Articles by Jung Min-kyung
Jung Min-kyung
mkjung@heraldcorp.com-
Ex-PM questions main opposition's 'moral conscience'
Former Prime Minister and ex-main opposition leader Lee Nak-yon on Tuesday questioned "the moral conscience" of Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers as he moved one step closer toward the official launch of his own political party, planned for February. "The existing main opposition party fails to be a match for the current Yoon Suk Yeol administration," Lee said in a keynote speech at a national convention for promoters and supporters hosted by his followers in Seoul. "
Politics Jan. 16, 2024
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Ruling party recruits scientists, legal experts for April election
The ruling party on Friday announced its recruitment of two scientists and a legal expert as three new candidates to run in the April parliamentary election. Lee Re-na, a professor of biomedical engineering at Ewha Womans University; Kang Chul-ho, Chairman of the Korea Association of Robot Industry and Jun Sang-bum, former judge who served at the Uijeongbu branch of the Seoul District Court were the latest batch of candidates tapped by the People Power Party. “The three new candidates have
Politics Jan. 12, 2024
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Ex-prime minister quits main opposition to launch new party
Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon on Thursday officially announced that he is leaving the main opposition party and would launch a new party of his own, saying his mission is to reform the Korean political landscape. “I will walk on the path of serving my country in a new way by leaving the Democratic Party of Korea, where I have served for the past 24 years,” Lee said in a press conference held at the National Assembly in Seoul. “The Democratic Party has transformed into a per
Politics Jan. 11, 2024
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First lady's unique presence a double-edged sword
First lady Kim Keon Hee has arguably been the most active spouse to a South Korean president to date, advocating strongly for the protection of the environment and animal rights, as well as for the global promotion of Korean culture. The 51-year-old had built a successful career as an art exhibition investor and organizer before her husband took office in 2022. Since Yoon took office, she actively engaged with the public, but controversies surrounding her have become the opposition's late
Politics Jan. 10, 2024
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National Assembly passes dog meat consumption ban
The National Assembly on Tuesday decided to completely root out the practice of butchering dogs for consumption by passing a special bill that punishes such activities. The bill seeks to impose a fine of up to 30 million won ($22,800) or a maximum jail term of three years on dog farmers or butchers who are caught killing dogs for consumption. Those who are caught illegally farming, breeding and distributing dogs will face a maximum prison sentence of two years or a fine of up to 20 million won.
Politics Jan. 9, 2024
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Future, current leaders of new political parties jointly call for reform
Four future and current leaders of political parties jointly called for political reform Tuesday, criticising the current two-party dominance. Former Prime Minister and ex-Democratic Party of Korea Lee Nak-yon, Former People Power Party Chairman Lee Jun-seok, New Party Co-Chairman Keum Tae-sup and Hope of Korea Chairman Yang Hyang-ja gathered at Yang’s new book launch event, in a show of solidarity against the current political system. “We have gathered with the shared concern that K
Politics Jan. 9, 2024
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Rift within main opposition party widens
An existing fissure within the main opposition party is projected to widen ahead of the April general election, with several current and former heavyweight members parting ways from the party. Former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and ex-Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said Monday that he would officially announce his departure from the main opposition party through a press conference at the National Assembly scheduled for Thursday. The former premier had hinted on Sunday that the announceme
Politics Jan. 8, 2024
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Rival parties clash over revote on investigation into first lady
Korea's two main rival parties have been engaged in a tug-of-war in recent days over the scheduling of a revote for two special investigation bills vetoed Friday by President Yoon Suk Yeol. One of the bills pushes for an investigation into alleged stock manipulation by first lady Kim Keon Hee. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea is currently considering filing for an adjudication with the Constitutional Court, for the court to decide whether Yoon's veto infringes on their po
Politics Jan. 7, 2024
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Birth rate-boosting bills should be passed: Assembly Speaker
South Korea’s National Assembly speaker on Thursday called for solutions to the nation’s low birth rate and declining population to be legislated, highlighting the need for more long-term policies. “The government and the political circles should see the ongoing population decline as a serious national crisis,” Kim Jin-pyo said in a New Year’s briefing held at the National Assembly. “The issue should be dealt with as a long-term agenda and solutions tied t
Politics Jan. 4, 2024
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Opposition leader attack brings politics to standstill
The stabbing attack of opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has brought the nation’s political circles to a standstill, temporarily suspending a slew of harsh standoffs ahead of the April general elections. Tuesday’s surprise attack has apparently brought a halt to former Democratic Party of Korea leader and ex-Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon’s plans to establish a new political party. The attack took place 100 days before the upcoming April parliamentary elections, with the ruling par
Politics Jan. 3, 2024
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Opposition leader stabbed in Busan
Main opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung was attacked by an assailant and stabbed in the neck by a knife during his tour to Busan on Tuesday morning. Lee was stabbed around 10:27 a.m. after talking to reporters during a visit to the site of a new airport off the coast of Busan. The assailant was detained by police at the scene. Lee sustained a cut 1 centimeter wide and was conscious when the paramedics arrived at the scene, emergency authorities said, adding that his injuries were not thought
Politics Jan. 2, 2024
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Korea to launch new ‘digital nomad’ visa on Jan. 1
South Korea will start issuing new “digital nomad” visas starting Monday, which will allow some foreign residents to stay for up to two years while maintaining a job back home, officials said Friday. “To make remote work and vacation of foreigners in Korea smoother, we have decided to launch a new digital nomad visa,” the Justice Ministry said, highlighting the rise of the "workcation" trend, where employees work remotely from a different location. “So far
Social Affairs Dec. 29, 2023
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Opposition unilaterally passes special investigation bill into first lady
Two contentious special investigation bills, one of which pushes for a probe into stock manipulation allegations involving First Lady Kim Keon Hee, were unilaterally passed by the opposition-led National Assembly on Thursday. President Yoon Suk Yeol swiftly announced that he would veto both bills, according to presidential office spokesperson Lee Do-hoon. An official in the presidential office, who requested to remain anonymous, called the latest move led by the main opposition Democratic Party
Politics Dec. 28, 2023
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Defense Ministry under fire for labeling Dokdo ‘area of territorial dispute’
South Korea’s Defense Ministry came under heavy criticism Thursday for calling the nation’s easternmost sovereign islets of Dokdo as an “area of territorial dispute,” in its latest military education material for soldiers. President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered the ministry to “immediately correct” the labels in the textbook and said the “mistake should have never happened and should not be repeated.” Yoon’s orders came mere hours after the minist
Foreign Affairs Dec. 28, 2023
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[Newsmaker] Estranged Lee Jun-seok to launch new party
The estranged ex-leader of the ruling party, Lee Jun-seok, said Wednesday he would launch a new political party of his own, as the new interim party leader made no moves to convince him to stay. "I have decided to leave the People Power Party, leaving all my political assets tied to it behind," the 38-year-old politician announced in a press conference held in the afternoon at a restaurant in Nowon-gu, northeastern Seoul. Lee spent his childhood in Nowon-gu and sought to represent the
Politics Dec. 27, 2023
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