Lee mulls pardons for upcoming Liberation Day SEOUL, August 6 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung is considering pardons next week to mark the 80th anniversary of the Aug. 15 Liberation day, the presidential office said Wednesday. His first special amnesty since taking office in early June coincides with a large-scale event in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, celebrating his inauguration. The Ministry of Justice is currently compiling a list of those eligible for the amnesty based on internal procedures and strict criteria, with firs August 6, 2025

South Korea to allow visa-free entry for Chinese tourists starting next month SEOUL, August 6 (AJP) - Chinese tour groups will be able to enter South Korea without visas as early as late next month. As part of efforts to boost the tourism industry, the visa-waiver program, which follows China's similar move in November last year, was decided during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok at the government complex in Seoul on Wednesday. The program, which allows short-term visa-free entry for Chinese travelers, is set to take effect on Sept. 29 August 6, 2025

Elderly account for almost half of total medical expenditures SEOUL, August 6 (AJP) - With South Korea's rapidly aging population and declining birthrate, healthcare spending keeps rising as elderly people make up a larger proportion of those who seek medical treatments. According to data submitted on Wednesday to lawmaker Kim Mi-ae of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the proportion of elderly patients aged over 65 rose to 44.8 percent last year, up from 43.1 percent in 2020. Their medi August 6, 2025

Ex-first lady faces questioning over multiple allegations SEOUL, August 6 (AJP) - Former first lady Kim Keon-hee appeared for questioning over a slew of allegations on Wednesday. The wife of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived at the independent prosecutors' office in Gwanghwamun in central Seoul around 10:10 a.m., several minutes later than scheduled, becoming the first ex-first lady in the country's modern history to be publicly summoned on criminal charges. Amid a barrage of questions from reporters, describing h August 6, 2025

Lee invites former presidents to large-scale inauguration celebration next week SEOUL, August 5 (AJP) - Ex-presidents will be among attendees to a large-scale event in celebration of the inauguration of President Lee Jae-myung, to be held in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul next week, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said on Tuesday. Coinciding the 80th anniversary of the Aug. 15 Liberation Day, the event comes about two months after Lee took office with a low-key ceremony on June 4. Lee had no time to spare for a full transition period as he was elected throug August 5, 2025

Former first lady to appear for questioning on Wednesday SEOUL, August 5 (AJP) - While disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been stalling questioning, his wife and ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee is expected to appear for questioning on Wednesday over a slew of allegations. Once she does, Kim will become the first former first lady to be publicly summoned in the country's modern history. She has been accused of accepting bribes including a luxury handbag and jewelry, being involved in a stock manipulation scheme, and interfering August 5, 2025

Striker Son Heung-min's move to Los Angeles FC 'imminent' SEOUL, August 5 (AJP) - Striker Son Heung-min appears to be on the verge of joining Los Angeles FC. Son "is poised to sign with MLS side LAFC, with an unveiling happening as soon as Wednesday," ESPN reported Monday, citing sources. The American sports network added that Son is set to join LAFC for a "fee of around $26 million." Amid months of swirling transfer rumors, Son finally confirmed he is leaving Tottenham Hotspur, just ahead of a pre-season friendly August 5, 2025

South Korea begins dismantling loudspeakers along border SEOUL, August 4 (AJP) - South Korea on Monday began dismantling loudspeakers used for propaganda broadcasts along the border with North Korea. Military authorities here said about 20 loudspeakers installed along the heavily armed border will be removed within two to three days as part of measures to "ease tensions between the two Koreas." The move comes as a follow-up step about two months after President Lee Jae-myung ordered a halt to propaganda broadcasts less than a August 4, 2025

Lee takes summer vacation while preparing for upcoming summit with Trump SEOUL, August 4 (AJP) - President Lee Jae-myung started his weeklong summer vacation on Monday, about two months after taking office in early June. While staying on a tiny islet off Geoje Island South Gyeongsang Province, Lee is reportedly preparing for his first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, which is expected to take place in Washington in the coming weeks. According to the presidential office, he is reviewing the agenda for the summit, along with follow-up measures t August 4, 2025

South Korea's new ruling party leader rejects dialogue with PPP, citing threat to democracy SEOUL, August 03 (AJP) - Jung Chung-rae, a hardline lawmaker who is loyal to President Lee Jae Myung, ruled out cooperation with the conservative opposition People Power Party after being elected as leader of the ruling Democratic Party, on Aug. 2, denouncing the PPP as a “force that destroys democracy." Jung won 61.74 percent of votes in the party’s leadership contest, decisively defeating another Lee loyalist Rep. Park Chan-dae, who received 38.26 percent. Sp August 3, 2025