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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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Politics

PPP faces showdown over candidate nomination

A heated confrontation erupted on Friday between Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate of the conservative People Power Party (PPP), and the party's leadership during its general assembly, just hours before it was set to announce the results of a crucial preference poll. The meeting, intended to be Kim’s first full appearance before PPP lawmakers since securing the nomination, quickly descended into chaos when Kim publicly condemned the party leadership’s efforts to unite with independent candidate Han Duck-soo as “illegal and unjust.” He accused party officials of using “every improper means” to oust him and replace him with a candidate who “has never even joined the party.” Lawmakers responded with visible frustration, some shouting, as Kim left the assembly abruptly after his speech. “Why did you come just to talk at us and walk out?” one member yelled, while others tried to block his exit. PPP interim chief Kwon Young-se, who had earlier welcomed Kim with applause and a bouquet, declared himself to be “deeply disappointed” and exited the session early. The

May 9, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji
PPP faces showdown over candidate nomination
Foreign Affairs

Seoul weighs boycotting Russia’s Victory Day amid North Korean troop development

Although formally invited, South Korea is weighing whether to boycott Russia’s Victory Day military parade, as deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea are seen as crossing a red line and directly threatening South Korea’s security. According to diplomatic sources, the South Korean Embassy in Moscow recently received a formal invitation to the parade, which marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II. Unlike in recent years, when countries labeled “unfriendly” were excluded for supporting sanctions, this year’s invitations were extended to all foreign missions due to the occasion’s symbolic significance. While the South Korean Foreign Ministry said it is “comprehensively reviving all relevant factors,” government sources indicate that Seoul is leaning toward not participating. A major concern is the diplomatic optics of attending the military parade, particularly as Moscow has formally acknowledged North Korea’s troop deployment to Ukraine — an action perceived as overstepping a critical boundary and posing a direct threat

May 8, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji
Seoul weighs boycotting Russia’s Victory Day amid North Korean troop development
Politics

Lee Jae-myung defies legal setback, solidifies lead with 50% support in latest polls

Despite a Supreme Court decision overturning his acquittal on election law violation charges, Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung has not only weathered the potential legal blow but appears to be gaining momentum. Recent polls show Lee’s approval ratings climbing past the 50 percent mark, solidifying his position as the front-runner in the June 3 presidential election. Gallup Korea surveyed 1,006 adults nationwide over two days starting Saturday for the JoongAng Ilbo. In a three-way race, Lee received 49 percent support, ahead of Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party (PPP) who garnered 33 percent, and Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party who received 9 percent. In a separate scenario where independent candidate Han Duck-soo replaced Kim, Lee again secured 49 percent, while Han received 36 percent and Lee Jun-seok 6 percent. The survey, conducted through telephone interviews, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 94 percent confidence level, according to Gallup Korea. Korea Research surveyed 1,006 adults nationwide on Sunday for

May 7, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji
Lee Jae-myung defies legal setback, solidifies lead with 50% support in latest polls
Politics

PPP picks Kim Moon-soo as presidential candidate, party eyes conservative unity

Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo was chosen as the People Power Party’s (PPP) presidential candidate Saturday during the party’s national convention in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Kim won 56.53 percent of the vote in the final round, defeating former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, who garnered 43.47 percent. The result was determined by combining party members' votes, where Kim gained 61.25 percent, and a nationwide public opinon survey, where Kim won 51.81 percent, with each accounting for 50 percent of the total. His selection is increasing the possibility of the PPP seeking a single candidacy with independent candidate and former Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. While conservatives seek to unite and field a single candidate ahead of the June 3 election, Kim has been positive on uniting with the former prime minister. "To stop the Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) Lee Jae-myung from coming to power, I will build a strong alliance with any force necessary," Kim said in his acceptance speech. "The process will be carried out in a way that both the public and our party m

May 3, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji
PPP picks Kim Moon-soo as presidential candidate, party eyes conservative unity
Politics

Korea faces leadership vacuum amid political turmoil ahead of June election

Korea has entered uncharted political territory after Education Minister Lee Ju-ho assumed the role of acting president, following the resignations of two senior officials ahead of him in the constitutional line of succession. With just over a month until the June 3 presidential election, concerns are mounting over a deepening leadership vacuum and the government's ability to effectively manage state affairs during this critical period. Lee took office as acting president after Prime Minister Han Duck-soo resigned on Thursday to launch his own presidential campaign. Hours later, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok submitted his resignation as the National Assembly was set to vote on an impeachment motion against him. With both Han and Choi stepping down, the constitutional line of succession placed the deputy prime minister for social affairs and education minister in charge of national leadership. The unprecedented chain of succession saw presidential authority passed down through three offices, culminating in the appointment of the education minister as acting pres

May 2, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji
Korea faces leadership vacuum amid political turmoil ahead of June election
Politics

Court ruling on Lee Jae-myung likely to reshape presidential race

A Supreme Court decision overturning an appellate acquittal of Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung has shaken up the political landscape ahead of the June 3 election. Lee and the liberal DPK expected the top court to uphold the March ruling by the Seoul High Court and clear him of legal risks. But the top court sent the case back to the appellate court, virtually acknowledging accusations against Lee and reigniting legal uncertainty just weeks before voters head to the polls. While the DPK is denouncing the ruling, which it views as “politically biased,” other parties, especially the conservative People Power Party (PPP), are calling on Lee to step down from the candidacy. Although the verdict does not immediately disqualify him, it raises the possibility that a future ruling — if finalized with a sentence of at least 1 million won ($699) — could bar him from office for at least five years. Even though Lee continues the presidential race as the high court verdict is unlikely to be made soon, it is to be seen how the Supreme Court verdict will aff

May 1, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji
Court ruling on Lee Jae-myung likely to reshape presidential race
Politics

Top court overturns acquittal in Lee Jae-myung’s election law violation case

The Supreme Court on Thursday overturned an appellate court’s decision to acquit Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung of his election law violation charges, sending the case back to the high court for a retrial. The ruling does not immediately disqualify Lee as a candidate in the upcoming June 3 presidential election, as the retrial verdict is unlikely to be reached before Election Day. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling — which found that the appellate court misinterpreted parts of the law, effectively implying Lee’s guilt on some charges — is expected to reignite political debate over his suitability as a candidate, with less than five weeks remaining before the election. Under the relevant law, anyone fined 1 million won ($699.30) or more for violating the nation's election law is barred from running for public office for the next five years or up to 10 years if sentenced to imprisonment. The case centers on two controversial remarks made by Lee during his previous presidential campaign in 2021. Prosecutors charged him with violating the Pub

May 1, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji
Top court overturns acquittal in Lee Jae-myung’s election law violation case
Politics

Han Duck-soo’s presidential bid sparks fears of ‘Yoon 2.0’ among conservatives

Han Duck-soo, Korea’s acting president and prime minister, is expected to announce his candidacy for the June 3 president election. But his likely bid is already raising concerns within the conservative bloc about the possibility of a repeat of the controversial leadership style and policies of Yoon Suk Yeol, whose presidency ended with impeachment. As Han’s entry into the race seems increasingly inevitable, conservative leaders are scrambling to coordinate a swift alliance, hoping to avoid a scenario in which Han is seen as a direct extension of the disgraced Yoon administration. The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has already indicated it will portray Han as a symbol of continuity with Yoon’s presidency, which it alleges led to democratic backsliding and economic mismanagement. Multiple sources report that Han has cleared his calendar this week, with a formal announcement possible as early as Wednesday. His departure from the Prime Minister’s Office would create a tight timeline for unification with the People Power Party (PPP), which is set to select its final presidential no

Apr 28, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji
Han Duck-soo’s presidential bid sparks fears of ‘Yoon 2.0’ among conservatives
Defense

Conscription or volunteer army: Presidential hopefuls revive military reform debate

With Korea’s June 3 snap presidential election approaching, military reform is once again emerging as a central campaign issue. Leading candidates have rolled out proposals ranging from selective conscription to a fully volunteer military, with some even calling for gender-inclusive service. While many frame these ideas as necessary responses to Korea’s shrinking population and the evolving nature of warfare, others view them as familiar campaign promises, recycled to appeal to politically disillusioned young voters. As the debate intensifies, experts remain divided on both the practicality and sincerity of these proposals — thrusting the future of Korea’s conscription system back into the national spotlight. Old debate, new urgency Military service reform surfaces in nearly every Korean election cycle, but rarely results in lasting policy change. “We’ve seen this before,” said Hong Hee-jin, leader of the Progressive Youth Party. “'Women's conscription' or 'equal duty' trends every few years, but rarely leads to meaningful change. What we need is not more conscripts, but a

Apr 27, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji
Conscription or volunteer army: Presidential hopefuls revive military reform debate
Politics

Ex-President Moon Jae-in rejects indictment, DPK claims retaliation

The prosecution’s indictment of former President Moon Jae-in on bribery charges has sparked a strong backlash, not only from the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) but also from Moon himself, who called it "unjust" during a public appearance on Friday. The liberal DPK, Moon's political home, condemned the indictment as politically motivated and an attempt to influence the upcoming election, given that the prosecution's indictment came just 39 days before Korea’s snap presidential election. Moon broke his silence Friday morning during a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, held just before a ceremony commemorating the seventh anniversary of the April 27 Panmunjeom declaration. “The indictment itself is unjust, but more troubling is the sense that everything is moving forward along a predetermined path,” he said. He added that efforts should now focus not just on proving his innocence, but on exposing the misuse of prosecutorial power. According to the indictment, the prosecution concluded that the approximately 200 million won ($139,200) salary and housing allowance r

Apr 25, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji
Ex-President Moon Jae-in rejects indictment, DPK claims retaliation
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