Thread: New President for South Korea

New South Korean government unlikely to commit to Taiwan's defense: Expert

Washington, June 19 (CNA) An international security expert said Wednesday that newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's rhetoric suggests his administration is more likely to pursue economic cooperation with Taiwan than a defense alliance.

Even before his election, the new South Korean leader said South Korea would keep its distance if a cross-strait conflict occurred during his term.

After a conference held by the Center for Strategic amd International Studies, international security expert Eun A Jo told CNA that South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is unlikely to commit to a defense partnership with Taiwan.

She said that as a self-described "pragmatist and realist," Lee defines South Korea's interests differently from the strategic clarity pursued by his predecessor, Yoon Suk-yeol.

Jo said South Korea is more concerned about potential spillover effects in North Korea and how it might respond in the event of a cross-strait conflict.

Given the threat from North Korea, Jo said South Korea may lack the capacity to join a coalition in a Taiwan contingency.

"I think these are kind of part of the issues that will end up becoming negotiated in a bundle with the Trump administration," she said. "So there could be a movement, but I don't see the current South Korean administration in particular being interested in any kind of explicit commitment to defend Taiwan during a contingency."

Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump, Jo said the administration appears to be considering making U.S. forces in South Korea more "strategically flexible" to respond to potential conflicts beyond the Korean Peninsula.

On potential Taiwan-South Korea cooperation beyond defense, Jo said both countries share interests in managing Trump's tariffs, regional economic integration and reducing economic dependence on China.

"That's a key shared interest between both South Korea and Taiwanese governments," she said, "and I'm sure they're all looking toward diversifying trade partners. So wherever synergies exist, it'll be in economic integration."

She added that economic partnerships would likely focus on semiconductors, alongside traditional areas like trade and investment.

"Both are interested in reducing economic dependence on China and exposure to a sort of foreign economic coercion, and also facing a lot of potential hurdles with the Trump administration's ongoing tariff policy," said Jo. "So that's where I see a lot of potential synergy for cooperation."

Jo shared her observations following Wednesday's "Looking Forward: The Future of United States-Japan-Korea Trilateral Relations" conference, co-hosted by CSIS and the Korea Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Civilian nominated as South Korea's defense minister


President Lee picks South Korea’s first civilian defense chief in 64 years

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung nominated a five-term liberal lawmaker as defense minister Monday, breaking with a tradition of appointing retired military generals.

The announcement came as several prominent former defense officials, including ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, face high-profile criminal trials over their roles in carrying out martial law last year under then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was indicted on rebellion charges and removed from office.

Ahn Gyu-back, a lawmaker from Lee’s Democratic Party, has served on the National Assembly’s defense committee and chaired a legislative panel that investigated the circumstances surrounding Yoon’s martial law decree.

Yoon’s authoritarian move involved deploying hundreds of heavily armed troops to the National Assembly and election commission offices in what prosecutors described as an illegal attempt to shut down the legislature and arrest political opponents and election officials.

That sparked calls to strengthen civilian control over the military, and Lee promised during his election campaign to appoint a defense minister with a civilian background.

Since a 1961 coup that brought military dictator Park Chung-hee to power, all of South Korea’s defense ministers have come from the military — a trend that continued even after the country’s democratization in the late 1980s.

While Ahn will face a legislative hearing, the process is likely to be a formality, since the Democrats hold a comfortable majority in the National Assembly and legislative consent isn’t required for Lee to appoint him. Among Cabinet appointments, Lee only needs legislative consent for prime minister, Seoul’s nominal No. 2 job.

“As the first civilian Minister of National Defense in 64 years, he will be responsible for leading and overseeing the transformation of the military after its mobilization in martial law,” Kang Hoon-sik, Lee’s chief of staff, said in a briefing.

Ahn was among 11 ministers nominated by Lee on Monday, with longtime diplomat Cho Hyun selected as foreign minister and five-term lawmaker Chung Dong-young returning for another stint as unification minister — a position he held from 2004 to 2005 as Seoul’s point man for relations with North Korea.

Japan and South Korea mark 60 years of ties despite lingering tension and political uncertainty

Japan and South Korea are marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations Sunday. The two Asian powers, rivals and neighbors, have often had little to celebrate, much of their rancor linked to Japan’s brutal colonial rule of Korea in the early 20th century.

Things have gotten better in recent years, but both nations — each a strong ally of the United States — now face political uncertainty and a growing unease about the future of their ties.

Here’s a look at one of Northeast Asia’s most crucial relationships, from both capitals, by two correspondents from The Associated Press.

In the link above

US, South Korea trade ministers reaffirm commitment to reaching tariff deal

United States and South Korean trade ministers reaffirmed their commitment to reaching a deal on tariffs as early as possible during a meeting on Monday, South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said on Tuesday.

South Korea’s top trade envoy Yeo Han-koo again sought exemptions from U.S. President Donald Trump’s "reciprocal" tariffs as well as tariffs on items such as automobiles and steel, in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the ministry said in a statement.

Acting U.S. ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun said at a seminar on Tuesday that there may be new trade talks about the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between South Korea and the U.S., local online outlet Money Today reported.

South Korea Loosens Rules on Name Length for Children of Multicultural Families

In a quiet but meaningful shift reflecting South Korea’s evolving social fabric, the Supreme Court announced Tuesday that a Korean national and their foreign spouse can now register their child’s birth using names of any length—ending a long-standing restriction that effectively barred lengthy names from appearing in official records.

The move, which took effect last Friday with the revision of family registration regulations, marks a step toward greater inclusivity for multicultural families in a country historically shaped by uniform naming conventions and strict registry laws.

Until now, the system favored brevity: Korean names traditionally consist of three characters—one for the surname, and two for the given name. Longer names, particularly those inherited from a foreign parent, were often trimmed or adapted to fit the framework. Under previous rules, only children registered under the foreign father’s surname and national registry could exceed the five-character limit.

But the new rule levels the field. Children born to a Korean father and a foreign mother may now have their names registered as they appear in the mother’s home country—regardless of length or which surname they take. Names like “Alexandria” or the uniquely hybrid “Areumdaunjisu” can now be written into Korean officialdom exactly as they appear in the foreign registry.

The Supreme Court also clarified that families who have already registered names under the older system can file supplemental documents to have their child’s name updated to match the original foreign version.

The decision may seem procedural, but for many families navigating life between cultures, it represents something far greater: recognition. In a society where the name you carry can signify belonging—or difference—this policy shift acknowledges the growing diversity of Korean households, and opens the door for identity to be honored, character by character.

South Korea banned dog meat. So what happens to the dogs?

When he isn't preaching the word of God, Reverend Joo Yeong-bong is raising dogs for slaughter.

Business is not going well though. In fact, it's on the brink of becoming illegal.

"Since last summer we've been trying to sell our dogs, but the traders just keep hesitating," Mr Joo, 60, tells the BBC. "Not a single one has shown up."

In 2024, the South Korean government implemented a nationwide ban on the sale of dog meat for consumption. The landmark legislation, which was passed last January, gives farmers like Mr Joo until February 2027 to shutter their operations and sell off their remaining animals.

But many say that isn't enough time to phase out an industry which has propped up livelihoods for generations – and that authorities still haven't come up with adequate safeguards for farmers or the estimated half a million dogs in captivity.

Even those who support the ban, including experts and animal rights advocates, have flagged issues around its enforcement – including the difficulty of rehoming dogs that, having been saved from the kill floor, now face the increasingly likely threat of euthanasia.

Joo Yeong-bong says he's worried about the repercussions of South Korea's dog meat ban
Midway through the grace period, dog farmers are finding themselves with hundreds of virtually unsellable animals, farms that can't be closed, and little means of putting food on the table.

"People are suffering," says Mr Joo, who is also president of the Korean Association of Edible Dogs, a group representing the industry. "We're drowning in debt, can't pay it off, and some can't even... find new work.

"It's a hopeless situation."

A storm of obstacles

Chan-woo has 18 months to get rid of 600 dogs.

After that, the 33-year-old meat farmer – who we agreed to anonymise for fear of backlash – faces a penalty of up to two years in prison.

"Realistically, even just on my farm, I can't process the number of dogs I have in that time," he says. "At this point I've invested all of my assets [into the farm] - and yet they are not even taking the dogs."

By "they", Chan-woo doesn't just mean the traders and butchers who, prior to the ban, would buy an average of half a dozen dogs per week.

He's also referring to the animal rights activists and authorities who in his view, having fought so hard to outlaw the dog meat trade, have no clear plan for what to do with the leftover animals – of which there are close to 500,000, according to government estimates.

"They [the authorities] passed the law without any real plan, and now they're saying they can't even take the dogs."

More in the link above

Imported Diesel Passenger Car Sales Plunge in South Korea Amid Green Shift

Once the dominant force in South Korea’s imported vehicle market, diesel-powered passenger cars are facing a steep decline as consumers increasingly turn to cleaner alternatives.

According to data released Tuesday by the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA), only 1,469 imported diesel passenger vehicles were sold in South Korea during the first five months of 2025, marking a 50.4% drop from the same period last year. In May alone, sales plummeted 60.2% year-on-year to just 349 units.

With no significant new diesel models slated for release this year, the annual total is unlikely to surpass 4,000 units, down from 7,521 in 2023—a dramatic fall from the segment’s peak of 167,925 units sold in 2015.

Diesel cars, once praised for their fuel efficiency, power, and quiet ride, accounted for 69% of all imported vehicle sales in 2015. Today, their market share has dwindled to just 1.3% in 2025, and could soon fall below 1%, KAIDA noted.

The downward trend is largely attributed to shifting environmental policies and consumer preferences. Diesel vehicles have come under increasing scrutiny due to their nitrogen oxide emissions, a major contributor to air pollution. In response, the market has rapidly embraced hybrid and electric vehicles, in line with global decarbonization efforts.

Imported diesel sales in South Korea began declining in 2016 and have since collapsed, shrinking nearly fortyfold in a decade. From 132,279 units in 2016, sales dropped to 74,235 in 2019, and further down to 22,354 last year.

“Compared to other markets, the shift toward hybrids and EVs is accelerating faster in South Korea,” said one industry official, adding that diesel is rapidly becoming a niche segment in a country now focused on green mobility.

The fall of diesel’s dominance, once synonymous with foreign car ownership in Korea, underscores the auto industry’s rapid transition in the face of environmental urgency and changing consumer.

South Korea’s President Lee calls for lasting peace on 75th anniversary of Korean War

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for establishing lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula Wednesday as the country commemorated the 75th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.

"Creating a country that will never experience war again is the right way to respond to the sacrifices and dedication of so many people," Lee wrote in a Facebook post.

"The most certain form of security is a state where there is no need to fight -- in other words, creating peace," he wrote. "The era of relying solely on military power to protect the country is over. What matters more than winning a war is preventing one."

The Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950, when North Korean troops invaded South Korea across the 38th parallel -- a story that UPI Seoul bureau manager Jack James was the first in the world to report.

The United States and 20 other countries fought on the side of South Korea under the U.S.-led United Nations Command. The conflict ended in a ceasefire three years later and left millions dead, including more than 36,000 U.S. soldiers.

Lee paid respects to fallen soldiers and veterans in his statement, saying that modern South Korea's transformation into a global economic powerhouse would have been impossible without their sacrifices.

"Today's Republic of Korea was not created on its own," he wrote, using the official name of South Korea. "It was made possible through the sacrifices and dedication of the soldiers who defended the battlefield, the veterans and their families, and all our citizens who endured the scars of war."

"I pledge to firmly establish a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula so that the economy can be stabilized and the people can live secure and safe lives," he added.

Lee, who won a snap election on June 3 to replace impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol, campaigned on improving frayed inter-Korean relations. He has vowed to restore a military pact aimed at defusing military tensions along the border and reestablish a communications hotline with Seoul's recalcitrant neighbor.

Earlier this month, Lee ordered the suspension of propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts across the DMZ to North Korea in a bid to reduce tensions with Pyongyang.

Lee Jae Myung uses 1st Assembly speech to push for extra budget

President Lee Jae Myung stressed the need for the government's 30.5 trillion won ($22.4 billion) extra budget proposal, including plans to dole out cash-equivalent coupons to every South Korean citizen, to revive the domestic economy amid fears of recession.

In his first parliamentary speech, Lee said fiscal stimulus is the only measure a government can take to combat an economic crisis and called for bipartisan support for the spending. Lee took office on June 4, immediately after his election victory.

"The reason why the government that came into being without a transition team rushed to come up with the extra budget plan is that the economy is in a dire situation," Lee said. "Fiscal austerity at a time of economic crisis might be a neglect (of the government's responsibility), denying the government's existence."

At the parliament, Lee proposed 13 trillion won worth of universal cash grants, which would amount to between 150,000 won and 520,000 won depending on an individual's income level. Lee also suggested an additional budget of 3.9 trillion won to stimulate the investment in infrastructure, construction, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and startups. Also, 5 trillion won will be spent on debt write-offs for some 1.1 million people who are unable to repay debts and on job security measures.

South Korean court rejects arrest warrant for ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol

A South Korean court has rejected a request to issue an arrest warrant for former president Yoon Suk Yeol related to an investigation into his short-lived attempt to impose martial law, his lawyers said.

South Korea's special prosecutor had asked the court on Tuesday to issue an arrest warrant for Mr Yoon as an investigation intensified over the ousted leader's botched bid to declare martial law.

A spokesperson for the Seoul Central District Court and the prosecution office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A senior member of the special prosecutor's team of investigators said the arrest warrant was on a charge of obstruction and accused Mr Yoon of refusing to respond to a summons for questioning.

Lawyers representing Mr Yoon criticised the special prosecutor for what they said were attempts to summon the former president "based on superficial and secondary matters that invited suspicion the probe was politically driven".

His legal team said Mr Yoon would comply with another summons and appear for questioning on Saturday.

The special prosecutor had said it would consider seeking another arrest warrant if Mr Yoon failed to turn up for questioning on Saturday, the Yonhap News Agency reported.

Former president fighting charges

Mr Yoon, who is already facing a criminal trial on insurrection charges for issuing the martial law declaration, was arrested in January after resisting authorities trying to take him into custody, but was released after 52 days on technical grounds.

The former president is fighting charges that include masterminding insurrection, which is punishable by death or life in prison.

He maintains that he declared martial law on December 3 to sound the alarm over the threat to democracy posed by the then-opposition Democratic Party.

The special prosecutor was appointed just days after liberal President Lee Jae-myung took office on June 4 following his victory in a snap election.

The prosecutor has launched a team of more than 200 prosecutors and investigators to take over ongoing investigations into Mr Yoon.

Separately, the Seoul Central District Court issued a warrant on Wednesday for Mr Yoon's former defence minister, Kim Yong-hyun, to extend his detention, citing concerns over potential destruction of evidence.

Mr Kim played a leading role in recommending and planning martial law, and is in jail amid an ongoing trial on insurrection charges.

He has denied wrongdoing and said imposing martial law was intended to raise alarm over the opposition's dominance and gather information related to election fraud concerns.

South Korean court rejects arrest warrant for ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol - ABC News

South Korea births surge to fastest rate in a generation

South Korea’s birthrate surged at its fastest pace in more than three decades in April, offering tentative signs of recovery in a country grappling with the world’s lowest fertility rate, official data showed.

The number of babies born in April reached 20,717, marking an 8.7% increase from the same month last year and the steepest monthly growth since April 1991, according to Statistics Korea.

The increase extends a positive trend that began last year, with births rising for 10 consecutive months.

“The rise in births appears to be influenced by increased marriages since last year, growth in the population of women in their early 30s, and various birth promotion policies,” a Statistics Korea official said.

April saw 18,921 couples marry, a 4.9% increase year-on-year and the 13th consecutive month of marriage growth.

South Korea’s strong correlation between marriage and childbirth, with few children born outside marriage, tends to make wedding figures a key indicator for future birth trends.

The so-called “echo boomers” might also be contributing. The large cohort born between 1991 and 1995 is now aged 29-34 and entering prime marriage and childbearing years. Data shows that women aged 30-34 increased from 1.51 million in 2020 to 1.65 million in May this year.

However, officials remain cautious about the sustainability of the trend. The country’s total fertility rate – or the average number of babies a woman is expected to have in her lifetime – remains at a crisis level of 0.75, well below the 2.1 needed to maintain population stability without large-scale immigration.

6 Americans detained for trying to send rice and Bibles to North Korea by sea, police say

Six Americans were detained Friday in South Korea for trying to send 1,600 plastic bottles filled with rice, miniature Bibles, $1 bills and USB sticks toward North Korea by sea, police said.

The Americans were apprehended on front-line Gwanghwa Island before throwing the bottles into the sea so they could float toward North Korean shores on the tides, two Gwanghwa police officers said. They said the Americans were being investigated on allegations they violated the law on the management of safety and disasters.

The officers, who requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to media on the issue, refused to provide personal details of the Americans in line with privacy rules.

Gwanghwa police said they had not found what is on the USB sticks.

The U.S. Embassy in South Korea had no immediate public comment.

For years, activists have sought to float plastic bottles or fly balloons across the border carrying anti-North Korea propaganda leaflets and USB thumb drives carrying South Korean dramas and K-pop songs, a practice that was banned from 2021 to 2023 over concerns it could inflame tensions with the North.

North Korea has responded to previous balloon campaigns with fiery rhetoric and other shows of anger, and last year the country launched its own balloons across the border, dumping rubbish on various South Korean sites including the presidential compound.

In 2023, South Korea’s Constitutional Court struck down a controversial law that criminalized the sending of leaflets and other items to North Korea, calling it an excessive restriction on free speech.

But since taking office in early June, the new liberal government of President Lee Jae Myung is pushing to crack down on such civilian campaigns with other safety-related laws to avoid a flare-up in tensions with North Korea and promote the safety of front-line South Korean residents.

On June 14, police detained an activist for allegedly flying balloons toward North Korea from Gwanghwa Island.

Lee took office with a promise to restart long-dormant talks with North Korea and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula. Lee’s government halted front-line anti-Pyongyang propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts to try to ease military tensions. North Korean broadcasts have not been heard in South Korean front-line towns since then.

It remains unclear whether North Korea will respond to Lee’s conciliatory gesture after it vowed last year to sever relations with South Korea and abandon the goal of peaceful Korean reunification. Official talks between the Koreas have been stalled since 2019, when the U.S.-led diplomacy on North Korean denuclearization derailed.

South Korea approves nuclear plant dismantlement

The country’s Nuclear Safety and Security Commission sanctioned a proposal from KHNP to dismantle Kori-1.

South Korea is set to embark on its inaugural nuclear power plant dismantlement project, with the Kori-1 facility scheduled for decommissioning.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission granted approval for this significant operation, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s energy sector.

The commission sanctioned a proposal from Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) to dismantle Kori-1 at an estimated cost of Won1.1trn ($810m). This comprehensive 12-year project will address approximately 170,000 tonnes of nuclear waste management as part of the process.

The dismantlement is the first such operation in South Korea, which is the fifth-largest nuclear energy producer worldwide, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

According to Reuters, the plan submitted by KHNP met all technical requirements under national safety regulations, assuring compliance with stringent safety laws governing such operations.

Industry experts have suggested that successfully carrying out this decommissioning could enable South Korea to leverage its expertise within the burgeoning global market for nuclear plant dismantlement – a sector currently led by countries like the US, Japan and Germany.

As per recent government data, 31.7% of South Korea’s electricity was generated through nuclear processes in 2024, with a total count of 26 operational plants today. Kori-1 was initially commissioned in 1978.

Earlier this year, South Korea revised its nuclear power plans following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, a proponent of atomic energy.

The government plans to add 3.5GW of nuclear capacity by 2038, down from the previously proposed 4.9GW, while renewable energy capacity will increase slightly to 122GW from 120GW.

South Korea marks 1st commemoration for Korean war abductees

South Korea held its first national commemoration for citizens abducted by North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, vowing to resolve long-standing humanitarian issues linked to the peninsula’s division.

“Resolving humanitarian issues caused by the division of the Korean Peninsula is a fundamental duty of the state and a top priority,” Vice Unification Minister Kim Nam-jung said on Saturday at the remembrance event in the border city of Paju, according to Seoul-based Yonhap News.

Kim described the abductions as “one of the darkest legacies of division and war” and called for renewed efforts to address the issue in pursuit of peace and coexistence on the peninsula.

“We can no longer delay the urgent task of confirming the fate of abducted loved ones and easing the pain carried by their families,” Kim said, adding that the Unification Ministry will work to ease military tensions with North Korea and push for lasting peace.

‘Exhausting hostilities’

The pledge follows a statement by President Lee Jae-myung earlier this month to “stop the exhausting hostilities” with the North and resume inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation.

“We will address the problems born out of national division and war one by one by reopening channels of communication with the North and work to resume dialogue,” Kim said. “In moving from confrontation to reconciliation, we will make efforts to heal the pain of national division and suffering of families of wartime abductees.”

South Korea designated June 28 as Korean War Abductees Remembrance Day last year.

Seoul estimates that North Korea has abducted around 100,000 South Koreans since the war.

South Korea's Lee names Koo Yun-cheol finance minister, makes other picks

South Korea needs to take measures to support its economy in the short term as it continues tariff talks with the U.S., its likely new finance minister Koo Yun-cheol said on Sunday after being nominated for the role by President Lee Jae Myung.

Koo, a former vice finance minister, still needs to go through parliament hearings before being confirmed as finance minister. Other ministerial appointments were also announced by the president's office on Sunday.

"We need to take pre-emptive measures and prepare for situations such as the current tariff negotiations with the United States," Koo told a press conference.

"Through this process, we plan to actively and proactively respond to the difficulties that the South Korean economy faces in the short term," he said.

Trade envoy Yeo Han-koo returned home on Sunday after holding the first high-level tariff talks with his U.S. counterparts since President Lee took office on June 4.

South Korea has sought exemptions from U.S. President Donald Trump's high tariffs on imports of automobiles and steel products, as well as a 25% "reciprocal" levy on the U.S. ally that is currently paused for negotiations.

Yeo said his trip helped build mutual trust to expedite the negotiations and make friends in Washington. Asked if the July 8 deadline for negotiations over tariffs was still valid, Yeo said every possibility was left open.

"In fact, the situation in the United States is very fluid. So, for now, I can say that all possibilities are open," he told reporters.

The U.S. has demanded that South Korea improve non-tariff barriers particularly in the agricultural and digital services sectors, according to South Korean officials.

MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS

New finance minister Koo is widely known as a policy expert, having served in different positions across government and has authored books on South Korea's innovation and growth, most recently on artificial intelligence, Lee's chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik, told a briefing.

Among other ministerial positions, Kim Jung-kwan, president of power plant builder Doosan Enerbility and a veteran bureaucrat in economics, energy and public policy, was nominated to be industry minister.

Kim fits the role to realise President Lee's "energy mix philosophy", Kang said, referring to the new president's aim to balance nuclear power and renewable energy.

The former head of South Korea's disease control agency, Jeong Eun-kyeong, was nominated for health minister. She was highly praised for her response to the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2020.

Cabinet nominations in South Korea must be vetted by hearings in parliament. But presidents may appoint their nominees without parliament's approval, and Lee's Democratic Party has a majority in parliament.

South Korea's Justice Minister nominee cites national consensus for prosecution reform

Justice Minister nominee Jung Sung-ho said Tuesday that he does not expect much resistance among prosecutors to the government's prosecution reform drive calling for separating its investigation and indictment functions.

"I think there is a certain level of national consensus on the issue of separating the (prosecution's) investigation and indictment functions and redistributing powers concentrated in the prosecution," Jung told reporters on his way to his office.

"There seems to be a lot of public anticipation for changes in the prosecution system that has caused anxiety among the people," he said.

But Jung said it is not appropriate to mention such an expression as the disbanding of the prosecution and the upcoming reform should be in line with the people's expectations.

He then stressed that the prosecution reform is an issue that must be decided through legislation, bipartisan agreement and sufficient consultations within the National Assembly.

"I don't think there will be any opposition within the prosecution (regarding its reform plan)," the nominee said. "Except for a very small number of politically biased prosecutors, most have a sense of responsibility and pride in serving the people."

South Korea orders ambassadors appointed by ex-President Yoon to return

The government issued the orders late last month to several top envoys, including Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong, Ambassador to Japan Park Cheol-hee, Ambassador to Russia Lee Do-hoon and Ambassador to the United Nations Hwang Joon-kook, according to sources.

Also included on the list are Ambassador to France Moon Seoung-hyun and Ambassador to Britain Yoon Yeo-cheol.

Ambassador to China Chung Jae-ho already returned earlier over alleged abuse of authority and other reasons.

Aside from Chung and Park, who come from academia, the envoys are either retired or current senior career diplomats appointed to their posts by Yoon.

A foreign ministry official said it is customary for a new administration to replace ambassadors to major countries upon taking office.

"It has been customary to conduct a reassessment of overseas envoys following the launch of a new administration," a ministry official said.

The move is seen as a swift step by the new Lee Jae Myung government, launched in June, to replace the ambassadors, based on the view that it is inappropriate for envoys appointed by the ousted president to remain in their posts. Yoon was impeached and removed from office over his failed attempt to impose martial law.

Given the time required for the diplomatic process of obtaining a host country's consent for the appointment of a new ambassador, a procedure known as "agrement," deputy ambassadors are expected to lead the embassies in an acting capacity.

Earlier, it was reported that former President Yoon Suk Yeol has asked again Monday that a special counsel's second round of questioning over his martial law bid be postponed to later in the week, but prosecutors rejected his request.

South Korea’s Stock Market Surges 30% Year-to-Date on Stablecoin Enthusiasm

South Korea’s stock market has experienced a significant surge, driven by the enthusiasm surrounding won-pegged digital assets. This rally was sparked by the newly elected President Lee Jae-myung’s pledge to support stablecoins backed by the national currency. The Kospi index has surged nearly 30% year-to-date over the past week, with stocks linked to the Bank of Korea’s digital currency initiative, such as Kakao Pay and LG CNS, seeing substantial gains. Kakao Pay, in particular, has more than doubled in value this month, while LG CNS climbed nearly 70% before pulling back slightly.

On the Kosdaq junior market, Aton, a fintech security firm, saw its shares jump 80%, and mobile game developer ME2ON tripled after its subsidiary launched a dollar-pegged stablecoin for casino platforms. The rally has pushed South Korea’s Composite Stock Price Index, or KOSPI, up almost 30% this year, lifting it to near four-year highs and making it Asia’s top-performing market for the first half of 2025. Retail investors have flocked to the rally, with outstanding margin loans swelling to Won20.5 trillion.

Despite the euphoria, the government has yet to reveal specific policies for won-based stablecoins, leaving the market to trade on expectations fueled by President Lee’s appointment of Kim Yong-beom, a well-known digital asset advocate, as his chief policy adviser. Momentum has been further supported by a bill introduced by the ruling party this month, proposing to allow companies with as little as Won500 million in equity to issue won-based stablecoins. Critics warn this could expose the financial system to undercapitalized players and heighten systemic risks.

South Korea: New martial law rules after political crisis

South Korean lawmakers have voted to revise the rules around martial law, now barring any attempt to obstruct lawmakers from entering the National Assembly.

This comes after former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law order last December, which plunged the country into a political crisis.

As military forces gathered in front of the the National Assembly that night, lawmakers had to scale the walls to vote down Yoon's order.

The amendment on Thursday also bans the military and police from entering the National Assembly without the approval of its speaker.

Yoon declared martial law on 3 December 2024 as his political troubles grew, from parliamentary deadlock to corruption scandals.

He claimed that the shock move would protect the country from "anti-state" forces that sympathised with North Korea, but provided little evidence to support that.

The crisis shook South Korea, which had endured decades of military rule before holding democratic elections again in the late 1980s.

Senior officials in Yoon's administration have been ousted and detained for their role in the December decision. Yoon himself was impeached and removed from office, and is now on trial for insurrection.

The months of political uncertainty left Yoon's ruling People Power Party in disarray. A snap election in June saw the opposition's Lee Jae Myung win the presidency.

At a press conference in Seoul on Thursday marking 30 days in office, Lee told reporters that his administration would seek better ties with North Korea - a departure from his predecessor, who maintained a tough stance on the Communist regime.

South Korean politics remains bitterly divided. When the parliament approved Lee's pick for prime minister on Thursday, the vote was boycotted by Yoon's party, which is now the main opposition.

President Lee Prioritizes Real Estate Market Stabilization

President Lee Jae-myung has pledged to stabilize the real estate market with effective measures under the grand principle of respecting market principles and protecting people who buy homes to live in as opposed to speculative buyers who buy homes as a means of speculation.

At the “President’s 30 Days: Media Asks, President Answers to the People” press conference held at the Blue House Guest House on July 3, Lee stated, “We will mobilize all prescriptions to stabilize people’s livelihoods and alleviate the burden of living expenses for the public.” He added, “We will spare no investment for the future, from advanced technology industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, to renewable energy industries including energy highways, and cultural industries.” He continued, “To ensure that technology-driven growth gains strong momentum, we will prepare for the ‘KOSPI 5000 era’ through the ‘advancement of the capital market,’ which is the core platform for growth.”

He further stated, “We will ensure that our companies lead the global market and that our citizens have opportunities to invest in growing companies, thereby increasing national wealth.” He then emphasized, “We will make every effort to ensure that market funds flow from non-productive areas to productive areas, restoring the virtuous cycle of the economy.” He also added, “Just as we have shown more consideration for regions, especially those at risk of extinction, in distributing consumption coupons for livelihood recovery, we will show more consideration for regions in all national policies.”

New PM's role may shift toward more powerful grip over state affairs in Korea

With parliamentary confirmation secured and his official letter of appointment delivered by President Lee Jae Myung on Friday, Kim Min-seok formally began his tenure as South Korea’s Prime Minister. His appointment is widely seen as the beginning of a potentially transformative chapter for the Prime Minister’s Office, which may soon see its authority significantly expanded.

During the appointment ceremony, Lee urged the new prime minister to act swiftly and decisively.

“Even before all ministers are appointed, please work closely with vice ministers to address urgent issues,” presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said at a press briefing.

Kang added that Lee emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in public service.

“Officials must acknowledge mistakes promptly, take responsibility and implement corrective measures when necessary.”

In response, Kim pledged to accelerate the pace of governance, referring to himself as the “early-morning prime minister.” The nickname reflects his pre-appointment routine of early briefings and field visits, part of a broader effort to project an image of hands-on, energetic leadership in close alignment with the president.

Kim’s role, however, may soon extend far beyond traditional administrative duties. Both the National Policy Planning Committee and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) are considering reforms that would significantly bolster the Prime Minister’s Office, granting it oversight of key government functions such as budget planning, investigations and trade policy.

One major proposal under serious review involves transferring budgetary authority from the Ministry of Economy and Finance to a newly established “Budget Office” under the Prime Minister’s Office. If enacted, the change would represent a fundamental shift in executive power.

Further reforms under discussion would consolidate investigative and trade-related responsibilities under the prime minister as well. If implemented, the changes would give Kim greater authority than even former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon held during the Moon Jae-in administration — potentially making him the most powerful prime minister in South Korea’s history.

Yet, the new prime minister is still said to be cautious about the growing speculation surrounding his expanding role.

Kim’s own description of himself as a “chief of staff” reflects this perspective, aiming to stress that the structure of the Prime Minister’s Office will also ultimately be shaped by the president’s vision.

Kim’s confirmation was approved by a vote of 173 in favor out of 179 lawmakers present in the 298-member National Assembly on Thursday. The main opposition People Power Party boycotted the vote, deeming Kim “unfit” for office.

South Korea parliament approves 31.8 trillion won extra budget to bolster economy

South Korea's parliament approved a supplementary budget on Friday of 31.8 trillion won ($23.3 billion), supporting President Lee Jae Myung's push to bolster an economy grappling with trade headwinds and tepid consumption.

The spending plan that parliament approved is larger than 30.5 trillion won proposed by the government. The government will hold a cabinet meeting on Saturday to adopt the revised budget, the Finance Ministry said.

South Korea to give citizens free money

South Korea is launching a sweeping cash handout programme, offering what officials have described as “consumption coupons” to boost domestic spending and reinvigorate the country’s sluggish economy, the Korea Herald has reported.

The initiative is part of a 31.8 trillion-won ($23.3 billion) supplementary budget passed by the National Assembly on Friday. The programme is scheduled to begin on July 21 and run through September 12.

“We will ensure thorough preparations for the rollout of these payments so that they can serve as a catalyst for economic recovery by boosting consumption and supporting those in need,” Vice Interior Minister Kim Min-jae, who leads the interagency task force overseeing the initiative, said.

All citizens residing in South Korea as of June 18 will receive a one-time payment of 150,000 won ($110). Disbursements will be made via credit or debit cards, prepaid cards, or local government-issued gift certificates.

Additional support will target vulnerable groups. Near-poverty households and single-parent families will receive 300,000 won ($220), and recipients of the basic living allowance will get 400,000 won ($290). Those living in rural areas will receive an additional 50,000 won to promote “balanced regional development,” according to the Interior Ministry.

A second round of payments, planned for September 22 to October 31, will provide 100,000 won ($73) to the bottom 90% of income earners. Eligibility will be determined based on national health insurance premiums, with details to be announced in September.

South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy, narrowly avoided a technical recession in 2024 as growth stalled in the second half of the year, following a contraction in the second quarter and a weak recovery in the third. The downturn has been widely attributed to domestic political instability, culminating in the impeachment of then-President Yoon Suk Yeol on insurrection charges after he briefly imposed martial law in December.

Newly elected President Lee Jae-myung, who took office on June 4, introduced a stimulus package that includes cash assistance and digital vouchers, and pledged investment in AI infrastructure to promote growth.

South Korea’s president hopes Pope Leo XIV will visit North to boost peace efforts

South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung said Monday he hopes that Pope Leo XIV will visit North Korea as a gesture of peace on the Korean Peninsula, the Yonhap News agency reported.

In his first meeting with a religious figure since assuming office on June 3, Lee met with Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik where they discussed the possibility of the pope’s visit.

The cardinal noted that Pope Leo XIV “is widely expected” to pay a visit to South Korea for World Youth Day in 2027.

You is the first Korean prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy at the Vatican.

He also extended a formal invitation for Lee to visit the Vatican, to which the president responded that he would welcome the opportunity to meet the pope before the event.

Lee also expressed his “hope” that the pope “might consider visiting North Korea en route to South Korea as a “symbolic gesture to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula,” according to Yonhap.

“While the Catholic Church has shown particular interest in peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, I hope the Holy See can make a special contribution to improving inter-Korean relations even before 2027,” Lee said.

Both Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis have visited South Korea.

Last week, You had commented that Pope Leo XIV could play a role in improving ties between the US and North Korea.

“Since the pope is American, I believe he could play an important role in improving US-North Korea relations and in advancing peace on the Korean Peninsula. I think he has the potential to make a big impact on inter-Korean affairs," You told a news conference at the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea in Seoul on Thursday.

The divided Koreas have remained in a state of war since the end of the 1950-53 Korean war as it ended in armistice.