Wife of DP presidential candidate slapped with fine again in appeals court SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - The wife of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP)'s presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung was slapped with a 1.5 million won fine for election law violations by an appeals court on Monday. The Suwon District Court upheld the sentence from the first trial, which had been handed down in November last year. Kim Hye-kyung was indicted in February last year for allegedly using her husband's corporate expense card in August 2021, when Lee was serving as governor of Gyeonggi Province. She allegedly used the card to pay for meals worth 104,000 won at a restaurant in Seoul for wives of several former and current DP lawmakers as well as some of her aides. The appeals court said, "The gathering appears to have been a meeting where the defendant treated the spouses of influential party politicians to assist her husband," which led to her being found guilty of having her secretary, surnamed Bae, pay for the meals with her tacit approval. 2025-05-12 15:43:40

PHOTOS: Presidential campaign starts for June 3 election SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - The official campaign for the June 3 snap presidential election, triggered by the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, began on May 12. Although seven candidates registered, the election is expected to be a three-way race among Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, and Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party. The presidential candidates will engage in official campaigning until June 2, the day before the election. 2025-05-12 14:38:48

Ex-president declines to comment at first public court appearance SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - Disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday appeared for a trial over charges of insurrection and abuse of power over his botched martial law debacle late last year. During his previous two court appearances last month, Yoon managed to avoid public attention by being whisked into the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul through a secluded passageway from the underground parking lot. Amid controversy over alleged preferential treatment of the impeached president due to his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, the court denied such an entry this time, so Yoon was seen as he arrived at the court around 9:55 a.m. When asked by reporters with a barrage of questions, he declined to comment and immediately entered the court without saying a word. But Yoon posted a message on Facebook the previous day, urging support for Kim Moon-soo, the presidential nominee of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), who had suddenly gained prominence from fervent conservatives after siding with Yoon and refusing to apologize for the debacle at the National Assembly, which eventually led to his nomination after years of being out of the spotlight. Meanwhile, two high-ranking military officers have also been summoned to testify as witnesses at the trial. 2025-05-12 14:31:31

PHOTOS: Exploring treasures of Gyeongbokgung Palace SEOUL, May 09 (AJP) - Once the resplendent heart of the Joseon Dynasty's royal lineage, Gyeongbokgung Palace stands as a testament to both the kingdom's foundational aspirations and its resilience through periods of upheaval. Erected in tandem with the dynasty's establishment, the palace met a devastating fate during the Japanese invasion in 1592, succumbing entirely to flames. The Gyeongbokgung that graces Seoul today bears the imprint of a later era, with sections rebuilt during the reign of King Gojong. Within its storied grounds, Geunjeongjeon Hall commands attention as the peninsula's most expansive extant wooden edifice. Nearby, the ethereal Gyeonghoeru Pavilion floats gracefully atop a tranquil pond. Both structures hold the distinguished designation of National Treasures, underscoring their cultural and historical significance. A concerted effort to reclaim Gyeongbokgung's former glory commenced with the 1968 restoration of its iconic Gwanghwamun Gate. This initial step galvanized broader public and official engagement, culminating in a comprehensive restoration initiative that gained momentum in the late 1980s. Landmark projects have included the symbolic dismantling of the former Japanese Government-General Building in 1995, the revitalization of the Heungnyemun Gate precinct in 2001 and the meticulous wooden reconstruction of Gwanghwamun Gate in 2010. Ambitious plans are underway to reinstate the palace's principal structures by the year 2045. The axial grandeur that unfolds from the imposing Gwanghwamun Gate, leading through Heungnyemun Gate to the majestic Geunjeongjeon Hall, speaks volumes of Joseon's royal authority. In contrast, the intimate charm of the rear garden, nestled behind Gyotaejeon Hall, offers a more serene perspective on the palace grounds. Together, these contrasting spaces evoke the layered history and architectural sophistication of Joseon's palatial design. For foreign tourists, Gyeongbokgung Palace has become an indispensable stop, offering a tangible connection to the nation's rich past. Currently, visitors have the added opportunity to experience the palace's illuminated beauty during special nighttime openings, which continue until June 15. 2025-05-12 11:28:05

OECD warns of slowing growth in South Korea SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - South Korea’s potential economic growth is projected to dip below 2 percent next year, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, raising fresh concerns about the long-term health of Asia’s fourth-largest economy. The OECD forecast South Korea’s potential GDP growth rate at 1.98 percent for 2026 — a slight but symbolic decline from this year’s estimate of 2.02 percent. The revision reflects a broader and more worrisome trend as the country’s growth ceiling has steadily eroded. Over the 10-year period from 2017 to 2026, South Korea’s potential growth rate is expected to fall by 1.02 percentage points, the seventh-steepest drop among the 37 OECD member countries. The weakening outlook aligns with estimates from major domestic institutions. The National Assembly Budget Office has projected potential growth at 1.9 percent for 2025, while the Korea Development Institute places it even lower, at 1.5 percent. Potential GDP refers to the maximum level of output an economy can sustain without igniting inflation. While less visible than headline growth figures, the metric serves as a crucial gauge of economic vitality — and the direction is now clearly downward. South Korea's short-term performance has also lagged. The country posted the slowest GDP growth among 19 major OECD economies in the first quarter of 2025, contracting by 0.25 percent, the Bank of Korea reported on May 11. Much of the decline is being attributed to demographic headwinds. In a March report, the OECD highlighted South Korea’s collapsing fertility rate as a structural risk, warning that a shrinking workforce and a rapidly aging population could hamper efforts to sustain living standards. “The impact of a one-percentage-point decline in potential growth may be more severe for advanced economies than for emerging ones,” said Kim Kwang-seok, head of economic research at the Institute for Korean Economy & Industry. 2025-05-12 10:57:34

K-pop festival in Japan becomes business platform for Korean firms SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - South Korean companies secured export agreements valued at $9.76 million during business matchmaking sessions held alongside a major K-pop festival in Japan, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) said Monday. The business-to-business consultations, organized by KOTRA, took place on May 8 at the Tokyo International Forum, coinciding with KCON Japan, an annual K-pop showcase hosted by entertainment conglomerate CJ ENM. The three-day event featured performances by 33 artist teams, including girl groups QWER, Kep1er, and Rescene. Forty small and medium-sized enterprises from South Korea — specializing in beauty products, food, and fashion accessories — engaged in 351 tailored meetings with 82 Japanese buyers, the agency said. The promotional effort included a joint exhibition space curated with Powder Room, a prominent Korean beauty platform, which drew foot traffic through interactive events and brand demonstrations. Korean beauty brands, including Dr. AG, All My Things, and Nudique, saw heightened interest from Japanese buyers, with several companies reporting fully booked consultation schedules ahead of the event. “The Korean Wave has evolved beyond a cultural trend into a vehicle for export growth,” said Park Yong-min, director of KOTRA’s Japan regional office. “We will continue to support Korean SMEs in entering the Japanese market and building sustainable partnerships.” 2025-05-12 10:51:10

Official campaign for presidential election kicks off SEOUL, May 12 (AJP) - The official campaign for the upcoming presidential election began on Monday and will last for about three weeks until June 3, the election day. The 22-day campaign period began at the stroke of midnight, with presidential candidates and their supporters spreading out across the country to win the hearts of voters. The snap election comes after the Constitutional Court of Korea's ruling early last month to impeach disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law debacle late last year. Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, who eventually secured the presidential nomination of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) amid fierce internal disputes that lasted until last Sunday, the final deadline for candidate registration, launched his campaign at a market in Songpa, southern Seoul to show his commitment to prioritizing people's livelihoods. Kim then heads to a cemetery in Daejeon to pay tribute to the victims of a series of naval skirmishes with North Korea in the West Sea. Later in the day, he is set to visit a market in his conservative stronghold of Daegu, in a bid to shore up political support. The staunch conservative is expected to face an uphill battle against front-runner Lee Jae-myung, the presidential nominee of the main opposition Democratic Party, who remains far ahead of other candidates in most opinion polls, after clearing some legal risks that could have hindered his chances in the presidential race. Lee kicked off his campaign in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, as a symbolic gesture to highlight citizens' efforts to end Yoon's abrupt Dec. 3 declaration of martial law and protect democracy. Lee then visits Seongnam on the outskirts of Seoul, where he began his political career as well as nearby areas including Pangyo, Hwaseong, and Dongtan in Gyeonggi Province, where he is expected to deliver speeches on science and advanced technologies including semiconductors. Meanwhile, Lee Jun-seok, the leader and presidential nominee of the minor centrist New Reform Party, began his campaign with a visit to an industrial complex in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, emphasizing his pledges to drive another major leap in the export-dependent country's economy. He then returned to Seoul to present his presidential vision at the National Assembly in the morning. Later in the day, he is set to meet with students at Yonsei University and engage with voters on the streets, including areas such as Gwanghwamun and Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul. 2025-05-12 10:47:34

Lee Jae-myung wraps up rural tour ahead of campaign kickoff SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the main opposition Democratic Party, spent Sunday campaigning across South Jeolla Province, making a final appeal to voters in rural strongholds ahead of the official start of the election period. Lee toured the southwestern counties of Hwasun, Gangjin, Haenam and Yeongam, engaging with local residents as part of his last regional push before the campaign formally begins on Tuesday. The visits were part of a broader tour of small towns and provincial areas that are often overlooked during the frenetic pace of the official election period. Beginning earlier this month, Lee traveled through border areas of northern Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces, continued along the so-called East Coast Belt through eastern Gangwon and northern North Gyeongsang, and visited towns across the Chungcheong region, North Jeolla, and the conservative stronghold of the Gyeongsang region. In Hwasun on Sunday, Lee vowed to confront what he described as “anti-historical and anti-democratic forces.” “We must build a country where the people are truly respected as sovereign,” he said, invoking the memory of Dec. 3, when martial law was declared by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol. “We won then, and we are still fighting and winning against rebellion today,” he added. “Let your overwhelming vote build an overwhelming future.” Lee remains the front-runner in the presidential race, according to recent polling. A Realmeter survey released on Sunday showed him leading in a three-way contest with 52.1 percent of the vote. Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party trailed with 31.1 percent, while Lee Jun-seok of the newly formed Reform Party garnered 6.3 percent. 2025-05-11 15:19:54

Han Duck-soo concedes in party vote, backs Kim Moon-soo for presidency SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Sunday accepted the results of a party-wide vote that rejected a proposal to replace the People Power Party’s presidential nominee with himself, pledging to support the party’s official candidate, Kim Moon-soo. Speaking at a press conference at his campaign office in Yeouido, Han said he would “humbly accept” the outcome and return to private life. “I take seriously both the encouragement and criticism I have received before and after my decision to run for president,” Han said. “I accept the results with humility and will do my part to help Kim secure victory in the upcoming election.” Han added that he would “step away from all political roles and return to being an ordinary citizen,” taking full responsibility for the decisions he had made. The remarks came hours after the party’s interim leadership, led by Rep. Kwon Young-se, held a vote among its full membership to determine whether to replace Kim with Han as its presidential nominee. The proposal was rejected, reaffirming Kim’s candidacy. 2025-05-11 10:21:46

Kim Moon-soo secures candidacy after failed ouster attempt SEOUL, May 11 (AJP) - A last-ditch effort by the ruling conservative People Power Party (PPP) to replace its presidential nominee has ended in turmoil, exposing deep fractures within the party just ahead of the registration deadline. The party leadership’s attempt to replace Kim Moon-soo, the candidate who won the party’s primary, with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo unraveled within 24 hours following fierce internal opposition and a narrow defeat in a party-wide vote. Kim is now expected to be officially registered as the party’s presidential candidate on Sunday. The drama began on the night of May 9, when party leaders — frustrated by Kim’s refusal to unify candidacies ahead of the May 11 deadline — moved to strip him of his nominee status. Kim had proposed a public opinion poll between May 15 and 16 as a method for candidate unification, but the leadership rejected this idea. In a series of emergency meetings held at midnight, the party’s interim leadership and Election Commission voted to revoke Kim’s candidacy and replace him with Han. At 3:30 a.m. on May 10, Han formally joined the party as a full member and submitted his registration paperwork. By 4 a.m., he stood as the sole registered candidate, and Kim was effectively disqualified. The party leadership, seeking legitimacy for the controversial move, held a vote of party members throughout the day on May 10. The vote lasted 11 hours, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. In an emergency press conference, Kim denounced the leadership’s actions as illegal and anti-democratic. “The party's leadership unlawfully stripped me of my candidacy, despite my legitimate selection by party members and the public,” he said. He also filed for an injunction with the Seoul Southern District Court to halt the disqualification, telling the court that the party “revoked my nomination in the dead of night without informing me, and chose another candidate behind closed doors.” The party’s interim leader, Kwon Young-se, defended the decision in a separate press conference, saying, “It was a painful but necessary step.” He accused Kim of repeatedly making “groundless accusations” that had sown division within the party. Several figures who had competed in the primary, as well as some lawmakers expressed outrage. Han Dong-hoon, a former justice minister who was defeated in the party primary, likened the move to autocratic behavior, saying, “Even North Korea wouldn’t do this.” Veteran lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo launched a blistering attack on Kwon and PPP floor leader Kwon Seong-dong. Another candidate, Ahn Cheol-soo, called the situation a “political farce,” while lawmaker Na Kyung-won wrote on social media, “This is not the PPP I know.” At 7 p.m., the two camps attempted another round of negotiations. Kim’s side proposed a compromise involving a 100-percent public opinion poll, with limited safeguards against strategic voting. Han’s team, however, insisted on a full party vote using the K-Voting system, a digital voting mechanism. The talks collapsed after just 40 minutes. By 11 p.m., the party’s interim leadership announced the results of the vote: a narrow majority of party members opposed the candidate replacement. Kim’s candidacy was reinstated. In a final act of contrition, the interim leader Kwon offered his resignation. “It is deeply regrettable that unification was not achieved,” he said. “That failure is mine alone. I take full responsibility and will step down.” Kim is now expected to formally register his candidacy with the National Election Commission on Sunday. 2025-05-11 09:40:49