Journalist

LEE Keon-hee
  • Democratic Party’s Lee Kwang-jae shrugs off ‘parachute nomination’ criticism in Hanam by-election bid
    Democratic Party’s Lee Kwang-jae shrugs off ‘parachute nomination’ criticism in Hanam by-election bid Lee Kwang-jae, confirmed as the Democratic Party of Korea’s candidate for the June 3 parliamentary by-election in Gyeonggi Province’s Hanam Gap district, said he would take criticism over his nomination as a call to work harder for the area.  Responding to remarks by People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo of Bundang Gap, whom Lee faced in the 22nd general election, Lee said at a news conference at the National Assembly on April 30 that he would accept the criticism as meaning he should “love Hanam more.”  Lee compared his candidacy to high-profile recruitment in sports, saying South Korea reached the World Cup semifinals after hiring coach Guus Hiddink and Tottenham became stronger after signing Son Heung-min.  Ahn wrote on Facebook on April 28 that Lee had received strategic nominations three times in a row — “2022 in Gangwon, 2024 in Bundang, and 2026 in Hanam” — and said it would not be an exaggeration to call him a “professional strategic nominee.”  Lee said he came to Hanam “to work” and had already begun tackling local issues. He called transportation and rail links Hanam’s biggest pending issues and said he met with National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee Chairman Maeng Seong-gyu. Lee added that Democratic Party lawmakers on the committee would visit Hanam soon.  “Hanam’s report card will be politician Lee Kwang-jae’s report card,” he said. “I will stake my political fate on Hanam’s success.”  He also said he would pour all his experience into Hanam and “clearly show” that choosing the right politician can change people’s lives.  The article said Lee’s nomination was influenced by what it described as his “party first” spirit. It said Rep. Jung Cheong-rae had previously praised Lee for not running in the local elections to support Woo Sang-ho, the Democratic Party’s candidate for Gangwon governor, and had suggested Lee could be nominated for the by-election. Lee was later confirmed as the Hanam Gap candidate.  Asked whether he would feel regret given his affection for Gangwon, Lee said water born in Gangwon flows to the Han River and reaches Hanam, adding that he would now focus on Hanam.  If elected, Lee would return to the National Assembly about four years after resigning to run for Gangwon governor in April 2022, the article said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 16:04:39
  • Democratic Party Picks Ha Jeong-woo, Jeon Eun-su for June 3 By-Elections
    Democratic Party Picks Ha Jeong-woo, Jeon Eun-su for June 3 By-Elections The Democratic Party on the 30th made strategic nominations of Ha Jeong-woo, a former senior presidential secretary for AI Future Planning, in Busan’s Buk-gu Gap district and Jeon Eun-su, a former presidential spokesperson, in South Chungcheong Province’s Asan Eul district for the June 3 by-elections. Senior party spokesperson Kang Jun-hyeon told reporters at the National Assembly that Ha is a Busan native who spent his school years there, calling him the right person to carry on the constituency of Jeon Jae-su, the party’s Busan mayoral candidate. Ha and Jeon are high school alumni, with Ha the junior. Kang added that the party expects Ha to help address pressing issues in Busan and to “raise the level of AI legislation by one step” in the National Assembly. On Jeon, Kang said Asan, home to many large companies, draws voters with varied local ties, making careful education and child care policies essential. He said Jeon, a former teacher, is expected to show strong expertise in those areas. The party held a welcome event the previous day for Ha and Jeon and had signaled their nominations. 2026-04-30 15:24:18
  • Democratic Party’s Cheon Jun-ho vows special counsel bill over alleged fabricated prosecutions
    Democratic Party’s Cheon Jun-ho vows special counsel bill over alleged fabricated prosecutions Cheon Jun-ho, acting floor leader of the Democratic Party, said April 30 that he will move to introduce a special counsel bill into alleged “fabricated prosecutions,” vowing that those responsible “will pay the price.” Speaking at a party policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly, Cheon said a parliamentary special committee on a state investigation into the alleged fabricated prosecutions would adopt its final report later that day and wrap up its work. Cheon alleged that Yoon Suk Yeol “mobilized all power agencies” to pursue fabricated prosecutions, saying that when Yoon “picked a target,” what he called a political prosecution service and the Board of Audit and Inspection moved in tandem. He said the alleged conduct included tampering with recorded audio, creating false official documents and “human rights abuses,” calling it a state-violence crime that must be punished strictly. Cheon also criticized appellate sentences in cases involving Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee, saying it was hard to accept that the punishments, while higher than at trial, were still below what prosecutors had sought despite what he called a clear violation of the constitutional order. Yoon was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in prison on appeal on charges including obstructing an arrest, and Kim was sentenced April 28 to four years in prison on charges including stock manipulation. Prosecutors had asked the court to impose 10 years for Yoon and 15 years for Kim. In the first trial, Yoon and Kim were sentenced to five years and one year and eight months, respectively. “Only by engraving this in history will no one dare dream of doing such a thing,” Cheon said, adding that the Democratic Party would focus on restoring constitutional order and strengthening the rule of law.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 10:32:24
  • Yoon Suk Yeol Gets 7 Years in Appeal Ruling; Lee Reviews Fuel Aid Use; Trump Pressures Iran; Coupang, Unification Minister Updates
    Yoon Suk Yeol Gets 7 Years in Appeal Ruling; Lee Reviews Fuel Aid Use; Trump Pressures Iran; Coupang, Unification Minister Updates Yoon sentenced to 7 years in arrest-obstruction appeal Yoon Suk Yeol, a former president, was sentenced to seven years in prison on appeal for charges including obstructing an arrest. The Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 1, which handles insurrection-related cases and is led by Presiding Judge Yoon Sung-sik, handed down the seven-year term on April 29 for charges including special obstruction of official duties and abuse of authority to interfere with the exercise of rights. The sentence fell short of the 10 years sought by the special prosecutor but was longer than the five-year term imposed at the first trial. President Lee orders review to allow fuel aid at gas stations with 3 billion won-plus sales President Lee Jae-myung on April 29 ordered a review of allowing the high fuel price relief payment to be used at gas stations with annual sales of 3 billion won or more. In an interview aired that afternoon on KBS Radio’s “All Politics in the World,” presidential spokesperson Lee Kyu-yeon said Lee directed officials to consider loosening the restrictions, saying that because it is relief for high fuel prices, people should be able to buy gasoline with it. The payment has been limited to small merchants such as traditional markets and neighborhood shops, and can be used only at businesses with annual sales of 3 billion won or less. Complaints have been raised after some gas stations were excluded. Trump says Iran “still hasn’t come to its senses,” steps up pressure on talks U.S. President Donald Trump stepped up pressure on Iran over end-of-war negotiations, saying it “still hasn’t come to its senses.” Trump wrote on social media at about 4 a.m. April 29, Eastern time, that Iran “had better understand the situation quickly,” adding, “They don’t even know how to sign a denuclearization agreement.” He also posted an image titled “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” showing Trump wearing sunglasses and holding a gun as bombing appears in the background, in what was seen as an effort to raise the pressure. FTC names Coupang chair Kim Beom-seok as controlling person for first time South Korea’s competition watchdog designated Coupang Inc. Chair Kim Beom-seok as the company’s controlling person, triggering Fair Trade Act obligations such as disclosure of related parties. Kim, a U.S. citizen, had avoided the designation since 2021, when Coupang was classified as a large business group, because relatives were not involved in management. However, after it became known last year that Kim’s younger brother, Kim Yu-seok, was serving as a Coupang vice president, calls grew to designate Kim as the controlling person. Unification minister Chung criticizes opposition’s dismissal motion as “excessive pro-U.S. deference” Unification Minister Chung Dong-young pushed back against the People Power Party after it filed a motion calling for his dismissal over remarks about nuclear facilities if a structure is built, saying the party’s deference to the United States was excessive. Speaking to reporters after attending the launch of the third 2030 Youth Advisory Group and a dialogue with young people at Odusan Observatory in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on April 29, Chung said, “Is the People Power Party a member of the U.S. Congress?” He added that if it is South Korea’s National Assembly, it should represent the public and defend national interests. The People Power Party filed the dismissal motion the previous day, citing Chung’s remarks last month during a National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee session. 2026-04-29 21:42:19
  • Democratic Party’s Ha Jung-woo Launches Campaign at Busan Market, Meets Han Dong-hoon and Lee Jun-seok
    Democratic Party’s Ha Jung-woo Launches Campaign at Busan Market, Meets Han Dong-hoon and Lee Jun-seok Ha Jung-woo, a former senior presidential secretary for AI future planning, began full-scale political activity on April 29 by joining the Democratic Party and making his first field visit to Gupo Market in Busan, where he had brief encounters with Han Dong-hoon and Lee Jun-seok. Ha visited the market starting at 5:20 p.m. to hear from voters. He is widely expected to win the party’s nomination for the June 3 parliamentary by-election in Busan’s Buk-gu Gap district. The seat was held by Jeon Jae-soo, the Democratic Party’s Busan mayoral candidate; Ha and Jeon are alumni of the same high school, with Jeon six years ahead. If Ha wins, he would become the Democratic Party’s only lawmaker from Busan. Explaining why he chose the market for his first stop, Ha said he saw it as “the most symbolic place” and that it was only right to greet local residents first, saying, in effect, that “the son of Buk-gu has returned.” While touring the market, Ha met Han, who has declared his candidacy in Buk-gu Gap as an independent. In an encounter lasting about 10 seconds, Han told Ha, “It’s been a while. Let’s do well.” Ha later said they exchanged greetings and told each other to stay healthy because campaigning “takes a lot of stamina.” Ha also ran into Lee, the leader of the New Reform Party, who was touring the market with the party’s Busan mayoral candidate Jeong Yi-han. Lee asked Ha whether he was entering politics, and after Ha replied in the affirmative, Lee offered encouragement, saying, “If you’re here, you should win.” After finishing his market visit, Ha told reporters he wished he had arrived earlier to meet more merchants and voters. “Today I couldn’t meet many because of time constraints, including time with reporters,” he said, adding that he would return repeatedly to hear merchants’ concerns and help address them.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 21:06:23
  • Fire Breaks Out at Insulation Factory in Namyangju; Level 1 Response Issued
    Fire Breaks Out at Insulation Factory in Namyangju; Level 1 Response Issued A fire broke out at an insulation manufacturing plant in Namyangju, south of Seoul, prompting fire authorities to issue a Level 1 response and begin firefighting operations. The Gyeonggi Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters said the fire was reported at about 7:27 p.m. Tuesday at a factory in Yeonpyeong-ri, Jinjeop-eup, Namyangju. Authorities deployed equipment and personnel and issued a Level 1 response at about 7:49 p.m. A Level 1 response mobilizes crews and gear from up to four nearby fire stations. The fire has spread to two or three factory buildings, and crews are focusing on preventing it from expanding further. Earlier, Namyangju City sent an emergency text alert saying a fire had occurred at a factory near 390 Yeonpyeong-ri, Jinjeop-eup, and urging nearby residents to use caution because of heavy smoke. Fire authorities and police said they plan to investigate the cause and the extent of damage after the blaze is fully extinguished. 2026-04-29 20:33:15
  • Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young Slams Ruling Party’s Push to Oust Him
    Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young Slams Ruling Party’s Push to Oust Him Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young on Tuesday criticized the People Power Party for filing a motion calling for his dismissal, saying its “pro-American stance has gone too far.” Jeong made the remarks after attending the launch ceremony for the third 2030 Youth Advisory Group and a minister-youth dialogue at the Odusan Unification Observatory in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. He told reporters the opposition party should act as South Korean lawmakers, not U.S. lawmakers, and represent the national interest. The People Power Party filed the motion the previous day, citing Jeong’s remarks last month during a National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee meeting in which he mentioned Kusong City. Jeong said he had also referred to Kusong City as the location of a uranium enrichment facility during a confirmation hearing last year, but People Power Party members on the committee raised no objection at the time. He said they only began reacting strongly after the United States took issue with his comments. The United States has reportedly argued that Jeong’s remarks disclosed classified information shared by Washington and has moved to restrict the sharing of satellite intelligence on North Korea. Jeong and the Unification Ministry have rejected the claim, saying the information about Kusong City’s uranium enrichment facility is based on publicly available sources, including overseas think tank reports. Jeong criticized the People Power Party’s move, saying it is in South Korea’s national interest to press the United States to quickly lift what he called an unreasonable restriction on intelligence sharing about North Korea. 2026-04-29 19:57:21
  • S&P Affirms South Korea’s AA Sovereign Credit Rating, Citing Electronics Strength
    S&P Affirms South Korea’s AA Sovereign Credit Rating, Citing Electronics Strength Standard & Poor’s on Tuesday affirmed South Korea’s long-term sovereign credit rating at AA. Yonhap News Agency reported that S&P also kept the country’s short-term rating unchanged at A-1+ and maintained its outlook at “stable.” S&P said volatility in global energy markets had posed a risk to the South Korean economy, but that the country’s strong competitiveness in the electronics sector and supportive fiscal policy helped cushion the headwinds. The agency said South Korea is expected to post a higher average growth rate than most high-income countries over the next three to four years. It added that trust in political stability was somewhat damaged by the 2024 declaration of martial law, but that the swift lifting of the measure, the response that followed and the launch of a new government through elections helped limit the negative impact. After the assessment, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said that despite elevated domestic and external uncertainty, including the situation in the Middle East, positive overseas assessments of the South Korean economy remain firmly in place. It said it would do its best to keep the country’s credit standing stable. 2026-04-29 19:36:16
  • Trump Says Iran Hasnt Come to Its Senses, Presses for End-of-War Talks
    Trump Says Iran 'Hasn't Come to Its Senses,' Presses for End-of-War Talks President Donald Trump pressed Iran over end-of-war negotiations, saying the country "hasn't come to its senses." Trump posted the remarks on Truth Social at about 4 a.m. Eastern on April 29 (local time). "They'd better figure it out fast," he wrote, adding, "They (Iran) don't even know how to make a denuclearization deal." He also posted an image titled "No More Mr. Nice Guy." The picture shows Trump wearing sunglasses with bombing in the background. AFP said it believed Trump posted the message as end-of-war talks between the United States and Iran stalled. Separately, The Wall Street Journal reported the previous day that Trump told aides to prepare to extend a maritime blockade on Iran. The United States has limited military action since a ceasefire with Iran on April 7, but has increased economic pressure through steps including the maritime blockade. A senior U.S. official said Iran is suffering major economic damage because of the blockade.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 19:24:18
  • South Korea Forecast: Clouds in Central Regions; Rain Possible in Jeju and Parts of the South
    South Korea Forecast: Clouds in Central Regions; Rain Possible in Jeju and Parts of the South The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast that Thursday the central region will see intermittent clouds, with rain possible in some areas. In a briefing Wednesday, the agency said the central region will be “cloudy at times,” while the southern region and Jeju Island will be mostly overcast. It said rain is expected in parts of Jeju from noon to 6 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., rain is forecast in southern North Chungcheong Province and in parts of eastern Jeolla and the Gyeongsang region, it said. The agency added that, depending on conditions, a trace of drizzle of less than 0.1 millimeter could fall in parts of the southern coasts of South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang from midnight to 6 a.m. Morning lows are forecast at 9 C in Seoul, 8 C in Suwon, 9 C in Incheon, 13 C in Busan, 11 C in Ulsan, 11 C in Daegu, 10 C in Gwangju, 8 C in Jeonju, 9 C in Daejeon, 9 C in Cheongju, 10 C in Gangneung, 6 C in Chuncheon and 10 C in Jeju. Afternoon highs are expected to reach 23 C in Seoul, 22 C in Suwon, 21 C in Incheon, 18 C in Busan, 18 C in Ulsan, 21 C in Daegu, 20 C in Gwangju, 21 C in Jeonju, 22 C in Daejeon, 22 C in Cheongju, 19 C in Gangneung, 22 C in Chuncheon and 16 C in Jeju. Fine dust and ultrafine dust levels are forecast to be “moderate” nationwide in both the morning and afternoon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 18:04:09