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
  • Korean PM reaffirms limiting prosecutors to indictment
    Korean PM reaffirms limiting prosecutors to indictment SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) -The South Korean government remains firm to its reform outline to keep prosecutorial role strictly to indictment, said Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Thursday. Speaking at a policy briefing at the Government Complex Seoul, Kim said the Lee Jae Myung administration’s core principle for prosecution reform is the separation of investigation and indictment functions. “The basic principle of prosecution reform pursued by the Lee Jae Myung government is the separation of investigation and prosecution,” Kim said. “In line with that principle, I have consistently maintained that prosecutors’ authority should not have the authority for an additional investigation (after a case is transferred by the police)." Kim said the government had reviewed various opinions on the issue and finalized the abolition of supplementary investigation powers as its basic position. He added that the government would convey that position to the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and would refrain from submitting a separate legislative proposal, leaving further debate and decisions to the National Assembly. He said lawmakers should determine the details of the system and related legislation through sufficient discussion and deliberation. The government would implement follow-up measures once legislation is passed, he added. His briefing came amid growing political attention to prosecution reform within the ruling camp. Kim, who is widely expected to return to politics in Seoul’s Yeouido district and formally declare a bid in the DP’s August leadership election, held a standalone briefing to underscore the government’s position on one of the most contentious issues in the reform debate. His potential rival for the party leadership, former Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae, reiterated his support for a tougher reform line earlier Thursday, writing on Facebook: “Complete abolition of supplementary investigation authority. Right now.” The issue has also drawn attention from some of President Lee’s more progressive supporters. Recent appointments of former prosecutors to senior presidential offices, including positions overseeing civil affairs and judicial affairs, have prompted questions among some ruling party supporters about the administration’s commitment to prosecution reform. Under Korea’s criminal justice system, supplementary investigation authority allows prosecutors to conduct additional investigative work after receiving cases from police. Whether prosecutors should retain the authority has emerged as a key issue in ongoing efforts to redefine the roles of prosecutors and police. Rep. Min Hong-chul of the DP, a four-term lawmaker, said the National Assembly should respect the government's position and that its role going forward is to ensure that "even if supplementary investigation authority is completely abolished, there are checks and balances in place so that the police do not abuse their power or cause harm to the public, because the issue is directly related to the rights of citizens and the interests of victims." Rep. Yoo Sang-bum of the People Power Party, a former chief prosecutor, criticized the move, saying that abolishing supplementary investigation authority would “completely eliminate judicial oversight of police investigations and undermine the judicial system, which is the foundation of state governance.” Yoo argued that “police investigations cannot be perfect” and that abolishing supplementary investigation authority would increase the likelihood that guilty people could go free or innocent people could be wrongly accused. He added that “the only reason DP lawmakers are trying to completely abolish supplementary investigation authority is to carry out what hard-line supporters want in order to win the party leadership election.” 2026-06-25 17:31:45
  • Strike looms at Hyundai Motor after mediation fails
    Strike looms at Hyundai Motor after mediation fails SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) -The labor union of South Korea's largest automaker, Hyundai Motor Co., secured the legal right to strike on Thursday after labor authorities suspended mediation in the company's wage negotiations, raising another labor risk at a major industrial workplace following Samsung Electronics. According to Hyundai Motor and its union, the National Labor Relations Commission decided to suspend mediation in the dispute, concluding that the gap between labor and management remained too wide to reach an agreement through conciliation. The ruling came a day after union members voted in favor of strike action in a ballot. With both the strike authorization vote and the mediation suspension completed, the union is now legally permitted to stage a strike under South Korean labor law. The union plans to launch a central strike committee on June 30 to discuss possible industrial action and its negotiating strategy. Labor and management have held 11 rounds of talks this year. The union declared negotiations broken down on June 12 and began strike preparations, saying the company had failed to present a wage proposal. The union is demanding a monthly base wage increase of 149,600 won ($97), excluding seniority-based pay raises, a performance bonus equivalent to 30 percent of the company's net profit from last year, an increase in bonuses from 750 percent to 800 percent of monthly pay, and an extension of the retirement age. With the union now holding legal strike rights, industry observers expect Hyundai Motor to present its first wage proposal in the near future in an effort to avoid a work stoppage. Last year, the company and union reached a wage agreement after workers staged three partial strikes. "The company does not have an official message regarding the union's acquisition of the right to strike. We will make every effort to reach an amicable agreement with the union," an employee from Hyundai Motor's media relations team told AJP by phone. Meanwhile, shares of Hyundai Motor closed at 504,000 won ($326.8) on the KOSPI, down 0.98 percent on the day. 2026-06-25 17:00:11
  • Korea debates whether to mimic Teach You a Lesson-like defense of teachers
    Korea debates whether to mimic 'Teach You a Lesson'-like defense of teachers SEOUL, June 25 (AJP) - A hit Netflix K-drama depicting a powerful government agency that intervenes in cases of school violence, disruptive students and attacks on teachers is increasingly influencing education policy discussions in South Korea, with education officials citing the show for the push for the restoration of teaching authority. The drama, “Teach You a Lesson,” has become one of Netflix’s most-watched non-English-language shows globally, while inspiring a broader public debate over how schools should respond to classroom disruptions, malicious complaints from parents and growing concerns over teachers’ authority. Gyeonggi Province Superintendent-elect Ahn Min-seok on Thursday said he would work with lawmakers to revise South Korea’s Child Welfare Act and Child Abuse Punishment Act, arguing that existing laws have constrained teachers’ ability to guide and discipline students. Speaking at a forum at the National Assembly, Ahn said he would seek legislation shielding teachers from liability for school safety accidents unless intentional misconduct or gross negligence is involved. He also proposed establishing an Educational Rights Protection Bureau under the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, a concept widely compared to the fictional Educational Rights Protection Bureau featured in “Teach You a Lesson.” The proposed organization would provide legal assistance, counseling and administrative support for teachers facing investigations, lawsuits or complaints related to their educational activities. Ahn said he had discussed possible legal revisions with major teachers’ organizations and that a joint news conference involving education groups and provincial superintendents is planned for July 15. He also pledged to create separate spaces and dedicated personnel for handling students who seriously disrupt classes, consider introducing temporary classroom separation measures, and develop standardized guidelines clarifying teachers’ authority in student discipline. The proposal has drawn criticism from youth and human rights groups. Organizations including Political Mamas and the Youth Green Party held a news conference outside the National Assembly on Thursday, arguing that school problems cannot be solved through greater control or authority alone. Participants said the drama presents a simplified solution to complex educational challenges and warned against approaches that could stigmatize students. The controversy intensified after Ahn said during a June 16 radio interview that teams of 20 to 30 supervisors, potentially including former special forces personnel, could be dispatched to schools facing severe disciplinary problems. He said the goal would be guidance and discipline rather than punishment. Other provincial education leaders have announced teacher protection initiatives that more closely resemble administrative support systems than the interventionist agency portrayed in the drama. South Chungcheong Province Superintendent-elect Lee Byung-do said a Teacher Protection Office reporting directly to the superintendent will launch on July 1. Staffed by legal, mediation and counseling experts, the office will provide support ranging from prevention to recovery in teacher rights cases. Daejeon Superintendent-elect Oh Seok-jin has also announced plans to establish a dedicated office focused on teacher protection, legal assistance, counseling and responses to malicious complaints. Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin on Wednesday welcomed efforts by provincial education offices to establish specialized organizations for handling complaints and strengthening protections for educational activities, saying such measures are a positive direction for schools. The growing policy discussion comes as “Teach You a Lesson” continues to dominate Netflix rankings. According to Netflix’s Tudum website, the series recorded 11.8 million views during its third week of release, remaining the No. 1 non-English-language TV show globally. The drama ranked first in 19 countries, including South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia, and entered the Top 10 in 85 countries. The show has also led domestic streaming rankings and topped South Korean television and streaming buzzworthiness indexes, underscoring how a fictional portrayal of teacher protection has become a catalyst for a real-world debate over education policy. 2026-06-25 15:07:30
  • AI touts in Korean teens hands are a growing worry for parents
    AI touts in Korean teens' hands are a growing worry for parents SEOUL, June 24 (AJP) - Gambling used to be a taboo word in South Korea. Real-money betting is prohibited in online games, as are casinos, bingo and lotteries for most citizens. But illegally, online gambling is proliferating — and increasingly invading classrooms. The episode in Netflix's hit drama "Teach You a Lesson," in which an ordinary high school student becomes addicted to gambling, destroys his family life and is eventually pulled into a criminal ring to repay debts, is hardly an exaggeration. In reality, the touts are no longer human. They are AI-driven advertisements, proxy sites and incessant pop-up attacks that relentlessly target teenagers' smartphones. "Teenagers are easily attracted by lotteries and dreams of sudden wealth," said Jeong You-seon, a counselor who has worked at both middle and high schools in Seoul. Apparently harmless fruit-matching game often serves as the gateway. In academically competitive districts, gambling may remain confined to a smaller group of students. In some vocational schools, however, it can spread much more widely. "People watch these stories on television dramas and think they are fictional," Jeong said. "They are not. They are based on reality." One former student she counseled became so consumed by online gambling that he began directing other students to earn points and money for him. He borrowed cash from friends and stole money from home to continue betting. His case is hardly unusual. In a recent self-reporting campaign run by the National Police Agency, nearly 300 teenagers came forward in just one month. One high school in Gangwon Province recorded 48 self-reported cases, while another in the same province reported 20. Gangwon is home to the country's only casino open to Korean nationals. Among the students was a 15-year-old boy in Incheon who told authorities he had accumulated about 30 million won ($19,500) in gambling debt. He assaulted his mother after she refused to repay 4 million won and later attempted suicide. In another extreme case, a 17-year-old school dropout in North Jeolla Province repeatedly ran away from home and broke into vehicles to finance his gambling habit. Over 14 months, he deposited about 16 million won into online gambling sites. The cases offer a glimpse into what experts increasingly describe as one of the most underrecognized threats facing South Korean adolescents: the rapid spread of online gambling through smartphones, social media and gaming platforms. Police data show the average teenage self-reporter had gambled for about a year and wagered roughly 3 million won. The highest reported amount reached 60 million won. Boys accounted for 93 percent of those who came forward. The problem extends well beyond high schools. Four in 10 self-reporters were middle school students. A survey by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency last year of nearly 35,000 students found that 2.1 percent had gambling experience, up from 1.5 percent a year earlier. More strikingly, one in five students said they had witnessed gambling among their peers. The age of first exposure is also falling. Fifth grade in elementary school emerged as the most common starting point, replacing the first year of middle school in the previous survey. Most gambling now takes place online. Students reported participating in esports betting, online instant-win games and illegal internet casinos, with nearly two-thirds using smartphones as their primary device. For Bhang Soo-young, a psychiatrist at Nowon Eulji University Hospital and director of the Nowon District Comprehensive Addiction Management Center, the statistics merely confirm what she already sees in her clinic. "The problem is much bigger than most people realize," Bhang said. "Many teenagers believe everyone around them is gambling. Once they think all their friends are doing it, gambling starts to feel normal." She said adolescents are particularly vulnerable because they are drawn to the promise of easy money without the effort associated with part-time work or traditional employment. Some of the teenagers she treats have accumulated debts that would overwhelm many adults. "I have seen cases where debts reached 150 million won," she said. "Families initially try to repay the money, but eventually they can no longer keep up." As debts mount, gambling often spills into other forms of delinquency and crime. Teenagers may begin extorting classmates, stealing or carrying out online scams in an attempt to recoup losses, Bhang said. In many cases, authorities first discover gambling only while investigating another crime. "Students are often not caught because of gambling itself," she said. "They are caught because they committed another offense, and gambling turns out to be the reason." Researchers and counselors warn that gambling addiction may be particularly damaging during adolescence, when the brain is still developing. Bhang compared the neurological effects of severe gambling addiction to those observed in drug addiction, citing impaired impulse control, attention and decision-making. "The attraction can be as powerful as what drug addicts describe," she said. Police investigators say the typical adolescent gambler falls between the ages of 14 and 18. "We are currently investigating cases involving a high school student who gambled more than 10 million won and a middle school student who gambled more than 1 million won," said a Seoul police officer who handles juvenile gambling cases. The consequences often extend far beyond financial losses. According to the Seoul police survey, some students funded gambling through extortion, fraud and school violence. Others relied on unauthorized microloans known as "proxy loans," an illegal lending practice widely advertised on social media. The arrangements often involve less than $100 but carry exorbitant fees and penalties that can exceed legal interest-rate limits many times over. Because many teenagers lack financial literacy and are reluctant to seek help from parents or authorities, they become easy targets for exploitation. Police extended the voluntary reporting program through the end of August and are encouraging teenagers and parents to come forward without fear of punishment. The battle won't likely be an easy one as the danger will always be literally at hand. A survey released Tuesday by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Young-ho, 98.1 percent of parents across Seoul, Incheon and South Gyeongsang Province wanted some restrictions on smartphone use by minors. The majority also cited smartphones increase children's exposure to harmful content (97.5 percent). For a generation raised on games, the line between play and betting is disappearing — and by the time parents, schools, and society notice, the addiction may already be entrenched. 2026-06-24 16:33:00
  • KOSPI crashes nearly 10 percent amid broad Asian retreat
    KOSPI crashes nearly 10 percent amid broad Asian retreat SEOUL, June 23 (AJP) - South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI crashed nearly 10 percent, far outpacing declines in Japan and China as investors rushed to unwind positions after record-setting streaks. The KOSPI fell 9.99 percent or record 910.71 points to 8,203.84, instantly wiping out gains of last seven trading sessions. The junior KOSDAQ plunged 7.94 percent to 891.52. Foreign and local institutions offloaded more than 4 trillion won worth on the KOSPI while retailers scooped them up with purchases of more than 8 trillion won. A dual circuit breaker, a temporary cool-off, was triggered both markets. The Korea Exchange suspended trading on the main bourse for 20 minutes starting at 2:33:43 p.m. after the KOSPI remained down more than 8 percent from the previous session’s close for one minute. It marked the fourth circuit breaker on the KOSPI this year and the 10th in history. The sharp decline was attributed to weakness in U.S. technology stocks and the spread of global risk-off sentiment to the domestic market. Overnight, the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.32 percent and the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index declined 0.37 percent. Investor sentiment weakened as profit-taking emerged in artificial intelligence-related stocks and concerns grew over a potential outflow of AI talent. SK hynix fell 12.47 percent to 2.555 million won ($1,660), while Samsung Electronics dropped 12.31 percent to close at 310,000 won. SK hynix extended No.1 title on KOSPI. Its market capitalization stood at about 1,820 trillion won ($1.18 trillion), surpassing Samsung Electronics’ roughly 1,812 trillion won. SK Square, the third-largest company by market capitalization, declined 7.01 percent to 1,832,000 won, while Samsung Electro-Mechanics, ranked fifth by market capitalization, fell 10.68 percent to 1,990,000 won. Hyundai Motor, the sixth-largest company by market capitalization, dropped 12.05 percent to 511,000 won. The largest one-day decline in KOSPI history was the 12.06 percent plunge recorded on March 4, 2026, following the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war. The second-largest drop was the 12.02 percent fall on Sept. 12, 2001, immediately after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It was followed by an 11.63 percent decline on April 17, 2000, during the collapse of the dot-com bubble, and a 10.57 percent fall on Oct. 24, 2008, at the height of the global financial crisis. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 3.55 percent to 69,788.38. Kioxia Holdings, Japan’s largest company by market capitalization and a NAND flash memory manufacturer, plunged 15.10 percent to 92,290 yen ($571.3). SoftBank, the fourth-largest company by market capitalization, fell 10.09 percent to 6,513 yen. Toyota Motor, the second-largest company by market capitalization, declined 1.29 percent to 2,706 yen, while Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, ranked third by market capitalization, fell 1.98 percent to 3,276 yen. China’s Shanghai Composite Index was down 1.51 percent at 4,100.35 as of 4 p.m. 2026-06-23 16:28:56
  • Norths Kim vows stronger nuclear force, denounces Seouls sub push
    North's Kim vows stronger nuclear force, denounces Seoul's sub push SEOUL, June 23 (AJP)-North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reiterated the state ambition to expand as a nuclear-arms power while denouncing South Korea's push on homegrown nuclear-powered submarine, state media reported Monday. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Tuesday said the Workers’ Party of Korea held an enlarged plenary meeting of its Central Committee from June 20 to 22 to review progress on decisions adopted at the party’s ninth congress and discuss future policy priorities. According to KCNA, Kim declared that North Korea would continue to “expand and strengthen” its nuclear forces and fully exercise its status as a nuclear weapons state. The report said plans related to nuclear technology would be accelerated and that the country would continue efforts to develop military assets capable of surpassing global standards. The meeting also reiterated North Korea’s policy of treating South Korea as its “most hostile state” and called for strict adherence to the ruling party’s principles for confronting Seoul. KCNA directly criticized recent South Korea-U.S. security cooperation, including the sixth meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group, a bilateral framework aimed at strengthening extended deterrence against North Korean threats. The North’s state media accused Washington and Seoul of pushing the Korean Peninsula closer to nuclear conflict through military planning involving both nuclear and conventional forces. It also criticized what it described as efforts by South Korea to acquire nuclear-powered submarines and expand military capabilities in cooperation with the United States. Kim additionally ordered continued work on strengthening border fortifications along North Korea’s southern frontier and constructing new naval bases to support the country’s fleet operations, KCNA said. The comments came as Seoul pursues plans to develop and build a nuclear-powered submarine using domestic technology. A South Korean Foreign Ministry official said June 9 that discussions with U.S. counterparts had proceeded on the understanding that the submarine would be built in South Korea and that Washington had not raised objections to the plan. The official said South Korea had shared details of its submarine project with the United States and that both sides agreed the capability would contribute to the alliance’s defense posture and support Seoul’s efforts to take a leading role in defending the Korean Peninsula. South Korea last month unveiled a basic development plan stating that the submarine would be designed and constructed domestically to ensure greater self-reliance in acquisition, maintenance and long-term operations. Questions remain, however, over whether the allies can reach agreements on broader nuclear fuel issues. The Foreign Ministry official noted that discussions on expanding South Korea’s authority to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel under the bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement would require further negotiations. Under the revised U.S.-South Korea nuclear agreement, Seoul must obtain Washington’s consent for uranium enrichment below 20 percent and for spent fuel reprocessing, limiting its ability to independently produce nuclear fuel for civilian reactors. 2026-06-23 09:55:26
  • Military reform plans could weaken defense capabilities, critics warn
    Military reform plans could weaken defense capabilities, critics warn SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) - Critics on Monday warned that plans to merge South Korea's military academies and dismantle the Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCC) could weaken the military readiness at a time of growing security challenges in the region. The criticism came at a forum on international security and changing patterns of warfare held at the National Assembly in Seoul and hosted by Rep. Han Ki-ho, a four-term lawmaker of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) who is also the former chairman of the National Assembly's defense committee and retired three-star army general. Han used the forum to argue that the Lee Jae Myung administration's defense policies undermining South Korea's military preparedness. The forum took place shortly after the government announced plans to dissolve the DCC and redistribute its functions among multiple organizations. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said the proposed reform is intended to prevent excessive concentration of power following the command's alleged role during disgraced former President's Dec. 3 declaration of martial law in 2024. Han sharply criticized the government's plan to integrate military academies and relocate the Korea Military Academy from Seoul to Jangseong in South Jeolla Province. "The ultimate goal of the Lee administration is not to integrate military academies but to eliminate them," Han claimed. "If the Korea Military Academy is moved from Seoul to Jangseong, who would apply?" He argued that integrating the academies would amount to "completely overturning" the military system and warned that the government was pursuing a broader ideological transformation of the armed forces. Han said South Koreans had become accustomed to peace after decades without war on the Korean Peninsula. "The current government takes peace for granted," he said, arguing that peace has been maintained through public resolve and the U.S.-South Korea alliance. Han also criticized ongoing discussions about transferring wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington to Seoul, saying a future conservative government would scrap the transition altogether. A major portion of the forum focused on the future of warfare and the implications for South Korean security. Tak Sung-han, a research fellow at Hanyang University's Institute for National Strategy, warned that future conflicts would increasingly depend on artificial intelligence, drones and robotic systems, making stable energy supplies a critical component of military power. "Securing sufficient and stable military power will be essential for national security," Tak said, arguing that electricity would become a decisive strategic resource as AI-enabled weapons systems proliferate. Tak described chronic energy shortages as one of North Korea's greatest structural weaknesses. He said North Korean electricity generation remains below 1990 levels and that the country's heavy dependence on hydropower leaves it vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations. "Electricity shortages are the North's biggest weakness across its economy, military and regime," Tak said. He argued that South Korea's greatest danger would come during the opening phase of any future conflict with North Korea. "If war breaks out, the greatest security crisis for South Korea will emerge in the initial stage of the conflict," Tak said. Because South Korea is a democratic society, he said, it would face greater challenges than North Korea in rapidly transitioning to a wartime footing. As a result, improving survivability and resilience during the early stages of war should become a national priority. Tak called for accelerated military modernization through advanced technologies, enhanced surveillance of North Korean military activities and stronger coordination with the U.S. "We must prepare for the possibility of a broader international conflict by strengthening the alliance with the U.S. while managing relations with China, Russia and Japan," he said. Another speaker, Park Yong-han of the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, focused on the strategic consequences of intensifying U.S.-China competition and expanding cooperation among North Korea, China and Russia. Park said rivalry between Washington and Beijing was increasingly extending beyond military affairs into technology, economics and supply chains, creating new sources of instability throughout the Indo-Pacific region. "The possibility of worsening instability in the Indo-Pacific is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid," Park said. He warned that intensifying strategic competition could accelerate military buildups, deepen bloc politics and increase the risk of crises around Taiwan. Park also pointed to growing trilateral cooperation among North Korea, China and Russia since 2022, including diplomatic coordination, military exchanges and economic cooperation. "North Korea, China and Russia are pursuing different interests, but they have found common ground in responding to the changing international environment," he said. Still, Park argued that the partnership faces significant constraints because of historical mistrust and differing strategic priorities. Regarding OPCON transfer, Park described the issue as one of the most important challenges facing the alliance. "Strengthening South Korea's independent capabilities and maintaining alliance effectiveness must be pursued simultaneously," he said. Park said Seoul should continue strengthening its surveillance and reconnaissance assets, missile defense systems and strategic command structure while maintaining close coordination with Washington. "The core of South Korea's security lies in developing the alliance and self-reliant defense in a complementary manner," he said. Several PPP lawmakers also broadly criticized the current administration's security policies. Rep. Na Kyung-won said the administration was moving "backward" on defense and alliance issues. "When you look at whether Lee is moving in the right direction, everything is going backward," Na said. "It even runs counter to the fundamental values of the alliance." She also criticized what she described as an attempt to abolish a military drone unit before reversing course. "We are a powerless opposition party, but we will closely watch the Defense Ministry under the Lee Jae Myung government," she said. Rep. Han Dong-hoon said the government was projecting overconfidence in security affairs. "is engaging in a kind of bluff while making neighboring countries uneasy," Han said. "You can bluff in other areas, but you cannot bluff in national defense and security." Rep. Sung Il-jong expressed concerns that policies to dismantle the military academy system and an unrealistic, premature wartime operational control transfer could weaken the alliance with the U.S. 2026-06-22 17:41:48
  • Lees senior aide pick deepens ruling party divide amid sinking ratings
    Lee's senior aide pick deepens ruling party divide amid sinking ratings SEOUL, June 22 (AJP) -South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's appointment of a conservative-leaning former prosecutor as senior presidential secretary for civil affairs is exposing growing fissures within the ruling camp at a time when both the president and his party are facing slipping public support. Lee on Sunday named Han Chan-sik, a lawyer at Kim & Chang and a former senior prosecutor, to the powerful post overseeing public officials and legal affairs. The presidential office said Han would help strengthen accountability across the civil service and advance the administration's prosecutorial reform agenda, including plans to establish a new major crimes investigation agency and a separate public prosecution office. The appointment, however, immediately sparked criticism from Lee's liberal support base and members of the ruling camp. As chief prosecutor in Seoul, Han led the investigation into the so-called environment ministry blacklist scandal under the administration of former President Moon Jae-in. The probe resulted in the indictment of former Environment Minister Kim Eun-kyung and former presidential aides Song In-bae and Shin Mi-sook. The case made Han a controversial figure among some progressive activists and loyalists of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, who viewed the investigation as politically damaging to a previous liberal administration. Online communities broadly supportive of the ruling camp, including Ddanzi Ilbo and Clien, were flooded with posts criticizing the appointment on Sunday. Critics have also highlighted Han's family ties to the late Choi Byung-ryul, a former leader of the Grand National Party, the predecessor of the main opposition People Power Party. Choi played a leading role in the National Assembly's 2004 impeachment of former President Roh Moo-hyun, a move that triggered a political backlash and was later overturned by the Constitutional Court. The infighting is unfolding alongside a noticeable deterioration in Lee's public support. A Realmeter poll released Monday showed Lee's approval rating falling for a fifth consecutive week. Support for Lee's handling of state affairs dropped 4.8 percentage points from the previous week to 46.7 percent, marking the first time his approval rating has fallen below the 50 percent threshold since taking office. The survey of 2,517 adults was conducted between June 15 and 19. Realmeter said growing criticism over internal power struggles within the ruling party and disputes surrounding party leadership issues had contributed to negative public sentiment. A separate Realmeter survey conducted June 18-19 among 1,001 voters found the conservative PPPP leading the DP in support for a second consecutive week. The PPP recorded 42.3 percent support, compared with 40.1 percent for the DP. Ruling party lawmakers largely expressed respect for the president's appointment. "It is not particularly desirable to draw a line against someone because he is someone's son-in-law or son," said Rep. Min Byung-deok of the DP. "As a senior member of the ruling party, I respect the president's personnel appointment," said a four-term lawmaker from the same party. 2026-06-22 11:19:34
  • Many analysts see Iran, not Washington, as the strategic winner of the war
    Many analysts see Iran, not Washington, as the strategic winner of the war SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - President Donald Trump hailed the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding as a diplomatic victory that would prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons and restore stability to global energy markets. Many international relations scholars and security analysts see it differently. Several experts interviewed by AJP said the 109-day conflict ultimately strengthened Iran's strategic leverage, exposed limits to American military power and accelerated shifts already underway in the global order. "The U.S. lost the war," said Jim Piazza, a political scientist at Pennsylvania State University. "It was unable to achieve its stated goals. Iran likely emerges from the war in a stronger strategic position." For many analysts, the war's most important lesson was not military but economic. Iran demonstrated its ability to weaponize the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass. Paul Hare, a former British ambassador and veteran British diplomat, said Tehran had acquired a durable source of leverage. "The Iranians now have a permanent optional lever — pressure on the Strait of Hormuz," Hare said. William Reno, a political scientist at Northwestern University, agreed. "Iran learned how to use its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz as a geopolitical weapon," he said. The memorandum has added to those concerns because it guarantees toll-free passage for only 60 days. "The days of free passage may be over," Hare warned. Supporters of the agreement argue Washington secured its principal objective by obtaining Iran's renewed commitment not to develop nuclear weapons. Critics, however, say the memorandum merely postpones difficult decisions. Under the agreement, both sides have 60 days to negotiate sanctions relief, nuclear restrictions, verification mechanisms and broader security arrangements. Several analysts suggested Tehran may now see its leverage over global shipping routes as a more effective deterrent than a nuclear arsenal. "Iran might even give up the nuclear program, slowly, since having the Strait weapon is much more useful to them," said Daniel Green of the University of Delaware. Tom Vaughan, a lecturer in international security at the University of Leeds, expressed a similar view. "I would not be surprised if Iran now agreed to give up its nuclear program," Vaughan said. "It now has a much better deterrent in its back pocket — the threat to close the Strait again." China and Russia emerge as indirect beneficiaries Neither intervened militarily, yet both watched closely as the United States became increasingly entangled in a costly regional conflict that exposed limits to American military power. "China and Russia have gained enormously," said Hare. William Reno, a political scientist at Northwestern University, went further. "China is the ultimate strategic winner in this war, less for anything China has done and more for the improvement of its position in relative terms," he said. Thomas Berger of Boston University said rising energy prices and weakening confidence in American influence could benefit both countries. "Russia is clearly a beneficiary of this development," Berger said. Several analysts also noted that China continued purchasing Iranian oil throughout the conflict, helping sustain Tehran economically despite sanctions and blockades. Another blow to the postwar order Many experts said the war accelerated the erosion of the international order built after 1945 around American leadership, alliance networks and rules governing the use of force. Douglas Becker, a professor of international relations at the University of Southern California, said the conflict weakened efforts to strengthen international legal constraints on military action. "The real loser in the war is a global order that sought to restrict the use of force without proper authorization," Becker said. Karoline Postel-Vinay of Sciences Po reached a similar conclusion. "That war is yet another sign that the post-1945 international order, and the idea of a post-1989 liberal order, are gone," she said. Jim Piazza of Pennsylvania State University warned that the conflict could also weaken long-standing principles such as freedom of navigation. If countries eventually negotiate separate arrangements with Iran for access through the Strait of Hormuz, he said, Tehran's strategic importance could rise substantially. Lessons for East Asia For South Korea and other East Asian economies, the war underscored how quickly a Middle East conflict can become an economic shock thousands of kilometers away. William Grimes of Boston University said disruptions to fuel, fertilizer and industrial supply chains would likely accelerate efforts to strengthen economic security. "This is likely to accelerate existing moves to improve economic security through stockpiling, restoring, friend-shoring and related measures," Grimes said. Several experts said governments across the region would increasingly prioritize supply-chain resilience, strategic reserves and alternative energy sources. Tom Vaughan of the University of Leeds said the crisis could even speed up the global transition toward renewable energy. "This war has reminded us of the extreme vulnerability of fossil fuel supply chains," he said. Fragile peace Despite optimism surrounding the memorandum, few experts believe peace is guaranteed. The agreement remains a framework rather than a final settlement, leaving disputes over sanctions, nuclear verification, regional security arrangements and the future status of the Strait of Hormuz unresolved. Daniel Green of the University of Delaware offered one of the starkest warnings. "I would be really surprised if the war does not return in the next six months, or even six days," he said. For many analysts, that may be the clearest takeaway. The memorandum may have stopped the shooting, but it has not ended the conflict. 2026-06-18 17:53:27
  • Michelle Steel confirmed as US Ambassador to Seoul
    Michelle Steel confirmed as US Ambassador to Seoul SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - Rep. Michelle Steel was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday as ambassador to South Korea, filling a diplomatic post that has been vacant for more than a year. The Senate approved Steel's nomination by a vote of 55-39, completing the confirmation process a little more than two months after President Donald Trump nominated her on April 13. Steel will formally take up the position after receiving her commission from Trump and completing diplomatic procedures with the South Korean government including obtaining agrément, the host country's formal approval of an ambassador. Wednesday's confirmation ends a vacancy that has lasted since former ambassador Philip Goldberg left the post in January 2025. Since then, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul has been led by a chargé d'affaires. Steel, a Republican and Korean American, served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives after previously serving as a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors in California. She was first elected to Congress in 2020 and won reelection in 2022 before losing her seat in the 2024 election. Born in Seoul in 1955, Steel, whose Korean name is Park Eun-joo, spent part of her childhood and adolescence in Japan before immigrating to the U.S. in 1975. During her Senate confirmation hearing, Steel recounted her family's journey to the U.S. Her parents, who were born in what is now North Korea, fled south during the Korean War before eventually settling abroad. She also used a Korean-language proverb, saying, "After hardship comes happiness," to describe her life story. Steel will become the second Korean American to serve as U.S. ambassador to South Korea, following Sung Kim, who held the position from 2011 to 2014. She will also be the first Korean-American woman to serve as the top U.S. diplomat in Seoul. Her appointment comes as Washington and Seoul continue to coordinate closely on security, economic and regional issues amid evolving challenges in Northeast Asia. 2026-06-18 11:23:39