Journalist

Jun Sung-min
  • Korea Names Lee Jae-yu, Kim Sa-guk and Kang Ju-ryong as May Independence Activists
    Korea Names Lee Jae-yu, Kim Sa-guk and Kang Ju-ryong as May Independence Activists The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, led by Minister Kwon O-eul, said April 30 it selected Lee Jae-yu (Order of Independence, 2006), Kim Sa-guk (Patriotic Medal, 2002) and Kang Ju-ryong (Patriotic Medal, 2007) as the “May 2026 Independence Activists” for their efforts to improve harsh working conditions for Korean laborers amid Japanese colonial-era discrimination. The government posthumously awarded Lee the Order of Independence under the Order of Merit for National Foundation, and awarded Kim and Kang the Patriotic Medal under the same order, to honor their contributions. Lee (1905-1944) joined the labor movement while studying in Tokyo, working to organize Korean workers’ groups and pursue national independence and labor rights. In Seoul, he formed the “Gyeongseong Troika,” organizing worker and farmer groups and guiding student activism through reading circles as part of broader anti-Japanese efforts to build a foundation for independence. Despite repeated arrests and imprisonment, Lee refused to recant and died in 1944 at the Cheongju Protective Prison. Kim (1895-1926) was arrested and served time in 1919 while preparing the Joseon National Assembly to establish the Hansung Government. After his release, he took part actively in youth movements, traveled between Korea and Japan to organize labor groups, and stressed national unity. Kim also devoted himself to national education, establishing the Dongyang Academy affiliated with Daeseong Middle School in Gando, then fleeing Japanese repression and founding the Daedong Academy in Ningguta, Manchuria. His health deteriorated in 1924, and he returned to Korea and died at age 31. Kang (1901-1932), a worker at the Pyeongwon Rubber Factory in Pyongyang, drew public attention during a 1931 strike protesting wage cuts for Korean workers by staging what became known as the “Eulmildae rooftop protest,” calling for workers’ rights and rallying solidarity and public support. Kang was later arrested on suspicion of involvement in a Pyongyang labor union case. Her health worsened while she continued to resist in prison; she was released on medical bail but died at age 31. The ministry said Korean workers at the time faced low pay and long hours, along with colonial oppression, exploitation and ethnic discrimination, and that labor activism evolved beyond a fight for survival into resistance aimed at national independence. It said the anti-Japanese labor movement helped drive broader social change and laid the groundwork for the modern labor movement. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 10:40:25
  • South Korea Foreign Ministry Replaces Senior Embassy Posts in Washington
    South Korea Foreign Ministry Replaces Senior Embassy Posts in Washington The Foreign Ministry on the 29th announced personnel changes affecting its North America line, including the head of its North American Affairs Bureau. In the reshuffle of some mission chiefs and director-general-level posts, the ministry appointed Lee Won-woo, currently a senior official in the North American Affairs Bureau, as the new director-general. Officials said the embassy in Washington is also expected to replace its minister-level economic and public diplomacy posts in the near future. Kim Sun-young, director-general for Bilateral Economic Diplomacy, is expected to take over as minister for economic affairs, and Yoon Ju-seok, director-general for Consular Affairs and Safety, as minister for public diplomacy. Both are expected to assume their posts next month, according to officials. The current officeholders, Ahn Se-ryeong and Kim Hak-jo, are expected to return to Seoul to work at ministry headquarters. The changes drew attention as sensitive issues between South Korea and the United States continue, including limits on sharing information related to North Korea and a dispute involving Coupang. A ministry official said the reshuffle included people who had served for a considerable period and reflected a routine personnel cycle. Some of those affected were appointed under the previous government and, due to fallout from martial law and other factors, had served well beyond typical terms, officials said. Observers said delayed personnel moves were carried out belatedly in this round. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 09:44:07
  • South Korea seeks ways for its ships to transit Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Ministry says
    South Korea seeks ways for its ships to transit Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Ministry says South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it is working to find ways for South Korean ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, including through consultations between the South Korean and Iranian governments, after a Japanese oil tanker made the passage for the first time with Iranian approval. A ministry official said the government’s position is that, under relevant international norms, freedom of navigation and safety should be ensured as soon as possible for all vessels in the strait, including South Korean ships. “Based on this basic position, we are actively seeking ways to break the current situation, including consultations between the South Korean and Iranian governments,” the official said. The official added that the government is communicating and cooperating with related countries in various ways, while considering ship safety and the positions of shipping companies. Since the outbreak of the Iran war, 26 ships linked to South Korea have remained in the Strait of Hormuz. Chung Byung-ha, the foreign minister’s special envoy to Iran, met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and requested Iran’s cooperation to allow vessel navigation in the strait. Iranian media reported that a Panama-flagged very large crude carrier owned by a Japanese company, carrying 2 million barrels of crude, left the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday after receiving approval from Iranian authorities. Japanese media, citing a senior Japanese government official, reported that no transit fee was paid and described the passage as “the result of negotiations by the Japanese government.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 18:13:39
  • South Koreas Cho Hyun, Azerbaijan foreign minister discuss cooperation and regional issues
    South Korea's Cho Hyun, Azerbaijan foreign minister discuss cooperation and regional issues South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke by phone Tuesday afternoon with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov to exchange views on overall bilateral ties, practical cooperation and regional developments, the Foreign Ministry said. Cho thanked Azerbaijan for helping South Korean nationals evacuate safely during heightened tensions in the Middle East in June last year, and asked for continued attention and cooperation to protect South Koreans in connection with the situation in the region. Cho also said South Korea is actively pursuing the continuation and development of its New Northern Policy, including plans to host the first Korea-Central Asia summit in September as part of its diplomatic diversification efforts. He said the two sides agreed to maintain close communication with Azerbaijan, which has recently been strengthening its connectivity with Central Asia. The two ministers shared the view that it is important to advance mutually beneficial South Korea-Azerbaijan relations and agreed to further expand practical cooperation, including high-level exchanges, the ministry said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 16:55:53
  • South Korea launches new homegrown frigate with delivery slated for next year
    South Korea launches new homegrown frigate with delivery slated for next year SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - A launch ceremony for a new homegrown frigate with enhanced anti-air and anti-submarine capabilities was held in Goseong, South Gyeongsang Province on Wednesday. The ceremony for the Jeju, named after the country's southern resort island, was held at SK Oceanplant's shipyard, about a year ahead of its planned delivery to the Navy slated for June next year, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The 3,600-ton frigate is intended to replace aging frigates and patrol combat corvettes (PCC) currently in service and will be deployed combat-ready after completing trial operations. Measuring about 129 meters in length, 14.8 meters in width, and 38.9 meters in height, the Jeju is equipped with a 5-inch gun, anti-ship and missile defense guided missiles, ship-to-ship guided missiles, tactical ship-to-surface guided missiles, and long-range anti-submarine torpedoes. The frigate's integrated sensor mast is fitted with infrared search-and-track systems and a locally developed multifunction phased-array radar. The radar provides 360-degree coverage, enabling it to detect and track both air and surface targets while responding to multiple threats simultaneously. "This is a decisive moment to strengthen our resolve to self-reliant defense and military readiness," said Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Jin Young-seung, who attended the event. He added that the military is pushing to modernize its capabilities by embracing new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), drones and unmanned vessels. He also vowed to protect lives and property and preserve peace on the Korean Peninsula by building a "military trusted by the people." Wednesday's event was attended by about 150 high-ranking military officials and other guests including Navy Chief of Staff Kim Kyung-ryul and SK Oceanplant CEO Kang Young-gyu. 2026-04-29 16:22:01
  • South Korea, Latvia agree to expand defense cooperation
    South Korea, Latvia agree to expand defense cooperation SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back met with Latvian parliamentary speaker Daiga Mierina in Seoul on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of National Defense. Calling Latvia a "cooperative partner that shares universal values such as liberal democracy, the rule of law, and human rights," Ahn said during the meeting that Mierina's visit to South Korea would help broaden practical cooperation between the two countries. While discussing ways to expand bilateral cooperation in defense, the two agreed to strengthen strategic communication and cooperation amid growing global uncertainty including the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, and to support peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe. Ahn highlighted South Korea's defense technology and its stable production and logistics capabilities, expressing hope that South Korean defense firms could contribute to Latvia's efforts to strengthen its defense. They also agreed to work together on drones and counter-drone systems, with plans to deepen industrial cooperation and build more stable supply chains in a forward-looking, mutually beneficial way. 2026-04-29 15:28:11
  • South Korea Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-back Meets Latvian Speaker to Discuss Defense, Arms Cooperation
    South Korea Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-back Meets Latvian Speaker to Discuss Defense, Arms Cooperation Ahn Kyu-back, South Korea’s defense minister, met Daiga Mierina, speaker of Latvia’s parliament, at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 29th and discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in defense and the defense industry. Ahn said the two countries are cooperative partners that share universal values such as liberal democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and he expressed hope that Mierina’s visit to South Korea would help broaden practical cooperation. The two sides shared the view that uncertainty in the international security environment has been growing and agreed to keep strengthening strategic communication and cooperation to support peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe. Ahn outlined South Korea’s defense industry capabilities, citing advanced technology and stable production and logistics support, and said he hopes South Korean defense firms can contribute as Latvia works to strengthen its defense capabilities. They also agreed that cooperation, including on drone and counter-drone systems, could expand into industrial cooperation and supply-chain stabilization, and said they would develop defense and defense-industry ties in a forward-looking, mutually beneficial direction. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 14:01:13
  • South Korea Launches 3,600-Ton Frigate Jeju, Delivery to Navy Set for June 2027
    South Korea Launches 3,600-Ton Frigate Jeju, Delivery to Navy Set for June 2027 The South Korean Navy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration held a launching ceremony Tuesday for the frigate Jeju at SK Oceanplant in Goseong, South Gyeongsang Province. The 3,600-ton ship is the fourth Ulsan-class Batch-III frigate and is intended to replace older frigates (FF) and patrol combat corvettes (PCC) now in service, officials said. After sea trials, Jeju is to be delivered to the Navy in June 2027 and then deployed following its commissioning process. About 150 people attended the ceremony, including Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jin Yeong-seung, Navy Chief of Staff Kim Kyeong-ryul, DAPA Defense Capability Acquisition Program Bureau chief Jeong Jae-jun, and SK Oceanplant CEO Kang Young-gyu. Jeju is 129 meters (423 feet) long, 14.8 meters (49 feet) wide and 38.9 meters (128 feet) high. It is equipped with a 5-inch gun, the Korean Vertical Launching System (KVLS), anti-ship and missile-defense guided missiles, ship-to-ship guided missiles, tactical ship-to-surface guided missiles, and long-range anti-submarine torpedoes. Its integrated sensor mast carries infrared search-and-track equipment and a domestically developed multifunction phased-array radar. The four fixed radar panels provide 360-degree detection and tracking of air and surface targets and can engage multiple aerial targets at the same time, the Navy said. The ship uses a hybrid propulsion system to reduce noise and operates a domestically developed hull-mounted sonar (HMS) and a towed array sonar system (TASS), giving it enhanced anti-submarine warfare capability, officials said. Jin said the military must strengthen its commitment to self-reliant defense and its readiness posture. He said the armed forces are working to advance “AI-based manned-unmanned combined combat capability” by upgrading evolving K-defense industry technologies such as unmanned surface vessels and unmanned aircraft, in an effort to become “a strong military that can fight and win.” He said the effort would help support peace on the Korean Peninsula through strength, protect lives and property, and build a military “trusted by the people.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 12:00:11
  • Cabinet Approves Bill to Add Three Local Council Seats in Incheon
    Cabinet Approves Bill to Add Three Local Council Seats in Incheon A bill to add three local council seats in Incheon cleared a Cabinet meeting on April 29. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok chaired an emergency Cabinet meeting and emergency economic task force meeting at the Government Complex Seoul that morning, where the government reviewed and approved a partial revision to the Public Official Election Act. The revision is a follow-up to Yeongjong Island being newly included as Yeongjong-gu, a basic local government unit, in Incheon. Incheon Metropolitan City will reorganize its administrative system on July 1. Because the statutory number of basic local council members is seven, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to increase the total by three through a legal revision to keep Yeongjong-gu’s council at seven members. The bill would raise the number of Incheon’s local council members to 128 from 125 and increase the nationwide total for district, city and county councils to 3,006 from 3,003. In opening remarks, Kim said the June 3 local elections are approaching and urged relevant ministries to step up efforts to ensure fair election management, including responding to fake news and supporting legally mandated election operations, now that redistricting has been completed.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 10:42:16
  • Patriots and Veterans Affairs Ministry to Hold Public-Private Forum on Future Policy
    Patriots and Veterans Affairs Ministry to Hold Public-Private Forum on Future Policy As the number of people eligible for veterans benefits declines and the policy environment shifts rapidly, South Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs will hold a forum to discuss the direction of future veterans policy. The ministry, led by Minister Kwon Oeul, said it will host the policy forum, titled “NEXT Patriots and Veterans Affairs: Asking and Answering the Future,” on April 30 afternoon at Park Jeong-mo Hall at the Seoul Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. About 30 people are expected to attend, including the ministry’s minister and vice minister, members of its policy advisory committee, private-sector experts, and young participants described as the next generation of leaders in veterans affairs, including the 2030 Advisory Group and Innovation Avengers. The forum will open with a presentation by Kim Jeong-hae of the Korea Institute of Public Administration on “Strategic Measures for Sustainable Veterans Affairs.” Policy proposals will then follow on development plans from five subcommittees of the advisory committee: veterans culture, compensation, medical and welfare, discharged service members, and the future of veterans affairs. After the proposals, a free discussion involving all participants will be held under the moderation of Cho Hyun-jae, chair of the policy advisory committee, on “The Future Direction of Veterans Affairs as the Number of Eligible Recipients Declines.” Kwon said the forum will be “a meaningful time for the public and private sectors to seek policy directions for the future of veterans affairs from a new perspective.” He said the ministry will work to reflect innovative ideas raised at the forum in policy so that “special sacrifice receives special compensation.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 10:31:11