The Korea Times

S. Korea braces for rising pressure to shoulder more costs for US troop presence

Defense cost-sharing negotiations between South Korea and the United States are set to resume following the first phone call between acting President Han Duck-soo and U.S. President Donald Trump Monday. With Trump renewing pressure on Seoul to cover a larger portion of the cost for U.S. troops stationed on the peninsula, South Korea must respond with strategic finesse to navigate the growing demands. The phone call, described by officials from the Prime Minister's Office as "amicable," touched on a wide range of issues, including trade, energy cooperation, security alliances and North Korea policy. While the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance, Trump reportedly raised the issue of defense cost-sharing, citing the military partnership between the two countries. Seoul officials stressed that no specific figures were discussed during the conversation. However, Trump's post-call message on social media hinted at his intent to revisit defense burden-sharing, a hallmark of his first term. According to a senior official at the Prime Minister's Office, South Korea aims to av

Apr 9, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

S. Korea braces for rising pressure to shoulder more costs for US troop presence

Politics

Over 10 conservative candidates likely to join presidential race

A string of prominent conservative figures have announced or will soon announce their candidacy for the upcoming presidential race, as the nation will hold a snap election on June 3 following the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol last Friday over his Dec. 3 martial law declaration. Unlike the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) which has the most powerful presidential contender, its leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the conservative People Power Party (PPP), which was the ruling party before Yoon's removal, does not have any single stand-out candidate. Amid this situation, more than 10 contenders are projected to join the party’s primary, setting the stage for a crowded and fiercely competitive race. On Tuesday, Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo declared his intention to run in the 21st presidential election, becoming the first PPP member to make the announcement. "We must move beyond internal strife toward party unity, beyond national division toward societal harmony and beyond political chaos toward national progress to achieve our ‘predestined future,’" he said during the declaration cere

Apr 8, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Over 10 conservative candidates likely to join presidential race

Politics

Constitutional reform drive falters as DPK rejects referendum

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which holds a majority of the seats in the National Assembly, rejected a proposal on Monday to hold a constitutional referendum alongside a snap presidential election tentatively scheduled for early June, undermining efforts to reform Korea’s separation of powers. As a result, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik’s push for change has stalled, and candidates from the People Power Party (PPP) and rival figures from within the DPK are struggling to regain momentum following the impeachment last week of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. This setback highlights the deep political mistrust and the difficulty of pursuing significant reforms during a volatile election period. DPK leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung rejected the proposal, saying that restoring stability following the recent political upheaval must take precedence over efforts to revise the nation's separation of powers. A political showdown is brewing between bipartisan supporters of constitutional reform, including Woo, and Lee, the leading presidential contender and head of the largest party in

Apr 7, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Constitutional reform drive falters as DPK rejects referendum

Politics

Impeachment fallout: DPK rises, PPP scrambles ahead of snap election

The Constitutional Court’s decision Friday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol has dramatically altered Korea’s political landscape. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is moving quickly to strengthen its position ahead of an early presidential election, while the ruling People Power Party (PPP) scrambles to contain the fallout. Both parties now find themselves navigating an increasingly volatile political landscape. With voters heading to the polls within 60 days, Korea’s top political figures are racing to prepare for the snap election. The impeachment ruling has settled months of uncertainty over Yoon’s political future, setting the stage for a fierce contest where compromises will be hard to find. The court’s finding that Yoon’s martial law declaration was both unconstitutional and unlawful has tilted the scale firmly toward the DPK. The party, which holds the largest number of seats in the National Assembly and served as the main opposition during Yoon’s presidency, moved swiftly to seize the political opportunity. A joint survey conducted by Embrain Pub

Apr 4, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Impeachment fallout: DPK rises, PPP scrambles ahead of snap election

Politics

After the ruling: What's next for Korea's political future?

The Constitutional Court is poised to rule on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment Friday, and all eyes are on how the decision will impact Korea's political landscape. The nation has been deeply divided for months, and with tensions running high, few expect the outcome — regardless of the ruling — to bring any real sense of resolution. The ruling will lead to one of two scenarios: either the court upholds the impeachment, resulting in Yoon’s immediate removal from office, or it dismisses (or possibly rejects) the case, allowing him to return to his position. The political landscape that emerges afterward is expected to look dramatically different depending on which path the court takes. Here’s a look at the possible scenarios. Upheld — early election within 60 days If the court rules to uphold the impeachment, Yoon would be removed from office immediately, triggering a vacancy that the Constitution says must be filled through a presidential election within 60 days. Based on the precedent set by former President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment in 2017, the vote could be held o

Apr 3, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

After the ruling: What's next for Korea's political future?

Politics

Judgment day for Yoon: Court to rule on impeachment at 11 am

The Constitutional Court will hand down its ruling at 11 a.m. Friday in the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol — a case that could reshape the limits of presidential authority in the country’s constitutional democracy. The ruling centers on five key allegations, all stemming from the night of Dec. 3 when Yoon declared martial law amid an escalating conflict with the opposition-controlled National Assembly. The five allegations made by the Assembly in its impeachment motion against Yoon are: the declaration of martial law, whether its accompanying proclamation met necessary conditions, obstruction of parliamentary activity, an attempt to take control of the National Election Commission (NEC) and ordering troops to detain lawmakers and prevent them from passing a resolution to lift the martial law decree. The court has spent more than 100 days closely examining whether Yoon committed any unconstitutional or unlawful acts in connection with the five points. If the justices determine that even one of the allegations constitutes a grave violation of the Constitution or the law,

Apr 3, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Judgment day for Yoon: Court to rule on impeachment at 11 am

K-pop

Photo released of BTS' Jin at boot camp

bts jin / Screen captured from The CampBy Bahk Eun-jiA photo of Jin, the oldest member of the K-pop group BTS, who is serving in the military, has been released by the 5th infantry division of the military, Friday.The photo, showing him with a military haircut and in uniform, was posted on The Camp, an official internet community where family members and friends of enlisted soldiers can write letters or search for photos.When the news of his enlistment broke, a series of posts by his fans asking about the 30-year-old's safety were posted on The Camp. He quietly entered an Army training center in Yeoncheon, 60 kilometers north of Seoul, Dec. 13 without a farewell event for fans for the sake of their safety. After undergoing five weeks of basic military training, Jin will be deployed to his unit. He is expected to live at the 5th division for one year and six months until June 12, 2024, the scheduled date of his discharge, unless he is ordered to move out during his service.

Dec 23, 2022By Bahk Eun-ji

Photo News

PHOTOS Snow falls in southern part of the country

A truck is overturned next to a snowy road on Korea's southern Jeju Island following heavy snowfall, Dec. 22. Yonhap People walk on a snow-covered overpass amid heavy snowfall in the southwestern city of Gwangju, Dec. 22. Yonhap A snowplow clears snow from a road on Jeju Island, Dec. 22. Yonhap Police officers evacuate tourists from a rest area on Jeju Island, Dec. 22. Yonhap Snow falls in the city of Daejeon amid a heavy snow advisory in the region, Dec. 22. Yonhap

Dec 22, 2022By Bahk Eun-ji

[PHOTOS] Snow falls in southern part of the country

Temperatures fall sharply following heavy snow

Photo News

PHOTOS Heavy downpour hits central regions

Paldang floodgates open: Two people watch water being released from Paldang Dam in Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province, on Thursday after heavy rainfall. Heavy rain warnings have been issued in the metropolitan region, including Seoul. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, torrential downpours are forecast to continue through Friday. YonhapBanpo Hangang Park along the Han River in Seoul is inundated as the river is swollen due to heavy rain, June 30. YonhapTrails and bicycle lanes along the Tan Stream in Seongnam, south of Seoul, are submerged and closed, as weather authorities issued a heavy rain warning for the capital and its surrounding areas, June 30. YonhapA person crosses a bridge in downtown Seoul over Cheonggye Stream which is flooded and closed after torrential rain pounded the capital city overnight, June 30. YonhapJamsu Bridge on the Han River in Seoul is partly inundated as torrential rain pounded the capital city overnight, raising the river's water level, June 30. Yonhap

Jun 30, 2022By Bahk Eun-ji

Heavy downpour hits central regions [PHOTOS]

At least 3 killed in heavy rains

Society

Provinces hit as festivals canceled for third straight year

Cherry blossom trees in full bloom in Jinhae, Changwon, about 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in this March 29, 2020 photo. The city decided to call off the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, the biggest of its kind in the country, for the second consecutive year amid the pandemic. YonhapBy Bahk Eun-jiProvincial areas are still suffering as dozens of cultural events in spring, such as flower festivals, have been canceled across the country for the third consecutive year amid the fast spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.The governing bodies of affected regions have been hit particularly hard as tourist spending at these events had been their main source for generating public funds.Yangpyeong County Office, Gyeonggi Province, decided not to hold its Sansuyu and Korean Beef Festival, which was scheduled to be held in early March.The county office explained that the cancellation was made to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of visitors.Icheon City Hall in Gyeonggi Province also announced the cancellation of the Sansuyu Flower Festival that had been held e

Mar 1, 2022By Bahk Eun-ji

Bahk Eun-ji

Read more

S. Korea braces for rising pressure to shoulder more costs for US troop presence

Over 10 conservative candidates likely to join presidential race

Constitutional reform drive falters as DPK rejects referendum

Impeachment fallout: DPK rises, PPP scrambles ahead of snap election

After the ruling: What's next for Korea's political future?

Judgment day for Yoon: Court to rule on impeachment at 11 am

Photo released of BTS' Jin at boot camp

PHOTOS Snow falls in southern part of the country

PHOTOS Heavy downpour hits central regions

Provinces hit as festivals canceled for third straight year

Top 5 stories