Han Duck-soo calls for unity and reform in presidential campaign SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo made a strong case for constitutional reform and conservative unity during a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club on Wednesday, saying he would rather fix the country’s broken political system than chase long-term power. “I'm not here to be just another candidate. I'm here because our system is in crisis,” Han said, speaking with a mix of urgency and conviction. “What the country needs now is not five more years of partisan fighting. We need stability, we need structure, and we need change.” Han, who entered the race as an independent earlier this week, said he is still open to joining forces with the ruling People Power Party (PPP), calling unification “the will of the people.” “The public wants us to work together. It’s not about personal ambition—it’s about avoiding another five years of dysfunction,” he said. “I’ve spoken with Chairman Kim Moon-soo. We’re aligned in many ways, but we still need to work through how we can move forward as one.” If elected, Han said he would push for constitutional reform within his first year in office and step down after a three-year transitional term. He declined to commit to a specific new system but made clear he believes the current presidential model is too centralized and unstable. “It leads to constant confrontation between the presidency and the legislature, and it makes it difficult to govern with long-term vision,” he said. “What we need is a system that works for the next generation, not just the next administration.” Han also addressed the controversy surrounding former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to impose martial law last December, calling it a mistake. “I did not support martial law. That’s not how democracy is supposed to work,” he said. “Even in moments of crisis, the answer is not force. The answer is trust in institutions and dialogue.” On the economy, Han leaned into his background as a trade minister and ambassador to the United States, suggesting his experience would help guide Korea through global uncertainty. “I know how Washington works. I know how international trade works. That knowledge matters when the world is changing as fast as it is today,” he said. “We need steady leadership, especially in foreign affairs and economic policy.” With less than a month until the June 3 presidential election, Han's campaign is now centered on two themes: overhaul the political system, and bring conservatives together. “I’m not trying to win for the sake of winning,” he said. “I want to help the country move beyond division. I want to give younger generations a better foundation than the one we’ve had. That’s why I’m running.” 2025-05-08 15:35:39

North Korea and Belarus step up economic cooperation with Pyongyang meetings SEOUL, May 08 (AJP)—North Korea welcomed a senior Belarusian delegation to Pyongyang this week, signaling growing ties between the two countries through a series of working-level talks and a formal banquet held on Tuesday. The Belarusian delegation will remain in North Korea until May 9. The visit, led by Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko, comes ahead of the third North Korea–Belarus Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation session, marking the first of its kind in 19 years. The last session was held in Minsk in 2006. According to North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Thursday, officials from both sides sat down for detailed discussions on cooperation across various sectors. The two countries are expected to finalize new agreements during the upcoming joint committee meeting. Later that evening, North Korean officials hosted a welcoming banquet at the Mansudae Assembly Hall. Deputy Prime Minister Jong Myong-su and Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jong-kyu attended on behalf of the North Korean government. Jong said he hoped the visit would help advance friendly relations and voiced confidence that exchanges and cooperation between the two sides would continue to grow. Shuleiko, for his part, emphasized the importance of expanding contact and practical collaboration “for the benefit of both peoples.” Belarus has been one of Russia’s most vocal supporters since the start of the war in Ukraine. North Korea, which has grown increasingly close to Moscow, has also moved to bolster ties with Belarus, including holding foreign ministerial talks in Pyongyang last July. 2025-05-08 15:11:58

India justifies cross-border strikes as fallout from Kashmir attack SEOUL, May 08 (AJP) - India explained Wednesday that its recent airstrikes on targets in Pakistan and the Pakistani-administered part of Kashmir were aimed at dismantling terrorist networks linked to last month’s deadly attack on civilians in the Kashmir valley. The strikes, carried out early on May 7 under what the government has dubbed “Operation Sindoor,” came in response to an attack on April 22 in the resort town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir. Gunmen opened fire on a group of unarmed tourists, killing 26 people, including one Nepali national, and wounding several others. Authorities described the killings as unusually brutal, with several victims reportedly shot at close range. It was the deadliest attack on civilians in the region in over two decades and came during a time when tourism in Kashmir had reached record highs, with more than 23 million visitors last year. Indian officials have blamed the assault on Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based group banned by the United Nations, and said a lesser-known outfit called The Resistance Front (TRF), which later claimed responsibility, was acting as a front for the larger organization. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the attack was intended to disrupt the region’s return to normalcy and economic recovery, and that Indian intelligence had identified cross-border communications linking the attackers to handlers in Pakistan. India maintains that its strikes were focused and restrained, targeting only what it described as terrorist infrastructure while avoiding military sites. Misri called the operation proportionate and consistent with an April 25 statement by the UN Security Council urging accountability for the Pahalgam killings. Pakistan has denied involvement in the April 22 attack and condemned India’s actions as unprovoked aggression. Islamabad reported civilian casualties and claimed its forces had downed multiple Indian aircraft, though Delhi has not commented on those claims. Pakistan has also accused India of using the incident to justify a breach of its sovereignty. The escalation has renewed long-standing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, who have fought multiple wars and remain in dispute over Kashmir. The UN, the European Union, and several governments have called on both sides to exercise restraint and return to diplomatic dialogue. 2025-05-08 11:24:42

Kim Moon-soo and Han Duck-soo fail to reach agreement in unification talks SEOUL, May 07 (AJP) - Conservative presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party and independent candidate Han Duck-soo held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss a possible unification of their candidacies, but the talks ended without any agreement. The two candidates met privately for about an hour and 15 minutes at a restaurant in Seoul’s Jongno District around 6 p.m., without aides or representatives present. Following the meeting, Han’s spokesperson Lee Jung-hyun told reporters, “There was no specific agreement reached.” Kim also confirmed to the press that “there was no meaningful progress.” The failed attempt highlights lingering differences between the two camps just days ahead of the official registration period for presidential candidates. 2025-05-07 20:36:24

Six cities call on central government to cover losses from free subway rides SEOUL, May 07 (AJP) - Subway operators from six major South Korean cities, including Seoul, the southern port city of Busan, and the western port city of Incheon, are once again calling on the government to cover mounting losses from free rides provided to elderly passengers and other eligible groups. On Wednesday, Seoul Metro and five other urban rail operators issued a joint statement urging national funding to support what they describe as a public service obligation mandated by law. The proposal, signed by representatives from Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, and Daejeon, was submitted to the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee Chairman Maeng Sung-kyu and related ministries. Since 1984, South Korea has offered free subway rides to seniors aged 65 and older, people with disabilities, and recipients of national merit. While this program has been considered a core element of the country’s transportation welfare system, the financial burden has largely fallen on local operators with no direct compensation from the government. According to the six operators, free ride losses have averaged 558.8 billion won ($401 million) per year over the past five years. Last year, for the first time, the combined annual loss exceeded 700 billion won. Seoul Metro alone reported a deficit of 413.5 billion won, accounting for more than half the total. These losses are expected to grow as the population continues to age. Seoul Metro said its annual free ride losses have been rising by around 10 percent each year, and estimates that by 2040, they could surpass 500 billion won annually. The subway operators also pointed to what they see as an unfair disparity with Korail, the national railway operator. Korail receives government subsidies for free ride losses, but the same support does not apply to city-run subway systems. The government has maintained that urban subway deficits are a local matter and can be addressed by raising fares. Despite several attempts to revise relevant laws, including the Urban Railroad Act, the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act, and the Welfare of Disabled Persons Act, no progress has been made. Union and management representatives at the meeting voiced frustration, saying the government is both the creator and beneficiary of the free ride system and must therefore take responsibility for the financial burden. “If we are serious about maintaining this national policy and ensuring mobility rights for the elderly and vulnerable, then government support is essential,” they said. Baek Ho, president of Seoul Metro, called the joint statement reflects the urgent situation facing subway operators nationwide. “This is just the beginning,” he said. “We need to push for real legislative and policy changes to deal with the growing financial crisis in our public transit systems.” 2025-05-07 17:58:28

India wraps up first WAVES summit, spotlighting its creative economy ambitions SEOUL, May 07 (AJP) - India’s first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) closed on May 4 in Mumbai, marking a significant moment in the country’s bid to position itself as a global creative powerhouse. Spanning four days at the Jio World Convention Centre, the event brought together key players from across the media and entertainment spectrum -- from industry veterans and tech innovators to policymakers, investors, and emerging creators. With packed halls, dynamic panels, and a broad range of topics from film and digital content to gaming and fashion, the summit drew wide attention. The event opened with Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivering the inaugural address. "WAVES is not just an acronym," he said. "It is a wave of culture, creativity, and universal connectivity." Modi urged Indian creators to share their “one billion untold stories” with the world and invited global investors to back not only platforms but also people. Declaring the start of India’s Orange Economy, he called on the youth to lead this creative movement. Throughout the summit, more than 140 sessions unfolded across multiple venues, featuring over 100 speakers, including Ted Sarandos, Neal Mohan, Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, and Shantanu Narayen. Attendees also took part in 40 masterclasses and 55 breakout discussions on subjects ranging from artificial intelligence and OTT platforms to comics, animation, and virtual production. Representatives from Meta, Google, Amazon, Netflix, NVIDIA, and others were in attendance. A major business highlight was the WAVES Bazaar, where deals totaling 1,328 crore rupees ($156,965) were inked. Among them was a new content partnership between Prime Video and Korea’s CJ ENM. The Maharashtra government also signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth 8,000 crore rupees aimed at boosting investment in the creative sector. The Global Media Dialogue, another key component of the summit, saw representatives from 77 countries adopt the “WAVES Declaration,” a joint commitment to bridging the digital divide and promoting peace through media. Speaking at the forum, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the need to balance tradition with innovation and to invest in skill development for the younger generation. Startups were also highlighted. WAVEX, a dedicated accelerator, selected 30 early-stage companies to pitch to a group of investors. Over 100 more exhibited their projects in a dedicated startup pavilion, drawing attention from both angel investors and larger media companies. South Korea played a notable role in the program. Kang Sung Kyu, CEO of the Busan Film Commission, joined as a panelist and discussed the ongoing recovery of traditional filmmaking following the pandemic. He emphasized the importance of transparent financial practices and support for cultural diversity to help the sector regain momentum. 2025-05-07 16:24:32

Kim Moon-soo and Han Duck-soo to meet for talks on single candidacy SEOUL, May 07 (AJP) - People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo and independent contender Han Duck-soo are set to meet Wednesday evening to discuss the possibility of unifying their campaigns ahead of the June 3 presidential election. Both camps have confirmed that the meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 7, though the location will be disclosed later. With both men seen as key conservative figures, the discussion is drawing attention as a potential step toward forming a single candidacy to take on Democratic Party frontrunner Lee Jae-myung. Kim, who won the PPP nomination last week, had previously indicated he was open to unification when he was still in the running as a primary candidate. He floated the idea of holding a public debate and using polling to determine who should lead a joint ticket, and said he would take responsibility for driving that effort if named the party nominee. But since securing the nomination, tensions have grown. Kim pushed back against pressure from party leadership to move quickly on a deal, and over the weekend, he suspended his campaign schedule in protest. That makes Wednesday’s meeting with Han a possible turning point in the conservative camp’s efforts to coordinate. Meanwhile, the PPP is surveying party members Wednesay through an automated poll (ARS) to measure support for candidate unification. The poll also asks whether any merger should happen before or after official candidate registration, which begins May 10. The party’s general assembly of lawmakers is also scheduled for the day, with the question of a unified candidacy expected to dominate the agenda. 2025-05-07 10:28:16

Kim Moon-soo calls for broad candidate unification in conservative bloc SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo on Sunday expressed support for a broad-based conservative candidate unification, saying it would be desirable to include as many contenders as possible. “It would be best if everyone could participate together as broadly as possible,” Kim told reporters during a visit to Jangja Village in Pocheon, north of Seoul. His comments came in response to a question about whether a potential unification effort would include only independent candidate Han Duck-soo or also Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party. Kim said that no specific timeline or personnel decisions have been made regarding the launch of a unification task force within his campaign, but added that discussions are ongoing. The conservative camp is currently exploring ways to consolidate support ahead of the presidential election on June 3. While Kim secured the PPP nomination last week, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is running as an independent with a platform focused on constitutional reform. Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok is also in the race, appealing to younger and more reform-minded voters. Observers say the outcome of any unification process could significantly impact the race, particularly as Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung continues to lead in recent polls. 2025-05-04 18:06:28

Measles cases rise in S. Korea amid global surge SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - South Korea is seeing its highest number of measles cases in six years, as diseases once considered nearly eliminated begin to reappear, fueled by global outbreaks and increased travel, South Korea’s disease control body reported on Sunday. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), 52 measles cases were reported between Jan. 1 and Apr. 1, already surpassing the total of 49 reported throughout 2024. This marks the highest annual figure since 2019, when 194 cases were recorded. The country had previously declared measles eliminated in 2006 following a major outbreak in the early 2000s and was officially recognized as a measles-free nation by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014. That status remains, as most recent cases have been linked to overseas travel. Of the 52 cases this year, 34 were imported, mostly from Vietnam, while the remaining 18 were domestic transmissions traced to the imported cases, often spreading in households or hospitals. “With measles cases rising globally, we expect more imported infections,” a KDCA official told reporters. “Still, our high vaccination rates and strong monitoring systems reduce the risk of a large-scale outbreak.” Other so-called “neglected” diseases are also making a comeback. South Korea reported 17,944 tuberculosis cases in 2024. Though numbers have declined steadily from over 50,000 in 2011, the target of eradicating the disease by 2030 remains challenging. Foreign nationals now account for about 6 percent of all TB cases. Scabies, a contagious skin condition caused by mites, also continues to affect tens of thousands each year. The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service reported 34,921 cases in 2024, with over 31,000 patients treated between January and August alone. Health officials say the resurgence of these illnesses is driven by increased overseas travel, global vaccination gaps, and demographic shifts such as an aging population. In the case of measles, lower vaccination rates in countries like the United States have contributed to renewed outbreaks worldwide, making it harder to keep the disease entirely at bay. 2025-05-04 16:40:10

Two dead from suspected gas poisoning at paper factory manhole in Jeonju SEOUL, May 04 (AJP) - Two workers died and three others were hospitalized after inhaling toxic gas at a paper factory in Jeonju City on Sunday. According to the North Jeolla Fire Department and Jeonju Deokjin Police Station, an emergency call was made at 9:44 a.m. reporting that a worker had fallen into a manhole and lost consciousness from suspected gas exposure at the factory in Jeonju some 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Seoul. One of the victims, a man in his 40s, was pulled out of the manhole in a semi-conscious state and transported to a nearby hospital. Two other workers, including a man in his 50s, who were on a nearby ladder, also reported symptoms of dizziness and were taken to the hospital. Authorities believe the five employees had come to the factory that day to clean equipment. For an unknown reason, one of the workers reportedly entered a 3-meter-deep manhole filled with paper sludge. His coworkers, noticing his absence, found him inside and attempted to rescue him, resulting in the accident. Police confirmed all five individuals involved were South Korean employees of the paper company. A police official stated, "The manhole was not scheduled for cleaning, and his colleagues are unsure why he entered it." The official added that investigators suspect the victims were poisoned by toxic gas and are questioning personnel to determine the exact circumstances. 2025-05-04 14:56:10