South Korean currency slumps as political crisis grips nation

SEOUL, December 09 (AJP) - South Korea’s currency plummeted to a two-year low last week as a political crisis, marked by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law and the subsequent impeachment attempt, roiled the nation. The won’s decline reflects growing investor anxiety over the country’s future stability. The South Korean won weakened 24.5 won against the dollar last week, its sharpest weekly drop since January. The currency has been under pr

December 9, 2024

OPINION: Long-standing American principle of birthright citizenship under attack from Trump allies

SEOUL, December 9 (AJP) - As President-elect Donald J. Trump prepares to implement sweeping policy changes affecting American immigration and immigrants, one of the issues under scrutiny by his allies appears to be birthright citizenship – the declaration in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution that anyone born on U.S. soil is a U.S. citizen, regardless of their parents' nationalities or immigration status. Some prospective members of Trump's team, including anti-imm

December 9, 2024

Opposition leader rejects Yoon's 'orderly early exit'

SEOUL, December 8 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), on Sunday dismissed an idea of President Yoon Suk Yeol's "orderly early exit" after his aborted martial law gambit earlier this week. In a joint press conference earlier in the day, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) admitted that Yoon is no longer able to fulfill his duties and pledged to stabilize the national crisis

December 8, 2024

Prosecution probing Yoon on insurrection charges

SEOUL, December 8 (AJP) -- South Korean prosecutors said Sunday they have launched a criminal investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol over allegations of insurrection related to the Dec. 3 martial law declaration. Yoon imposed martial law late Tuesday and sent armed forces to storm the National Assembly. The decree was canceled six hours later, after the parliament voted against it. Park Se-hyun, head of the special investigation team at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office,

December 8, 2024

PM, ruling party chief seek Yoon's orderly exit

SEOUL, December 8 (AJP) - Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon announced Sunday plans to stabilize South Korea’s political crisis by facilitating President Yoon Suk Yeol’s "orderly early departure" from office. Their joint statement was aimed at addressing mounting public and international concerns following the failed impeachment motion against President Yoon the previous day. Yoon imposed martial law late Tu

December 8, 2024

Prosecutors arrest ex-defense chief in martial law probe

SEOUL, December 8 (AJP) -- South Korean prosecutors arrested former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun early Sunday after an overnight interrogation in connection with the Dec. 3 martial law declaration. President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law late Tuesday and sent armed forces to the National Assembly. The measure was canceled six hours later, after the parliament voted against it. Kim, who allegedly played a key role in proposing and implementing the emergency decree, was place

December 8, 2024

Visuals: People gather to call for impeachment of President Yoon

SEOUL, December 07 (AJP) - Tens of thousands of people gathered near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Saturday as the National Assembly's vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol was underway. The vote was triggered by Yoon's martial law declaration earlier this week, which sparked widespread public anger.

December 7, 2024

Yoon impeachment vote fails after ruling party boycott

SEOUL, December 07 (AJP) - The National Assembly’s attempt to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law ended in a failure on Saturday, with the motion failing to secure the minimum 200 votes required. Only 195 lawmakers participated in the session, falling short of the two-thirds quorum needed for the impeachment vote to take effect. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik declared the vote invalid. All but three ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers

December 7, 2024

Hundreds of thousands of protesters brave shivering cold as Yoon faces fateful impeachment vote

SEOUL, December 7 (AJP) - Despite the freezing weather, hundreds of thousands of people gathered near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on Saturday, demanding President Yoon Suk Yeol step down. Yoon faces a fateful impeachment vote after his short-lived martial law declaration earlier this week, which sparked nationwide outrage. Police estimated that around 149,000 people had gathered as of 5:30 p.m., as many citizens and civic groups packed the streets. Prote

December 7, 2024

First lady special investigation bill dropped; Opposition may push for reintroduction

SEOUL, December 7 (AJP) - The National Assembly rejected a bill to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate allegations against First Lady Kim Keon-hee in a revote, Saturday. This comes after President Yoon Suk-yeol vetoed the bill earlier. The bill, which required a two-thirds majority, failed to garner enough support, with 198 lawmakers voting in favor and 102 against. This outcome suggests that six lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) may have voted for the bill,

December 7, 2024