AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Lee Da-hui
  • Han Dong-hoon Registers as Preliminary Candidate in Busan Buk-gu Gap By-election, Vows to Win
    Han Dong-hoon Registers as Preliminary Candidate in Busan Buk-gu Gap By-election, Vows to Win Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, registered on May 4 as a preliminary candidate in the parliamentary by-election in Busan’s Buk-gu Gap district, vowing to win and “check the runaway Lee Jae-myung administration.” After completing his filing at the Buk-gu Election Commission office in Busan that afternoon, Han told reporters he would “win this by-election” and “change Busan’s future and South Korea’s future to the end.” He said he would push Buk-gu Gap to “the next stage” and rebuild a conservative camp he described as having lost its direction. Han said his victory would help restore a conservative bloc capable of properly checking the Lee administration. He also argued it would “normalize” what he called deviations by a People Power Party leadership faction led by Jang Dong-hyeok. He said Buk-gu Gap has ranked low among Busan’s 18 constituencies for 20 years, and pledged to change that, saying he would make the district “Busan’s No. 1 priority” and “South Korea’s No. 1 priority.” Criticizing Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo, Han said Ha talks about physical artificial intelligence and port systems, but “Is there a port in Busan’s Buk-gu?” Han added that introducing physical AI in Buk-gu would cost workers their jobs, and said politicians should tailor policies to residents rather than forcing their own specialties onto a district. On possible unification with the People Power Party candidate, Han said he wanted to question what he called a mindset of trying to block him even if it means losing to the Democratic Party. He said President Lee Jae-myung is pushing to cancel the prosecution in his own case, and accused the Jang-led faction of focusing only on stopping Han instead of checking Lee. “That is not proper politics,” he said. Han added that Lee’s move to cancel the prosecution in his own case is “a clear ground for impeachment,” and said he would work with the public to stop it.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 16:31:38
  • Seoul-Area Opposition Candidates Urge Withdrawal of Democratic Party Special Prosecutor Bill
    Seoul-Area Opposition Candidates Urge Withdrawal of Democratic Party Special Prosecutor Bill Seoul-area metropolitan candidates from opposition parties running in the June 3 local elections met Monday and denounced a Democratic Party-backed “special prosecutor bill on alleged fabricated prosecutions,” calling it an “Lee Jae-myung self-pardon special prosecutor bill.” They said they would begin a nationwide resistance campaign to stop what they described as a “judicial coup.” Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Incheon mayoral candidate Yoo Jeong-bok of the People Power Party, along with New Reform Party candidates Kim Jeong-cheol for Seoul mayor and Cho Eung-cheon for Gyeonggi governor, held a joint meeting at the National Assembly and issued a statement. People Power Party Gyeonggi governor candidate Yang Hyang-ja did not attend due to scheduling conflicts but joined the statement. Cho, who proposed the meeting, said, “How can a special prosecutor appointed by the president withdraw an indictment that erases the president’s crimes? It shakes the foundation of the rule of law and is a judicial insurrection.” He added, “On a foundation where the rule of law collapses, local autonomy and the people’s livelihood economy are nothing but a house of cards.” Oh said he could not “stand by” what he called the Lee Jae-myung government’s destruction of the rule of law and democracy, and urged all political forces except the Democratic Party to respond with “extraordinary resolve.” Yoo said South Korea stood at a crossroads between remaining a country governed by law and becoming one where those in power “erase their own cases,” and asked Democratic Party candidates Jeong Won-oh for Seoul mayor, Park Chan-dae for Incheon mayor and Choo Mi-ae for Gyeonggi governor whether they support or oppose the bill. Kim said that if a law allowing someone to “delete their own crimes” is permitted, it would set a precedent that could be repeated even after a change of government. In their joint statement, the candidates demanded that the Democratic Party immediately halt and withdraw what they called the “Lee Jae-myung self-pardon special prosecutor bill.” They also urged President Lee Jae-myung to clearly declare to the public: “During my term, there will never be any withdrawal of indictments related to my allegations, and I will stand trial according to law and principle.” They said they would launch a nationwide online petition to block what they called a judicial coup and conduct public outreach to highlight problems with the bill. They also said they would build solidarity beyond party lines and called on the media, intellectuals and civic groups to state their positions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 14:25:15
  • People Power Party calls DP’s ‘fabricated indictment’ special counsel bill unconstitutional
    People Power Party calls DP’s ‘fabricated indictment’ special counsel bill unconstitutional The People Power Party on May 4 criticized a recently proposed “fabricated indictment” special counsel bill by the Democratic Party, calling it an unconstitutional attempt to erase Lee Jae-myung’s alleged crimes. Speaking at a party Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok said, “A law that exists for only one person is not law, but violence and a crime.” Jang said there is “exactly one person on the Korean Peninsula who does not go to prison no matter what crime is committed,” referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He added, “It looks like there will be one more. Does President Lee Jae-myung want to become ‘No. 2’ in supreme dignity?” Jang also said the bill would mobilize 350 people and spend “hundreds of billions of won” in taxpayer money to wipe out one person’s alleged wrongdoing. He said it would be more honest to create a “supreme dignity law” for Lee and, in an Orwellian way, declare Lee “more equal,” placing him above the Constitution. He said when “rule by man” overwhelms the rule of law, the values of freedom and equality collapse. Jang said voters’ choice on June 3 will determine whether they live as citizens of a liberal democratic South Korea or become “slaves” in what he called “Lee Jae-myung’s Animal Farm,” adding that the local elections are about protecting liberal democracy and the constitutional order. Floor leader Song Eon-seok said the Democratic Party pushed last November for legislation to suspend a president’s trial, but that it was abruptly halted after Lee urged restraint. Song said then-chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik publicly warned party leader Jung Cheong-rae not to drag the president into political conflict. Song claimed Lee’s intent became clear “after half a year,” arguing that Lee was not seeking a temporary suspension of his trial during his term but instead wanted a plan to eliminate the trial altogether. He said Lee’s decision to stop the trial-suspension bill while remaining silent on what Song called a “case-cancellation, trial-deletion” plan was evidence. Song said canceling an indictment in the president’s criminal trial by using a parliamentary investigation and a special counsel would be “null and void from the start.” Song said Lee might be able to use power to force his trial to disappear “once,” but that the public would eventually restart it and ensure he pays for his alleged wrongdoing. He added that even a president should go to prison if a crime is committed, and said politics that uses power to shield oneself “outside the law” will not be tolerated by the public or history. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 09:57:15
  • PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok campaigns in Daegu for mayoral hopeful Choo Kyung-ho
    PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok campaigns in Daegu for mayoral hopeful Choo Kyung-ho Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, visited Daegu on Saturday to rally support for Choo Kyung-ho, the party’s candidate for Daegu mayor, saying the conservative stronghold should not be handed to Kim Boo-kyum. Jang’s appearance followed his attendance a day earlier at the opening of Busan mayoral candidate Park Hyung-joon’s campaign office, as the party seeks to consolidate its base. Speaking at Choo’s campaign office opening in Suseong District, Jang said he had checked what he described as Kim’s criminal record the previous day and criticized Kim as someone who received a one-year prison sentence with a two-year suspended term for violating the National Security Law. Jang also accused President Lee Jae-myung of trying to erase his own alleged wrongdoing, saying Lee had pursued what Jang called an unreasonable state investigation and was now pushing a special counsel probe aimed at canceling indictments tied to 12 allegations. Jang claimed such a move would lead to what he called a socialist constitution intended to extend Lee’s term. “This has to be stopped in Daegu,” Jang said, calling the local elections a contest to block dictatorship and socialism and to protect liberal democracy and future generations. He said supporters last winter chanted “We are Choo Kyung-ho” to defend Choo, and argued that Choo is now running for mayor to protect South Korea, liberal democracy and Daegu. “Economic mayor Choo Kyung-ho will change Daegu,” he said. Addressing controversy over the party’s nomination process for the Daegu mayoral race, Jang apologized to Daegu residents, saying as party leader he was responsible. He also expressed regret to National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joo Ho-young and candidate Lee Jin-sook, who were cut from the primary process. The event drew party leaders and nearly 40 sitting lawmakers, including honorary campaign chair Kim Moon-soo, a former labor minister; former Korea Communications Commission chair Lee Jin-sook; and lawmakers Joo Ho-young, Na Kyung-won and Yoon Jae-ok. Former President Lee Myung-bak also offered a video message of support, saying Daegu needs an “economic mayor, not a political mayor.” He cited the global financial crisis shortly after his inauguration, saying South Korea was the only country to post positive growth and that Choo served at the time as senior secretary for economic and financial affairs at Cheong Wa Dae and head of an emergency economic situation office.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 17:40:05
  • South Korea’s June 3 Local Elections Set: Ruling Party Stresses Stability, Opposition Seeks Referendum
    South Korea’s June 3 Local Elections Set: Ruling Party Stresses Stability, Opposition Seeks Referendum With a month to go until the June 3 local elections, South Korea’s rival parties have finalized nominations for the heads of 16 metropolitan and provincial governments and moved into full campaign mode. The vote is the first nationwide election held a year after the launch of the Lee Jae-myung government. The Democratic Party is pitching a message of “stable governance” and what it calls the removal of “insurrection forces,” while the People Power Party is framing the election as a judgment on the government and a check on its power. According to political circles on Saturday, the People Power Party completed its slate a day earlier by confirming Supreme Council member Yang Hyang-ja as its candidate for Gyeonggi governor. Yang competed for the nomination against Ham Jin-gyu, a former lawmaker, and Lee Seong-bae, a former MBC announcer, and won the primary. Yang will face Democratic Party candidate Choo Mi-ae and Reform Party candidate Cho Eung-cheon in the Gyeonggi race. Seoul, Busan and Daegu are widely seen as the top battlegrounds. In the 2022 local elections, the People Power Party won 12 of 17 top local government posts. This time, with President Lee’s approval rating holding in the 60% range, some observers say the Democratic Party could make gains not only in competitive areas but also in the conservative-leaning Yeongnam region. The People Power Party, for its part, is focused on holding Yeongnam, long considered a conservative stronghold. The Democratic Party has sought to refresh its lineup by nominating new figures it says can support the government. The People Power Party re-nominated 11 incumbent local leaders, highlighting administrative experience and policy continuity. Candidate registration for the June 3 local elections will be held over two days starting May 14. Official campaigning runs from May 21 through June 2, the day before the vote, for 13 days. Early voting will be held May 29-30, with Election Day voting on June 3. 2026-05-03 15:27:39
  • PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Slams Ruling Party’s Special Counsel Bill to Drop Charges
    PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Slams Ruling Party’s Special Counsel Bill to Drop Charges Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, on May 3 criticized a bill introduced by the Democratic Party to create a special counsel empowered to cancel prosecutions, calling it “like a thief appointing the police.” Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly, Song said it would amount to “police appointed by a thief trying to make the thief’s crime disappear.” He said President Lee Jae-myung had insisted he was the target of a “fabricated indictment” and pushed a parliamentary investigation, and was now “openly” seeking a special counsel to erase alleged wrongdoing. Song called it a privilege “ordinary citizens could not even imagine.” Song said the Democratic Party, throughout the parliamentary investigation, relied on one-sided claims by convicted criminals including Lee Hwa-young and Nam Wook, but failed to prove an alleged fabricated indictment. Instead, he said, testimony emerged that “poured out” to support Lee’s guilt. He cited testimony by Bang Yong-cheol, a former vice chairman of Ssangbangwool, who said he met Ri Ho-nam in the Philippines in July 2019 and sent $700,000 as the price for then-Gyeonggi Gov. Lee Jae-myung’s visit to North Korea. Song also cited testimony by former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Seong-tae, who said there was no “salmon sashimi drinking party,” calling it a point-by-point rebuttal of what he described as false claims by Democratic Party lawmakers. Song said the parliamentary investigation brought the truth “one step closer” and exposed what he called the Democratic Party’s false agitation over a fabricated indictment. He questioned why the matter should move from the investigation to a special counsel, arguing it would pressure investigators into a “false probe” and an “unreasonable” cancellation of prosecutions. He also said it violates modern rule-of-law principles for a president to appoint a special counsel and for that special counsel to seek to eliminate the appointing authority’s trial. Song said the upcoming local elections are likely to become a vote on whether canceling the president’s prosecution is justified. He added that the election would ask whether the president’s trial can be erased entirely, whether a president should enjoy such privilege, and whether the country will be one of privilege and unfairness or one of rule of law and justice.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 11:24:19
  • Kim Moon Soo Gains Prominence in June 3 Local Elections as Jang Dong-hyeok Keeps Low Profile
    Kim Moon Soo Gains Prominence in June 3 Local Elections as Jang Dong-hyeok Keeps Low Profile Ahead of the June 3 local elections, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok has kept a low profile, avoiding regional campaign events, as former Labor Minister Kim Moon Soo’s presence has grown. With People Power Party candidates for metropolitan and provincial governor and mayor posts in Busan, Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province (TK), Gangwon and other areas asking Kim to serve as campaign chair, Jang has appeared to step back. Jang on April 29 announced regional economy and livelihood pledges at the National Assembly. “We will energize local economies so people’s lives improve,” he said, proposing steps including narrowing the housing market gap between the Seoul area and the rest of the country, introducing a production-boosting tax system described as a “Korean version of the IRA,” building a safety net for small-business succession, and cutting road occupancy fees. Later, he met with young people at a cafe in Seoul’s Seodaemun district for a discussion on everyday policy proposals. “Young people have stronger capabilities than any generation before them, but the stage to show them is narrow,” Jang said. He added that the party would “be reborn as a true youth party” where young people’s voices reach policymakers first and quickly become policy. The moves were seen as a minimal return to policy messaging after a recent controversy over a U.S. trip subsided. Kim, the party’s presidential candidate last year, has been taking on a larger role as candidates turn to him rather than Jang for campaign leadership. Kim is currently serving as honorary campaign chair for five election camps: the Busan, Daegu and Sejong mayoral races and the North Gyeongsang and Gangwon gubernatorial races. The decision to put Kim at the forefront has been interpreted as an effort to rally conservative voters. Rep. Jung Sung-kook, a lawmaker aligned with Han Dong-hoon, said on SBS radio that Kim’s broader appeal than Jang’s appeared to be a factor. “It seems there is a judgment that bringing in Kim, who has a wider spectrum than Jang, will help the election,” Jung said. A party official also said local elections typically draw lower turnout, making it difficult to bring disappointed conservative supporters to the polls, which is why candidates appear to be calling on Kim. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 16:46:29
  • People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok unveils regional economy, livelihood pledges
    People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok unveils regional economy, livelihood pledges Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, announced region-specific pledges on the 29th, saying he would revive local economies and people’s livelihoods with policies that “open up” opportunities rather than “block” them. Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly, Jang said he would “energize regional economies so that people’s lives improve.” He said South Korea’s economy faces an “unprecedented crisis,” citing surging prices and a falling potential growth rate, and warned that stagflation is becoming reality. He said repeated shocks to the national economy have hit regional economies and households even harder. Jang also criticized the Lee Jae-myung administration, saying it is continuing a “runaway” course without brakes and pushing the country “to the edge.” He said the People Power Party would “stop it and set things right.” As key pledges on regional economies and livelihoods, he proposed steps to narrow the housing-market divide between the Seoul metropolitan area and the provinces, introduce a tax incentive to promote domestic production (a “Korea-style IRA”), build safeguards for small and midsize business succession, and expand discounts on road-occupation fees. On boosting provincial real estate, Jang said the party would gradually ease debt service ratio (DSR) rules in the provinces to match those in the Seoul area, raising loan limits and expanding homebuying opportunities for end users. He also said the party would pursue a plan to exclude purchases of unsold homes in the provinces from the home-count used in housing-demand calculations. On a “Korea-style IRA,” he said support would cover all industries at high risk of manufacturing hollowing-out, and would specify a domestic-purchase share requirement so that tax benefits extend across the domestic production ecosystem. Jang also said he would push to enact a “Special Act on Small and Midsize Business Succession,” providing institutional support for succession at companies run for at least 10 years by owners age 60 or older. He said the plan would also support third-party succession and succession through mergers and acquisitions. He added that, taking into account the share of non-tax revenue at local governments, the party would expand the scope of road-occupation fee reductions from housing to buildings and other structures. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 11:30:35
  • Choo Kyung-ho Resigns as Lawmaker to Run for Daegu Mayor, Vows to Rebuild Conservatives
    Choo Kyung-ho Resigns as Lawmaker to Run for Daegu Mayor, Vows to Rebuild Conservatives Choo Kyung-ho, the People Power Party’s candidate for Daegu mayor, said April 29 he submitted his resignation as a National Assembly member to run in the local election, pledging to restore political balance starting in Daegu. In a statement, Choo, a three-term lawmaker from Dalseong County in Daegu, said, “Korea needs a counterweight to protect the country. I will try to reestablish that balance starting from Daegu.” He called the local election “an important turning point for Korea’s democracy,” adding that “with power tilted to one side,” the country needs a counterweight. “I will try to reestablish that balance starting from Daegu,” he said, adding that he wants to prove “the conservative camp’s economic competence” through results and to “be the start of rebuilding conservatism.” Choo also reflected on his decade in parliament, citing “fierce committee meetings” and late nights in the lawmakers’ office building. He said his party and Dalseong County were always “side by side” before his name and that it was a source of pride. He said that while the lawmaker’s badge weighed “only 6 grams,” the responsibility was hard to measure, and that “even today, 10 years later, that weight has not become any lighter.” He thanked fellow lawmakers for sharing the burden. Choo said he felt heavy and apologetic about stepping away, recalling efforts to protect livelihoods and plan for the future under what he described as a difficult National Assembly in which the Democratic Party holds a majority. “Even if I’m physically farther away, I believe the path we walk is ultimately one,” he said, adding he would keep working to improve people’s lives “in the National Assembly and in the field.” The deadline for lawmakers running in the local election to resign is May 4. If an incumbent resigns by April 30, a by-election in the district will be held alongside the June 3 local elections. If the resignation comes May 1 or later, the by-election will be held in April next year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 10:00:38
  • People Power Party Nominates Ahn Gyo-jae for Suwon Mayor, Park Tae-kyung for Hwaseong Mayor
    People Power Party Nominates Ahn Gyo-jae for Suwon Mayor, Park Tae-kyung for Hwaseong Mayor The People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee on April 28 finalized Ahn Gyo-jae as its candidate for Suwon special city mayor and Park Tae-kyung as its candidate for Hwaseong special city mayor. Committee Chair Park Deok-heum told reporters at the party's central headquarters in Seoul's Yeouido that the committee had completed the vote count for the internal primaries to pick the Suwon and Hwaseong mayoral nominees. Park also outlined the next steps for National Assembly by-elections and rules on vote bonuses and penalties in party primaries. He said the party plans to post a notice on April 29 to accept applications for nominations in additional by-elections that arise, with filings accepted through April 30. He said interviews for applicants will be held May 1, and the committee will move quickly to decide the nomination method and announce candidates. In districts holding primaries, voting will run for two days starting May 3, with final candidates to be announced on May 5. The committee also approved standards for adding or subtracting points in primaries. Park said the party decided to reduce a portion of primary vote shares for candidates who previously served as lawmakers in the same constituency, in an effort to encourage newcomers to enter politics. Those who served three or more terms in the same district would face a 15% deduction in a two-way race and a 10% deduction in races with three or more candidates, he said. Candidates viewed as having sharply low competitiveness after losing three or more times in the same district would face a 30% deduction in a two-way race and a 20% deduction in races with three or more candidates, he added. 2026-04-28 18:39:19