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  Lee Jae-myung outlines regional pledges ahead of first televised debate SEOUL, April 18 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, a leading presidential contender from the Democratic Party (DP), pledged Friday to relocate the ocean ministry to the southern port city of Busan to strengthen South Korea’s maritime competitiveness. Through a social media post, Lee said he would move the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan to make the city “the undisputed center of South Korea’s maritime leadership” and to ensure “field-oriented policymaki April 18, 2025
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  Presidential favorite Lee Jae-myung among TIME magazine's '100 most influential people' SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, considered a front-runner in the upcoming presidential election slated for early June, has been included in the U.S. magazine TIME's "100 Most Influential People" for this year, in its annual list released on Wednesday. The former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) made it onto the list along with Rosé, a member of K-pop girl band BLACKPINK, making them the two South Koreans on the list. Lee was named al April 17, 2025
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  Ex-president's daughter slapped with fine for DUI and other offenses SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Former President Moon Jae-in's daughter Da-hye on Thursday was slapped with a fine of 15 million won (US$10,000) on Thursday for charges of drunk driving and illegally running a lodging business. The Seoul Western District Court ruled to let her off with only a fine, citing the defendant's "deep regret" for her wrongdoings and also taking into account that she has no prior criminal record. The sentence came about several months after the April 17, 2025
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  Lee Jae-myung leads in three-way race with 45 percent support SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, a presidential contender from the Democratic Party (DP), is currently leading by a wide margin in hypothetical three-way matchups for South Korea’s next June 3 presidential election, according to a new poll released Thursday. The National Barometer Survey (NBS) shows that Lee received 45 percent support in all three matchups tested. In a virtual race against former labor minister Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party (PPP) and Lee Jun- April 17, 2025
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  South Korea pledges support for climate action at P4G summit in Hanoi SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul emphasized the importance of international cooperation in tackling climate change at the biennial P4G summit, the Foreign Ministry here said on Thursday. At the summit which opened in Hanoi the previous day, Cho also pledged US$1.8 million to reaffirm South Korea's commitment to global efforts to combat climate change, stressing the need to "restore global momentum" in confronting environmental challenges. P4G, sh April 17, 2025
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  Nobel laureate Han Kang to release book of essays SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - Author Han Kang is set to publish her first book since winning the Nobel Prize in Literature last December. Slated for release next Thursday, the book, titled "Light and Thread" features a collection of about a dozen essays, along with her speech and lectures delivered in Stockholm, Sweden when the Nobel literature laureate was there to accept the prestigious award. According to its publisher, the book also includes several pieces previously publ April 17, 2025
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  Eight PPP candidates compete to run for presidential election SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Eight candidates from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) are set to compete in the first round of the party's internal primary for the presidential election slated for early June. About a dozen candidates submitted their bids early this week, but three were eliminated during a selection process, finalizing a lineup of eight contenders: IT tycoon-turned-politician Ahn Cheol-soo, former party leader Han Dong-hoon, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, former L April 16, 2025
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  Another senior US official to skip Seoul on Asian tour SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Another senior U.S. official will skip Seoul during his Asian tour, which begins this week. According to the U.S. Department of State on Wednesday, Sean O'Neill, senior bureau official for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, is embarking on a trip to Cambodia, Japan and Vietnam from Wednesday to next Friday, but Korea has been excluded. O'Neill will meet with Vietnamese government officials in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss the two countries' "sh April 16, 2025
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  Lee Jae-myung sparks momentum in DP primary, urges victory for hope and progress SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, a Democratic Party (DP) presidential contender, described the upcoming June 3 election as a critical junction in South Korea’s political history, calling it “a turning point between the past and the future.” Speaking at the DP’s fair election pledge ceremony held at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Lee stressed, “We must win, whoever the final candidate is, not for personal gain, but for the future of the coun April 16, 2025
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  Han Duck-soo considers independent presidential bid as parties close primary registration SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo is weighing an independent run for the presidency after deciding not to join the People Power Party’s (PPP) primary race. While he has not confirmed his candidacy, political observers say he is keeping the option open. On Apr.15, both the PPP and the Democratic Party (DP) closed registration for their presidential primaries. The PPP plans to announce its final candidate by May 3, and the DP will select its nominee on Apri April 15, 2025