The Korea Times

Korea secures landmark Latin American deal to sell 195 combat vehicles to Peru

Korea signed a framework agreement on Tuesday (local time) to supply 195 ground-combat vehicles to the Peruvian Army, marking the largest defense export deal Seoul has secured in Latin America. According to the presidential office, the deal, inked by Korean defense firm Hyundai Rotem and Peru's Army Weapons and Ammunition Factory, covers Peru’s plan to acquire 54 K2 main battle tanks and 141 wheeled armored vehicles, a package to be produced through cooperation between Korean defense companies and Peru’s state-owned manufacturer. Officials said the arrangement is designed not only to modernize the Peruvian Army but also to strengthen long-term industrial ties between the two countries. Officials noted that the deal is especially significant because it sets out a clear road map for concluding the implementation contracts by next year. Once those agreements are finalized, the K2 tank will make its debut in the Latin American market, extending its reach beyond Europe for the first time. The signing ceremony in Peru on Tuesday was attended by the chief of Korea’s Defense Acquisition P

Dec 10, 2025By Anna J. Park

Korea secures landmark Latin American deal to sell 195 combat vehicles to Peru

Politics

Lee urges gov’t to continue reforms despite ‘inevitable’ resistance

President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday that conflict and resistance are “inevitable” when correcting deep-rooted injustices in society, emphasizing that meaningful change comes only by pushing past these obstacles. The remarks came during a Cabinet meeting where the president noted that one-tenth of his term has already passed and his administration’s reform initiatives must begin delivering results that the public can feel as soon as next year. Since taking office in June, Lee has repeatedly said that the government’s six priority reform areas — regulation, finance, the public sector, pensions, education and labor — are essential to boosting Korea’s long-term growth potential. “Reform inevitably creates winners and losers,” Lee said. “There is no such thing as change without resistance. Those who stand to lose naturally try to preserve the status quo, while those seeking to correct injustices are compelled to push ahead. How could these two sides ever be fully aligned?” He added, “The original meaning of ‘reform’ is said to be the shedding of one’s skin. In o

Dec 9, 2025By Anna J. Park

Lee urges gov’t to continue reforms despite ‘inevitable’ resistance

Politics

Cheong Wa Dae set to be restored as presidential office, ending 3 years in Yongsan

The presidential office's Yongsan era, a brief and controversial chapter launched by the previous administration, is set to conclude after just three years and seven months. The government of President Lee Jae Myung, fulfilling a central campaign promise, began the official relocation back to the historic Cheong Wa Dae compound earlier this month, with the full move expected to be complete around Christmas Day. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik confirmed the timing on Sunday, stating that environmental and technology upgrades at Cheong Wa Dae had finished last month. Soon after taking office in June, Lee allocated $17.6 million to finance the move. The relocation effort was driven by both symbolic and political motives. The incumbent president and the ruling Democratic Party (DPK) openly criticized the Yongsan complex as "politically toxic" by being linked to the previous leader's martial law declaration last December. Logistical inefficiencies were also cited: major state events still required the president to commute to Cheong Wa Dae’s State Guest House, which remained the k

Dec 8, 2025By Anna J. Park

Cheong Wa Dae set to be restored as presidential office, ending 3 years in Yongsan

North Korea

S. Korea rules out scaling back joint drills with US to spur inter-Korean ties

South Korea will not reduce joint military drills with the United States as a means of encouraging talks with the North, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Sunday, despite the government’s efforts to restart dialogue and advance a wider coexistence agenda. Wi’s comments came during a press briefing at the presidential office, which reviewed the Lee Jae Myung administration’s first six months and outlined its diplomatic record and approach to Pyongyang. His remarks drew added attention amid a growing public debate over whether adjusting the drills could help bring North Korea back to the table. “We have achieved much in the external diplomatic environment, but not as much in inter-Korean relations,” Wi said, describing the administration’s renewed efforts to reestablish communication with Pyongyang. “There are many options we can consider for restarting inter-Korean dialogue, but joint exercises with the United States are not among the options we are directly weighing." Wi emphasized that South Korea intends to act as a “pacemaker” in diplomatic efforts, keeping

Dec 7, 2025By Anna J. Park

S. Korea rules out scaling back joint drills with US to spur inter-Korean ties

Politics

Presidential office unveils commemorative wristwatch marking 6 months of Lee administration

The presidential office unveiled a commemorative presidential wristwatch Friday to mark six months since President Lee Jae Myung’s inauguration. As with traditional presidential timepieces, the front features the presidential seal alongside Lee’s signature, while the watch face is adorned with a traditional Taegeuk motif. On the back of the watch, the phrase “A nation where the people are the sovereign” is engraved in the president's own handwriting. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung explained that the Taegeuk motif “enhances the aesthetic completeness of the design while embodying the continuity of Korea’s constitutional identity and a wish for national unity.” She added that the inscription on the back reflects Lee’s commitment to communicating with the public anytime and anywhere, and to upholding the people’s sovereign will. “The presidential office hopes that the unveiling of the wristwatch serves as a reminder of the president’s governing philosophy — that one hour of the president’s or a public official’s time is equal to the 52 million hours of t

Dec 5, 2025By Anna J. Park

Presidential office unveils commemorative wristwatch marking 6 months of Lee administration

Politics

President Lee, SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son discuss AI cooperation, artificial superintelligence

President Lee Jae Myung met with SoftBank Chairman Masayoshi Son on Friday to discuss expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and large-scale infrastructure investment, according to the presidential office. During the 70-minute meeting that began at 10 a.m., Lee thanked Son for the advice he had offered previous Korean presidents, including Kim Dae-jung and Moon Jae-in. He asked for continued guidance as Korea strives to become one of the world’s top three AI powers. “Koreans understand both the risks and the benefits of artificial intelligence,” Lee said. “We are working to minimize the risks while investing in its potential. I believe AI can become basic public infrastructure, like water and sewage systems, accessible to all citizens and all nations. Our goal is to build an ‘AI Basic Society’ where every citizen, every business and every organization uses AI at least at a fundamental level.” Lee also underscored the importance of Korea-Japan collaboration in AI, expressing hope that Son could serve as a bridge between the two countries. Son w

Dec 5, 2025By Anna J. Park

President Lee, SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son discuss AI cooperation, artificial superintelligence

Politics

Influence-peddling scandal erupts at presidential office

A controversy over influence-peddling allegations erupted at the presidential office after Moon Jin-seog, deputy chief floor leader for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), was caught on camera asking presidential digital communications secretary Kim Nam-kuk to recommend an acquaintance for a senior post at a private industry association. Kim submitted his resignation on Thursday. The presidential office confirmed through a press notice at 3:10 p.m. that the resignation had been accepted. The incident came to light on Tuesday, when media cameras captured Moon sending a Telegram message during a National Assembly plenary session, asking Kim to recommend their university alumnus for the presidency of the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAMA). Moon and Kim are both alumni of Chung-Ang University. In the message, Moon wrote: “He’s Hong Seong-beom — you know him too. He’s one of our Chung-Ang University alumni. He served as spokesperson when the president (Lee Jae Myung) ran for (Gyeonggi) governor and has experience as a department head at the KAMA, so he’s qualifi

Dec 4, 2025By Anna J. Park

Influence-peddling scandal erupts at presidential office

Politics

Why did Lee address foreign media year after martial law crisis?

Marking the first anniversary of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s abrupt declaration of martial law and the ensuing national crisis, President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday invited more than 80 foreign correspondents to a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul. The press briefing, which began at 10 a.m. and lasted about 70 minutes, was open exclusively to reporters with foreign media outlets. Korean media had a separate opportunity earlier in the morning for a 30-minute Q&A session, following Lee’s special national address at 9 a.m. at the presidential office in Seoul. Although Lee previously held two formal press conferences for both domestic and international media, Wednesday's session marked the first time his administration hosted an event exclusively for foreign correspondents. A presidential official told The Korea Times that the decision was intended to communicate directly with the international community about what the administration calls the restoration of "K-democracy" following last year’s martial law crisis. “The president wanted to send a message to the w

Dec 3, 2025By Anna J. Park

Why did Lee address foreign media year after martial law crisis?

Politics

President seeks to designate Dec. 3 ‘People’s Sovereignty Day’

Marking the first anniversary of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law and the subsequent national crisis, President Lee Jae Myung announced Wednesday that Dec. 3 will be designated “People’s Sovereignty Day” to honor the courage and actions of ordinary citizens. Delivering a special address to the nation from the presidential briefing room in Seoul, Lee expressed gratitude to citizens who “rushed to the National Assembly without a moment’s hesitation” after the late-night declaration of martial law, which caught the Korean public by surprise. The president said that the legislature’s move to lift martial law and the military’s decision to abide by civilian authority were possible only because “the people themselves stepped forward.” “It was unprecedented in the 21st century for a loyalist coup attempt to occur in a democracy comparable to the Republic of Korea, and equally unprecedented in world history that unarmed citizens thwarted it peacefully and with dignity,” the president said. “Paradoxically, the Dec. 3 coup attempt became an

Dec 3, 2025By Anna J. Park

President seeks to designate Dec. 3 ‘People’s Sovereignty Day’

Politics

A year after martial law scare, Koreans recall shock, call for safeguards

Nearly a year has passed since then President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly declared martial law, plunging the country into confusion. Many Koreans say the memory still feels unreal. In interviews with The Korea Times, people of all ages described their initial reactions as disbelief, fear or sheer bewilderment. Most said they remain unconvinced by the justification offered for such an extraordinary measure. Kim Ja-min, a 25-year-old student in Busan, said he was studying for an exam in his dormitory lounge when an alert appeared on his phone. “At first, I thought it must be fake,” he said, adding that he could not believe that something he had only ever read about in history textbooks was happening in real time. A consultant in her 30s said she considered the declaration “unimaginable in this era,” arguing that a leader’s political frustrations could not justify a decision that had such a profound impact on financial markets and people’s lives. A woman in her 60s said her first thought was simply, “Why martial law?” She could not fathom what could possibly justify it. Others reco

Dec 3, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji, Lee Hae-rin and Anna J. Park

Anna J. Park

Read more

Korea secures landmark Latin American deal to sell 195 combat vehicles to Peru

Lee urges gov’t to continue reforms despite ‘inevitable’ resistance

Cheong Wa Dae set to be restored as presidential office, ending 3 years in Yongsan

S. Korea rules out scaling back joint drills with US to spur inter-Korean ties

Presidential office unveils commemorative wristwatch marking 6 months of Lee administration

President Lee, SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son discuss AI cooperation, artificial superintelligence

Influence-peddling scandal erupts at presidential office

Why did Lee address foreign media year after martial law crisis?

President seeks to designate Dec. 3 ‘People’s Sovereignty Day’

A year after martial law scare, Koreans recall shock, call for safeguards

Top 5 stories