President Lee taps veteran lawmaker, journalist, and prosecutor for top secretariat posts SEOUL, June 08 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung named Sunday three new senior secretaries to lead political affairs, public communications, and civil affairs, reinforcing his early message of unity and reform. The appointments include Woo Sang-ho, a four-term National Assembly member from the Democratic Party, as Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, Lee Kyu-yeon, a longtime journalist and former broadcaster JTBC executive, as Senior Secretary for Public Communication, and Oh Kwang-soo, a former high-ranking prosecutor, as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs. Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik announced the selections at a press briefing at the presidential office on June 8. “President Lee has consistently stressed his commitment to serving all citizens,” Kang said. “These appointments reflect his intention to bridge divides and focus on the challenges people face in their everyday lives.” Woo, a familiar face in progressive politics, previously led the Democratic Party as floor leader and as acting chair of the emergency leadership committee. His experience in both parliamentary strategy and party leadership appeared to weigh heavily in the decision. “Senior Secretary Woo is someone who holds a firm philosophy of communication and coexistence,” Kang said. “Based on his long experience in the legislature, he brings a deep understanding of state affairs, rational judgment, and excellent political instincts.” Lee Kyu-yeon’s appointment signals the administration’s intent to sharpen its messaging. Lee began his career at the JoongAng Ilbo and went on to serve as editorial writer and later as head of JTBC’s news division and content operations. He was the first South Korean journalist to receive a special award from the United States-based Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE). “Senior Secretary Lee is a journalist known for his objective and insightful analysis of social issues,” Kang said. “He is the right person to communicate the new administration’s reform agenda and will always prioritize dialogue with the public.” Oh Kwang-soo, a former classmate of the president at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, built his career in the prosecution service with stints as chief of special investigations at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office and later as Daegu’s chief prosecutor. He is widely seen as an expert in handling high-profile and complex cases. “Senior Secretary Oh, a former prosecutor, is widely respected both inside and outside the prosecution for his strong drive and integrity,” Kang noted. “He has a deep understanding of President Lee’s philosophy on prosecutorial reform and will support the president’s commitment to it.” The appointment of a figure with a background in special investigations drew some questions from reporters. Kang responded directly. “President Lee is one of the most affected by political prosecution. Judicial reform is carried out through legislation, and we have confirmed Senior Secretary Oh’s commitment to that reform. We will make sure that the concerns raised do not actually happen.” Kang wrapped up the announcement by stressing the larger vision behind the personnel picks. “President Lee has made it clear that his leadership is not about conservatives or progressives. It’s about the people and the Republic of Korea,” he said. “He has asked the secretaries to focus on solving livelihood issues through national unity and communication.” 2025-06-08 15:02:46

Seoul's birth and marriage rates climb for a year: Data SEOUL, June 08 (AJP) - Births and marriages in Seoul have been on the rise for a full year, with new data showing a steady rebound in both areas. March saw the highest number of births for that month in three years, marking a notable shift in the city’s demographic trend. According to Statistics Korea and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, 3,786 babies were born in Seoul in March, up 8.7 percent from the same time last year. It was the largest figure for March since 2022, when 4,027 babies were born. That marks 12 consecutive months of year-on-year growth in the city’s birth numbers—an encouraging sign in a country long grappling with declining fertility. Marriages have followed a similar trajectory. In March, 3,814 couples tied the knot, a 20.0 percent increase compared to the year before. Like births, marriage numbers have risen each month since April 2023, when they jumped by 27.8 percent. Seoul’s total fertility rate for the first quarter of 2025 rose to 0.65, up 8.3 percent from the previous year. Officials credit a combination of post-pandemic social recovery and expanded city support programs for the uptick. Since 2023, Seoul has offered fertility treatment subsidies to all couples, regardless of income. Pregnant residents are also eligible for a 700,000-won ($514) transportation stipend, which can be used for taxis and public transport. To ease the cost of child-raising, the city recently launched a discount mall for childcare products, offering essential items at half price. More significantly, a new housing initiative rolled out in May targets non-homeowning households that give birth while living in Seoul. The program offers up to 7.2 million won in rent subsidies over two years, helping families afford to stay in the city despite high housing costs. Eligible families can receive up to 300,000 won per month. “Marriage numbers have increased since the end of the pandemic, and births are following that trend,” a city official said. “We plan to continue supporting policies around marriage, childbirth, and child-rearing.” 2025-06-08 11:20:33

Yoon to appear in court for 6th insurrection hearing following Lee Jae-myung's inauguration SEOUL, June 08 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to return to court on Monday for the sixth hearing in his trial on charges of insurrection and abuse of power. It will be his first public appearance since the country elected a new president last week. The hearing will take place at 10:15 a.m. in Seoul Central District Court. Yoon is expected to enter through the courthouse’s main ground-level entrance, where reporters will be stationed. As with his previous three appearances, he is likely to head directly into the courtroom without responding to questions. The trial will continue with testimony from Brigadier General Lee Sang-hyun, who led the Army’s 1st Airborne Brigade under the Special Warfare Command. Lee was deployed to the National Assembly on Dec. 3 last year, the day martial law was declared. In his earlier testimony on May 26, he said he was told by then-commander Kwak Jong-geun, “The president said to break down the doors if needed and drag the lawmakers out.” Yoon’s trial resumes just days after South Korea held a snap presidential election on Jun. 3, following his impeachment and removal from office over the December 3 martial law declaration in 2024. The Constitutional Court upheld the National Assembly’s decision on Apr. 4, setting in motion the legally required election within 60 days. Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung won the race with 51.7 percent of the vote, defeating People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo, who polled at 39.3 percent, according to exit polls. Lee was sworn in as South Korea’s 21st president on June 7. On election day, Yoon and his wife cast their ballots at a polling station in Seoul’s Seocho District. He declined to answer reporters’ questions, including whether he had anything to say to the public following his impeachment and the early election. 2025-06-08 10:12:42

North Korea experiences nationwide internet shutdown SEOUL, June 7 (AJP) - North Korea experienced a nationwide internet outage on Friday, affecting all routes of online access into the country, according to a British researcher cited by Reuters. Junade Ali, a UK-based analyst monitoring North Korea’s online activities, told Reuters the disruption likely resulted from internal technical issues rather than a cyberattack. Ali said the outage appeared similar to a network overload, suggesting internal problems such as power outages or equipment failures. He noted that North Korea's internet infrastructure disappeared completely from monitoring systems, including connections through China and Russia. Several North Korean state-run websites, including the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Rodong Sinmun newspaper, and the foreign ministry, remained inaccessible as of Friday afternoon. Internet access in North Korea is heavily restricted, available to roughly 1% of the population. Most North Koreans use a closed domestic network called Kwangmyong. North Korea has faced similar outages in the past. In January 2022, the country's internet was disrupted for about six hours due to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. 2025-06-07 18:12:51

INTERVIEW: Taman Safari Indonesia introduces attractive tours for Korean tourists as bilateral tourism flourishes SEOUL, June 7 (AJP) - At the bustling Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF) this week, a booth showcasing lush jungles, exotic wildlife, and vibrant imagery stood out. At the center of this was Alexander Zulkarnain, Chief Marketing Officer of Taman Safari Indonesia, eager to introduce South Korean visitors to Indonesia's hidden travel gems. "Indonesia and South Korea have enjoyed strong diplomatic ties for 52 years," Zulkarnain said in an interview with AJP. "Now, tourism is emerging as a cornerstone of this relationship." Indonesia has become increasingly popular among South Korean travelers, with approximately 436,000 Koreans visiting in 2024 alone, especially during the summer holidays. While Bali's beaches traditionally attracted the majority, Korean visitors now venture beyond, exploring diverse cities such as Jakarta and Yogyakarta. "Korean travelers today seek more than just sightseeing," Zulkarnain noted. "They crave meaningful experiences and emotional connections." During the fair, Zulkarnain highlighted a relatively unknown destination perfect for Korean visitors : the Jakarta Aquarium & Safari (JAQS), situated in Neo Soho at Central Park Jakarta. Although beloved by local residents, it remains largely unknown among Korean tourists. "JAQS offers something truly unique," he explained. "Visitors can interact closely with over 3,500 aquatic and terrestrial animals, attend live feeding sessions, and enjoy performances inspired by traditional Indonesian mythology." Another distinctive attraction is the aquarium's Pingoo restaurant, where diners enjoy Indonesian fusion cuisine right beside Humboldt penguins. Throughout the event, Zulkarnain actively engaged with Korean media, influencers, and travel agencies, gaining fresh insights into current travel preferences. "Three key trends stood out clearly," he said. "Firstly, Koreans value convenience. Korean travelers expect easy online booking, multilingual support, clear information, and reliable transportation." Secondly, Korean travelers seek engaging experiences rather than just sightseeing. "I believe our programs align perfectly with these demands," he said. Lastly, sustainability seems to be becoming increasingly important among Korean tourists. "As Indonesia’s leading wildlife conservation institution, Taman Safari is also perfect for Korean visitors who value ethical and eco-friendly tourism," Zulkarnain emphasized. In response to these insights, Taman Safari plans to enhance Korean-language services, simplify digital bookings, and partner closely with popular Korean travel platforms. "We will also introduce specialized itineraries tailored for Korean visitors, including educational family tours, adventurous youth programs, and romantic wellness retreats," he added. Looking ahead toward the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Korea, Zulkarnain emphasized the initiative’s long-term vision. "Our ultimate goal is to gradually strengthen tourism links between Korea and Indonesia, introducing Koreans to the remarkable yet undiscovered attractions of Indonesia," he concluded. "We believe these ongoing efforts will foster lasting relationships and stronger bonds for many years to come." 2025-06-07 17:17:52

S.Korean President Lee to attend G7 summit, Trump meeting expected SEOUL, June 7 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will attend the G7 summit scheduled for mid-June in Canada, according to the presidential office on Saturday. "Lee was invited to the summit and has accepted the invitation," said a presidential office official. South Korea is not a member of the G7, but has attended previous summits as a guest. Former President Moon Jae-in attended the summit held in the United Kingdom in 2021, and former President Yoon Suk Yeol joined the summit hosted by Japan in 2023. Lee is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time at the summit, following their phone conversation on Friday. A separate bilateral discussion between Lee and Trump is also being expected, according to the presidential office. "We will prepare for a possible meeting between two presidents either during or immediately following the G7 summit," a presidential spokesperson said. The summit comes amid South Korea's efforts to resume active diplomacy after nearly six months of diplomatic stagnation following former President Yoon's botched martial law debacle last December. The spokesperson also said discussions are underway regarding the possible summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. 2025-06-07 15:42:49

South Korean and US Presidents hold first phone call, seeking closer ties between the two countries SEOUL, June 07 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae-myug and U.S. President Donald Trump had their first phone call on Friday evening, pledging to continue strengthening the alliance between the two countries. According to the South Korean presidential office, Lee and Trump spoke for 20 minutes on Friday night. Trump congratulated Lee on his election victory, and both leaders agreed on the importance of the alliance as the core of diplomacy between the two countries. Trump and Lee promised to seek effective ways to resolve recent tariff issues. Trump invited Lee to visit the U.S. and Lee also suggested discussing important issues in a face-to-face meeting. Trump and Lee reportedly shared their experiences of difficulties encountered during the election campaigns and promised to have a golf meeting in the near future. “We will continue our endeavors to maintain and improve the relations between our two countries, and we also look forward to planning a summit,” said a presidential official. 2025-06-07 11:09:41

President Lee says sacrifice for the nation deserves special recognition SEOUL, June 06 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung on Friday called for stronger recognition and support for those who have sacrificed for the country, saying, “A special reward should be given for a special sacrifice made for all.” Speaking at the 70th Memorial Day ceremony at Seoul National Cemetery, Lee paid tribute to fallen patriots and emphasized that remembrance must go hand in hand with responsibility. “We commemorate Memorial Day each year to remember, to record, and to take responsibility,” he said. “There are people who willingly dedicate themselves when the nation and its people are in danger.” Lee reflected on South Korea’s path through colonization, war, and dictatorship, crediting the country’s growth and democracy to those who gave everything. “Thanks to their noble dedication, we were able to regain light,” he said. “Thanks to their sacrifice, we overcame the scars of war and rose to become a top 10 global economy. Thanks to their courage, we escaped long years of dictatorship and rose as a model democracy admired by the world.” He also touched on the need to reshape the country’s historical narrative. “The saying ‘If you fight for independence, your family suffers for three generations. If you collaborate, they prosper for three’ must now disappear,” he said. “We must become a country where sacrifice for the nation and community is honored with due reward, and where devotion for all is the highest badge of honor. The Lee Jae-myung administration will fulfill its responsibilities and duties.” Lee pledged practical improvements for veterans and their families, including better support for surviving spouses and improved access to healthcare. “We will raise honors and deepen support,” he said. “We will eliminate blind spots so that the surviving spouses of war veterans do not suffer hardship, and we will build a seamless system so that national patriots can conveniently receive the healthcare they deserve.” He also promised fairer compensation for discharged soldiers, saying, “We will ensure that veterans and discharged soldiers receive treatment worthy of their dedication.” Lee made a point to recognize those still serving today—soldiers, firefighters, and police officers working to protect lives and communities. “It is thanks to the dedication of soldiers guarding the nation overnight, firefighters risking their lives at disaster sites, and police officers tackling crime on the ground that the public can live in peace,” he said. He pledged to improve their working conditions, adding, “The Republic of Korea will, in turn, protect them. We will improve working conditions so they can focus solely on their mission to safeguard the nation and its people.” Lee ended his address by calling on the public to carry forward the legacy of those who came before. “The country defended by our fallen heroes must shine even brighter,” he said. “Building a peaceful nation free from the fear of war, and a safe society where daily life is not shaken. This is the most responsible response to their sacrifice.” “Let us repay their devotion with a nation where democracy and prosperity blossom atop solid peace, where pride and dignity flourish,” he added. “If the Korean people’s strength, which has always placed ‘we’ before ‘me’ in times of national crisis, holds strong, I firmly believe we can do it. Once again, I extend my deepest respect and gratitude to our fallen heroes.” 2025-06-06 12:06:09

UN-backed first glaciers preservation forum held in Dushanbe SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - A three-day international conference on glacier preservation concluded in Tajikistan’s capital on Saturday, drawing over 2,600 participants from 90 countries. The first high-level international conference on glacier preservation, held from Thursday to Saturday last week, brought together government officials, UN representatives, scientists, and civil society leaders to share strategies for protecting glaciers and water resources. The conference included plenary sessions, expert panel sessions, and exhibitions, including a glacier festival to raise public awareness. In his opening remarks, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon warned of the accelerating loss of glaciers due to global warming, calling it one of the most alarming climate challenges. “We must respond together, and we must respond now,” Rahmon said. Tajikistan, home to over 60 percent of Central Asia’s glaciers, plays a critical role in regional water supply and climate stability. Rahmon highlighted that glacier loss threatens ecosystems, water security, and livelihoods across the region. Rahmon proposed several initiatives, including establishing a regional glacier research center, launching joint monitoring expeditions, and developing a global strategy for glacier preservation. Rahmon also called for increased international funding and cooperation. “We are not only protecting glaciers, we are safeguarding the future of our planet,” Rahmon emphasized. Tajik Ambassador to Seoul Kirom Salohiddin also praised the successful conclusion of the forum, saying he hopes it will lead to stronger global action. “I believe this important conference will help raise awareness around the world and encourage us to act together,” Kirom said. “We need to gather more support and work closely with the international community to protect our glaciers.” The conference followed Tajikistan’s successful effort to have 2025 declared by the UN as the “International Year of Glacier Preservation.” The country also jointly proposed with France, the “Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences” from 2025 to 2034. 2025-06-05 18:43:41

Kazakhstan hosts event in Seoul to boost bilateral tourism SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - An event promoting tourism to Kazakhstan was held at a hotel in central Seoul on Wednesday. Hosted by the state-run Kazakh Tourism National Company, the event brought together around 150 participants from the travel and aviation sectors including major tour agencies and airlines here. Kazakh officials from the Almaty Tourism Board, Air Astana, SCAT Airlines, and other leading resort and travel agencies also attended. Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Seoul Nurgali Arystanov highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation, stressing "Kazakhstan stands with the people of South Korea." "We look forward to working with the new government" to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries, he said. Arystanov added, "Kazakhstan is located at a crossroads of East and West, a bridge where ideas, cultures, and solutions come together," quoting Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as saying. Arystanov also emphasized that visa-free travel and an increase in direct flights have significantly boosted tourism between the two countries. Currently, there are around 17 weekly direct flights connecting Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent with Seoul. Eastar Jet is also set to launch a new route connecting Almaty to South Korea's southern port city of Busan in July, with plans to expand service up to 40 flights per week. "This event is not just about showcasing Kazakhstan, it is about building the foundations for future partnerships and shared success. I especially hope for collaborations among tour operators that could offer tour packages for Kazakhstan so as to make travels exciting, easy and meaningful," he said. In 2024 alone, some 40,180 South Koreans visited Kazakhstan while over 53,000 Kazakh tourists traveled to Seoul. To meet growing tourism demand, Almaty officials further highlighted Kazakhstan's natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, along with modern facilities equipped for international business events. Air Astana also showcased its global network, while SCAT Airlines announced a new direct route between Incheon and Shymkent. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan also set up a booth to offer travel information at the annual Seoul International Tourism Fair (SITF), which runs until this weekend at COEX in southern Seoul. 2025-06-05 17:31:59