Far-right media may have shaped Yoon's martial law decision

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol’s December 3 martial law decree, criticized as both extreme and impractical, has ignited scrutiny over his decision-making process and alleged reliance on far-right media sources. Analysts suggest that conspiracy theories promoted by far-right YouTube channels, which have propagated unfounded claims of election fraud, may have influenced the president’s controversial actions. The channels in question have repeatedly

December 19, 2024

Acting president's veto of six bills sparks backlash from Democratic Party

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo on Thursday vetoed six controversial bills, exercising presidential power for the first time since assuming interim leadership following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The vetoes, which include four agricultural bills and two related to parliamentary procedure, were approved during an extraordinary Cabinet meeting convened by Han earlier in the day. “My heart feels heavy as I ask the National Assembly t

December 19, 2024

US raises alarm over Russia's possible shift on North Korea's denuclearization amid growing military ties

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The U.S. has raised concerns that Russia may shift its stance on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. "Russia may be close to accepting North Korea's nuclear weapons program, reversing Moscow's decade long commitment to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula," said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield during a Security Council meeting in New York on Wednesday. "We believe that Moscow will become more r

December 19, 2024

Yoon marks low-key birthday as he prepares for impeachment trial

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol quietly marked his 64th birthday on Wednesday without any official schedules or festivities. His low-key birthday came amid his suspension from presidential duties after a motion to impeach him over his abrupt declaration of martial law was passed last week. But the presidential office in Yongsan received over 2,000 letters congratulating Yoon on his birthday, and some of his die-hard supporters also sent flowers to the Constitution

December 19, 2024

Acting President Han talks with Japanese PM on the phone

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba over the phone on Thursday. Han's conversation with Ishiba came after his phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden last weekend. During their talks which lasted about 20 minutes, Han assured Ishiba that the country's state affairs including diplomatic and security policies would be managed without disruptions in accordance with the Constitutional law and order, despi

December 19, 2024

Oxford team promotes Korean language education

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) -- Researchers at the University of Oxford are expanding efforts to promote Korean language education amid surging worldwide interest in Korean culture. Oxford's Korean studies program has signed memorandums of understanding with South Korea's Pyeongtaek University and Indonesia's Pancasila University to develop and share Korean language curricula, Professor Jieun Kiaer said Wednesday. The initiative responds to growing demand for Korean lang

December 19, 2024

U.S. Senate passes annual defense bill maintaining current level of USFK upkeep

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved a defense bill which includes Washington's commitment to maintaining about 28,500 American troops in South Korea. The annual National Defense Authorization Act, which allocates $895 billion for defense and security for fiscal year 2025, passed the Senate with a decisive 85-14 vote after clearing the House last week. The bill's passage comes amid concerns that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may seek to red

December 19, 2024

OPINION: How Trump's plan to surround himself with inexperienced loyalists could backfire

SEOUL, December 19 (AJP) - The incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is clearly committed to bringing loyal allies into his top team, even if they have little political experience. The most important factor appears to be allegiance to the Trump flag. Examples include Pete Hegseth, a Fox News presenter accused of sexual assault (which he denies), who is nominated to serve as defense secretary, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is critical of U.S. vaccine policy, is nominated for health s

December 19, 2024

CIO takes over martial law probe into Yoon from prosecutors

SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), an independent agency established to root out corruption in the government, is set to lead an investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol's aborted declaration of martial law earlier this month, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office (SPO) said on Wednesday. The SPO said it decided to hand over Yoon's case to the CIO after consulting with it to separate their investigations. The d

December 18, 2024

Constitutional Court asks Yoon to submit documents related to martial law

SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea said Wednesday that it has requested President Yoon Suk Yeol to submit documents related to his abrupt declaration of martial law earlier this month. The court, which is gathering evidence to prepare for Yoon's impeachment trial, also requested him to submit the minutes of Cabinet meetings held before and after the botched martial law attempt. Lee Jin, a court spokesperson, told reporters that the request was made e

December 18, 2024