Journalist
Kim Dong-young, Im Yoon-seo
davekim0807@ajupress.com
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Former Defense Minister urges resistance against Yoon impeachment decision Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (left), Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun (right)/ Yonhap SEOUL, April 5 (AJP) - Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, currently imprisoned on charges of insurrection, has publicly called for resistance against the Constitutional Court's decision to impeach former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The incendiary letter was read aloud at a rally organized by the National Movement Headquarters to Establish the Republic of Korea, led by Jeon Kwang-hoon, in Gwanghwamun on Saturday, just one day after the impeachment verdict. "This is not the end. It's the beginning," Kim wrote from his cell, promoting slogans such as "RESET KOREA" and "YOON AGAIN!" that explicitly call for Yoon's return to power despite the court's ruling. Kim's message appeared to incite supporters to take action, declaring that "the judgment of the people is more powerful than the judgment of the law." His lawyer, Lee Ha-sung, encouraged rally participants to chant these slogans during the reading. "We have nowhere else to retreat. Let us fight vigorously for our descendants' future," Kim concluded in his letter, which was met with fervent responses from gathered supporters. The former defense minister has consistently released prison letters at political rallies since his detention on charges of sedition and abuse of power, drawing criticism for potentially inflaming social tensions to deflect from his own legal troubles. Former President Yoon, who was removed from office the previous day, has not yet apologized for the December martial law crisis nor indicated acceptance of the Constitutional Court's decision. Instead, Yoon issued a brief 123-character statement primarily expressing gratitude to his supporters rather than acknowledging the gravity of the impeachment. 2025-04-05 15:59:23 -
Pro and anti-impeachment rallies continue in Seoul despite verdict Civilians watching the news cheer on as the Constitutional Court unanimously upheld President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, April 4, 2025. Yonhap SEOUL, April 5 (AJP) - Seoul's streets are set to witness contrasting demonstrations on Saturday as supporters and opponents of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment gather despite yesterday's final Constitutional Court ruling that removed him from office. The pro-impeachment BISANG Action for Yoon Out and Social Reform plans a victory march near Gyeongbok Palace with about 100,000 expected participants, while the Candleact group has announced a separate 10,000-person rally near Sungnyemun Gate. Meanwhile, the ultra-right group National Movement Headquarters to Establish the Republic of Korea, led by Jeon Kwang-hoon, will hold counter-demonstrations near Gwanghwamun Square, where organizers have registered for a turnout of 200,000 people. "We will launch civil disobedience against the Constitutional Court's unjust ruling, forging stronger solidarity and national unity," said the Liberty Unification Party in a statement released immediately after yesterday's verdict. The political divide remains palpable as the pro-impeachment faction celebrates what they consider a triumph for democratic accountability, while opponents view the court's decision as politically motivated judicial overreach. 2025-04-05 14:23:24 -
Young adults emerge as rising political force following impeachment crisis Protesters waving colorful light sticks calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, March 14, 2025. Yonhap SEOUL, April 5 (AJP) - South Korea's political landscape is witnessing a significant shift as adults in their 20s have emerged as a potent political force following four months of martial law and presidential impeachment proceedings. Traditionally viewed as politically apathetic, with only 52.4 percent voting in last year's 22nd general election, young South Koreans have defied expectations by taking to the streets in unprecedented numbers. Young women wielding colorful light sticks dominated pro-impeachment rallies outside the National Assembly late last year, creating a concert-like atmosphere. Gallup Korea's monthly polls revealed that women aged 18 to 29 showed the highest support for impeachment across all demographic groups, with approval rates of 81 percent in January and 79 percent in February. Their male counterparts, however, displayed markedly different attitudes, with 35 percent opposing impeachment in January. The stark gender divide became visible at demonstrations, with young women leading impeachment rallies while young men carrying South Korean and American flags were prominent at counter-protests. Police reported that 51 percent of the 90 people arrested following riots at the Western District Court were in their 20s and 30s, predominantly male. Political analysts now predict that this newly energized demographic will significantly influence the upcoming early presidential election, bringing issues such as pension reform and gender politics to the forefront. "Youth participation in this presidential election could be higher than ever before," said a political commentator. "However, we must avoid amplifying hatred between young men and women in their 20s." 2025-04-05 12:54:44 -
Psychological division becomes Korea's biggest social challenge after impeachment A supporter of Yoon Suk Yeol hides behind the flag of South Korea after the Constitutional Court upholds Yoon's impeachment, April 4, 2025. Yonhap SEOUL, April 5 (AJP) - South Korea is grappling with a "psychological division" following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, with deeply entrenched political divisions tearing at the nation's social fabric. Though the impeachment on Friday has resolved months of uncertainty that had paralyzed the country since martial law was declared in December 2024, it has simultaneously intensified the hostility between opposing political factions to unprecedented levels. Citizens from rival camps have taken to labeling each other as "anti-state forces" or "insurrection sympathizers," while hurling derogatory terms like "commie" and "reactionary," deepening the already cavernous divide. "The current situation shows more acute confrontation than even during the height of anti-communism after the Korean War," said Koo Jung-woo, professor of sociology at Sungkyunkwan University. The political schism has metastasized into generational, gender and regional conflicts, with recent survey from Gallup Korea showing voting patterns with stark divides: younger generations predominantly supporting the impeachment, and those over 70 strongly opposing it. This deepening animosity has eroded public trust in democratic institutions, with courts, the Constitutional Court and media outlets facing unprecedented levels of criticism and even threats of violence. Experts warn that without a concerted effort toward national unity, the upcoming presidential election could spark even more intense confrontations, as both pro and anti-impeachment demonstrators continue to wave the national flag while remaining bitterly divided. 2025-04-05 10:12:39 -
Yoon supporters decry verdict, vow to rally in Gwanghwamun Saturday Supporters of Yoon Suk Yeol react with dismay after the Constitutional Court upholds Yoon's impeachment, April 4, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu SEOUL, April 4 (AJP) - Supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol voiced shock and dismay after the Constitutional Court voted unanimously to uphold his impeachment, ending his presidency, Friday. An estimated 15,000 people gathered near the presidential residence beginning at 10 a.m., awaiting the court’s decision. When Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae announced the verdict, the crowd reacted with anguish — some collapsing to the ground, others crying openly. Emotions ran high. Some protesters tore apart placards bearing the slogan “Yoon is back,” while others directed their frustration at the ranks of riot police stationed to maintain order. “What will happen to our president now?” one woman sobbed as she clutched a South Korean flag. Jeon Kwang-hoon, leader of an ultra-right group that supports Yoon, called for continued resistance. “Those who cannot accept this impeachment should gather at Gwanghwamun Square tomorrow at 1 p.m.,” he said to a roaring crowd. The supporters had organized what they called a “welcome back parade,” anticipating the court would overturn the impeachment. A supporter of Yoon Suk Yeol reacts with dismay after the Constitutional Court upholds Yoon's impeachment, April 4, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu 2025-04-04 15:54:31 -
Won strengthens, stocks rebound as Constitutional Court ousts Yoon Former President Yoon Suk Yeol/ Yonhap SEOUL, April 4 (AJP) - South Korean financial markets rallied briefly on Friday after the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, bringing a dramatic end to months of political uncertainty. In the minutes following the landmark decision, the Korean won surged to 1,430 against the U.S. dollar — its strongest level since late February. The Korean currency had already shown signs of strengthening earlier in the session, opening at 1,450.5 won per dollar, down 16.5 won from the previous day's close, as traders priced in expectations of a resolution to the nation’s deepening political turmoil. The benchmark KOSPI index, which had opened down more than 1 percent at 2,450.49 following sharp losses on Wall Street after President Donald Trump announced new reciprocal tariffs, briefly turned positive during the court’s proceedings. It continued to see modest fluctuations after the ruling. The KOSDAQ, South Korea’s tech-heavy secondary index, after initially declining, it rose more than 2 percent at its peak before paring back to close roughly 1 percent higher. 2025-04-04 13:52:18 -
Trump's tariffs rattle Korean tech firms with global supply chains Samsung Electronics' air conditioner factory/ Courtesy of Samsung Electronics SEOUL, April 4 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep reciprocal tariffs on major importers to the United States has sent shockwaves through Asian manufacturing economies — and could deal a heavy blow to South Korea’s technology industry. Analysts warn of broader consequences for Asia’s export-driven economies, many of which serve as key links in the global supply chains of multinational technology firms. The new levies, which also target imports from South Korea (25 percent), Vietnam (46 percent), Thailand (37 percent), and India (27 percent), threaten to upend the cost-efficient offshore production networks that South Korean companies like Samsung and LG have spent decades building. Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest smartphone maker, may be among the hardest hit. More than half of its global smartphone production comes from factories in Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen in northern Vietnam — facilities that primarily supply the U.S. market. The new tariff regime could significantly raise the cost of these exports, undermining Samsung’s competitive edge. The company’s Chinese-assembled smartphones face even steeper hurdles, with combined duties now reaching 54 percent, after the White House tacked on a 34 percent reciprocal tariff to the existing 20 percent rate on Chinese imports. While Samsung reportedly rushed shipments of its flagship Galaxy S25 to the U.S. before the announcement, its next-generation foldable devices, slated for launch in the second half of 2025, may not avoid the financial fallout. The impact extends beyond smartphones. Both Samsung and LG Electronics manufacture televisions and home appliances in Vietnam, Thailand, and China for the American market — operations now jeopardized by duties of up to 46 percent. In response, the two companies are evaluating contingency plans, including the expansion of production in Mexico — which remains tariff-exempt under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) — and increased output from U.S.-based facilities. LG Electronics convened an emergency task force meeting on Thursday to assess the implications and prepare countermeasures. While automobiles were excluded from the reciprocal tariff list, they remain subject to a previously announced 25 percent product-specific duty that took effect on Thursday. Hyundai Motor Group may find some relief in its new electric vehicle plant in Georgia, which began production earlier this year. The tariffs on Vietnamese shipments are scheduled to take effect on April 9, leaving only days for diplomatic negotiations. 2025-04-04 10:39:52 -
Asian cosmetics brand ends partnership with actor Kim Soo-hyun Actor Kim Soo-hyun sheds tears at a press conference in Seoul to address allegations that he dated the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor, March 31, 2025. Yonhap SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) - Global cosmetics brand Y.O.U BEAUTY has severed ties with South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun and signaled potential legal action following allegations concerning his relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron. In a statement posted on its official Instagram account, Y.O.U BEAUTY reaffirmed its commitment to values that support and empower women. "We believe every woman deserves to live with confidence, dignity, and strength," the company said. The brand also announced that it would immediately remove all promotional materials featuring Kim, 37, and warned that it would take "all necessary actions to maintain the trust of the women we serve," including potential legal measures. The announcement followed a press conference in which Kim denied accusations that he had been in a relationship with Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor. The allegations emerged after the late actress’s family claimed that Kim had been involved with her when she was underage. During an emotional media appearance, Kim stated that his relationship with Kim Sae-ron began only after she reached adulthood. Y.O.U BEAUTY, founded in 2018 by the HEBE Beauty Group, operates primarily in Southeast Asian markets, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. 2025-04-03 15:59:02 -
Hanwha Aerospace partners with US drone firm to enter lucrative unmanned aircraft market General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' unmanned aerial vehicle Mojave/ Courtesy of GA-ASI SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) - Hanwha Aerospace, a leading South Korean defense firm, has announced a strategic partnership with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems of the United States to jointly develop and produce advanced unmanned aircraft. The collaboration positions Hanwha to tap into the rapidly growing global drone market, projected to reach 50 trillion won (approximately $34 billion) by 2040. The partnership will center on the development of the Gray Eagle-STOL (GE-STOL) unmanned aerial vehicle, an evolution of General Atomics’ Mojave demonstrator, which was tested in South Korean naval combat exercises last November. The companies disclosed the agreement on Thursday, emphasizing its potential to enhance South Korea’s defense capabilities. “Securing unmanned aircraft capabilities is essential for expanding South Korea’s self-reliant defense posture and the future growth of the K-defense industry,” said Kim Dong-kwan, vice chairman of Hanwha Group, highlighting the strategic significance of the collaboration. The agreement covers the full spectrum of the aircraft’s development, from planning and design to system integration, production, and sales. Hanwha has committed more than 750 billion won to establish research and manufacturing infrastructure in South Korea. General Atomics, which supplies high-performance unmanned aircraft to NATO members as well as to the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and other allied nations, anticipates selling more than 600 GE-STOL units over the next decade. The company projects sales exceeding 15 trillion won across markets in the United States, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The companies expect the GE-STOL to take its maiden flight in early 2027. 2025-04-03 10:45:51 -
KORUS FTA now a blank sheet as Trump imposes 'reciprocal' tariffs on Korean imports U.S. President Donald Trump shows an executive order on reciprocal tariffs at the Rose Garden of the White House, April 2, 2025. Xinhua-Yonhap SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) - The United States announced on Thursday that it will impose a 25 percent "reciprocal" tariff on all imports from South Korea, effectively nullifying the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. The sweeping measure marks a dramatic shift in economic relations between the two longtime allies. President Donald Trump signed an executive order enacting the tariff policy, which targets several major U.S. trading partners. China faces the highest levy at 34 percent, followed by Japan at 24 percent and the European Union at 20 percent. “This is our declaration of economic independence,” Trump said in a Rose Garden address, asserting that the United States had been “looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike” for more than five decades. The tariffs, implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), will take effect in two phases: a baseline tariff beginning Saturday, followed by additional country-specific tariffs on April 9. South Korea, which exported $127.8 billion worth of goods to the United States last year and recorded a trade surplus of $55.7 billion, now faces mounting economic uncertainty. Key South Korean exports — including automobiles, semiconductors, petroleum products, and batteries — will be directly impacted by the tariffs, potentially undermining the competitiveness of Korean firms in the U.S. market. The 25 percent tariff rate on South Korean goods exceeds the levies imposed on Japan and the European Union, raising concerns about the country’s ability to maintain its foothold in American trade. The timing of the announcement is particularly precarious for South Korea, which is navigating a leadership transition while confronting rising global trade tensions. According to a chart presented during Trump's remarks, the U.S. government calculated that South Korea effectively imposes the equivalent of a 50 percent tariff on American goods when factoring in currency manipulation and non-tariff barriers. The 25 percent U.S. tariff, the administration argued, represents a “discount” to correct perceived trade imbalances. The move has triggered swift international backlash. The European Union is preparing counter-tariffs, while Canada has stated that it will “exclude no options” in its response to the escalating trade dispute. In Seoul, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun convened an emergency meeting Thursday morning to assess the crisis, and to negotiate a new trade framework with Washington. 2025-04-03 09:51:58