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

Astana International Forum wraps up with call for stronger global cooperation SEOUL, June 1 (AJP) - A two-day international forum aimed at strengthening multilateral cooperation and tackling global challenges wrapped up in Kazakhstan’s capital on Friday. The Astana International Forum (AIF), held from Thursday to Friday, brought together more than 1,000 participants from over 70 countries, including heads of state, business executives, renowned academics, and representatives. Throughout the event, over 40 panel discussions, side events, and special sessions were held. More than 100 speakers addressed a wide range of pressing global issues, including diplomacy, international security, climate action, technological innovation, and economic resilience. In addition to in-depth discussions on navigating geopolitical shifts and promoting sustainable development, the forum also spotlighted the role of emerging technologies and the need for cross-sector collaboration. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who attended the forum on Friday, emphasized the need for courageous leadership in today’s divided world. "Relations between nations are now shaped by new and often unprecedented powers," she said. "It’s up to us to decide how to respond." In addition to the main sessions, various exhibition booths drew attention from visitors. One of the most visited was the United Nations booth, which marked the organization’s 80th anniversary and showcased its work in Kazakhstan. “We wanted to show the human stories behind the numbers,” said Elnara Bainazarova, Communications and Advocacy Officer at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Kazakhstan. She added that 27 UN agencies are currently active in the country. Another key highlight was the Alatau New City project, led by members of the ethnic Korean community in Kazakhstan. Moon Park, a partner in management consulting at KPMG and an advisor to the project, explained that the initiative draws inspiration from South Korea’s industrial development. “We’re helping design a roadmap based on Korea’s experience to avoid trial and error,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of infrastructure and international partnerships. “We’re in discussions with Korea Airports Corporation as Kazakhstan works toward becoming a future aviation hub,” he noted. “They also need experience in global transactions, and we’re supporting that learning process.” Participants also shared meaningful insights and positive experiences from the forum. Jacek Kosciukiewicz, a regional sales manager for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at Cambi—a global environmental technology company—praised the high quality of the discussions. Referring to a session led by former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, he said, “Her vision for multilateralism gives me hope. Without forums like this, the world could go in the wrong direction.” He also acknowledged Kazakhstan’s growing diplomatic presence. “The country is on its way to becoming a key voice for Central Asia on the global stage,” he said. Kazakhstan, the world’s largest landlocked country, stands as one of Central Asia’s strongest economies. Astana, the country’s modern capital, reflects this ambition with its futuristic skyline and growing role as a diplomatic hub. The city continues to attract global attention for its strategic location and rapid development, driven by continuous efforts such as forums like the AIF. South Korea, which established a strategic partnership with Kazakhstan in 2009, remains one of its closest and most important partners. As of 2024, South Korea is one of Kazakhstan’s top trading partners and the third-largest investor. 2025-06-01 19:28:41

Candidates blitz key battlegrounds as presidential race enters final stretch SEOUL, June 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s leading presidential contenders crisscrossed the country on Sunday in a final bid to rally voters ahead of Tuesday’s election, with both major candidates making strategic forays into regions outside their political comfort zones. Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party spent the day traversing the conservative stronghold of Yeongnam, seeking to peel away support from traditional bastions of right-wing dominance. Beginning in his hometown of Andong, in North Gyeongsang Province, Lee made stops in Daegu and Ulsan before concluding with a twilight rally at Busan Station Plaza. Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party, a former governor of Gyeonggi Province, concentrated his final Sunday push closer to the capital. Touring the greater Seoul metropolitan area, Kim emphasized his track record in infrastructure and regional development — notably the Great Train Express (GTX), a high-speed commuter rail project aimed at transforming transit across the capital region. His campaign stops included Gwanggyo, Seongnam, Guri, Namyangju, Uijeongbu and key districts in northern Seoul. Latest polling suggests a surprisingly competitive race, even in conservative strongholds such as the TK region (Daegu and North Gyeongsang) and the PK region (Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang). In some surveys of the PK region, Lee is polling within the margin of error against Kim. In a symbolic gesture aimed at consolidating conservative support, former President Park Geun-hye — still a revered figure among many in the TK region — made a rare public appearance on Friday at a traditional market in Daegu, urging voters to support Kim. Meanwhile, Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party campaigned in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, where he eked out a narrow victory in last year’s general election. Lee addressed supporters at Dongtan Lake Park in the afternoon, appealing to younger and independent voters in a last-ditch effort. Later in the evening, he appeared at Seoul Station to engage with travelers heading home after the weekend. The candidates are set to close their official campaigns on Monday with rallies in Seoul. Lee will hold his final event in Yeouido Park, directly facing the National Assembly building — a site he has framed as emblematic of democratic resistance, recalling the Assembly’s revocation of martial law on December 3. Kim, for his part, will conclude his campaign at Seoul City Hall Plaza. 2025-06-01 15:46:11

Public opinion manipulation allegations roil final days of election SEOUL, June 01 (AJP) - With just two days remaining before South Korea's presidential election, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung on Sunday accused a far-right group of orchestrating an online campaign to manipulate public opinion in favor of his conservative rival, calling the alleged operation an “insurrection.” Lee urged law enforcement authorities to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into what he described as a "systematic attempt to distort the electoral process." “I firmly believe there is a connection to the People Power Party,” Lee said, referring to the group in question, Rhee Park School — a conservative organization known for promoting the legacies of former Presidents Syngman Rhee and Park Chung-hee. The allegations stem from an investigative report published on May 31 by Newstapa, a nonprofit journalism outlet. The report claimed that Rhee Park School assembled a dedicated team to post politically charged comments on news websites, lauding the People Power Party’s candidate, Kim Moon-soo, while disparaging Lee. According to the report, members of the group were allegedly recruited with promises of after-school instructor certifications, qualifying them to work with elementary school students. The report further alleged that some of those instructors have since been dispatched to schools nationwide, spreading what critics have called “distorted historical views” under the guise of extracurricular education — a program that began under the previous administration of Yoon Suk Yeol. The People Power Party has firmly denied any connection to Rhee Park School or the alleged campaign. “Kim Moon-soo, his campaign office, and the People Power Party have absolutely no relation to this matter,” the party said in a statement. “To suggest otherwise is baseless and irresponsible.” Jang Dong-hyuk, a senior strategist for the PPP, held an emergency news conference in Seoul, accusing the Democratic Party of attempting to sway the election through what he called “sinister schemes.” “The Democratic Party knows the election landscape is unfavorable for them, and so they’re once again resorting to negative campaigning and conspiracy,” Jang said. 2025-06-01 14:20:08

Korea's exports slip in May, undermined by US tariffs SEOUL, June 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s exports declined in May, snapping a three-month streak of gains, as shipments to key markets including the United States and China weakened, government data showed Sunday. Exports fell 1.3 percent from a year earlier to $57.3 billion, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The downturn was attributed largely to a sharp drop in shipments to the United States, where the Trump administration’s tariff policies have weighed on South Korean automotive exports. Imports also contracted, falling 5.3 percent year-on-year to $50.3 billion. The resulting trade surplus stood at $6.94 billion. Shipments to the United States slid 8.1 percent to $10 billion, with the automotive sector particularly affected by the administration’s 25 percent tariffs on imported vehicles. Exports to China, South Korea’s largest trading partner, also dropped 8.4 percent to $10.4 billion, amid waning demand for semiconductors and petrochemical products. Deliveries to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations declined 1.3 percent to $10 billion. In contrast, exports to the European Union rose for the third consecutive month, gaining 4 percent year-on-year to reach $6 billion, buoyed by strong demand for automobiles and chips. 2025-06-01 10:02:59

Arsonist sparks fire on Seoul subway, forcing 400 passengers to flee through tunnel SEOUL, May 31 (AJP) - A man ignited a fire on a Seoul subway train during Saturday morning rush hour, forcing about 400 passengers to evacuate through underground tunnels as smoke filled the carriages. The blaze erupted at 8:43 a.m. on Line 5 between Yeouinaru and Mapo stations when a man in his 60s used a torch-style lighter to set clothing ablaze after boarding with a container of oil, witnesses said. Twenty-one passengers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation and ankle injuries sustained during the chaotic evacuation. No fatalities were reported. Train operators and passengers wielded fire extinguishers to contain the flames before firefighters fully extinguished the blaze at 10:24 a.m. Emergency responders deployed 230 personnel, including 166 firefighters and 60 police officers, along with 68 pieces of firefighting equipment. Police arrested the suspected arsonist near Yeouinaru station at 9:45 a.m. Service between Yeouido and Aeogae stations was suspended until 10:06 a.m., with trains bypassing Mapo and Yeouinaru stations during the emergency response. Investigators are examining the scene and questioning the suspect to determine the motive behind the arson attack. 2025-05-31 16:10:14

South Korean professor loses lawsuit over research fund embezzlement disciplinary action SEOUL, May 31 (AJP) - A South Korean national university professor who embezzled about 80 million won (US$57,952) in research funds by falsely claiming equipment purchases has lost his administrative lawsuit challenging his disciplinary punishment. The Chuncheon District Court ruled against the professor in his lawsuit seeking to overturn a three-month suspension imposed by the national university he resides, the court announced on Saturday. According to the indictment, the professor fraudulently claimed research material expenses 31 times between June 2018 and January 2021, pocketing about 80 million won intended for consumable research supplies. He also embezzled 1 million won over 36 instances by billing for meals for researchers who never attended actual research meetings. The university initially imposed dismissal and demanded 240 million won in additional disciplinary fines - triple the embezzled amount. After the professor appealed to the Appeal Commission for Educators, his punishment was reduced to a three-month suspension with standard disciplinary fines, considering his suspended sentence in criminal court. However, the professor argued he merely followed established practices of acquiring expensive equipment through credit arrangements and later paying through government project material costs. He claimed the funds questioned were used for actual equipment purchases that benefited his research. "The misconduct's content, duration, frequency and amount show the violations were not minor, warranting demotion or higher punishment," the court said. "However, considering the plaintiff's diligent work performance and research achievements, and that the embezzlement wasn't solely for personal gain, a suspension was deemed appropriate." The court emphasized that professors must maintain strong moral standards and integrity, stating the public interest in ensuring fair research fund management outweighed the defendant's personal disadvantages. 2025-05-31 14:20:46

China expands surveillance network in Korean waters with three new buoys SEOUL, May 31 (AJP) - China has quietly installed three additional observation buoys in disputed West Sea waters near South Korea, raising fresh concerns about Beijing's growing maritime surveillance capabilities in the region. The South Korean Navy reported on Saturday its discovery of large buoys near the 123-degree east longitude line, west of Ieodo reef. The installations sit in international waters within China's exclusive economic zone, directly adjacent to South Korea's maritime boundaries. Since 2018, China has deployed 10 observation buoys measuring about 3 meters wide and 6 meters tall throughout the Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) under the stated purpose of marine observation. The latest additions bring the total count to 13 buoys, with one positioned inside the disputed fishing zone shared by both nations. While Beijing claims the buoys serve meteorological and oceanographic purposes, South Korean defense analysts fear the equipment could monitor South Korean naval vessels and submarines, potentially compromising Seoul's maritime security operations in its own backyard waters. China has systematically expanded its presence in the contested zone, installing large-scale aquaculture facilities described as deep-sea fishing operations. This month, Beijing declared parts of the area off-limits to navigation while announcing planned military exercises. "We are closely monitoring China's unauthorized installation of structures within the PMZ and will work closely with relevant ministries and agencies to protect our maritime sovereignty," a Ministry of National Defense official said. 2025-05-31 10:34:31

Trump doubles steel tariffs to 50 percent, dealing blow to South Korea and other exporters SEOUL, May 31 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday he would double tariffs on foreign steel imports to 50 percent from the current 25 percent, delivering a blow to overseas producers including South Korea as he unveiled a major investment partnership. Trump made the announcement during a speech at a U.S. Steel plant outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, saying the measure would "further secure the steel industry." The move comes as part of a broader agreement involving Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel's investment in the American company. "We don’t want America’s future to be built with shoddy steel from Shanghai. We want it built with the strength and the pride of Pittsburgh," said Trump, explaining the tariff increase. The tariff hike represents a doubling of duties first imposed in March under the Trade Expansion Act, which allows restrictions on imports deemed threats to national security. "At 25 percent, they can sort of get over that fence," Trump said. "At 50 percent, they can no longer get over the fence." The announcement coincided with Trump's reversal on Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel, which he had previously opposed on national security grounds alongside former President Joe Biden. The Japanese company plans to invest $14 billion in American steel operations over the next 14 months. Trump described the investment as "the largest investment in the history of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania" and "the biggest investment in American steel history." He said the partnership would create and maintain over 100,000 jobs nationwide, including 100,000 in Pennsylvania specifically. The president assured that the deal would prevent layoffs or outsourcing, adding that U.S. Steel workers would receive $5,000 bonuses. He called the arrangement a "blockbuster agreement" that ensures the historic American company remains domestically owned. South Korea's top steelmakers, POSCO and Hyundai Steel, already posted disappointing first-quarter results following previous U.S. tariff measures of 25 percent, industry experts saying the doubling of the levies to hit the nation strong, as South Korea exports around 13 percent of its total steel produce to the U.S. 2025-05-31 09:47:51

High turnout in early voting for presidential election SEOUL, May 30 (AJP) - Early voting for next week's presidential election wrapped up with a high voter turnout of 34.74 percent on Friday, according to the National Election Commission (NEC). The election watchdog said the high turnout came as about 15.42 million out of 44.39 million eligible voters cast their ballots in advance at around 3,500 polling stations nationwide on Thursday and Friday. Some 8.69 million voters cast their ballots on the first day of early voting, reaching a record turnout of 19.58 percent, the highest since it was first introduced on a nationwide basis in 2014. The combined figure for the two days of early voting was the second-highest, about 2.19 percentage points lower than the 36.93 percent recorded in the 2022 presidential election. Turnout was highest in South Jeolla Province at 56.50 percent, followed by North Jeolla Province (53.01 percent), Gwangju (52.12 percent), and the administrative city of Sejong (41.16 percent). The lowest turnout was seen in Daegu at 25.63 percent. In Seoul, turnout stood at 34.28 percent, slightly below the nationwide average of 34.74 percent. In the past, high turnout in early voting was often considered advantageous to the progressives because younger voters tend to cast their ballots early. But that formula no longer seems to apply as most voters may now be motivated by convenience regardless of their political affiliation. But the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) interprets the high turnout as suggesting that many voters saw the ballot as a referendum on the former disgraced president's botched martial law debacle late last year. Some DP lawmakers also insist that the lowest turnout in Daegu, the conservatives' main stronghold, would be another indicator that early voting is advantageous to them. The ruling People Power Party (PPP), however, rejects this claim, arguing that its main supporters, mostly older voters, prefer to vote on the main election day, June 3, as they have doubts about early voting and possible fraud. 2025-05-30 17:54:06