Journalist

LEE Keon-hee
  • South Korea’s Democratic Party Speeds Up By-Election Nominations Ahead of June 3 Vote
    South Korea’s Democratic Party Speeds Up By-Election Nominations Ahead of June 3 Vote The Democratic Party of Korea, after quickly wrapping up nominations for provincial and metropolitan chief executives for the June 3 local elections — ending with the announcement of its Jeju governor candidate on April 18 — is also moving fast to pick candidates for the by-elections being held the same day. With many of the contests taking place in districts previously held by the party, the DPK aims to complete nominations by the first week of May to maximize candidates’ time on the campaign trail. As of April 24, the party had made strategic nominations for attorney Jeon Tae-jin (Ulsan Nam-gu A), Song Young-gil (Incheon Yeonsu A) and Kim Nam-jun, a former Blue House spokesperson (Incheon Gyeyang B). Song and Kim, whose nominations were confirmed the previous day, attended an on-site Supreme Council meeting in Incheon’s Yeonsu district on April 24. Hwang Hee, chair of the party’s strategic nomination committee, told reporters at the National Assembly the previous day that “there isn’t much time until the election.” Secretary-General Cho Seung-rae said the party must finish nominations by the first week of May, adding that the committee would meet “almost every day” to narrow down and decide on candidates. The party said it is trying to move quickly while keeping screening careful, using three tracks: recruiting new talent, promoting from within and reassigning well-known figures. It described Jeon as a recruited talent, Kim as an internal pick and Song as a reassignment. Attention is also focused on possible nominations for Lee Kwang-jae, a former Gangwon governor; Ha Jeong-woo, senior secretary for AI future planning; Kim Yong, deputy head of the Democratic Research Institute; and party spokesperson Kim Nam-guk. Jeong has praised Lee’s “party first” spirit and said he should be given a chance, and has repeatedly urged Ha to run. Lee has been mentioned as a potential candidate in Gyeonggi’s Hanam A district, and Ha in Busan’s Buk-gu A district. Kim Yong has asked the party for a nomination, and Kim Nam-guk has said he intends to run in Ansan A. The by-elections are expected to be held in as many as 14 districts when vacancies tied to President Lee Jae-myung’s inauguration, the resignation of presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, districts where an election was invalidated, and additional seats vacated by lawmakers resigning to run in local elections are combined. Of those, 13 were DPK-held districts. Under the Public Official Election Act, first-half by-elections cover vacancies confirmed by April 30. Because the deadline for incumbent lawmakers to resign in order to run in local elections is May 4, some have suggested resignations could be delayed. However, Jeong has repeatedly asked eight people selected as the DPK’s provincial and metropolitan chief executive candidates to resign together on April 29. In the People Power Party, one of Reps. Choo Kyung-ho and Yoo Young-ha is expected to be confirmed as the party’s Daegu mayoral candidate on April 26, after a runoff. With Daegu considered a conservative stronghold, there is speculation the winner will resign before April 30. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 14:10:12
  • Jeong Cheong-rae says Song Young-gil nominated in Yeonsu Gap as Democrats’ “only winning card”
    Jeong Cheong-rae says Song Young-gil nominated in Yeonsu Gap as Democrats’ “only winning card” Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, said the party nominated Song Young-gil in Incheon’s Yeonsu Gap district rather than Gyeyang Eul because it judged him to be its “only winning card.” Kim Nam-jun, a former Blue House spokesperson, will run in Gyeyang Eul, where Song has served five terms. Speaking at an on-site Supreme Council meeting in Yeonsu District on April 24, Jeong said the party announced its nominees a day earlier for the Yeonsu Gap and Gyeyang Eul by-elections. “Yeonsu is not an easy district, so we decided to send Song here,” Jeong said, adding that he was grateful Song accepted the party’s decision. Song said he would “do my best to carry out the party’s order,” and pledged to build on the achievements of Park Chan-dae, the Incheon mayoral candidate who has served three terms in the Yeonsu area. Kim, who will run in Gyeyang Eul, said he would take to heart Song’s remark that “Gyeyang is my roots and my heart,” and vowed to devote all his energy to the success of the Lee Jae-myung government. The Democratic Party said it plans to quickly wrap up nominations for the by-elections by the first week of May.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 11:11:13
  • Jung Cheong-rae Calls KOSPI’s 6,500 Breakthrough ‘Remarkable,’ Sees Room for 8,000
    Jung Cheong-rae Calls KOSPI’s 6,500 Breakthrough ‘Remarkable,’ Sees Room for 8,000 Jung Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, called the KOSPI’s move above the 6,500 mark “remarkable” and said the benchmark could keep climbing. Speaking at an on-site Supreme Council meeting in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, on April 24, Jung said South Korea is entering an era in which “Korea risk” has been removed and the country can enjoy a “Korea premium.” The KOSPI on the previous day broke above 6,500 intraday for the first time. Citing price-to-book ratio levels that he said still trail the OECD average, Jung predicted the KOSPI could break 7,000 and 8,000. He said the rise is a symbolic indicator that South Korea is “returning to normal.” Jung also noted that former presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye had made KOSPI-related pledges that were not kept, adding that the Lee Jae-myung government would be different. He said the Democratic Party would support the president’s governing philosophy with the party, government and presidential office acting as “one team” and speaking with “one voice.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 10:33:18
  • Democratic Party gubernatorial and mayoral candidates pledge unity for June 3 local elections
    Democratic Party gubernatorial and mayoral candidates pledge unity for June 3 local elections The Democratic Party of Korea’s candidates for 16 metropolitan mayors and provincial governors in the June 3 local elections pledged to act as “one team,” saying they will help ensure the success of the Lee Jae-myung government. They said they aim for a decisive victory by campaigning in coordination and creating synergy across regions. The candidates made the remarks at a joint meeting held April 23 at the National Assembly. Daegu mayoral candidate Kim Boo-kyum and South Gyeongsang governor candidate Kim Kyung-soo did not attend due to local schedules; they were represented by Heo So, head of the Daegu party committee, and Heo Sung-moo, head of the South Gyeongsang party committee. Kim Boo-kyum and Kim Kyung-soo delivered video messages about their resolve for the campaign. At the event, candidates staged a performance by placing blocks representing their respective regions onto a board showing a map of South Korea. Party leader Jung Cheong-rae concluded by attaching a block labeled “normalization of the Republic of Korea.” “We were born on this land with a historic mission to win the June 3 local elections and ensure the success of the Lee Jae-myung government,” Jung said. He added that the public “raised up” the constitution and democracy and launched the Lee government through what he called a “revolution of light,” and said the party must repay that support. Jung also said the nomination process was calmer than in the past, noting it was difficult to find scenes such as protest rallies outside party headquarters or hunger strikes and head-shaving demonstrations. “Because you were chosen through the most democratic procedures, I believe you are the most competitive candidates,” he said. Jung urged eight candidates who are sitting lawmakers to resign their parliamentary seats on April 29 and focus on their campaigns. “Set your goals high, keep your posture low, and show the public you are working even harder with humility,” he said. Under the current Public Official Election Act, first-half by-elections are held for vacancies confirmed by April 30. However, the deadline for incumbent lawmakers to resign in order to run in the local elections is May 4, prompting speculation that the party could strategically delay resignations. Jung’s remarks were seen as a renewed push for a coordinated resignation date. Candidates also argued that local governments should actively support the Lee government. Seoul mayoral candidate Jung Won-oh said a capable local government is needed to work in step with the central government and “prove results on the ground.” Gyeonggi governor candidate Choo Mi-ae said the party “must win” to support what she called a “people’s sovereignty government.” Incheon mayoral candidate Park Chan-dae said local governments must become “one team” to help the government’s agenda reach people’s daily lives. They also pledged efforts on balanced national development, overcoming regionalism and building a “mega-city” in the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang area, and asked for support. After a closed-door session, senior spokesperson Kang Jun-hyun told reporters that Jung told candidates the party would provide active support and urged them to boost synergy through interregional cooperation. 2026-04-23 14:10:09
  • Jeonbuk Gov. Kim Kwan-young Wishes Rep. Ahn Ho-young Recovery After Hunger Strike Hospitalization
    Jeonbuk Gov. Kim Kwan-young Wishes Rep. Ahn Ho-young Recovery After Hunger Strike Hospitalization Jeonbuk Gov. Kim Kwan-young on Tuesday wished Rep. Ahn Ho-young a speedy recovery after Ahn was rushed to a hospital with hypoglycemic shock following a hunger strike that began after the Democratic Party’s primary for Jeonbuk governor.  Ahn has demanded a renewed inspection, saying oversight was not properly conducted into allegations involving candidate Lee Won-taek and claims that his meal expenses were paid by others.  In a Facebook post, Kim wrote that Ahn looked so gaunt he could barely stand, adding, “Tears blurred my vision.” Kim said the question Ahn raised “is not a personal matter,” but a plea about whether “fairness and justice are alive in Jeonbuk politics,” and an appeal that “the will of residents, not a script from the center,” should come first.  “Rep. Ahn’s lonely struggle will not be in vain,” Kim wrote, adding, “Jeonbuk’s future will ultimately be decided by the people of Jeonbuk.”  Kim also said Ahn’s life and health were the priority, urging him to end the protest and take care of himself. He said he hoped to shake hands with Ahn again and pledged to carry out his responsibilities in provincial administration.  Kim also appeared Tuesday morning at an emergency news conference at the National Assembly held by Democratic Party Supreme Council members Lee Eon-ju and Kang Deuk-gu. Kim, who was expelled from the party over allegations involving the distribution of cash-filled envelopes, said he supports Ahn’s call for a renewed inspection into Lee.  * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 16:50:37
  • Woo Won-shik Says Free Vote Could Pass Constitutional Amendment, but Lawmaker Resignations Loom
    Woo Won-shik Says Free Vote Could Pass Constitutional Amendment, but Lawmaker Resignations Loom National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said a constitutional amendment slated for a May 7 plenary session could pass if lawmakers are allowed a free vote, but the measure faces headwinds. The People Power Party has declared its opposition as a party line. At the same time, Democratic Party lawmakers who were selected as candidates for metropolitan mayor and governor races in the June 3 local elections have said they will resign en masse on the 29th, increasing the burden of securing defections from the People Power Party. To pass in the plenary session, a constitutional amendment requires approval from at least two-thirds of sitting members. As of the 21st, with 295 members, the threshold is 197 votes. If the Democratic Party candidates resign, the number of sitting members would fall to 287. Some have argued the party could delay resignations until the 30th. Under the current Public Official Election Act, by-elections in the first half of the year are held for vacancies confirmed by the 30th, while the deadline for an incumbent to resign to run in local elections is May 4. However, party leader Jeong Cheong-rae has said the candidates will not use a loophole and will resign together on the 29th. If either Rep. Choo Kyung-ho or Rep. Yoo Young-ha, who are in a runoff for the People Power Party’s Daegu mayoral nomination, resigns after winning, the total would drop by one more seat. Rep. Kang Sun-woo, who is incarcerated, is also widely expected to be absent. Assuming Kang does not participate, passage would require at least 12 votes from the People Power Party: with 286 sitting members, 191 votes would be needed, and excluding Kang and the People Power Party leaves 179 seats. That is two more defections than the 10 needed under the current count of 295 members, where 197 votes are required and the non-People Power Party total excluding Kang is 187. In the People Power Party, only Reps. Kim Yong-tae and Cho Kyung-tae have publicly signaled support. Woo and six parties — the Democratic Party, the Rebuilding Korea Party, the Progressive Party, the New Reform Party, the Social Democratic Party and the Basic Income Party — agreed to pursue the amendment and introduced it on the 3rd. The proposal seeks to revise the Constitution that has been in place for 39 years since 1987. Its core aim is to prevent a repeat of the “12·3 martial law” by tightening the requirements for declaring martial law and neutralizing the president’s authority to do so. If the amendment fails in the May 7 plenary session, observers say the chances of passage in the second half of the year would be even lower. Of 14 districts expected to hold by-elections, 13 were previously held by the Democratic Party, making a clean sweep difficult to guarantee. Tensions have also surfaced between the Democratic Party and smaller progressive parties during efforts to pass political reforms, and they remain divided over possible election cooperation. Rep. Jeong Chun-saeng of the Rebuilding Korea Party voiced frustration during an April 18 plenary session, saying, “Are we only needed when it’s time to end a filibuster?”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 14:46:07
  • Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Ho-young rushed to hospital on 12th day of hunger strike
    Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Ho-young rushed to hospital on 12th day of hunger strike Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Ho-young, who has been on a hunger strike for 12 days while alleging unfairness in the party’s North Jeolla governor primary, was rushed to an emergency room. Ahn entered the primary but lost to candidate Lee Won-taek. Since then, he has demanded a renewed inspection into allegations that Lee’s meal expenses were paid on his behalf. According to Ahn’s side, at about 1:40 p.m. on the 22nd he was transported by ambulance to Noksaek Hospital in Jungnang-gu, following recommendations from presidential political affairs aide Cho Jung-sik and medical staff. Earlier, senior party officials Lee Eon-ju and Kang Deuk-gu held an emergency news conference at the National Assembly urging Ahn to end the fast. Also present was North Jeolla Gov. Kim Kwan-young, who was expelled over allegations involving the distribution of cash-filled envelopes and was unable to take part in the primary. Kim has voiced support for Ahn’s protest. Lee Eon-ju said the party leadership held a heated debate after controversy involving Lee Won-taek surfaced but failed to push through a delay of the primary. “It hurt to see Ahn demanding a fair process through a hunger strike,” she said, adding that Ahn’s condition was not good. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik also visited Ahn’s tent protest site the previous day and urged him to stop fasting. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 14:15:18
  • Democratic Party infighting flares as Rep. Ahn Ho-young’s hunger strike drags on
    Democratic Party infighting flares as Rep. Ahn Ho-young’s hunger strike drags on As Rep. Ahn Ho-young continues a hunger strike demanding a renewed party inspection into allegations that rival candidate Rep. Lee Won-taek had meal expenses paid by someone else in the Democratic Party’s North Jeolla governor primary, two senior party officials publicly criticized party leader Jung Cheong-rae for what they called an indifferent response. The dispute appears to be deepening within the party’s top leadership. Supreme Council Senior Member Lee Eon-ju and Supreme Council Member Kang Deuk-gu held a news conference in front of Ahn’s tent site at the National Assembly, saying Ahn had entered his 12th day of fasting and that they had come to ask him to stop. Lee said that when the allegations against Lee Won-taek surfaced, she argued the party should conduct a proper inspection and proceed with the primary in the interest of fairness, citing what she called the need for balance with the case involving allegations of cash envelopes tied to North Jeolla Gov. Kim Kwan-young. She said she was unable to press that position through and warned that optimism about the local elections appeared to be overshadowing procedural and fairness concerns. “Showing fairness is the minimum duty to voters, the public and the president,” Lee said, questioning how the party leader could fail to visit a fellow lawmaker who is fasting while raising concerns. “At least show the minimum decency to someone on a hunger strike,” she said. She also pointed to the leadership’s decision to hold a Supreme Council meeting on a boat near Yokjido, saying that while one side was “holding back tears and crying out,” the leadership looked as if it were “posing for a photo shoot” at sea. Kang also appealed to Jung, saying politicians must focus on people’s livelihoods but should also listen to Ahn and “take his hand.” Kang said he and Lee, as members of the leadership, felt “boundless responsibility” and even “a sense of shame.” North Jeolla Gov. Kim, who has said he supports Ahn, also visited the site, according to the officials.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 11:35:43
  • Jung Cheong-rae says special inspector could have checked Yoon, Kim influence-peddling
    Jung Cheong-rae says special inspector could have checked Yoon, Kim influence-peddling Jung Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 22nd that President Lee Jae-myung’s request to move forward with a special inspector was “as expected from Lee,” and signaled the party would cooperate quickly in the National Assembly. Speaking at a party supreme council meeting held aboard a ferry off Yokjido in Tongyeong, Jung said the post had “remained only as a system” for 10 years since special inspector Lee Seok-soo resigned under the Park Geun-hye government in 2016. Jung described the special inspector as a key watchdog meant to check presidential power by conducting ongoing oversight of the president’s spouse, relatives within the fourth degree of kinship and senior Blue House officials for matters such as influence-peddling in appointments and the receipt of money or valuables. He added that there was no special inspector throughout the three years of what he called the “Yoon Suk Yeol prosecution dictatorship” and said that if an inspector had been “watching with eyes wide open” next to the Yongsan presidential office, “Yoon Suk Yeol and Kim Keon Hee would not have been able to recklessly engage in state-affairs meddling.” Lee requested on the 19th that the National Assembly begin procedures to appoint a special inspector. The ruling and opposition parties held a “2+2 meeting” on the 20th, with floor leaders and senior deputy floor leaders, and agreed to discuss the appointment process.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 10:30:30
  • Democratic Party Floor Leader Han Byung-do Signals Bid for Second Term as He Resigns
    Democratic Party Floor Leader Han Byung-do Signals Bid for Second Term as He Resigns Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do said April 21 he would step down, citing the need to take responsibility for a packed agenda, while signaling he plans to seek another term. Han told a news conference at the National Assembly that it was his 101st day in office. “I’ve done a lot, but there is still a lot to do,” he said. He said the party must “dig into the truth” behind what he called “fabricated indictments” by the “Yoon Suk Yeol political prosecution,” and speed up livelihood-related legislation in response to the Middle East crisis. Han also pointed to what he called a rare chance for constitutional revision, saying the party would focus its efforts on passing a constitutional amendment bill at the May 7 plenary session. He said he would also complete legislation tied to major state tasks to support stable governance and the success of the “Lee Jae-myung government.” On the allocation of National Assembly committee chairmanships, Han said he had previously raised the possibility of an 18-0 split after seeing the People Power Party delay passage of a special law on investment in the United States. He said he was alarmed that the party used the operation of a special committee on U.S. investment as a political tool even when national interests were at stake. “There is a tradition in the National Assembly of the ruling and opposition parties respecting each other in dividing committees, but the premise is doing the work,” Han said. If the People Power Party uses even public-interest issues for political fights, he warned, the principle behind committee-sharing “has no meaning,” suggesting a one-sided allocation could be possible if the party obstructs state affairs or creates committees that do not function. Han took office in January after then-floor leader Kim Byung-ki resigned amid controversies. With his term set to end in May, Han announced his resignation in advance to run in the next floor leader election. Under the Democratic Party system in place since the 19th National Assembly, no floor leader has won a second term. If Han wins, he would be the first. Potential rivals mentioned include lawmakers Park Jeong and Baek Hye-ryeon, who faced him in a by-election, and Seo Young-kyo, who previously competed against Kim. The election is scheduled for May 6.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 15:18:56