The Korea Times

Lee vows ‘practical contribution’ to secure Hormuz shipping routes

President Lee Jae Myung pledged Friday that Korea will make a “practical contribution” to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the country’s reliance on the vital maritime route. Lee made the remarks during a virtual summit on maritime security in the strait, jointly led by France and the United Kingdom and attended by leaders and representatives from around 50 countries, according to vice presidential spokesperson Jeon Eun-soo. The meeting focused on securing safe passage through the waterway, protecting seafarers and vessels and exploring measures to guarantee maritime safety after the conflict ends. Lee was the first among the leaders participating virtually to speak at the meeting. He warned that the disruptions to the strait, “a critical artery supporting the global supply chain,” are shaking energy, financial, industrial and food security worldwide. Lee also pointed to worsening conditions for crews stranded in the area, emphasizing that their safety and health cannot be fully guaranteed under current circumstances. He urged the international

Apr 17, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

Lee vows ‘practical contribution’ to secure Hormuz shipping routes

Politics

PPP infighting deepens as Daegu primary narrows to 2

The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has narrowed its Daegu mayoral primary to two candidates — Reps. Yoo Yeong-ha and Choo Kyung-ho — Friday, moving into the final stage of the nomination process ahead of the June 3 local elections. However, the race continues to be clouded by backlash from earlier eliminated contenders, including Rep. Joo Ho-young and former Korea Communications Commission Chairperson Lee Jin-sook, raising the prospects of a split in conservative support in one of the party’s traditional strongholds. The party’s nomination committee said the two finalists were selected from six preliminary candidates, based 70 percent on party member votes and 30 percent on public polling. Reps. Yun Jae-ok and Choi Eun-seok, former lawmaker Hong Suk-joon and former Dong District Mayor Lee Jae-man were eliminated in the preliminary round. The two finalists move on to a runoff between Yoo and Choo that includes a debate on Sunday and another round of voting and polling on April 24 and 25, with the party set to pick its final Daegu mayoral candidate on April 26. Yet attenti

Apr 17, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

PPP infighting deepens as Daegu primary narrows to 2

Politics

PPP candidates keep distance from party leadership ahead of June 3 elections

Candidates from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) are distancing themselves from party leadership ahead of the June 3 local elections, as internal tensions deepen and criticism mounts over leader Jang Dong-hyeok’s recent trip to Washington D.C. A growing number of mayoral and provincial candidates have called for the establishment of region-based campaign committees, effectively pursuing independent campaign structures rather than relying on the central party. The move reflects mounting concern that current leadership could hurt rather than help electoral prospects. The trend is visible across key battleground regions. In the conservative stronghold of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, for example, there have been calls for a joint regional campaign committee to consolidate local support. In Seoul, incumbent mayor Oh Se-hoon — who is expected to win the PPP’s mayoral primary on April 18 — is considering setting up his own campaign team, while Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok is also distancing himself from party leadership. In Busan, Mayor Park Heong-joon has signaled a

Apr 16, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

PPP candidates keep distance from party leadership ahead of June 3 elections

Politics

Cho Kuk, Han Dong-hoon bid for Assembly seats, raising stakes for by-elections

The parliamentary by-elections, scheduled alongside the June 3 local elections, are quickly becoming a political battleground in their own right, with the entry of high-profile candidates drawing comparisons to a “mini-general election.” The race gained further momentum when Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, formally declared his candidacy in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, shaking up the political landscape in the capital region. According to political observers, at least 10 constituencies have been confirmed for the by-elections so far and this number is expected to rise to as many as 14, depending on whether incumbent lawmakers step down to run in local races. Although the contests are technically held in tandem with the local elections, they are increasingly seen as a national-level test of political strength. The growing number of candidates has been fueled by the entry of high-profile figures. Cho’s decision to run in Pyeongtaek has been matched by former People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon, who has declared his candidacy in Busan’s Buk District. Both ar

Apr 15, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

Cho Kuk, Han Dong-hoon bid for Assembly seats, raising stakes for by-elections

Foreign Affairs

Who is Michelle Park Steel, Trump’s pick for ambassador to Korea?

U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Michelle Park Steel, Monday (local time), a former Republican congresswoman from California, as ambassador to South Korea, a move that could end a vacancy that has lasted for more than 15 months. If confirmed by the Senate, Steel would become the second Korean American to serve in the post, after former Ambassador Sung Kim, who served from 2011 to 2014. Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul welcomed the nomination, with foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il saying Korea is in close communication with the U.S. and that Steel, if formally appointed, "is expected to contribute to strengthening bilateral ties and promoting friendship between the two countries." The nomination drew attention not simply because of Steel's ethnic background, but because she comes from an elected office rather than the foreign service. In Washington and Republican circles, she has long been viewed as a Trump ally with direct political access, someone capable of carrying the administration’s message to Seoul more directly than a conventional diplomat. Her husband, Shawn Steel, a former cha

Apr 14, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

Who is Michelle Park Steel, Trump’s pick for ambassador to Korea?

Politics

PHOTO 50 days until local elections

Officials review voting procedures and promotional materials at the office of the Daegu Metropolitan Election Commission in Seo District, Daegu, Tuesday, with 50 days to go until the June 3 local elections. Early voting will be held May 29 and 30. Yonhap

Apr 14, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

Politics

Gov’t to spend 85% of supplementary budget by June

The government will execute 85 percent of its supplementary budget within the first half of this year, in an effort to help boost consumer spending and revitalize the economy as the Middle East crisis continues to weigh on energy costs and supply chains. Government officials and members of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea announced Monday that they are pushing to front-load spending and roll out relief measures for households. As part of the scheme, the government will accelerate the execution of a 26.2 trillion won ($17.7 billion) supplementary budget passed earlier this month, in order to deliver support quickly to households and businesses. “The supplementary budget must be implemented swiftly to ensure it reaches those who need it without delay,” said Rep. Ahn Do-geol, a senior lawmaker involved in the discussions. Alongside the spending plan, officials are also preparing to lower vehicle insurance premiums, citing reduced driving under emergency traffic restrictions. As the energy supply has become unstable, the government implemented a two-day vehicle rotation system for th

Apr 13, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

Gov’t to spend 85% of supplementary budget by June

Politics

Ruling party rides early momentum as key battlegrounds take shape

With about 50 days remaining until the June 3 local elections, the ruling and opposition parties are moving at different speeds in preparing for the vote. While the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has finalized candidates in key regions and shifted into campaign mode, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) is still working through delays and internal friction in several races. This difference in pace is beginning to define the broader contours of the election, although major battlegrounds remain unsettled. According to sources in political circles, candidates from both major parties have now been confirmed in five of the 16 metropolitan races, including those in Incheon, Gangwon, Ulsan, South Gyeongsang and Busan. In several other regions, nominations are in their final stages, with parties expected to finalize their lists in the coming days. The DPK has taken the lead in this process. It has either confirmed or is close to finalizing candidates in major regions, in some cases opting for single nominations to avoid prolonged primaries. Rep. Choo Mi-ae, the party’s candidate

Apr 12, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

Ruling party rides early momentum as key battlegrounds take shape

Politics

DPK far outpaces PPP in nominations for Daegu mayoral election

The race for Daegu mayor ahead of the June 3 local elections is beginning to take shape, but the two major parties are moving at noticeably different speeds. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has already locked in its candidate, while the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) is still dealing with fallout from its nomination process, with disputes continuing inside the party and outside challengers emerging as a real possibility. The liberal DPK moved early, confirming former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum as its sole candidate in the city, a longtime stronghold for conservatives, and shifting quickly into campaign mode. Party leaders have since visited Daegu and begun coordinating support, signaling that the race is already underway for the party. Kim, a four-term lawmaker who represented Daegu’s Suseong District and later served as prime minister, is one of the party’s most recognizable figures. The party is betting on his experience and name recognition in a region where it has long struggled to gain ground. During a visit to Daegu, DPK leader Jung Chung-rae made that point

Apr 10, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

DPK far outpaces PPP in nominations for Daegu mayoral election

Politics

Chong Won-o named DPK candidate for Seoul; Chun Jae-soo for Busan

Chong Won-o, a former chief of Seoul’s Seongdong District, was nominated as the Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) candidate for Seoul mayor, Thursday, ahead of the June 3 local elections. He won the three-way primary against Reps. Park Ju-min and Jeon Hyun-heui. In the primary that reflected party member voters and public opinion polls 50-50, Chong secured more than half of the votes, avoiding a runoff. Speaking after the result was announced, Chong framed the mayoral election as a referendum on the current city administration run by Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who is a member of the main opposition People Power Party. “We will judge the 10 years of incompetence under Mayor Oh and repeat the success of the Lee Jae Myung administration in Seoul,” he said. He also called for party unity, saying the outcome reflects “a clear mandate to win Seoul as one united DPK.” Chong, who won three consecutive elections in 2014, 2018 and 2022 to serve as Seongdong District chief, rose as a leading contender for Seoul mayor after President Lee publicly praised his administrative performance. In December la

Apr 9, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

Bahk Eun-ji

Read more

Lee vows ‘practical contribution’ to secure Hormuz shipping routes

PPP infighting deepens as Daegu primary narrows to 2

PPP candidates keep distance from party leadership ahead of June 3 elections

Cho Kuk, Han Dong-hoon bid for Assembly seats, raising stakes for by-elections

Who is Michelle Park Steel, Trump’s pick for ambassador to Korea?

PHOTO 50 days until local elections

Gov’t to spend 85% of supplementary budget by June

Ruling party rides early momentum as key battlegrounds take shape

DPK far outpaces PPP in nominations for Daegu mayoral election

Chong Won-o named DPK candidate for Seoul; Chun Jae-soo for Busan

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