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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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South Korea

Kim Ou-joon, bearded YouTuber who moves and shakes Korea's liberal politics

Few media personalities have wielded as much influence over Korea's liberal political discourse as podcaster and YouTube host Kim Ou-joon. Over nearly three decades, Kim has evolved from an unconventional journalist running the tabloid-style online publication Ddanzi Ilbo into one of the country's most recognizable political commentators, building a loyal following through podcasts, radio and YouTube. His political clout is reflected in his close ties to the liberal camp's most influential figures, many of whom he has regularly featured on his programs, including former President Moon Jae-in, former ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Jung Chung-rae and former presidential secretary for AI policy and future planning Ha Jung-woo. His political prominence became even more apparent after the June 3 local elections, when a newly coined term referring to influential figures associated with the DPK gained traction online against the backdrop of the party's internal factional divide. Kim is grouped with four other prominent liberal figures in the acronym "Moon-Cho-Teol-Rae-Rhyu." The

Jul 16, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Kim Ou-joon, bearded YouTuber who moves and shakes Korea's liberal politics
Politics

Modest minimum wage hike reflects president's pragmatic approach to labor policy

Next year's minimum wage, set with a modest increase, is reinforcing the view that President Lee Jae Myung's administration is pursuing a pragmatic economic agenda that balances the interests of workers and employers, according to analysts, Wednesday. The hourly minimum wage for 2027 was set at 10,700 won ($7.10) on Tuesday, up 380 won, or 3.7 percent, from this year's 10,320 won. The latest adjustment follows this year's 2.9 percent raise, bringing the average annual growth rate during the Lee administration's first two years in office to 3.3 percent. The figure represents the second-lowest average annual rise among all governments since the minimum wage system was introduced, trailing only former President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration, which posted a record-low average of 3.1 percent. "The data suggest that, despite its progressive roots, the Lee administration is placing equal weight on the interests of workers and businesses rather than tilting decisively toward organized labor,” said Jung Ho-chul of the Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ), a civic activist group. Ju

Jul 15, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Modest minimum wage hike reflects president's pragmatic approach to labor policy
South Korea

Seoul mayor denied chance to speak on housing at 1st Cabinet meeting since reelection

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was denied an opportunity to publicly address housing policy at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, his first in-person encounter with President Lee Jae Myung since beginning his fifth term as mayor of the Korean capital. This marked Oh's first Cabinet meeting in 11 months, since August 2025, and his first since he was reelected in the closely contested June 3 local elections. The encounter drew attention as the mayor and the president have diverging views on housing policy, with Oh expected to present his views directly to Lee. Lee, who resumed chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting after returning from the NATO summit in Turkey and a state visit to Mongolia, congratulated Oh on his reelection and gave him the floor before the live broadcast open session moved behind closed doors. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook had presided over last week's meeting — the first since newly elected local government officials took office on July 1 — in the president's absence. As an attending official rather than a Cabinet member, Oh could speak only when given the floor by the president or

Jul 14, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Seoul mayor denied chance to speak on housing at 1st Cabinet meeting since reelection
Politics

Ex-ruling party chair Jung declares bid for 2nd term

Former ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Jung Chung-rae formally declared his bid for the party leadership on Monday, pledging to stand by President Lee Jae Myung amid speculation about friction in their relationship. The new leadership will be elected at the DPK's national convention on Aug. 17. "As I have done so far, I will remain at the president’s side to the very end as part of a united team speaking with one voice alongside the party, the government and the presidential office," Jung said during a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Jung said he had spent the past year "holding high the banner of bold reform" as party chairman and pledged to become "an even stronger reform-minded leader" if reelected. In particular, Jung pledged to complete prosecutorial reform, one of the president's key pledges, describing it as one of the DPK's signature policy initiatives. The former DPK chair asserted that he will not seek reelection for personal political ambitions, including a future presidential run. Jung, who has led the party since August 2025, is s

Jul 13, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Ex-ruling party chair Jung declares bid for 2nd term
Foreign Affairs

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK A firsthand look at 'Mongtan New City'

ULAANBAATAR — The daily commute between the press corps’ hotel and the press center was an unexpected hurdle during President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to Mongolia from Thursday to Saturday. Although the distance was about 2 kilometers — a 10-minute shuttle bus ride under normal conditions — morning traffic jams in Ulaanbaatar, coupled with the shuttle’s once-an-hour service often forced reporters to make the roughly 30-minute walk instead. Yet what began as a hurdle provided an opportunity to experience firsthand the so-called “Mongtan New City” — a portmanteau of Mongolia and Dongtan, a satellite town near Seoul that rapidly filled with convenience stores, cafes, bakeries and restaurants after its development in the 2000s. The nickname has become shorthand for the districts of Ulaanbaatar where Korean lifestyle and culture have become woven into everyday life. Likewise, the 2-kilometer stretch between the lodging and the press center was lined with familiar Korean brands, including the convenience store chains CU and GS25, as well as coffee chains such as Mega Coff

Jul 11, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
[REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK] A firsthand look at 'Mongtan New City'
Foreign Affairs

PHOTO President attends Mongolia's traditional festival as guest of honor

President Lee Jae Myung tries a traditonal Mongolian bow as he attends Naadam, Mongolia's traditional festival and largest national celebration commemorating the country's spirit of freedom and independence, in Ulaanbaatar, Saturday. Lee attended the event as a guest of honor on the last day of his three-day state visit to Mongolia. Yonhap

Jul 11, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
[PHOTO] President attends Mongolia's traditional festival as guest of honor
Foreign Affairs

President calls for Mongolian legislative, government support for summit follow-up

ULAANBAATAR — President Lee Jae Myung called for follow-up support from Mongolia's legislature and government as he met the country's parliamentary speaker and prime minister in Ulaanbaatar, Friday, a day after holding a summit with Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. Lee held separate talks with Sandag Byambatsogt, chairman of the State Great Khural, Mongolia's parliament, and Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral, after the two presidents agreed to strengthen the countries' complementary partnership during Thursday's summit. The summit took place on the first day of Lee's state visit, which runs through Saturday. "I hope that yesterday's summit will serve as a turning point for building an even deeper and stronger relationship between Korea and Mongolia, and in that regard, the role of the legislature is especially important," Lee said during his meeting with Byambatsogt. Meeting with Uchral, Lee expressed hope that the prime minister "will closely follow up on the various agenda items agreed upon yesterday," noting that he oversees the government's “day-to-day affairs.” The presiden

Jul 10, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
President calls for Mongolian legislative, government support for summit follow-up
Foreign Affairs

President visits Korean independence activist memorial in Mongolia

ULAANBAATAR — President Lee Jae Myung visited a memorial dedicated to Lee Tae-jun (1883-1921), a Korean independence activist who lived in Mongolia, Friday, on the 105th anniversary of his death. The president paid tribute to the martyr, a physician who devoted himself to the movement for independence from Japan and is often dubbed as the "Schweitzer of Mongolia," during his three-day state visit to Mongolia through Saturday. It was the first visit to the memorial by a Korean president since August 2011 and came a day after the leaders of the two counties signed a memorandum of understanding to preserve the site at their bilateral summit. The president laid flowers at Lee Tae-jun's cenotaph in Ulaanbaatar and observed a moment of silence. The wreath bore a ribbon reading, "105th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Lee Tae-jun — President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea." Lee Tae-jun established a clinic in Mongolia during 1910-45 Japan's colonial rule, introducing modern medicine while supporting Korea's independence movement. Touring the memorial's exhibition hall, the president ex

Jul 10, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
President visits Korean independence activist memorial in Mongolia
Foreign Affairs

President urges Korea, Mongolia to join forces for critical mineral supply chain

ULAANBAATAR — President Lee Jae Myung urged Korea and Mongolia to join hands to build a resilient supply chain for critical minerals, stressing that Mongolia's abundant natural resources and Korea's industrial know-how could create strong synergy. In his congratulatory speech at the Korea-Mongolia Business Forum on the sidelines of the bilateral summit in Ulaanbaatar, Lee called on the two countries to create more models of shared growth by expanding cooperation beyond retail and consumer goods. “Let us join forces as reliable partners in critical mineral supply chains,” the president said during the forum attended by about 300 entrepreneurs from the two countries. Business representatives from major Korean companies, including LS Holdings, POSCO Holdings, SK Group, LG CNS, GS Retail, Emart, BGF Retail and Hanwha Investment & Securities, attended the forum. Mongolia was represented by officials from MCS Group, Tavan Bogd Group and other leading companies. Lee pointed to Mongolia's abundant reserves of critical minerals such as copper, molybdenum, tungsten and rare earth elements, as

Jul 9, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
President urges Korea, Mongolia to join forces for critical mineral supply chain
Foreign Affairs

Korea, Mongolia discuss critical minerals, Korean Peninsula on president's state visit

ULAANBAATAR — The leaders of South Korea and Mongolia agreed to expand cooperation on critical minerals to build a resilient and complementary partnership in trade and supply chains during their summit in Ulaanbaatar, Thursday. President Lee Jae Myung also exchanged views with Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa on promoting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula by leveraging Mongolia's decadeslong friendly ties with North Korea. The bilateral summit took place on the first day of Lee’s three-day state visit to Mongolia — the first by a Korean head of state in 15 years and just one year after Lee took office in June 2025. According to Cheong Wa Dae, the timing reflected the two countries’ view of each other as important partners in diversifying their diplomatic horizons, with Seoul’s “pragmatic diplomacy” aligning with Ulaanbaatar’s “Third Neighbor Policy.” “Mongolia is a key partner in Korea’s pragmatic, national interest-focused diplomacy, and Korea is Mongolia’s most trusted partner for strategic cooperation. I hope that this message is clearly conve

Jul 9, 2026By Yi Whan-woo
Korea, Mongolia discuss critical minerals, Korean Peninsula on president's state visit
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