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  OPINION: South Korea shook presidential power grab – failure to impeach now risks damaging democracy SEOUL, December 13 (AJP) - Days after announcing – and then rescinding – martial law in South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol's future remains uncertain. Immediate efforts to impeach the president over the attempted power grab have failed, due to the boycott of the vote by Yoon's ruling conservative People Power Party (PPP). But that won't be the end of the matter; on Dec. 9, 2024, South Korea's Justice Ministry banned Yoon from leaving the country until t December 13, 2024
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  Election watchdog denounces Yoon's election fraud claims SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - The National Election Commission (NEC) on Thursday sharply criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol's allegations of election fraud, calling his actions “unconstitutional and unlawful.” Yoon had earlier claimed that he ordered the former defense chief, Kim Yong-hyun, to inspect the NEC’s voting system during the Dec. 3 martial law declaration. The president raised concerns over potential cyberattacks from North Korea, casting doubt on the December 12, 2024
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  China protests President Yoon's mentioning of espionage cases involving Chinese SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - The Chinese government has expressed strong dissatisfaction with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's latest address to the nation, in which he mentioned cases involving Chinese individuals suspected of espionage. Yoon cited these cases to blame opposition parties for lack of cooperation in revising laws to punish espionage activities involving foreigners. China argued that these remarks are harmful to bilateral relations. “China has ta December 12, 2024
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  VISUALS: Unionists march toward Yongsan presidential office SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a protest march on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, from City Hall to the presidential office in Yongsan. The participants demanded the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol and the dissolution of the ruling People Power Party. December 12, 2024
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  Gov't to unveil plan to bolster semiconductor, battery supply chains next week SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - South Korea’s government will unveil a three-year plan next week aimed at strengthening supply chain resilience for strategic industries like semiconductors and batteries. The initiative will focus on building up public stockpiles, expanding domestic production, and diversifying import sources. “Industrial competitiveness enhancement is an essential task that cannot be halted under any circumstances,” Deputy Prime Minister and Financ December 12, 2024
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  Yoon's close aide elected ruling party's new floor leader amid martial law aftermath SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Five-term lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong was elected the ruling People Power Party (PPP)'s new floor leader on Thursday. Kweon secured a majority with 72 out of 106 votes, defeating four-term lawmaker Kim Tae-ho who garnered 34 votes. He vowed, "I will swiftly streamline the party, prepare for the possibly upcoming presidential election, and then step down." A close aide of President Yoon Suk Yeol, Kweon replaces Choo Kyung-ho, who resigned December 12, 2024
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  Suspicions deepen over aborted martial law SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol allegedly conspired with several top military brass and other key officials, days or weeks before his abrupt declaration of martial law last week, with a trail of evidence suggesting a thickening plot behind it. Prosecutors on Thursday summoned Yeo In-hyeong, the chief of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, for questioning. Yeo, who allegedly assisted in Yoon's botched plan, was interrogated earlier this week and called in December 12, 2024
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  Korea seeks measures to ensure smooth transition away from coal power SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - South Korea is accelerating its transition away from coal power, aiming to shut down 40 coal power plants by 2038 as part of its ambitious carbon neutrality goals. The move, while essential for environmental sustainability, is expected to have significant economic and social implications for regions heavily reliant on the coal industry. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy outlined its revised plan in 2024, reaffirming the closure of 28 coal powe December 12, 2024
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  Cho Kuk sentenced two years in prison SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Cho Kuk, the leader of the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, was sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court on Thursday. Cho was convicted on charges of forging his children's credentials for university admissions, obstructing prosecutors' investigation while serving as a presidential aide during the Moon Jae-in administration, and other offenses. With the ruling, the former Justice Minister lost his parliamentary seat and is e December 12, 2024
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  K-pop becomes protest anthem in rallies against Yoon SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - K-pop songs have emerged as the new soundtrack of protest in South Korea since President Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3 martial law declaration, with their stimulating tempo, dynamic beats and catchy hooks energizing young participants at rallies. Girls' Generation's 2007 debut song "Into the New World" has become a rallying cry at candlelight protests across Seoul, where demonstrators are calling for Yoon's resignation and impeachment. December 12, 2024