Journalist

Lee da hui
  • 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
  • People Power Party Picks Lee Jeong-hyeon for Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City, Yang Jeong-mu for North Jeolla Governor
    People Power Party Picks Lee Jeong-hyeon for Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City, Yang Jeong-mu for North Jeolla Governor The People Power Party’s nomination management committee on Tuesday made single-candidate nominations for Lee Jeong-hyeon, a former nomination committee chair, as its candidate for mayor of the planned Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, and for Yang Jeong-mu, a former party chapter chair for Jeonju Gap, as its candidate for governor of North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province. Committee chair Park Deok-heum said at an afternoon news conference at the party’s central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, that Lee is “the right person” to lead “change and a new leap forward” for the newly launching integrated special city, citing his national government experience and political skills. Ahn Tae-uk, a former Gwangju party chair who had applied for the Jeonnam-Gwangju post, withdrew his application. Park said he expects Ahn to continue supporting the party “for a new leap forward and victory,” noting a by-election is expected in Gwangju’s Gwangsan-eul district. The by-election is expected after Min Hyung-bae, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, was ultimately selected as the party’s candidate for mayor of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City. The committee also made single-candidate recommendations for Cha Hwa-yeol as its candidate for mayor of Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi province and for Lee Nam-hyung as its candidate for head of Seoul’s Gwanak district. For the June 3 parliamentary by-elections, the party nominated Kim Min-kyung in Asan-eul, South Chungcheong province; Kim Seok-hoon in Ansan Gap, Gyeonggi province; and Oh Ji-seong in Gunsan-Gimje-Buan-gun Gap, North Jeolla province. Park said more discussion is needed on the nomination for Pyeongtaek-eul in Gyeonggi, where Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, is running, adding that a decision will be made “within a day or two.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 18:00:19
  • South Korean Ruling Party Candidates Sideline Jang Dong-hyeok as Local Election Tensions Grow
    South Korean Ruling Party Candidates Sideline Jang Dong-hyeok as Local Election Tensions Grow People Power Party candidates running in the June 3 local elections are increasingly keeping their distance from party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, as internal disputes over nominations continue and his recent U.S. trip draws criticism. In key battlegrounds including Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and the Daegu-North Gyeongsang region, candidates and lawmakers are moving to set up their own campaign committees, effectively sidelining the central leadership. Jang on the 22nd began his first regional outreach since returning from the United States. He traveled to Yangyang in Gangwon Province to support Gov. Kim Jin-tae, who is running for another term, but faced blunt criticism in person. Meeting Jang at a fishing village community center in Yangyang County’s Susan-ri, Kim said he initially believed he could win by working hard on his own, but added that the party needed to provide support. He said that after spending all day on the campaign trail, he often felt alarmed whenever news from the central party surfaced. Kim said about 300 party candidates are running in Gangwon Province and likely feel the same way. He added that some candidates urged him to speak even more forcefully when meeting Jang. Kim said he hoped Jang would “return to the great Jang Dong-hyeok of the past” and called on him to “take responsibility and resolve” the situation. As Kim’s remarks were interpreted by some as a call for Jang to step back or resign, Jang dismissed that reading, saying he did not know what Kim meant by “take responsibility and resolve it.” Jang said he was working to achieve the best possible result in the local elections and that this was his responsibility. He said he took Kim’s comments as words of concern for the party and would consider what the central party should do to win. It was Jang’s second local-election visit after Incheon. On April 6, he held an on-site meeting of the party’s top leadership in Incheon but was rebuked by Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, who said Jang was becoming “a burden to the public.” Jang had planned to hold another on-site leadership meeting in Gangwon on the 22nd, but it was replaced with a campaign pledge event. The party leadership plans to launch a central election committee once nominations are finalized. But with regional groups pressing ahead with separate campaign organizations, Jang’s standing is narrowing. Lawmakers in Gyeonggi Province have said they will launch a province-level campaign committee. At a news conference at the National Assembly the previous day, they said the Democratic Party had already finalized its candidates and was campaigning across Gyeonggi, while the People Power Party had not even decided on its candidates. They said they would immediately form a Gyeonggi campaign committee and that the province would move first in a crisis to serve as a forward base for winning the greater Seoul area. Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon, Busan mayoral candidate Park Hyung-joon and North Gyeongsang Gov. Lee Cheol-woo also signaled plans to form separate campaign committees.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 16:05:27
  • People Power Party chief backs Kim Jin-tae in Yangyang as governor warns of voter anger
    People Power Party chief backs Kim Jin-tae in Yangyang as governor warns of voter anger Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, visited Yangyang in Gangwon Province on the 22nd to announce tailored campaign pledges and bolster Kim Jin-tae, the incumbent governor and the party’s candidate for the post. Kim, citing sour local sentiment, urged Jang to take responsibility and resolve the situation. Speaking at a party event at a fishing village hall in Yangyang County, Kim said he has met many voters who tell him, “I used to be with the red party, but thinking about the central party this time makes me so angry I won’t vote.” “At first I thought I just needed to work hard,” Kim said, “but the party has to back us up to some extent.” He warned that if such voters stay home, “we really have no hope.” Kim said there are about 300 party candidates in Gangwon Province and many feel the same way. He added that some candidates asked him to speak even more forcefully when meeting Jang. He said that even after spending all day on the trail until his feet swell, “every time central news breaks, my heart sinks.” With 42 days left until the election, he said, candidates feel the pressure. Kim, recalling their time together on the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, told Jang he hoped he would “go back to the great Jang Dong-hyeok of the past.” Jang said Gangwon’s development requires a governor who has lived alongside residents and knows the province well. Taking aim at Democratic Party candidate Woo Sang-ho, Jang said Gangwon’s forests and development cannot be entrusted to a “parachute candidate” who has lived his whole life without ties to the province. Jang credited Kim with launching the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and said Kim continues to fight what he called the Lee Jae-myung administration’s neglect of Gangwon, including by shaving his head in protest. He said the People Power Party would stand firmly with Kim and devote all its strength to Gangwon’s development. The party’s tailored pledges for Gangwon include: △ linking the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon within about one hour by transportation △ promoting a medical artificial intelligence-based regional development project △ building a clean methanol and critical minerals-based cluster in Taebaek △ creating a medical industry cluster in Samcheok △ establishing a hydrogen-specialized complex along the east coast. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 11:31:37
  • PPP Lawmaker Jin Jong-oh Says He Won’t Avoid Discipline Over Backing Han Dong-hoon
    PPP Lawmaker Jin Jong-oh Says He Won’t Avoid Discipline Over Backing Han Dong-hoon People Power Party lawmaker Jin Jong-oh said Tuesday he has no intention of avoiding possible party discipline after he backed Han Dong-hoon in the Busan Buk-gap parliamentary by-election, prompting the party leadership to order a fact-finding probe. “I'm not trying to dodge this because I'm afraid of discipline,” Jin said on KBS radio’s “Jeongyeok Sisa.” He said he believes the choice is “the right one for the country,” adding that conservatives should begin building “a grand unity” and a new conservative history. Jin said he first learned through media reports that PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok had ordered a review of the facts after Jang’s trip to the United States, and that the party later contacted his office. “Since the U.S. trip itself has become so controversial, I wonder if they looked for a scapegoat and attacked me,” he said. He argued the party should be moving to put Han “on the right path,” and said it was regrettable to “cut off the sprout” at an early stage. He added that the party needs to reflect and improve. Saying he shares Han’s views, Jin addressed reports that he moved his residence to Busan to support Han. Jin said he has been traveling between Seoul and Busan, but time and costs were high, so he made a provisional contract for a small one-room apartment. Jin also criticized Jang for extending his U.S. trip while party candidates were “sweating blood” to win nominations and support. While meetings may be kept private as a diplomatic practice, Jin said, “who he met” is something that can be disclosed. On whether a party audit is needed over Jang’s trip, Jin said, “If we have to do a party audit, of course we should.” But he urged Jang’s leadership not to be swayed by forces “shaking our party,” and called on the leadership to speak transparently and fairly. Earlier, Jang on Sunday instructed PPP Secretary-General Jeong Hee-yong at a closed-door 최고위원회의 to check whether a party audit was needed regarding Jin, who had secured a place to stay in Busan to support Han and argued the PPP should not field its own candidate.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 10:31:19
  • Cho Kwang-han Drops Out of PPP Gyeonggi Governor Primary, Backs Lee Seong-bae
    Cho Kwang-han Drops Out of PPP Gyeonggi Governor Primary, Backs Lee Seong-bae Cho Kwang-han, a People Power Party supreme council member who had been running for the party’s nomination for Gyeonggi governor, announced Tuesday that he is ending his bid and backing Lee Seong-bae, a former announcer. The move sets up a three-way primary contest among Supreme Council member Yang Hyang-ja, former lawmaker Ham Jin-gyu and Lee.  Cho told a news conference at the National Assembly that he would step down as a candidate in the party’s Gyeonggi governor primary. “For the party’s victory alone, I will return to where I need to be,” he said. Cho said he believes Lee will win the primary and “make a miracle” in the general election, adding that he is confident Gyeonggi will “make a leap to a younger province” under a “youth governor.” Cho called Lee “the only candidate who can defeat” Democratic Party candidate Choo Mi-ae. He said he will serve as Lee’s campaign chief.  Lee also held a news conference at the National Assembly on Tuesday to formally declare his run for governor. He said he would be a governor who communicates residents’ voices into provincial policy and proposed a “three axes, five priorities” strategy.  Lee’s three development axes include: a semiconductor and artificial intelligence cluster centered on Pangyo, Yongin, Icheon, Hwaseong and Pyeongtaek; a SMART automobile cluster centered on Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, Siheung, Gimpo and Pangyo; and a bio-medical cluster centered on Goyang, Paju, Uijeongbu, Yangju and Namyangju. He listed jobs, housing, education, transportation and culture as five priorities and said he would build living conditions based on a “15-minute living zone” concept.  The People Power Party plans to hold two primary debates, then conduct voting over two days starting April 30, before announcing its final nominee on May 2.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 16:57:02
  • Ex-DP lawmaker faces arrest after Natl Assembly passes motion over bribery allegations
    Ex-DP lawmaker faces arrest after Nat'l Assembly passes motion over bribery allegations SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - The National Assembly on Tuesday passed a motion allowing the arrest of Kang Sun-woo, a former lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) over alleged bribery and breach of trust. The motion was passed with 164 votes in favor and 87 against, with three abstentions and nine invalid ballots. Kang is accused of receiving 100 million Korean won (US$68,500) from Kim Kyung, a former Seoul city official in return for the DP's candidate nominations for the 2022 local elections. The money was allegedly delivered to Kang's former aide, identified only by his surname Nam. Before the vote, Kang said she had returned the money every time it was given, totaling 322 million won over five occasions, and added that she never demanded 100 million won and that it would not have been worth risking her career over that amount. She said she believed she had lived by her principles, while admitting that her conduct was "immature." In South Korea, lawmakers are immune from arrest during a parliamentary session unless the National Assembly votes to lift that protection. Since the motion was passed, Kang now faces arrest, with a hearing expected in early March. 2026-02-24 16:52:53