The Korea Times

Defense minister downplays troop cut concerns, cites broader US Army reforms

Korea’s defense minister on Friday rejected speculation that the recent deactivation of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter unit here signals a reduction in U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), saying the move appears to be part of a broader transformation of the U.S. Army. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told reporters that the suspension of operation at the unit should not be interpreted as a troop cut. When asked whether this indicated a reduction in number from the current 28,500-strong USFK, Ahn said, “I do not think that is the case.” “There seem to be a number of changes underway within the U.S. Army related to Apache helicopters,” Ahn said. “This does not appear to be an issue limited to U.S. Forces in Korea, but rather part of reforms taking place across the U.S. Army as a whole.” His comments followed a U.S. congressional report which revealed that the 5th Air Cavalry Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment at the main U.S. base of Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, ceased operations in the middle of December. The unit had operated Apache attack helicopters and reconnaissance

Jan 2, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

Defense minister downplays troop cut concerns, cites broader US Army reforms

Politics

Pragmatism on trial: Lee’s cross-party appointments meet political reality

President Lee Jae Myung’s reported offer of the prime ministership to former conservative lawmaker Yoo Seong-min has reignited debate over the new administration’s approach to cross-party appointments, raising questions about whether pragmatism can withstand Korea’s deeply polarized political environment. The disclosure followed Lee’s earlier decision to nominate Lee Hye-hoon, a former opposition People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker, as the first minister of the newly established Ministry of Planning and Budget. The two cases have come to define Lee’s stated intention to draw talent from across party lines — a governing philosophy that is often praised in principle, but rarely rewarded in practice. Despite the presidential office’s emphasis on unity and pragmatism, the political response was immediate and unforgiving. Efforts to cross partisan boundaries were quickly recast as attempts to weaken the opposition, highlighting how narrow the space for nontraditional appointments remains. Cross-party moves Yoo said that Lee’s camp had approached him with an offer to serve as pri

Jan 2, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

Pragmatism on trial: Lee’s cross-party appointments meet political reality

Politics

Abusive remarks recording clouds budget minister nominee confirmation hearing

A recording containing abusive remarks allegedly made by Lee Hye-hoon, nominee for Korea’s first budget minister under the Lee Jae Myung administration, has sparked controversy ahead of her confirmation hearing after it emerged that the comments were directed at a junior staff intern in her National Assembly office. The recording was disclosed by a domestic cable broadcaster and captures a phone call from 2017, when Lee was serving as a lawmaker with the conservative Bareun Party. In the call, she is heard reprimanding the intern for failing to report a news article in which her name was mentioned. According to the broadcast and subsequent media reports, Lee raised her voice during the exchange and made a series of disparaging remarks. The recording includes statements questioning the intern’s comprehension and intelligence, along with language that has drawn criticism for its severity. Despite the intern attempting to explain the situation, the verbal outburst reportedly continued for several minutes. The intern left Lee’s office roughly two weeks after the call, according to acc

Jan 1, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

Abusive remarks recording clouds budget minister nominee confirmation hearing

People & Events

Korea Times Managing Director Kim Jae-kyoung promoted to vice president

The Korea Times announced the promotion of Kim Jae-kyoung, who serves as managing director of Content and Business Planning, to vice president on Thursday. Kim has led content and business coordination since early 2024 and is a board member and director of the Korea News Editors’ Association. From April 2020, he served as managing editor, overseeing both the print and online editions. He previously worked as finance desk editor and economic desk editor, contributing to business, finance and macroeconomic policy coverage. From 2015 to 2018, Kim was based in Singapore as the paper’s Asia bureau chief, covering regional economic and diplomatic developments across Southeast Asia. Kim holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Sungkyunkwan University and a master of business administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University in Canada.

Jan 1, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

Korea Times Managing Director Kim Jae-kyoung promoted to vice president

Politics

Ruling party shaken by nomination bribery allegations ahead of local elections

Korea’s ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is scrambling to contain political fallout after allegations surfaced that money may have been exchanged during its candidate nomination process ahead of the 2022 local elections — a controversy that now threatens to complicate preparations for this year’s local polls. The allegations center on claims that during the 2022 local elections, Kim Byung-kee — who served as secretary of the Seoul party nomination committee — was aware that an aide to DPK lawmaker Kang Sun-woo had received 100 million won ($69,200) in cash from Kim Kyung, then a prospective city council candidate, but failed to intervene. The controversy escalated after media reports on Monday disclosed audio recordings related to the case. Kim stepped down from his post the following day. Kim said the growing controversy had reached a point where it risked damaging the party as a whole. “I concluded that remaining in this position would inevitably become a burden on the DPK and on the Lee Jae Myung administration,” Kim said, adding that he could not allow the issue t

Dec 31, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Ruling party shaken by nomination bribery allegations ahead of local elections

Society

PHOTO Bidding farewell to 2025, preparing for 2026

A maintenance engineer checks the engine of a Boeing 777-200 aircraft at Asiana Airlines' second hangar at Incheon International Airport, Dec. 18, to prepare for operation in the new year. After various accidents and fires in 2025, citizens hope for safety and security in the coming year. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Dec 30, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

[PHOTO] Bidding farewell to 2025, preparing for 2026

Defense

Hanwha Aerospace signs $4 bil. Chunmoo missile contract with Poland

Hanwha Aerospace has signed an execution contract worth about 5.6 trillion won ($4 billion) to supply Chunmoo guided missiles to Poland, according to the company and government officials. The contract was signed on Monday (local time) at the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw with the Polish Armament Agency. It covers the supply of CGR-080 guided missiles with a maximum range of 80 kilometers and will be carried out through Hanwha-WB Advanced System, a joint venture established by Hanwha Aerospace and Poland’s WB Group. The missiles will be produced at a dedicated facility in Poland, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2030. This is the third execution contract Poland has signed for the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system. Hanwha Aerospace concluded a framework agreement with Poland in 2022 and later that year signed its first execution contract, valued at about 5 trillion won. A second execution contract worth roughly 2 trillion won followed in April 2024. With the latest agreement, the total value of Chunmoo-related contracts with Poland has reached about 12.6 trillion won. Speaking

Dec 30, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Hanwha Aerospace signs $4 bil. Chunmoo missile contract with Poland

Politics

Nomination of conservative economist triggers political backlash across parties

The nomination of a veteran economist and three-term conservative lawmaker to a key Cabinet post sparked a political backlash, exposing deep divisions over President Lee Jae Myung’s push for “pragmatic and inclusive” appointments. Lee Hye-hoon, a former lawmaker from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), was named Sunday as the first minister-designate of the newly established Ministry of Planning and Budget, a powerful body tasked with shaping fiscal policy and long-term economic strategy. The presidential office said the nomination was consistent with the president’s governing philosophy and that professional competence, rather than political affiliation, had guided the decision. A senior presidential official said the president believes that “anyone with proven expertise and experience should be given a role, regardless of where they come from politically.” The decision, however, immediately drew sharp reactions from both the opposition and within the ruling bloc. The PPP reacted swiftly and harshly. Hours after the nomination was announced, the party convened an em

Dec 29, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Nomination of conservative economist triggers political backlash across parties

Politics

Coupang founder apologizes over massive data breach, but refuses again to attend parliamentary hearing

Kim Bom-suk, founder of Coupang, issued a public apology Sunday over a massive customer data breach at the e-commerce platform, saying the incident caused “great concern and inconvenience” to customers and the public. The belated apology came nearly a month after the data leak was disclosed, as the government and the National Assembly have been stepping up their pressure to hold the e-commerce giant responsible for the incident. However, separately from the apology, he again refused to attend an Assembly hearing slated for Tuesday and Wednesday. “As the founder and chair of Coupang’s board, I sincerely apologize on behalf of all employees,” Kim said in a statement over the incident, in which about 33.7 million customers' information was allegedly leaked. He acknowledged that many customers were left feeling uneasy about the security of their personal information, and admitted that Coupang failed to communicate clearly in the early stages of the incident. “I deeply regret the inadequate initial response and lack of communication,” he said, adding that his apology came too la

Dec 28, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Coupang founder apologizes over massive data breach, but refuses again to attend parliamentary hearing

Politics

New insurrection tribunal faces legitimacy questions as Yoon weighs appeal

The passage of a new law mandating dedicated court panels for insurrection-related crimes has thrust Korea into a complex legal debate, as critics and government officials alike weigh whether the special tribunal violates the fundamental principles of the country’s judiciary. Under the law, known as the Special Act on Criminal Procedures for Insurrection, Foreign Aggression and Rebellion Crimes, at least two specialized panels must be established at the Seoul Central District Court and the Seoul High Court to hear cases related to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. The legislation was passed despite repeated objections raised during parliamentary deliberations. Critics note that the Constitution allows only military courts as a special exception, a provision they say the insurrection tribunal may run up against. Article 101 vests judicial power exclusively in courts composed of judges, while permitting military courts as an explicit exception. Opponents contend that creating a tribunal through legislation to hear a specific category of cases

Dec 24, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Bahk Eun-ji

Read more

Defense minister downplays troop cut concerns, cites broader US Army reforms

Pragmatism on trial: Lee’s cross-party appointments meet political reality

Abusive remarks recording clouds budget minister nominee confirmation hearing

Korea Times Managing Director Kim Jae-kyoung promoted to vice president

Ruling party shaken by nomination bribery allegations ahead of local elections

PHOTO Bidding farewell to 2025, preparing for 2026

Hanwha Aerospace signs $4 bil. Chunmoo missile contract with Poland

Nomination of conservative economist triggers political backlash across parties

Coupang founder apologizes over massive data breach, but refuses again to attend parliamentary hearing

New insurrection tribunal faces legitimacy questions as Yoon weighs appeal

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