AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Jo Hyun-jung
  • Lee Kwang-jae Wins By-Election in Gyeonggis Hanam Gap, Returns to National Assembly
    Lee Kwang-jae Wins By-Election in Gyeonggi's Hanam Gap, Returns to National Assembly In the Gyeonggi Hanam Gap by-election held on June 3, Lee Kwang-jae of the Democratic Party was elected, securing his return to the National Assembly. In his victory speech, he stated, "I will make Hanam the most livable, healthy, and happy city in South Korea," adding, "I am committed to making it the best city." According to the National Election Commission on June 4, with 98.59% of the votes counted as of 3 a.m., Lee received 49.89% (43,793 votes), surpassing Lee Yong, the candidate from the People Power Party, who garnered 47.90% (42,042 votes), and Kim Sung-yeol from the Reform Party, who received 2.19% (1,929 votes). This district was previously represented by Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party candidate for Gyeonggi governor, necessitating the by-election due to her candidacy. Lee entered politics as a secretary to the late former President Roh Moo-hyun and was elected governor of Gangwon Province in 2010. However, he lost his governorship due to a political funding scandal. After receiving a special pardon in 2019, he returned to politics in 2020. With this by-election victory, he will serve in the National Assembly for the fourth time, following his previous terms in the 17th, 18th, and 21st National Assembly elections. Notably, Lee is regarded as a key ally of former President Roh and is considered a 'founding member' of the pro-Roh faction. In his remarks after the election, Lee expressed his commitment to demonstrating tangible results for Hanam's development, stating, "I will become a politician rooted in Hanam, one that the citizens can be proud of." 2026-06-04 04:36:00
  • Lee Jin-sook Wins Daegu Dalseong District By-Election, Joins National Assembly
    Lee Jin-sook Wins Daegu Dalseong District By-Election, Joins National Assembly Lee Jin-sook of the People Power Party has won the by-election for the Dalseong District in Daegu, successfully entering the National Assembly. In her victory speech, she stated, "As a member of the National Assembly chosen by the people of Dalseong, I will dedicate all my efforts to protecting a free Republic of Korea." According to the National Election Commission, Lee secured 62.91% of the votes, defeating Park Hyung-ryong of the Democratic Party, who garnered 37.08%. This by-election was necessitated by the candidacy of Choo Kyung-ho for the mayoral election in Daegu. A former MBC reporter, Lee previously served as the chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Although her tenure was interrupted by impeachment proceedings led by the Democratic Party, she returned to her position following a Constitutional Court ruling. Lee initially aimed to run for mayor of Daegu but was cut off during the party's nomination process. She later hinted at running as an independent but ultimately withdrew and was nominated unopposed for the Dalseong by-election. In her acceptance remarks, Lee expressed gratitude for the support she received during the campaign, saying, "I will not forget the heartfelt encouragement from the residents to 'move forward confidently without wavering.' I will do my utmost to achieve greater progress and development for Dalseong."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 02:57:00
  • Candidates Rally for Votes Ahead of June 3 Local Elections in Gyeonggi Province
    Candidates Rally for Votes Ahead of June 3 Local Elections in Gyeonggi Province On June 2, a day before the June 3 local elections, candidates for the Gyeonggi governor position campaigned vigorously across key locations in the province, urging voter participation and support. Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party candidate, visited Uijeongbu and Seongnam to rally support, while Yang Hyang-ja, the People Power Party candidate, embarked on an overnight campaign visiting all 31 cities and counties. Cho Eung-cheon, the Reform Party candidate, focused on attracting voters by criticizing the two major parties. Choo urged voters in Uijeongbu, Seongnam, Gwangju, Icheon, and Yongin to cast their ballots, stating, "Please vote for victory. We must achieve a major transformation to spread Gyeonggi Province's growth energy throughout the region." She emphasized the importance of supporting not just her but also the Democratic candidates in all 31 cities and counties, saying, "Choo Mi-ae alone cannot win the governorship. Please choose Democratic candidates across all municipalities." Choo concluded her campaign with a final rally in Nahyeok Street, Suwon, starting at 7 PM. Yang, under the slogan "31 cities and counties, 31 hours of commitment," began her intensive campaign the previous day, visiting various locations including Bucheon, Gwangmyeong, Anyang, and Yongin. Starting early in the morning, she greeted commuters in front of the Gapyeong County Office at 8 AM. Yang stated, "Elections are ultimately about changing the lives of citizens," and pledged to create a Gyeonggi Province where small business owners can thrive. She also campaigned in Hwaseong City with support from party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, targeting her voter base. Cho appealed to centrist voters, highlighting his experience as a lawmaker in the challenging northeastern region of Namyangju from 2016 to 2024. He declared, "If you vote for number 4, an unexpected miracle will happen." He called for support for the Reform Party, asserting the need to check the power of the two major parties to restore politics and the rule of law in South Korea and to advance Gyeonggi Province. Cho urged every citizen to exercise their precious right to vote, stating, "I hope everyone will go to the polls." He plans to conclude his campaign at 9 PM alongside Park Yun-ok, a candidate for the Reform Party in Namyangju.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 22:09:00
  • Early Voting for Local Elections Sees Record Turnout at 10.39%
    Early Voting for Local Elections Sees Record Turnout at 10.39% As of 5 p.m. on May 29, the first day of early voting for the 9th nationwide local elections, the national voter turnout reached 10.39%. This marks the highest early voting rate recorded since the June 4, 2014 local elections. According to the National Election Commission, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on this day, 463,981 voters out of a total of 44,649,908 registered voters participated in early voting. This turnout is 1.19 percentage points higher than the same time during the early voting for the 2022 local elections, which recorded a 9.2% turnout. The region with the highest turnout so far is Jeonnam, with 20.5%. It is followed by Jeonbuk at 17.63% and Gangwon at 13.05%. Seoul's turnout was recorded at 9.93%, while Daegu had the lowest turnout at 8.09%. Early voting will continue for two days at 3,571 polling stations nationwide, operating from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters must bring identification to participate, and polling station locations can be confirmed on the election commission's website or by calling the representative hotline at 1390. 2026-05-29 17:42:00
  • Park Geun-hye to Support Daegu Mayor Candidate Choo Kyung-ho
    Park Geun-hye to Support Daegu Mayor Candidate Choo Kyung-ho Former President Park Geun-hye is set to support Choo Kyung-ho, the People Power Party candidate for mayor of Daegu, ahead of the June 3 local elections. With recent polls showing a tight race against Democratic Party candidate Kim Boo-kyum, Park's public appearances are expected to rally conservative voters. According to the People Power Party, Park will visit Chilseong Market in northern Daegu with Choo on May 23 at 2 p.m. They plan to campaign together for about 30 minutes, aiming to bolster support. Dalseong County, where Park's residence is located, is also where she served as a four-term lawmaker, while Choo has represented the area as a three-term lawmaker. Choo previously visited Park's residence on May 4 to seek her assistance. Although there was no mention of campaign support at that time, it is believed that the recent close polling has prompted efforts to consolidate conservative backing. A political insider noted, "I understand that former President Park's health does not pose significant issues for her to engage in public activities. If she appears at campaign events, it could greatly enhance conservative unity and have a ripple effect on her supporters." Meanwhile, Kim Boo-kyum has expressed a desire to meet with Park on several occasions, but no meeting has yet taken place.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 19:39:20
  • DP Floor Leader Han Byung-do Meets Senior Presidential Aide, Vows to Finish Key Bills by December
    DP Floor Leader Han Byung-do Meets Senior Presidential Aide, Vows to Finish Key Bills by December Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do met Thursday with Hong Ik-pyo, the presidential senior secretary for political affairs, and pledged to complete legislation tied to the government’s already identified policy agenda by December to support stable state administration. Han also stressed a “one-team” approach among the party, government and presidential office, saying he would work to deliver results and help drive the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration in the National Assembly. Hong visited the National Assembly to congratulate Han on his new post. Han said the next year would be a “golden time” for the administration’s success and called the meeting a milestone to reaffirm the one-team spirit aimed at government success and economic recovery. Han was elected floor leader Wednesday at a party lawmakers’ meeting with majority support. He is the first in the Democratic Party to win a second term as floor leader. Han said that since becoming floor leader in January, 396 bills have been passed at plenary sessions, with about 115 more expected to be handled Thursday. That would bring the total to more than 500 bills in about four months, he said. He added that the party would serve as a reliable backer through responsible legislation and budgeting so the government can focus on managing external crises and protecting national interests. Hong said President Lee asked him to convey congratulations and expectations for Han’s role as floor leader. Hong added that the next year would likely determine the fate of the administration’s reform agenda, and said the Democratic Party — particularly under Han’s leadership — would play an important role, including in passing bills and fostering a cooperative political culture in the National Assembly.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-07 14:41:54
  • PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Slams DP Leader Over Oppa Remark to Child
    PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Slams DP Leader Over 'Oppa' Remark to Child Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, on May 4 criticized Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae over a campaign incident in which Jeong urged a first-grade elementary school child to call Ha Jeong-woo, the Democratic Party’s candidate in the Busan Buk-gu Gap parliamentary by-election, “oppa.” In a Facebook post, Song called it “the DNA of the ‘Democratic Molestation Party,’” and said it was “clear child sexual abuse” and “a violation of children’s rights.” He added, “Tomorrow is Children’s Day,” and urged Jeong and Ha to reflect on their understanding of children’s rights ahead of the holiday. The controversy began after cameras captured Jeong during a visit the previous day to Gupo Market in Busan, where he appealed for support for Ha and pressed a first-grade girl to say, “Jeong-woo oppa.” The People Power Party has continued to attack the Democratic Party over the incident, calling it “sexual harassment of a child” and “child abuse.” Jeong apologized on May 4, saying he was sorry to the child and the parents after the situation at Gupo Market put them at the center of the controversy, but the dispute was not expected to subside quickly. Song also lashed out at the Democratic Party, citing a list of names — Park Won-soon, Oh Geo-don, Ahn Hee-jung, Jeong Bong-ju, Min Byung-doo, Park Wan-ju and Jang Kyung-tae — and saying the party’s “long-standing sexual violence DNA” had carried over to Jeong, whom he called an “oppa-forcing offender.” He added, “Did you even teach a lesson to Ha, who just joined the party?” Song repeated that forcing a child to say “oppa” was “clear child sexual abuse” and a violation of children’s rights, and said Ha should stop meeting voters in Busan with that mindset and “pack up and leave Busan.” He also suggested they seek consulting to change their views. 2026-05-04 14:36:17
  • South Korea secures over 74 million barrels of crude oil for May, presidential aide says
    South Korea secures over 74 million barrels of crude oil for May, presidential aide says SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - South Korea has secured more than 70 million barrels of crude oil for May, according to presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik. During a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul on Friday, Kang said, "South Korea has secured about 74.62 million barrels of crude oil, which is equivalent to roughly 87 percent of last year's monthly average," adding that the government is "making every effort" to secure additional supplies amid the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. He also said that the country is diversifying the shipping routes and sources of its oil imports, adding that additional supplies from Africa and North America have reduced reliance on the Middle East from 69 percent to 56 percent. Stressing that the government is closely monitoring supplies of petrochemical products such as naphtha, plastics and vinyl bags on a daily basis, Kang said South Korea plans to import 23.99 million barrels from Saudi Arabia and 16 million barrels from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in May via alternative routes that do not involve the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply. He also said that about 2.1 million tons of naphtha secured through a special envoy's visit would be brought in stages starting at the end of this month, expressing some optimism about supply conditions in about a month or so. But he remained cautious, saying the impact of higher prices "may only be beginning," citing rising global oil and raw material prices. "We cannot let our guard down," he said, adding that inflation would weaken purchasing power and slow the domestic recovery. He also pledged to implement a supplementary budget to support those hit by soaring oil prices. 2026-04-24 17:53:03
  • Blue House: South Korea Secures 74.62 Million Barrels of Crude for May
    Blue House: South Korea Secures 74.62 Million Barrels of Crude for May Cheong Wa Dae said April 24 that South Korea has secured 74.62 million barrels of crude oil for May — about 87% of last year’s monthly average imports — easing concerns about supply disruptions as the war in the Middle East drags on. Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, said at an emergency economic briefing at the Chunchugwan press center that the government is “staking everything” on securing alternative crude supplies. He said South Korea has diversified not only suppliers but also tanker routes, and has obtained additional volumes from the Americas and Africa, cutting reliance on the Middle East by 13 percentage points, from 69% to 56%. For May, the government plans to import 23.99 million barrels from Saudi Arabia and 16 million barrels from the United Arab Emirates via alternative routes not involving the Strait of Hormuz. Kang called it the result of a rapid joint response by the government and private sector, saying the recovery trend is continuing on the back of strong semiconductor exports and swift government action. He added that major foreign media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, and international investment banks have positively assessed South Korea’s response to the energy crisis and raised growth forecasts. Still, Kang warned that the impact of inflation may only be beginning. “International oil and raw material prices remain high. We cannot let down our guard,” he said. He said rising prices weaken purchasing power and can undermine a recovery in domestic demand, and pledged to ensure swift execution of the supplementary budget, including support payments for damage from high oil prices. He said the government is mobilizing all available administrative resources so companies can operate normally without worrying about raw materials and the public can maintain daily life. On naphtha, Kang said measures in the supplementary budget — including support for the gap in import unit prices — are being implemented, and that 2.1 million tons secured through a special envoy’s visit will be brought in in stages starting late this month. He said the government expects the risk indicator to shift to yellow — meaning 2 to 3 months of supply — starting about a month from now.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 16:05:11
  • Blue House: No Decision Yet on Long-Term Capital Gains Deduction for Nonresident Single-Homeowners
    Blue House: No Decision Yet on Long-Term Capital Gains Deduction for Nonresident Single-Homeowners The Blue House said Thursday that the government is discussing whether to apply a long-term capital gains deduction to nonresident single-homeowners, but that nothing has been decided. A Blue House official told reporters at the Chunchugwan press briefing room that officials are hearing a range of views and that more discussion is needed. The long-term holding special deduction reduces capital gains tax by up to 40% based on how long a property is held and up to 40% based on how long the owner has lived in it, for a combined maximum deduction of 80%. Earlier Thursday, Lee wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that to protect single-homeowners, tax relief tied to actual residence is necessary. But he argued that cutting capital gains taxes on expensive homes simply because they were held for a long time as investments, without the owner living there, is not a housing protection policy but a policy that encourages speculation. His remarks were widely read as signaling an intent to overhaul the tax system by reducing breaks for nonresident single-homeowners while expanding deductions tied to holding periods for those who live in their homes. The Blue House official said the president’s message was “at the level of principles,” stressing that one-home households should be treated more favorably than multi-homeowners, and that even among one-home households, investment-driven nonresidence should be distinguished from owner-occupied housing. 2026-04-24 15:37:18