Lee rules out troop deployment involving Korea in war SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Friday ruled out sending South Korean troops on any mission that would involve the country in a war, amid debate over a possible deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. "There will clearly be no troop deployment that involves or intervenes in a war," Lee said. September 18, 2026

Cabinet picks rubber-stamped ahead of Lee press conference SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) -Ruling-dominant National Assembly committees adopted confirmation hearing reports for Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and Defense Minister nominee Kang Shin-chul on Thursday over opposition objections, escalating a personnel dispute on the eve of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s press conference. The Legislation and Judiciary Committee adopted Kim’s report two days after his confirmation hearing. Lawmakers from the main oppositi September 17, 2026

Korea blames domestic procedure for U.S. investment delay SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - South Korea's delayed announcement of its first investment project in the United States stems from domestic procedure rather than a dispute with Washington, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Thursday. The project is the first under a $350 billion package Seoul pledged in a tariff and investment deal with Washington reached at an October 2025 summit. "It is my understanding that this is not so much a disagreement between South Korea and the Unit September 17, 2026

Lee to face controversies at Friday press conference SEOUL, September 15 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will hold an agenda-free press conference Friday, with questions expected over whether he would seek a second term under any constitutional revision. The press conference will begin at 10 a.m. at Cheong Wa Dae's Yeongbingwan, or state guest house, presidential communications chief Sung Ki-hong said Tuesday. The event, Lee's seventh press conference since taking office, is expected to last about 90 minutes and will be a September 15, 2026

Fairness backlash jolts Lee, lifts conservative opposition SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung is facing a sharp erosion of support among young South Koreans, with controversies surrounding former Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Yong Hye-in and Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won turning questions of fairness into a political liability for the administration’s second Cabinet reshuffle. A Realmeter survey released Monday showed Lee’s approval rating among respondents aged 18 to 29 at just 18.6 per September 14, 2026

Korea's gender minister nominee quits under pressure SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - South Korea's nominee for gender equality minister withdrew on Sunday after the governing party asked her to step aside, ending a nomination that had lasted 14 days and, with it, President Lee Jae Myung's first attempt to bring a smaller progressive party into his cabinet. Yong Hye-in announced the decision at a hastily called news conference at the National Assembly, two weeks after Lee named her on Aug. 30 to lead the Ministry of Gender Equali September 13, 2026

Lee reshuffle reignites South Korea election reform debate SEOUL, September 10 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung's second Cabinet reshuffle is spilling into a broader debate over electoral reform in South Korea, as controversy surrounding a ministerial nominee has revived calls across the political spectrum to overhaul a voting system blamed for encouraging satellite parties and distorting voter choice. People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig on Thursday formally proposed that the ruling Democratic Party (DP) begin negotiat September 10, 2026

How social media is rewriting presidential politics SEOUL, September 8 (AJP) - Donald Trump did not need a podium or a press conference to dominate the political conversation over the U.S. Labor Day weekend. He needed his social media account. The U.S. president posted more than 60 times on Truth Social on Sunday alone, filling his feed with political messages, memes and AI-generated images. Some mocked foreign countries and political opponents, while others depicted Trump in exaggerated or imaginary scenes. An independent archive September 8, 2026

Lee second-term question looms over Assembly session SEOUL, September 08 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung may be in France this week, but back home the political heat is rising over a question the opposition wants him to answer himself. Will he rule out another presidential run if constitutional reform moves forward? Main opposition People Power Party (PPP) wants a clear answer before going into any discussion for constitutional revision. PPP floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig during his parliamentary address at the National A September 8, 2026

Cabinet reshuffle turns into political headache for South Korea's Lee SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - The roster for President Lee Jae Myung’s 2.0 reshuffle has generated a rumpus before the nominees even arrive at South Korea’s legislative confirmation hearings, denting the already fragile popularity of the presidency. According to the latest Gallup Korea poll, 40 percent of respondents positively assessed Lee’s job performance, while 51 percent gave a negative assessment. The positive rating was the lowest since he took office, while September 4, 2026