OPINION: The Night of Seoul: A breakdown of rule of law in Korea's constitutional crisis

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) -- Harvard University professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, authors of How Democracies Die (2018), emphasize the importance of "respecting guardrails" and exercising restraint in presidential power, as norms and institutions like the separation of powers alone are insufficient. The authors particularly emphasize democratic norms: mutual toleration and understanding that recognizes opposing parties as legitimate competitors, and exercisin

December 26, 2024

Constitutional Court to hold first hearing over Yoon's martial law attempt

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea is set to hold its first hearing on Friday on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his abrupt declaration of martial law earlier this month. The hearing comes about two weeks after the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach him on Dec. 14. Such a public hearing is a preparatory procedure to discuss how the court will proceed with its deliberations to determine whether to impeach or reinstate the preside

December 26, 2024

Chinese port city strengthens ties with South Korea's Buyeo

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - China's eastern port city of Yantai aims to further deepen its ties with Buyeo, a small southwestern town in South Korea. During an event on Monday that brought together media outlets from both countries, the two provincial cities agreed to promote mutual exchanges, highlighting the growing cooperation between them. Representatives from government agencies, institutions, and media outlets from both countries attended, including Shandong Network Radi

December 26, 2024

Acting President refuses to appoint Constitutional Court justices without parliamentary consensus

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo said on Thursday that he will not appoint justices to fill vacancies at the Constitutional Court of Korea unless the National Assembly reaches an agreement granting him the authority to do so. "Under the inherent spirit of the Constitution, an acting president should refrain from exercising presidential power including appointments," said Han during a nationwide address in Seoul. "If such power must be exerci

December 26, 2024

Korean-led smart city project in Kyrgyzstan faces uncertainty

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - A $22-billion Korean-led smart city development project near Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Lake faces potential collapse following South Korea's martial law declaration during Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov's state visit. The project, which secured a 49-year lease for 20 square kilometers of land in June, aimed to develop a medical smart city. President Japarov's abrupt return home during the Korean political crisis has left the project's fu

December 26, 2024

Korean won plummets to 15-year low amid political turmoil

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - The South Korean won fell to its weakest level against the U.S. dollar in nearly 16 years on Thursday, closing at 1,464.8 won per dollar. This marks an 8.4-won decline from the previous close of 1,456.4 won, reaching levels last seen during the 2009 global financial crisis. The won’s sharp drop reflects a confluence of domestic political uncertainty and global financial pressures. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on Dec. 3

December 26, 2024

Chinese-made cars surge in South Korea, surpassing US imports

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Chinese-manufactured vehicles have become South Korea’s second-largest category of imported cars, with 56,448 units sold through November, surpassing U.S. imports (43,623 units) for the first time and trailing only German imports (109,240 units). The surge is largely attributed to Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, produced at its Shanghai factory, which sold a combined 28,498 units. Volvo’s Chinese-made S90 and XC60 models added another 13,6

December 26, 2024

Historical spectacle 'Harbin' dominates Christmas box office

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - "Harbin" has attracted over 1 million moviegoers, just two days after its release on Christmas Eve. According to the Korean Film Council on Thursday, the historical espionage film drew about 847,819 viewers on Wednesday alone to reach the milestone, after attracting around 381,000 on the first day of its release. Set in Harbin, China, the film portrays the patriotic journey of independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun, who assassinated Hirobumi Ito,

December 26, 2024

Excitement builds as Netflix's megahit series 'Squid Game' returns for second season

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Netflix's megahit South Korean series "Squid Game" is returning with its second season on Thursday. The much-anticipated dystopian show centers on the last survivor of a deadly game from the first season, who returns to seek vengeance and faces off against the enigmatic "Front Man." The seven-episode series explores their intense rivalry and the restart of the game. Even before its release, the second season has already earned a Gol

December 26, 2024

NewJeans defend support for impeachment protesters

SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Members of K-pop group NewJeans on on Tuesday revealed the reasoning behind their recent support for fans attending protests against President Yoon Suk Yeol during a radio talk show. The group had previously paid in advance for food and beverages for 560 people at the protests demanding the impeachment of Yoon for his Dec. 3. declaration of martial law. "We wanted people to have warm food in the cold weather and share meaningful conversations with

December 26, 2024