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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

Acting president, Trump discuss cooperation on shipbuilding, LNG, trade balance

Acting President Han Duck-soo had a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening. The phone call began at 9:03 p.m. and lasted for about 28 minutes. It was the first conversation between Korea's acting president and the U.S. president since the latter's inauguration and the ouster of former Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. During the talks, Han emphasized Korea's strong commitment and willingness to cooperate with the U.S. in three key areas: shipbuilding, LNG and trade balance, according to the Prime Minister's Office. "The two leaders agreed to continue constructive ministerial-level discussions on economic cooperation, including the trade balance, in order to find mutually beneficial solutions for both countries," it said in a press release. In addition, Han highlighted the need for cooperation on North Korea's denuclearization. Both leaders agreed to continue close coordination on North Korea policy going forward, sharing the view that the trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan is crucial for peace, stability and prosperity in the region. Accordi

Apr 8, 2025By Anna J. Park
Acting president, Trump discuss cooperation on shipbuilding, LNG, trade balance
Defense

Chinese teen caught filming Korean jets claims parent is Chinese public security officer

Police are investigating Chinese teenagers caught illegally photographing fighter jets in Korea and are working to verify one of the teens' claims that their father is a member of the Chinese public security bureau. According to investigators and local media reports on Tuesday, the teenager was apprehended, along with another Chinese national of a similar age, on the afternoon of March 21 near Suwon Air Base in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. The two were allegedly taking unauthorized photos of fighter jets during takeoff and landing near the air base. Upon receiving a report from a local resident, police were dispatched to the scene. When they searched the suspects' devices, they discovered numerous photos of fighter jets in flight. They were subsequently booked for violating the Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act by illegally photographing military aircraft. During questioning, investigators obtained a statement from one of the teens, who said, "My father works for the public security bureau." It was also confirmed that the suspects were high school students from China who en

Apr 8, 2025By Anna J. Park
Chinese teen caught filming Korean jets claims parent is Chinese public security officer
Politics

Snap presidential election tentatively set for June 3

The next presidential election, triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been tentatively set for June 3. According to the Prime Minister's Office, Monday, acting President Han Duck-soo will preside over a regular Cabinet meeting on Tuesday and confirm the date. Setting an election day is not subject to a Cabinet meeting approval, but the government decided to deal with it at the meeting considering the date should be designated as a temporary holiday. Under Article 68 of the Constitution, if the presidency becomes vacant or the president is removed from office, a successor must be elected within 60 days. Since the Constitutional Court's ruling to oust Yoon was announced on April 4, the deadline for holding a snap election falls on June 3, a Tuesday. The government appears to be aiming to set the latest possible date within the legally mandated timeframe for the election, considering the tight schedule for preparations for the unexpected political event. In the previous case in 2017 when former President Park Geun-hye was removed from office following the court'

Apr 7, 2025By Anna J. Park
Snap presidential election tentatively set for June 3
Politics

Impeached Yoon delivers partisan message to supporters despite calls for self-reflection

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol addressed his supporters Sunday, expressing gratitude for their backing and encouragement in a partisan message that came two days after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment over his short-lived martial law declaration in December. Yoon’s politically charged remarks came despite widespread public calls for him to show self-reflection and self-restraint. “In recognizing the grave crisis facing the country, your efforts to defend freedom and sovereignty will be remembered as a great chapter in the history of the Republic of Korea,” Yoon said in a statement delivered by his legal defense team to his supporter groups. “I deeply appreciate your support and encouragement,” he said, adding that although he had stepped down from the presidency, he would “always stand by your side.” His message in particular targeted the younger generation. “As long as the youth do not lose courage, Korea's future will be bright," he said. “To the youth, you are the true protagonists of this country and its future. Even if today’s reality is difficult,

Apr 6, 2025By Anna J. Park
Impeached Yoon delivers partisan message to supporters despite calls for self-reflection
Politics

President Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office as court upholds impeachment

The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, resulting in his immediate removal from office. The decision to remove the president from office was unanimous, with all eight Constitutional Court justices voting in favor, 8–0. The ruling came 111 days after the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against Yoon, accusing him of treason for declaring martial law on Dec. 3. Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae began reading the reasoning for their ruling at 11 a.m., and the decision to remove Yoon from the presidency was finalized at 11:22 a.m. "The respondent declared the martial law in question with the intent of overcoming a standoff with the National Assembly, then deployed military and police forces to obstruct the Assembly’s exercise of its constitutional authority, thereby denying the principles of popular sovereignty and democracy," Moon said, emphasizing that Yoon abandoned his responsibility to safeguard the Constitution and gravely betrayed the trust of the sovereign people of the Republic of Korea. "Given the significant negative impact

Apr 4, 2025By Anna J. Park
President Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office as court upholds impeachment
Politics

Gov't goes all out to avert turmoil as Yoon's impeachment ruling looms

The government is working to prevent any political and social turmoil that may rise after the Constitutional Court's ruling set for Friday on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment over his Dec. 3 martial law declaration. Its all-out efforts to prevent potential chaos are based on escalating tension between rival political parties as well as between citizens supporting or opposing the impeachment. There are growing concerns about potential violent acts committed by people who may refuse to accept the court decision if it is against their wishes. "As public attention and tensions mount, political turmoil and social conflict continue. The government prioritizes public safety and order and will make every effort to maintain security before and after the Constitutional Court’s ruling," acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said in a meeting of security-related ministers at Government Complex Seoul, Wednesday. The acting president stressed that the government will not tolerate any illegal or violent acts. "The police must strengthen security for the Constitutional Court justices

Apr 2, 2025By Anna J. Park
Gov't goes all out to avert turmoil as Yoon's impeachment ruling looms
Foreign Affairs

Korea's space agency faces dilemma in hiring foreign experts

With two U.S. citizens in key positions at the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) required to regularly report their activities to the U.S. under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), Korea’s space agency faces a dilemma in recruiting top-tier foreign rocket scientists. The issue gained attention on Monday after Korean media outlets reported on two officials — John Lee, vice administrator of mission directorates, and Kim Hyun-dae, director general of the aeronautics innovation mission directorate. Both former NASA experts and U.S. citizens, their FARA reports could potentially expose classified information about Korea’s aerospace research activities and sensitive national security projects to the public. FARA requires U.S. nationals working for foreign governments to register with the U.S. Department of Justice and submit biannual reports on their activities. The 1938 law aims to ensure transparency in actions that could influence U.S. policies. The officials' FARA filings, which are easily accessible online, not only disclosed some of their professional activities but al

Mar 31, 2025By Anna J. Park
Korea's space agency faces dilemma in hiring foreign experts
Politics

Political gridlock deepens ahead of Yoon’s impeachment verdict

Tensions between South Korea’s two main rival political parties are mounting ahead of the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial, now expected to be issued as early as April. While Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Lee Jae-myung’s recent acquittal in his appellate court trial for election law violations has alleviated some of his legal risks as a presidential candidate, the possible dismissal of Yoon’s impeachment case in April would render an early presidential election unnecessary, making further political conflict between the two sides inevitable. The ruling People Power Party (PPP), which had anticipated Lee losing his candidacy eligibility in the appellate ruling, has shifted its focus to urging the Constitutional Court to swiftly reject or dismiss Yoon’s impeachment case. They view Yoon’s return to office as their best opportunity to buy time until Lee’s Supreme Court trial while also aiming to counteract negative public sentiment. As a result, even PPP leaders who had previously been cautiously supporting the dismissal of Yoo

Mar 28, 2025By Anna J. Park
Political gridlock deepens ahead of Yoon’s impeachment verdict
Law & Crime

Yoon's impeachment ruling pushed to April

The Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial appears to have been postponed until at least April. While the Constitutional Court has yet to announce a ruling date for Yoon's impeachment case, it issued rulings on about 40 constitutional petitions on Thursday. The court began delivering verdicts at 10 a.m. and concluded in about 20 minutes. The court customarily holds a monthly ruling session for general cases, typically on the last Thursday of the month. There was speculation that it might announce the ruling date for the president's impeachment case during Thursday's session, but it was not on the list. Attention also focused on whether the court would reveal the ruling date after the session. However, the justices left the court without mentioning it. Since concluding all hearing sessions for Yoon's case on Feb. 25, the Constitutional Court has been deliberating daily for over a month without reaching a decision. Although the justices had previously stated they would prioritize the impeachment case, it has been sidelined while they issued rulings on o

Mar 27, 2025By Anna J. Park
Yoon's impeachment ruling pushed to April
Politics

DPK leader to strengthen grip on party following court's acquittal

With Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), acquitted Wednesday in his appellate trial on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, political analysts say the ruling will help him strengthen his grip on the main opposition party — for now. However, they caution that his legal risks are still not over and that the impact of the verdict will largely depend on how public sentiment shifts, particularly in response to the Constitutional Court’s impending ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment. Experts suggest it is still too early to determine whether the decision will ultimately benefit Lee. However, if Yoon’s impeachment is upheld by the Constitutional Court, leading to an early presidential election, there would be no immediate obstacles preventing Lee from running as the DPK’s presidential candidate. "DPK leader Lee is now set to tighten his grip on the political landscape. However, the key factor to watch is how major political events will unfold, particularly the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon

Mar 26, 2025By Anna J. Park
DPK leader to strengthen grip on party following court's acquittal
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