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Top diplomats of S. Korea, Qatar discuss evacuations, energy supply amid Middle East crisis

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a phone call with his Qatari counterpart Monday and asked for support for the safe return of South Korean nationals and stable energy supplies amid the ongoing conflict surrounding Iran, Seoul's foreign ministry said. During the call with Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Cho mentioned Qatar's recent announcement to suspend production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and asked for the country's cooperation to ensure stable energy supplies to South Korea, according to the ministry. The Qatari minister asked for Seoul's attention and support regarding recent damage to civilian facilities in Qatar and other member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council following attacks by Iran. Cho expressed deep concern and condolences over damage to civilians, as well as civilian facilities and energy infrastructure, in Qatar and other Gulf countries. Cho also thanked Qatar for arranging an emergency flight to carry South Koreans staying in the Middle Eastern country and expressed hope for continued close consultations on the issue. A speci

Mar 9, 2026By Yonhap
Top diplomats of S. Korea, Qatar discuss evacuations, energy supply amid Middle East crisis

PPP adopts resolution opposing ex-President Yoon's political comeback

The main opposition People Power Party on Monday apologized for the 2024 martial law declaration by then President Yoon Suk Yeol and pledged to sever ties with him amid an ongoing internal feud ahead of the June 3 local elections. The announcement came in a resolution issued in the name of all party lawmakers, as the party grapples with falling public support after Yoon's martial law attempt and internal divisions over its political direction and ties with the former president. Some party members have called for a clear break from Yoon, while others back the so-called Yoon Again movement. "We once again sincerely apologize to the public for the great confusion and disappointment caused by the wrongful declaration of the Dec. 3 martial law," the resolution read. "We clearly oppose any calls for Yoon's political comeback." The resolution was read by floor leader Rep. Song Eon-seog, while all lawmakers attending the meeting, including party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, stood in support.

Mar 9, 2026By Yonhap
PPP adopts resolution opposing ex-President Yoon's political comeback

Top presidential aide voices hope 'yellow envelope act' to promote labor-management dialogue

President Lee Jae Myung's chief of staff said Monday the revised labor law aimed at broadening workers' bargaining rights should serve as a starting point for promoting dialogue and co-prosperity between labor and management. Kang Hoon-sik made the remark during a meeting with senior presidential aides on the eve of the implementation of the so-called yellow envelope act, which is designed to guarantee bargaining rights for indirectly employed and subcontracted workers and prohibit companies from filing damage claims against unionized workers. "The act should become a new starting point for co-prosperity between workers and management," Kang said. The pro-labor bill will take effect after passing on a third attempt, following two vetoes by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who argued it would make it difficult for companies to hold unions accountable for illegal strikes and could hamper business activities. "It will serve as an important turning point that removes the shackles of retaliatory damage claims threatening workers' right to live and opens the door to dialogue," Kang said. He call

Mar 9, 2026By Yonhap
Top presidential aide voices hope 'yellow envelope act' to promote labor-management dialogue

Industry ministry to form team to manage envisioned US investment projects under trade deal

The industry ministry said Monday it will create a team dedicated to managing South Korea's investment projects in the United States as part of a trade deal between the two countries, vowing to develop projects that benefit Korean companies. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources unveiled the plan in a policy briefing to the National Assembly as the rival parties have agreed to pass a special bill to support Seoul's investment in U.S. through the parliament this week. The bill was designed to support the implementation of Seoul's $350 billion investment pledge to the U.S. made under its trade deal with Washington finalized late last year in return for tariff cuts. The envisioned investment will comprise $150 billion for shipbuilding cooperation and $200 billion for projects in strategic sectors. The ministry said the team will be in charge of identifying potential investment projects with "commercial rationality," where the participation of Korean companies and investment recovery is assured. For example, for shipbuilding cooperation, the team plans to pursue low-risk projects, inc

Mar 9, 2026By Yonhap
Industry ministry to form team to manage envisioned US investment projects under trade deal

PPP faces candidate shortage for local elections as heavyweights skip primaries

The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) is facing growing strain ahead of the June 3 local elections after several political heavyweights opted out of the party’s primary races, potentially weakening its chances against the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). According to the party's primary registration list that was finalized Sunday night, candidate sign-ups were weak across key regions, including the Seoul metropolitan area and South Chungcheong Province. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, considered one of the party's most prominent figures, opted out of the PPP's Seoul mayoral primary. His announcement, made just hours before the registration deadline, came as a surprise to many as he previously hinted he would seek a fifth term. His decision comes amid a widening rift with the PPP leadership. Oh has publicly urged PPP chairman Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok to clarify the party’s political direction and distance its leadership from supporters of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his martial law debacle, saying it would improve the party’s chances in local elections. Rep. Na Kyung-won, a

Mar 9, 2026By Lee Hyo-jin
PPP faces candidate shortage for local elections as heavyweights skip primaries

PM to attend Boao Forum in China this month

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok plans to attend the Boao Forum for Asia in China later this month, his office said Monday. Kim is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the annual conference slated to be held in Boao, Hainan Province, from March 24-27, the office said in a press release. This will be the prime minister's second trip overseas since he took office, following his visit to Washington in January, where he met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Kim is likely to use his trip to China to meet with senior Chinese officials as the two countries seek to strengthen ties following President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to Beijing in January. Also a factor in the decision to attend the forum was that former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon currently serves as chairman of the organization, sources said.

Mar 9, 2026By Yonhap
PM to attend Boao Forum in China this month

Gov't to refer Nonghyup chief to police over alleged embezzlement, bribery

The government said Monday it plans to refer the chairman of NongHyup, the country's agricultural cooperative and banking group, to the police for investigation over allegations of embezzlement and bribery. The plan was announced by an interagency team, comprised of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the agriculture ministry, the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, following a special audit of NongHyup (the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation), its affiliates and member cooperatives that began Jan. 26. The team said it found various irregularities, such as possible embezzlement of public funds, preferential loan agreements and accounting fraud. Of them, the team plans to refer 14 major cases to the police for investigation, while ordering NongHyup to devise remedies or improvements for a tentative 96 additional cases. According to the findings, NongHyup Chairman Kang Ho-dong embezzled the funds of an affiliated foundation in 2024 and 2025 with the help of one of its senior officials to procure 490 million won ($327,000) worth of gifts

Mar 9, 2026By Yonhap
Gov't to refer Nonghyup chief to police over alleged embezzlement, bribery

Gov't to implement price cap system for petroleum products this week

The Korean government plans to introduce a temporary price cap on petroleum products as early as this week to curb surging fuel costs triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East, the presidential policy chief said Monday. The system will allow the government to set an upper limit on retail fuel prices for a fixed period to prevent sharp spikes. Presidential chief of staff for policy Kim Yong-beom said at a briefing that the government will work fast to complete administrative steps, including issuing a ministerial notice, so the cap could take effect within days. He said officials had discussed detailed measures to prevent abnormal pricing of petroleum products and improve price predictability in the market, adding that the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources will move quickly to finalize procedures needed to introduce the system. Earlier Monday, President Lee Jae Myung convened an emergency economic meeting and ordered the immediate introduction of the price cap, along with a crackdown on price manipulation, to shield the public from economic fallout linked to the Middle

Mar 9, 2026By Anna J. Park
Gov't to implement price cap system for petroleum products this week

Lee urges caution over reform measures to minimize side effects

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday urged caution in pushing ahead with reform measures to minimize potential side effects, suggesting a "surgical correction" approach where necessary. Lee reaffirmed his commitment to carrying out reform initiatives to address problems across various sectors, but stressed the need to avoid discouraging or hurting many members who are not involved in causing those problems. "Reform often requires surgical correction," Lee wrote on social media platform X. "To resolve problems, it is essential to accurately identify their root causes and clearly distinguish what is right from what is wrong." "Whether it is prosecution reform, labor and economic reform, media reform or judicial reform, that is how I believe reform should be approached," he added. Even when pursuing necessary reforms, Lee said the government should avoid indiscriminately condemning everyone or treating all as targets of reform, warning against "burning down the whole house to catch a flea." "No matter how difficult reform may be, we must never give up on it, but we must proceed with great cauti

Mar 9, 2026By Yonhap
Lee urges caution over reform measures to minimize side effects

Seoul mayor didn't apply for PPP's candidacy for June local elections

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Sunday did not register his candidacy for reelection with the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) by the deadline, according to his aides. Oh did not register as a PPP candidate for the Seoul mayoral race in the June 3 local elections by the deadline set for 6 p.m. Sunday, as he thinks the party should prioritize severing ties with former President Yoon Suk Yeol ahead of the polls, according to his aides. Oh has been calling for PPP leadership to shift the party line to distance itself from Yoon, who is now in jail over the December 2024 martial law crisis.

Mar 8, 2026By Yonhap
Seoul mayor didn't apply for PPP's candidacy for June local elections
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