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Bahk Eun-ji

Korea Times Politics & City Reporter

Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.

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Defense

US military looks to make Korea regional hub for equipment repair

The U.S. military is moving to expand the repair and maintenance of its equipment in Korea, leveraging the country’s advanced defense industry as part of a broader effort to strengthen logistics support on the Korean Peninsula. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of United States Forces Korea, raised the idea during a recent congressional hearing, saying, “Our continued emphasis on things like a regional sustainment hub, because of the importance of sustainment to the region.” He also noted that sustaining combat power remains essential to maintaining readiness in a contested environment. His remarks brought renewed attention to the concept of a Regional Sustainment Hub, which is aimed at reinforcing maintenance and logistics capabilities across the region. Brunson also addressed the issue in a written testimony submitted to Congress, where he outlined a plan to make greater use of Korea’s industrial base. He wrote that the effort would involve “leveraging the ROK industrial base to support maintenance, repair, and overhaul,” signaling a shift toward conducting more repair work clo

Apr 23, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji
US military looks to make Korea regional hub for equipment repair
Defense

USFK commander warns against 'political expediency' in rushed OPCON transfer

Remarks by the top U.S. military commander in South Korea have prompted a fresh round of debate over the planned transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington to Seoul, with experts cautioning against letting political timelines override military conditions. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), emphasized a conditions-based approach to OPCON during testimony before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday (local time), urging that “political expediency does not outpace the conditions.” His use of the phrase “political expediency” — a departure from his earlier, broader references to conditions — is being interpreted by analysts as a message aimed at slowing the momentum for OPCON transfer under Seoul’s current policy direction. The Lee Jae Myung administration has made completing OPCON transfer within its five-year term a policy priority, with 2028 widely discussed as a possible target year. That timeline has raised concerns that political considerations could begin to shape what has traditionally been a conditions-based p

Apr 22, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji
USFK commander warns against 'political expediency' in rushed OPCON transfer
Defense

Korea's military academy merger plan sparks debate

A government push to integrate Korea’s Army, Navy and Air Force academies is gaining traction, but so is the backlash. What began as a proposal to modernize officer training has evolved into a broader debate about the structure of the military and the type of officers it needs to produce. While the Ministry of National Defense argues that reform is essential to prepare for future warfare, critics warn that the plan could undermine service-specific expertise and weaken the foundations of officer development. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back has made it clear that he intends to proceed with the plan. Speaking at a recent press briefing, Ahn described the integration of the three academies as a long-standing issue that has resurfaced across administrations. “This has been a recurring topic regardless of political orientation,” he said. “Now is the time to respond proactively.” Ahn presented the proposal as a response to structural changes in both the military and society. He pointed to a decline in the competitiveness of applicants, noting that fewer top-tier students are choosing milit

Apr 22, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji
Korea's military academy merger plan sparks debate
Foreign Affairs

Foreign ministry says no details finalized for Wang Yi’s South Korea visit

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday that no specific arrangements have been finalized for Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s potential visit to Seoul, adding that the two sides are still communicating over the matter. The ministry also rejected reports that the visit had been delayed due to recent changes to Korea’s electronic arrival card system, describing the revision as “a simple administrative and technical adjustment” to improve traveler convenience. It stressed that this is unrelated to the scheduling of Wang’s trip, which is seen as a follow-up to the Korea-China summit in January. A foreign ministry official said the change to the entry system has no bearing on the timing of Wang’s visit, adding that “it would be difficult to interpret the scheduling issue as reflecting any problem in bilateral relations.” The official said the two sides have been communicating on various issues and that discussions on the visit are ongoing. The two sides are maintaining close strategic communication through multiple channels, including a Korea-China Joint Economic Commit

Apr 20, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji
Foreign ministry says no details finalized for Wang Yi’s South Korea visit
Foreign Affairs

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
[PHOTO] 50 days until local elections
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