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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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Foreign Affairs

First lady showcases Korean cuisine and culture during New York visit

NEW YORK — First lady Kim Hea Kyung, accompanying President Lee Jae Myung on his trip to the United States for the UN General Assembly, spent time promoting the Korean cuisine and culture. According to the presidential office, Kim joined 18 students from a Korean school program in Manhattan, New York, Wednesday (local time), where she prepared gimbap alongside the children. The event was designed not only to introduce the history and values of Korean cuisine, but also to encourage young Koreans living abroad to remain connected with their heritage. It also reflected the growing popularity of Korean food — especially gimbap — in the U.S. Kim noted that the gathering was about more than cooking. “I hope today’s experience was not just about making gimbap, but also about learning and appreciating the culture of Korean food,” she said. Earlier the same day, Kim held a luncheon meeting with members of the UN's Korean Cultural Society, urging them to continue fostering interest and understanding of Korean culture within the United Nations. The society, formed in 2007 by UN Secretar

Sep 26, 2025By Anna J. Park
First lady showcases Korean cuisine and culture during New York visit
Foreign Affairs

President rings NYSE opening bell, hosts Korea investment summit on Wall Street

NEW YORK — President Lee Jae Myung visited the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), where he rang the iconic opening bell and hosted an investment summit forum attended by Wall Street financiers and global investors, Thursday. During the Korea investment summit, Lee underscored his commitment to pursuing policies that address the undervaluation of Korea’s stock market, vowing to turn geopolitical risks on the Korean Peninsula into opportunities for peace and stability, while strictly punishing any acts that disrupt market order. Lee also emphasized his administration's determination to push forward with strengthening corporate governance through the third round of commercial law reforms aimed at rationalizing corporate decision-making structures. In addition, the Korean president pledged to accelerate necessary reforms needed for Korea’s inclusion in the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Developed Markets Index. He promised swift action to address the offshore foreign exchange market issue — a key hurdle to MSCI upgrade — and stressed his administration’s commitment to

Sep 25, 2025By Anna J. Park
President rings NYSE opening bell, hosts Korea investment summit on Wall Street
Foreign Affairs

Lee calls for ‘commercially rational’ tariff solution in talks with US treasury chief

NEW YORK — President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Wednesday (local time) to tackle persistent hurdles in bilateral tariff negotiations, a central challenge to the economic relationship between the two allies. According to the presidential office, Lee expressed his commitment to a pragmatic resolution, saying he hopes the negotiations will proceed in a "commercially rational" way that serves the interests of both countries. The 30-minute meeting, held in New York on the sidelines of Lee’s United Nations visit, marked their second encounter, following initial talks during the Korea-U.S. summit with President Donald Trump in August. “The Korea-U.S. relationship is very important as an alliance, and close cooperation between the two countries is crucial not only for security but also for economic ties, which are essential for sustaining and developing the alliance,” Lee was quoted as saying by Kim Yong-beom, chief presidential secretary for policy, during a briefing in New York. The Korean president went on to emphasize that while cooperation in the fie

Sep 25, 2025By Anna J. Park
Lee calls for ‘commercially rational’ tariff solution in talks with US treasury chief
Foreign Affairs

FULL TEXT President Lee Jae Myung’s address at UN Security Council open debate on AI, international peace, security

National Statement of the Republic of Korea on the occasion of the UNSC Open Debate on AI and International Peace and Security Let me thank Secretary-General Guterres, Professor Bengio, and Professor Choi for their insightful briefings. As I listened, I was reminded of the words of Professor Geoffrey Hinton, who once said that today’s AI is like “a very cute tiger cub.” This tiger cub before us may well grow into a predator that devours us, or it may become a beloved companion like Derpy from KPop Demon Hunters. A knife in the hands of a chef is a tool that brings joy to others; but the same knife in the hands of a robber is nothing more than a menacing weapon to cause harm. AI, in particular, will bring the most disruptive innovation to the way we process knowledge and information. And it may soon be able to judge and decide for itself like a human being. Therefore, an entirely different future will unfold before us depending on how wisely we choose to wield this tool called AI. If used well, AI can help us overcome daunting challenges like low-growth and high prices, opening a new p

Sep 25, 2025By Anna J. Park
[FULL TEXT] President Lee Jae Myung’s address at UN Security Council open debate on AI, international peace, security
  • President addresses AI at UNSC debate, highlighting risks, promise
Foreign Affairs

President addresses AI at UNSC debate, highlighting risks, promise

NEW YORK — Speaking in an open debate at the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday (local time), President Lee Jae Myung warned that the world’s future will be shaped by the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Lee presided over the debate, becoming the first Korean president to chair a session of the council. He also pledged Korea would take a role in leading international efforts to ensure that AI serves as a tool for humanity’s sustainable future. Lee said it was “deeply meaningful” to chair the UNSC session. Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, he said it is “especially significant to chair the first open debate on AI convened for all U.N. member states.” During the session, the president explained that Korea had proposed the agenda to spur global efforts in addressing the rapidly evolving international security environment shaped by advances in AI. Seoul currently holds the council’s monthly rotating presidency as a nonpermanent member for the 2024-25 term, and it is customary in Security Council meetings for the presidency to set the agenda. “Eighty years ago,

Sep 25, 2025By Anna J. Park
President addresses AI at UNSC debate, highlighting risks, promise
Foreign Affairs

First lady highlights rise of K-food, K-culture in New York’s Koreatown

NEW YORK — First lady Kim Hea Kyung, accompanying President Lee Jae Myung on his visit in the U.S., toured New York’s Koreatown on Tuesday afternoon (local time), experiencing firsthand the growing popularity of Korean cuisine and culture. According to the presidential office on Wednesday, Kim first stopped at a side dish shop that has been serving Koreatown for 25 years. When the owner mentioned that gimbap (seaweed rice rolls) and japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) were among the best-selling Korean dishes, Kim praised his efforts. “It seems gimbap has become especially popular after a movie featured a scene of someone eating a whole roll. Food is such an important part of culture, and these days K-food is gaining global attention. Thank you for helping to share such an important part of Korean food culture,” she told the shop owner. She was referring to a scene from the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” in which the protagonist eats an uncut roll of gimbap. Kim added, “Once people get used to a cuisine, it’s hard to let it go,” expressing gratitude to the sh

Sep 25, 2025By Anna J. Park
First lady highlights rise of K-food, K-culture in New York’s Koreatown
Foreign Affairs

Lee meets Italian, Polish leaders for defense and economic cooperation at UN

NEW YORK — President Lee Jae Myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed Wednesday (local time) to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) and the defense industry during their first bilateral meeting, held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. During the meeting, Lee emphasized the countries’ similarities in geography and character, proposing that public and private sectors on both sides deepen collaboration in fields like AI and defense, his office said. Meloni said Korea and Italy had built a balanced partnership across a wide range of sectors from trade to investments, and pointed to the strong potential for further economic ties, citing the Korea-Italy Business Forum in Seoul earlier this month, which drew robust corporate participation. The Italian prime minister also praised Korea’s economic and cultural potential, expressing her hope to visit Seoul soon. She also invited Lee to visit Italy at a convenient time. In response, the president stressed the importance of thorough consultations across sectors to ensure that futu

Sep 25, 2025By Anna J. Park
Lee meets Italian, Polish leaders for defense and economic cooperation at UN
Foreign Affairs

Korea-US tariff agreement possible by APEC summit, Seoul's top security adviser says

NEW YORK — National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac raised the possibility on Tuesday that Seoul and Washington could make progress in resolving the deadlock over tariff talks around the time of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting late next month. The tariff talks have stalled since the two nations reached a broad agreement to reduce the U.S.' planned levy on Korean goods from 25 percent to 15 percent, with the main point of contention being Korea’s planned $350 billion investment fund. “Of course, the differences are significant, and adjusting positions is not easy, but I don’t think it’s impossible,” Wi told reporters in New York during President Lee Jae Myung’s trip to the U.S. for the 80th United Nations General Assembly. “Korea's position is grounded in objective facts and reason, not in unreasonable demands. That’s why I believe we can reach a compromise, and it would be best to conclude negotiations as soon as possible.” Wi added that a swift resolution is needed since the tariffs are already in place. He added that a settlement must be re

Sep 24, 2025By Anna J. Park
Korea-US tariff agreement possible by APEC summit, Seoul's top security adviser says
Foreign Affairs

FULL TEXT S. Korean President Lee Jae Myung's UN General Assembly address

Address by His Excellency Lee Jae Myung President of the Republic of Korea General Debate, 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, September 23, 2025 I would like to express my respect and gratitude to all Members of the United Nations and staff of the UN Secretariat for their contribution to world peace and shared prosperity. I extend my sincere congratulations to Her Excellency Annalena Baerbock on assuming the Presidency of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly. I also pay tribute to Secretary-General António Guterres for his unwavering dedication and hard work. I hope the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly will achieve even more meaningful results under their outstanding leadership. Madam President, Mr. Secretary-General, and distinguished delegates, This year is a meaningful year marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The past 80 years of the UN have been a valuable journey of protecting the dignity and values of humanity and seeking a path forward for future generations. If someone asks what the UN has achieved, I would confidently reply, “Loo

Sep 24, 2025By Anna J. Park
[FULL TEXT] S. Korean President Lee Jae Myung's UN General Assembly address
  • Lee outlines vision to end hostility on Korean Peninsula
Foreign Affairs

Lee discusses cooperation with Czech and Uzbek presidents, UN chief

NEW YORK CITY — President Lee Jae Myung met with Czech President Petr Pavel at the United Nations Tuesday, holding his first summit with the head of state to discuss broader cooperation, including Korea’s participation in the multibillion-dollar Dukovany nuclear power plant expansion, a project central to the East European country’s long-term energy security. Opening the meeting, Lee noted that this year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Korea and the Czech Republic. “I am pleased with the remarkable progress our two nations have achieved. Both our peoples share a history of defending democracy, and I hope to deepen our ties on the strength of those common values,” Lee said. Pavel noted state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power’s (KHNP) successful June bid to build new reactors at Dukovany. “This reflects the Czech Republic’s recognition of the outstanding capabilities of Korean companies,” Pavel stated. In response, Lee praised Prague’s support for Korean investment and expressed hope that cooperat

Sep 24, 2025By Anna J. Park
Lee discusses cooperation with Czech and Uzbek presidents, UN chief
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