Trump suggests broader 'package' deal for defense cost-sharing along with trade issues

SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - President Donald Trump apparently intends to leverage his sweeping tariff policy to address a broader range of issues, including trade and security concerns, with U.S. allies and other countries as part of a "package" deal, which he previously described as his "one-stop shopping" approach. When asked if Washington has any plans to withdraw or reduce its troops from Europe, Trump told journalists in the Oval Office on Wednesday, "It de

April 10, 2025

[UPDATE] Lee Jae-myung confirms presidential run, pledging to lead a 'real Korea' with K-Initiative vision

SEOUL, April 10 (AJP) - Lee Jae-myung, former leader of South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party, officially declared his candidacy for president on Thursday, becoming the first prominent figure to launch a bid following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. In a video message, Lee vowed to build a “real Korea” that leads the world under a new K-Initiative vision focused on economic growth, life-centered values, and diplomacy based on national interes

April 10, 2025

Presidential race heats up as key candidates declare bids

SEOUL, April 9 (AJP) - Political heavyweights and key figures are rushing into the upcoming presidential race to fill the power vacuum left by the ouster of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The snap election, scheduled for June 3, follows the Constitutional Court of Korea's unanimous decision last week to impeach Yoon over his botched martial law debacle late last year. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), resigned from his post on Wedn

April 9, 2025

US may seek renegotiation of USFK upkeep deal

SEOUL, April 9 (AJP) - There are growing speculations that the U.S. may seek to renegotiate its defense cost-sharing deal with South Korea for the upkeep of maintaining U.S. troops here. Shortly after his first telephone conversation with Acting President Han Duck-soo on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform that the two had discussed "payment for the big-time Military Protection provides to South Korea," among other

April 9, 2025

Acting President's appointment of Constitutional Court justices stirs controversy

SEOUL, April 08 (AJP) - South Korea’s main opposition party vowed Tuesday to seek legal action to block acting President Han Duck-soo’s appointment of two Constitutional Court justices. Earlier on Tuesday, Han announced that he would nominate Lee Wan-kyu, the current minister of government legislation, and Ham Sang-hun, a judge on the Seoul High Court, to fill the upcoming vacancies, with two sitting justices, Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-son, scheduled to retire on April

April 8, 2025

South Koreans to vote June 3 to choose next president

SEOUL, April 08 (AJP) - South Korea will hold a snap presidential election on June 3, the government announced Tuesday, less than a week after the Constitutional Court removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office over his martial law declaration late last year. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is serving as acting president, confirmed the date during a Cabinet meeting, declaring the election day a temporary public holiday. Candidate registration is scheduled for mid-May,

April 8, 2025

Wildfire erupts again in Southern Korea, weeks after major blaze

SEOUL, April 07 (AJP) - A wildfire broke out Monday in a forested area of Hadong, southern Korea, reigniting concerns in a region that was heavily affected by a major blaze just weeks ago. According to the Korea Forest Service, the fire began around 12:05 p.m. on a mountain, in Hadong some 285 kilometers (177 miles) south of Seoul. The wildfire erupted about 3 kilometers from the site of a large blaze that scorched nearby hillsides late last month. A total of 11 helicopters

April 7, 2025

Job postings fall while number of job seekers rises: data

SEOUL, April 07 (AJP) - South Korea is facing a growing imbalance in the job market, with new job postings sharply declining while the number of job seekers continues to rise, government data showed Monday. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the number of new job openings posted through the government’s Employment24 platform in March stood at 154,000. This marks a decrease of 45,000, or 22.8 percent, compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, the num

April 7, 2025

[UPDATE] Presidential election date to be decided through cabinet meeting

SEOUL, April 07 (AJP) - The South Korean Prime Minister’s Office announced Monday that the schedule for the early presidential election has not yet been decided and will be confirmed and announced through a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The announcement came three days after Constitutional Court justices unanimously decided to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office on Apr. 4, about three months after Yoon unexpectedly declared martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. The law requires

April 7, 2025

70% of workers say impeachment rallies had positive impact on S. Korean democracy

SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) - A majority of South Korean workers believe the rallies calling for the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol contributed positively to the country’s democratic development, a recent survey showed Sunday. According to a survey of one thousand working people aged 19 and more, conducted by civic group Gapjil119, 68.7 percent of respondents agreed that the rallies had a positive impact on the development of democracy in South Korean society. Femal

April 6, 2025