Lee honors war veterans, others with Lunar New Year gifts SEOUL, February 4 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung has extended Lunar New Year greetings through gifts to war veterans, the underprivileged, and other vulnerable groups, with the country's biggest holiday just around the corner, Cheong Wa Dae said on Wednesday. The gift package contains a bowl-and-spoon set and ingredients for hearty meals consisting of grains, vegetables, and other local staples selected from across the country, as part of efforts to promote regional development and national unity. More specifically, it features rice from Daegu; other grains from Buan, North Jeolla Province, Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, and Jeju Island; soy sauce from Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province; and mushrooms from Cheongyang, South Chungcheong Province. Recipients include prominent figures who have contributed to the country's development, war heroes and their families who sacrificed their lives for the country, and victims who fought for democracy. The gifts reflect Lee's hope that warm, home-cooked meals will bring calm and consolation to recipients' daily lives. In a message, Lee said, "I hope the whole family can sit together around a warm table," adding, "I will work even harder so that tomorrow will be better than today and help you feel real change in your lives." 2026-02-04 15:34:31

Constitution Day to be national holiday again SEOUL, February 3 (AJP) - Constitution Day on July 17 will become a national holiday again this year, Cheong Wa Dae said on Tuesday. The Cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee Jae Myung decided to restore Constitution Day as a national holiday to raise public awareness of the spirit of the Constitution. The day, which commemorates July 17, 1948, when the Constitution was promulgated, had been observed as one of major national holidays along with March 1 Independence Movement Day, Liberation Day, and National Foundation Day, until it was struck from the list in 2008. Likewise, Hanguel Day was also reinstated in 2012 after being eliminated in 1991. 2026-02-03 17:23:07

South Korea says Trump tariff remarks tied to delay in U.S.-investment bill Cheong Wa Dae said it views President Donald Trump’s remarks about raising tariffs as stemming from U.S. dissatisfaction over delays in passing a “special act for strategic investment management” with the United States, and said it will explain to Washington that parliamentary procedures are required. Kim Yong Bum, Cheong Wa Dae’s senior presidential secretary for policy, told a briefing at Chunchugwan on Monday that Trump’s comments could be interpreted as frustration that implementation of a tariff agreement has been slowed because the bill has not been processed quickly in the National Assembly. Kim said the U.S. side wants investment projects based on a strategic investment memorandum of understanding to begin soon, adding that there has been communication that once the law passes and procedures move quickly, the two sides could discuss the projects. He said the government will more fully explain in February that legislation is needed and will detail to the U.S. side the efforts being made with the National Assembly. Kim again stressed that National Assembly ratification is not required for the investment agreement, saying there was no disagreement between South Korea and the United States on that point when the deal was reached. On President Lee Jae Myung’s decision to end a temporary suspension of heavier capital gains taxes for owners of multiple homes, Kim said the measure will expire as previously announced, calling it a principle for how the administration will operate going forward. He said the government is reviewing whether to allow a set period for transactions to be completed after contracts are signed on May 9. A Cheong Wa Dae official said the suspension will end, but the government will closely monitor market conditions and design detailed measures to avoid unreasonable outcomes as the heavier tax rates take effect. Lee wrote on X on Thursday that “even a single home can be different depending on circumstances,” and said that if tax rules must be adjusted, it may be fair to treat nonresidential and residential homes differently. He added that he is not considering any extension of the multi-home capital gains tax exemption set to expire May 9. Lee also wrote that not only multiple homes but also a single nonresidential home used for investment or speculation can look undeserving of tax breaks simply for being held long term, and said the long-term holding deduction can discourage listings and encourage speculation. He added that he is not changing the tax system immediately, but said the issues are worth debating. If the suspension is not extended, in designated regulated areas, owners of two homes would face an additional 20 percentage points in tax rates and owners of three homes an additional 30 percentage points, and they would no longer be eligible for the long-term holding deduction. The basic tax rates were introduced under the Moon Jae In administration in 2021, but were suspended through an enforcement decree revision when the Yoon Suk Yeol administration took office on May 9, 2022, and the suspension has been extended annually.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 18:57:00

Lee Jae Myung urges expanded defense, energy cooperation with Qatar in meeting with emir’s envoy President Lee Jae Myung asked Qatar to expand cooperation with South Korea in areas including defense, the defense industry and energy, his office said Tuesday. Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kim Nam Jun said in a written briefing that Lee met in the morning with Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, a special envoy of Qatar’s emir. Lee said the envoy’s swift visit after last week’s phone call with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani showed “the two countries’ firm commitment to cooperation.” He said he hoped the visit would further strengthen “mutually beneficial cooperation” in strategic fields including defense and the defense industry, investment and energy. Al-Khulaifi said he came to personally convey the emir’s “special trust” in South Korea and his will to deepen cooperation. He added he would work to carry out the two leaders’ shared commitment to advancing South Korea-Qatar relations. Lee noted the two countries have maintained diplomatic ties for more than 50 years and have upgraded their relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” He said he hoped they would remain true friends who help each other in difficult times and contribute together to regional and international peace amid a complex global situation. Lee also asked the envoy to pass along his hope to hold a candid discussion in Seoul with the emir on ways to develop bilateral ties. In a phone call on Jan. 20, Lee told the emir the two countries should continue expanding cooperation across a range of fields. The emir said South Korea, Qatar’s “comprehensive strategic partner,” has made major contributions to Qatar’s national development, based on Qatar’s trust in and expectations for South Korea. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:45:00

Lee to visit memorial altar to pay respects to late PM SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung plans to pay his condolences to the late former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, Cheong Wa Dae said on Tuesday. According to senior presidential aide Cho Jung-sik, Lee is scheduled to visit a memorial altar at Seoul National University Hospital in central Seoul later in the day, after wrapping up his official duties for the day. The seven-term lawmaker collapsed during his business trip to Viet Nam last Saturday and died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City the following day. Mourning his death, the president earlier said, "South Korea has lost a great teacher in the history of democracy." 2026-01-27 15:44:48

South Korea convenes emergency meeting after Trump threatens tariff hike SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - An emergency meeting was convened to discuss how to respond after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly threatened to raise tariffs again, Cheong Wa Dae said on Tuesday. The meeting, chaired by presidential policy chief Kim Yong-beom along with key officials from relevant ministries, comes after Trump posted on his own social media platform Truth Social that he would raise reciprocal tariffs from 15 percent to 25 percent, citing delays in their implementation. "South Korea's Legislature is not living up to its Deal with the United States," Trump wrote, citing an agreement reached by the two countries in late October last year. "Because the Korean Legislature hasn't enacted our Historic Trade Agreement, which is their prerogative, I am hereby increasing South Korean TARIFFS on Autos, Lumber, Pharma, and all other Reciprocal TARIFFS, from 15% to 25%," he added. According to Cheong Wa Dae, there was no prior notice or detailed explanation about that from the U.S. Meanwhile, Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Kim Jeong-gwan, who is currently in Canada, is expected to head to Washington, D.C., soon to meet with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to figure out reasons behind Trump's remarks. 2026-01-27 09:07:10

PM tells US lawmakers Coupang probe 'not discriminatory' SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who is currently in Washington, D.C., told U.S. lawmakers that South Korea is not discriminating against e-commerce giant Coupang in its investigation into a massive data leak late last year. His remarks came on Thursday as Kim began his five-day trip to the U.S., starting with a luncheon meeting with several U.S. House members including Young Kim, Ami Bera, Dave Min, Joe Wilson, John Moolenaar, Marilyn Strickland, Michael Baumgartner, Ryan Mackenzie and Young Kim. When asked whether the South Korean government is on a "politically motivated witch hunt" against Coupang in its investigation into the data breach, an issue raised by two U.S. investors, Kim denied any such "discrimination" against the company, adding that he believes that the country's relationship with the U.S. has been built on "sufficient trust" not to worry about such issues. Kim was also quoted as saying, "South Korea does not think immigration raid involving South Korean workers in Georgia was a discrimination case resulting from the fact they were South Korean." He added, "Likewise, no discriminatory actions were taken against Coupang simply because it is a U.S.-listed company." In the meeting, Kim also expressed hope that his visit would "accelerate" the implementation of follow-up measures in tariff-related agreements between the two countries, urging the U.S. lawmakers to continue playing an important role in strengthening the bilateral alliance. Their discussions also included a bill, led by Rep. Young Kim, that would allow up to 15,000 professional work visas for South Koreans and is currently pending in the House. After wrapping up the meeting, Kim visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial to lay flowers later in the day and attended an event to meet with young people and talk about Korean culture. 2026-01-23 14:51:22

Over 70 South Koreans to be deported from Cambodia over scam allegations SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - Some 73 South Koreans detained in Cambodia over alleged involvement in online scams and other crimes are set to be deported from the Southeast Asian country, Cheong Wa Dae said on Thursday. In a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said a chartered flight is set to be dispatched to Phnom Penh later in the day to bring them back, with arrival expected around 9 a.m. on Friday. They are accused of swindling a total of 486.7 billion won (US$331.5 million) from 869 South Korean victims and were nabbed by South Korea's task force in collaboration with Cambodian authorities, after the brutal torture and killing of a South Korean college student in Cambodia was belatedly reveled last summer. Investigators reportedly targeted several organized scam rings to arrest a score of suspects, including a couple who used deepfake technology to swindle about 12 billion won from 104 South Koreans and tried to evade arrest by altering their appearance through plastic surgery. Kang said arrest warrants have already been issued for all of them and they will be handed over to investigators for questioning, immediately upon arrival. 2026-01-22 15:29:25

Lee to hold New Year's press conference next week SEOUL, January 16 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will hold his first press conference of the new year next week, presidential secretary for public relations Lee Kyu-yeon said on Friday. According to the secretary, the president will outline his plans for what he has called a "great transformation," aimed at achieving a major leap forward for the country. The conference, scheduled for 10 a.m. at Cheong Wa Dae next Wednesday is expected to last about 90 minutes, with around 160 domestic and foreign journalists invited. Like his two previous press conferences in July and November last year, which marked his 30th and 100th days in office, he will deliver opening remarks and then take questions on key issues across different areas. 2026-01-16 17:37:08

Lee to meet residents in Ulsan as part of regional growth initiative SEOUL, January 16 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will visit Ulsan next week to meet residents and hear about the issues facing the industrial city. Lee, who stressed regional growth in his New Year's address, wrote on Facebook Thursday that he will hold his first town hall-style meeting of the year on Jan. 13, describing the southern city as “the heart of South Korea's industry. "Over the past 60 years, Ulsan has led our manufacturing industries including automobiles, petrochemicals, and shipbuilding, and has stood at the center of South Korea's economic growth," he wrote. "Now is the time to move forward on a new path, beyond being an industrial capital, to lead in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in manufacturing and green industries." Lee said the government will make this year the "first year of a great leap through a major transformation," promoting growth beyond Seoul to boost regional development. He added that Ulsan, the leading city in the country's southeastern manufacturing belt, will help drive South Korea's industrial transformation. He urged residents to share their views, saying he wants to map out Ulsan's future and the country's next leap forward using citizens' collective wisdom. About 200 residents will be selected from those who apply by next Monday to attend the meeting. The meeting comes after Lee earlier outlined a vision for regional growth, with Seoul as the economic capital, the central region as the administrative capital, and the southern region as the maritime capital. 2026-01-16 10:56:12