PPP candidate apologizes for martial law debacle to sway voters ahead of presidential election SEOUL, May 15 (AJP) - Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday apologized for disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle late last year. Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly, Kim said he "sincerely apologizes" for the debacle, calling it "inappropriate." "Even if the Constitution grants a president the authority to declare martial law, it is inappropriate except in cases of a national crisis or emergencies beyond the control of police authorities," Kim told reporters. Kim, who unexpectedly emerged as the conservative candidate mainly because of his initial support for Yoon, added that if he had known about Yoon's Dec. 3 overnight gambit in advance, he would have tried to stop it. Expressing concerns over the economic fallout from the debacle, he also sought to console citizens, saying, "Many small business owners have been hit hard by declining sales." With the snap June 3 presidential election less than a month away, Kim's apology came in an apparent move to rally support from voters, as front-runner Lee Jae-myung of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) maintains a big lead in most polls. When asked whether Yoon should leave the party, Kim said it would be a decision for the impeached president to make. However, calls for his departure are likely to grow among PPP lawmakers if Kim he continues to struggle to close the gap with Lee in voter support. 2025-05-15 16:20:59

Excitement builds early for New Pope's planned visit to Seoul SEOUL, May 9 (AJP) - With a new pope elected to lead the Roman Catholic Church at the Vatican on Thursday, religious leaders and other faithful here are expressing high expectations. Although they may have to wait a few more years to see the new pope in person, excitement is already building ahead of his planned visit to Seoul in 2027. White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the Vatican's conclave, attended by nearly 130 cardinals, as they voted for American-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, to become the next pontiff. His scheduled visit to South Korea is to attend World Youth Day (WYD), an international Catholic event that gathers hundreds of thousands of young believers from around the world. The event, initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1985, was last held in Lisbon in 2023, where his predecessor Pope Francis, announced Seoul as the next host city. Once he travels to Seoul as planned, Prevost will become the third pope to visit the country, following Paul II who visited twice in 1984 and 1989, and Francis in 2014. Meanwhile, Prevost is considered more moderate than his predecessor Francis, who was widely considered one of the most liberal popes. Born in Chicago in 1955, Prevost was ordained as a priest in 1982 and is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine. He is the first American and the first from the order to ascend to the papacy. He is also a citizen of Peru, where he has spent most of his life as a missionary, serving poor and underprivileged communities. 2025-05-09 15:24:02

INTERVIEW : Korean Cultural Center in Abu Dhabi to celebrate 10 years of building bridges with UAE SEOUL, May 8 (AJP) - Nestled at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country where Islamic culture coexists with modern architecture and cutting-edge global trends. Surrounded by an exotic landscape where deserts meet futuristic skylines, the Korean Cultural Center in Abu Dhabi serves as a cultural bridge between the two countries. Established in 2016, it was the first of its kind in the Middle East, venturing into this uncharted, unique territory. Ahead of its 10th anniversary next year, chief director Lee Yong-hee shared his thoughts on the center’s past and future during a recent interview with AJP. "Next year will be particularly special for us," Lee said, illustrating how the center started its journey with a simple yet ambitious goal of introducing Korean culture to the Middle Eastern country. Lee explained how deeply Islamic culture is rooted in the UAE, a federal monarchy made up of seven emirates, shaping everyday life through cultural norms and daily rituals including prayers, dress codes, and social customs. Respect for these values is fundamental to Emirati society. "Since Muslims have great faith in their Islamic traditions, we always strive to respect them by integrating the religion's core values and philosophy into our projects and activities," he said. For example, all events and programs are thoroughly planned and scheduled in consideration of daily prayers, typically performed five times a day. Even staff attire is regularly checked to ensure its appropriateness and modesty. These meticulous arrangements are part of showing our respect. "Through these efforts, we can better understand each other and gradually build mutual trust." Another example of such efforts is a class at the center that offers an opportunity to learn about traditional Korean dance. After receiving feedback that many Emirati women, who had been segregated from men within the country's cultural and historical contexts, were often hesitant to sign up for a mixed-gender class despite their eagerness, the center began offering a women-only class, providing a more comfortable environment for them. Furthermore, the center explores other creative ways to introduce Korean culture there and resonate with the local community. Among many others was last year's culinary event featuring Korean delicacies and savory desserts, held in a desert setting, deeply symbolic for many Emiratis. "We hosted the event to offer locals a taste of Korean culture. The overwhelmingly positive reception made it unforgettable," Lee recalled. "The vast desert with its sweeping dunes and endless sands, holds far more meaning for Emiratis than we can imagine. This exotic landscape, which tells the story of the country's rich heritage and miraculous growth, symbolizes the pride of the Emirati people," he added. In celebration of its upcoming 10th anniversary, the center is preparing an exciting new lineup of programs, leveraging the popularity of South Korean shows and dramas, from the 2013 period drama "Jewel in the Palace" to Netflix's hit dystopian thriller "Squid Game" in recent years. "Many Emiratis seem to be mesmerized by South Korean dramas, as their themes often convey messages about family bonds, friendship, and community solidarity, which have common ground with traditional Emirati culture," Lee said. Outlining the center's future vision, he said, "We're exploring various ways to engage more locals by blending traditional games, pop music, food, and more. We cannot simply rely on the achievements of the past ten years. Instead, we aim to build friendship based on mutual trust and respect that will endure for generations to come." 2025-05-08 17:08:39

Clock ticking for PPP as internal rift stalls progress on unified conservative candidate SEOUL, May 8 (AJP) - Tensions are escalating within the ruling People Power Party (PPP) as internal wrangling continues over fielding a unified conservative candidate, with the snap presidential election less than a month away. The PPP’s presidential nominee, Kim Moon-soo, had expressed a willingness to team up with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who declared his presidential bid last week. However, Kim now appears to have changed his mind shortly after being chosen as the PPP's candidate through its internal primary process. In a press conference on Thursday, Kim suggested separate campaigning for a week, followed by a televised debate and opinion polls next week to determine who should be the PPP's final presidential candidate. He also questioned the "fairness" of the process, pointing out that Han, as an independent candidate, entered the race at the last minute without going through proper procedures. Kim's proposal came just a day after his talks with Han collapsed, failing to produce any fruitful outcome. While Kim appeared to be dragging his feet, the PPP's interim leader Kwon Young-se and floor leader Kweon Seong-dong repeatedly urged him to reach a conclusion on fielding a unified candidate through talks with Han. The PPP is in a hurry as it needs to decide its candidate before the deadline for candidate registration for the election, which closes this Sunday. To pressure Kim, the PPP conducted a poll the previous day among its party members and other voters, which revealed that over 80 percent supported Kim and Han merging to field a unified conservative candidate. Han has already said he would not register his candidacy if he fails to reach an agreement with Kim on a unified conservative candidate by Sunday. The two are in talks once again later in the day, but a breakthrough still looks elusive. 2025-05-08 16:18:13

Court postpones DP presidential candidate's retrial until after presidential election SEOUL, May 7 (AJP) - The Seoul High Court on Wednesday decided to postpone the first hearing of presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung's retrial over his alleged violation of election laws. The hearing, originally scheduled for later this week, has now been pushed back to June 18, about two weeks after the snap presidential election set for early June, to fill a power vacuum caused by the impeachment of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol early last month over his botched martial law debacle last year. The decision comes after a request earlier in the day from Lee's lawyer to postpone the trial, along with several other trials in which he is involved. The court explained the rescheduling was made to "ensure equal opportunities for campaigning to all candidates" ahead of the June 3 election and to "avoid any controversy over the fairness of the trial." The case stems from comments made by Lee during a TV debate and a parliamentary audit in 2021, when he was running for president. In the first trial in November last year, Lee was found guilty of making false statements related to a major scandal involving a land development project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province during his tenure as the city's mayor from 2010 to 2018. However, about four months later, a high court overturned the lower court's sentence of a suspended prison term. Last week, the case took another twist, as the Supreme Court, in an unusual move, expedited the case and referred it back to the appeals court on the grounds of a guilty verdict, in a televised ruling. However, the appellate court gave in by deciding to defer the case, as the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) threatened to impeach the top court's Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae and other justices, citing procedural issues in the handling of the case and claiming it as an interference in the presidential election. Nevertheless, the postponement of the trial is unlikely to bring this contentious saga to a close, as the DP, keeping all possibilities open, has already drafted a slew of bills aimed at shielding its presidential candidate from legal risks, a move that may face fierce resistance. Moreover, if Lee wins the election and is later found guilty, that could spark fresh debates over the legitimacy of his presidency. 2025-05-07 16:58:07

UN to discuss North Korea's ongoing sanctions violations and ties with Russia SEOUL, May 07 (AJP) - The United Nations Security Council will convene on Wednesday to address North Korea’s continued breaches of non-proliferation resolutions, amid growing concerns over its expanding military ties with Russia. Seven member states - South Korea, the United States, Denmark, France, Panama, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom - requested the meeting. Discussions are expected to focus on North Korea’s continued breaches of Security Council resolutions, particularly in the absence of the panel of experts under the North Korea Sanctions Committee. The panel ceased operations in April 2024 after Russia vetoed a resolution to extend its mandate. Western members have criticized the panel’s termination, accusing Russia of attempting to conceal its military cooperation with Pyongyang. Since the panel’s dissolution, North Korea and Russia have signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty and have strengthened their military ties. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service said in October 2024 that approximately 12,000 North Korean troops had been deployed to Russia. North Korea denied the deployment for several months but officially admitted it last month. Seoul has maintained its position that North Korea’s supply of weapons and dispatch of its military to Russia constitutes a clear violation of U.N. resolutions and poses a serious threat to international security. Russia has argued that North Korea’s deployment falls within the framework of its treaty with North Korea and does not breach international law. Separately, 11 countries, including South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, launched a Multinational Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) in October 2023 to fill the gap left by the disbanded panel. The team is expected to release its first report soon. 2025-05-07 13:35:26

Kiwi wine festival returns to Seoul with top New Zealand labels SEOUL, May 3 (AJP) - A festival showcasing premium wines from New Zealand was held in Seoul on Saturday, offering guests a sophisticated tasting experience. The annual wine festival organized by the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea, also called the Kiwi Chamber, introduced Korean customers to a wide selection of wines from 25 top New Zealand wineries this year. Attendees included diplomats, wine professionals, and local wine enthusiasts. In addition to wine tastings, the evening featured traditional Māori music and dance performances, as well as cuisine inspired by New Zealand flavors. New Zealand Ambassador to Seoul Dawn Bennet highlighted the long-standing partnership between the two countries in her congratulatory remarks. “New Zealand and Korea have a very strong relationship going back decades, all the way to the Korean War. Trade is a big part of that relationship,” Bennet said. “Korea is our sixth-largest trading partner, and wine plays a significant role in that exchange.” She noted that this year’s festival also marked the 10th anniversary of the New Zealand–Korea Free Trade Agreement. “For fans of New Zealand wine, it’s a great chance to discover new varieties and labels,” she added. Among the featured wineries was Mozzie Wines, one of the most popular wineries among Korean consumers. Founder Simon Ngārangi Walsh shared the brand’s story. “The native people of New Zealand are Māori, and ‘Ozzie’ is slang for Australians,” he said. “One of my brothers is a winemaker in Australia, the other in New Zealand. I wanted a brand that reflects both, and that’s how Mozzie was born,” Walsh explained. Walsh named Sauvignon Blanc as one of the most favored wines among Korean consumers. “It’s our top export and suits the Korean palate well, especially with seafood and light dishes,” he said. “Entry-level Sauvignon Blanc accounts for 60 percent of my sales.” The wine festival is set to continue in the southern port city of Busan on May 24. 2025-05-04 00:48:28

French-Korean Career Forum to link talent with international employers in Seoul SEOUL, May 2 (AJP) - The French-Korean Career Forum will take place in Seoul, offering South Korean and French job seekers living in South Korea a platform to explore career opportunities shaped by the French language and culture. Jointly organized by the French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), the Cultural Service of the French Embassy in South Korea, and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), in collaboration with CCIP, CLE International, and France Alumni, the forum will focus on employment, training, and the role of the French language in professional development. Scheduled for Thursday, May 15, 2025, the event invites students, recent graduates, job seekers, and professionals to meet with French-speaking companies and institutions active in South Korea. Through job-dating sessions, networking areas, and one-on-one meetings with recruiters, participants will be able to connect directly with companies seeking bilingual and international talent. Workshops will also be held throughout the day, offering practical guidance on topics such as writing a compelling CV, succeeding in interviews, and learning key French expressions. Since 2021, the French-Korean Career Forum has become a recurring event aimed at fostering career growth through the French language. In 2024, the forum recorded strong offline engagement, with 29 companies meeting more than 600 attendees. Previous editions held online in 2021 and 2022 also drew significant participation. The 2025 edition is organized with the support of Accor, Cafés Richard, and JCDecaux. According to organizers, the forum continues to serve as a meeting point between language skills and professional opportunities. 2025-05-02 15:24:59

US defends Trump's talks With Putin, citing past engagement with Kim Jong-un SEOUL, May 2 (AJP) - The United States State Department defended President Donald Trump on Thursday over his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing the backlash he faced during meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. “There was a lot of heat when he went to visit Kim Jong-un,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said during a press briefing. She added that Trump’s view is that “people have to be spoken with, face to face, one on one. Diplomacy is about human beings making arrangements, talking about things, finding a common ground.” Bruce emphasized the importance of Trump’s diplomatic approach, suggesting that his actions were rooted in broader goals. “I do know that President Trump is doing it for a reason, and that is to accomplish an end to bloodshed and massacres…So it is now clear that there is a commitment and an understanding of the importance of this kind of diplomacy,” she said. She also criticized the previous Biden administration for its lack of dialogue with Moscow, saying that it was a time “where Russia wasn’t spoken to for at least three years.” Bruce also brought up a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House last February. Despite tensions, she stressed that diplomatic communication continued. “And yet it didn’t end the relationship. They met in Rome. They sat down with each other,” she said. 2025-05-02 10:35:04

DP presidential nominee forms broader election camp ahead of crucial court ruling SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, former leader and presidential nominee of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), launched his election committee with a group of prominent figures to gear up for his campaign, with the snap presidential election just about a month away. The committee's high-profile lineup includes seasoned political veterans and former government officials, spanning a broad ideological spectrum from progressive to conservative, in an apparent move to project the party's inclusivity and diversity. Yoon Yeo-joon, a veteran politician with conservative roots, was appointed co-chair of the committee along with acting party leader Park Chan-dae. Yoon, who previously supported conservative candidates such as perennial right-wing politician Lee Hoi-chang and perpetual also-ran Ahn Cheol-soo, is widely seen as a symbolic choice aimed at appealing to undecided or swing voters including moderates. It also brings together key party members including Kim Kyoung-soo, the former South Gyeongsang Province governor who was eliminated in the DP's internal primary last week, former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, and others. Other notable figures included are those from past administrations such as the country's first female Justice Minister Kang Kum-sil, as well as Jeong Eun-kyeong, the former head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, who earned widespread praise for her dedicated response during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The committee's launch was held just two days before the Supreme Court is set to deliver its ruling on Lee's alleged violation of election laws over making false statements related to a major scandal involving a land development project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province during his tenure as the city's mayor from 2010 to 2018. The ruling comes after prosecutors appealed a high court's decision last month that overturned a lower court's sentence of a suspended prison term, clearing some of his legal risks which would have been detrimental to his chances of running in the presidential race. In an unusual move, the top court's Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae decided to refer the case to the full bench about a month ago, expediting its deliberations for some reasons. The court now could either uphold the case or send it back to a lower court. Otherwise, it may hand down its own ruling to conclude the case. The court has allowed the trial to be televised nationwide, citing heightened public interest. Meanwhile, the upcoming June 3 election comes after the Constitutional Court of Korea's ruling early last month to impeach disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law debacle late last year. 2025-04-30 17:15:10