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

Torrential downpours return to Korea amid unrelenting heat and tropical nights

SEOUL, August 2 (AJP) - With sweltering heat persisting across the country, South Korea is set to see intense rainfall starting Sunday as back-to-back downpours are expected to sweep much of the country. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) on Saturday warned that very heavy rain is forecast from Sunday to Monday, particularly across the Seoul metropolitan area, the central provinces of Chungcheong, the southwestern Jeolla region, and southern coastal parts of South Gye

August 2, 2025

Trump says Washington and Seoul have 'great' relationship ahead of summit

SEOUL, August 2 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. and South Korea have a "great relationship," ahead of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's visit to the White House within two weeks. "We have a great relationship with South Korea," said Trump, speaking to reporters outside the White House before departing for New Jersey. When asked about the timing of the summit, he added that Lee is expected to visit within two weeks.

August 2, 2025

Yoon refuses to comply with arrest in probe involving wife

SEOUL, August 1 (AJP) - Independent prosecutors on Friday failed to forcibly bring in disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning, as he refused to cooperate. Prosecutors led by Min Jung-ki, who have been investigating a string of allegations involving Yoon’s wife and former first lady Kim Keon Hee, visited a remand prison in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, in an attempt to arrest Yoon. Yoon reportedly protested vehemently by lying almost bare-naked on the floor of

August 1, 2025

All tours suspended as Cheong Wa Dae undergoes renovation ahead of Lee's move-in

SEOUL, August 1 (AJP) - Public access to the former presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul was halted on Friday as renovation work begins ahead of President Lee Jae-myung's move-in to the compound. Lee, who took office in early June in the wake of the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, was unable to immediately use the compound due to the need to enhance security and overhaul facilities and has been te

August 1, 2025