Journalist

Lee Dong Wone
  • People Power Party Picks Kim Gi-ha as Donghae Mayor Candidate
    People Power Party Picks Kim Gi-ha as Donghae Mayor Candidate Kim Gi-ha, 66, has been confirmed as the People Power Party’s candidate for mayor of Donghae. The party’s Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province chapter nomination committee announced the final primary results on the 21st at a meeting in Chuncheon and approved Kim’s nomination. Candidates and other officials attended as the results were released. Kim won the final primary against Choi Jae-seok, who had advanced from the preliminary round, and will run as the party’s nominee in the Donghae mayoral race in the ninth nationwide local elections on June 3. With the nomination settled, Kim is expected to begin campaigning in earnest for the general election. 2026-04-21 15:40:00
  • Donghae to Inspect No-Smoking Areas, Tobacco Retailers as Law Expands Definition of Tobacco
    Donghae to Inspect No-Smoking Areas, Tobacco Retailers as Law Expands Definition of Tobacco Donghae City Health Center said it will conduct joint inspections of no-smoking areas and tobacco retailers following revisions to the Tobacco Business Act. The inspections are intended to confirm on-the-ground compliance as the law, taking effect April 24, expands the definition of tobacco from “tobacco leaves” to products made using tobacco or nicotine as a raw material. The checks will run from April 24 to May 15, including daytime and nighttime patrols. Inspectors will crack down on smoking in no-smoking zones and verify compliance with standards for tobacco vending machines, as well as advertising rules inside tobacco retail shops. Under the revision, all tobacco use is banned in no-smoking areas regardless of type, including cigarettes, heated tobacco products, liquid e-cigarettes and synthetic nicotine products. Violations are subject to fines, the health center said. The health center said it will also publicize the expanded definition and related rule changes to reduce confusion. Hong Jong-ran, head of the Health Policy Division, said the broader definition brings synthetic nicotine products—previously in a regulatory blind spot—under the same rules. She urged residents and business operators to cooperate in observing no-smoking zones and sales standards. Donghae City Council opens 360th extraordinary session to review 14 ordinance bills Donghae City Council on Monday held the first plenary meeting of its 360th extraordinary session and began deliberations on 14 agenda items, including four ordinances proposed by council members and a city-submitted “Basic Ordinance on Artificial Intelligence.” Min Gwi-hee proposed revisions to the city’s mental health promotion ordinance to establish a basis for securing public hospital beds in advance and quickly linking services for emergency hospitalization of people with mental illness. Min also proposed revising rules on overseas official travel by council members to restrict end-of-term trips criticized as junkets, aiming to strengthen accountability and ethics. Lee Dong-ho proposed an ordinance to support nighttime tourism as part of a shift toward longer-stay travel policies, and said facilities that allow pets should be expanded in connection with the planned Mangsang auto camping site. Ahn Seong-jun proposed revising an ordinance on the transfer and inheritance of individual taxi transport businesses, extending the reporting period for inheriting a private taxi license from 90 days to 180 days to ease burdens on bereaved families. Lee Chang-su welcomed the reopening of the rail crossing at Hapyeong Beach following consultations with relevant agencies, and called on the city administration to respond actively in developing plans to keep and use Mukho Station. Jeong Dong-su said the city should step up publicity to minimize negative perceptions over higher fees at the Mureung Byeolyucheonji site. He also urged improvements to tourism infrastructure, including reviewing the introduction of a dedicated lift for the luge to improve equipment handling and visitor movement. The council said it will focus its review on ordinances tied to local issues and policies residents can feel in daily life. Yangyang wildfire fully contained in about 2 hours; no casualties A wildfire that broke out Monday morning in Nonhwa-ri, Seo-myeon, Yangyang County, was contained without major damage after a rapid initial response and coordination among civilian, government and military teams, the county said. The fire started around 7:43 a.m. in the area of Mountain Lot No. 159 in Nonhwa-ri, for reasons not immediately known. With winds of about 7 meters per second, officials said there was a risk it could spread into a large wildfire. Authorities dispatched five firefighting helicopters and 35 pieces of equipment, and mobilized 134 personnel: 20 county officials, 51 firefighters, eight police officers, eight members of a special wildfire unit and 47 from a disaster response team, the county said. Because the fire was confirmed near Jeongdaun Maeul, a social welfare facility, an emergency evacuation was carried out. A total of 113 people—73 residents with severe disabilities and 40 staff members—were moved safely to the Yangyang County Multipurpose Gymnasium. The county provided emergency supplies including 150 blankets and 150 bottles of water, along with temporary relief kits and diapers. The main blaze was brought under control at 9:05 a.m., about 1 hour and 20 minutes after the fire began, and the fire was fully extinguished after remaining embers were cleared by 10:20 a.m., the county said. A county official said the quick response and close coordination prevented casualties. Officials are focusing on monitoring for flare-ups and will investigate the cause and damage after the situation is closed out. Samcheok Maengbang Canola Flower Festival closes after 17 days, drawing 260,000 visitors Samcheok’s signature spring event, the Samcheok Maengbang Canola Flower Festival, ended successfully after running for 17 days from April 3 to 19 in the area of Sangmaengbang-ri, Geundeok-myeon, in Gangwon Province. Held under the theme “Maengbang, Blooming Into Spring,” the festival went ahead despite difficult conditions after last year’s unusually long autumn rainy season damaged canola seeding areas. The city and the festival organizing committee carried out replanting using potted seedlings and created circular flower beds with a variety of flowers in damaged sections, turning the setback into a new attraction. The newly introduced “Samcheokdongja” character, paired with the canola flower scenery, helped boost the festival atmosphere, organizers said. Organizers counted about 260,000 visitors, with roughly 60% coming from outside the area. Direct consumer spending was estimated at about 9.4 billion won, and the broader local economic ripple effect, including production inducement, was estimated at about 14 billion won. Local food stalls and agricultural specialty markets operated during the festival, alongside performances and hands-on programs, which organizers said improved visitor satisfaction and supported local businesses. A Samcheok city official said the festival concluded successfully thanks to the efforts of residents and organizers despite challenging conditions, and pledged continued improvements so it can remain a leading spring festival for the region. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 15:25:54
  • Rep. Lee Cheol-gyu Brokers Reopening of Donghae Rail Crossing; Canada Talks Cover Supply Chains, Energy
    Rep. Lee Cheol-gyu Brokers Reopening of Donghae Rail Crossing; Canada Talks Cover Supply Chains, Energy Rep. Lee Cheol-gyu of the ruling People Power Party said he helped secure the reopening of the Hapyeong rail crossing in Donghae, which had been restricted over safety concerns as tourist crowds surged. Lee said that at a countermeasures meeting on the 20th at the National Assembly with the Korea National Railway, Korail and Donghae city officials, the parties reached a final agreement to resume access on the condition that safety staff be deployed no later than May 1. The Hapyeong crossing, a Category 1 unmanned crossing in Donghae, recently became known as a popular photo spot, driving a sharp rise in visitors. Korail imposed access limits starting Feb. 9 after repeated concerns about crowding inside the crossing and trespassing onto the tracks, Lee said. Residents in the Cheongok-dong area, who had used the crossing as part of their daily route, reported major inconvenience. A petition calling for restored access, signed by 5,419 residents, was submitted, the lawmaker said. Lee said he had continued talks with relevant agencies, including discussions with Korail’s facilities headquarters on April 7, and that the latest meeting produced a plan aimed at both safety and residents’ right of passage. Lee Cheol-gyu said, “Relieving residents’ inconvenience is a natural duty of a local lawmaker,” adding that repeated consultations produced an outcome balancing safety concerns and public access. He said he would continue to work on local issues, including mobility rights. Lee Cheol-gyu, industry committee chair, meets Canadian ambassador to discuss supply chains, energy and defense cooperation Lee, as chair of the National Assembly’s Industry, Trade, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, met Canadian Ambassador to South Korea Philip LaFortune on the afternoon of the 20th and discussed ways to expand cooperation on key issues including supply chains, energy and the defense industry. The two sides noted that South Korea and Canada have maintained cooperation as key partners, citing historical ties including the work of Dr. Frank William Schofield and Canada’s participation in the Korean War. With exchanges continuing in multilateral settings, the meeting was expected to further broaden bilateral cooperation. Lee said that amid global supply-chain instability and energy security challenges, securing critical resources and stabilizing supply chains are important. He said Canada’s mineral and energy resources should be combined with South Korea’s manufacturing capabilities to create high value-added outcomes across industries. LaFortune said South Korea is a key partner with competitiveness not only in defense but also in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. He added that Prime Minister Mark Carney also trusts South Korea as one of Canada’s closest allies and an especially important partner for cooperation. The meeting also addressed Canada’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), with an announcement of a preferred bidder expected in late June. Lee said competition between South Korea and Germany would broaden Canada’s options and help produce an outcome aligned with Canada’s national interest, adding that he hopes South Korea can serve as an optimal strategic partner. Both sides agreed on the need to expand cooperation centered on supply chains and advanced industries. LaFortune expressed strong interest in the Samcheok area, where infrastructure for future energy industries such as hydrogen has been established, and said he intends to visit related facilities in the future. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 14:57:58
  • Samcheok City Council Reviews 2026 Work Plans, Seeks Solutions on Local Issues
    Samcheok City Council Reviews 2026 Work Plans, Seeks Solutions on Local Issues Samcheok’s City Council on Tuesday held the fifth plenary session of its 269th extraordinary meeting, receiving 2026 major work-plan briefings from six departments, including the economy division, and debating local issues and development priorities. Council members offered proposals on boosting the local economy, youth policy, tourism infrastructure, traditional-market revitalization and improvements to the education environment. Council member Kim Hee Chang called for measures such as improving traditional-market facilities and expanding incentives for the Samcheok Love Card to upgrade the markets’ image and increase use. He also urged the city to maximize floor-to-ceiling height in any redevelopment of the current Samcheok Medical Center site to improve space efficiency, and to ensure a private developer is selected with the financial capacity and project experience to deliver the work. Council member Kim Won Hak proposed turning the second floor and rooftop of the Central Market’s main building into resident-friendly spaces to draw visitors and increase market use. He also said the city should expand its “day to meet abandoned animals” into an event that includes both pets and abandoned animals, developing it into a community festival to improve awareness and promote adoption. Council Chair Kwon Jeong Bok said that as teenagers increasingly use debit cards in daily life, the city should consider easing the minimum age requirement for issuing the Samcheok Love Card to encourage youth participation in economic activity. Council member Lee Gwang Woo asked officials to visit Central Market to check operations during peak tourist hours, identify needed improvements and use the findings to craft steps to attract more weekday visitors. Council member Jeong Yeon Cheol said the Nogok branch school revitalization project should go beyond reusing the closed school and pursue development linked to the broader area. Council member Kim Jae Gu called for identifying more effective youth policies, including support for the cost of obtaining a driver’s license, to improve conditions for young people to settle in the city. On the relocation of the Samcheok Fire Station, he said access roads and pedestrian paths at the new site should be designed with safety and convenience in mind. Council member Jeong Jeong Sun urged the city to link the detailed programs under its private-sector job-creation support initiative so they build a system for stable employment. She also called for a temporary-use plan to prevent hollowing out of the area during the redevelopment period for the Samcheok Medical Center site. Council member Yang Hui Jeon asked the city to expand convenience measures at Central Market, including small carts, mobility assistance services and improved pedestrian routes. He also requested that planners consider adding a small public bathhouse as part of the Nogok branch school project aimed at easing inconvenience for local residents. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 19:24:00