AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Lee Da-hui
  • People Power Party Criticizes Jung Won-os Call to Halt GTX Construction
    People Power Party Criticizes Jung Won-o's Call to Halt GTX Construction The People Power Party criticized Jung Won-o, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, for announcing plans to halt construction on the GTX-A line at Samsung Station due to alleged rebar omissions. They labeled his statement as "political manipulation under the guise of safety." Jang Dong-hyuk, the party's representative, made these remarks during a central election campaign meeting in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "Jung should stop inciting fear and engage in discussions instead." Jang further accused Lee Jae-myung of using Jung as a campaigner, saying, "As soon as I called for a thorough investigation into the rebar omissions at Samsung Station, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety rushed in as if they were waiting for my command." He added, "It was the Ministry of Land that suppressed the Seoul city's reports six times. If they are serious about an investigation, they should start with the Ministry of Land, not the city of Seoul." Jang criticized Jung for demanding a halt to construction, asserting that the project is already undergoing reinforcement work after professional reviews and safety checks. He remarked, "Jung is calling for a stop to construction while also threatening to halt the Han River bus service and dismantle the Gwanghwamun Square. This is reminiscent of Park Won-soon’s second term, where he halted projects like the DDP and Sebit Floating Islands." He emphasized, "Returning to a city that farms instead of governing is more unsettling than having a convicted felon as mayor." Song Eon-seok, the party's floor leader, also weighed in on the Samsung Station issue, stating, "Jung's declaration to halt construction is a politically motivated attack on Oh Se-hoon, rather than a responsible administrative decision. A responsible leader would at least examine the situation closely before making such declarations." He warned that prolonged delays in the GTX construction would severely impact commuters from southern Gyeonggi Province traveling to Seoul, questioning whether Choo Mi-ae, who is running for governor of Gyeonggi Province, has discussed this issue with Jung. Song urged Choo to clarify her position on the potential delays in the GTX-A construction and whether she agrees with Jung's call to halt it. He suggested that a thorough discussion in front of the citizens of Seoul and Gyeonggi would be the proper approach to address these concerns. He concluded by criticizing all candidates, including Jung, Choo, and Incheon candidate Park Chan-dae, for avoiding debates, urging them to stop evading discussions and seek the public's judgment through open dialogue.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 15:36:51
  • Park Soo-hyun and Kim Tae-heum Clash in TV Debate for Chungnam Governor
    Park Soo-hyun and Kim Tae-heum Clash in TV Debate for Chungnam Governor During a TV debate for the Chungnam governor election, Park Soo-hyun of the Democratic Party and Kim Tae-heum of the People Power Party engaged in a heated exchange over the failed administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam. Kim criticized Park, stating, "Last year, you said the integration was hasty and unlikely to succeed. Did you change your position only after President Lee Jae-myung suggested it?" In response, Park argued, "You were the one who initially advocated for administrative integration. When the government and the Democratic Party shifted to a supportive stance, you completely reversed your position. It’s like walking away from the table because the side dishes are insufficient." He added, "My stance hasn’t changed; the conditions have changed. With the Lee Jae-myung administration expressing a willingness to transfer financial resources and authority, now is the golden time for integration." The candidates also questioned each other on the feasibility and specifics of their campaign promises regarding the use of the Seonghwan Horse Racing Track, plans for areas affected by the closure of coal-fired power plants, and the power demands of AI data centers. However, as the debate progressed, the focus shifted from policy issues to personal histories and allegations against each candidate. Kim brought up Park's involvement with the UN Habitat Korea Committee, stating, "Although the investigation concluded without charges after several years, there are still aspects that are hard to understand. You claim it was a politically motivated investigation by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, but isn’t it true that a fellow party member, the National Assembly Secretary-General, canceled the corporate registration and referred the case for investigation?" Park countered, asserting, "I bear no legal or moral responsibility. I have never received a single won in salary or even a credit card from that organization; in fact, I invested a lot of my own resources. I have endured significant pain and suffering over the past three years due to this issue, and now the People Power Party is bringing it up again while in power." The candidates also clashed over the proposed special law for the dismissal of charges. Kim accused Park of supporting the law, suggesting that it raises suspicions that the president is trying to eliminate his own legal troubles during his term. Park responded, "Before questioning the dismissal of charges, you should first address the issue of fabricated charges. If there were indeed fabricated charges by the prosecution, I maintain my belief that dismissing those charges is just." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 23:46:12
  • Park Min-sik Rules Out Alliance with Han Dong-hoon in Election Campaign
    Park Min-sik Rules Out Alliance with Han Dong-hoon in Election Campaign Park Min-sik, the People Power Party candidate for the Busan Buk-gap parliamentary by-election, dismissed the possibility of an alliance with other conservative candidates on the first day of his official campaign on May 21. "There will be no alliance. I will go all the way and win for sure," he declared, expressing his determination to complete the race.At the campaign launch held at Ssamji Park in Gupo Market, Park shaved his head and stated, "I will end Han Dong-hoon's predatory and parasitic politics and bring the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung government to its knees." His mother was the one who cut his hair.He emphasized, "This fight is a struggle to end arrogant betrayal politics and to defeat the hypocritical candidates like Ha Jeong-woo and the Lee Jae-myung government. I pledge to the residents that I will win in this critical battle."Targeting independent candidate Han Dong-hoon, he questioned, "Who is this intruder suddenly coming to our Buk-gu to act like the owner? Isn’t he the cruel traitor who imprisoned former President Lee Myung-bak, put former President Park Geun-hye in front of the judicial blade, and turned his back on President Yoon Suk-yeol to bring down the government?"He added, "He has not only driven three conservative presidents to the brink but was also the one who, during the 22nd National Assembly elections, blamed the president and others while leading the party and comrades to a crushing defeat. What did he use to escape from his incompetence and irresponsibility? It was the party members' bulletin board," he pointed out.Regarding the emergency martial law on December 3, he criticized, "He treated party members, who were in despair at the risk of the conservative collapse, as criminals while acting like a savior and treating our party as his trophy. How can such a person now talk about returning to the party? That itself is a disgrace to our conservatism and a deception that leads to its destruction."He warned, "The moment we tolerate Han Dong-hoon, we complete the path of Han Dong-hoon-style conservative devastation, Buk-gu plunder, and Democratic Party parasitism. That is not an alliance but a self-destructive act that hands Buk-gu over to the Democratic Party's Ha Jeong-woo and the Lee Jae-myung government."He concluded, "I, Park Min-sik, will surely win this battle. With my shaved head, filled with my mother's tears and determination, I will walk through the storm without faltering for a moment. I ask for your support."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 21:21:20
  • Intensified Pressure for Candidate Unification in Busan North Gap Election
    Intensified Pressure for Candidate Unification in Busan North Gap Election 6.3 National Assembly by-elections are heating up in Busan North Gap, where Hah Jung-woo of the Democratic Party and Han Dong-hoon, an independent candidate, are in a tight race. As pressure mounts for unification between Han and Park Min-sik of the People Power Party, the party is showing signs of division.According to political sources on May 21, Han has recorded a lead in support for the first time in the three-way race for the Busan North Gap by-election. Previously, Hah had consistently led in polls, but recent data shows a shift. A survey conducted by Channel A and Research & Research from May 17 to 19 among 500 eligible voters in the Busan North Gap district revealed Han with 34.6% support, Hah with 32.9%, and Park with 20.5%. The margin between Han and Hah is within the poll's margin of error of 1.7 percentage points (conducted via 100% mobile phone interviews, with a sample error of ±4.4 percentage points at a 95% confidence level and a response rate of 10%).In a hypothetical two-candidate scenario, Han also outperformed Hah. In a potential matchup between Hah and Park, Hah led with 42.6% to Park's 32.4%. However, in a direct contest between Han and Hah, Han garnered 44.1% compared to Hah's 37.6%. This suggests that calls for unification behind Han may gain traction.Within the People Power Party, voices urging for unification are growing louder. Representative Park Soo-young called on party leadership to make a decision regarding candidate unification for Busan North Gap. He reportedly stated in a group chat among lawmakers, "My district, Busan Nam-gu, is currently trailing by 10-15 percentage points against the Democratic Party, and without decisive action from the Busan city party and the central party, the election will be difficult." Most Busan lawmakers who gathered on May 17 also expressed support for unifying conservative candidates.Busan mayoral candidate Park Hyung-jun said on May 19, "If we create momentum through candidate unification in Busan North Gap, it will positively impact the overall elections in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam. Nearly 70% of the People Power Party's supporters want unification, and responding to this is the candidates' public duty."However, Park and other leaders within the People Power Party maintain their opposition to unification. Park stated that a strategic unification would be a betrayal of the residents of North Gap, asserting, "Han is someone who has inflicted irreparable damage on the conservative camp." Earlier, party leader Jang Dong-hyuk also remarked on May 15 that "a unification based solely on vote calculations does not align with conservative values," emphasizing that the issue of unification should reflect the will of party members and the party itself.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 18:42:35
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Calls for Victory to Prevent Lee Jae-myungs Rule
    Jang Dong-hyuk Calls for Victory to Prevent Lee Jae-myung's Rule Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, urged supporters on May 21, the first day of the official campaign for the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections, to secure victory to prevent Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party from gaining unchecked power.In a post on Facebook, Jang stated, "This election is about protecting the freedom and democratic order of South Korea."He expressed concern that President Lee would seek to erase his trial through a special investigation and amend the constitution to pave the way for long-term rule. Jang warned that after the local elections, policies such as raising property taxes and eliminating special deductions for long-term holdings could lead to a housing crisis where citizens are forced out of their homes.Jang also criticized potential tax increases on sugar, tobacco, and alcohol, asserting that the People Power Party would protect citizens from what he termed Lee's plundering of the public's resources and property.He emphasized that this election is also about ensuring national security, claiming that Lee is inciting the public under the guise of "self-reliance" and "sovereignty," with the ultimate goal of withdrawing U.S. troops from South Korea and dismantling the U.S.-South Korea alliance.Jang pointed out that while remaining silent on drone attacks from Iran, an ally of North Korea, Lee has directed fake news and criticism towards Israel, a U.S. ally. He affirmed that the People Power Party would work alongside the public to ensure the survival of South Korea."This is a challenging election. However, more citizens are awakening," Jang remarked. He noted that the reality of Lee and the Democratic Party's threats to citizens' freedoms, livelihoods, and national security is becoming clearer. He encouraged supporters to run tirelessly and speak out, believing that more citizens would recognize the truth and support the People Power Party.He concluded, "We will win if we run together. June 3 will be the day we rebuild South Korea."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 12:28:21
  • Han Dong-hoon Discusses Possibility of Unification in Election Campaign
    Han Dong-hoon Discusses Possibility of Unification in Election Campaign Han Dong-hoon, an independent candidate in the Busan North Gap by-election, stated on May 19 that public sentiment is guiding the potential for unification with Park Min-sik, the candidate from the People Power Party. He also claimed that if the Democratic Party candidate wins, President Lee Jae-myung will push for the cancellation of his indictment.During a press conference at his campaign office in the Hanjin Building in Busan, Han said, "Public sentiment is already showing how votes should be consolidated to defeat the representative of the Lee Jae-myung administration, which is recklessly pushing for indictment cancellation."He added, "Nothing is absolutely impossible in this world. Those who say otherwise are often harboring fear in their hearts," leaving the door open for a potential unification of the opposition.Han expressed concern about his competitor, Ha Jung-woo of the Democratic Party, saying, "He claims he was sent here on the orders of President Lee. If Ha is elected, it will be as if President Lee received permission here to proceed with the cancellation of the indictment."He continued, "I have been at the forefront of fighting against the cancellation of the indictment, and if it becomes a reality, I will even advocate for impeachment. There is a clear line drawn between President Lee and myself."Han emphasized that rebuilding conservatism involves navigating through the challenges of martial law and impeachment, stating, "If we had regained the right to speak through that process, President Lee would not have been able to go as far as seeking indictment cancellation."He also remarked, "If I, along with ten other lawmakers, had not prevented martial law, would the People Power Party be able to campaign in red uniforms now? I will definitely win and restore the right to speak for conservatism."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-19 17:34:50
  • People Power Party to Oppose Special Prosecutor Law on Election Manipulation
    People Power Party to Oppose Special Prosecutor Law on Election Manipulation People Power Party officials announced on May 19 that they will work to block the ruling party's proposed special prosecutor law aimed at canceling the indictment of President Lee Jae-myung, which they claim was temporarily halted ahead of local elections but will be pursued immediately afterward. They also criticized the Supreme Prosecutors' Office for seeking severe disciplinary action against Prosecutor Park Sang-yong.Joo Jin-woo, chairman of the special committee to oppose the indictment cancellation law, held the committee's first meeting at the National Assembly and stated, "With inflation, exchange rates, and livelihoods in such dire straits, how can the top priority of the government be to eliminate its own trial?"Regarding reports that Prosecutor Park, who was involved in the investigation of the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case, would face severe disciplinary action, Joo criticized, "They are going beyond absurd claims of disciplining him for something trivial, and now they are saying they will impose severe penalties because a document was omitted during the investigation process. This is nonsensical."He added, "The investigation process confirmation document is merely an administrative formality, and there has never been a case where it has been used as a basis for disciplinary action since its introduction. The investigation and trial records related to the president's North Korea remittance case amount to hundreds of thousands of pages, so how can anyone accept that a few missing documents warrant disciplinary action?"Joo continued, "If other documents were properly prepared and the investigation was conducted correctly, doesn't that validate the legitimacy of this investigation?"He emphasized that if Prosecutor Park is disciplined, they will respond to ensure that the disciplinary decision is revoked at the committee level, stating, "The moment they discipline Park, he will return to the prosecution by court decision, marking the beginning of the lame duck period for the Lee Jae-myung administration."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-19 12:42:33
  • Voters in Jeonnam and Gwangju Express Support for Min Hyung-bae Amid Calls for Checks on Democratic Party Dominance
    Voters in Jeonnam and Gwangju Express Support for Min Hyung-bae Amid Calls for Checks on Democratic Party Dominance In the Democratic Party's stronghold of Jeonnam and Gwangju, support for the party's candidate, Min Hyung-bae, is overwhelming. However, there are also signs of a push to elect candidates from the People Power Party to counter the party's dominance. Opinions on the administrative merger of Jeonnam and Gwangju lean more negative than positive.Aju Economy visited Gwangju and Suncheon on May 18 to gauge voter sentiment ahead of the June 3 local elections, which will see the election of the first integrated mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju after 40 years. Five candidates have declared their intention to run: Min Hyung-bae from the Democratic Party, Lee Jeong-hyeon from the People Power Party, Lee Jong-wook from the Progressive Party, Kang Eun-mi from the Justice Party, and independent candidate Kim Kwang-man.Many citizens expressed their intention to vote for Min as the first integrated mayor. Park Young-taek, 71, met at Yangdong Market, stated, "I have always supported the Democratic Party and believe Min Hyung-bae would be a much better mayor than Lee Jeong-hyeon." Kim, a 25-year-old graduate student at Suncheon University, also expressed support for Min, saying, "He is the only incumbent lawmaker from Gwangju, possessing both expertise and political skills."Conversely, criticism of Lee Jeong-hyeon was noted, with one voter recalling his appearance on YouTube where he referred to the pro-Yoon Seok-youl faction as "hidden heroes, you are Yi Sun-sin," and defended the December 3 emergency martial law, stating, "He has proven himself unfit for the mayoral position."However, among voters in their 20s and 30s, there were calls for a 'punishment vote' against the long-standing dominance of the Democratic Party. Kwon, a 27-year-old intern in Gwangju, remarked, "If the Democratic Party continues to win every year, I wonder what development will occur in Honam. I believe their monopoly is harmful to Gwangju, so I support Lee Jeong-hyeon." Another voter, Lee, 30, who works at a sports center, stated, "The Democratic Party candidate will likely win anyway. Honam will not change, so I will vote for the People Power Party to provide some checks."Kang, a 21-year-old political science student at Jeonnam University, mentioned, "I am a member of the Democratic Party but am considering voting for the People Power Party as a punishment vote. The Democratic Party has been in power, yet nothing has changed in Gwangju." A 24-year-old college student added, "While the Democratic Party has significant support, there seems to be a growing disconnect among young voters. Parties like the Justice Party and Basic Income Party seem to position themselves as the Democratic Party's backup, so even though I dislike the People Power Party, I might vote for them this time."Criticism of the People Power Party included remarks about their failure to distance themselves from the pro-Yoon faction, with one voter stating, "It is shameless for them to come to Gwangju without having severed ties with that group. Their leader seems inexperienced in politics, often sending the wrong messages, and it appears they are only focused on protecting their own constituencies."Regarding the Jeonnam-Gwangju administrative merger, negative sentiments prevailed. Kang criticized the rushed process, saying, "They merged without even determining how to delineate the electoral districts for local governments. They promised public hearings, but the city councilors seemed to have already made decisions and just informed us, which is frustrating." Another voter echoed this sentiment, stating, "It felt like a hasty decision made under pressure from the president. Was this merger really necessary?"On the other hand, some citizens expressed optimism. Yoon, a 24-year-old job seeker, said, "As this is the first integrated mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju, I am hopeful. If Gwangju and Jeonnam work together, there could be synergies in transportation, culture, and job creation. I hope the new mayor focuses on balanced regional development." Park also emphasized the importance of unity, stating, "There are population issues, and since Jeonnam and Gwangju were once one, we need to integrate again to create a new vision."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 22:38:40
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Attends 5·18 Memorial Ceremony for First Time as Party Leader
    Jang Dong-hyuk Attends 5·18 Memorial Ceremony for First Time as Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, will attend the 5·18 Democracy Movement memorial ceremony for the first time since taking office. Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae is also expected to attend, marking a potential meeting of the two party leaders.According to the People Power Party on May 15, Jang and the party leadership plan to participate in the 46th anniversary memorial ceremony at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Gwangju on May 18.The party stated that Jang's attendance is intended to honor the spirit of the 5·18 movement. A key party official emphasized that attending the ceremony signifies respect for the noble sacrifices of the martyrs and the need to heal various wounds and conflicts in society across generations.The official added, "I hope this is not interpreted as a political move to win votes during the election period. I don’t believe that attending the 5·18 event will change the atmosphere, just as visiting the National Cemetery for the Korean War memorial does not change anything. It is appropriate to attend the 5·18 memorial ceremony as well."This will be Jang's second visit to Gwangju since November of last year. In that visit, Jang and the party leadership attempted to pay respects at the National 5·18 Democracy Cemetery but were blocked by citizens.Meanwhile, Jeong plans to attend the pre-event for the 5·18 People's Uprising memorial on May 17 and will continue with a visit to the National 5·18 Democracy Cemetery the following day. This suggests that both party leaders will attend the memorial ceremony together.At last year's 5·18 Democracy Movement memorial ceremony, presidential candidates Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, and Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labor Party were present. Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party candidate, visited the 5·18 cemetery the day before but did not attend the ceremony.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-16 00:31:35
  • Song Eon-seok Campaigns for Lee Jang-woo in Daejeon to Target Chungcheong Voters
    Song Eon-seok Campaigns for Lee Jang-woo in Daejeon to Target Chungcheong Voters Song Eon-seok, co-chair of the People Power Party's election campaign committee, visited Buyeo and Daejeon on May 15 to rally support in the Chungcheong region. He urged voters to back the party's candidates while emphasizing the need to check the government of President Lee Jae-myung.In the morning, Song attended the opening of the campaign office for Buyeo county mayoral candidate Lee Yong-woo, where he also expressed support for Yoon Yong-geun, a candidate in the upcoming by-election for the National Assembly representing Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang.Regarding Lee, who is seeking a third term as Buyeo county mayor, Song stated, "He has already served for eight years and knows Buyeo better than anyone else, making him a well-prepared candidate." He criticized the opposition candidate, saying, "The opposing candidate has a criminal record and has been fined twice, while our candidate is clean."He described Yoon as "our hope who has strongly resisted the dismantling of the prosecution and fought alongside us," adding that if elected, he would have the capability to hold the current Minister of Justice accountable in the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.In the afternoon, Song shifted his focus to Daejeon, where he supported mayoral candidate Lee Jang-woo. He launched an attack on the previous Democratic Party mayor, Heo Tae-jeong, criticizing the ruling party's push for a special investigation into the cancellation of charges."The competence of this mayor and the incompetence of the former Democratic mayor are clearly reflected in the numbers," Song said, noting that Daejeon's city brand reputation, which was among the lowest in the nation during Heo's tenure, has risen to first place under Lee's leadership. He added, "We must continue to accelerate this positive change and development. The choice is simple: a capable mayor or an incompetent one."He also challenged Heo, stating, "He has not properly explained the reason for his toe amputation, and I suspect it was for evading military service. How can we entrust the governance of Daejeon to someone who cannot even remember why his toe was amputated?"Regarding the ruling party's proposed special investigation law, he warned, "I believe President Lee Jae-myung will push it through after this election. He is trying to erase his crimes through a special prosecutor he appointed, but he is not a king. I urge the citizens of Daejeon to show how powerful public sentiment can be."Lee Jang-woo, the Daejeon mayoral candidate, stated, "This election is a judgment on the incompetence, irresponsibility, and lack of plans of the Heo Tae-jeong administration. We will decisively hold accountable the ineffective administration of the seventh term and ensure a clear vision for Daejeon's future."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 23:22:14