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

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

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

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

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

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

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

City data shows aging sewer infrastructure linked to sinkholes and ground settlements

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - Seoul’s aging underground infrastructure is drawing attention after newly released data linked deteriorating sewer systems to a series of sinkholes and ground settlement incidents across the city. According to figures submitted to Democratic Party (DP) lawmaker Jin Sun-mi, 3,300 kilometers (2,050 miles), roughly 30.4 percent, of Seoul’s total 10,866 kilometers of sewer lines had been in use for over 50 years as of December 2023. The data, provid

April 15, 2025

South Korea on US 'sensitive' countries list despite last-ditch efforts to avoid inclusion

SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - South Korea's inclusion on the U.S.' list of "sensitive" countries goes into effect on Tuesday, despite Seoul's efforts to halt the move. Such a classification by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) could restrict bilateral cooperation in scientific and advanced technologies, as new procedural requirements are likely to cause unavoidable disruptions. Once it takes effect, researchers from the listed country will be required to submit

April 15, 2025

Police to step up protection for presidential candidates amid rise in political threats

SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - South Korean police are preparing to strengthen security around presidential candidates ahead of the June 3 election, responding to a sharp rise in threats and politically motivated incidents following the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol. Authorities say they are reviewing plans to increase the number of officers assigned to each candidate’s security detail, noting that recent months have seen an unusual spike in extreme acts such as ars

April 14, 2025