Journalist

Chang Moon-ki
  • South Korean Opposition Blasts Proposed Special Counsel With Power to Drop Charges
    South Korean Opposition Blasts Proposed Special Counsel With Power to Drop Charges Opposition parties including the People Power Party and the New Reform Party on May 5 stepped up attacks on a bill to appoint a special counsel to investigate allegations of “fabricated investigations and fabricated prosecutions” under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. They criticized President Lee Jae-myung’s comments a day earlier that the issue requires public input and deliberation, arguing he was seeking to delay action until after the June 3 local elections. People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok told a news conference at the National Assembly that Lee was not only adopting “every method used by dictators around the world to control the judiciary,” but also seeking to appoint a special counsel himself “to erase crimes.” He said Lee was writing a “dictator’s guidebook” that would “remain in world history.” Jang also said Lee’s stance amounted to canceling indictments “but trying to push back the timing,” adding that “something unconstitutional does not become constitutional just because the local elections pass.” People Power Party floor leader Song Eon-seok wrote on Facebook that Lee had defined the “indictment-cancellation special counsel” as something that “must be done.” Song said Lee should say “I will not cancel indictments,” not call for deliberation on timing and procedure. He vowed to block what he called an attempted “judicial coup” through indictment cancellations. People Power Party candidates for metropolitan and provincial governor posts also held an emergency news conference in front of Bosingak pavilion in central Seoul, calling the bill “a serious act that destroys the rule of law” and “directly undermines the constitutional order.” In a statement, candidates including Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon, Incheon mayoral candidate Yoo Jeong-bok and Gyeonggi gubernatorial candidate Yang Hyang-ja demanded that the bill be withdrawn; that Lee declare, “There will be no indictment cancellations, and I will stand trial according to law and principle”; and that Democratic Party candidates for those posts state whether they support the bill. The New Reform Party also labeled the bill a “judicial coup.” Party leader Lee Jun-seok wrote on Facebook a day earlier that the president likely knows why he cannot bring himself to say, “Don’t do it.” Lee said the opposition must secure not a vague timetable but a clear declaration that the plan is being abandoned. He also shared information about a signature campaign opposing the proposal. The party’s chief spokesperson, Lee Dong-hoon, said in a statement May 5 that he could not help but laugh at what he called a “shallow calculation” to “cover the public’s eyes and just get past the local elections.” He said a law that shakes the foundation of separation of powers should be “scrapped immediately,” not slowed down. New Reform Party candidates Cho Eung-cheon for Gyeonggi governor and Kim Jeong-cheol for Seoul mayor met a day earlier with People Power Party candidates from the Seoul metropolitan area to coordinate opposition to the bill. The Democratic Party introduced the special counsel bill on April 30, saying it aimed to uncover alleged abuses of prosecutorial power tied to cases including the Ssangbangwool remittances to North Korea case and allegations of corruption in the Daejang-dong, Wirye and Baekhyeon-dong development projects. Under the bill, a special counsel could take over designated cases and decide whether to file charges or maintain prosecutions. Opposition parties argue the special counsel would take over cases in which Lee is a suspect and attempt to cancel indictments. They say the legislature and executive branch would be using the special counsel to infringe on judicial independence and threaten separation of powers. Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae told reporters in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, after a public outreach event that if a strict special counsel investigation proves prosecutions were fabricated, defendants who suffered from that fabrication “should of course be relieved.” He said the question of when to proceed would be decided by gathering the views of the public, party members and lawmakers to make the best choice.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 16:22:28
  • People Power Party Picks Park Min-sik for Busan Buk-gu Gap By-Election, Setting Three-Way Race
    People Power Party Picks Park Min-sik for Busan Buk-gu Gap By-Election, Setting Three-Way Race The People Power Party’s nomination committee on May 5 confirmed Park Min-sik, described as a former minister of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, as its candidate in the June 3 parliamentary by-election in Busan’s Buk-gu Gap district. Park will face Ha Jeong-woo of the Democratic Party and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon. Park dismissed the possibility of unifying candidacies with Han as “zero.” After his nomination was finalized, Park held a news conference at the party’s headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, saying, “With the strength of Buk-gu alone, I will deliver victory for Buk-gu,” and adding that he was confident of winning “whether it’s a two-way race or a three-way race.” Park criticized what he called talk by people close to Han about unification or the party not fielding a candidate. “If you entered the race, you should stand tall and accept the residents’ judgment,” he said, adding, “Stop running ‘wishful thinking.’” He said the election was not simply about “one seat in the National Assembly,” but about developing Buk-gu and “retaking the Nakdong River front line,” arguing that political calculations such as unification or no nomination were neither fair nor consistent with the stated purpose. On a series of controversies involving Ha’s camp, including an issue referred to as “shaking off,” Park said he was “personally hurt” and viewed it as serious. He said it was not merely a mistake by a “political rookie,” but “an expression of elitism deeply rooted inside.” Asked about claims that his support lags behind rival candidates, Park said he would not be swayed by polls. He also said affiliations should not be presented ambiguously in surveys or media coverage, adding, “The People Power Party candidate is Park Min-sik, and Han is an independent,” and that candidates should campaign fairly with their ballot numbers. 2026-05-05 12:24:48
  • Jang Dong-hyeok Slams Special Prosecutor Plan as Bid to Drop Lee Jae-myung Indictments
    Jang Dong-hyeok Slams Special Prosecutor Plan as Bid to Drop Lee Jae-myung Indictments Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, said May 5 that President Lee Jae-myung was writing a “dictatorship guidebook” that would be remembered in world history. Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly, Jang said Lee had not only adopted “every method” used by dictators to control the judiciary, but was now seeking to appoint a special prosecutor to “erase” alleged crimes. Jang also criticized Lee’s call for public input and deliberation on a special prosecutor bill aimed at uncovering alleged “fabricated investigations and indictments” under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. Jang said it amounted to trying to cancel indictments while merely delaying the timing, adding, “Even after the local elections, something unconstitutional does not become constitutional.” A bill introduced by the Democratic Party on April 30 would allow a special prosecutor to withdraw indictments in related cases. The People Power Party and the minor Reform Party, among other opposition forces, have strongly opposed the bill, saying it infringes on judicial independence and threatens the separation of powers. Jang said those involved would face heavier punishment if “illegal and unconstitutional” indictment withdrawals were later added. He urged voters to cast their ballots properly in the local elections, calling it the way to stop an “Lee Jae-myung bomb.” With the June 3 local elections and National Assembly by-elections approaching, Jang also stepped up election-related criticism. He cited a joint police-prosecutor task force’s decision not to prosecute Democratic Party Busan mayoral candidate Jeon Jae-su over allegations of receiving money from the Unification Church; police decisions not to forward a case involving Democratic Party South Chungcheong gubernatorial candidate Park Soo-hyun and allegations tied to the UN-Habitat Korea Committee; and prosecutors’ decision to clear suspects in the “money envelope” case involving the Democratic Party’s national convention. “Police and prosecutors have become a pardon mill for the Democratic Party,” Jang said. Addressing claims that his party’s approval ratings were low, Jang said local elections depend more on regional support and trends than national numbers, and said it was hard to accept conclusions based on a single phrase such as “low approval ratings.” Asked about nominating Chung Jin-suk, a former presidential chief of staff, in a by-election or forming an election alliance with other opposition forces, Jang gave a general response, saying he would support his party’s candidates so they can win. 2026-05-05 12:01:12
  • Lee Jae-myung Marks Labor Day; Unions Rally, Exports Top $80B Again, PPP Picks By-Election Candidates
    Lee Jae-myung Marks Labor Day; Unions Rally, Exports Top $80B Again, PPP Picks By-Election Candidates 'Former child factory worker' Lee says growth without labor is only half a success Lee Jae-myung said Thursday, Labor Day, that “growth with labor is growth with a future.” Speaking at a Labor Day ceremony at the Blue House’s Yeongbin-gwan, Lee said respect for labor “is not simply a matter of consideration or charity.” “Growth without labor is only half a success and is not sustainable,” he said, pledging to build “a win-win ecosystem” where labor and management can “respect each other and hold dialogue.” He added that a society that respects labor and a country that is good for doing business “are not mutually exclusive,” saying, “There are no workers without companies, and no companies without workers.” First Labor Day holiday in 63 years draws major rallies; unions call for basic labor rights Large-scale rallies were held across central Seoul on Thursday as labor groups marked Labor Day, the first since the day was designated a public holiday for the first time in 63 years. The two major umbrella unions called for guarantees of basic labor rights. Korea Federation of Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held separate Labor Day events near Yeouido in Yeongdeungpo-gu and near Gwanghwamun Station in Jongno-gu. Kim Dong-myung, chair of the Korea Federation of Trade Unions, told a Yeouido rally marking the 136th anniversary of International Workers’ Day that the spread of artificial intelligence is changing jobs and that the climate crisis and industrial shifts are changing how people work. He said the union would pursue a “just transition” in which labor is not excluded and participates in decision-making. Yang Kyung-soo, chair of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, said at its 2026 Labor Day rally that while Labor Day had “reclaimed its name,” he could not attend with an unreservedly happy heart. He urged that basic labor rights be guaranteed through laws and institutions and that workers be empowered to unite through unions to respond to “capital’s offensive.” AI chip boom lifts exports above $80 billion for second straight month South Korea’s exports stayed above $80 billion in April after topping that level for the first time in March, driven largely by strong growth in semiconductors amid an artificial intelligence boom. The performance came as the Middle East war sent shock waves across industries, with exports seen as a key support for the economy. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced April trade figures Thursday. Exports rose 48.0% from a year earlier to $85.89 billion despite the Middle East war. After never having reached even $70 billion in monthly exports, South Korea exceeded $80 billion in March for the first time and stayed above that mark for a second consecutive month. PPP names candidates in 7 districts for June 3 by-elections; one race put on hold The People Power Party on Wednesday selected candidates in seven constituencies holding June 3 parliamentary by-elections, including Daegu Dalseong. Lee Jin-sook, identified as a former chair of the Korea Communications Commission, will run in Daegu Dalseong, and Lee Yong, identified as a former lawmaker, will run in Gyeonggi’s Hanam Gap. The nomination was put on hold in South Chungcheong’s Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang, where Chung Jin-suk, identified as a former presidential chief of staff, applied for the nomination. The party’s nomination committee met at its Yeongdeungpo-gu headquarters in Seoul and decided on single-candidate nominations for Lee in Daegu Dalseong; Park Jong-jin, Incheon party chair, in Incheon Yeonsu Gap; Shim Wang-seop, chair of the Environmental Landscaping Development Foundation, in Incheon Gyeyang Eul; Ahn Tae-wook, identified as a former Gwangju party chair, in Gwangju Gwangsan Eul; Kim Tae-gyu, identified as a former vice chair of the Korea Communications Commission, in Ulsan Nam Gap; Lee in Gyeonggi Hanam Gap; and Ko Gi-cheol, Jeju party chair, in Jeju Seogwipo. The party said its candidate in Busan Buk Gap, where Han Dong-hoon is running as an independent, will be chosen through a primary between Park Min-sik, identified as a former minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and Lee Young-poong, identified as a former KBS reporter.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-01 22:15:26
  • KT Wiz First to 20 Wins, Hold 1.5-Game Lead Over LG in KBO
    KT Wiz First to 20 Wins, Hold 1.5-Game Lead Over LG in KBO KT Wiz became the first team to reach 20 wins this season, beating the Kia Tigers 4-3 on Thursday in Gwangju. KT improved to 20-9 and maintained a 1.5-game lead over second-place LG Twins (18-10). KT led 2-0 after scoring in the third and fourth innings, then traded runs with Kia to go up 3-1. Kia tied it 3-3 on Kim Do-yeong’s RBI single in the sixth and a bases-loaded walk in the eighth. In the ninth, Jang Seong-woo delivered the go-ahead single to right with one out and runners on first and second, bringing home Choi Won-jun from second. Kia failed to answer in the bottom of the inning. In Daegu, the Samsung Lions rallied past the Hanwha Eagles 4-3. Samsung fell behind 3-0 on Heo In-seo’s three-run homer in the second, but Lewin Diaz hit a two-run RBI single in the sixth and Park Seung-gyu put Samsung ahead with a two-run homer in the seventh. Park also secured the final out in the ninth by snagging a bloop hit by Heo with two outs and a runner on second. In Incheon, the Lotte Giants beat the SSG Landers 10-7 in 10 innings. Tied 6-6 after nine, Lotte scored four runs in the top of the 10th, and SSG managed only one in the bottom half. At Jamsil in Seoul, LG beat the NC Dinos 5-1. Austin Dean and Song Chan-ui hit two-run homers in the third, and Hong Chang-gi added a sacrifice fly in the fourth. The Doosan Bears routed the Kiwoom Heroes 16-6 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, piling up 15 hits to move into a three-way tie for fifth with NC and Kia. Kiwoom issued 12 walks and hit batters. Historically, the first KBO team to reach 20 wins has gone on to win the regular-season title 24 times in 37 seasons, a 64.9% rate. For KT, it was the club’s first time reaching 20 wins ahead of the rest of the 10-team league since joining the KBO in 2015. 2026-05-01 22:12:23
  • Democratic Party’s Jeong tours sites as PPP’s Jang wages online fight on holiday
    Democratic Party’s Jeong tours sites as PPP’s Jang wages online fight on holiday Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, and Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, took sharply different approaches on May 1, the first day of the holiday period. Jeong spent the day on the ground, while Jang kept no public schedule and continued his attacks on the ruling camp through social media. Jeong visited the Pyeongtaek Port Vessel Traffic Service Center in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, and encouraged staff on duty. He then traveled to South Chungcheong Province, stopping at the Seosan Fire Station, the Seosan City Cultural Center and the Hongseong traditional market. At the Pyeongtaek center, Jeong said, “We passed a law thinking even public officials should be able to rest on Labor Day, but there are public officials who still can’t.” He added that he visited to “encourage and support those who protect our daily lives through noble work in places we don’t see.” Jeong’s itinerary was widely seen as aimed at backing Democratic Party candidates ahead of the June 3 local elections and National Assembly by-elections. The inclusion of Pyeongtaek, in particular, was attributed to the area emerging as a battleground as a multi-candidate race takes shape in the by-election there. While Jeong visited four locations in a single day — Pyeongtaek, Seosan, Hongseong and Jeonju in North Jeolla Province — Jang posted three messages on Facebook. On the Dec. 29 Muan Airport Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, Jang wrote, “If they can’t even properly manage the debris, there’s no way the investigation and probe were done properly.” He said it had long been revealed that an embankment installed under a Democratic Party government was the cause of the accident, but that the investigation “remains stalled” and “no one is taking responsibility.” He added, “The Democratic Party dragged out the Sewol ferry disaster and the Itaewon disaster for years, but is turning away as if the Muan Airport disaster never happened,” calling it “immoral politics” that divides even tragedies into “our side” and “their side.” Jang also criticized a bill introduced the previous day by the Democratic Party titled the “Act on the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor to Determine the Truth of Allegations Including Manipulated Investigations and Manipulated Indictments by the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.” He wrote, “Now that he has become president, he is rushing in saying he will cancel indictments and erase all trials,” calling it “a betrayal of the people” and “outright robbery.” On Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young, Jang wrote, “It is outrageous that Minister Jeong sees ‘unification as violent.’” He added, “Anti-American, pro-North Korea and pro-China tendencies are deeply embedded in the DNA of President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party. The public must stay alert and judge them.” Jang is scheduled to attend the opening of campaign offices for Park Hyung-joon, a Busan mayoral candidate, on May 2, and Choo Kyung-ho, a Daegu mayoral candidate, on May 3. However, he is not expected to join on-the-ground stumping. Party chief spokesperson Park Sung-hoon said the decision reflected a strategic judgment that adding unnecessary events after the openings could reduce attention focused on the candidates.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-01 21:00:13
  • Japan Intervenes in FX Market for First Time in 22 Months; Media Estimate 5 Trillion Yen Buy
    Japan Intervenes in FX Market for First Time in 22 Months; Media Estimate 5 Trillion Yen Buy Japan moved to support the yen by intervening in the foreign exchange market, selling U.S. dollars and buying yen. It was Japan’s first market intervention in about 22 months, since July 2024, when the yen-dollar rate rose to 161.7 yen. Kyodo News and other foreign media reported on May 1, citing a Japanese government official, that the government intervened on April 30. Japanese media, based on projections for the Bank of Japan’s current account balances, estimated the yen-buying operation at 5 trillion yen (about 47 trillion won). A Finance Ministry official declined to answer direct questions about intervention. Asked whether the ministry still believes speculative moves are continuing in the currency market, the official said, “Yes.” On cooperation with the United States, the official said Japan is “in close contact, sharing our understanding of the situation and our actions.” A day earlier, Japan’s currency authorities warned that “decisive action” against yen weakness was imminent, saying it was a “final warning.” After the strong verbal warning, the yen strengthened sharply, with the yen-dollar rate falling from around 160 yen to about 155 yen. The rate remained volatile on May 1, trading around 157 yen before slipping back into the 155-yen range around 4 p.m. Japan last intervened in July 2024, when the operation totaled 5.5348 trillion yen (about 52 trillion won) over two days.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-01 19:54:17
  • Korea’s Two Biggest Labor Federations Rally on First Labor Day Holiday, Seek Stronger Rights
    Korea’s Two Biggest Labor Federations Rally on First Labor Day Holiday, Seek Stronger Rights Large labor rallies were held across central Seoul on May 1, Labor Day, as unions marked the first Labor Day since it was designated a public holiday for the first time in 63 years. The country’s two biggest labor federations called for stronger protections for workers’ basic rights. The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) held a Labor Day event in Yeouido, while the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) staged its rally near Gwanghwamun Station. At the FKTU’s “136th World Labor Day Commemoration: National Workers’ Rally,” Chairman Kim Dong-myeong said the spread of artificial intelligence is reshaping jobs and that the climate crisis and industrial transition are changing how people work. He said the federation would pursue a “just transition” in which labor is not excluded and participates in decision-making. KCTU Chairman Yang Kyung-soo, speaking at the “2026 World Labor Day Rally,” said Labor Day had “regained its name,” but added, “I couldn’t come with an unconditionally happy heart.” He called for basic labor rights to be guaranteed through laws and institutions and urged workers to unite through unions to withstand what he described as capital’s offensive. The KCTU also issued a resolution saying the rights guaranteed under the constitution’s three basic labor rights, the Labor Standards Act and the Trade Union Act are not properly ensured for more than 10 million nonregular workers. It said it would push to make a general strike in July a success and to win direct bargaining with prime contractors.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-01 18:21:17
  • Crowds Jam Seoul, Highways and Incheon Airport as 5-Day Holiday Begins; Pokemon Event Halted
    Crowds Jam Seoul, Highways and Incheon Airport as 5-Day Holiday Begins; Pokemon Event Halted Crowds surged across Seoul, on expressways and at Incheon International Airport on the first day of a holiday stretch that can run as long as five days. In Seongsu-dong in Seoul’s Seongdong district, a 30th anniversary event for the Japanese anime and game franchise “Pokemon” drew such heavy foot traffic that police and firefighters were dispatched over safety concerns. According to the game industry, Pokemon Korea opened “Pokemon Mega Festa 2026” in the Seongsu area to mark the 30th anniversary of “Pokemonster.” Large crowds arrived early, and with Seongsu already busy on weekends, the influx intensified congestion. At one point, the Seoul city government estimated about 40,000 people in the Seongsu cafe street area. Police received multiple reports warning that the crowd could lead to an accident. No injuries were reported, but organizers canceled events in stages starting around noon to prevent accidents. When the planned distribution of commemorative gifts was also halted, some visitors who had waited for a long time protested at the site. Pokemon Korea said on its official social media accounts, “The event has been canceled for on-site safety reasons,” adding that it would provide the gifts online later. It urged those who meet the requirements to “go home without worry.” Holiday travel also brought heavy congestion on highways nationwide. At one point in the morning, the estimated travel time from Seoul to Busan rose to as much as 8 hours 40 minutes. The Korea Expressway Corp. had forecast 6.05 million vehicles on expressways nationwide for the day. With more overseas travelers, long lines formed for boarding procedures at Incheon International Airport. The government projected about 1.3 million people would pass through the airport from the previous day through Children’s Day on May 5. With nearby countries including Japan and China also observing holiday periods this weekend, more international travelers are expected to enter South Korea via Incheon, the report said. A Justice Ministry official said authorities will implement special staffing measures for immigration screening to prepare for a sharp rise in travelers. The official said major departure screening areas will open 30 minutes earlier, and special mobile teams and emergency standby units will be assigned to support immigration processing.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-01 17:54:20
  • Investigators Suspect Gas Explosion in Uiwang Apartment Fire That Killed 2
    Investigators Suspect Gas Explosion in Uiwang Apartment Fire That Killed 2 Authorities said a gas explosion is the leading suspected cause of an apartment fire in Uiwang, south of Seoul, that killed two people and injured six others. Police, fire officials and the National Forensic Service inspected the unit on the 14th floor where the fire started and confirmed the kitchen gas valve was open, officials said. With no flammable materials found at the scene, they are presuming the blaze was triggered by a gas explosion. The fire broke out with an explosion about 10:30 a.m. the previous day in the 20-story apartment building with one basement level. A man in his 60s who lived in the 14th-floor unit, identified only as A, died after falling. His wife, in her 50s, was found dead in a bathroom. Authorities believe she had already died before the fire. Six other residents suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation. After receiving the report, fire authorities issued a Level 1 response and deployed about 30 pieces of equipment and about 110 personnel. The fire was fully extinguished about two hours later, at 12:35 p.m. A note was reportedly found on A’s clothing describing personal despair, including financial hardship.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-01 16:57:07