staff has become one of Lee's closest aides over the past year and recently expanded his profile beyond domestic politics by handling economic diplomacy involving defense industries, energy security and supply chains. Supporters inside the ruling party argue that promoting Kang would reinforce the image of a younger Cabinet while also helping cultivate a next-generation presidential contender for the liberal camp. That debate intensified after Wednesday's local elections, which weakened several liberal figures long viewed as potential presidential hopefuls. Disgraced former Justice Minister Cho Kuk lost a parliamentary by-election race, while former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum failed in his bid for Daegu mayor and former South Gyeongsang governor Kim Kyoung-soo lost the gubernatorial race in South Gyeongsang Province. Conservatives, by contrast, saw several high-profile victories. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon secured a fifth term, and former Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon returned to politics by winning a parliamentary seat, strengthening speculation about future conservative presidential contenders. Some ruling party officials now argue that Lee needs to elevate younger figures such as Kang to prevent the liberal bloc from falling behind in the race to cultivate future national leaders. Still, Kang's possible nomination carries risks. South Korea has not seen a presidential chief of staff move directly into the prime minister's office in 35 years, since former Prime Minister Noh Jae-bong was appointed after serving as chief of staff to former President Roh Tae-woo. The Prime Minister's Office has already begun preparations for a parliamentary confirmation hearing, forming a team of about 30 officials. Under South Korean law, a prime ministerial nominee must undergo a parliamentary confirmation hearing and receive approval in a National Assembly vote before formally taking office. The current incumbent prime minister took 29 days to complete the process after his nomination. 2026-06-05 17:49:13