The Korea Times

President shares video alleging Israeli soldiers abused Palestinian child

President Lee Jae Myung shared a video on social media, Friday, alleging that Israeli soldiers abused a Palestinian child and then threw him off a rooftop. He wrote, “We need to verify whether this is true, and if so, what actions were taken. There is no difference between this and the Japanese wartime sexual slavery issue we raise, the massacre of Jews, or wartime killings.” Lee made the remark on X, formerly Twitter, while sharing a video uploaded by an account named Jvnior, a Palestinian content creator who shares information about the situation on the ground in Gaza and calls for international attention. The account has about 152,000 followers. The 20-second-long video garnered 428,000 views as of 10:30 a.m. Friday. In the post reposted by Lee, Jvnior wrote, “IDF soldiers tortured a Palestinian kid and threw him off a roof. They call themselves ‘the most moral army.’” However, some viewers said the video may have been filmed in September 2024, prior to the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran this year. Lee later confirmed the context, adding that the footage shows a rea

Apr 10, 2026By Yi Whan-woo

President shares video alleging Israeli soldiers abused Palestinian child

Foreign Affairs

Trump may accelerate strategic flexibility push for USFK over ally dissatisfaction: Seoul analyst

U.S. President Donald Trump may increase his push for strategic flexibility for U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) in response to his growing dissatisfaction with allies, including South Korea, in the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, a security analyst in Seoul said Thursday. Strategic flexibility refers to the ability to redeploy forces stationed in one country to other regions with agility to respond to global contingencies. The analyst’s projection came after a Wall Street Journal report, Wednesday, that Trump threatened to pull out American troops from NATO member nations that were "unhelpful" during the conflict with Iran before reaching a conditional ceasefire agreement, Tuesday. His administration may consider deploying the troops to other countries that were more supportive, it reported. Trump has been using U.S. military forces stationed abroad to exert pressure on countries he is dissatisfied with. Not only NATO members but also South Korea and Japan have been repeatedly mentioned in Trump’s speeches as allies that were not helpful despite U.S. protection from challenges including North Kore

Apr 9, 2026By Yi Whan-woo

Trump may accelerate strategic flexibility push for USFK over ally dissatisfaction: Seoul analyst

Foreign Affairs

Seoul races to resume transit of ships stranded in Hormuz amid US-Iran ceasefire

The government is verifying whether and when 26 ships linked to Korean companies, currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, can resume transit following a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, according to Cheong Wa Dae and relevant ministries, Wednesday. Even though both sides have said that safe passage through the strait would be possible during the two-week ceasefire, it remains unclear whether the strait will reopen immediately and exactly what conditions Iran requires for passage. A total of 26 ships linked to Korean businesses remain stranded. They consist of 11 oil tankers — seven foreign-flagged vessels carrying oil to Korea and four Korean-flagged ships bound for other countries — and 15 other ships, including bulk freighters and vehicle transporters. “We are closely monitoring the specific procedures and conditions for passage through ongoing communications with relevant countries, as Iran said it would allow passage in coordination with its armed forces and with consideration of technical limitations,” a Cheong Wa Dae official said. The official said the gov

Apr 8, 2026By Yi Whan-woo

Seoul races to resume transit of ships stranded in Hormuz amid US-Iran ceasefire

Foreign Affairs

S. Korea, Japan must step up cooperation as US divides focus between Pacific, Middle East: ex-Japanese PM

South Korea and Japan need to strengthen their bilateral security cooperation as the United States' attention remains diverted by its war in the Middle East, former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Wednesday. Speaking at Asan Plenum 2026 in Seoul, Ishiba also said the two East Asian neighbors should take the lead on discussions at the United Nations about the oil supply disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz as part of security measures based on U.N. resolutions. “Amid an increasingly severe security environment in the Western Pacific, the U.S. continues to face a situation in which it must divide its attention and resources with the Middle East,” Ishiba said at the forum hosted by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. The former Japanese prime minister was a keynote speaker at the gathering, which explored new directions for the U.S.-led alliance, under the theme “Modernizing Alliances.” He described the security environment in the Western Pacific — which includes countries in East Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania — as “increasingly tense,” pointing to the sight

Apr 8, 2026By Yi Whan-woo

S. Korea, Japan must step up cooperation as US divides focus between Pacific, Middle East: ex-Japanese PM

Politics

Opposition leader criticizes gov't cash handouts scheme; president rejects 'populist' label

Main opposition People Power Party (PPP) Chairman Jang Dong-hyeok warned on Tuesday, that a plan for cash handouts in the government's latest supplementary budget bill could stoke pressure on inflation and the exchange rate. In response, President Lee Jae Myung rejected criticism that the policy was populist, saying it will help offset economic strains resulting from high oil prices amid the Middle East conflict. They exchanged views during a meeting that also involved ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Jung Chung-rae at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. It was the first meeting between the three since last September. Jang agreed on the need for the extra budget. Nevertheless, he disagreed with the cash support for the bottom 70 percent of Korea’s income earners, for which 4.8 trillion won ($3.19 billion) is allocated as part of the total 26.2 trillion won budget. The aid is aimed at helping people cope with rising energy costs and other expenses amid the prolonged U.S.-Israel war with Iran. The bill was endorsed by the Cabinet and now awaits parliamentary approval. The PPP chairman

Apr 7, 2026By Yi Whan-woo

Opposition leader criticizes gov't cash handouts scheme; president rejects 'populist' label

Foreign Affairs

Korea to send special envoys to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Algeria to secure alternative crude supplies

Korea will send special envoys to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Algeria to secure stable supplies of crude oil amid prolonged disruptions after the U.S. and Israel began their attacks on Iran Feb. 28, according to the government and the ruling party, Monday. The diplomatic move came as the Strait of Hormuz, the main passage for crude imports to Korea, has been effectively blocked, raising the need to secure alternative crude sources. “Securing alternative crude oil supplies is the most urgent task in the Middle East crisis,” Rep. Ahn Do-geol of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said after a meeting between the party and government officials from relevant ministries. “We will make every diplomatic effort to obtain crude oil. (As part of the efforts), the government and the party agreed to dispatch special envoys to three countries — Saudi Arabia, Oman and Algeria.” Ahn said Korean-flagged ships would be deployed on alternative routes for crude oil supply, noting the government plans to dispatch five Korean-flagged vessels to the Red Sea, specifically to the Saudi port of Yanbu

Apr 6, 2026By Yi Whan-woo

Korea to send special envoys to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Algeria to secure alternative crude supplies

Politics

President labels Korea's energy crisis as 'war-like situation' with no end in sight

President Lee Jae Myung described people’s livelihoods as being in a “war-like situation” amid a looming energy crisis stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, saying that the crisis shows no clear signs of ending. To help mitigate the risks on the Korean economy, the president called for bipartisan support for swift approval of a 26.2 trillion won ($17.24 billion) supplementary budget. Lee’s evaluation of the situation came in his Thursday budget speech at the National Assembly in Seoul. “The government recognizes this crisis as an economic ‘war-like situation’ and is mobilizing all available resources to overcome the challenges at hand,” the president said. “It is not a passing shower — it is a massive storm of uncertain duration," he said. "Even if the war were to end tomorrow, it will take considerable time to restore damaged energy infrastructure in the Middle East and return to supply stability.” He said the country must prepare a more thorough and resilient response, calling the budget a “breakwater” protecting people from the waves of the crisis, as

Apr 2, 2026By Yi Whan-woo

President labels Korea's energy crisis as 'war-like situation' with no end in sight

Foreign Affairs

Korea, Indonesia to boost energy security cooperation

The leaders of Korea and Indonesia agreed to expand their bilateral partnership in energy security and defense, Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday. The two nations also signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in 16 sectors, including critical minerals and renewable energy, in line with the summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during the latter’s state visit to Seoul. The much-awaited deal on Indonesia’s purchase of Korean-made KF-21 fighter jets, however, was not announced this time, with expectations of the announcement in the coming months. Lee told Subianto that Indonesia’s stable supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG), coal and other key energy sources is “extremely reassuring” amid disruptions to global energy supply chains due to the conflict in the Middle East. “Our partnership is a blessing to both nations in times of global uncertainty and multiple challenges … It is crucial that we expand cooperation in energy security to minimize the impact of this crisis on our economies and people’s lives,” Lee said. In line with this,

Apr 1, 2026By Yi Whan-woo

Korea, Indonesia to boost energy security cooperation

Politics

From bakery cafes to sham relocations, Lee moves to close policy loopholes

President Lee Jae Myung is turning his attention to a string of policy loopholes being exploited against their original intent — from corporate loans used to bypass housing borrowing caps and family-run bakery cafes claiming inheritance tax breaks meant for long-established businesses to companies making token relocations to rural areas to claim regional tax exemptions. Analysts say the pattern reflects Lee's governing style, forged over a career that began in local municipal administration and later expanded through progressively larger regional roles before his election as president in June 2025. “Lee, compared with several previous presidents, is recognized for being well-informed about both the broad and narrow aspects of affairs,” a political analyst said, Tuesday, on condition of anonymity. The analyst said that this trait was built over Lee's political career, from serving as mayor of Seongnam and then governor of Gyeonggi Province, before being elected president. “This quality enables him not only to present general directions but also to provide detailed guidance, as see

Mar 31, 2026By Yi Whan-woo

From bakery cafes to sham relocations, Lee moves to close policy loopholes

Politics

President to hold summits with Indonesian, French leaders in Seoul

President Lee Jae Myung will meet the leaders of Indonesia and France this week to discuss bilateral topics as well as global issues ranging from defense and artificial intelligence development to supply chains and tensions in the Middle East. Cheong Wa Dae said Monday that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit Seoul from Tuesday to Thursday, followed by French President Emmanuel Macron from Thursday to Friday. Both will be on state visits. Lee’s bilateral summit with Subianto is expected to focus on defense cooperation, particularly on the KF-21, Korea’s first domestically developed fighter jet, which began mass production last Wednesday. Indonesia is expected to be the KF-21’s first export destination, with reports saying the country is likely to purchase 16 jets. Lee previously met Subianto at last year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, where the two discussed a special strategic partnership focusing on defense, trade, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges. “This week’s meeting is expec

Mar 30, 2026By Yi Whan-woo

Yi Whan-woo

Read more

President shares video alleging Israeli soldiers abused Palestinian child

Trump may accelerate strategic flexibility push for USFK over ally dissatisfaction: Seoul analyst

Seoul races to resume transit of ships stranded in Hormuz amid US-Iran ceasefire

S. Korea, Japan must step up cooperation as US divides focus between Pacific, Middle East: ex-Japanese PM

Opposition leader criticizes gov't cash handouts scheme; president rejects 'populist' label

Korea to send special envoys to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Algeria to secure alternative crude supplies

President labels Korea's energy crisis as 'war-like situation' with no end in sight

Korea, Indonesia to boost energy security cooperation

From bakery cafes to sham relocations, Lee moves to close policy loopholes

President to hold summits with Indonesian, French leaders in Seoul

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