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Civil service on edge as martial law probe engulfs 49 state agencies

Scores of government task forces investigating potential misconduct by officials tied to the Dec. 3 martial law declaration formally began operations Monday, with investigations launched into 49 government ministries and agencies. The launch of the sweeping probes has sent ripples of unease through the civil service. Many government officials fear that the push for visible results could lead to the creation of scapegoats and drive the civil service deeper into a defensive crouch. The main opposi

Special presidential inspector post still vacant despite Lee's pledge

The post of presidential special inspector has remained vacant for nearly a decade, despite pledges made by President Lee Jae Myung during his election campaign and again after taking office. Lee vowed throughout the campaign to fill the post without delay and reaffirmed the pledge at a press conference on July 3, saying that “power must be kept in check” and that “for the sake of the president’s own integrity, it is better to be monitored.” He added that he had instructed his office to initiate

Lee's approval rating inches up to 55.9%: poll

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rebounded last week, driven by positive sentiment toward his economic diplomacy during recent visits to the Middle East and Africa, a survey showed Monday. According to the survey by Realmeter commissioned by a local news outlet, 55.9 percent gave a positive assessment of Lee's job performance, up 1.4 percentage points from the previous week. Negative assessment of Lee fell 0.7 percentage point to 40.5 percent. Realmeter said Lee's approval rating climbe

Lee concludes G20 diplomacy in South Africa, heads to Turkey

President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday wrapped up his three-day visit to South Africa for the Group of 20 summit and departed for Turkey, the final stop in his four-nation swing to the Middle East and Africa. His participation in the G20 meeting marked the final leg of his multilateral diplomacy this year, following his attendance at the Group of Seven summit in Canada, the UN General Assembly in New York and South Korea's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Lee arrived in Johann

Lee calls for climate solidarity as G20 issues early declaration

President Lee Jae Myung called for solidarity among the international community to tackle global crises such as climate change, disasters and food shortages, highlighting South Korea's commitment to spreading resilience and spearheading joint actions. During the Group of 20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Lee said that South Korea would serve as "a responsible partner" in the world's shared journey to tackle climate change. Lee also called for substantial investment in infrastructure for t

Opposition steps up Lee attacks as anniversary of martial law nears

The main opposition People Power Party has launched a campaign of outdoor rallies targeting the Lee administration, as the first anniversary of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration approaches. What the opposition presents as a nationwide tour to hear local concerns is, in practice, focused on amplifying criticism of the President Lee Jae Myung and boosting the party’s moribund support ratings. But the timing of the campaign also appears designed to preempt the Democratic Part

S. Korea to host G20 in 2028

South Korea will host the 2028 Group of 20 Summit, as its leaders' declaration adopted on Saturday confirmed the country would assume the rotating presidency of the annual multilateral summit. "We commit to working together under the United States’ Presidency in 2026 and meeting again in the United Kingdom in 2027 and in the Republic of Korea in 2028," read the declaration. The Republic of Korea is South Korea's official name. President Lee Jae Myung will chair the international summit, which fa

First lady shares Korean traditional food recipe with chefs, students in South Africa

First lady Kim Hea Kyung demonstrated how to make a signature Korean stew in a meeting with South African chefs and students in Johannesburg on Saturday as she explained the Asian country's culinary tradition that has gained steady global attention amid the continuing popularity of Korean culture. The event took place at the Korean Cultural Center as she was accompanying President Lee Jae Myung, who was in the city to attend the Group of 20 summit. Kim prepared the Korean stew made with "doenjan

Lee voices hope to elevate ties with France to strategic partnership during talks with Macron

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed his hope to elevate the bilateral relationship with France to a "strategic partnership" and deepen cooperation in culture, security, technologies and other fields, as he held a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in South Africa on Saturday. Their meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg followed their encounter during the Group of Seven summit in Canada in June, as the two nations prepare to celebrate the 140th an

Lee urges revitalization of WTO at G20 summit

President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday urged the Group of 20 nations to work to revitalize the World Trade Organization to enhance global growth potential, saying the world must establish a predictable trading and investment environment. Lee made the call during the first session of the G20 summit, as the multilateral trading system is facing turmoil. "We must establish a predictable trading and investment environment to enhance growth potential," he said. "The revitalization of the World Trade Org

Lee asks Chancellor Merz to share Germany's reunification experience

President Lee Jae Myung asked German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to share the European country's experience with overcoming division and achieving its reunification during their talks on the margins of the Group of 20 summit in South Africa on Saturday. Lee made the remarks as his administration has sought to resume engagement with North Korea and ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula since taking office in June. Pyongyang has remained unresponsive to Seoul's repeated dialogue overtures. "There is

Thai PM pledges support for Korean investment, urging deeper ties

Korea Herald correspondent BANGKOK — Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to supporting South Korean companies expanding their investment and operations in the country, highlighting that the two economies can deepen cooperation by leveraging Korea’s technological strengths and Thailand’s industrial base and skilled workforce. Speaking to a South Korean economic delegation consisting of more than 30 business and political leaders, Anutin said, “Korea is one of

Assembly speaker requests support for Korean businesses in meeting with Vietnamese leader

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik has met with Vietnam's top leader in Hanoi and asked for the country's support for South Korean companies and the easing of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, according to officials Saturday. During his meeting with To Lam, general secretary of Vietnam's Communist Party, the previous day, Woo requested Vietnam help ease funding requirements for Korean companies participating in energy-related projects in the Southeast Asian country, among other support. He a

Special counsel raids Roger Vivier over gift given to Kim Keon Hee

The special counsel investigating former first lady Kim Keon Hee receiving a luxury handbag conducted raids Thursday on the Korean headquarters of French brand Roger Vivier and a major Seoul department store, where the item was sold. The raids come after investigators discovered the handbag, along with a handwritten thank-you note, during a search of Kim’s residence on Nov. 6. The note appeared to have been written by the wife of Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon of the ruling People Power Party, dated March 17

South Korea, Egypt seek stronger defense industry ties

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi received President Lee Jae Myung during his official visit to the Middle Eastern country on Thursday to discuss deeper bilateral ties, with the Korean president stressing the importance of peace in the Middle East and broader defense industry cooperation. At a joint press conference held by the two leaders after the summit in Cairo, Lee described both South Korea and Egypt as "peace promoters" who jointly contribute to international peace, including the K