Journalist
Arthur I. Cyr
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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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 -
Lee Jae-myung maintains lead over Kim Moon-soo in final poll SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - With just one week remaining before South Korea’s snap presidential election on Jun. 3, Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung continues to lead over People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo, according to the final public opinion survey released before the pre-election blackout period. The Realmeter poll, conducted on May 26 and 27, showed Lee with 49.2 percent support, extending his lead over Kim, who received 36.8 percent. Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok followed with 10.3 percent. Since the previous survey, Lee’s support rose by 2.6 percentage points, while both Kim and Lee Jun-seok saw slight drops. The margin between the top two candidates widened to 12.4 percentage points, up from 9 points earlier. Realmeter noted that Lee appears to have regained upward momentum, while Kim has faced mixed responses within the conservative bloc, amid internal rifts over candidate unification and calls for generational reform. Regionally, Lee posted a notable rebound in Seoul, leading with 43.2 percent compared to Kim’s 39.5 percent. In Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, traditionally a conservative territory. Lee climbed to 42.2 percent, narrowing the gap with Kim’s 44.9 percent. However, Lee’s support dipped in several regions, including Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang Province, as well as Daejeon, Sejong, and the Chungcheong provinces. He also saw a 4.2-point decline in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, though he continues to lead comfortably in key areas. Kim made modest gains in the Chungcheong and southeastern regions, while Lee Jun-seok also saw slight increases in those areas. By age group, Lee leads among voters in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. Kim draws stronger support from voters in their 20s and those aged 70 or older. Lee Jun-seok’s support is concentrated in the 20s demographic, where he reached 29.9 percent. In hypothetical head-to-head matchups, Lee led Kim by 52.3 percent to 41.7 percent. Against Lee Jun-seok, Lee held a 50.6 percent to 36.7 percent lead. Both gaps have widened compared to previous surveys. Nearly 89 percent of respondents said they planned to continue supporting their chosen candidate through election day. When asked who they expected to win regardless of personal preference, 57.8 percent predicted Lee, followed by Kim at 33.8 percent and Lee Jun-seok at 4.7 percent. This survey is expected to be the final publicly released poll before the legally mandated blackout period. Under South Korean election law, polls conducted after May 28 cannot be published until after the vote. The poll was conducted through automated phone interviews on wireless lines with 1,003 adults nationwide. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level, and the response rate was 10.1 percent. Full details are available on the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission. 2025-05-28 14:27:45 -
India urges stronger global cooperation on terrorism during Seoul visit SEOUL, May 27 (AJP) - A group of Indian lawmakers and former diplomats held a press conference in Seoul on Monday to deliver a clear message -- terrorism, especially cross-border attacks, must not be tolerated. Speaking to Korean officials, researchers, and journalists, the delegation emphasized that India’s approach is now defined by what they called a policy of “zero tolerance.” The delegation’s visit comes in the wake of the Apr. 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, including one Nepali citizen. India has blamed militants trained in Pakistan for the attack and responded with what it described as a series of measured, precise strikes on terrorist facilities, an operation now referred to as Operation Sindoor. At the press conference in Seoul, Indian Ambassador Amit Kumar said the delegation was there “to amplify the Indian government's messaging on its new policy of zero tolerance to combat terrorism in all its manifestations.” Before the press event, the group consisting of both ruling and opposition party members met with South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun, and several key lawmakers at the National Assembly. Brij Lal, a member of the Indian Parliament and part of the ruling party, said the Pahalgam attack was a calculated assault on religious lines. “India waited for two weeks, verified the facts, and then launched precision strikes against nine terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan. No civilians were harmed,” he said. He also pointed to South Korea’s strategic importance, both as a commercial partner and a UN Security Council member. When asked whether India saw a path forward through dialogue, Aparajita Sarangi, another MP in the delegation, made her position clear. “No dialogue with Pakistan unless there is cogent, clear evidence that Pakistan has given up terrorism,” she said, adding those responsible must be brought to justice. “Every time we reached out, we were betrayed,” she added. “This is not about symmetry. India is not sponsoring terrorism. We are the land of Mahatma Gandhi.” Mohan Kumar, India’s former ambassador to France, echoed that frustration. Citing past terror attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai bombings, he said India had repeatedly attempted talks, only to be met with violence. “Our humility is not our weakness. We waited 14 days for Pakistan to act. When they didn’t, we responded with precision and restraint,” he said. “We are a peace-loving nation, but we will defend our people.” The delegation also met with lawmakers such as Yun Ho-jung, who chairs the Korea–India Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Sung Il-jong, chair of the National Defence Committee. Both expressed support for India’s position. Sung described terrorism as “a crime against humanity.” In meetings with think tank representatives, the delegation explained what they called India’s “New Normal” in dealing with terrorism -- quick, targeted responses, and no separation between attackers and the governments that support them. The visit to Seoul is part of a broader international tour that includes stops in Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Other Indian delegations have traveled to Europe and the Middle East. According to the group, the goal is not just to share India’s position, but to build wider consensus that terrorism cannot be treated as a regional issue. It is a global one. 2025-05-27 14:26:03 -
Yoon Suk Yeol appears in court for fifth insurrection trial amid investigation into deleted phone records SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol returned to the Seoul Central District Court on Monday for the fifth hearing in his trial on charges of insurrection and abuse of power. It was his third time entering through the main public entrance. As in previous appearances, he passed reporters in silence, offering no comment on the Dec. 3 martial law declaration or whether he intended to address the public ahead of the Jun. 3 presidential election. The May 26 hearing is the final session scheduled before voters go to the polls. The next hearing is set for Jun. 9. The case is being heard at the Seoul Central District Court. Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the Army’s Special Warfare Command, is expected to take the stand, with testimony focused on military deployments and the command structure in place the night martial law was imposed. Meanwhile, police have launched an investigation into the deletion of encrypted phone records linked to Yoon, former National Intelligence Service Deputy Director Hong Jang-won, and former Seoul Police Chief Kim Bong-sik. According to investigators, the records were wiped remotely on Dec. 6, three days after the martial law order. The deletion came to light during a forensic review of logs voluntarily submitted by the Presidential Security Service. In total, 19 devices, including Yoon’s own phone, are now under examination. The police said that the deletions were carried out by the security service, but it remains unclear who gave the order. 2025-05-26 16:07:07 -
Lee Jae-myung calls inter-Korean summit essential but says now is not the time SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung said Monday that while holding a summit with North Korea is something that should happen, current conditions make it unlikely in the near future. “It is something that obviously should happen, but I don’t know whether it will be possible,” Lee told reporters during a visit to Ajou University in Suwon on May 26. “At the moment, it would be extremely difficult.” Lee acknowledged the importance of dialogue with Pyongyang and said Seoul should not hesitate to engage, especially given the frequency of summits South Korea holds with the United States and other neighboring countries. “As we engage in many summits with the U.S. and surrounding nations, there’s no reason not to do the same with North Korea,” he said. “It’s something we should prepare for and work to make possible,” Lee said. He also commented on the potential for a renewed U.S.–North Korea summit, noting that President Donald Trump continues to express interest in meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Lee said South Korea would support such talks and seek to contribute. “If a U.S.–North Korea summit becomes possible, we will support and cooperate to help it succeed,” he said. “There is definitely a role for us in that process.” On the nuclear issue, Lee made clear he does not support South Korea developing its own weapons. “Pursuing nuclear armament is neither realistic nor desirable,” he said. “We should aim to freeze North Korea’s nuclear capabilities as a step toward denuclearization. While the U.S. has a major role, China and Russia also have responsibilities. We must manage relations with all neighboring countries carefully.” 2025-05-26 13:43:32 -
North Korea begins repairs on damaged destroyer after failed launch SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - North Korea has begun restoring a newly developed warship that was severely damaged during its launch ceremony last week, according to a report by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Sunday. The 5,000-ton-class destroyer sustained major damage on May 21 at the northeastern port of Chongjin. During the launch event, attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the warship’s stern reportedly detached from its transport cradle and tipped to one side, partially submerging in seawater. Kim was said to have reacted with visible anger, calling the failed launch a critical and unacceptable accident. He reportedly ordered military authorities to complete full restoration of the vessel by the end of June. KCNA stated that restoration work is underway “according to schedule” under the technical guidance of a team of experts, with efforts currently focused on stabilizing the ship’s balance. The report also noted that Ri Hyong-son, vice department director of the Munitions Industry Department of the ruling Workers’ Party, has been summoned and detained in connection with the incident. 2025-05-26 11:02:36 -
India and South Korea come together to mark 11th International Day of Yoga SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - In Seoul on May 22, the Embassy of India and the Korea Yoga Association hosted a joint press conference to announce plans for this year’s 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY 2025), which also marks a decade since the first global celebration of the event in 2015. The main celebration will take place at Gwanghwamun Square, one of South Korea’s most iconic public spaces. About 1,000 participants are expected to gather under this year’s slogan, "Discover Your AURA," and the theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health." Organizers estimate that approximately 10 million South Koreans have practiced yoga at least once. Additional yoga programs are scheduled throughout June in Jeju, Busan, and Nami Island. Indian Ambassador to South Korea Amit Kumar opened the briefing by reflecting on yoga’s long history and its expanding role in modern life. "Yoga is not just a physical exercise, it is a holistic approach to wellbeing," he said. "It encompasses various practices, including asanas or postures, pranayama or breathing techniques, and meditation." He reminded the audience that yoga has been practiced in India for over 3,000 years and gained global recognition when it was added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list in 2016, following the UN’s adoption of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014. "Yoga offers us a sanctuary, a space where we can reconnect with ourselves and find peace," the ambassador said, highlighting its relevance in addressing lifestyle-related diseases and its increasing role in preventive healthcare frameworks. Ambassador Kumar thanked the Korea Yoga Association, local governments, sponsors, and institutions including the India Center at Busan University of Foreign Studies for their collaboration. He also expressed appreciation to Miss Lee Geum-hee, a well-known broadcaster who was appointed as the promotional ambassador for this year’s event, and yoga instructor Moon Jeong-hye, who will lead the main yoga session in Seoul. Lee, who served as the master of ceremonies at last year’s rain-soaked IDY event at COEX, recalled being deeply moved by the determination of the participants. "I will never forget that scene," she said. "So many yoga practitioners stayed until the end, soaking wet but completely focused." That experience, she said, inspired her to accept the role of ambassador for IDY 2025. "I want people to discover yoga like fans discover their favorite idols, so no one misses out," she said. Lee also praised the dedication of the organizers and shared her hope that yoga in Korea can grow beyond a wellness trend. "These days, K-pop, K-drama, and K-food are all making waves around the world. I hope ‘K-Yoga’ can join that list," she said. "We have enough content, enough practitioners, and enough instructors." She added with a smile, "If there's a role I can play, I’ll do my best, starting with improving my English." 2025-05-23 16:46:13