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Constitutional Court rules in favor of minor parties over proportional representation

The Constitutional Court ruled Thursday that a current legal provision barring minor parties that win less than 3 percent of the valid party votes in general elections from obtaining proportional representation seats at the National Assembly is unconstitutional. In a 7-to-2 vote, the court made the decision against Article 189, Paragraph 1 of the Public Official Election Act, which stipulates the Assembly's proportional representation seats shall be allocated only to political parties earning at least 3 percent of the total valid party votes nationwide. The ruling came in response to a petition from a group of minor party proportional seat candidates who claimed that the 3 percent threshold in the Public Official Election Act violates their right to equality. The court said the 3 percent rule can be effective in deterring the harm caused by the proliferation of minor parties but can also have the negative effect of preventing new political forces from entering the National Assembly. It also stressed that there is no reasonable reason to exclude minor parties from the allocation of propor

Jan 29, 2026By Yonhap
Constitutional Court rules in favor of minor parties over proportional representation

Nat'l Assembly passes special bill on supporting semiconductor industry

The National Assembly on Thursday passed a special bill aimed at expanding support for the semiconductor industry as Korea seeks to bolster the global competitiveness of one of its key export sectors. The bill was approved during a plenary session, laying the legal groundwork for broad government support for semiconductor clusters and related infrastructure. It includes provisions for designating semiconductor clusters and establishing a legal basis for financial assistance. Once implemented, it would lower regulations for the construction and expansion of infrastructure, such as power supply, water resources and road networks, and provide a basis for the central and local governments to offer tax incentives to companies. An exception to the 52-hour workweek, a key point of contention between the ruling and opposition parties, was not included in the bill, despite industry calls to exempt semiconductor researchers from the limit when extended hours are needed. The bill's passage comes as major chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix posted record earnings last year, buoyed by strong d

Jan 29, 2026By Yonhap
Nat'l Assembly passes special bill on supporting semiconductor industry

Lee urges stronger social safety net to address side effects of AI-led polarization

President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday called for efforts to strengthen the social safety net and ease side effects from expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, stressing thorough preparations for the AI transition. Lee addressed growing concerns over changes in the job market in the AI era, citing opposition by the labor union at Hyundai Motor to the deployment of AI-powered humanoid robots on production lines as an example of mounting anxieties. "We cannot avoid the huge wheel rolling toward us. In the end, we have to adapt quickly," Lee said during a meeting with senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae. He noted that his earlier pledge to expand the social safety net during his tenure as a mayor of Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, is gaining broader support amid the rapid spread of AI technologies. "There appears to be a growing consensus on the need for basic social policies to prepare for extreme polarization in an AI-driven society," he said. Lee voiced concern over the future of an increasingly polarized labor market, in which wealth is concentrated among those who own the m

Jan 29, 2026By Yonhap
Lee urges stronger social safety net to address side effects of AI-led polarization

PPP expels former party leader Han Dong-hoon

The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday expelled its former leader Han Dong-hoon over allegations of opinion manipulation by his family members on the party's online bulletin board. Expulsion is the party’s highest level of disciplinary action, and he immediately lost his party membership. The decision immediately triggered backlash from Han and his aides, who called for the resignation of the current party leader, Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok. It is expected to intensify the party’s long-simmering conflict between the Han faction, which has denounced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law fiasco, and the current leadership that has not clearly severed ties with Yoon. The expulsion was decided at a meeting of the party’s Supreme Council, which endorsed a prior ruling by its central ethics committee to kick out Han over the opinion manipulation allegations. Nine party officials, including six Supreme Council members as well as the party leader, floor leader and policy chief, participated in the vote, and eight of them consented to the expulsion. The expulsion prevents

Jan 29, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji
PPP expels former party leader Han Dong-hoon

US Embassy launches event celebrating 250th founding anniv. of US

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday launched a public diplomacy campaign to mark the 250th anniversary of the country's founding, underscoring cultural exchanges as a key means of strengthening ties with South Korea. The event, titled "Freedom of Expression: Freedom 250 U.S.-Korea Creative Dialogues," was the first in a series of programs being organized by the embassy this year to celebrate its July 4 founding anniversary in Korea. Wednesday's event showcased artworks by Korean modern artist Je Jung-ja, whose work has been deeply shaped by American artists like Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Andy Warhol, according to the embassy. The exhibits on display featured her artworks inspired by "beoseon," traditional Korean socks. "Her art reflects not only remarkable talent but also the kind of cultural bridge-building that strengthens the multifaceted relationship between our nations," James Heller, charge d'affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, said. "Tonight's reception is part of our yearlong Freedom 250 campaign marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United S

Jan 28, 2026By Yonhap
US Embassy launches event celebrating 250th founding anniv. of US

Foreign workers needed, but at what cost? Korea debates 'metropolitan visa' plan

President Lee Jae Myung has sparked intense debate with his comments on the “metropolitan visa” policy, aimed at supplying foreign labor to Korea’s industrial regions. The controversy escalated after President Lee openly criticized the shipbuilding industry’s reliance on low-wage foreign workers during a visit to Ulsan, a hub for the nation’s maritime sector. His remarks have divided stakeholders. Local governments and businesses view the visa as a desperate measure to solve chronic labor shortages, while labor groups and critics argue it merely entrenches harsh working conditions and low wages. The metropolitan visa program, also known as the metropolitan-recommended visa, is a system that allows local governments to tailor visa requirements to their specific industrial needs and regional conditions. Once approved by the central government, the visas are issued to foreign nationals. Ulsan has aggressively adopted this system to support its struggling shipyards. The city plans to bring in 440 foreign workers by the end of this year, following the recruitment of 88 workers last

Jan 28, 2026By Hankookilbo
Foreign workers needed, but at what cost? Korea debates 'metropolitan visa' plan

Lee pays tribute to PM Lee Hae-chan, awards highest civilian decoration

President Lee Jae Myung paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan on Tuesday and posthumously awarded Korea's highest civilian decoration in recognition of his lifelong dedication to democracy and public service. President Lee visited the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital in central Seoul, where he conferred the Mugunghwa Medal on the late prime minister. It is the nation's top civilian honor given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to national development across various fields. After laying a wreath at the memorial altar, President Lee greeted and consoled the bereaved family, at times wiping away tears. Lee Hae-chan, who died Sunday while visiting Vietnam, was a towering figure in Korea's pro-democracy movement. He endured torture and imprisonment during the authoritarian regimes before going on to serve as a seven-term lawmaker and advise multiple liberal presidents. In October, he was appointed senior vice president of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council to support the Lee administration's policies on North Korea and inter-Korean rel

Jan 27, 2026By Yonhap
Lee pays tribute to PM Lee Hae-chan, awards highest civilian decoration

Why Korea's president is talking about sanitary pad prices

“State-produced sanitary pads” have emerged as a topic of discussion in Korean politics after President Lee Jae Myung repeatedly criticized the high price of menstrual products and ordered officials to explore policies to provide them free of charge. As the government reviews the feasibility of such a plan, some observers have already begun referring to it as a “basic sanitary pad” policy — a nod to Lee’s earlier push for “basic income” during his time as a local government head. Women’s groups, however, caution that affordability cannot come at the expense of safety. According to government officials on Sunday, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family recently held an internal meeting to discuss policy responses to the high price of sanitary pads. Alongside existing options such as in-kind distribution and voucher support, the ministry is also considering a contract-manufacturing model proposed by Lee. Under this approach, the government would commission the production of sanitary pads that meet a baseline quality standard and distribute them free of charge to designa

Jan 27, 2026By Hankookilbo
Why Korea's president is talking about sanitary pad prices

Seoul city councilor resigns over bribery allegations

A Seoul city councilor said Monday she will resign over allegations she bribed a lawmaker to win a nomination for her councilorship ahead of the 2022 local elections. Kim Kyung stated her intention in a statement released by her lawyer, saying she submitted her letter of resignation to the chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Council earlier in the day. Kim is under police investigation for allegedly giving 100 million won ($69,300) to Rep. Kang Sun-woo, who recently left the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and became an independent, in exchange for the party's nomination of her for the councilorship. "Regarding the controversial offering of 100 million won to Rep. Kang Sun-woo, I feel heavy responsibility for having failed to uphold the ethical duties of a public official," she said in the statement. "It was my mistake, and I will not make any excuses." Kim went on to say she will continue to faithfully comply with all investigations, uncover the truth and receive the legal punishment matching her wrongdoing. The scandal broke at the end of last month after a recording was disclosed in

Jan 26, 2026By Yonhap
Seoul city councilor resigns over bribery allegations

Ex-PM Lee Hae-chan's 5-day funeral to be held later this week

The funeral of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, who died while visiting Vietnam, will be held for five days this week in the format of a "social funeral" in consideration of his contribution to society, officials said Monday. Lee, who was serving as a senior vice president of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), died at a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday after suffering cardiac arrest. The funeral, to be hosted by PUAC and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, will be held from Jan. 27-31, according to PUAC officials. Lee's body is expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport early Tuesday before being transported to the funeral venue. The service will be carried out in the format of a "social funeral," a ceremony to mourn the death of an influential figure who made contributions to society. The funeral period is also longer than the usual three-day service in Korea. The former prime minister arrived in the Vietnamese city Thursday but collapsed Friday while preparing to return home after his flu-like symptoms worsened. He was taken to a nearby hospital and un

Jan 26, 2026By Yonhap
Ex-PM Lee Hae-chan's 5-day funeral to be held later this week
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