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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.

Lee calls for all-out efforts for rescue operations after Hanhwa Aerospace factory explosion

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday instructed government officials to mobilize all available resources for rescue efforts after an explosion at a Hanwha Aerospace factory in the central city of Daejeon left at least five people dead and two others injured. Lee ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion and called for measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said, amid concerns that the number of casualties could rise. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok also ordered the interior ministry, the fire agency, police and the Daejeon city government to mobilize all available equipment and personnel to put out the fire and rescue victims so as to ensure no additional casualties occur. The labor ministry, the science ministry, the aerospace agency, and other related ministries and agencies should also provide full cooperation for rescue efforts, Kim said. Kim will visit the site later Monday, his office said. Authorities received a report of the explosion at 10:59 a.m. and were working to confirm the exact number of casualties. Polic

Jun 1, 2026By Yonhap
Lee calls for all-out efforts for rescue operations after Hanhwa Aerospace factory explosion

Local election results to decide fates of major party leaders

The outcome of the local elections slated for Wednesday is decisive for each candidate. But it will also determine the political fate of major party leaders: Rep. Jung Chung-rae of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP). While both leaders are likely to seek another term, a landslide victory for the DPK signals a boost for Jung not only as the party's leader but also as a potential presidential contender. For the PPP, Jang's ability to save face and keep his position will depend on the electoral success of PPP candidates in key regions, or at the very least, a smaller voter support gap between the two parties. In the early phases of the elections, a landslide victory for the DPK has been widely anticipated, backed by the high approval ratings of President Lee Jae Myung and negative sentiment against the PPP following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon was sentenced to life for insurrection and treason tied to his martial law declaration in 2024. However, the PPP was able to solidify their

Jun 1, 2026By Park Ji-won
Local election results to decide fates of major party leaders

Broadcasters gear up for high-tech showdown on election night

Korea’s three major terrestrial broadcasters are gearing up for a high-stakes, high-tech ratings battle on June 3, as they are expected to roll out lavish election night specials for the nationwide local elections. Election night coverage has emerged as a signature battleground for Korean media in recent years, with broadcasters pouring resources into data visualization, star panelists and eye-catching graphics to distinguish their shows. This year, KBS, MBC and SBS are doubling down on artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and extended reality (XR) to entice viewers and interpret the vote. For the first time, KBS will stage its election night broadcast from the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, turning a venue of recent cultural sensation into a symbolic arena for democracy. A special set around the museum’s central Mirror Pond will serve as a metaphorical pool reflecting public sentiment, while artifacts from the museum are expected to help visualize local voters’ choices. Inside the main studio, a massive LED screen, 30 meters wide and 7 meters high, will display

Jun 1, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Broadcasters gear up for high-tech showdown on election night

Presidential envoy visits Canada to expand ties, back submarine bid

Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik departed for Canada on Sunday in his capacity as presidential special envoy for strategic economic cooperation in a visit widely seen as connected to Ottawa's submarine procurement project. "ROK-Canada relations have been rapidly expanding across the economy, energy and high-tech industries," he wrote on his Facebook page. "Amid the prolonged Middle East crisis, I am keenly aware that the two countries' economic and industrial structures are highly complementary and that the potential synergies from cooperation as global middle powers are enormous. "As this marks my second visit in four months as special envoy, I will try my best to yield tangible results this time in expanding strategic cooperation between the two countries in energy, resources, supply chains and high-tech industries," he wrote. Kang is expected to attend a Korea-Canada forum on energy, security and supply chains and to support Korean shipbuilders' efforts to win Ottawa's submarine procurement project worth as much as 60 trillion won ($39.9 billion). Currently, Korea's Hanwha Oc

May 31, 2026By Yonhap
Presidential envoy visits Canada to expand ties, back submarine bid

Negative campaigning overshadows local elections

Korea’s June 3 local elections have entered their final stretch amid a surge of allegations and political attacks, with negative campaign tactics overshadowing races across major battlegrounds. Just days before voters head to the polls, candidates in key cities and provinces have traded accusations ranging from misinformation to illegal election interference. This reflects a familiar end-of-campaign pattern, but this year in particular highlights rising concerns over digital manipulation and the political neutrality of public officials. In Seoul, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea’s (DPK) mayoral candidate Chong Won-o filed a complaint Friday against incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party (PPP), alleging organized online defamation and opinion manipulation. This follows a media report claiming Oh’s campaign was involved in systematically producing and distributing negative content about his rival. Oh's camp has denied the allegations as groundless. Similar clashes have emerged in Busan, where the PPP accused DPK candidate Chun Jae-soo of spreading false information

May 31, 2026By Jung Min-ho
Negative campaigning overshadows local elections

Main opposition files complaint against Lee over alleged election law violation

The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) filed a complaint with police against President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday, alleging that he violated the election law by exposing his ballot paper during early voting for the upcoming local elections. PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok filed the complaint with police against Lee and officials at the National Election Commission (NEC) on grounds that they violated the Public Official Election Act. On Friday, Lee and first lady Kim Hea Kyung visited a neighborhood community center near Cheong Wa Dae to cast their ballots in early voting for the June 3 local elections. After entering a voting booth, Lee briefly stepped out and asked an election official nearby whether his ballot would still be valid, as the stamp appeared only partially on the ballot paper. The PPP claimed that Lee's action violated the principle of ballot secrecy. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) criticized the PPP for making a far-fetched allegation. "The election committee said there were no legal violations," Rep. Jung Chung-rae, leader of the DP told reporters during a campa

May 30, 2026By Yonhap
Main opposition files complaint against Lee over alleged election law violation

Early voting for June 3 local elections ends with record 23.51% turnout

Two-day early voting for next week's local elections, which will decide the next mayors and governors of major local governments, ended with a turnout of 23.51 percent Saturday, the election watchdog said, marking the highest figure for such polls. More than 10.4 million people out of 44.6 million registered voters cast their ballots during the early voting period, which ended at 6 p.m. Saturday after beginning at 6 a.m. Friday, according to the National Election Commission (NEC). The turnout for the first day of early voting came to 11.6 percent, followed by 11.91 percent on the second day. The combined turnout was higher than the 20.62 percent recorded in early voting for the 2022 local elections. The main vote will take place Wednesday. Among all elections, the highest early voting turnout was recorded in the 2022 presidential election at 36.93 percent. By region, South Jeolla Province posted the highest turnout with 38.95 percent, followed by North Jeolla Province with 35.05 percent. The southwestern city of Gwangju posted 27.83 percent, with the central city of Sejong recording 27.67

May 30, 2026By Yonhap
Early voting for June 3 local elections ends with record 23.51% turnout

Early voters weigh competence, daily concerns as local election voting begins

Long lines formed at early voting stations in Seoul's business districts Friday as office workers stopped by polling places near their workplaces, offering an early glimpse into the issues shaping voter sentiment ahead of next week's local elections. Early voting for the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections began Friday at 3,571 polling stations nationwide. Nationwide early voting turnout reached 11.6 percent on Friday, about 1.42 percentage point higher than at the same point during the 2022 local elections. Voters lined up from morning at an early voting station in Sogong-dong, central Seoul, as people turned out to cast their ballots on the first day of early voting. At around 10:30 a.m., long lines formed at the early voting station. The line for out-of-district voters was noticeably longer than that for local residents. Located on the fifth floor of the building, the polling station drew a steady stream of voters, with elevators arriving packed with people. Voters waited in line for elevators both on their way to the polling station and after casting their ballots. Th

May 29, 2026By Jung Da-hyun
Early voters weigh competence, daily concerns as local election voting begins

Veterans minister criticizes Starbucks over 'Tank Day' controversy

Veterans Minister Kwon Oh-eul on Friday criticized Starbucks Korea over its recent "Tank Day" promotion, saying the apparent use of a painful chapter in the nation's history as part of a marketing campaign deserves criticism. Speaking at a policy briefing with reporters, Kwon said the incident should be viewed as a corporate marketing decision rather than the action of an individual employee. He added that the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs would take a cautious approach toward ongoing cooperation projects with Starbucks until broader public consensus emerges over the issue. The minister made the remarks while outlining the Lee Jae Myung administration's first-year veterans policy achievements, including expanded support for descendants of independence fighters and surviving spouses of war veterans. Kwon said the government is seeking to strengthen support for groups that have long remained outside Korea's veterans welfare system. Speaking at a luncheon meeting with reporters, Kwon cited a recent revision of the Independence Patriots Act as one of the ministry's most significan

May 29, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji
Veterans minister criticizes Starbucks over 'Tank Day' controversy

Lee, first lady cast ballots in early voting near Cheong Wa Dae for June 3 elections

President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung visited a neighborhood community center near Cheong Wa Dae on Friday to cast their ballots in early voting for the upcoming local elections. Wearing a gray tie, Lee and his wife cast ballots at the Samcheong neighborhood community center for the June 3 elections in Incheon's Gyeyang-B district, where the first couple's personal residence is registered. The two-day early voting began earlier Friday for the local elections and parliamentary by-elections, in which 16 mayoral and gubernatorial posts will be contested, along with 227 local government chief positions and some 4,000 seats on local councils. Voters can cast their ballots at any of more than 3,500 polling stations across the nation from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The upcoming elections are the first major ones for the Lee administration since it took office in June and thus widely regarded as a referendum on its first year in office. The results are expected to determine, or at least fine-tune, the Lee administration's policy direction and personnel structure goin

May 29, 2026By Yonhap
Lee, first lady cast ballots in early voting near Cheong Wa Dae for June 3 elections
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