AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

SONG SEUNG HYUN
  • Democratic Party’s Cheon Jun-ho vows to pass livelihood bills in plenary session
    Democratic Party’s Cheon Jun-ho vows to pass livelihood bills in plenary session Cheon Jun-ho, acting floor leader of the Democratic Party, said April 23 that the party will convene a plenary session and move to pass pending livelihood-related bills to support the Lee Jae-myung government’s state affairs agenda. He also vowed to pursue the truth behind what he called fabricated indictments by prosecutors during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. Speaking at a party policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly on Thursday morning, Cheon said, “With the domestic and international situation severe, the Democratic Party will do its utmost to firmly support the Lee Jae-myung government’s governance and respond without disruption to livelihood issues.” He said the plenary session scheduled for Thursday afternoon would handle “state tasks and urgent livelihood bills.” Cheon said more than 240 bills have been placed on the plenary agenda and called on the People Power Party to cooperate. “Delaying passage without any particular reason is a dereliction of duty by the National Assembly,” he said, urging lawmakers to take a broad view in processing bills “for the national interest and people’s livelihoods,” adding there were no specific issues currently driving partisan confrontation. Cheon also said hearings held by a National Assembly special committee investigating allegations of fabricated indictments by what he called the “political prosecution” under the Yoon administration had laid bare the reality of such cases. “The reality of seven major fabricated indictments carried out by Yoon Suk Yeol’s political prosecution has been revealed,” Cheon said. He claimed Yoon’s goal was “only one: removing Lee Jae-myung and erasing the Moon Jae-in administration.” Cheon singled out the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case, saying it was “beyond fabrication, at the level of fiction.” He said an audio recording involving Prosecutor Park Sang-yong showed it was a fabricated indictment in which prosecutors “intervened on all fronts.” Cheon alleged that prosecutors “covered it up” despite receiving a report from the Financial Supervisory Service on suspected wrongdoing by the Ssangbangwool Group, and that the result was a “stitched-together” investigation that gave Kim Seong-tae a pass while indicting Lee and people around him. He also described the case involving alleged manipulation of real estate statistics under the Moon government as a “targeted investigation” hastily put together 28 days before a general election. He called the case involving the fatal shooting of a South Korean public official in the West Sea a political retaliation case, saying it took only 43 days to move from the incident to a complaint being filed. Cheon said the special committee would continue tracking the allegations through an on-site inspection Thursday of the Financial Supervisory Service and the Board of Audit and Inspection, and through a comprehensive hearing scheduled for April 28.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 10:08:06
  • Kim Han-jeong Camp Files Police Complaint Against Choi Hyeon-deok Over Alleged Fake Address Registration
    Kim Han-jeong Camp Files Police Complaint Against Choi Hyeon-deok Over Alleged Fake Address Registration Kim Han-jeong, who has declared his bid for Namyangju mayor, said on the 22nd that he filed a complaint with police over allegations that rival preliminary candidate Choi Hyeon-deok registered a false address in connection with the June 3 local elections. In a media notice, Kim’s camp said it submitted the complaint on suspicion of violating the Public Official Election Act. The camp said Choi is registered at a one-room unit in Byeollae-myeon, Namyangju, describing it as about 6 pyeong in size and saying its layout makes typical family living difficult, raising questions about whether he actually lives there. The camp added that claims have circulated in the community and in some reports that Choi’s family lives in Goyang, and that verification is needed on where his day-to-day life was based. “Taken together, these circumstances require clear confirmation of whether the address change was merely formal for the purpose of running for office,” the camp said, calling for a thorough investigation. It said the timing of the address change, actual residence and the existence of a living base are key factors in determining a fake address registration and should be checked carefully through objective materials. The camp said fake address registration can significantly affect election fairness and voters’ judgment, adding, “This is not an attack targeting a specific person but an unavoidable step to protect public trust in election order.” It urged authorities to strictly determine the facts. 2026-04-22 17:21:18
  • Democratic Party, government and presidential office to form PM-led task force for balanced regional development
    Democratic Party, government and presidential office to form PM-led task force for balanced regional development The Democratic Party, the government and the presidential office said they will form a task force led by the Prime Minister’s Office to pursue balanced regional development and move into full implementation once personnel appointments are completed. Rep. Kim Young-bae, a member of the Democratic Party’s Special Committee on Balanced Growth, told reporters after a ruling party-government-presidential office policy meeting on the 22nd that the session broadly reviewed the Lee Jae-myung government’s strategy for balanced growth. “First, the Prime Minister’s Office’s task force for a major national land and spatial transformation has been formed, and the personnel process is nearly at the final stage,” Kim said. Kim said participants agreed that once vetting and appointments are finished, the prime minister-chaired task force and a pan-government consultative body will serve as the main pillars, with the Local Era Committee and the party’s special committee working together in a ruling party-government-presidential office framework to carry out balanced-growth policy tasks. Kim also outlined a timetable for follow-up talks. He said the three sides plan to hold another consultative meeting by the end of June, with the special committee and the presidential office meeting together, and then use those discussions to shape legislative and budget strategies to be addressed by the end of August. Kim said the meeting focused in particular on a special law for “mega special zones.” He described it as legislation that would consolidate various sandbox-based pilot projects and support their designation and operation at a broader regional level, including tax, fiscal and financial support systems, with provisions aimed at backing corporate activity and industrial ecosystems. He said the goal is to pursue legislation within the regular session of the National Assembly, with relevant ministries and standing committees moving quickly on deliberations. Kim added that participants also discussed other local-related campaign pledges as key bills, including legislation to establish an investment corporation for the southeastern region, a special law to create an Arctic shipping route committee, and a bill to establish a public medical school.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 17:18:19
  • Democratic Party Weighs Special Subsidies, 30 Trillion Won Fund to Draw Firms to Mega Special Zones
    Democratic Party Weighs Special Subsidies, 30 Trillion Won Fund to Draw Firms to Mega Special Zones The Democratic Party is considering special subsidies and support from a 30 trillion won National Growth Fund to attract companies to “mega special zones” it is promoting in five regional hubs outside the Seoul metropolitan area, according to reporting by Aju Business Daily. The party has been discussing a package of measures aimed at boosting regional economies and fostering national strategic industries. The plan would offer what it calls top-level preferential treatment for anchor companies and partner firms in the designated zones, including special subsidies, large-scale investment through the National Growth Fund and an expansion of industry-academia convergence districts, the report said. As part of broader investment incentives, the party plans to create a new “growth engine” special subsidy. It is also considering expanding subsidies for local investment and foreign investment, with additional preferential support tied to the growth-engine program. In finance, the party plans to invest 30 trillion won in the National Growth Fund and 700 billion won in a Regional Growth Fund by year’s end, the report said. The package would include preferential policy-finance loan rates, expanded insurance and guarantee limits, and continued export voucher support. The plan also includes tax support. For large-scale local investment, the party would designate “opportunity development special zones” and provide tax benefits using investment, employment and R&D tax credits, according to the report. The party also discussed steps to strengthen the business environment and build a more active industrial ecosystem in the regions to help the mega special zones take hold. Measures under review include establishing nine “growth engine” branded colleges and convergence research institutes at key national universities, expanding industry-academia convergence districts, and strengthening cooperation programs such as “K-Quick Start,” which trains job candidates. For infrastructure, the plan would use advanced national industrial complexes, MAX clusters and RE100 industrial parks to build regional hubs and concentrate investment in core facilities and innovation infrastructure, the report said. To develop industrial ecosystems, the party is considering expanding regional block-funding R&D, including large “growth engine” projects that combine technology development, talent training, and testing and demonstration infrastructure. Other measures include building startup cities and giving preferential treatment to startup support programs. The party is also considering operating a one-stop corporate investment support center to provide close, one-on-one assistance and speed up permitting and approvals within the mega special zones. In addition, the party is pushing to enact a special law to support the policies. It plans to draft legislation covering designation and operating procedures for the mega special zones, broad regulatory exemptions and the policy package, then submit a bill after consultations with relevant ministries, the report said. A lawmaker on the party’s Special Committee on Balanced National Growth said in a phone interview with Aju Business Daily on the 22nd that the amount and scale of subsidies have not been finalized. “The amount and scale of the subsidies are not yet clearly set,” the lawmaker said. “But we will continue support at a fairly large level.” The lawmaker added that the party aims to pass the special law for designating mega special zones within this year, saying it will move as quickly as possible to establish a legal foundation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 16:40:00
  • Democratic Party Unveils Local Election Platform, Calls for Region-Led Growth
    Democratic Party Unveils Local Election Platform, Calls for Region-Led Growth The Democratic Party on the 22nd announced an overall platform for the June 3 local elections built around five visions and 15 policy tasks, as it seeks victory in the vote. At a platform briefing held at the National Assembly, the party said it would pursue what it called a major shift aimed at “normalizing the nation,” including new-industry growth and region-led development tied to the Lee Jae-myung government’s “5 poles, 3 special zones” approach. The party listed its five visions as: region-led growth and balanced national development; growth in new industries such as artificial intelligence and an economic leap; guaranteeing opportunity and “national success”; stabilizing livelihoods and a fair society; and “normalizing the nation” and restoring popular sovereignty. Han Jeong-ae, the party’s policy chief, said the local elections share a common goal of supporting the Lee Jae-myung government and achieving “balanced growth for the people.” She added that detailed pledges would be presented later. Yoo Dong-soo, the party’s vice chair for economic affairs, said the party would designate “mega special zones” linked to the government’s “5 poles, 3 special zones” policy to create regional growth hubs. He said the party would provide policy support including fiscal incentives and stronger local autonomy. Yoo also outlined a “Our Child Self-Reliance Fund,” under which the government would enroll children in a fund from birth and make regular deposits. He said withdrawals would be allowed after the child becomes an adult, with use limited to purposes such as education and starting a business. Park Sang-hyeok, the party’s vice chair for social affairs, said the party would introduce “climate insurance” to reduce economic losses caused by the climate crisis through an insurance system backed by the central or local governments. He also said the party would promote a “sunlight income village” policy, forming cooperatives on public land to install solar power plants and use the proceeds, and pursue supportive housing policies to help older adults and people with disabilities with daily living as society enters a super-aged era. Han noted that the terms of local government heads elected in this vote would be similar to President Lee’s, and urged Democratic Party candidates to take an active approach. “The Democratic Party and President Lee have a clear goal of carrying out balanced regional development and drawing out real growth engines,” Han said. “I hope those who will work with us are elected. Those who win in this local election should move forward proactively.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 11:30:42
  • DPK’s Cho Seung-rae says party leans against nominating Kim Yong for by-election
    DPK’s Cho Seung-rae says party leans against nominating Kim Yong for by-election Cho Seung-rae, secretary-general of the Democratic Party of Korea, said the party is still weighing whether to nominate Kim Yong, a former deputy head of the party-affiliated Democratic Research Institute, for an upcoming by-election, but noted that internal sentiment is leaning negative. Speaking on CBS Radio’s “Park Seong-tae’s News Show” on Tuesday, Cho said the party is preparing strategic nominations for the by-elections based on three principles: recruiting strong outside candidates, selecting promising party talent, and bringing in heavyweight figures who are currently outside the National Assembly. “The key is that we are at a stage of broadly reviewing how each candidate could affect the election and their chances of winning,” he said. Cho said views inside the party are split over Kim, who has said he wants to run in the Gyeonggi area. Cho said some argue Kim deserves political consideration as a victim of what they describe as a fabricated indictment by “political prosecutors,” while others say his nomination would not meet public expectations. “We are looking at it comprehensively,” Cho said. “At this point, negative views are stronger than positive ones.” Cho also addressed speculation that Ha Jung-woo, the presidential office’s senior secretary for artificial intelligence, could run in Busan’s Buk-gu Gap district. Cho said Ha’s stance has become more flexible compared with his initially rigid response. “We are making last-minute efforts to bring him in,” Cho said. “Only his decision remains, and we are expecting it.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 09:27:16
  • Democratic Primary Candidate Kim Han-jeong Urges End to Negative Attacks, Seeks Meeting With Choi Hyeon-deok
    Democratic Primary Candidate Kim Han-jeong Urges End to Negative Attacks, Seeks Meeting With Choi Hyeon-deok Kim Han-jeong, a preliminary candidate in the Democratic Party’s Namyangju mayoral primary, on April 21 proposed an urgent meeting with rival preliminary candidate Choi Hyeon-deok, calling for a “one-team” primary. Speaking at an emergency news conference at his campaign office, Kim said the primary should not be a contest over “who attacks more harshly,” but a choice of “who can change Namyangju.” He said candidates should face citizens and party members with mutual respect and a contest of policies. Kim called on Choi to agree to principles of ending negative campaigning, showing mutual respect and focusing on policy, and to run a clean primary. Kim also addressed recent attacks against him. He said an “unfair smear frame” he experienced during the nomination process two years ago was being repeated in this primary, adding that it had gone beyond political criticism to the level of damaging a person’s life and reputation. He rejected claims that he was not present at an anti-martial law rally, saying that was not true. Kim said he was overseas at the time but continued efforts to publicize the unfairness of martial law to U.S. political circles, media and think tanks. Kim said he was imprisoned while fighting military dictatorship as a university student and has never left the Democratic Party since joining in 1988. He also said he was the first sitting lawmaker to declare support when Lee Jae-myung sought the Gyeonggi governor’s post. Kim laid out a development vision for Namyangju, saying concerns are growing that while new towns are expanding, older downtown areas are stagnating. He pledged balanced growth so that Wangsuk New Town and existing areas — Jinjeop, Onam, Byeollae, Hwado, Sudong, Pyeongnae and Hopyeong — can develop together.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 15:44:23
  • Seoul mayoral rivals build campaign teams ahead of June 3 local elections
    Seoul mayoral rivals build campaign teams ahead of June 3 local elections With both major parties having chosen their final candidates for Seoul mayor ahead of the June 3 local elections, attention is turning to the campaign committees expected to drive the race. Democratic Party candidate Jung Won-oh, selected earlier as the party’s nominee, has moved quickly to assemble a large committee heavy with sitting lawmakers and has begun public campaigning. People Power Party candidate Oh Se-hoon has said he will also move fast to build his team. Jung on Monday visited the Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak District with about 40 aides in his first official outing since launching his campaign committee. Among those attending were Rep. Lee In-young, a five-term lawmaker from Seoul and a standing co-chair of the committee, along with Reps. Park Joo-min and Jeon Hyun-hee, who had competed against Jung in the party race. Other key figures from the committee formed the previous day also joined, including co-chairs Han Jeong-ae, Nam In-soon, Jin Sun-mi, Ko Min-jung and Kim Young-ho. Jung’s committee totals more than 50 members, including 27 sitting lawmakers. Jung reiterated his push for party unity, saying he built a lawmaker-centered committee to strengthen his team. “The candidates in the party primary have experience in state affairs and in the National Assembly, and they have experience in party leadership,” he told reporters after the visit. “I invited them to help fill in what I need to build one team.” Oh, by contrast, has made few public moves since appointing Rep. Park Soo-min and former lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook as co-chairs on Saturday. Still, Oh has said he plans to ask key party figures, including sitting lawmakers from Seoul, to join as he accelerates preparations. Speaking on KBS radio’s “Jeonggyeok Sisa” on Monday, Oh said, “We should of course bring in sitting lawmakers. We will of course bring in Supreme Council member Shin Dong-wook as well.” Referring to Jung’s lineup, he added, “Even if we can’t match a ‘mammoth’ committee, we are planning around people who can work practically.” Oh’s camp told Aju Business Daily by phone that the overall structure has not yet been finalized, but said it is making full preparations to recruit lawmakers in Seoul and that sitting lawmakers could join.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 15:34:38
  • Rival parties agree to pass bill this week to clear way for US investment under trade deal
    Rival parties agree to pass bill this week to clear way for US investment under trade deal SEOUL, March 4 (AJP) - A bill outlining South Korea's massive investment pledges to the U.S., a follow-up measure to a tariff-related deal between the two countries is expected to pass at the National Assembly later this week. Lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) met on Wednesday to discuss the bill and agreed to put it to a vote at a parliamentary session on Thursday. "If all goes as planned, we expect the bill to pass," the DP's Cheon Jun-ho told reporters. "We put the broader national interest first, mindful that further delays could invite even harsher U.S. tariff measures," said the PPP's Yoo Sang-beom. In January, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to raise reciprocal tariffs on South Korea back to 25 percent from 15 percent, complaining about delays in Seoul's legislative process for the trade deal that was reached during his visit to South Korea last fall. Meanwhile, the two rival parties failed to reach a consensus on another bill to merge several central and southern provinces including Daejeon and Daegu, as each side weighs what advantages it might gain ahead of local elections slated for early June. 2026-03-04 17:11:39
  • JTBC Apologizes After Japanese Flag Graphic Airs During Korea-Japan Curling Match
    JTBC Apologizes After Japanese Flag Graphic Airs During Korea-Japan Curling Match JTBC, which holds exclusive broadcast rights to the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, issued an official apology after a Japanese flag graphic aired during the women’s Korea-Japan curling match. In a statement posted on its website on Feb. 16, JTBC said that at about 11:23 p.m. on Feb. 15, a Japanese national flag graphic briefly appeared on an advertising screen during a live broadcast of the match. JTBC said the error was the production team’s fault and apologized for causing discomfort to viewers. It said it would strengthen checks and oversight to prevent a repeat. The incident occurred during the live broadcast of the women’s curling round-robin fifth match between South Korea and Japan at the Cortina Curling Stadium in Italy. After the fifth end ended, an unrelated Japanese flag graphic aired for about 10 seconds during a commercial break.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-16 12:18:00