AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Lee Da-hui
  • Lee Jae-myung Calls Vietnam Key Partner, Urges Stronger Rare Earths and Urea Supply Chains
    Lee Jae-myung Calls Vietnam Key Partner, Urges Stronger Rare Earths and Urea Supply Chains President Lee Jae-myung: Vietnam is an ideal partner; strengthen rare earths and urea supply chains President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to Vietnam, met with business leaders on April 23 (local time) and called for expanded economic cooperation.  Speaking at the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum at a hotel in Hanoi, Lee said economic cooperation between South Korea and Vietnam was more important than ever as uncertainty in the global economy grows.  He said he was confident the two countries are "ideal partners" in leading global value chains, and that expanding trade and investment could make it possible to reach a new goal of $150 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.  Lee also urged stronger manufacturing cooperation and a broader partnership in advanced industries such as semiconductors and electric vehicles. He said it was also important to strengthen supply-chain links in energy-related items essential to high-tech industries, including rare earths and urea solution. Third U.S. aircraft carrier moves closer to Middle East as truce extended With a ceasefire between the United States and Iran extended, a third U.S. aircraft carrier has moved closer to the Middle East. The United States is working to hold a second round of talks on ending the war while also reinforcing forces in case fighting resumes.  CNN reported on April 23 (local time), citing photos posted on the Pentagon website, that the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush has been in the Indian Ocean since April 21.  The move would soon give the U.S. Navy access to dozens more military aircraft that could be used if the ceasefire ends or if Iran’s ports are blockaded. The Pentagon did not disclose the carrier’s exact location in the Indian Ocean. Seoul apartment prices rise 0.15% as outer districts lead gains Apartment sale prices in Seoul rose 0.15%, led by continued strength in midpriced areas including Seongbuk, Dongdaemun, Gangbuk and Gangseo districts.  According to the Korea Real Estate Board’s weekly apartment price trend report released April 23, Seoul apartment sale prices for the third week of April (as of April 20) rose 0.15% from the previous week, accelerating from a 0.10% increase a week earlier.  Outlying districts with large concentrations of midpriced apartments drove the gains. Seongbuk rose 0.27%, centered on Gireum and Hawolgok; Dongdaemun gained 0.25%, led by Dapsimni and Hwigyeong; Gangbuk climbed 0.24% on large complexes in Mia and Beon; Gwangjin rose 0.22% around Guui and Gwangjang; and Nowon increased 0.22% near stations in Wolgye and Junggye.  Outside the capital, apartment prices fell. The five major metropolitan cities, flat the previous week, slipped 0.01% in the third week. Sejong fell 0.07%, reversing from a 0.02% rise a week earlier. Large oil bet spotted before Trump announced truce extension A large trade betting on falling oil prices was detected shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran. Reuters reported April 22 (local time) that traders sold 4,260 Brent crude futures contracts about 15 minutes before Trump announced the extension on April 21.  At the time, the trade was worth about $430 million (about 630 billion won) and amounted to a major directional bet on lower prices. Reuters noted the trade occurred during the typically thinly traded period after settlement, given that the Brent market settles at 18:30 GMT. Because similar trades have repeatedly appeared just ahead of major policy announcements, some have raised the possibility of leaked inside information. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has opened an investigation into a series of unusual oil futures trades, including transactions on March 23 and April 7. Korea gasoline prices among OECD’s lowest at 1,894 won per liter As geopolitical risks from the Middle East push up global oil prices and gasoline costs worldwide, South Korea’s gasoline prices have remained low compared with other advanced economies, according to industry data. The assessment cited government price-stabilization measures and refiners’ competitiveness and supply capacity. Industry officials said April 23 that Korea National Oil Corp.’s Opinet data for the first week of April showed South Korea had the second-lowest gasoline price among 23 OECD countries, at 1,894 won per liter, behind Japan. Only three countries, including third-ranked Canada, were below 2,000 won per liter. Prices were far higher in major European countries, including the Netherlands (4,045 won), Denmark (3,868 won), Germany (3,698 won) and France (3,482 won). The industry pointed to large-scale refining facilities and investment in advanced processing as key factors. The combined refining capacity of South Korea’s four major refiners totals 3.36 million barrels per day, ranked fifth in the world. The companies also operate multiple plants considered among the world’s top facilities on a single-site basis, enabling cost reductions through economies of scale. Government price-stabilization policies also played a role. The data said that after the Middle East war, refiners cooperated with market stabilization by holding back supply-price increases and minimizing margins alongside the introduction of a maximum price system. Company-run gas stations also joined price cuts, helping ease the burden on consumers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 21:51:25
  • Lee Calls Vietnam Key Partner, Urges Stronger Rare Earths and Urea Supply Chains
    Lee Calls Vietnam Key Partner, Urges Stronger Rare Earths and Urea Supply Chains President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to Vietnam, met with business leaders on April 23 (local time) and called for expanded economic cooperation.  Speaking at the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum at a hotel in Hanoi, Lee said that with global economic uncertainty rising, cooperation between South Korea and Vietnam — which he called “the best partners” — is more important than ever.  From South Korea, attendees included Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and Doosan Enerbility Chairman Park Ji-won, among other executives. Vietnamese participants included Le Ngoc Son, chairman of the oil and gas corporation; Dang Hoang An, chairman of the power corporation; Dang Ngoc Hoa, chairman of Vietnam Airlines; and Phung Quang Hiep, chairman of the chemical corporation, who discussed potential cooperation with South Korea. Lee said he was confident the two countries are “the best partners” in leading global value chains, adding that expanding trade and investment could make it possible to meet a new goal of $150 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.  He urged stronger manufacturing cooperation and a broader partnership in advanced industries such as semiconductors and electric vehicles. He also stressed the need to strengthen supply-chain links in energy-related items essential to high-tech industries, including rare earths and urea solution. Lee said building high-efficiency power distribution networks — including LNG power plants and nuclear power plants — is needed to support Vietnam’s stable industrial environment. He added that the business leaders gathered at the forum should serve as a cornerstone for opening a new chapter of cooperation. In welcoming remarks, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called for stronger practical ties between companies to achieve shared growth, and asked South Korea to expand higher-quality investment in Vietnam. He also urged more investment and stronger technology transfer in high value-added fields such as advanced technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and clean energy. Business leaders also pledged to step up cooperation. Asked about accompanying Lee on his India-Vietnam trip, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong replied briefly, “Businesspeople should speak with results.” LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo said he hoped cooperation with India and Vietnam would advance in quality as well as scale. Doosan Enerbility Chairman Park Ji-won said, “We are trying to build a nuclear power plant in Vietnam. At today’s forum, I will explain Doosan Enerbility’s performance well.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 21:36:22
  • Third U.S. Aircraft Carrier Moves Closer to Middle East as Ceasefire With Iran Is Extended
    Third U.S. Aircraft Carrier Moves Closer to Middle East as Ceasefire With Iran Is Extended The U.S. military’s third aircraft carrier has moved closer to the Middle East as a ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been extended. Washington is pushing to hold a second round of talks on ending the war while reinforcing forces in case fighting resumes. CNN, citing photos posted on the Pentagon’s website, reported Thursday local time that the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush has been in the Indian Ocean since April 21. With the Bush arriving, the U.S. Navy will soon have dozens more military aircraft available for use if the ceasefire ends or if Iran’s ports are blockaded. The Pentagon did not disclose the carrier’s exact location in the Indian Ocean. Some Pentagon website photos of the Bush include captions saying it was in the Indian Ocean on April 17. The carrier departed March 31 from Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia and was reported to have passed near South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope on April 17. Two U.S. carriers are already operating in the region: the Abraham Lincoln in the Indian Ocean and the Gerald R. Ford in the Red Sea. CNN said the U.S. military has 11 aircraft carriers but is currently operating only four because of maintenance and training. With the Bush joining, three of the four active carriers would be committed to the war with Iran.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 21:03:18
  • People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok meets acting U.S. ambassador in Seoul
    People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok meets acting U.S. ambassador in Seoul Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of South Korea’s People Power Party, met with James Heller, the acting U.S. ambassador in Seoul, to discuss the results of Jang’s recent trip to the United States and ways to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance, political sources said. According to the sources, Jang held the meeting Thursday afternoon at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. He also raised controversy over remarks by Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young about North Korean nuclear facilities, the sources said. Lawmakers Kim Dae-sik and Cho Jung-hoon, who traveled to the United States with Jang, attended the meeting as well. Separately, Kim posted on Facebook on Thursday to push back against criticism of Jang’s U.S. trip. Listing meetings Jang held with U.S. think tanks, members of the U.S. Senate and House, and key Republican Party figures, Kim wrote, “The delegation also took seriously the parts that did not meet the public’s expectations and has repeatedly apologized.” Referring to a photo of Jang and Supreme Council member Kim Min-su that drew criticism, he added that he hoped it would not “overshadow the nonstop meetings carried out for the national interest.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 20:48:19
  • Court Limits Parts of Samsung Biologics Strike; Union Says Walkout Still Set for Next Month
    Court Limits Parts of Samsung Biologics Strike; Union Says Walkout Still Set for Next Month A South Korean court has partially blocked a planned full-scale strike by the Samsung Biologics union, limiting walkouts only in certain final-stage processes tied to preventing drug spoilage. The union said it still plans to begin a strike next month. According to the legal community on April 23, the Incheon District Court’s Civil Division 21, led by Presiding Judge Yoo Aram, partially granted Samsung Biologics’ request for an injunction against the Samsung Biologics Sangsaeng branch of the Samsung Group Super-Enterprise Labor Union. In its decision, the court said the union must not instruct workers to halt, or distribute guidelines to halt, parts of “work to prevent deterioration or decay of thawed cell lines” during the labor action. It also said the union must not obstruct employees from performing that work “by using force or by threatening harm.” The court specified the restricted tasks as concentration and buffer exchange, filling of bulk drug substance, and buffer production and supply. The panel described them as “final-stage work that adjusts already-produced material into a form suitable for maintenance and storage,” and said failure to carry them out on time would make it highly likely products would have to be discarded. The Samsung Biologics union said it will proceed with its planned strike starting May 1, because walkouts in early production processes such as cell culture were effectively allowed. Samsung Biologics said it “immediately filed an appeal” over the parts not granted. However, because an injunction generally remains in effect even after an appeal is filed, the strike is still widely expected to go ahead as planned. Labor and management have held 13 rounds of talks through last month since their first meeting in December, but have not reached an agreement. The union is seeking an average 14% wage increase, a 30 million won incentive per person, a bonus distribution equal to 20% of operating profit, and an allocation of company shares over three years. It has also proposed requiring the union’s prior consent when the company exercises key management and personnel authority. Management has maintained a wage increase rate of 6.2%, among other terms. If no deal is reached, Samsung Biologics would face its first strike since the company was founded in 2011. Industry observers say a strike could lead to major losses from production disruptions. If production schedules are affected starting next month, they say penalties for contract violations with global clients and damage to trust would be difficult to avoid.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 20:24:20
  • Iran Reports First Strait of Hormuz Transit Fee Deposit to Central Bank
    Iran Reports First Strait of Hormuz Transit Fee Deposit to Central Bank Local media reported on April 23 (local time) that a transit fee for passage through the Strait of Hormuz has been deposited with Iran’s central bank for the first time. Yonhap News Agency and local outlets cited Hamid Reza Haji Babaei, a deputy speaker of Iran’s parliament, as making the statement. No details were released on the amount or the timing of the deposit. Iran’s military sealed off the strait by force on Feb. 28, shortly after attacks by the United States and Israel, in what it described as a response. Since then, it has allowed only limited passage for some vessels not linked to what it called enemy states — the United States and Israel. Iran has not officially announced the fee, but reports have said it was provisionally set at $1 per barrel for oil tankers. Estimates have put the charge for very large crude carriers at $2 million (about 3 billion won). Iran’s parliament on April 21 passed a bill affirming Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz and authorizing the collection of transit fees. Under the bill, ships seeking to pass must submit documents to Iranian authorities for approval, and fees must be paid in Iranian rials.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 19:51:17
  • People Power Party Leadership Reconsiders Seoul Jung-gu Mayor Nomination; Seoul Chapter Vows Reapproval
    People Power Party Leadership Reconsiders Seoul Jung-gu Mayor Nomination; Seoul Chapter Vows Reapproval The People Power Party's central leadership said April 23 it did not approve the Seoul chapter's nomination of incumbent Jung-gu Mayor Kim Gil-seong as the party's candidate for the June 3 local elections. The Seoul chapter, led by Rep. Bae Hyun-jin, said it would finalize the nomination through a revote.  Choi Bo-yoon, the party's senior spokesperson, told reporters after a meeting of the party's top leadership that Kim's nomination was not approved and had been sent back to the Seoul chapter.  Choi said a party-affiliation check from Kim's preliminary candidacy for the 8th local elections showed he appeared to have been registered with two or more parties, which could violate the Political Parties Act and the Public Official Election Act. Choi also cited concerns that Kim's explanation during an interview differed from the facts.  Bae criticized the move in a Facebook post, saying candidates submitted by the 17 city and provincial chapters can still be approved through a chapter revote even if the top leadership rejects them. "Are they now trying to intimidate candidates?" she wrote.  In a statement, the Seoul chapter said Kim confirmed when he first ran for office in 2022 that his Democratic Party membership from 2003 was still on record, and he immediately terminated it. The chapter said Kim was nominated as the People Power Party candidate for Jung-gu mayor and won in 2022, and it plans to confirm his recommendation through a revote of its nomination committee on April 24.  The party's central nomination committee later issued its own explanation, repeating that Kim appeared to have been registered with two or more parties based on the preliminary-candidate affiliation check for the 8th local elections. It also said Kim omitted past party affiliation and entered false information during the application process, and that his interview explanation differed from the facts, warranting a review of the nomination. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 19:36:18
  • Friday Forecast: Highs Near 77 Degrees, Big Day-Night Temperature Swings
    Friday Forecast: Highs Near 77 Degrees, Big Day-Night Temperature Swings Friday the 24th is expected to be mostly sunny nationwide, with daytime temperatures rising to around 25 degrees Celsius, bringing a taste of early summer. The Korea Meteorological Administration said Thursday that morning lows will range from 4 to 11 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs of 15 to 25 degrees. That is similar to, or slightly higher than, seasonal averages of 5 to 11 degrees for lows and 18 to 22 degrees for highs. Forecast morning lows by major city are: Seoul 8C, Incheon 10C, Chuncheon 5C, Gangneung 7C, Daejeon 8C, Daegu 6C, Jeonju 8C, Gwangju 8C, Busan 11C and Jeju 12C. Forecast highs are: Seoul 24C, Incheon 22C, Chuncheon 24C, Gangneung 17C, Daejeon 24C, Daegu 22C, Jeonju 24C, Gwangju 23C, Busan 20C and Jeju 18C. A KMA official said the clear weather will be driven by a high-pressure system moving from near China’s Shandong Peninsula toward the East Sea. The official warned that inland areas could see day-night temperature differences of around 20 degrees, urging people to dress accordingly. Fine dust levels are expected to range from “good” to “moderate” across the country due to smooth atmospheric circulation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 18:11:32
  • PPP’s Jang Dong-hyeok vows tough action on ‘party-harming’ acts, warns candidates could be replaced
    PPP’s Jang Dong-hyeok vows tough action on ‘party-harming’ acts, warns candidates could be replaced People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, with 41 days to go before the June 3 local elections, warned that the party would take strong action against what he called “party-harming” acts, saying, “You can never win a battle with a military whose discipline has collapsed.” Speaking further at a party supreme council meeting at the National Assembly on April 23, Jang said such conduct “from now on” could be fatal to the election. “It’s time to fight in earnest against the Democratic Party and its candidates,” he said. “Now is the time to correctly identify who we are fighting and fight properly.” He added that if the person engaging in such conduct is a candidate, “I will immediately replace the candidate.” Jang also said the party had moved to have each provincial and city party form an election committee. In areas where candidates for metropolitan mayor or governor have been decided, he said, the local party and the candidate will consult to form a committee, calling it a step that has been taken at every local election. He said the central election committee would be formed after watching how nominations are finalized. After the meeting, chief spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon told reporters that discipline for party-harming acts is “only natural” for a political party and said Jang delivered a strong message to prevent problems and help secure victory. Asked whether forming separate election committees or attacking the leadership would be considered party-harming conduct, Choi said forming separate committees “cannot, of course, be seen as party-harming.” She said the party’s position is that when candidates are confirmed in each region, local committees should be formed even before the central committee is set up so preparations for the local elections proceed steadily. Choi also rejected suggestions that Jang’s remarks were aimed at Gangwon Gov. Kim Jin-tae, who a day earlier urged Jang to “take responsibility,” saying there was “absolutely nothing” to link Kim’s comments to party-harming conduct. On Jang’s earlier request to the party ethics committee to suspend disciplinary action until the local elections end, Choi said it referred to matters already pending, while any newly occurring party-harming acts would still require judgment. She said failing to address repeated conduct related to the local elections would amount to the central party “abandoning” candidates who are campaigning hard. In response, Rep. Bae Hyun-jin, a lawmaker aligned with Han Dong-hoon, criticized Jang, writing on Facebook, “Now you’re even intimidating candidates. Then go to the U.S.” Bae wrote that Jang’s definition of party-harming conduct appeared to be “Don’t come, Jang Dong-hyeok,” adding that his trip to Gangwon the previous day must have upset him. She argued that candidates may feel they have no choice, saying it could be seen as an extreme act of loyalty because Jang “created” a situation in which, to beat the Democratic Party, “the reality is that Jang must not be there.” She also said that candidates nominated by the 17 local party organizations can ultimately be approved through a re-vote by the local party even if the supreme council rejects them. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 11:24:28
  • PPP’s Jang says probe backfired on Lee, exposing North Korea cash claims and Daejang-dong case
    PPP’s Jang says probe backfired on Lee, exposing North Korea cash claims and Daejang-dong case Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, said April 23 that hearings by a National Assembly special committee investigating alleged “fabricated prosecutions” had backfired on President Lee Jae-myung.  Speaking at a party leadership meeting at the Assembly, Jang said the hearings had brought to light what he called the substance of allegations involving Lee, including claims tied to sending money to North Korea and the Daejang-dong case.  Jang accused Democratic Party lawmakers of trying to force testimony, saying they labeled statements as perjury when they did not get the answers they wanted, shouted over witnesses and cut them off. He added that, in their view, a hearing was “successful” when Democrats shouted and interrupted.  He also criticized calls for a special counsel, saying it would mean turning a defendant’s case over to a special prosecutor appointed by the defendant, Lee. Jang called it a “self-appointed special counsel” aimed at canceling the prosecution.  Jang said Kim Yong, described as a close aide to the president, had been sentenced to five years in prison through the second trial on bribery charges and was pressuring the Democratic Party over nominations. He also criticized Jeon Jae-su, the Democratic Party’s candidate for mayor of Busan, alleging he took bribes tied to the Unification Church, and said it reflected arrogance that winning office would allow him to hold out like Lee.  Jang further said the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development had issued what he called a warning to the Lee administration over “destruction of the judiciary.” He said the government was courting international embarrassment to keep Lee out of prison, and asked whether the Democratic Party would now claim the OECD was siding with prosecutors.  He said the public was tired of trying to stop the Democratic Party and told it to do as it pleased, warning that “the people’s judgment” would lead to Lee’s trial resuming and Democratic Party lawmakers holding caucus meetings in a detention center.  Jang earlier shared a Facebook post April 22 linking to a report saying an OECD-affiliated anti-corruption body had been confirmed to have sent South Korea a letter requesting that it share a draft bill aimed at abolishing the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office and creating a Major Crimes Investigation Agency.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 09:54:52