Journalist

Chang Moon-ki
  • Reform New Party’s Cho Eung-cheon Announces Run for Gyeonggi Governor
    Reform New Party’s Cho Eung-cheon Announces Run for Gyeonggi Governor Cho Eung-cheon, a former Reform New Party lawmaker, announced on the 27th that he will run for Gyeonggi governor in the June 3 local elections. In a Facebook post, Cho declared his candidacy, saying, “Other than the candidates from the two entrenched parties who I just can’t bring myself to support, I’m the only person I truly want to vote for.” He said he had “hesitated for a long time and thought hard,” arguing that while the two major parties “fight while only paying lip service to people’s livelihoods,” the 14 million residents of Gyeonggi have been forced into “the life of an ‘egg white’ surrounding Seoul.” Cho added that he understands “what the problems are,” saying he has served as a Democratic Party lawmaker and also held a role under a conservative administration. “I’m running for Gyeonggi governor. Cho Eung-cheon will do it,” he wrote. A former prosecutor, Cho served as senior presidential secretary for public service discipline at the Blue House under the Park Geun-hye government. He was elected to the 20th and 21st National Assembly as a member of the Democratic Party, then left the party after conflicts with the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction. He switched to the Reform New Party in 2024 and ran in that year’s 22nd general election but lost. With Cho formalizing his bid, the Gyeonggi governor’s race is increasingly likely to take shape as a three-way contest. The Democratic Party has selected Rep. Choo Mi-ae as its candidate, and the People Power Party is set to decide its nominee on May 2. Because the People Power Party and the Reform New Party are both generally classified as conservative, concerns have been raised that conservative votes could split, fueling talk of a possible future unification of candidates.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 09:31:59
  • Choo Kyung-ho Picked as People Power Party’s Daegu Mayor Candidate, to Face Kim Boo-kyum
    Choo Kyung-ho Picked as People Power Party’s Daegu Mayor Candidate, to Face Kim Boo-kyum Rep. Choo Kyung-ho has been selected as the People Power Party’s candidate for Daegu mayor in the June 3 local elections, setting up a matchup with Democratic Party candidate Kim Boo-kyum, a former prime minister. The party’s central nomination committee announced April 26 that Choo won the primary held April 24-25. Speaking at a news conference at the party’s Daegu office in Suseong District, Choo said, “The competition is over. From this moment, we’re one team,” adding that he would “set aside small differences” to pursue “a major conservative unity and a major Daegu unity.” Introducing himself as “Choo Kyung-ho, a professional economy mayor who can be deployed from day one,” he said, “I will answer with the economy,” and vowed to “stay sharp and focused.” Addressing Kim, Choo said key tasks such as Daegu-North Gyeongsang integration should move forward “without wavering” regardless of who wins. He proposed forming a joint consultative body for Daegu’s economic development with participation from both the People Power Party and the Democratic Party to build a framework for “sustainable Daegu development” beyond administrations and parties. Observers said the race could reach a turning point as conservatives rally behind a single candidate. Rep. Joo Ho-young and former Korea Communications Commission Chair Lee Jin-sook, who had signaled independent bids after being cut from the nomination process, announced they would not run on April 23 and April 25, respectively. Lee, in tears, said she would support the People Power Party’s Daegu mayoral candidate, a move seen as helping consolidate conservative support. A poll commissioned by KBS Daegu and conducted by Hankook Research on April 20-22 among 800 Daegu residents age 18 and older, using wireless phone interviews, showed Kim at 43% and Choo at 26% in a head-to-head matchup. Details are available on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission. Analysts said Choo appeared to trail at the time, but noted the poll preceded the withdrawals and Choo’s nomination. As conservatives unified in Daegu, Democratic Party leaders also traveled to the city to back Kim. Party leader Jung Cheong-rae and policy chief Han Jeong-ae attended the opening of Kim’s campaign office. Kim presented a vision for Daegu in the era of artificial intelligence and robotics, saying the city has “top-level traditional manufacturing” but has struggled as times changed. He said combining that capacity with AI and robots would make Daegu a “digital industrialization hub.” Separately, the People Power Party’s nomination committee on April 26 approved a single-candidate recommendation of former lawmaker Yoo Eui-dong for the June 3 parliamentary by-election in Pyeongtaek-eul, Gyeonggi Province. Yoo is set to face Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, who has declared his candidacy.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-26 17:36:17
  • PPP Picks Choo Kyung-ho as Daegu Mayor Candidate; Yoo Eui-dong Sole Nominee in Pyeongtaek-eul
    PPP Picks Choo Kyung-ho as Daegu Mayor Candidate; Yoo Eui-dong Sole Nominee in Pyeongtaek-eul Rep. Choo Kyung-ho has been selected as the People Power Party’s candidate for Daegu mayor in the June 3 local elections. The party’s nomination committee also decided to make former lawmaker Yoo Eui-dong its sole recommended candidate in the Pyeongtaek-eul district in Gyeonggi Province for a special election to be held alongside the local vote. Nomination committee chair Park Deok-heum announced the results at a briefing April 26 after a committee meeting, saying, “As a result of the primary, candidate Choo Kyung-ho was selected as the People Power Party’s Daegu mayoral candidate.” Park added, “We resolved to make candidate Yoo Eui-dong our sole recommendation for the Pyeongtaek-eul by-election,” and said Yoo is “the best fit” to lead Pyeongtaek’s next step, citing his policy experience, including as the party’s policy committee chair, and his three-term legislative career. With the committee’s decision, the Daegu mayoral race will pit Choo against Kim Boo-kyum, a former prime minister. The Pyeongtaek-eul seat is also where Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, has declared his candidacy. Park said the party will, in principle, hold primaries to pick candidates in nine districts where vacancies will be created because incumbent lawmakers are running in the local elections. A total of nine sitting lawmakers — including Choo and eight lawmakers nominated by the Democratic Party for metropolitan-level chief executive posts — are expected to resign their National Assembly seats within this month to run. Separately, the nomination committee said it will reopen applications for the Incheon Gyeyang-eul parliamentary by-election. Applications will be accepted April 27-28, followed by candidate interviews on April 29. 2026-04-26 12:21:17
  • South Korea’s parliament passes 103 bills, including tenant fraud relief and expanded infertility leave
    South Korea’s parliament passes 103 bills, including tenant fraud relief and expanded infertility leave South Korea’s National Assembly on the 23rd passed a package of measures to strengthen protections for victims of rental fraud, including a legal basis to support tenants whose recovered deposits fall short of a minimum guaranteed amount. Lawmakers approved revisions to the Act on Support for Victims of Rental Fraud and Housing Stability by unanimous consent of the 182 members present. Under the changes, if the amount a tenant recovers by exercising opposability rights or priority repayment rights does not reach the minimum guaranteed level, the shortfall can be supported. The Assembly passed a total of 103 noncontroversial bills at the plenary session. Among them was the bill on the establishment and operation of a National Graduate Medical School, creating a legal basis to set up a national institution to train personnel for public health and medical services. The bill requires graduates to serve in the public medical sector for 15 years after obtaining a medical license. Ruling and opposition parties also revised the Equal Employment Opportunity and Work-Family Balance Assistance Act and the Employment Insurance Act to expand paid leave for infertility treatment to four days from the current two. To prevent consumers from being misled by unfair advertising using artificial intelligence, lawmakers revised the Cosmetics Act, the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods, and the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. The plenary session also passed revisions to the Act on the Protection and Support of Small Business Owners to provide a basis for supporting closed small businesses, including management, legal and tax consulting. Another bill established a comprehensive management framework to foster the used-battery industry. Other measures approved included revisions to the Narcotics Control Act to allow undercover or identity-concealed investigations into drug crimes; revisions to the law on exercising sovereign rights over foreign fishing in the exclusive economic zone to sharply raise fines for foreign vessels caught fishing illegally; and a bill on guaranteeing the rights of people with disabilities that spells out dignity and equality rights. Lawmakers also passed revisions to the special act on establishing Sejong Special Self-Governing City, raising the share of proportional-representation seats in the city council to 14% from 10% relative to district seats. The Assembly also completed the lineup for the third Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which investigates past incidents. Lee Ho-jung, a professor at Sogang University Law School recommended by the Democratic Party, and Jang Young-soo, an emeritus professor at Korea University Law School recommended by the People Power Party, were appointed as standing commissioners. Nonstanding commissioners recommended by the Democratic Party were attorney Kim Young-joo of Law Firm Jihyang, activist Kim Jeong-ha of Disability and Human Rights Action Balbadak, and Jeong Won-ok, head of the Cultural and Social Research Institute. Those recommended by the People Power Party were attorney Kim Ung-gi of Sein Partners, Lee Dong-wook, a former member of the May 18 Democratization Movement Fact-Finding Commission, and attorney Choi Chang-ho of Jeongron. The Assembly also approved Lee Hyun-joo, head of the Park Jong-chul Center, recommended by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, and Park Rae-gun, a director at the Human Rights Foundation Saram, recommended by the Basic Income Party representing non-negotiating parties. Including the 10 members elected on the 23rd, the commission will have 13 members: Chair Song Sang-gyo, standing commissioner Kim Gwi-ok and nonstanding commissioner Park Gu-byeong, all designated by President Lee Jae-myung, along with the newly selected members.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 18:55:13
  • South Korea’s People Power Party Moves to Seek Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young’s Dismissal
    South Korea’s People Power Party Moves to Seek Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young’s Dismissal South Korea’s People Power Party decided to make it party policy to submit a National Assembly motion recommending the dismissal of Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young over his remarks about a “North Korean Kusong nuclear facility.” The party said the comments could damage trust between South Korea and the United States. The party adopted the plan at a lawmakers’ meeting on the 23rd at the National Assembly. Afterward, party leader Jang Dong-hyeok convened a closed-door meeting with People Power Party lawmakers who chair the Assembly’s foreign affairs and unification, defense and intelligence committees. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Jang said Jeong was committing a “serious act of self-harm” to diplomacy and security by leaking information. “I think this is a matter that warrants impeachment, but we agreed first to submit a dismissal motion as party policy,” he said. Floor leader Song Eon-seok, who had called a day earlier for Jeong to be replaced, again urged his dismissal. Intelligence Committee Chairman Shin Seong-beom said a minister’s remarks carry different weight than comments by private institutions or researchers. “Personally, I think Jeong’s repeated remarks about North Korea’s nuclear program may have raised doubts on the U.S. side,” Shin said. Defense Committee Chairman Seong Il-jong said it was a serious problem that trust in the South Korea-U.S. alliance had been shaken. He said the committee held a full meeting that morning, but the Democratic Party did not attend. “It’s very regrettable. We recessed rather than adjourned so they can still come in,” he said. Jeong rejected the party’s criticism as political and harmful to the national interest. Speaking to reporters at Cheondogyo’s Suun Hall in Seoul’s Jongno district, he said those who stirred the issue likely had their own motives. “It may be entertaining to keep amplifying the controversy, but it will harm the national interest,” he said. Jeong said it was not the first time the United States had limited intelligence sharing on North Korea, but the dispute was being portrayed as an “unprecedented situation.” He also said the place name “Kusong” had been mentioned in a U.S. congressional report. “The essence is that the North Korean nuclear issue is serious,” he said, adding that sanctions, pressure and blockade have not worked and that a shift to dialogue and negotiations is needed.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 17:19:13
  • Uijeongbu mayoral hopeful Kim Won-gi faces plagiarism allegations over Ph.D. thesis
    Uijeongbu mayoral hopeful Kim Won-gi faces plagiarism allegations over Ph.D. thesis Kim Won-gi, a Democratic Party of Korea preliminary candidate in the Uijeongbu mayoral race in Gyeonggi province, is facing allegations that he plagiarized his Ph.D. dissertation. If the claims are confirmed, they could expand into questions about his qualifications and ethics. According to reporting by Aju Business Daily on Wednesday, Kim’s 2011 doctoral dissertation, submitted to the graduate school of Konyang University, showed a 22% plagiarism rate in the plagiarism-checking program CopyKiller Campus. While direct comparisons with standards from 15 years ago are difficult, recent practice generally treats similarity rates above 20% as grounds for failing a thesis. Aju Business Daily said it compared the dissertation with another Ph.D. dissertation submitted to the same graduate school in 2010 and found multiple similarities under review criteria including research independence, originality of academic contribution, distinction from prior studies and whether the works are substantially identical. The report cited structural similarities in research conditions and the flow of argument, overlap in key theories and concept definitions, repeated use of research design and analytical frameworks, and recurring phrasing and narrative style. It said the number of similar sentences and descriptions raised concerns that the overlap went beyond ordinary citation. It also pointed to survey questions that were largely identical and to some survey items and analysis that were used in the same or similar form without separate notes or source citations. A professor who teaches at a university in Seoul said, “Rules differ by school, but for academic journals it is generally required that the plagiarism rate be under 9%,” adding, “Even considering various circumstances, 22% appears high.” The allegations have fueled debate in parts of academia over whether the dissertation meets the requirements of an independent study. They have also raised questions about whether political parties are adequately checking degrees and research ethics as they vet preliminary candidates for the June 3 local elections, with some warning that superficial screening could lead to repeated controversies. Aju Business Daily said it repeatedly tried to reach Kim’s camp for comment but was unable to make contact.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 16:24:21
  • People Power Party Faces Internal Calls for Jang Dong-hyeok to Step Down Amid U.S. Trip Controversy
    People Power Party Faces Internal Calls for Jang Dong-hyeok to Step Down Amid U.S. Trip Controversy Two days after returning from a trip to the United States, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok is still facing controversy, with some in his party continuing to press—directly and indirectly—for his resignation. Jang has sought to shift attention to the South Korea-U.S. alliance, but the party has struggled to unify and focus its efforts ahead of the June 3 nationwide local elections and other contests. In a Facebook post on April 22, Jang wrote that the United States is asking, “Are you coming with us or not?” He added that saying “thank you” in front while saying “xie xie” behind would “wreck” both the economy and national security. The message was widely read as a warning that a misstep in foreign policy amid a rapidly changing international order could cost South Korea on both fronts. Jang also said that during his U.S. visit, American figures asked, “Why is the South Korean government discriminating against U.S. companies, its ally, and trying to align with Chinese companies?” A day earlier, Jang posted that President Lee Jae-myung was effectively preparing to “decide to break up” with the United States. He also uploaded a photo of President Donald Trump that the White House had posted on social media when the United States captured and transferred Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Inside the party, some lawmakers said they do not understand Jang’s overseas push. A first-term lawmaker said it was unclear how the U.S. trip connected to the local elections or how the delegation was chosen, adding that if many in the organization cannot understand it, Jang should explain rather than vaguely saying he cannot discuss it “as a matter of precedent.” Calls for Jang to take responsibility have also surfaced publicly. Kim Jin-tae, the People Power Party’s candidate for Gangwon governor and the incumbent governor, urged Jang to “resolve what you started” when Jang visited Yangyang County on April 22—remarks that could be interpreted as a demand for Jang to step back or resign. Jang responded by deflecting, saying he did not know what Kim meant by the phrase. Compounding the pressure, the Democratic Party has again hinted it could take all National Assembly standing committee posts in the second half of the parliamentary term. Floor leader Han Byung-do said at a resignation news conference the previous day that allocating committee chairmanships is meant to ensure competition and balance, but if chairmanships are used as a tool for political conflict, the allocation itself becomes meaningless. The remarks were seen as signaling that if he wins another term as floor leader, the party would regroup after the parliamentary by-elections and restart what it calls a “working National Assembly.” Critics inside and outside the People Power Party say the “Jang Dong-hyeok leadership” is now beset by both internal strife and external pressure, with neither steady leadership nor party unity in evidence. The party has struggled to manage a string of conservative figures running as independents in Daegu and Busan, and it has not settled internal debate over calls to field no candidate in Busan Buk-gap. With the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections 42 days away, concerns are growing that the party must concentrate its resources on the campaigns. A political source said those working on the ground in the elections are likely “on edge,” adding that the party appears to remain unsettled despite the looming votes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 18:54:23
  • PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Calls for Major Shift in Housing Policy, Urges Unification Minister’s Dismissal
    PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Calls for Major Shift in Housing Policy, Urges Unification Minister’s Dismissal Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, on the 22nd took aim at what he called risks tied to the Lee Jae-myung government’s real estate policy and Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young. He urged a fundamental shift in housing policy and called for Jeong’s immediate dismissal. At a news conference at the National Assembly, Song said the government’s efforts to curb housing demand have reduced listings and transactions and produced “various side effects.” He pointed to the period after the government tightened household lending rules in the so-called June 27 measures last year. Over the following nine months, Seoul’s apartment sales price index rose 11.1%, more than double the 4.9% increase in the nine months before the rules were tightened, he said. Over the same period, Seoul’s jeonse supply-demand index and monthly rent price index rose 18.1% and 5.8%, respectively, which he said signaled a sharp deterioration in rental-market indicators. “In a market structure of demand suppression, delayed supply and weakened transactions, we are only seeing adverse effects: higher prices, fewer jeonse leases and heavier monthly rent burdens,” Song said. He added that “balloon effects” were spreading beyond Gangnam to areas such as Dongjak, Seodaemun and Gangseo, and into nearby cities including Gwangmyeong, Seongnam and Hanam. Song called for a major easing of loan restrictions for would-be homeowners without a house, and for withdrawing what he described as signals that fuel instability, including abolishing long-term holding tax deductions and strengthening property holding taxes. He also urged supply measures such as speeding up redevelopment of multi-family homes in central areas and easing regulations in height-restricted zones. The People Power Party said it plans to pursue an expanded supply policy in Seoul if Oh Se-hoon, its candidate for Seoul mayor in the June 3 local elections, wins, aiming to enable groundbreaking for 310,000 housing units in the city by 2031. Song also demanded personnel action against Jeong over remarks about “North Korea’s constituent nuclear facilities.” “A minister should not make uncertain statements based on claims raised in the private sector,” Song said, adding that only officially recognized information should be cited. He said Jeong had ended up acting “not as the Republic of Korea’s unification minister, but like North Korea’s United Front Department minister.” Song called on the government to disclose in detail whether the commander of U.S. Forces Korea and a U.S. assistant secretary of state visited South Korea’s defense and foreign ministries, respectively, to protest Jeong’s remarks. “This issue will not be resolved by blindly defending Minister Jeong,” Song said. “He should be dismissed immediately.” Lawmakers from the People Power Party on the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee also held a separate news conference, calling for an emergency committee inquiry, Jeong’s immediate removal, and efforts to restore the South Korea-U.S. alliance and normalize diplomacy and security policy. Rep. Kim Geon, a former diplomat, told reporters afterward that when citing private-sector claims, a minister must be clear, but Jeong spoke as if it were an objective fact. He said imprecision in discussing intelligence was a serious problem. Separately, asked about calls in some quarters for an early floor leader election, Song said the party should focus its strength on key tasks such as nominating candidates for National Assembly by-elections held alongside the local elections. He said he would serve out his term and devote his remaining time to winning the elections.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 16:06:25
  • PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Visits Fasting Lawmaker Ahn Ho-young, Urges Him to Stop
    PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Visits Fasting Lawmaker Ahn Ho-young, Urges Him to Stop Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, visited Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Ho-young on the 22nd and urged him to end his hunger strike, saying, “You need to be healthy first. Please get up soon.” Song went with Yoo Sang-beom, the PPP’s senior deputy floor leader for parliamentary operations, to Ahn’s protest site outside the National Assembly, where Ahn has been on a hunger strike for 12 days. Song, looking grim, sat at the site, held Ahn’s hand and spoke with him for about two minutes. Ahn greeted them while lying down, unable to get up. Afterward, Song told reporters he came “as a fellow lawmaker and as the head of a negotiating bloc” to pay a visit and offer encouragement. He said they discussed that Ahn needs to protect his health “to do bigger politics” and to work together on politics that can “set South Korea on the right path.” Ahn began the hunger strike on the 11th, demanding a renewed internal audit into allegations that Rep. Lee Won-taek covered meal expenses during the party’s primary for North Jeolla Province governor. As the strike has continued for more than 10 days, figures from both parties have visited the site. The day before, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik visited and urged Ahn to end the fast.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 12:33:19
  • Ruling, opposition parties clash at probe hearing; discipline motion and perjury complaints loom
    Ruling, opposition parties clash at probe hearing; discipline motion and perjury complaints loom Rival parties traded accusations April 21 at the National Assembly’s special committee investigating allegations of politically motivated, fabricated prosecutions under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, as the dispute widened to include a threatened discipline motion and planned perjury complaints. The committee held a plenary meeting and conducted hearings on prosecutions tied to the West Sea civil servant shooting, alleged manipulation of statistics and alleged false reporting that defamed Yoon Suk Yeol. Democratic Party lawmakers argued prosecutors had become “the private property” of Yoon and pursued investigations with President Lee Jae-myung as their target. People Power Party lawmakers countered that Democrats were treating claims by criminals as unquestionable. Democratic Party lawmaker Yang Bu-nam, speaking about the investigation into the alleged defamation of Yoon, said prosecutors “drew a picture that the president was at the apex of the false reporting and launched a sweeping investigation,” calling it “decisive evidence that the prosecution became Yoon Suk Yeol’s private property.” People Power Party lawmaker Shin Dong-wook said, “Democratic Party lawmakers are turning people who committed crimes into prisoners of conscience, and their claims are being treated like gospel.” The sides also clashed over allegations that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport manipulated housing statistics under the Moon Jae-in government. A ministry official appearing as a reference witness said that during a Board of Audit and Inspection review after the Yoon government took office, the official “was shown other people’s Q&A sheets and led through a process that induced answers agreeing with them.” People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won pushed back, citing a social media chat among Korea Real Estate Board employees that included messages such as “Do it well to suit BH (the Blue House) tastes,” and said, “It’s all there about manipulating home-price statistics, and now you’re calling it a fabricated investigation and a pressured audit?” Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Ju-hee said she would introduce a motion to discipline Shin, accusing him of disrupting proceedings “with shouting and harsh language” despite warnings from the chair. Shin responded that the committee was not operating normally on matters such as procedure and selecting witnesses, and said he was trying to ensure it functioned properly “even if that means disrupting proceedings.” Later the same day, People Power Party members of the committee held a news conference and said they would file perjury complaints against National Intelligence Service Director Lee Jong-seok and five others. Rep. Kim Hyung-dong said they had “blatantly denied even facts recognized by final court rulings” and “misled” the committee by portraying existing evidence as if it did not exist, calling it “clear false testimony” and “a serious criminal act that deceives the public.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 21:30:21