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Yi Whan-woo

Korea Times Politics & City Reporter

Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.

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Foreign Affairs

Seoul Declaration sets 30-year Korea-Central Asia agenda on minerals, energy, AI

Korea and five Central Asian countries adopted the Seoul Declaration Wednesday, outlining a vision for cooperation over the next 30 years as they elevate their multilateral partnership to the leaders’ level. Announced at the inaugural multilateral summit, the declaration institutionalizes a biennial leaders’ summit and sets out cooperation across four broad areas — partnership, peace, prosperity and people-to-people exchanges — to encompass supply chains, critical minerals, energy, trade and investment, emerging technologies and security. The summit in Seoul brought together President Lee Jae Myung and the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, representing the latest step in upgrading a cooperation framework that began at the vice-ministerial level in 2007 and was elevated to the ministerial level in 2019. Kazakhstan expressed its willingness to host the second summit in Astana in 2028, with the other participating countries agreeing to the proposal. The declaration established a framework for more systematic economic cooperation, including a

Sep 16, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Seoul Declaration sets 30-year Korea-Central Asia agenda on minerals, energy, AI
Foreign Affairs

1st multilateral summit elevates Korea-Central Asia cooperation to leaders' level

Korea’s first multilateral summit with the five Central Asian countries marks an important step toward institutionalizing cooperation with the resource-rich region at the highest political level, reflecting its growing strategic importance amid intensifying global competition over supply chains, a Central Asia expert said Wednesday. The evaluation comes as the inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit, hosted by President Lee Jae Myung in Seoul, brought together the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, elevating a cooperation framework that has been maintained at the ministerial level since the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum was launched in 2007 to the leaders' level. Opening the summit, Lee said the world is undergoing a major transformation in which economic and security issues are increasingly intertwined across supply chains, energy, markets and technology. “The ‘Silk Road spirit’ of Central Asia, which connected people, technology and culture between East and West, is more necessary than ever,” Lee said. "The strengths of Korea and Ce

Sep 16, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
1st multilateral summit elevates Korea-Central Asia cooperation to leaders' level
Politics

Justice minister nominee hits back over lobbying allegations

Justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won said Tuesday, that if he is appointed, he will prevent information about an investigation by the police or prosecution from being “used politically.” His pledge is an apparent counterattack against independent Rep. Han Dong-hoon’s disclosure of probe materials about Kim’s alleged illegal lobbying activities. The justice minister nominee said Han, a former prosecutor, should disclose how he obtained the investigation materials. "If I am given the opportunity to serve as minister, I will correct [the practice of] the political use of investigative information," Kim said in his opening remarks at his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly. Kim, also a two-term lawmaker, was suspected of using his influence to lobby for the approval of a pharmaceutical company's COVID-19 clinical drug trial in October 2021, although prosecutors later suspended the indictment following an investigation. Han brought back the allegation after Kim's nomination was announced. Kim and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) then claimed that Han obtained con

Sep 15, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Justice minister nominee hits back over lobbying allegations
Foreign Affairs

Korea, Uzbekistan agree on cooperation in critical mineral supply chains

President Lee Jae Myung and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev agreed to expand cooperation in critical mineral supply chains, artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging industries, Monday, as Korea seeks closer economic ties with resource-rich Central Asia. “From transportation infrastructure to health care, responses to the climate crisis, critical mineral supply chains, AI, digital technology and the defense industry, I believe we can broaden mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly foster new drivers of future growth,” Lee said during their summit in Seoul. His remarks came ahead of Korea’s inaugural multilateral summit with five Central Asian countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — in Seoul, Wednesday. Wednesday’s gathering is expected to explore linking Central Asia’s critical minerals and energy resources with Korea’s exploration, processing and advanced manufacturing technologies. Lee said Uzbekistan is Korea’s only special strategic partner in Central Asia, describing the country as an invaluable friend and key part

Sep 14, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Korea, Uzbekistan agree on cooperation in critical mineral supply chains
Politics

Lee's bungled personnel picks hold back his agenda

President Lee Jae Myung is facing difficulty in regaining momentum in state affairs, as a Cabinet reshuffle intended to give his administration a fresh start in its second year has instead backfired amid a series of controversies. Rep. Yong Hye-in, nominated as minister of gender equality and family by Lee, stepped down Sunday after two weeks at the center of controversy, removing one immediate source of trouble but doing little to resolve broader questions about the administration's personnel choices. Her nomination renewed questions about the influence of Kim Hyun-ji, Lee's longtime aide and first deputy chief of staff, over personnel choices and state affairs — questions that have persisted since Lee took office in June 2025. The presidential office has rejected speculation about Kim's involvement, but Yong's nomination has drawn criticism of the administration's personnel vetting process. Another disputed pick, Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, is set to proceed with his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, indicating implicit backing from Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling Democratic

Sep 14, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Lee's bungled personnel picks hold back his agenda
Politics

PM stresses profitability of $350 bil. US investment pledge, rejects discrimination claims against Coupang

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Friday that Korea’s $350 billion investment commitment to the United States must be commercially viable and deliver tangible benefits to both countries. During a meeting hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) in Seoul, she also said the Korean government does not discriminate against companies based on nationality. “Rather than benefiting only one side, it must bring substantive benefits to both countries while maintaining commercial viability,” Han said during the meeting at The Shilla Seoul hotel. “As this is an investment, discussions are also taking place on how to ensure profitability.” The prime minister added that negotiations were progressing smoothly and that establishing a successful model through the first project could pave the way for broader bilateral cooperation. Her remarks came in response to a question from AMCHAM Chairman James Kim, who said stakeholders he met during a recent visit to Washington repeatedly expressed concern that Korea’s investment pledge had yet to produce concrete results. Han’s co

Sep 11, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
PM stresses profitability of $350 bil. US investment pledge, rejects discrimination claims against Coupang
Politics

President moves to quell reelection talk, but stops short of explicit denial

President Lee Jae Myung has stressed that his term in office is constitutionally limited, in what was seen as an attempt to defuse controversy amid speculation that he wants to extend his presidency through constitutional reform. His remark, however, appears to have fallen short of ending the criticism, with the main opposition party criticizing him for not explicitly denying that he intends to seek another term. “In any event, my term is clearly limited under the Constitution,” the president said during a meeting with the Korean community in Paris on the final day of his state visit to France, Wednesday (local time). He arrived back in Korea on Thursday. Lee’s comment came as he explained why he had arranged multiple overseas trips during his second year in office under Korea’s current single five-year presidency. “Even if I build strong relations with other countries later in my term, there will inevitably be limited opportunities to capitalize on them ... I need to begin summit diplomacy early to ensure that its benefits can be enjoyed for as long as possible,” he said. Alt

Sep 10, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
President moves to quell reelection talk, but stops short of explicit denial
Foreign Affairs

COVER STORY Lee caught in Hormuz deployment dilemma

President Lee Jae Myung is confronting a major dilemma over whether to deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz, with the prolonged crisis in the Middle East leaving him caught between conflicting national interests with little room for compromise. The United States, Korea's most important security ally, is intensifying pressure on Seoul to make a military contribution to U.S.-led operations as its war with Iran drags on. Making a military contribution may satisfy Washington and could lead to progress on other bilateral security and economic issues, but Tehran has warned that any Korean military involvement, including noncombat support, will have “serious consequences.” In addition, deployment could also trigger a strong domestic backlash, especially from liberal voters who form the backbone of support for Lee and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). On the other hand, refusing to join the war could invite retaliatory measures from Washington and complicate pending issues such as tariff negotiations, which could also affect domestic politics. “The dilemma goes to the heart of w

Sep 9, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
[COVER STORY] Lee caught in Hormuz deployment dilemma
Foreign Affairs

Hormuz deployment could expose Korea to unnecessary risks: critics

Korea should stay out of the U.S.-led military mission in the Strait of Hormuz because participating in a war with questionable legitimacy would undermine Seoul’s diplomatic principles and expose it to unnecessary security risks, critics said. They argued that even a limited contribution involving noncombat assets would effectively amount to participation in military operations. They also rejected the idea that concerns over the Korea-U.S. alliance or pending economic and security negotiations should compel Seoul to join the mission. “The war itself does not have sufficient justification,” political commentator Lee Kang-yun said, adding that U.S. President Donald Trump has faced criticism for what he described as an impulsive approach to international relations and foreign policy, including starting the war with Iran in late February. Lee also noted that the conflict has become increasingly bogged down, while the U.S. Navy is in a difficult position that makes it harder for Washington to disengage. “It is under these circumstances that the U.S. is pressuring us,” he said. Civic

Sep 8, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Hormuz deployment could expose Korea to unnecessary risks: critics
Foreign Affairs

COVER STORY Should Korea join Trump's war on Iran?

Korea should make a military contribution to international efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz but limit its role to noncombat missions, experts said, citing the need to manage its alliance with the United States, protect the country’s energy and maritime interests and uphold freedom of navigation. Experts stressed that Korea should avoid direct military confrontation with Iran, ensure that its contribution is not perceived as joining the war and carefully consider the timing of its involvement. “Korea will need to make some contribution, considering its relationship with the U.S.,” said Min Jeong-hun, a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. “At the same time, Korea has sufficient justification for contributing, given its direct interest in maintaining freedom of navigation and stable energy supplies,” he added, noting that around 60 percent to 70 percent of the country’s crude oil imports pass through the strait. Jang Ji-hyang, a senior research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, similarly said participation would be consistent with Korea’s l

Sep 8, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
[COVER STORY] Should Korea join Trump's war on Iran?
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