Lee to travel to Europe next week ahead of G7 summit in France SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung will travel to Europe next week to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France, Cheong Wa Dae said on Friday. In a press briefing in Seoul, national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said Lee is scheduled to visit European countries including Belgium, Italy and the Vatican from June 9 to 18. Lee will begin his two-week trip in Brussels, where he will meet Belgian and EU leaders. "This year marks the 125th anniversary of dip June 5, 2026

South Korea extends current account surplus streak to 36 months SEOUL, June 5 (AJP) - South Korea extended its current account surplus in April, boosted by strong semiconductor exports, according to preliminary data released by the Bank of Korea on Friday. The country's current account surplus reached US$28.29 billion in April, the second-largest on record, after hitting an all-time high of US$37.93 billion in the previous month. South Korea has now recorded monthly current account surpluses for 36 consecutive months, the second-longest such June 5, 2026

DP sweeps local elections but defeats in key races signal challenges ahead SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - The ruling Democratic Party (DP) swept 12 of 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races in this year's local elections on Wednesday, claiming an overall victory, but the results exposed growing vulnerabilities in Seoul and other battlegrounds that could reshape the political landscape. While the liberal party regained ground nationwide under President Lee Jae Myung, analysts said even a handful of defeats in high-profile races suggested voter d June 4, 2026

From chalkboards to AI: How South Korea turns election night into must-watch TV shows SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - With vote counting for this year's local elections underway on Wednesday, millions of viewers did not simply refresh their phones for results; they sat down and watched. The country's election night broadcasts have evolved into some of the most elaborate live television events in the country. What began as a functional exercise in relaying vote totals has become a high-stakes arena where major networks aggressively compete, blending real-time data and p June 4, 2026

Seoul's progressive education chief wins second term SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - Jung Keun-sik won a second term as Seoul's education chief in the June 3 local elections, extending progressive control over the capital's education office. His victory gives progressive education leaders four more years in Seoul, South Korea's education hub. It is also expected to add momentum to their key policies, including absolute grading for the college entrance exam and school records. As of 4:40 p.m. Thursday, with 99.92 percent of ballot June 4, 2026

Financial chiefs vow to tighten scrutiny on stock leverage amid overheated rally SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - South Korea's top economic and financial policymakers on Thursday pledged to strengthen preemptive risk checks on borrowing-backed stock trading, as a rapid market rally fuels concerns that excessive leverage could amplify losses for retail investors and destabilize broader financial markets. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol chaired a joint market monitoring meeting at the government complex in Seoul, attended by Bank of Korea govern June 4, 2026

Two ex-justice ministers see contrasting fortunes in local elections' key battlegrounds SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - Two former justice ministers, both once seen as potential presidential contenders in the liberal and conservative camps, saw sharply contrasting fortunes in Wednesday's local elections. Former leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon won a parliamentary by-election and is headed to the National Assembly, while Cho Kuk of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP) lost, casting doubt over his political future June 4, 2026

Ballot paper shortage disrupts local elections as ballot box remains unretrieved SEOUL, June 4 (AJP) - A rare logistics failure disrupted this year's local elections in Seoul, where ballot papers ran out at 14 polling stations, delaying voting and angering voters. At one station, a ballot box remained unretrieved as of Thursday morning, fueling further criticism of the already embattled National Election Commission (NEC) over its handling of the vote. The NEC is the independent agency responsible for overseeing the country's elections. The disruption June 4, 2026

'I only made phone calls all day': Candidates share final hours before results SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - What are candidates doing in the final hours before the results of South Korea’s June 3 local elections come in? AJP asked candidates across the country how they were spending election day as they waited for exit polls and vote counting to begin. For some, the day was spent making last-minute calls to encourage voter turnout. Others said they were thanking supporters, reflecting on the grueling campaign trail or quietly preparing for whatever politi June 3, 2026

South Korea's local election turnout reaches 57.4% by 5 p.m. SEOUL, June 03 (AJP) - Voter turnout in South Korea’s June 3 local elections reached 57.4 percent as of 5 p.m. (0800 GMT) Wednesday, sharply higher than the level recorded at the same point in the previous local elections, according to the National Election Commission. The commission said 15,052,860 people had cast ballots nationwide during the 11 hours since voting began at 6 a.m. When combined with 10,564,571 early, overseas, shipboard and absentee voters, the total number June 3, 2026