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

Leaders of two main parties meet to discuss bipartisan cooperation amid political turmoil

SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - Leaders from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) met for talks in Seoul on Wednesday, several days after the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol last Saturday. The meeting between the PPP's floor leader Kweon Seong-dong and the DP's leader Lee Jae-myung also came after Lee's proposal last week to create a bipartisan consultative body to address the current political

December 18, 2024

Military intelligence chief arrested on rebellion charges

SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), an independent agency established to root out corruption in government, has arrested Moon Sang-ho, the chief of the Defense Intelligence Command (DIC) on charges of rebellion and other offenses. The CIO said that it apprehended Moon at around 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday with the assistance of the National Police Agency, after obtaining an arrest warrant for him the previous day. Moon is a

December 18, 2024

Data reveals soldiers equipped with thousands of live rounds during martial law raid

SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - Military soldiers who stormed the National Assembly shortly after President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched declaration of martial law early this month were equipped with thousands of live rounds and 100 Taser cartridges, a lawmaker said on Tuesday. Data submitted to the main opposition Democratic Party (DP)'s four-term lawmaker Seo Young-ko by the Special Warfare Command (SWC) revealed that they took nearly 6,000 rounds including 3,960 live rounds and 1,9

December 18, 2024

National Assembly impeachment panel to form legal team of up to 20 members

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - The National Assembly impeachment panel, tasked with acting as "prosecutors" in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial, announced Tuesday it will form a legal team of up to 20 members. On Dec. 3, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Yoon declared emergency martial law, citing the need to eliminate "pro-North Korean forces and anti-government activities" to protect South Korea’s constitutional order. Following the declaration,

December 17, 2024

Defense ministry provides psychological support for soldiers deployed under martial law

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - The Ministry of Defense announced Tuesday it is offering psychological support programs for soldiers deployed as martial law forces to government facilities, including the National Assembly, on Dec. 3. "We respect the wishes of the soldiers deployed under martial law by providing a support system for psychological assessments and counseling. For those undergoing counseling, we are paying close attention and providing continuous support," the mini

December 17, 2024

President Yoon to defend himself at public impeachment hearing

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol will "firmly and confidently" defend his position during the public hearing for his impeachment trial, his legal representative said Tuesday. Yoon faces accusations of rebellion and abuse of power after being suspended from office on Dec. 14 when the National Assembly passed an impeachment bill with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, three invalid votes, and eight abstentions. The vote for the impeachment motion was spar

December 17, 2024