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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOKA young Chinese’s first encounter with Korea’s election fever

For many Chinese people born after the mid-1990s, Korea first arrived not as a country, but as a cultural phenomenon. My generation grew up with Korean dramas and reality shows. I watched "Full House" with my mom, discussed "We Got Married" with classmates after school and later followed "My Love from the Star," which became a cultural sensation among young Chinese viewers. Although cultural exchanges became less visible in China after the dispute over the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, in Korea erupted in 2016, causing a rift between the Chinese and Korean governments, interest in Korean society never entirely disappeared. Films such as "12.12: The Day" and works by writers like Han Kang and Kim Ae-ran have continued to attract young Chinese audiences, many of whom see echoes of their own experiences in the social pressures, competition and inequalities portrayed. Perhaps that is why many young Chinese look to Korea not only for entertainment, but also for perspective. That was the Korea I thought I knew before arriving in Seoul. As a journalist particip

Jun 5, 2026By Yulu Ao
A young Chinese’s first encounter with Korea’s election fever

PM highlights need for probe, if necessary, to look into ballot shortage

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Friday that a parliamentary investigation or an independent counsel probe should be used, if necessary, to determine what led to the unprecedented shortage of ballots at a dozen polling stations in Seoul in Wednesday's local elections. Kim made the remark in a social media post, saying the ballot shortage "can never be overlooked" and represents "a grave challenge" to South Korea's democracy, while promising to mobilize all possible tools to get to the bottom of the case and hold those responsible to account. "I will order the truth of this incident be revealed through all possible means and measures, including an investigation, and hold those responsible strictly accountable. If necessary, we have to make sure to uncover the truth and improve the system even through a parliamentary investigation or a special prosecutor probe."

Jun 5, 2026By Yonhap
PM highlights need for probe, if necessary, to look into ballot shortage

Lee calls for joint efforts to fight climate change on World Environment Day

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday called for joint efforts to fight climate change, marking World Environment Day. In a message posted on his X account, the president urged people to "join hands in carrying out everyday climate action" to help build a sustainable country, referring to a namesake public campaign to be launched by the environment ministry. The ministry was scheduled to launch the Climate Action campaign later in the day, promoting measures, such as reducing carbon emission, using public transportation and cutting plastic use, to help tackle climate change and protect the environment. At the scheduled launch of the campaign, the whole of society, including religious and industrial sectors, as well as civil society and the government, will come together to commit themselves to climate action, Lee noted. "Reducing the use of disposable items, turning off lights when they are not in use, walking short distances, using public transportation and carrying (reusable) shopping bags may seem trivial, but they can become a powerful force when practiced collectively," the president wr

Jun 5, 2026By Yonhap
Lee calls for joint efforts to fight climate change on World Environment Day

PPP floor leader calls for parliamentary probe into shortage of ballots in local elections

The floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday called for a parliamentary investigation into an unprecedented shortage of ballot papers in this week's local elections. Rep. Song Eon-seog made the remarks during an emergency general meeting of PPP lawmakers at the National Assembly, after the shortage at more than a dozen polling stations in Seoul on Wednesday prompted the temporary suspension of voting. Some voters left without casting their ballots after a long wait. The incident sparked public outrage, with angry protesters blocking the entrance to one of the polling stations to prevent election officials from removing the ballot boxes. "This is exactly the kind of case that requires a special counsel probe," Rep. Song said, calling for the parliamentary probe. After the controversy surfaced Wednesday night, the PPP had initially demanded the National Election Commission (NEC) immediately suspend vote counting and hold a revote. PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok and party officials visited the NEC on Wednesday to file an official complaint. The ruling Democratic Pa

Jun 4, 2026By Yonhap
PPP floor leader calls for parliamentary probe into shortage of ballots in local elections

Progressives sweep education superintendent races

Progressive candidates dominated the education superintendent races, which were part of Wednesday's local elections, tilting the balance of power among the country's education chiefs in their favor. In Seoul, incumbent superintendent Jung Geun-sik was reelected in a crowded race among eight candidates, along with other progressive incumbents in Incheon and Busan. Busan winner Kim Seok-jun secured a fourth consecutive term, claiming a record tenure in the country. Gyeonggi Province saw progressive candidate Ahn Min-seok swoop in to take office. Progressives now hold 10 of 16 superintendent positions for the next four years. Conservatives won races in six constituencies including conservative strongholds Daegu, North and South Gyeongsang Provinces, as well as Sejong, Daejeon and North Chungcheong. Daegu winner Kang Eun-hee has become the city’s first female superintendent, clinching her third consecutive term. Sejong winner Kang Mi-ae also became the city’s first female education chief. The overall outcome has shifted the country’s demography of education chiefs toward progressives,

Jun 4, 2026By Ko Dong-hwan
Progressives sweep education superintendent races

Seoul Mayor Oh defies exit poll to win reelection

In a stunning political turnaround, incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon secured his reelection in Wednesday's vote, overcoming an early exit poll projection that had forecast a loss to his liberal rival Chong Won-o. According to the National Election Commission (NEC) Thursday, as of 9 p.m., with 99.93 percent of the votes counted, Oh of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) obtained 49.19 percent of the vote, defeating Chong of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), who garnered 48.09 percent. The formal announcement of the winner has not been made. This came after an exit poll for Wednesday’s local elections released jointly by major broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS put Chong at 51.4 percent and Oh at 46 percent. During the initial stages of the count, Chong had maintained a comfortable lead. But by around 7:20 a.m. Thursday, some 13 hours after counting started, Oh had steadily erased the deficit to clinch a dramatic come-from-behind win. “This election is a victory for common sense,” Oh said at his campaign office. “It is a victory for young people who, even as they des

Jun 4, 2026By Jung Min-ho
Seoul Mayor Oh defies exit poll to win reelection

PM calls for expanding communication with newly elected heads of local governments

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok asked the government Thursday to expand communication and work closely with newly elected heads of local governments in order to deliver policy promises and produce tangible results after the ruling Democratic Party of Korea won a resounding victory in Wednesday's elections. Kim made the remark during an economic policy meeting as the DPK was projected to win as many as 12 of the 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial posts at stake in the local elections, according to ballot counts by the National Election Commission (NEC). "Nationwide local elections took place yesterday, and new officials have been elected to lead local governments for the next four years," Kim said. "We need to expand communication with local governments and check on key projects so that the government's national agenda, regional pledges and major pending issues of local governments can create synergy with one another." Kim said it is time to put policy promises into action, cooperate with local governments and produce tangible outcomes.

Jun 4, 2026By Yonhap
PM calls for expanding communication with newly elected heads of local governments

Presidential chief of staff, 2 incumbent ministers being considered as next PM: sources

President Lee Jae Myung was in the final stage of selecting a new prime minister, with presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik and two incumbent ministers currently under consideration, sources said Thursday. Lee is highly likely to announce his nominee as soon as this week, who will replace current Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, if appointed, according to the sources. Kim is expected to tender his resignation soon, the ruling bloc sources told Yonhap News Agency, as he may run for the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) at its convention in August or September. Along with the presidential chief of staff, Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho and Han Seong-sook, minister of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), were currently being considered for the post of prime minister, according to the sources. Serving as Lee's chief of staff since his inauguration a year earlier, Kang has also been working as his special envoy for strategic economic cooperation and is well acquainted with the president's diplomatic and economic policies. Justice Minister Jung, a five-term lawmaker,

Jun 4, 2026By Yonhap
Presidential chief of staff, 2 incumbent ministers being considered as next PM: sources

Ballot shortages undermine public trust in elections

Public trust in election management has plummeted after ballot shortages at polling stations in southern Seoul for Wednesday's local elections forced hundreds of voters to wait for hours past the designated end of voting hours at 6 p.m. The unprecedented situation immediately prompted strong criticism against the National Election Commission (NEC), from both liberal and conservative camps alike, as well as the presidential office. The backlash was especially strong among members of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), which had higher chances of winning in most of those districts. President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday expressed "very deep regret" over the ballot shortages, calling for a full investigation into the sloppy election management and for those found responsible to be held accountable. "It is hard to accept that such incomprehensible flaws occurred in election management, which must be carried out under the absolutely highest standard in a democratic republic,” Lee said during a Cabinet meeting. “All state institutions are obliged to thoroughly prepare for elections

Jun 4, 2026By Park Ji-won
Ballot shortages undermine public trust in elections

Ex-Minister Cho Kuk resigns as party leader after failed parliamentary comeback

Cho Kuk, leader of the minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP), failed in his bid to return to the National Assembly in a by-election held alongside Wednesday's local elections, dealing a heavy blow to his political career. According to the National Election Commission Thursday, main opposition People Power Party (PPP) candidate Yoo Ui-dong won the by-election for the Pyeongtaek-B constituency in Gyeonggi Province with 34.83 percent of the vote. Ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate Kim Yong-nam came in second with 28.77 percent, while Cho came third with 27.24 percent. Cho conceded defeat at his campaign office around 3 a.m. after Yoo's victory became certain. "The top priority of this election was to realize a 'zero PPP' outcome. While meaningful progress was made nationwide, we failed to fulfill that mandate in Pyeongtaek. The responsibility lies entirely with me," Cho told reporters. Later that day, he announced his resignation as party leader, saying he would take responsibility for the election defeat. "I may be stepping aside, but I hope our party members will continue

Jun 4, 2026By Lee Hyo-jin
Ex-Minister Cho Kuk resigns as party leader after failed parliamentary comeback
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