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.
People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, front right, and James Kim, front center, chairman and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) walk to a meeting room at the AMCHAM office in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. During the meeting, both Kim and Jang expressed concerns over the pro-labor “yellow envelope bill.” Joint Press Corps
![[PHOTO] PPP-AMCHAM meeting](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
In an effort to ease tensions over the recently passed "yellow envelope law," a pro-labor bill at the center of ongoing labor-management disputes, President Lee Jae Myung hosted leaders of the country’s major labor unions on Thursday, emphasizing that his government’s approach is rooted in basic human rights rather than a pro-labor or anti-business agenda. Lee emphasized that a society that respects labor and a country favorable to business “are not mutually exclusive, but can and must coexist,” underscoring that the new law is not intended to confront companies. The law is highly controversial because it restricts a company’s ability to sue striking workers for damages. While businesses fear it will embolden unions and lead to costlier strikes, supporters argue it is a vital measure to protect workers from devastating lawsuits, highlighting a deep-seated friction between labor and management. During the meeting, Lee welcomed Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) President Kim Dong-myeong and Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) President Yang Kyeung-soo, urging both
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s appearance at China’s victory ceremony in Beijing Wednesday signaled a thaw in relations between the two countries, which had grown strained in recent years. Analysts say both nations now have strong incentives to strengthen ties amid shifting regional dynamics. For years, the once-solid alliance between Pyongyang and Beijing had been quietly strained. Concerned over North Korea’s persistent pursuit of nuclear weapons, China supported United Nations sanctions, although it often implemented them selectively to balance enforcement with its broader economic and strategic interests. Meanwhile, the North Korean leader appeared to pull away from his nation’s traditional patron, fostering closer ties with Moscow. During the globally televised event, Kim was seen leaning in and conversing at length with Chinese President Xi Jinping — a display of unusually close interaction compared to previous appearances. Observers noted that he stood closer to China’s leader than even his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, had during similar commemorations decades ago. Af
The University of North Korean Studies in Seoul inaugurated professor Shin Jong-dae as its new president on Monday, beginning a two-year term. The appointment, announced in August, underscores the graduate school’s standing as a key institution in policy discussions on North Korea. Founded in 2005, the University of North Korean Studies is regarded as the first institution in South Korea dedicated to North Korea and unification studies. It has since become a leading hub for research and education, training academics and policy specialists on subjects ranging from politics and security to the economy and society of the reclusive state — analysis that often helps shape Seoul’s official policy. Shin has been a professor at the University of North Korean Studies since 2005, after previously teaching at Kyungnam University’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies and its Graduate School of North Korean Studies. Throughout his career, he has held key leadership roles, including director of planning at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies, vice president and acting president of the Universi
President Lee Jae Myung will join world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 23 to deliver a keynote address that will touch on the Korean Peninsula, democracy and global challenges. According to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung on Tuesday, Lee’s participation aims to strengthen solidarity with the international community and elevate South Korea’s status as a responsible global power through a wide range of diplomatic engagements. "President Lee will deliver a keynote speech at the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 23, where he will share with the international community South Korea’s experience in overcoming and recovering from a crisis of democracy, and present our government’s vision and policies on major global issues, including the Korean Peninsula," Kang said during a press briefing. Kang added that Lee’s speech is scheduled as the seventh address in the first morning session, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., and is expected to last about 15 minutes. Kang pointed out that South Korea, which holds the rotating presidency of the U.N. Se
The National Assembly has begun the process for granting consent to arrest Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, former floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), who faces allegations of receiving illegal political funds from the Unification Church. The Seoul Central District Court said Friday that a request for parliamentary consent to arrest Kweon on charges of violating the Political Funds Act had been issued to the special prosecution team. The request will then be forwarded to the National Assembly after approval by the Ministry of Justice and the president. Upon receipt, the Speaker of the National Assembly must report it in the first plenary session, and starting 24 hours later, a vote must be held within 72 hours. As the regular parliamentary session opens Monday and Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik is scheduled to attend China’s Victory Day celebrations on Wednesday, the report of the request and the vote could occur at a subsequent plenary session. Under parliamentary immunity provisions, a sitting lawmaker cannot be detained or arrested during a session without Assembly co
PHILADELPHIA — President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung visited the Jaisohn Memorial House near Philadelphia on Tuesday, honoring the spirit of Seo Jae-pil, a Korean American politician, physician and Korean independence activist better known as Philip Jaisohn. “I am deeply honored to visit the memorial hall, which embodies the spirit of Dr. Seo Jae-pil, who devoted himself to the country’s independence. I hope that the memorial hall continues to educate future generations about the history of the independence movement and serves as a valuable space for the local community,” Lee said as he toured the facility. Exiled to the United States in 1898, Seo became a physician, but when the March 1 Movement broke out in 1919 against Japanese colonial rule, he closed his hospital and returned to take part in the fight for Korean independence. He actively engaged in diplomatic efforts, including submitting resolutions to the League of Nations and the U.S. demanding recognition of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. He was accompanied on his visit by prominent
PHILADEPHIA — President Lee Jae Myung visited the Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia Tuesday to attend the christening ceremony of a national security and multi-mission vessel (NSMV) commissioned by the U.S. Maritime Administration. The shipyard is a symbolic site of the Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation project, known as Make American Shipbuilding Great Again (MASGA), which played an important role in finalizing the recent tariff negotiations between the two countries. Hanwha Group acquired the shipyard last year, marking the first time a Korean shipbuilding company has taken over a U.S.-based shipyard. The NSMV, named State of Maine, is one of the five vessels ordered by the U.S. Maritime Administration since the acquisition. In a congratulatory message, Lee noted that some 50 warships built in the Philly shipyard played a role in winning World War II, which helped Korea achieve liberation, and that Korea has now become a global power in the shipbuilding industry. He highlighted that the 72-year history of the Korea-U.S. alliance will enter a new chapter as a “future-oriented
ARLINGTON, Va. — President Lee Jae Myung paid tribute to the fallen at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, near Washington, D.C., Tuesday, during his U.S. visit. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac and first lady Kim Hea kyung, Lee laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Arlington cemetery, often compared to Korea’s National Cemetery, is the resting place for some 215,000 veterans of the Civil War, World Wars I and II and the Vietnam War. Upon arrival, Lee was received with full honors, including a military guard of honor, a marching band and a 21-gun salute accorded to heads of state. Following the salute, the Korean national anthem was performed, during which the president placed his hand over his heart and rendered respect to the flag. He later toured the cemetery’s memorial exhibition hall with U.S. officials. With his visit to Arlington complete, Lee concluded his Washington, D.C. engagements and traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In Philadelphia, he visited the Jaisohn Memorial House to
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Lee Jae Myung announced the government’s intention to raise the nation’s defense spending, aiming not only to reinforce the military but also to steer the South Korea-U.S. alliance toward a more future-oriented framework. Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a prominent policy think tank in Washington, D.C., Monday (local time), Lee emphasized that South Korea would assume a more proactive role in maintaining security on the Korean Peninsula. “First, we will increase our defense budget. The additional resources will be used to acquire advanced technologies and assets to build a smart, strong military capable of prevailing in the wars of the 21st century,” the president stressed. Lee also referred to his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in the day, noting their shared commitment to modernizing the alliance in response to evolving security challenges. “President Trump and I agreed (during the summit) to update the [South] Korea-U.S. alliance so that it becomes more reciprocal and forward-looking,” L