news highlight
Can a president consult an AI oracle?
SEOUL, October 23 (AJP) - ChatGPT and Claude vie for headlines and users with faster and smarter upgrades, but in South Korea Gemini suddenly came into focus as an AI sage after President Lee Jae Myung disclosed he had consulted the Google chatbot on a matter of state. Lee, an avid social media user, wrote earlier this week that he had asked Gemini whether the heads of new prosecutorial and investigative agencies should attend weekly Cabinet meetings. He shared what he describe
October 23, 2026
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Korea showcases hypersonic strike capability amid tensions with North SEOUL, October 9 (AJP) — South Korea publicly showcased the successful first test of a domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle amid heightened tensions with North Korea. President Lee Jae Myung observed Thursday’s test and called for the weapon’s rapid development and deployment before inspecting the Hyunmoo-5 high-power missile, according to Cheong Wa Dae. “Our security must be secured through our own strength,” Lee said, adding that the g October 9, 2026 -
From DMZ mines to skin boosters, audit looms SEOUL, October 04 (AJP) - South Korea’s National Assembly will open its annual state audit on Tuesday, setting the stage for three weeks of clashes over everything from housing and North Korea to a massive semiconductor project, nuclear exports and an unlikely new health-policy controversy involving skin injections made from donated human tissue. The audit, the second to scrutinize President Lee Jae Myung’s administration, will run from Oct. 6 through Oct. 27, with sev October 4, 2026 -
Lee accuses Ukraine of making him a 'liar' in deepening POW dispute SEOUL, October 02 (AJP) -South Korean President Lee Jae Myung issued his bluntest rebuke yet of Ukraine on Friday over its disclosure of the confidential transfer of North Korean prisoners of war, accusing Kyiv of making him a “liar” and expressing “grave” regret over its handling of the sensitive matter. “I had been as polite as I can be as the president,” Lee wrote on X, referring to his earlier response to Ukraine’s “unilateral&rdqu October 2, 2026 -
Economist Ha Joon-kyung named policy chief in Lee's staff reshuffle SEOUL, October 01 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung appointed economist Ha Joon-kyung as his new policy chief on Thursday, filling a key presidential post that had been vacant for a month. Ha, who had served as senior presidential secretary for economic growth, succeeds Kim Yong-bum, whose resignation was accepted by Lee on Sept. 1. The policy chief is one of the president’s most senior aides, coordinating major economic and social policy. Cheong Wa Dae said Ha has combined October 1, 2026 -
A South Korean bill seeks to shield domestic abuse victims' addresses SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - A bill to require courts to shield domestic violence victims’ addresses and other contact details has been introduced in South Korea following the killing of a woman who went into hiding from her violent husband. People Power Party Rep. Kim Gunn, a member of the National Assembly’s Gender Equality and Family Committee, said Tuesday he had introduced an amendment to the Family Litigation Act to prevent victims’ new addresses or contact September 22, 2026 -
Lee is without two key aides at Cheong Wa Dae SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is facing mounting speculation over replacements for two of his most senior aides after presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik offered his resignation Monday, less than three weeks after the departure of his policy chief. Kang tendered his resignation to Lee on Monday morning, according to Cheong Wa Dae. A presidential official said the move was intended to take “comprehensive responsibility” for assis September 21, 2026 -
Korea's Lee eyes youth policy body amid weak young support SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Saturday that his administration is considering creating a dedicated body for youth policy, as his approval rating among South Koreans aged 18 to 29 has fallen to 18.6 percent. “We are considering whether we should create an organization dedicated to youth issues,” Lee said at a Youth Day ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae's State Guest House in Seoul. Lee said difficulties facing younger generations w September 19, 2026 -
South Korea justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won resigns SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) -South Korean Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won withdrew Saturday, a day after President Lee Jae Myung said at a news conference that he had not reached a final decision on Kim’s appointment and would take public expectations into account. The move came as Lee’s approval rating fell to 37 percent, its lowest level since he took office. Kim, a second-term lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party and a former judge, announced his withdrawa September 19, 2026 -
Korea's Lee rules out Gulf combat role, reelection bid SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday sought to clear up two sources of uncertainty and debate, articulating a clear “no” to South Korean combat involvement in the Gulf conflict and to any intention of seeking a second presidency. “There will clearly be no troop deployment that involves or intervenes in a war,” Lee told a live press conference at the Cheong Wa Dae. “There is no change in that principle.” L September 18, 2026