Journalist

Jeong Hyeon-hwan
  • [AI Analysis] Economy outweighs politics in South Korea, New Year polls show
    [[AI Analysis]] Economy outweighs politics in South Korea, New Year polls show SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) -New Year polls show economic anxiety outweighs political concerns as livelihoods come under strain in South Korea. Across multiple polls released at the turn of the year, voters expressed more anxiety than optimism — not in the form of crisis fear, but as a growing sense of fatigue from prolonged cost pressures and stalled improvement in daily life. Roughly 45–50 percent of respondents said the economy would worsen this year, while only the mid-30 percent range expected improvement. Notably, those predicting a sharp deterioration remained limited to around 10 percent, suggesting the public is not bracing for collapse but rather for continued stagnation under high prices and tight financial conditions. This pattern reflects what analysts describe as a widening gap between macro indicators and lived experience. Inflation has moderated on paper, but household budgets remain strained, reinforcing a sense that economic recovery has yet to reach everyday life. Economic performance outweighs political alignment Presidential approval ratings in several surveys hovered in the mid-50 percent range, with negative evaluations in the mid-30s to low-40s. Yet the reasons cited by respondents point less to ideology or foreign policy than to bread-and-butter concerns such as prices, jobs and housing costs. In other words, political judgment is increasingly being filtered through economic outcomes. Policy effectiveness — not rhetoric — has become the dominant yardstick. This shift is also visible in party support. Rather than a clear advantage for either camp, surveys show a notable expansion of independents, with 25–30 percent of respondents saying they support no party. In some polls, the non-aligned group rivals or exceeds individual party support. The rise of this bloc suggests not apathy, but caution: voters appear unwilling to commit politically until they see tangible improvements in daily life. Seoul mayoral race mirrors broader sentiment The same pattern emerges in polling on the Seoul mayoral race. Hypothetical two-way matchups show margins largely within the statistical error range, with leading candidates clustered between the high-30s and low-40s. Equally striking is the share of respondents answering “undecided” or “no preferred candidate,” which reaches around 20 percent in some surveys. The data suggest that Seoul voters are withholding judgment rather than rallying behind partisan identities. Age-group breakdowns reinforce this view. Among voters in their 20s and 30s, pessimism about the economy is particularly strong, and political engagement is more conditional. Many in this group say politics has limited power to improve their lives, reflecting concerns over housing affordability, job stability and long-term mobility. Another notable shift is the weakening of the traditional “government evaluation” frame. In several surveys, more respondents prioritized policy outcomes over assigning political responsibility. The underlying question has changed from who is to blame to what actually works. Experts interpret this as accumulated political fatigue combined with prolonged economic pressure. As inflation remains sticky and real purchasing power recovers slowly, public patience with symbolic politics has thinned. Messaging centered on ideology or confrontation is proving less persuasive than concrete, measurable results. Taken together, the New Year surveys amount to more than a snapshot of approval ratings. They form a collective portrait of economic sentiment — cautious, fatigued and pragmatic. The tight race seen in Seoul mayoral polling fits this broader picture. Voters are not rallying around personalities or camps, but reserving judgment until they see credible plans and execution on housing, costs of living and urban management. For policymakers, the challenge ahead is no longer how to win the political narrative, but how to translate policy into improvements people can actually feel. 2026-01-01 18:33:35
  • Lee arrives in Cairo for talks with Egyptian President
    Lee arrives in Cairo for talks with Egyptian President SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung arrived in Cairo on Wednesday after wrapping up his itinerary in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this week. Lee is scheduled to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and the two leaders are expected to discuss expanding trade and cultural cooperation as the two countries mark 30 years of diplomatic relations. Lee will then deliver a speech at Cairo University, where he will outline South Korea's policy and vision for the Middle Eastern country. With the growing popularity of South Korean dramas and films among young Egyptians, cultural exchange is also likely to be included among the topics of discussion. After meeting with South Korean expatriates there, he will head to Johannesburg to attend the Group of 20 (G20) summit, which will be held in South Africa this weekend. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-20 09:03:25
  • South Korea, UAE agree to deepen partnership in AI and nuclear energy
    South Korea, UAE agree to deepen partnership in AI and nuclear energy SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung agreed with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to expand bilateral cooperation with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare, while deepening collaboration in the defense and energy sectors during their talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, according to the presidential office. In a joint declaration after the summit, they pledged to pursue a "new leap forward for another 100 years of partnership." Cooperation in nuclear energy was among the key topics, building on the success of the UAE's first nuclear power plant in Barakah, which is now fully operational after 12 years of construction by South Korea's state-run Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). The two leaders agreed to enhance nuclear efficiency through AI, establish a joint data center to carry out comprehensive strategic projects, and expand cooperation across various sectors through joint development and local production. They also pledged to deepen their strategic partnership through regular visits, while enhancing cultural and educational exchanges including plans for youth internship programs and other initiatives. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-19 09:25:58