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Anna J. Park

Korea Times Politics & City Reporter

Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.

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Politics

Lee to deliver address seeking bipartisan support for $510 bil. budget

President Lee Jae Myung is set to deliver a policy address Tuesday on next year’s 728 trillion won ($510 billion) budget proposal, calling for bipartisan cooperation among lawmakers. According to the presidential office, Monday, Lee will use the address to outline his administration’s key priorities for next year’s budget. With the National Assembly set to begin budget deliberations Wednesday, the president plans to explain the rationale behind next year’s spending plan and urge lawmakers across party lines to engage constructively in the review process. Delivered amid political division and rising living costs, the address is seen as a key test of the president’s leadership, with a focus on curbing inflation and aiding the socially vulnerable. The Lee administration’s first full-year budget represents an 8.1 percent increase from the previous year, surpassing the 700 trillion won threshold for the first time in history. Key highlights of next year’s budget include a massive 72 trillion won investment in the government’s so-called “super-innovation economy” initiatives

Nov 3, 2025By Anna J. Park
Lee to deliver address seeking bipartisan support for $510 bil. budget
Foreign Affairs

Seoul, Beijing agree to strengthen reciprocal cooperation, expand shared interests

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to further develop a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship and expand shared interests during their bilateral summit, Saturday. The two leaders agreed to establish a regular communication channel between high-ranking officials to discuss regional and global issues and expand exchanges. The bilateral talks were held on the occasion of Xi’s first visit to South Korea in 11 years and his attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. During the opening remarks of the 97-minute talks, Lee noted that the mutually complementary and beneficial partnership that the two countries have built over the past three decades has significantly contributed to China’s rise as the world’s second-largest economy as well as to South Korea’s transformation into an advanced nation with strong global industrial competitiveness. He called for efforts to further advance this relationship. “As the structure of Korea–China econo

Nov 1, 2025By Anna J. Park
Seoul, Beijing agree to strengthen reciprocal cooperation, expand shared interests
Foreign Affairs

APEC leaders adopt Gyeongju Declaration for renewed regional cooperation in trade, AI, demographic changes

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — Leaders of 21 Asia-Pacific Economic (APEC) member economies adopted the Gyeongju Declaration, Saturday, reaffirming their commitment to a multilateral and cooperative framework. The declaration is seen as a significant step toward restoring the spirit of solidarity and collaboration, laying the foundation for shared efforts to promote economic prosperity across the Asia-Pacific region. In particular, the declaration recognizes the cultural and creative industries as a new driver of growth for the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring the need for enhanced cooperation in this field. It marks the first APEC leaders’ statement to explicitly include the cultural and creative sectors, providing an opportunity for K-culture to further establish itself as a key growth engine within the region. The Presidential Office explained that the Gyeongju Declaration reflects this year’s three key APEC priorities — Connect, Innovate and Prosper — and encompasses major discussions on trade and investment, digital innovation and inclusive growth. After prolonged n

Nov 1, 2025By Anna J. Park
APEC leaders adopt Gyeongju Declaration for renewed regional cooperation in trade, AI, demographic changes
Foreign Affairs

APEC host Korea wraps Gyeongju summit

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting has been closed in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Saturday, with 21 member economies adopting the “Gyeongju Declaration.” President Lee Jae Myung officially handed over the APEC chairmanship for next year to Chinese President Xi Jinping. "With APEC’s support and cooperation, the realization of peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula will be possible,” Lee said, calling for the continued interest of participating nations. In his closing remarks, Xi announced next year’s APEC will be held in November in Shenzhen, adding that “China, as next year’s chair, will work for the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.” Earlier, Lee chaired the second session of the APEC summit. According to the presidential office, the theme of the second session — known as the Retreat, a forum designed to foster candid and in-depth dialogue among leaders — was “Preparing a Future-Ready Asia-Pacific.” Proposed by Seoul, the session focused on two key regional challenges:

Nov 1, 2025By Anna J. Park
APEC host Korea wraps Gyeongju summit
  • APEC leaders adopt Gyeongju Declaration for renewed regional cooperation in trade, AI, demographic changes
Foreign Affairs

PHOTO Family members of APEC leaders visit Bulguk Temple

First lady Kim Hea Kyung, center, poses with family members of global leaders during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2025 Leaders’ Spouses Program at Bulguk Temple in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Friday. From left are Lin Wen-hsuan, daughter of Taiwan's senior presidential adviser Lin Hsin-i; Louise Araneta-Marcos of the Philippines; Diana Fox Carney of Canada; Kim; Amanda Luxon of New Zealand; Ruth Lui of Singapore; and Thinanon Niramit of Thailand. The temple not only appeals as a tourist attraction, but also has a symbolic meaning as a bridge connecting the past and present, as well as reality and ideals. Yonhap

Oct 31, 2025By Anna J. Park
[PHOTO] Family members of APEC leaders visit Bulguk Temple
Foreign Affairs

APEC leaders seek unity on free trade

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders on Friday discussed ways to strengthen the multilateral trade system and mutual cooperation to boost regional economic growth and revitalize trade and investment. Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the establishment of a free trade area encompassing the Asia-Pacific region, according to Xinhua News Agency. The proposal was made while U.S. President Donald Trump, whose “America First” policy has fueled protectionist tendencies, did not attend the Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. The leaders or representatives from the 21 APEC member economies held in-depth discussions on strategies to address global economic uncertainty, overcome shared challenges and expand public-private collaboration within the region. President Lee Jae Myung presided over the first session of the summit, titled “Towards a More Connected, Resilient Region and Beyond,” reaffirming his commitment to fostering regional connectivity and resilience. In his opening statement, Lee not

Oct 31, 2025By Anna J. Park
APEC leaders seek unity on free trade
Foreign Affairs

President Lee presides over APEC summit for stronger connectivity in Asia-Pacific

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — President Lee Jae Myung presided over the first session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Friday in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. The session, titled “Towards a More Connected, Resilient Region and Beyond,” features informal discussions among leaders from APEC’s 21 member economies, joined by key invited guests including UAE Crown Prince Khalid of Abu Dhabi and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. In his opening remarks, Lee highlighted Korea’s leading role in the APEC since its founding, emphasizing the nation’s longstanding commitment to regional cooperation and shared prosperity. “From every multilateral achievement of APEC, Korea has been at the forefront of that journey,” Lee said, noting that as a founding member, Korea helped lay APEC’s institutional foundation through the 1991 Seoul Declaration. He also recalled that in 2005, during the Busan APEC summit, members adopted the Busan Roadmap to advance trade liberalization across the Asia-P

Oct 31, 2025By Anna J. Park
President Lee presides over APEC summit for stronger connectivity in Asia-Pacific
Foreign Affairs

President Lee, Japan’s new PM agree to strengthen forward-looking cooperation

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — President Lee Jae Myung and Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi agreed to pursue forward-looking cooperation between the neighboring countries in their first summit, Thursday. The two leaders also agreed to maintain close communication by continuing the “shuttle diplomacy” that had been reintroduced under former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. In Korean, shuttle diplomacy refers to frequent mutual diplomatic visits. The summit marked the first meeting between the two leaders since Takaichi took office on Oct. 21. The 40-minute talks took place in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings. During the talks, Lee congratulated Takaichi on becoming Japan’s first female leader. “You are the first woman in Japanese history to serve as prime minister, and we attach special significance to that. I sincerely congratulate you," he said. Lee also welcomed Takaichi’s remarks from her inaugural press conference last week, in which she emphasized close relations with Ko

Oct 30, 2025By Anna J. Park
President Lee, Japan’s new PM agree to strengthen forward-looking cooperation
Foreign Affairs

Korea, Canada form landmark security and defense cooperation partnership

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — President Lee Jae Myung and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a landmark road map to deepen bilateral cooperation across security, defense and emerging strategic domains during a summit held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Gyeongju Thursday. Dubbed the "ROK (Republic of Korea)-Canada Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership," which is the first of its kind for Canada in the Indo-Pacific, the new framework aims to accelerate the two countries' joint defense initiatives and strengthen industrial collaboration. The agreement further deepens the already-existing ROK-Canada Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a pivotal milestone in the evolution of the two nations’ strategic partnership. The agreement comes as the two leaders met for a two-hour summit and luncheon, where they discussed expanding bilateral cooperation across defense and economic sectors. During the meeting, Lee described Canada as “a key ally and a friend comparable to an alliance partner.” “During the Korean W

Oct 30, 2025By Anna J. Park
Korea, Canada form landmark security and defense cooperation partnership
Foreign Affairs

Seoul and Washington agree on details of tariff deal

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — Seoul and Washington have reached an agreement on the details of their long-stalled tariff negotiations during Wednesday’s summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Gyeongju. The breakthrough was reached after the two sides agreed on how Korea will provide its promised $350 billion investment package to the U.S. in return for the U.S. lowering its 25 percent tariff on Korean goods to 15 percent. Korea will provide $200 billion in cash and $150 billion for shipbuilding industry cooperation, with an annual cap of $20 billion. Presidential chief of staff for policy Kim Yong-beom said in a press briefing after the summit that the two countries had agreed on the detailed terms of the trade agreement framework first reached on July 30, paving the way for renewed stability in bilateral trade relations. Kim highlighted that one of the key provisions of the deal involves a mechanism to minimize the impact of the $200 billion U.S.-bound investme

Oct 29, 2025By Anna J. Park and Nam Hyun-woo
Seoul and Washington agree on details of tariff deal
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