Supreme Court reverses acquittal of top presidential contender Lee Jae-myung

SEOUL, May 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a lower court’s acquittal of Lee Jae-myung, the opposition leader and a top contender in the upcoming presidential race, sending the case back for retrial with instructions that Lee be found guilty of spreading false information. The case stems from comments Lee made during the 2021 presidential campaign. He had denied playing golf overseas with the late Kim Moon-ki, a former executive at the S

May 1, 2025

Prosecutors bring additional charges against Yoon Suk Yeol

SEOUL, May 01 (AJP) - Prosecutors on Thursday filed additional charges of abuse of power and obstruction of rights against former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is already standing trial on charges of leading a rebellion related to the Dec. 3 martial law declaration. The prosecution's special investigation team, led by Park Se-hyun, chief prosecutor at the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office, said the new charges were added following a supplementary investigation. Yoon, who

May 1, 2025

S. Korean government secures $9.6 billion extra budget

SEOUL, May 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s ruling and opposition parties agreed on Thursday to pass a 13.8 trillion-won ($9.6 billion) supplementary budget aimed at revitalizing the economy. Officials from the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party said they had reached a deal to approve the budget at a parliamentary plenary session scheduled for later on Thursday. As part of the agreement, the parties allocated 400 billion won for the issuance of loc

May 1, 2025

Han Dong-hoon decries move to consolidate candidacy with acting president

SEOUL, May 01 (AJP) - Han Dong-hoon, one of two finalists in the ruling People Power Party’s presidential primary, on Thursday criticized growing calls among party lawmakers to consolidate the party’s candidacy with Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, accusing them of prioritizing their political survival over winning the election. “For some individuals, the goal is not victory in the presidential election but the preservation of their vested intere

May 1, 2025

DP presidential nominee forms broader election camp ahead of crucial court ruling

SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, former leader and presidential nominee of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), launched his election committee with a group of prominent figures to gear up for his campaign, with the snap presidential election just about a month away. The committee's high-profile lineup includes seasoned political veterans and former government officials, spanning a broad ideological spectrum from progressive to conservative, in an apparent move to pr

April 30, 2025

Prosecutors raid ex-president's home in southern Seoul

SEOUL, April 30 (AJP) - Prosecutors raided disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's home in southern Seoul on Wednesday. They are attempting to secure any evidence and other materials related to a series of allegations involving Jeon Seong-bae, a shamanic figure known as Geonjin Beopsa, who allegedly bribed Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, with luxury jewelry and high-end handbags in exchange for political arrangements and other favors. Despite his ouster from office atter

April 30, 2025

PPP's two finalists to compete in runoff for presidential election

Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo (left) and Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), pose for a photo at the PPP's headquarters in Yeouido, western Seoul on April 29, 2025. Yonhap SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - Presidential candidates for the ruling People Power Party (PPP) were narrowed down to two on Tuesday ahead of the snap presidential election scheduled for early June. Among four candidates -- IT tycoon-turned-politician Ahn Cheol-soo, former party lead

April 29, 2025

Subway fares in Seoul to rise in late June

SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - Subway fares in Seoul are set to rise in June. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Tuesday that the base subway fare for a single ride will increase by 150 won to 1,550 won (US$1.08). The impending hike, set to take effect on June 28, comes less than two years after the fare was raised from 1,250 won to the current 1,400 won in October 2023. Fares for teens and children under 13 will rise by 100 won to 900 won and by 50 won to 550 won, respectively.

April 29, 2025

[UPDATE] Daegu wildfire extinguished after 23 hours, scorches 260 hectares of forest

SEOUL, April 29 (AJP) - A massive wildfire that broke out in Buk-gu District in Daegu, the fourth largest city in South Korea, was brought under control on Tuesday, nearly 23 hours after it started. The fire, which had threatened nearby residential areas including dense apartment complexes, left 260 hectares (642 acres) of forest scorched, equivalent to about 364 football fields. According to forestry and firefighting authorities, the main blaze on Hamji Mountain in Daegu some 240 k

April 29, 2025

Acting President expected to declare presidential bid later this week

SEOUL, April 28 (AJP) -Acting President Han Duck-soo is expected to announce his presidential bid later this week, with the upcoming snap presidential election just a month away. Under relevant laws, a presidential candidate must resign from any official post at least 30 days before the election, meaning that Han must step down by May 4 to be eligible for the June 3 election. In political circles, there is speculation that Han could announce his candidacy as early as Wednesday, a

April 28, 2025