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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

Will Kim Jong-un be invited to APEC Summit in S. Korea?

South Korea is not ruling out the possibility of extending an invitation to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, scheduled for late October in the southeastern city of Gyeongju. The move could signal a notable diplomatic overture amid ongoing regional tensions. While North Korea is not one of APEC’s 21 member economies, the host nation, in this case South Korea, holds the authority to invite nonmember nations for observer participation. On Thursday, the presidential office addressed media speculation regarding a potential invitation to Pyongyang. Officials clarified that the idea has not yet been formally discussed, but they acknowledged that inviting nonmember nations remains entirely within the chair country's prerogative, leaving open the door for future diplomatic considerations. “According to precedent, host nations are permitted to invite nonmember leaders for informal talks on the sidelines of the APEC Summit,” a presidential official said. “The APEC Summit should serve as a platform to garner international support for p

Jul 24, 2025By Anna J. Park
Will Kim Jong-un be invited to APEC Summit in S. Korea?
Foreign Affairs

With 100 days left, Korea ramps up preparations for APEC

With 100 days until the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok urged officials to make the global event not only a forum for regional dialogue but also a strategic platform to elevate Korea’s economic, diplomatic and cultural presence on the world stage. This year’s APEC summit, hosted by South Korea, will take place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 in the southeastern city. President Lee Jae Myung formally sent invitation letters to leaders of the 20 APEC member economies earlier this month. Kim underscored the event’s historic significance, likening its potential impact to that of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, which reshaped Korea’s global image. "The APEC summit will be a seed of hope, showcasing the strengths of Korean democracy and cultural sophistication to the world,” Kim said during a high-level meeting on APEC preparations in Seoul Wednesday. He emphasized the importance of weaving Korea’s unique cultural heritage throughout the summit program. Kim called for meticulous planning of official banquets and cultural events to showcase these them

Jul 23, 2025By Anna J. Park
With 100 days left, Korea ramps up preparations for APEC
Politics

Gender minister nominee withdraws candidacy as criticism mounts

Rep. Kang Sun-woo, the nominee for minister of gender equality and family, withdrew her candidacy Wednesday and issued a public apology to the administration, her party and the public over the allegations of her abuse of power. “I sincerely apologize to the people who were hurt because of me,” Kang said in a posting on social media. “I am deeply sorry to President Lee Jae Myung, who trusted me and gave me this opportunity.” She also expressed both gratitude and remorse toward the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), to which she belongs. “I’ve caused a heavy burden to the party I love," she said. "I will always treasure the support and encouragement I’ve received, even in this difficult moment.” While acknowledging her shortcomings, Kang noted that she had hoped to do her best in the role. “It seems this is as far as I can go,” she said. “I humbly accept the criticism and will live with reflection.” Her withdrawal came just a day before the deadline set by the president for the National Assembly to approve her nomination. The decision follows mounting scrutiny ove

Jul 23, 2025By Anna J. Park
Gender minister nominee withdraws candidacy as criticism mounts
Politics

Lee Jae Myung’s political honeymoon shaken by backlash over personnel picks

Controversies surrounding President Lee Jae Myung’s picks for ministers and secretaries are negatively affecting public approval of the president and the new administration’s policy agenda, fueling speculation that the administration’s honeymoon period may be ending. According to a Realmeter poll conducted from July 14 to 18, Lee’s approval rating stood at 62.2 percent, down 2.4 percentage points from the previous week, reflecting mounting public dissatisfaction with his personnel decisions. The poll period coincided with the confirmation hearings for Kang Sun-woo and Lee Jin-sook, nominees for gender equality and education ministers, who have been embroiled in allegations of workplace bullying and thesis plagiarism, respectively. It was the first drop in the new president's approval rating since his inauguration on June 4, reflecting mounting public dissatisfaction with his personnel decisions. While the president withdrew Lee Jin-sook’s nomination on Sunday following public criticism, Kang has remained at the center of a widening backlash. Accusations of abusive treatment tow

Jul 22, 2025By Anna J. Park
Lee Jae Myung’s political honeymoon shaken by backlash over personnel picks
Politics

Controversy grows over scandal-plagued gender equality minister nominee

As President Lee Jae Myung proceeds with the controversial appointment of Kang Sun-woo as minister of gender equality and family despite abuse of power allegations, the controversy over the embattled nominee shows no sign of abating and instead appears to be intensifying. Criticism continues to emerge not only from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), but also from pro-government civic groups, former ministers, parliamentary aides and even supporters of the president himself. On Monday, the PPP sharply criticized the president's apparent plan to withdraw the nomination of Lee Jin-sook for another ministerial post while still moving forward with Kang’s appointment. The conservative party called the move “an expression of arrogance and dogmatism” by the Lee administration and “a direct affront to public expectations.” “Pushing ahead with the appointment of Kang Sun-woo — dubbed the ‘Gapjil Queen’ — amounts to a declaration of moral bankruptcy by the Lee administration. Appointing someone with such allegations to a ministry tasked with protecting the vulnerable

Jul 21, 2025By Anna J. Park
Controversy grows over scandal-plagued gender equality minister nominee
Politics

Lee withdraws education minister nomination over plagiarism scandal

President Lee Jae Myung has withdrawn his nomination of Lee Jin-sook for education minister, the presidential office said Sunday, amid allegations of thesis plagiarism and mounting concerns over her fitness to lead Korea’s public education system. In contrast, the presidential office signaled that Gender Equality Minister nominee Kang Sun-woo, who has also faced public scrutiny over a series of workplace abuse allegations, would be appointed as planned. “After comprehensive reviews and consultations with leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, President Lee has decided to withdraw the nomination of Lee Jin-sook,” presidential secretary for political affairs Woo Sang-ho said during a press conference at the presidential office in Seoul. “We urge the National Assembly to respect the president’s decision and take prompt follow-up measures." Lee Jin-sook, former president of Chungnam National University, had faced criticism over allegations that she plagiarized a former student’s thesis. However, she denied the claim, saying media reports were based on a misunderstan

Jul 20, 2025By Anna J. Park
Lee withdraws education minister nomination over plagiarism scandal
Foreign Affairs

President unlikely to attend China’s Victory Day celebration in September

President Lee Jae Myung is leaning toward not attending a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of China’s Victory Day, slated for Sept. 3 in Beijing. While no official decision has been announced, diplomatic and political sources here say the president is unlikely to participate in the Chinese celebration due to ongoing, high-stakes negotiations with the U.S. over a package deal linking trade and security issues. With the date for a Seoul-Washington summit still unconfirmed, attending the Chinese military parade is seen as diplomatically sensitive and burdensome. Earlier this month, China reached out through diplomatic channels to invite Lee to the event celebrating its victory over Japan during World War II. If the visit materializes, it would also include a meeting between Lee and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Since then, the Korean government has remained silent over whether to accept the invitation, but recently showed signs that it won't accept it. The government’s position was reflected during Thursday’s confirmation hearing for Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun. Asked about L

Jul 18, 2025By Anna J. Park
President unlikely to attend China’s Victory Day celebration in September
Politics

President orders new investigation into 2022 Itaewon crowd crush

President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to establish a joint investigative task force comprising both prosecutors and police to uncover the full truth behind the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush disaster, which claimed 159 lives, including 26 foreign nationals. Lee also pledged to invite the families of foreign victims to attend the upcoming third anniversary ceremony this October, the presidential office announced Thursday. The announcement came a day after Lee met with the bereaved families of victims from four recent major national tragedies — the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, 2022 Itaewon crowd crush, 2023 Osong underpass flooding and 2024 Jeju Air crash — highlighting enduring public calls for accountability and healing. The gathering, titled “A Conversation for Remembrance, Consolation and Healing,” brought together around 200 family members and served as a platform for direct dialogue between victims’ families and the state. “In response to requests from bereaved families for special recognition of foreign victims, the president instructed that the participation of their families be

Jul 17, 2025By Anna J. Park
President orders new investigation into 2022 Itaewon crowd crush
Foreign Affairs

Honduras waives immunity of diplomat accused of sexual assault in Busan

The Honduran government has officially waived the immunity of a diplomat stationed in Korea who is currently under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct and assault. In a statement released Tuesday (local time), the Honduran Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it had revoked the immunity of the diplomat assigned to its embassy in Seoul, citing involvement in “a serious incident that occurred in Korea.” “The individual in question must face appropriate legal consequences if responsibility is established through the local judicial process,” the ministry said. “We emphasize to our diplomats the absolute need to comply with the laws of the host country, and we condemn any actions that violate the human rights and dignity of others,” the ministry's statement continued. “If he returns to Honduras, his diplomatic passport will be confiscated.” The diplomat in question, stationed at the Honduran Embassy in Seoul, visited Busan last month on a business trip, where the alleged incident occurred. While heavily intoxicated, the diplomat is accused of making unwanted physical c

Jul 16, 2025By Anna J. Park
Honduras waives immunity of diplomat accused of sexual assault in Busan
Foreign Affairs

Korea sends invitations to 20 APEC members for upcoming summit

The Korean government has officially invited leaders and representatives from the 20 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to its upcoming summit scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 in Gyeongju, a historic city in the southeastern part of the country. The official outreach sets the stage for high-level discussions on trade and growth across the Asia-Pacific. According to the presidential office on Tuesday, official invitations were sent Monday to 20 of the 21 APEC member economies. Korea, serving as this year’s host, was not included in the list of invitees. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said the invitation letter emphasized APEC’s contributions over the past 30 years to sustainable economic growth and regional prosperity. It also outlined Korea’s vision for this year’s summit, themed "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper," focusing on enhancing regional connectivity and advancing digital innovation. “Some member countries have already expressed their intention to participate, either formally or through prior verbal c

Jul 15, 2025By Anna J. Park
Korea sends invitations to 20 APEC members for upcoming summit
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