Journalist
Song Seung-hyun
songsh@ajunews.com
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Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae campaigns in Hanam for Choo Mi-ae and Lee Kwang-jae Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, visited Hanam in Gyeonggi Province on April 29 to rally support for Choo Mi-ae, the party’s candidate for Gyeonggi governor, and Lee Kwang-jae, who is running in the Hanam-gap by-election. Jeong joined Choo and Lee that afternoon at Hanam’s Deokpung traditional market to begin campaign activities. Their first stop was a rice-cake shop, where Jeong fed rice cakes to Choo, Lee, Rep. Kim Yong-man, and Kang Byeong-deok, the Democratic Party’s Hanam mayoral candidate, among others. They then visited dried-goods and produce shops. Introducing Choo, Lee and Kang, Jeong said, “I will work for Hanam. Choo has come back bigger, and Lee has come to become bigger.” Jeong also highlighted the achievements of President Lee Jae-myung. When a produce-shop owner thanked him, saying, “Thank you for doing well. You’ve worked hard,” Jeong replied, “The president is working hard.” Some market users objected to the visit. A male vendor complained to security guards protecting Jeong, saying, “What are you doing in someone else’s market? The guards are pushing people.” A middle-aged woman, upset by the congestion caused by the Democratic Party group, scolded Jeong, saying, “Why are you doing this here? Let me shop.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 16:43:35 -
Ruling Party Panel Says Probe Found Prosecutorial Misconduct in Alleged Fabricated Indictments Democratic Party lawmakers serving on a National Assembly special committee investigating allegations of politically motivated, fabricated indictments under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration reported on their work April 29, a day before the panel is set to end its activities. They also said they would push for a special prosecutor to pursue accountability. At a morning news briefing at the National Assembly, the committee said its probe had brought to light what it described as prosecutorial fabrication and other illegal conduct, and it outlined what it called key findings so far. Committee Chair Seo Young-kyo said a review of investigative processes in the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case and the Daejang-dong case showed “fabrication” and “illegal acts.” She said the highlight of the April 28 hearing was testimony from former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Seong-tae, who appeared and said, “I have never met or even seen Lee Jae-myung.” Seo said the Yoon Suk Yeol administration had mobilized state power to try to remove the organizations of President Lee Jae-myung and former President Moon Jae-in. She said matters that had proceeded secretly within the prosecution were revealed through the parliamentary probe, and pledged to keep working to uncover remaining facts. Rep. Lee Ju-hee described what she said the committee confirmed through its work, including what she called a pattern of “fabricated indictments” in which investigators select targets and use coercion and inducements to produce false statements. She added that cases examined by the committee showed alleged fabrication and concealment of evidence, contamination and bargaining over testimony, and clear violations of constitutional basic rights. Lee said the probe showed the prosecution’s ability to police itself had reached its limits, arguing that a special prosecutor is needed. She said the Democratic Party would use a special prosecutor to determine the full scope of alleged fabricated indictments and bring those responsible before a court of judgment. The committee also said it plans to file complaints against witnesses and participants it says committed perjury during hearings and the investigation. Rep. Lee Geon-tae, the committee’s secretary, said he plans to hold a briefing at 11 a.m. April 30 to explain planned perjury complaints. He said committee members are still sorting the cases and that details would be provided April 30.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 11:54:21 -
Jung Cheong-rae says Democrats will push special prosecutor after probe panel ends Jung Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, said a National Assembly fact-finding panel is exposing what he called prosecutors’ fabricated indictments tied to the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, and vowed to seek a special prosecutor as soon as the panel’s work ends. Speaking at a party leadership meeting at the Assembly on Tuesday, Jung said hearings by the special committee had “opened wide the door to the truth” that the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case was manipulated. He said the panel has issued three reports and held four hearings that revealed patterns of what he described as fabricated prosecutions. Jung said evidence including recordings, Excel files and alleged manipulation of statements has emerged, and that the committee confirmed “clear” signs of direction or involvement at the administration level across the cases it reviewed. He said he was “shaking with anger” at what he called state violence aimed at a single person and actions that trampled democracy, the rule of law and the constitutional order. Saying the committee’s work has brought the public closer to the truth, Jung said the full scope of the allegations must be uncovered and those responsible punished. He said the party would, as promised, move quickly to launch a special prosecutor immediately after the committee wraps up to “reveal all the truth” and bring those responsible before the courts. Jung also criticized the outcome of an appeals court ruling involving first lady Kim Keon Hee, who on April 28 was sentenced to four years in prison and fined 50 million won. He said the long-running Deutsche Motors case had resulted in a guilty verdict, but called the decision “far removed” from public sentiment. He said allegations that Kim improperly intervened in the People Power Party’s nomination process were not recognized as any offense. He also said he could not accept the appeals court’s decision to consider sentencing factors such as a first offense, age and health. Jung noted that a second-instance verdict was scheduled Tuesday in Yoon’s case on charges of obstructing the execution of official duties. Calling it the first ruling since a special court division focused on insurrection cases was formed, he said he hoped for a decision that would restore the rule of law. He added that he would seek to fully uncover what he called the truth about “insurrection, foreign collusion and state-affairs meddling” by Yoon and Kim and ensure accountability in court.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 10:08:41 -
South Korea Assembly Passes Election Law to Add 3 Incheon District Council Seats Ruling and opposition parties on the 28th approved revisions to the Public Official Election Act to adjust the number of basic local council members in Incheon ahead of an administrative system overhaul. Under the bill, Incheon’s total will increase by three seats, to 128 from 125. The National Assembly passed the measure at an afternoon plenary session, revising the number of basic local council seats for the June 3 local elections. Of 246 lawmakers present, 234 voted in favor and 12 abstained. Rep. Bae Jun-young of the People Power Party, explaining the proposal, said the administrative overhaul set to take effect in July revealed that some districts would lose seats under current constituency lines. He said the outcome failed to reflect population growth and changes from the reorganization. Bae said the Assembly’s special committee on political reform concluded additional seats were needed to ensure resident representation and equal voting value. He said the plan would also raise the nationwide total number of district and county council members from 3,003 to 3,006. The bill is a follow-up to a version introduced and processed at a plenary session on the 18th, after lawmakers argued the earlier draft did not fully reflect the administrative overhaul that adds Yeongjong-gu in Incheon and that the council-seat count needed adjustment. Also at the plenary session, the People Power Party delivered a floor statement on a motion recommending the dismissal of Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young, after controversy over his remarks mentioning a uranium enrichment facility in North Korea’s Kangsong city. Rep. Kim Geon said Jeong, since those remarks, had continued to make what he called uncoordinated, unilateral statements on diplomacy and security policy, creating discord with the president, the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry and causing friction with ally the United States. Kim criticized Jeong for not issuing an official apology or presenting steps to prevent a recurrence despite what he described as diplomatic risks between South Korea and the United States. Kim said Jeong had publicly referred in the Assembly to a South Korea-U.S. intelligence matter, creating diplomatic and security risks, and that afterward even information sharing on North Korea had been halted, raising concerns about alliance trust and security coordination. He said Jeong was shifting blame outward rather than offering an apology and prevention measures. Kim urged that the dismissal motion not be treated lightly and called for a plenary session vote, saying, “There is no ruling or opposition party when it comes to national security.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 15:06:07 -
Kim Yong Accepts Democratic Party’s Decision to Drop Strategic Nomination Bid Kim Yong, former deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute, said on the 28th that he “accepts the party’s decision with a heavy heart” after the Democratic Party’s strategic nomination for the upcoming by-election was scrapped, but urged supporters to back the party and “declare a firm resolve to end the aftermath of an insurrection” through the vote. Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly that afternoon, Kim said he would respect the party’s deliberations and “strategic judgment” and would “serve without rank.” “If my sacrifice becomes a foundation for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government and the Democratic Party’s victory, I will step aside gladly,” he said. Kim again claimed prosecutors had brought a fabricated case against him and said he would fight it to the end. “The indictment against me is clearly a fabrication by political prosecutors and a petty political retaliation,” Kim said. “If I collapse here, it will set a precedent that a manipulated investigation can win.” He added, “I will not stop, and I will prove it to the end. I will break the prosecution’s fabricated indictment and devote myself from the lowest place for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government.” Kim also thanked his supporters and asked for backing for the June 3 local elections and the by-elections. “Because there are party members who believe in my innocence, I am not alone,” he said. “As a comrade standing by your side, I will start again.” He again called on voters to “declare a firm resolve to end the aftermath of an insurrection” and to “declare a great leap forward for South Korea.” Kim had signaled his intention to run in the Gyeonggi Province area starting with a media briefing on the 13th. About 60 lawmakers within the party were reported to have urged Kim’s nomination, and the leadership was said to be weighing whether to nominate him. But on the 27th, the party’s strategic nomination committee decided not to nominate him, citing concerns it could affect the by-election, leaving Kim unable to run.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 13:50:38 -
South Korea’s Democrats Reject U.S. House GOP Letter Urging End to Coupang ‘Discrimination’ South Korea’s Democratic Party said U.S. House Republicans were wrong to urge Seoul to stop what they called discrimination against Coupang, arguing that investigating companies suspected of breaking Korean law is a sovereign right. Han Jeong-ae, the party’s policy chief, said at a party meeting at the National Assembly on April 28 that the letter’s argument effectively implies U.S. companies should face looser standards abroad than in the United States. “They invoke the rule of law and sovereignty, yet at the same time make demands that directly violate those principles. It is logically inconsistent,” Han said. She added that protecting citizens’ personal information and investigating and probing alleged legal violations are “the legitimate right of a sovereign state.” Rep. Lee Yong-woo said authorities are considering sanctions against Coupang over alleged violations of multiple Korean laws, including the Personal Information Protection Act, the Fair Trade Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. “If they argue Coupang should be exempt from legal sanctions simply because it is a U.S. company, that is not fair and amounts to demanding preferential treatment,” Lee said. He also said the group letter from Republican lawmakers “undermines mutual trust and respect between allies,” adding that he “strongly regrets” it. The Democratic Party said it plans to send its own protest letter to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, led by Rep. Park Hong-bae. “I don’t know what kind of falsehoods Coupang is telling in the United States that leads to interference in another country’s judicial matters,” Park said. “What happens in the Republic of Korea must be resolved under Korea’s laws and procedures.” He said lawmakers came together across factions and parties to defend the rule of law and sovereignty. Park warned that if U.S. political demands are accepted, it could set a precedent for multinational companies to use diplomatic pressure to intervene in domestic judicial procedures. “Korea’s judicial sovereignty is not a subject for negotiation,” he said, adding that he and 90 lawmakers “will not back down” from what he called an unjust demand.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 10:48:46 -
Democratic Party’s Cheon Jun-ho Vows to Pursue Probe Into Alleged Prosecutorial Abuse Cheon Jun-ho, acting floor leader of South Korea’s Democratic Party, said April 28 that his party will “dig to the end” into what it calls state violence uncovered through a National Assembly special committee investigating allegations of politically motivated, fabricated indictments under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. He also criticized the People Power Party’s decision to nominate Rep. Choo Kyung-ho as its Daegu mayoral candidate as a “Yoon-again nomination.” Speaking at a Democratic Party floor leadership meeting at the National Assembly, Cheon said the committee’s work was nearing its final stage and that the probe had revealed “the reality of state violence” by what he called the “Yoon Suk Yeol prosecution-led administration.” He said signs of fabrication were found without exception in cases including the Ssangbangwool remittances to North Korea, Daejang-dong, the Wirye new town development, the killing of a South Korean public official in the West Sea, and alleged statistics manipulation. Cheon said “fabricated indictments, sentence deals and manipulated recordings” were used for media campaigns that affected even the last presidential election. He said the Democratic Party would pursue accountability for what he described as abuses of state power to eliminate political opponents, adding that such acts trampled the Constitution and human rights. Cheon also pointed to the People Power Party’s April 26 nomination of Choo for the June 3 local elections, calling it “a clear Yoon-again nomination.” He said Choo is a defendant on trial on charges of playing an important role in an insurrection and is accused of obstructing a vote to lift martial law at the time. Cheon said the nomination made the People Power Party’s character clear and urged it to stop what he called “Yoon-again nominations.” He added that South Korea would overcome insurrection and move forward.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 10:15:18 -
Democratic Party Picks Lee Kwang-jae, Kim Yong-nam and Kim Nam-kuk for Gyeonggi By-elections The Democratic Party said it has decided to make strategic nominations for upcoming by-elections in Gyeonggi province, naming Lee Kwang-jae, a former Gangwon governor, for Hanam Gap; Kim Yong-nam, a former lawmaker, for Pyeongtaek Eul; and Kim Nam-kuk, a former lawmaker, for Ansan Gap. Kang Jun-hyeon, the party’s chief spokesperson, told reporters after a meeting of the Strategic Nomination Management Committee at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 27th that the committee approved the three nominations. Kang said Lee was chosen in part because he has put the party ahead of personal interests when it faced difficulties. He described Lee as a heavyweight candidate who has served three terms in the National Assembly and led a provincial government, and said he is suited to push forward national projects such as the GTX rail plan. Kang also highlighted Lee’s past election win in conservative-leaning Gangwon and said Lee has a strong grasp of issues affecting the Seoul metropolitan area. Explaining Kim Yong-nam’s nomination, Kang said the party aimed to field a “reasonable and reform-minded” conservative figure in Pyeongtaek Eul, an area with strong conservative tendencies. He said Kim contributed significantly to broadening support and winning the last presidential election, and that the party believes Kim can draw backing across political lines and remain competitive even in a difficult district. Kang said Kim Nam-kuk was nominated because he has, until recently, shared President Lee Jae-myung’s governing philosophy and previously served as a lawmaker representing the Ansan area. “Former lawmaker Kim Nam-kuk understands President Lee Jae-myung’s governing philosophy most deeply,” Kang said, adding that Kim’s understanding of local issues, built during his time representing Ansan, would help lead the party to victory. The party, however, ruled out nominating Kim Yong, a former deputy head of the Democratic Research Institute, who had consistently expressed interest in running in the Gyeonggi area. Secretary-General Cho Seung-rae said some inside and outside the party argued Kim deserved an opportunity, describing him as a victim of what he called a “prosecutorial fabricated indictment” and someone who contributed to the party and President Lee. But Cho said the party decided not to nominate him because it could affect the by-elections. Cho added that it would also be difficult to consider Kim for nomination in another district and said he explained the circumstances to Kim on the 27th. Cho also said the party would continue its recruitment process for Ha Jung-woo, the presidential office’s senior secretary for artificial intelligence, who is widely expected to run in Busan’s Buk-gu Gap district. Cho said he met Ha personally on the 6th, and that party leader Jung Cheong-rae also spoke with Ha on the 26th about a potential run. Cho said Ha had expressed his intention to resign, and that if it is approved soon, the party plans to proceed with steps to bring him in as a candidate.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 18:38:24 -
National Assembly Speaker Woo urges vote on constitutional amendment, warns PPP of blame if it fails National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik on April 27 urged lawmakers to pass a proposed constitutional amendment that is set for a vote May 7, the first such vote in 39 years, calling it an effort to “fix an outdated Constitution and move toward the future.” He also warned the People Power Party, which has adopted opposition to the amendment as its party line, that it would bear responsibility if the measure fails. Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, Woo said provisions in the proposal have broad public support, including language to carry on the spirit of the Bu-Ma Democratic Protests and the May 18 democratization movement, stronger National Assembly control over martial law, and a clause specifying balanced regional development. “This amendment is about fixing an outdated Constitution and opening the door to reform for the country’s future,” Woo said. “If it fails this time, we don’t know when it will succeed again,” he added, urging lawmakers to participate. Woo criticized the People Power Party for deciding as a party to oppose the amendment and for not attending a joint meeting. The party, led by Chairman Jang Dong-hyeok, has maintained its stance and has signaled it may boycott the vote. “If the People Power Party blocks the amendment as a party line and it is defeated, then the People Power Party must also take all responsibility,” Woo said. He added that joining the effort would be a way for the party to “move beyond insurrection and be reborn as a healthy conservative party,” and urged it to show courage, saying he believed it would serve the public. Woo said he plans to request meetings with Jang and floor leader Song Eon-seok to seek the party’s participation, while arguing that support for the amendment is growing within the party. “I am willing to meet the People Power Party leadership at any time. I plan to request talks with Chairman Jang and Floor Leader Song,” Woo said. He also claimed that several lawmakers, including Rep. Kim Yong-tae, have expressed support for the need for constitutional reform. Woo has repeatedly signaled his determination to complete the amendment. At a New Year’s news conference in February, he said passing it during his remaining term would be a key priority and announced a goal of handling it alongside the upcoming 6·3 local elections. Six parties, including negotiating and non-negotiating blocs, have jointly introduced the amendment with Woo. The People Power Party, however, has publicly declared opposition, saying an amendment pushed through while “trampling” the opposition would be “dictatorship.” With no clear shift in its position, the outlook for passage remains uncertain. 2026-04-27 12:42:17 -
Democratic Party Says Kim Yong Nomination Has Mixed Views, Defers to Committee The Democratic Party said Monday that opinions inside the party are divided as more members call for nominating Kim Yong, a former deputy head of the party-affiliated Democracy Research Institute, and urged the public to trust the party’s Strategic Nominations Committee. Senior spokesperson Kang Jun-hyeon told reporters at the National Assembly that “it is true there are various opinions within the party,” but said the committee should be allowed to make its decision. Kang also addressed comments by Secretary-General Jo Seung-rae, who had said there were many negative views within the party about nominating Kim. Kang said Jo’s remark “was not the party’s official stance,” calling it a reference to internal sentiment. “Please understand it only as meaning there are various opinions within the party,” he said. Kang said the party has continued efforts to recruit Ha Jung-woo, the presidential office’s senior secretary for artificial intelligence, who is widely seen as a likely candidate in Busan’s Buk-gu Gap district. Kang said it was not confirmed whether Jo and the committee had direct contact with Ha, but added that “there was a process in which the party earnestly requested” that Ha run. “With not much time left until the by-election, the most important thing is Ha’s firm determination,” Kang said. Kang said the Strategic Nominations Committee would meet as needed to handle strategic nominations for the by-elections. He noted that the deadline for public officials seeking to run to resign is May 4, adding that the party’s plan is to wrap up strategic nominations by early May. The committee, he said, is moving “urgently and swiftly.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-27 10:23:14