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  • Kim Min-seok Begins His Tenure as Party Leader with Focus on Livelihood Issues
    Kim Min-seok Begins His Tenure as Party Leader with Focus on Livelihood Issues Kim Min-seok, newly elected leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, immediately focused on livelihood issues following his election on August 17. He visited the flood-damaged areas in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province.Park Sung-jun, the party's chief spokesperson, spoke to reporters after the third regular national party convention held at the Daejeon Convention Center, stating, "Due to the severe damage from the recent rains, Candidate Kim has departed for Geoje today."Park added, "He is heading to the Samdo Royal Mansion apartment complex, where there have been casualties, to assess the damage and formulate response measures. He will also visit the Okpo Social Welfare Center, which is being used as temporary housing, to meet with affected residents."After concluding his schedule in Geoje, Kim will continue his busy agenda in Seoul. On the morning of August 18, he will meet with Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoon-sik and Senior Political Secretary Hong Ik-pyo at the National Assembly before visiting the National Cemetery in Seoul to pay his respects.Notably, Kim will pay tribute at the grave of his political mentor, the late former President Kim Dae-jung, and attend a memorial service marking the 17th anniversary of Kim's passing. Following this, he will travel to Honam to visit the National 5.18 Memorial.Additionally, on August 19, he will hold his first on-site Supreme Council meeting in Busan, where he will also pay respects at the grave of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun and meet with former President Moon Jae-in.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 21:12:00
  • 17th Anniversary Memorial Service for Former President Kim Dae-jung to be Held on August 18
    17th Anniversary Memorial Service for Former President Kim Dae-jung to be Held on August 18 A memorial service for the late former President Kim Dae-jung will be held on August 18. Political leaders from both parties and key figures from the government are expected to attend to honor his noble spirit and reflect on the ideals of peace and unity. According to Yonhap News on August 17, the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center announced that the memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. at the National Cemetery in Seoul. The ceremony will begin with tributes from the memorial committee chair, National Assembly Speaker Jung Sung-kyu, Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party, and Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party. This will be followed by a memorial video presentation, a tribute song, a eulogy by Father Lee Gi-seong of the Salesian Society, and a flower-laying ceremony by attendees. The event is expected to draw over 800 attendees, including leaders from both political parties and key government officials. In addition to the party leaders, representatives from the Justice Innovation Party and the Basic Income Party will also be present. Key government figures such as Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and Senior Secretary Hong Ik-pyo will attend, along with Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and Park Yong-jin, Vice Chair of the Regulatory Reform Committee. Notable elder statesmen from politics and government, including Kwon No-gap, chairman of the Kim Dae-jung Foundation, Jeong Dae-cheol, chairman of the Constitutional Society, and Lee Jong-chan, chairman of the Korean Liberation Association, will also be in attendance. Former National Assembly Speakers Kim Won-ki, Lim Chae-jung, Moon Hee-sang, and Jeong Se-kyun, as well as former Prime Minister Kim Seok-soo and former Chief of Staff Han Kwang-ok, are expected to join. Additionally, children of former presidents, including Kim Hyun-chul and Roh Geon-ho, will participate to pay their respects to the late president. 2026-08-17 21:12:00
  • President Lee Offers Condolences and Urges Swift Action Amid Heavy Rains in Southern Regions
    President Lee Offers Condolences and Urges Swift Action Amid Heavy Rains in Southern Regions President Lee Jae-myung expressed condolences on August 17 for the loss of life caused by heavy rains in Geoje and other southern regions, urging government agencies to take proactive measures to prevent further damage.In a post on X (formerly Twitter), President Lee stated, "I am concerned about the damage from the heavy rains in Geoje and the southern regions. I pray for the souls of those who lost their lives due to the sudden downpour and extend my deepest sympathies to their families."He also wished for a swift recovery for the injured, emphasizing that "the most important thing is to prevent additional damage."President Lee instructed relevant agencies and local governments to quickly implement necessary measures on the ground and focus all efforts on minimizing damage.He pointed out that even after the rain stops, weakened ground and rising river levels could lead to further incidents. He urged officials to closely monitor weather conditions and respond proactively to risks such as landslides and flooding.President Lee noted that the government is assessing the situation through the Central Disaster Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, stating, "We will remain vigilant and attentive to even the smallest warning signs until the end."He requested that citizens regularly check weather forecasts and disaster alerts, and actively cooperate with evacuation and safety guidance from the government and local authorities.President Lee also highlighted that climate change is significantly altering the scope and nature of disasters. He pledged to comprehensively analyze new disaster risks and fundamentally reassess existing response systems to ensure the safety and lives of the public.He expressed gratitude and encouragement to public officials, firefighters, police, and rescue personnel engaged in prevention and recovery efforts. President Lee urged on-site responders to exert a little more effort while ensuring their own safety during rescue and recovery operations.Earlier that afternoon, Prime Minister Han Seung-soo visited the landslide site in Geoje, which was affected by the heavy rains, as well as temporary housing for evacuees. He received reports on the damage situation and evacuation status, calling for swift recovery and safety measures for residents while offering comfort to those displaced.Prime Minister Han directed relevant agencies and local governments to expedite recovery efforts at the landslide site. He also emphasized the need to ensure the safety of on-site workers to prevent additional accidents during recovery operations.He ordered preparations for the possibility of further landslides due to weakened ground from the heavy rains. Prime Minister Han stressed that agencies, including the Korea Forest Service and local governments, should enhance monitoring activities for landslides and proactively evacuate residents if any warning signs are detected.Following this, Prime Minister Han checked the operational status of the temporary housing facilities for evacuees and the evacuation situation, personally addressing the inconveniences faced by those displaced and encouraging volunteers from the Korean Red Cross who are conducting relief activities on-site.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 21:08:00
  • Major Banks Mobilize Financial Support for Flood Victims in Southern Region
    Major Banks Mobilize Financial Support for Flood Victims in Southern Region In the wake of severe flooding in the southern region, major banks in South Korea are stepping up to assist flood victims in their recovery.According to Yonhap News on August 17, the four largest banks—KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, and Woori—announced emergency financial support and relief efforts for customers affected by the heavy rains.The banks will provide emergency living stabilization funds to individual loan customers impacted by the flooding. The loan limits vary by bank, with Hana Bank offering up to 50 million won, Shinhan Bank up to 30 million won, and both KB Kookmin and Woori Banks offering up to 20 million won each.For small and medium-sized enterprises, small business owners, and individual entrepreneurs, the banks will provide operating funds of up to 500 million won, along with special preferential interest rates ranging from 1.3 to 1.5 percentage points. They will also support facility funds for the repair of damaged infrastructure.To ease the financial burden on customers whose loan maturities are approaching, the banks have established measures to extend loan deadlines without additional principal repayments, applying preferential interest rates or deferring installment payments.In addition to the banks, financial group affiliates are also joining the support efforts. Woori Card will defer credit card payment deadlines for affected customers for up to six months and will waive late fees incurred after the flooding, as well as remove late payment records. Woori Financial Capital will also postpone principal repayments for up to six months and waive late fees, while Woori Financial Savings Bank will allow a three-month deferment on loan principal and interest repayments, extending maturities by up to six months.Alongside financial support, extensive on-site assistance and supplies are being provided to comfort the distressed flood victims. KB Kookmin Bank and Shinhan Bank plan to set up relief tents and provide additional relief supplies to ease the discomfort of those living in temporary shelters.KB Kookmin Bank and Woori Bank will dispatch meal trucks to provide food for firefighters, relief workers, and flood victims working tirelessly at recovery sites. Additionally, Hana Bank plans to deliver 500 'happiness boxes' containing essential items such as blankets, toiletries, and medicines, while Woori Bank will support disaster relief kits prepared in collaboration with the Korean Red Cross and will consider donations based on the scale of the damage in the future.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 21:00:00
  • President Yoon to Host Dinner with New Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok
    President Yoon to Host Dinner with New Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok President Yoon Suk Yeol will host a dinner on the 19th with Kim Min-seok, the newly elected leader of the Democratic Party, along with former leadership candidates Jeong Cheong-rae and Song Young-gil at the Blue House.Chief Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong announced the event on the 17th, stating that the dinner aims to strengthen cooperation between the party, government, and the Blue House, focusing on economic and livelihood issues.This gathering comes after a fiercely contested leadership election within the Democratic Party, providing an opportunity for the candidates to unite and promote harmony within the party. President Yoon's invitation to both Kim and his rivals, Jeong and Song, is seen as an effort to resolve any lingering tensions from the election and to concentrate the party's efforts on pressing economic matters.The dinner is expected to cover communication strategies among the party, government, and Blue House, as well as plans for advancing key policy initiatives related to economic and social issues.Discussions will likely include ways to enhance collaboration between the government and the Democratic Party in shaping policy directions and supporting legislation and budgets.Earlier, President Yoon emphasized the need for unity during a video address at the Democratic Party's third national convention, stating, "While we have debated and competed vigorously, we must now come together under the new leadership." He added, "Our Democratic Party is strongest when united," expressing confidence in the new leadership's capability to guide the party effectively.Kim Min-seok was elected as the new party leader with 54.08% of the votes during the convention held at the Daejeon Convention Center, while Jeong received 45.92%.Following his election, Kim plans to visit areas affected by recent flooding as his first official engagement, signaling his commitment to prioritizing the needs of the public over internal party matters.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 20:52:00
  • Record Rainfall Causes Flooding and Landslides in Geoje, South Korea
    Record Rainfall Causes Flooding and Landslides in Geoje, South Korea In the Geoje region of South Gyeongsang Province, record rainfall has caused significant flooding and landslides, prompting emergency responses from authorities. The National Fire Agency has issued multiple mobilization orders to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. According to Yonhap News Agency, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters reported that from midnight on August 15 to 5 p.m. on August 17, the cumulative rainfall in Geoje reached 910.0 mm.The intense downpour included a maximum hourly rainfall of 124.5 mm, leading to extensive damage. A landslide near an apartment complex in Okpo-dong resulted in one fatality and four injuries. Reports of damage, including flooded homes and roads, have exceeded 2,300, with approximately 380 residents from 240 households seeking refuge in temporary shelters such as community centers. In response to the escalating situation, the National Fire Agency concentrated firefighting resources nationwide for rapid on-site assistance. Starting at 2:40 a.m. on August 17, the agency activated a situation response team and issued the first and second National Fire Mobilization Orders at 6:23 a.m. and 6:35 a.m., respectively. This mobilization included the deployment of 10 rugged pump trucks and 24 personnel to the affected areas in Geoje and Tongyeong. Support from various regions included one truck and three personnel from Busan, two trucks and five personnel from Daegu, six trucks and 14 personnel from North Gyeongsang Province, and one truck and two personnel from Changwon. The National Fire Mobilization Order is issued by the Fire Agency Commissioner when local firefighting resources are insufficient to respond to a disaster, necessitating national-level assistance. Based on this order, the fire authorities conducted 20 rescue operations, successfully evacuating 136 individuals. As rescue and drainage operations continue, the fire agency has initiated additional measures to reduce fatigue among responders and enhance recovery support. On the same day, a third National Fire Mobilization Order was issued, deploying one recovery support vehicle and seven personnel from Busan, Ulsan, Jeonnam, and Changwon to Geoje. Currently, police, local governments, and emergency support agencies, including Korea Electric Power Corporation, are mobilizing personnel for safety management and power restoration. The fire agency plans to maintain drainage operations and safety measures due to concerns about secondary damage from landslides and further flooding, even as initial rescue efforts conclude. 2026-08-17 20:40:00
  • Opposition Calls for Cooperation from New Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok
    Opposition Calls for Cooperation from New Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok On August 17, the opposition congratulated Kim Min-seok on his election as the new leader of the Democratic Party and urged him to prioritize cooperation for the nation, citizens, economy, and livelihoods. The main opposition party, the People Power Party, stated, "We are willing to cooperate for the national interest," while also asserting their commitment to firmly oppose any actions that undermine democracy and the rule of law.The People Power Party's spokespersons issued a statement immediately following Kim's election, emphasizing that as the leader of the ruling party, he must prioritize the nation and its citizens. Chief Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon remarked, "The ruling party must not become a shield for the president's judicial risks," stressing the importance of protecting the people, the constitution, and the future of the nation.He urged Kim to listen to the voices of the people, stating, "Whether the Democratic Party remains a party that protects Lee Jae-myung or transforms into a responsible party for the citizens depends on your choices." He promised that they would extend a hand for cooperation in matters concerning livelihoods and national interests.Floor Leader Choi Eun-seok also commented, saying, "With a new leader elected, the Democratic Party must change as well." He expressed hope that Kim would not just be a leader who supports the president but one who can speak out against wrong policies. He called for a return to politics that involves dialogue and compromise with the opposition.As Kim Min-seok's leadership officially begins, the conservative camp is expected to intensify its criticism of policies hastily pushed through just before the Democratic Party's convention, such as the complete abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights and the semiconductor cluster in Honam. They are likely to advocate for rational conclusions through dialogue and deliberation between the ruling and opposition parties, prioritizing national interests. Additionally, there are calls for collaboration with the opposition on policies directly affecting people's livelihoods, such as real estate, finance, and taxation.In this context, Spokesperson Park emphasized, "We will firmly oppose any actions that undermine democracy and the rule of law," while addressing issues related to President Lee Jae-myung's trial, the complete abolition of supplementary investigation rights, and the ruling party's legislative dominance, which have recently sparked serious conflicts between the parties. Floor Leader Choi also pointed out the critical state of the national economy, including real estate and the stock market, advising Kim to place economic and livelihood issues at the center of governance.Lee Dong-hoon, Chief Spokesperson of the Reform Party, stressed that Kim must take the lead in overcoming challenges posed by real estate instability, economic decline, and diplomatic and security issues. He stated, "The party convention is over. Now is the time to focus on the people," urging Kim to recognize the opposition as a partner in governance and to cooperate, rather than just looking to the president for guidance.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 20:32:00
  • Can President Lee Use Kim Min-seoks Leadership to Boost Approval Ratings?
    Can President Lee Use Kim Min-seok's Leadership to Boost Approval Ratings? 이재명 대통령이 김민석 더불어민주당 신임 대표 선출을 계기로 국정운영 지지율 반등의 전기를 마련할 수 있을지 주목된다. 이 대통령과 국정운영의 호흡을 맞춰온 김 대표가 집권당을 이끌면서 청와대는 당·청 갈등에 대한 부담을 덜고 주택과 경제·민생 등 핵심 국정과제에 역량을 집중할 수 있게 됐다. 17일 정치권에 따르면 청와대는 김 대표 선출로 확보된 정치적 공간을 국정 쇄신의 동력으로 연결할 방안을 고심하고 있다. 당·청 관계를 안정시키는 데 그치지 않고 정책 추진 속도를 높여 하락세에 놓인 국정 지지율을 반전시키겠다는 구상이다. 이 대통령은 최근 주택 공급 확대와 인허가 절차 단축, 신혼부부의 ‘결혼 페널티’ 해소, 청년정책 전환 등을 잇달아 주문했다. 광복절 경축사에서도 인공지능(AI)과 첨단산업, 지역 균형성장을 새로운 성장동력으로 제시했다. 이 같은 정책 방향이 실제 주택 착공과 청년 일자리 확대, 실수요자의 대출 부담 완화 등으로 이어지면 지지율 반등의 계기가 될 수 있다. 청와대가 김 대표 체제 출범을 정책 실행력을 높이는 계기로 활용할 수 있다는 관측이 나오는 이유다. 다만 김 대표 선출만으로 이 대통령의 지지율이 반등하기는 어렵다. 김민석 체제는 청와대의 국정운영을 뒷받침하는 지원 변수일 뿐, 지지율 반등의 주체는 결국 이 대통령과 청와대가 돼야 하기 때문이다. 이 대통령이 마주한 여론 지형은 녹록지 않다. 한국갤럽이 지난 11~13일 실시해 14일 공개한 조사에서 이 대통령의 직무수행 긍정 평가는 44%, 부정 평가는 46%였다. 부정 평가가 오차범위 안에서 긍정 평가를 앞선 것은 한국갤럽 조사에서 취임 후 처음이다. 민주당 지지도는 41%, 국민의힘은 25%였다. 한국갤럽이 발표한 이 대통령의 긍정 평가는 7월 첫째 주 54%에서 53%, 52%, 51%로 3주 연속 하락한 뒤 8월 둘째 주 44%까지 내려왔다. 일시적인 등락을 넘어 중도층과 무당층의 관망세가 이탈로 바뀌고 있다는 경고로 해석할 수 있다. 리얼미터 조사에서도 하락 흐름이 이어졌다. 지난 3~7일 조사에서 이 대통령의 국정수행 긍정 평가는 43.3%로 전주보다 2.6%포인트 떨어졌다. 4주 연속 하락이자 취임 후 최저치다. 부정 평가는 53%로 상승했다. 같은 주 별도로 실시된 정당 지지도 조사에서는 민주당이 44.6%를 기록했다. 대통령 긍정 평가가 집권당 지지도보다 낮게 나타난 것은 청와대에 적지 않은 부담이다. 여당 지지층은 일정 수준 유지되고 있지만 이 대통령의 국정운영에 대한 평가는 그보다 빠르게 악화하고 있다는 의미이기 때문이다. 이런 상황에서 김 대표의 선출은 이 대통령과 청와대에 기회가 될 수 있다. 이재명 정부 초대 국무총리를 지낸 김 대표는 대통령의 국정 철학과 정책 결정 과정을 잘 알고 있다. 청와대가 정책 방향을 정하고 정부가 세부 대책을 마련하면 민주당이 입법과 예산으로 뒷받침하는 구조를 이전보다 신속하게 구축할 수 있다. 특히 이 대통령과 청와대가 우선 대응해야 할 분야는 부동산이다. 전국지표조사(NBS)가 지난달 27~29일 실시한 조사에서 정부의 부동산 정책을 ‘잘못하고 있다’는 응답은 56%로, ‘잘하고 있다’는 평가 33%를 크게 앞섰다. 같은 조사에서 이 대통령의 국정운영 긍정 평가도 53%로 해당 조사 기준 취임 후 가장 낮은 수준을 기록했다. 지난 13일 주택 신속공급 방안과 금융 종합대책을 발표한 정부는 앞으로 공급 계획과 물량을 제시하는 데 그치지 않고 인허가 단축과 택지 확보, 실수요자 금융 지원이 현장에서 실제로 작동하고 있다는 점을 보여줘야 한다. 여권 관계자는 “청와대는 김 대표 체제 출범을 친명(친이재명)계의 당권 장악으로 소비하기보다 국정운영 방식을 바꾸는 계기로 삼아야 한다”며 “지지율 하락 국면에서 필요한 것은 지지층을 향한 강한 메시지보다 중도층과 청년층이 체감할 수 있는 정책의 정교함이 절실한 상황”이라고 말했다. 한편 한국갤럽 조사는 전국 만 18세 이상 1000명을 전화조사원 인터뷰 방식으로 조사했으며 표본오차는 95% 신뢰수준에서 ±3.1%p, 응답률은 9.7%다. 리얼미터 대통령 국정수행 조사는 전국 유권자 2514명을 무선 자동응답 방식으로 조사했으며 표본오차는 ±2.0%p, 응답률은 4.0%다. NBS 조사는 전국 성인 1000명을 휴대전화 면접 방식으로 조사했으며 표본오차는 ±3.1%p, 응답률은 15.8%다. 자세한 사항은 중앙선거여론조사심의위원회 홈페이지를 참조하면 된다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 20:16:00
  • Jung Cheong-rae: I Lost, But My Supporters Did Not Lose Their Passion
    Jung Cheong-rae: 'I Lost, But My Supporters Did Not Lose Their Passion' Jung Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who lost in the party leadership election, stated on August 17, "I may have lost in numbers, but I do not believe my supporters lost their passion." Jung made these remarks after narrowly losing to Kim Min-seok in a competitive vote at the party's third regular national convention held at the Daejeon Convention Center.After the convention, Jung expressed his gratitude to party members who chanted, "I got it. I will vote for Jung Cheong-rae." He added, "I later realized that your desire for my election was more urgent than mine. I apologize for that." He emphasized, "Seeing supporters who were more desperate than I was made me reflect and regret, thinking, 'I should have worked a little harder.'" Jung also remarked, "Organizations cannot overcome the wind, but this time it seems that the organization was too strong. A skilled archer does not calculate the wind when shooting, and I was unable to be that skilled archer." He continued, "It is not that my call for a strong reformist party leader was wrong, but rather that I was lacking. I lost, but those who supported me won in passion. I will walk forward, using your tears as my shoes." In the party convention, Jung received 45.92% of the preference votes, losing to Kim, who garnered 54.08%. The preference voting system is used when no candidate receives a majority in the first round, allowing second-choice votes from the third-place candidate to be counted to determine the winner.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 20:16:00
  • Democratic Party Appoints Park Sung-jun as Spokesperson and Kim Tae-sun as Chief of Staff
    Democratic Party Appoints Park Sung-jun as Spokesperson and Kim Tae-sun as Chief of Staff Kim Min-seok has been elected as the new leader of the Democratic Party, with Park Sung-jun and Kim Tae-sun appointed as spokesperson and chief of staff, respectively. The new leader's first schedule has also been announced.Following the party convention held at the Daejeon Convention Center on August 17, Kim convened a Supreme Council meeting to appoint the new spokesperson and chief of staff. Park Sung-jun, the newly appointed spokesperson, told reporters, "Kim requested that I take on the role of spokesperson, which is why I accepted the position."During the first Supreme Council meeting, Park noted that he and other party officials were appointed, adding, "Kim Tae-sun will serve as the chief of staff. He previously worked as the chief of staff for presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung."Park also discussed Kim's immediate plans following his election. He stated, "Kim will head to Geoje in South Gyeongsang Province, where heavy rain has caused significant damage. He will assess the situation on-site and prepare measures to address the aftermath. He plans to visit temporary housing facilities to meet and comfort flood victims."Additionally, Park mentioned that on August 18, Kim is scheduled to meet with Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and Senior Secretary Hong Ik-pyo at the presidential office. He will also pay respects at the National Cemetery and the May 18th Gwangju Democracy Movement Memorial at 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., respectively.Furthermore, Park announced that Kim will hold a Supreme Council meeting in Busan on August 19, followed by a visit to the grave of former President Roh Moo-hyun and a meeting with former President Moon Jae-in.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-17 20:08:00