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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

President invites Chinese leader to APEC meeting in Korea

President Lee Jae-myung invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Korea later this year, according to the presidential office Tuesday. In their first official phone conversation, the leaders highlighted the two countries’ commitment to deepening their strategic partnership, it said. Xi is the third world leader that Lee has talked over the phone since his June inauguration, following U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This initial engagement with China’s leader underscores Seoul's strategic imperative to maintain robust economic ties with Beijing, its largest trading partner, even as the new administration prioritizes fortifying alliances with the United States for shared security interests amid escalating geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific region. During the 30-minute conversation, Xi congratulated Lee on his election victory, expressing China’s desire to further develop bilateral cooperation within the framework of their strategic partnership. "Expressing gratitude for Xi

Jun 10, 2025By Anna J. Park
President invites Chinese leader to APEC meeting in Korea
Foreign Affairs

President calls for mature Seoul-Tokyo relationship in 1st phone call with Japanese PM

President Lee Jae-myung expressed his wish to build a mature Korea-Japan relationship in his first phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Monday. According to the presidential office, the two leaders spoke for approximately 25 minutes in their first exchange since Lee took office last week. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing shared national interests. "The president expressed his gratitude to the prime minister for congratulating him on his inauguration and emphasized the growing importance of the Korea-Japan relationship amid today’s strategic environment," presidential office spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said during a press briefing. The two leaders also pledged to confront future challenges together and explore pathways to mutual prosperity based on their shared national interests, emphasizing the importance of building a mature, forward-looking partnership. "In particular, given that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, the two leaders agreed to stren

Jun 9, 2025By Anna J. Park
President calls for mature Seoul-Tokyo relationship in 1st phone call with Japanese PM
Politics

POLL Judicial risks, clash with opposition pose huge hurdles for new president

Continued clashes with opposition parties and ongoing legal trials involving President Lee Jae-myung are viewed as the two biggest political challenges confronting his administration, according to a recent poll commissioned by The Korea Times. The nationwide survey, conducted Wednesday and Thursday, found that 34 percent of respondents cited conflict with opposition parties as the most significant political obstacle facing the new administration. Another 28 percent pointed to the judicial risks stemming from the five criminal trials currently involving the president. The poll, which surveyed 1,000 adults, also found that 20 percent of respondents expressed concerns about the potential weakening of institutional checks and balances that uphold the separation of powers. With Lee’s ruling party now controlling both the executive branch and a majority in the legislature, some worry that proposed judicial reforms — including a bill to increase the number of Supreme Court justices and potential efforts to delay Lee’s trials during his presidency — could undermine judicial independenc

Jun 8, 2025By Anna J. Park
[POLL] Judicial risks, clash with opposition pose huge hurdles for new president
Foreign Affairs

Lee Jae-myung holds first phone call with Trump, reaffirming Seoul-Washington alliance

President Lee Jae-myung and U.S. President Donald Trump held their first phone call late Friday night, reaffirming the strength and importance of the Korea-U.S. alliance. According to the presidential office, Trump congratulated Lee on his election victory, to which Lee expressed his gratitude, underscoring the importance of the alliance, which forms the foundation of Seoul's diplomacy. In the 20-minute conversation, the two leaders went on to speak highly of each other's leadership and agreed to work closely together to further strengthen the bilateral alliance between the two countries. With regards to tariff negotiations between Korea and the U.S., the two presidents agreed to strive toward reaching a mutually satisfactory agreement as soon as possible. They also agreed to encourage tangible progress in working-level negotiations. Trump invited Lee to the U.S., and Lee welcomed the invitation, expressing a desire for frequent high-level exchanges. The leaders agreed to meet in person at the earliest possible opportunity, potentially during a multilateral summit or a dedicated bilatera

Jun 7, 2025By Anna J. Park
Lee Jae-myung holds first phone call with Trump, reaffirming Seoul-Washington alliance
Politics

President holds 1st Cabinet meeting, emphasizes continuity of state affairs

President Lee Jae-myung convened his inaugural Cabinet meeting on Thursday, his second day in office, urging ministers to “put the people at the center and do your utmost.” The president emphasized the importance of ensuring continuity in state affairs and establishing discipline among public officials in order to minimize the administrative vacuum caused by the impeachment of his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol. Chairing the meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan District starting at 10 a.m., Lee reiterated the government's fundamental responsibility to serve the public, emphasizing this as a core tenet. “We are all agents entrusted with our duties by the people,” he said. The swift directive signals a push to refocus the government on public concerns as he takes office amid deep polarization and economic strain. Elected after Yoon’s ouster, Lee faces a fractured political landscape and public anxiety over debt, growth and global tensions. His call for action aims to set clear priorities and restore trust. He urged ministers to uphold their constitutional duties and encourage

Jun 5, 2025By Anna J. Park
President holds 1st Cabinet meeting, emphasizes continuity of state affairs
People & Events

Pianist Lim Yun-chan donates 100 mil. won to support pediatric patients

Renowned Korean pianist Lim Yun-chan and his management agency, Moc Production, donated 100 million won ($72,500) to Seoul’s Catholic Medical Center to help support the treatment of pediatric patients. The Catholic Medical Center, which is affiliated with the Catholic University of Korea, said earlier this week that the donation was made at Lim’s request and is intended to be used entirely for the treatment of pediatric patients. In accordance with Lim’s wishes, the hospital has established the "J.S. Bach Fund," named after the composer whose piece Lim performed. The fund will be dedicated to supporting the treatment of critically ill children. The donation came from the proceeds of Lim’s sold-out solo recital series in Korea, held March 23-25 at the Aram Nuri Arts Center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, north of Seoul. Lee Hwa-sung, president of the Catholic Medical Center, expressed gratitude for the donation. "We hope this donation will provide support to children and families who face obstacles to receiving proper treatment in difficult circumstances. We will ensure that the fund

Jun 4, 2025By Anna J. Park
Pianist Lim Yun-chan donates 100 mil. won to support pediatric patients
Politics

New president vows to unite divided nation in inaugural address

President Lee Jae-myung pledged Wednesday to make national unity his top priority and break with the era of divisive politics, as he took the office as the next leader of the country. In his inaugural address at the National Assembly in Seoul, Lee cast himself as a “president for all,” emphasizing that the office carries a responsibility to serve every citizen — regardless of whom they supported at the ballot box. "It is time to build bridges of coexistence, reconciliation and solidarity over the hatred and confrontation that have divided us,” Lee said. “Now is the moment to open wide an era of happiness for the people, filled with dreams and hope." His remarks came a day after the presidential candidate of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) won the election by garnering 49.42 percent of the vote compared to Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party at 41.15 percent. Lee called for the country to move beyond outdated ideological polarization, apparently referring to the severe national divisions shown in the aftermath of his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol's martia

Jun 4, 2025By Anna J. Park
New president vows to unite divided nation in inaugural address
Politics

Lee Jae-myung pledges to integrate polarized nation

Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) pledged early Wednesday to integrate the polarized nation in his acceptance speech delivered after the presidential election held Tuesday. Broadcasters late Tuesday declared Lee would win the election, defeating Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party (PPP). Lee pointed out that his victory reinforces that the country belongs to the people, referring to voters' sentiment against the conservative People Power Party based on former President Yoon Suk Yeol's abrupt declaration of martial law in December. "We will overcome the insurrection and make sure that a military coup that threatens the people will never again take place," Lee said in his speech in Seoul's Yeouido. He stated that his next priority will be to boost the economy and improve the people's livelihoods, at a time Korea faces increasing uncertainty due to U.S.-imposed tariffs. Lee also said his administration would ensure deterrence against North Korea with strong military capabilities, but emphasized peaceful relations over conflict. This would be a shift

Jun 3, 2025By Anna J. Park and Kim Bo-eun
Lee Jae-myung pledges to integrate polarized nation
Politics

Koreans to head to polls to elect new president Tuesday

Koreans will head to the polls on Tuesday to elect their president. At 6 a.m., 14,295 polling stations will open nationwide. They close at 8 p.m., two hours later than usual elections, because this is a by-election following former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment over his Dec. 3 martial law declaration. The number of eligible voters is about 44.39 million, including 15.42 million who participated in early voting last Thursday and Friday, and 205,268 who took part in overseas voting, according to the National Election Commission (NEC). While the early voting recorded the nation's second-highest voter turnout at 37.4 percent, it remains to be seen how many will cast their ballots on Election Day. The total voter turnout in the 2017 presidential election, which was also a snap election, was 77.2 percent, and in the 2022 election it was 77.1 percent. Ballot counting will begin immediately after polls close, with ballot boxes transported under police escort to 254 designated counting centers across the country. A joint exit poll result from the three major broadcasters — MBC, KBS and

Jun 2, 2025By Anna J. Park
Koreans to head to polls to elect new president Tuesday
Defense

US Defense Secretary Hegseth emphasizes countering China as top security priority

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made clear that countering China is now the central focus of America's military posture, stating it unequivocally during a keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s key security summit held in Singapore over the weekend. He warned that China aims to become the hegemonic power in Asia, and the U.S. is "reorienting toward deterring aggression from Communist China," highlighting that one of the most pressing goals of U.S. security strategy is to contain Beijing. "China seeks to become a hegemonic power in Asia. No doubt. It hopes to dominate and control too many parts of this vibrant and vital region. Through its massive military build-up and growing willingness to use military force to achieve its goals, including gray zone tactics and hybrid warfare, China has demonstrated that it wants to fundamentally alter the region's status quo," the U.S. defense chief said during the speech. He also noted that "it is public" that Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered his military to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027. "We cannot look away, and

Jun 1, 2025By Anna J. Park
US Defense Secretary Hegseth emphasizes countering China as top security priority
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