Journalist

Kim Bongcheol
  • Korea and India to elevate ties to entirely new level
    Korea and India to elevate ties to "entirely new level" SEOUL, April 20 (AJP) -South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Seoul and India are entering “an entirely new level” in bilateral ties, positioning each other as “the most critical strategic partners” as global supply chains fracture under prolonged geopolitical shocks stemming from the Middle East conflict. Speaking at a dinner meeting with the Korean community in New Delhi Sunday, Lee framed his state visit as a turning point in bilateral ties, signaling a shift toward deeper cooperation in supply chains, energy security and advanced manufacturing. “With supply chain instability and global economic crises becoming structural amid the fallout of the Middle East war, Korea and India are in a position to become indispensable partners to one another,” Lee said. He expressed confidence that his summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would elevate the relationship “to an entirely new level,” underscoring India’s emergence not merely as a consumer market but as a central node in global production and supply networks. Lee highlighted structural parallels between the two economies, noting that both rely heavily on imported raw materials and energy — a shared vulnerability that opens space for strategic cooperation in securing stable supply chains. The visit marks the first state trip by a South Korean leader to India in eight years and is widely seen as part of Seoul’s broader push to deepen engagement with the Global South while recalibrating its economic and security posture. Lee also struck a symbolic note, referencing Korean novelist Choi In-hoon’s “The Square,” drawing parallels between the Korean Peninsula’s division and the diasporic Korean experience in India. He praised the local Korean community as a model for peaceful coexistence and future reunification. Earlier in the day, Lee met Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who emphasized the need to turn global instability into an opportunity to further solidify bilateral ties. Accompanying the president is a large business delegation of around 200 executives, including top conglomerate leaders such as Lee Jae-yong, Chung Eui-sun and Koo Kwang-mo, signaling the strong commercial focus of the trip. The delegation is expected to participate in business forums and sign memorandums of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation in semiconductors, green energy, infrastructure and defense manufacturing. Following his India leg, Lee will travel to Vietnam, where South Korean firms have built extensive manufacturing bases, making it Seoul’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States. The twin visits reflect South Korea’s strategic intent to diversify economic partnerships and reduce exposure to geopolitical chokepoints, particularly as energy and logistics disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz continue to ripple through global markets. 2026-04-20 07:26:55
  • South Korea secures additional crude oil, naphtha through alternative routes
    South Korea secures additional crude oil, naphtha through alternative routes SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - South Korea has secured 273 million barrels of crude oil by the end of this year, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said on Wednesday. At a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Kang, who just returned from a weeklong trip to Kazakhstan, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, said the country has reached a deal to secure additional crude oil, including up to 2.1 million tons of naphtha, by the end of this year. "Compared to consumption levels last year, the 273 million barrels of crude oil are sufficient to sustain more than three months without any additional emergency measures, and 2.1 million tons of naphtha are equivalent to about one month's supply," Kang said. "The procurement of additional crude oil and naphtha will be imported through alternative routes that would not be affected by whether the Strait of Hormuz is closed or reopened," he said, adding, "We expect this to help stabilize domestic supply and prevent supply disruptions." He also revealed that there were discussions about a plan to establish oil storage facilities outside the strait, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply, to ensure a more secure supply chain. 2026-04-15 15:26:35
  • South Korea, Poland agree to further deepen ties beyond defense cooperation
    South Korea, Poland agree to further deepen ties beyond defense cooperation SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - South Korea and Poland on Monday agreed to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" and pledged to expand cooperation in the defense industry and other areas. "South Korea has global competitiveness across a range of industries, while Poland is strong in basic science and technology and has geographic advantages and a skilled workforce. If these strengths are combined in a mutually beneficial way, a new horizon for bilateral cooperation will open," Lee said during a meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Monday. Lee then said the two countries' defense ties have deepened enough to sign a massive deal worth US$44.2 billion in 2022. Citing South Korea's homegrown weapons such as K2 battle tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers, Lee said they are helping protect Poland's territory and people. But he said, "Defense cooperation between the two countries does not mean simple purchase deals of weapons," adding that the two leaders vowed to broaden cooperation beyond defense to include exchanges in various sectors including advanced industries, science and technology, space, energy, and infrastructure. Economic and industrial cooperation is already expanding, with South Korean battery companies operating in Poland now pursuing entry into the energy storage system market as they diversify their businesses there. The two sides also agreed to expand joint research, exchanges and government-level support in areas including hydrogen, nanomaterials and space, as well as major infrastructure projects such as a new airport link and the replacement of Warsaw's tram system. Lee and Tusk also affirmed their resolve to work together for global peace and prosperity, addressing that security on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe is closely linked, and agreed to continue cooperation to cope with supply chain disruptions caused by the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. Monday's meeting marks the first visit by a Polish leader to South Korea in 27 years and Tusk's first trip to a non-European country since taking office in December 2023. Lee said Tusk's visit is a "new milestone" in bilateral ties since South Korea and Poland established diplomatic relations in 1989. After the summit, Lee and Tusk attended a luncheon that also included key business leaders from the defense sector, such as Lee Yong-bae, CEO of Hyundai Rotem; Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems; and Kim Jong-chul, CEO of Korea Aerospace Industries. 2026-04-13 15:01:49
  • Lee set to hold first summit in decades with Polish leader to boost defense cooperation
    Lee set to hold first summit in decades with Polish leader to boost defense cooperation SEOUL, April 13 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is set to hold talks with Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Monday. The first meeting between the two leaders also marks the first visit by a Polish leader in 27 years and Tusk's first trip to a non-European country since taking office in December 2023. Tusk, who arrived in South Korea on Sunday for a two-day visit at Lee's invitation, is scheduled to hold talks with Lee, followed by expanded discussions with key officials, a joint press statement, and an official luncheon. During the meeting, the two leaders are expected to discuss their strategic partnership across a range of areas including growing cooperation in the defense industry. In December last year, the two countries signed an additional contract worth 5.6 trillion Korean won (about US$3.73 billion) for Chunmoo, South Korea's homegrown multiple rocket launch system (MLRS) developed by Hanwha Aerospace. Lee and Tusk are also expected to address pressing global challenges including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, given Poland's role as a key member of both the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 2026-04-13 09:05:01
  • Lee to meet Polish PM in Seoul next week
    Lee to meet Polish PM in Seoul next week SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will hold a meeting with Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk next week, Cheong Wa Dae said on Friday. In a written press briefing, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Tusk is scheduled to arrive in Seoul on Sunday for talks with Lee. It will be the first visit by a Polish leader in 27 years and Tusk's first trip to a non-European country since taking office in December 2023. Lee and Tusk will sit down for talks on Monday, followed by an official luncheon. The two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, while highlighting bilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges including the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. Poland, a key member state of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is one of central Europe's major economies and a strategic gateway to the European market. Thanks to its strategic geopolitical location between western and eastern Europe, Poland has emerged as a key production and investment hub, while also expanding its presence in future-oriented industries. South Korea and Poland have strengthened cooperation in the defense sector in recent years. With growing economic and trade relations between the two countries, about 400 South Korean companies operate in Poland, mainly in batteries and auto parts for electric vehicles, while people-to-people exchanges reach about 100,000 per year. Kang said Tusk's visit is expected to help advance bilateral relations, which have steadily developed since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1989, toward a more future-oriented and strategic partnership. 2026-04-10 10:57:02
  • Lee set to hold talks with former Japanese PM in Seoul
    Lee set to hold talks with former Japanese PM in Seoul SEOUL, April 8 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is set to have lunch with former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Seoul on Wednesday. According to Cheong Wa Dae, the two leaders are expected to exchange views and discuss various topics including bilateral relations between the neighboring countries, as well as global issues amid the prolonged Middle East crisis. Ishiba, who arrived in Seoul the previous day to attend a forum at Grand Hyatt Seoul hosted by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, delivered a keynote speech earlier in the day. Lee held three summits with Ishiba while he was in office. They first met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada in June last year, followed by talks in Tokyo in August and Busan in September. 2026-04-08 10:44:12
  • Lee congratulates Thai PM on reelection
    Lee congratulates Thai PM on reelection SEOUL, April 8 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung spoke by phone with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Wednesday to congratulate him on his reelection, Cheong Wa Dae said on Wednesday. The call, which was made the previous day, came after Anutin, who led the conservative Bhumjaithai Party to a landslide victory in Thailand's general election last February, was reelected as the country's prime minister on March 19. He became the first Thai prime minister to win a second term in 20 years, since former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Anutin first took the post in September 2025. During their conversation, Lee said he expects that the two countries will work closely while expanding cooperation as uncertainty persists in global energy supply chains. He also pledged South Korea would remain a reliable partner for Thailand to pursue shared prosperity. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Lee also said he hoped Thailand would remain stable and achieve its economic goals under Anutin's "outstanding leadership." Earlier in the day, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing that Lee and Anutin agreed to work together to reach an early agreement on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a broad free trade pact that seeks to address trade issues beyond conventional tariff cuts. 2026-04-08 09:20:27
  • Lee urges bipartisan unity, defends extra budget in meeting with party leaders
    Lee urges bipartisan unity, defends extra budget in meeting with party leaders SEOUL, April 7 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung met with leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties on Tuesday, urging bipartisan cooperation and national unity as South Korea faces a major crisis amid the prolonged conflit in the Middle East. At a luncheon meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, Lee said, "Internal unity is especially important when a country faces a crisis." He added that South Korea is in a "major crisis" caused by external factors beyond its control, making it difficult to respond effectively. It was the first time Lee sat down with Jung Chung-rae of the ruling Democratic Party (DP)and PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) since their last meeting in September last year. "When we have different views, it's better to meet and talk often," Lee said, adding, "We're not doing this just for a photo-op." Lee then emphasized the need for a supplementary budget, saying it would help ease the burden on those hit hardest by soaring fuel prices. Under the government's 26 trillion won (about US$17 billion) proposal, cash handouts would be provided to those in the bottom 70 percent of the income bracket. He said the funding would come not from new debt or tax hikes, but from higher-than-expected tax revenue. Mindful of criticism that the cash handouts are a populist move to woo voters ahead of local elections scheduled for early June, he said taxpayers' money should be used "fairly and reasonably," adding that the government considers them the most effective form of support. Ahead of the meeting, presidential policy chief Kim Yong‑beom said the proposal was prepared urgently to cope with the Middle East crisis that began with U.S.‑led airstrikes against Iran in late February, but dismissed the possibility of another extra budget. 2026-04-07 17:37:43
  • Lee set to meet ruling, opposition party leaders over lunch
    Lee set to meet ruling, opposition party leaders over lunch SEOUL, April 7 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is set to meet with leaders of both the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul on Tuesday to discuss measures to cope with the deepening Middle East crisis. Lee is scheduled to hold a luncheon meeting with DP leader Jung Chung-rae and PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok. The meeting comes roughly seven months after the last one held in September last year and about two months after a similar gathering fell through in February, when Jang declined to attend at the last minute. Also expected to attend are the two main parties' floor leaders Han Byung-do and Song Eon-seog, as well as Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, and senior presidential secretary for political affairs Hong Ik-pyo. With no specific agenda set for the meeting, talks are likely to cover various issues, with Lee expected to seek cooperation on the passage of a supplementary budget proposal worth 26 trillion won (US$17 billion) including cash handouts, in the National Assembly. The DP says the supplementary budget is necessary to support people's livelihoods, while the PPP is criticizing it as a populist move to woo voters ahead of local elections scheduled for June 3. 2026-04-07 10:06:37
  • Lee expresses regret over civilian drone incursions into North Korea
    Lee expresses regret over civilian drone incursions into North Korea SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Monday expressed "regret" over civilian drone incursions into North Korea, saying they fueled unnecessary military tensions between the two Koreas. His remarks came during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, after prosecutors last week indicted three individuals including a graduate student in his 30s, a military officer and an intelligence agency employee, accused of flying drones into North Korea between last September and January this year. "It is deeply regrettable that some people's irresponsible actions caused unnecessary military tensions," Lee said, adding that, under the law, civilians are prohibited from engaging in acts that could provoke North Korea. It was the first time Lee officially expressed regret over these incidents, although he had previously criticized them on several occasions. Offering consolation to residents in border areas, whose concerns would have been especially high, Lee urged relevant ministries to take immediate measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again. North Korea has repeatedly complained that drones from South Korea violated its airspace. 2026-04-06 15:44:54