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Kang Seung-woo

Korea Times Business Reporter

Kang Seung-woo is the Business Desk editor at The Korea Times. Prior to this position, he covered politics, national affairs, finance and sports.

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Politics

Ruling bloc clinches overwhelming victory, giving boost to Moon

The leadership of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea bows during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday, in a gesture to express gratitude for voters' support in Wednesday's general election. / YonhapBy Kang Seung-wooThe ruling bloc achieved a sweeping victory in the general election, Wednesday, winning nearly three-fifths of the 300 National Assembly seats. The landslide win has made the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), and its “satellite” offshoot Civil Together, an unprecedented political presence that will be able to pass any bill without the cooperation of other parties ― except for constitutional revisions that require a two-thirds majority ― a huge boost for the Moon Jae-in administrationAccording to the National Election Commission, Thursday, the DPK won 163 out of 253 constituencies while its affiliate was given 17 proportional representation seats. The main opposition United Future Party (UFP) and its satellite, the Future Korea Party, won 84 directly contested seats and 19 for proportional representation. The satellite parties are expecte

Apr 16, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Ruling bloc clinches overwhelming victory, giving boost to Moon
Politics

Veteran politicians fail to survive general election

Rep. Park Jie-won of Minsaeng Party / Korea Times file By Kang Seung-wooHigh-profile veteran politicians are seeing their political careers end prematurely as lesser-known political novices put up more of a fight than expected in Wednesday's general election.Rep. Park Jie-won of the minor opposition Minsaeng Party, a four-term lawmaker best known as former President Kim Dae-jung's chief of staff, was behind ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate Kim Won-I, 45.2 percent to 39.2 percent in the electoral district of Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, as of 11 p.m. Kim is a former deputy mayor for political affairs at the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Chun Jung-bae, another Minsaeng Party lawmaker, is seeing his bid for a seventh term potentially stopped by the DPK's Yang Hyang-ja in Gwangju's Seo-B District. In his run in the quadrennial election, he was behind the former Samsung Electronics executive by nearly 60 percentage points. Four years ago, Chun, a forme

Apr 15, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Veteran politicians fail to survive general election
  • Winner in premier duel to leap forward in presidential bid
Politics

Winner in premier duel to leap forward in presidential bid

Lee Nak-yon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea running in the Jongno District in central Seoul in the general election casts his vote at a polling station in Gyonam-dong, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Lee Han-ho By Kang Seung-woo For some political bigwigs, Wednesday's general election was about more than winning a seat in the 300-strong National Assembly. With the next presidential election slated for March 2022, each party is expected to begin to field its candidate by the end of next year.In that respect, high-profile politicians' victories in the quadrennial general election could mean them taking one step forward as potential presidential contenders, while those who suffer defeats may see their political careers ― let alone their presidential bids ― at risk.As election season unfolded earlier this year, all attention was focused on the Jongno District in central Seoul as two former prime ministers from the incumbent and previous governments ― Lee Nak-y

Apr 15, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Winner in premier duel to leap forward in presidential bid
  • Veteran politicians fail to survive general election
Health

NHIS worker named 'unsung hero' in fight against COVID-19

Kweon Bong-gi / Courtesy of National Health Insurance ServiceBy Kang Seung-wooKweon Bong-gi, a manager of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), has been named the first unsung hero by Cheong Wa Dae for his sacrifice amid the coronavirus crisis.According to the NHIS, Kweon was one of the first volunteers to work at a screening center in Daegu, Korea's COVID-19 hot spot, starting late February. From Feb. 28 to March 12, Kweon was in charge of a screening center there, helping to ensure sample collection went smoothly. Following his commitment in Daegu, he had to self-quarantine for 14 days in accordance with the government's guidelines. However, as the virus showed no signs of abating in Daegu and the surrounding North Gyeongsang Province, more staff were needed to handle the snowballing number of COVID-19 patients.As soon as his self-quarantine period was over, March 25, Kweon headed back to Daegu, where he volunteered until April 5. While serving for the screening center, he and other NHIS workers paid for a banner thanking medical staff and all volunteers for their devotion.

Apr 14, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
NHIS worker named 'unsung hero' in fight against COVID-19
Politics

Parties make last-ditch efforts to win election

Hwang Kyo-ahn, the leader of the main opposition United Future Party, asks for voters' support in Wednesday's general election, during a news conference in Seoul, Tuesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Kang Seung-wooThe rival political parties were engaged in last-minute campaigns in Seoul and its surrounding area on the eve of election day, Tuesday, in attempts to win over swing voters.On the last day of the 13-day official campaign period, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) asked citizens to ensure administrative stability amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while the main opposition United Future Party (UFP) stressed the need to deliver a judgment on the government's performance.The general election to make up the 300-seat National Assembly will be held nationwide today from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Seoul and its neighboring regions ― Gyeonggi Province and Incheon ― are seen as the most important political battlefields given that a total of 121 parliamentary seats are up for grabs there.Lee Nak-yon, a former prime minister who is running in the Jongno district in central Seoul

Apr 14, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Parties make last-ditch efforts to win election
Politics

'180-seat remark' jolts general election

Badges for lawmakers of the 21st National Assembly are on display at the parliament building in Seoul, Monday, two days ahead of the general election that will make up the 300-seat Assembly. / YonhapBy Kang Seung-wooA liberal-minded political commentator's remarks predicting that the “pan-ruling bloc” could win 180 seats in the 300-strong National Assembly is emerging as a last-minute variable ahead of Wednesday's general election.The opposition is using it to rally conservative voters by calling it “extreme arrogance,” while the ruling party is trying to minimize any fallout from the remarks that they believe gave ammunition to its rivals to attack its campaign that has been faring well.Rhyu Si-min, a former liberal politician and head of a foundation that memorializes former President Roh Moo-hyun, said in a social media broadcast, Friday, that it would not be unfeasible for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and other liberal parties to win 180 seats in the Assembly. The main opposition United Future Party (UFP) did not miss the opportunity to take

Apr 13, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
'180-seat remark' jolts general election
Politics

Early voting kicks off

President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook cast ballots at the Samcheong-dong Community Service Center in Seoul near Cheong Wa Dae, Friday, the first day of early voting for the April 15 general election. They wore face masks and protective gloves as part of measures taken at polling stations to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. / YonhapBy Kang Seung-wooThe nation started its two-day early voting, Friday, for next week's general election, with more people than expected casting their ballots despite the COVID-19 pandemic that is restricting outdoor gatherings.According to the National Election Commission (NEC), 3,508 polling stations across the nation opened at 6 a.m. for a 12-hour stretch on the first day of advance voting. Those unable to vote on April 15 can cast their votes until 6 p.m. Saturday. Voters must bring their resident ID card, driver's license or passport.As part of efforts to encourage voters to take part in the election, President Moon Jae-in, along with first lady Kim Jung-sook, voted at the Samcheong-dong Community Service Center near Cheong Wa Da

Apr 10, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Early voting kicks off
  • Parties recycling election pledges on public health
  • 'King Maker,' liberal commentator turn back on their allies
  • Parties in last-ditch election campaigning
Politics

Election campaign

A voter, wearing a face mask and sunglasses, looks on during an election campaign for next week's general election at a bus terminal in Jungnang-gu, eastern Seoul, Thursday. The parliamentary election will be held next Wednesday. / Yonhap

Apr 9, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Election campaign
Politics

Early voting to begin Friday

An election official sets up poll booths for early voting for next week's general election at a gym in Daejeon, Thursday. The early voting begins its two-day run, today. / YonhapGovernment exploring measures for those in self-quarantineBy Kang Seung-wooEarly voting for next week's general election will start nationwide Friday, the National Election Commission (NEC) said Thursday. According to the election watchdog, 3,508 polling stations will be set up nationwide and eligible voters can cast their ballots anywhere from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday.Those who need to vote ahead of the April 15 election only have to bring their resident identification card, driver's license or passport.The quadrennial election to make up the 300-strong National Assembly comes as the government is engaged in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. To contain the spread of the coronavirus, it has been pushing for strict social distancing, urging people to avoid indoor gatherings.Amid concerns over possible infection at polling stations, the NEC will enforce strong quarantine measures, which star

Apr 9, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Early voting to begin Friday
  • Gov't considers temporarily lifting coronavirus self-isolation rules on poll day
Defense

K9 delivery remains undaunted amid COVID-19 crisis

A K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer / Courtesy of Hanwha DefenseBy Kang Seung-woo Defense companies are among the many industries that have been hit hard by the global coronavirus pandemic, as factories around the world have had to close down, leading to delayed deliveries and incomplete contracts.While the Korean government is striving to cushion the virus shock, the country's defense manufacturer Hanwha Defense remains undaunted by the COVID-19 global impact, according to the company, Thursday.One such example is the planned delivery of K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers to Norway. The European country signed a contract with the firm in 2017 to acquire 24 K9s and six K10 automatic ammunition resupply vehicles by the end of 2020.“The main production facility for the K9, located in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, has been operating as normal without any delay to deliveries,” a Hanwha official told The Korea Times. “The artillery is in full production and the first batch of the K9s is set to be shipped to Norway in May.”Since last November, two K9 guns h

Apr 9, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
K9 delivery remains undaunted amid COVID-19 crisis
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