Italian National Day celebrated in Seoul with focus on cultural and people-to-people ties SEOUL, June 04 (AJP) - The Embassy of Italy in Seoul hosted a National Day reception on Jun. 2 at the Italian Ambassador’s Residence in Hannam-dong, bringing together around 1,500 guests, including diplomats, government officials, celebrities, and members of the public and private sectors. The event celebrated the 79th anniversary of the Italian Republic, which was established through a nationwide referendum in 1946. This year’s gathering followed the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Italy and South Korea, with 2024 marked as the Year of Mutual Cultural Exchange between the two nations. In a warmly received opening speech delivered in Korean, Italian Ambassador Emilia Gatto struck a personal tone, expressing her hopes to make the coming year one of deepening “people-to-people exchange.” While acknowledging that her Korean was “not perfect,” her effort to communicate in the local language moved the hearts of many in attendance and was met with heartfelt applause. “Today marks an important celebration for Italy. Seventy-nine years ago, our nation chose the Republic through a universal referendum,” she said. She noted that over the past year, the embassy had worked to strengthen bilateral ties through two priority initiatives: the formation of the Korea-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Association at the National Assembly, and the expansion of city diplomacy. Highlighting new sister-city relationships, Ambassador Gatto thanked the mayors of Chuncheon and Hanam and encouraged guests to attend the upcoming “2025 Ciao Italia” festival in Chuncheon. Touching on shared values and interests, she emphasized that Italy is a founding member of the European Union, a member of the United Nations Command, and a like-minded partner to South Korea in areas ranging from strategic cooperation and business to national safety and science and technology. “First of all, the goal of the business sector is further growth!” she said. “Italy is no longer just ‘3Fs’ plus Ferrari. We have added the F of Future.” Ambassador Gatto highlighted Italy’s long-standing leadership in space innovation, reminding the audience that Italy was the third country in the world to launch a satellite, after the USSR and the United States. “The two countries share so much in common. Geomorphology, population, love of culture and beauty,” she said. “So, I like the people of both countries! I think Koreans are the Italians of Asia.” She closed with a vision of mutual exchange. “I want to promote not only Italian wine in Korea but also Makgeoli in Italy. I want to promote not only Italian art and history in Korea but also Korean heritage in Italy. A combination of Korea and Italy. That is my dream.” 2025-06-04 15:19:00

Kim Moon-soo concedes presidential race, congratulates Lee Jae-myung in early-morning remarks SEOUL, June 04 (AJP) - People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo acknowledged his projected defeat early Wednesday morning, offering congratulations to rival Lee Jae-myung and expressing gratitude to his supporters. Speaking around 1:30 a.m. on Jun. 4 at party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Kim appeared before reporters and campaign staff following a night of sobering exit poll results and early vote counts. His remarks came shortly after major broadcasters projected Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party as the winner of South Korea’s 21st presidential election. According to the joint exit poll released at 8 p.m. on election day by KBS, MBC, and SBS, Lee held 51.7 percent of the vote, compared to Kim’s 39.3 percent. As of late Tuesday night, early ballot counts continued to show Lee in the lead. Though the final results have not yet been officially confirmed by the National Election Commission, Kim’s brief speech signaled a formal concession. --- Below is the full text of Kim Moon-soo’s statement: “To the people of the Republic of Korea, I humbly accept the will of the people. I congratulate candidate Lee Jae-myung on his election victory. I will never forget the strong support I received from so many citizens throughout this campaign. I am especially grateful to my colleagues in Gangwon Province, whose dedication carried me forward. No matter what crisis this country faces, the Republic of Korea has always advanced through the power of its people. To those who gave their support to someone as lacking as myself, I offer my heartfelt thanks. Jun. 4, 2025, Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate of the People Power Party. Thank you.” 2025-06-04 01:53:43

Lee Jae-myung declares intent to lead as president in early morning address amid projected victory SEOUL, June 04 (AJP) - Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung addressed supporters in the early hours of Wednesday, Jun. 4, delivering what sounded like a de facto victory speech, even as final vote counts in South Korea’s 21st presidential election were still underway. Speaking shortly after 1:15 a.m. in front of the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee acknowledged that he had not yet been officially confirmed as president-elect but said he felt a strong sense of responsibility as the projected winner. Earlier in the evening, exit polls released by public broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS showed Lee with 51.7 percent of the vote, ahead of conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, who had 39.3 percent. As of late Tuesday night, Lee was maintaining a lead in the ongoing ballot count. Major broadcasters had declared him the "projected winner" based on the wide margin. Lee used the speech to thank voters and outline the priorities of what would be his incoming administration: restoring democracy, reviving the economy, safeguarding public safety, building peace on the Korean Peninsula, and promoting social unity. --- Below is the full transcript of his speech: “Fellow citizens of the Republic of Korea, I thank you with all my heart. Although I have not yet been officially confirmed, I am Lee Jae-myung, likely to become the 21st President of the Republic of Korea. I will never forget the mission you have entrusted to me. I will fulfill it with precision and conviction. Since the night of the December 3 insurrection, many of you endured hardship and stood firm. Through your vote today, you have proven that this country belongs to ordinary citizens and that all power exercised by the president comes from the people, not for personal gain, but for the betterment of this nation’s future. Thank you. Your first mandate to me is to ensure we overcome the attempted coup and prevent any future abuse of arms entrusted by the people. I will restore democracy and build a republic in which citizens are respected, not divided by hate. Your second mandate is to rebuild the economy and restore everyday life. If I am confirmed as president, I will begin work immediately to improve the hardships many of you endure, as swiftly and surely as possible. Third, the Korean state must protect its people’s lives and safety. In recent years, the public has had to question whether the state even fulfills its basic responsibilities. Disasters have taken too many lives. I will build a country that takes this duty seriously. Fourth, I will pursue a stable and peaceful Korean Peninsula. Strong national defense is essential, but true security means winning without fighting—and ideally, preventing the need for conflict altogether. Through dialogue, communication, and coexistence, I will reduce tensions and minimize Korea risk so people’s lives are not further burdened. Finally, we are all fellow citizens in this shared community. I will not allow society to split into factions of hate—between men and women, regions, age groups, or workers and employers. We will not be perfect, but we can build a community where neighbors do not feel like enemies. Politics may divide, but the people need not. You are the owners of this country; politics serves you, not the other way around. The president’s job is to unite the nation, not to rule over it, but to bring it together. Let us work together for a fairer, more just Korea. Whatever challenges lie ahead, I believe the great strength of our people will carry us through. Let us move forward with hope and confidence. Though we may have disagreed during the campaign, those who did not support me are still citizens of the Republic of Korea. We wore different colors, but we are all part of one nation. Let us go forward together. Thank you.” 2025-06-04 01:42:12

Lee Jae-myung projected to win S. Korea's snap presidential election, signals end of conservative rule SEOUL, June 04 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party is projected to win South Korea’s 21st presidential election, setting the stage for a return to liberal leadership just three years after conservatives took office. The Jun. 3 snap election was triggered by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law on December 3, 2024. Citing unspecified threats to national stability, Yoon ordered the military and police into emergency readiness without legal process. The move drew widespread condemnation as unconstitutional. On April 4, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion, and the Constitutional Court unanimously upheld it. Under South Korean law, a new president must be elected within 60 days of a vacancy. According to a joint exit poll released at 8 p.m. by KBS, MBC, and SBS, Lee secured 51.7 percent of the vote, with People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo at 39.3 percent. Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party was projected to receive 7.7 percent. The 12.4 percentage point margin prompted all three broadcasters to project Lee as the winner just before midnight. As of 11:18 p.m., with 31.5 percent of votes counted, Lee was leading with 48.32 percent, followed by Kim at 43.40 percent and Lee Jun-seok at 7.24 percent. While the official count continues, early returns and exit poll data strongly indicate a decisive outcome. Voter turnout reached 79.4 percent, the highest in a presidential race since 1997, reflecting strong public engagement after months of political turmoil. This was South Korea’s second-ever snap presidential election, the first having followed Park Geun-hye’s impeachment in 2017. Lee, 61, campaigned on a platform of economic revival and democratic restoration. A former factory worker who became a human rights lawyer, he built his career advocating for labor rights and social equity. His campaign pledged to shorten the workweek to 4.5 days without reducing pay, expand protections for unions, and invest 100 trillion won in artificial intelligence. His AI initiative includes the development of a Korean version of ChatGPT, free for public use, and the acquisition of more than 50,000 high-performance GPUs to boost innovation in tech, defense, and cultural industries. Lee is expected to take office immediately once the National Election Commission finalizes the count and certifies the result. If confirmed, his victory would end conservative rule and usher in a new political chapter amid heightened calls for reform, accountability, and stability. 2025-06-04 00:43:43

Democratic Party celebrates as exit poll shows Lee Jae-myung ahead with more than 50% SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - The Democratic Party broke into cheers Tuesday night after exit poll results showed its presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung taking over 50 percent of the vote, putting him more than 10 percentage points ahead of conservative rival Kim Moon-soo. At the vote monitoring room set up in the main conference hall of the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, campaign staff and senior party officials began trickling in just after 7 p.m., an hour before the exit poll results were released. The mood was cautiously hopeful, buoyed by a higher turnout than in the last presidential election, but no one let their guard down. When the clock struck 8 and the joint exit poll from public broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS flashed across screens, the room erupted. Lee’s projected lead sent dozens of party members to their feet, clapping and shouting. Some pumped their fists in the air. Others joined in a chant of “Lee Jae-myung!” While the reaction was jubilant, senior figures including Yoon Yeo-joon, Park Chan-dae, and Jung Eun-kyeong kept their composure. They exchanged handshakes, a few hugs, and quiet words of encouragement, acknowledging the effort that had brought them to this point. The energy in the room spiked again when regional exit poll results rolled out. Lee was shown to be leading comfortably in the capital region, including Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and Incheon, prompting another wave of applause. 2025-06-03 20:48:06

Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung projected to win S. Korea's presidential snap election SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party is projected to win South Korea’s snap presidential election held Tuesday, with exit polls showing him ahead with 51.7 percent of the vote. His conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party follows with 39.3 percent, according to a joint exit poll survey by public broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS. This marks South Korea’s first presidential snap election in eight years, following the one held after the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2017. The vote was called after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and removed from office for declaring martial law on December 3, 2024. The Constitutional Court upheld the National Assembly’s decision on Apr. 4, and under South Korean law, a new president must be elected within 60 days of a vacancy. Lee, 61, began his life in poverty in Andong, working in factories as a child to help support his family. After passing a high school equivalency exam, he studied law and became a human rights lawyer. He later served as mayor of Seongnam City and governor of Gyeonggi Province, building a reputation for progressive policies and welfare reforms. The Democratic Party already holds 171 of the 300 seats in the National Assembly. A victory for Lee would further strengthen its political standing and mark a clear rejection of the previous conservative administration. Kim, despite his credentials, struggled to overcome the backlash from Yoon’s impeachment and divisions within the conservative bloc. Voting took place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 14,295 polling stations across the country. The National Election Commission reported a turnout of 77.8 percent as of 7 p.m., with about 44 million people eligible to vote. The official result is expected early Wednesday, and the new president will take office immediately. 2025-06-03 20:10:06

Turnout reaches record 65.5 percent by 2 p.m. in South Korea's presidential vote SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - South Korea's snap presidential election drew an unprecedented level of voter participation by Tuesday afternoon, with turnout reaching 65.5 percent as of 2 p.m., according to the National Election Commission (NEC). It marks the highest voter turnout at this time of day in any presidential election in the country’s history. Of the 44.39 million eligible voters, more than 29 million had cast their ballots by 2 p.m. The figure includes those who voted early, as well as overseas, absentee, and shipboard voters. Early voting, held on May 29 and 30, brought out over 15.42 million voters, making up 34.74 percent of the electorate. Compared to past elections, participation is notably higher. Turnout is 0.7 percentage points above the same time in the 2022 presidential race, and 5.6 points higher than in 2017. South Jeolla Province reported the highest regional turnout at 76.0 percent, followed closely by Gwangju at 74.0 percent and North Jeolla at 73.8 percent. The city of Sejong also saw 70 percent turnout. While in-person voting in some areas appeared lower, strong early voting numbers in the Jeolla region, over 50 percent in all three locations, boosted the overall figures. The southern port city of Busan had the lowest turnout at 62.1 percent, with Daegu and Jeju both at 63.3 percent. South Chungcheong Province saw 63.4 percent turnout. In the greater capital area, turnout stood at 64.9 percent in Seoul, 65.3 percent in Gyeonggi Province, and 63.7 percent in Incheon. With such high turnout, attention is now on whether final participation could top 80 percent for the first time since the 1997 election. That year, before early voting was introduced, turnout stood at just 47.3 percent by 1 p.m. The final turnout was 77.1 percent in 2022 and 77.2 percent in 2017. This year, high early voting participation, second only to the 2022 record, appears to have pushed figures higher overall. As of 2 p.m., voter turnout for election day alone, not counting early ballots, stood at 30.8 percent. "Given this is a by-election caused by a vacancy in the presidency, the high public interest appears to be reflected in the turnout," an NEC official said. The NEC updates turnout figures every hour based on data collected 10 minutes prior. With polls set to close at 8 p.m., vote counting at the 254 counting stations nationwide is expected to begin between 8:30 and 8:40 p.m. 2025-06-03 15:05:42

Court weighs detention of subway arson suspect as probe continues SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - A man in his 60s accused of starting a fire on Seoul’s Line 5 subway on May 31 appeared in court Monday for a detention hearing, two days after the blaze disrupted Seoul’s subway train service and sent dozens to the hospital. The suspect, surnamed Won, was brought to the Seoul Southern District Court. The hearing, held to decide whether to formally detain him ahead of trial, lasted about 15 minutes. Won faces charges of setting fire to a train in operation and causing injuries. He acknowledged the allegations during his brief exchange with the press. Asked if he admitted to the charges, he replied, "Yes." When pressed about nearly endangering hundreds of lives, he simply said, "I’m sorry." Won denied pretending to be a victim during the evacuation but stayed silent when asked whether the act was premeditated or linked to frustration over his recent divorce case. A decision on the detention warrant is expected later in the day. The fire broke out around 8:43 a.m. on May 31 between Yeouinaru and Mapo stations. According to police, Won boarded the train with gasoline, poured it inside a carriage, and lit clothing on fire using a torch-style lighter. He allegedly told investigators that he purchased the fuel two weeks earlier and carried out the act due to resentment over his divorce ruling. The blaze injured 23 people, including Won. All were treated for smoke inhalation or minor injuries. Another 129 passengers received on-site care. One subway car was partially destroyed, with damages estimated at 330 million won ($240,209). Police are reviewing CCTV footage and conducting forensic analysis on Won’s phone to verify his statements. 2025-06-02 15:28:23

Lee Jae-myung and Kim Moon-soo enter final stage of campaign as snap election nears SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - With just one day remaining before South Korea’s Jun. 3 snap presidential election, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung and People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo launched their final push to win over voters on Monday morning. Lee is spending his last campaign day in the Seoul metropolitan area, a key battleground in previous elections. His campaign is highlighting policies focused on economic revitalization, balanced regional development, and reforms aimed at resonating with middle-aged voters and those concerned with everyday issues. Kim began the day by visiting the southern resort island of Jeju. From there, he is traveling north to hold rallies in the southern port city of Busan, Daegu, a conservative stronghold, and the central city of Daejeon. His schedule ends with a rally at Seoul Plaza, followed by street greetings in Hongdae and Gangnam, districts known for youth culture, nightlife, and fashion. This election was triggered by the impeachment and indictment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of insurrection and abuse of power. With the office left vacant, the country is holding an early vote to choose a new leader. According to the final poll released before the poll blackout period, Lee holds a significant lead. A Realmeter survey conducted on May 26 and 27 showed Lee with 49.2 percent support, ahead of Kim at 36.8 percent. Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party followed with 10.3 percent. The margin between Lee and Kim grew to 12.4 percentage points, up from 9 points in the previous poll. Realmeter analysts noted that Lee had regained momentum, while Kim faced challenges consolidating support amid internal divisions within the conservative bloc. The Realmeter poll surveyed 1,003 adults using an automated phone response system on wireless lines. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level, with a response rate of 10.1 percent. Full details are available from the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission. 2025-06-02 10:32:31

Over 6,000 armed police to escort ballot boxes in Seoul for June 3 election SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - More than 6,000 armed police officers will be deployed in Seoul to escort ballot boxes and maintain security during South Korea’s snap presidential election on Jun. 3, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said Wednesday. The early election was triggered by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol in April, following a Constitutional Court ruling. With the presidential term vacated, the country must elect a new leader within 60 days, as stipulated by the Constitution. In a press briefing on May 28, police said around 6,200 officers will be placed near 426 early voting sites and 2,260 polling stations across the capital. Another 1,250 officers will be assigned to secure the outer perimeters of 25 ballot counting centers. To ensure the safe return of ballots, a separate force of about 6,400 armed officers will accompany the transport of early, main, and absentee voting boxes. The move appears to be aimed at preventing disruptions and addressing lingering public concerns over vote-tampering. “Because the next president’s term begins immediately after the election, we are preparing security based on past inaugurations,” a police official told reporters. Authorities are also conducting safety checks at 72 key national facilities and 315 transport hubs considered vulnerable to potential threats. Police special forces will be on duty during the inauguration ceremony. From May 29 to 30, the two days of early voting, police command and staff will remain within their respective districts. On election day, a top-tier emergency alert will be in place, mobilizing all available personnel until the conclusion of the new president’s inauguration. As of May 28, Seoul police had investigated 369 election-related cases, involving a total of 480 people. Among them, 162 were related to the five major categories of election crime. 2025-05-28 15:48:19