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Gov't to submit extra budget bill to National Assembly this week: finance minister

Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho speaks at a meeting with lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party, May 11. Yonhap The government has drawn up an extra budget bill aimed at compensating COVID-19 pandemic-hit small merchants and will submit it to the National Assembly later this week, Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho said Wednesday.Choo made the remarks at the first consultative meeting between the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the government, a day after President Yoon Suk-yeol took office.He said the extra budget was mainly aimed at compensating for the financial damage suffered by small merchants, and stabilizing prices for vulnerable people.The plan will be endorsed at a Cabinet meeting Thursday and submitted to the National Assembly, Friday, Choo said, adding the government will fully cooperate with lawmakers to have the bill approved by the end of the month.During the meeting, PPP floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong said the extra budget must include a cas

May 11, 2022
Gov't to submit extra budget bill to National Assembly this week: finance minister

No honeymoon for Yoon as opposition party dominates National Assembly

President Yoon Suk-yeol waves to the audience during his inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapIt remains to be seen how Yoon will break domestic deadlock to get things done By Nam Hyun-wooA tough road lies ahead for President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is set to clash over practically every issue with the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) that controls 171 seats out of the 300-member National Assembly.The ongoing confirmation hearings of Yoon's picks for Cabinet minister nominees show clearly that there is no honeymoon for the new, conservative government. The DPK is demanding that several Cabinet ministers, including Justice Minister nominee Han Dong-hoon, quit, saying they are unqualified or unethical for the jobs.Yoon is already facing difficulties in appointing his prime minister. The prime minister needs to get the nod from the National Assembly to take the helm, but the president is free to appoint his other picks once confirmation hearings are over. But Yoon's possible unilateral action to appoint his Cabinet minister picks wou

May 11, 2022By Nam Hyun-woo
No honeymoon for Yoon as opposition party dominates National Assembly

Moon arrives at new home after attending Yoon's inauguration ceremony

Former President Moon Jae-in, left, and his wife Kim Jung-sook wave toward his supporters upon arriving at his new home in Yangsan, 420 kilometers southeast of Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapFormer President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook arrived at their new home in the southeastern city of Yangsan on Tuesday after attending the inauguration ceremony of President Yoon Suk-yeol.Moon and Kim boarded a KTX high-speed train at Seoul Station earlier in the day to head to their home in Yangsan, 420 kilometers south of Seoul, along with some of his former aides and lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. "I'm set free," Moon smiled as he waved to his supporters before boarding the train. "As I promised when I became president, I went back to the rural town where we were," Moon said. "Don't be regretful about me leaving office and going back to the rural town."Putting his arm around his wife's shoulder, the immediate ex-president said he will "live well." About 1,000 supporters gathered at Seoul Station to greet Moon and Kim, with some waving banners reading "You Are My E

May 10, 2022
Moon arrives at new home after attending Yoon's inauguration ceremony

Yoon calls on Nat'l Assembly to approve PM nominee

President Yoon Suk-yeol signs his first presidential bill at the new presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap President kicks off first day after inauguration ceremony By Nam Hyun-woo President Yoon Suk-yeol began his work as the country's chief executive by signing a motion asking the National Assembly to approve Prime Minister nominee Han Duck-soo, whose appointment has been delayed by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). Including the motion, Yoon had a grueling first day as president, taking over control of the military as the commander-in-chief and meeting overseas guests and leaders who attended his inauguration ceremony, held at the National Assembly earlier in the day. According to the presidential office, Yoon signed the motion on Han's appointment as the first bill with his signature on it as president. Following the motion, Yoon appointed seven Cabinet members ― the ministers of the economy, science, national defens

May 10, 2022By Nam Hyun-woo
Yoon calls on Nat'l Assembly to approve PM nominee

Domestic dignitaries reveal Korea's turbulent modern history

Outgoing President Moon Jae-in, left, and his wife Kim Jung-sook attend President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly on Seoul's Yeouido, Tuesday. Former President Park Geun-hye, right, is seated behind Moon. Yonhap By Kwon Mee-yoo President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony held at the National Assembly on Seoul's Yeouido was graced by a handful of domestic dignitaries who have witnessed the ups and downs of Korea's modern history, including former presidents and their family members.Outgoing President Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook, who left Cheong Wa Dae Monday as the presidential office opened to the public on Tuesday, was on stage as the new president was inaugurated. When Yoon entered the stage for the inauguration ceremony, he first greeted outgoing President Moon and then he moved to welcome former President Park Geun-hye, who was in the first row of honored guests, right behind Moon.Park was released on Dec. 31 on a sp

May 10, 2022By Kwon Mee-yoo
Domestic dignitaries reveal Korea's turbulent modern history

Yoon vows to rebuild nation by defending 'value of freedom'

President Yoon Suk-yeol salutes during his inauguration at the National Assembly Plaza, Tuesday. Former president Park Geun-hye is seen sitting to the left directly behind Yoon. Joint Press Corps.Former prosecutor general sworn in as Korea's president By Ko Dong-hwan President Yoon Suk-yeol was sworn in as president on Tuesday and promised to rebuild the nation as a responsible, respected member of the international community based on democracy and a free market economy.Reiterating freedom, peace and human rights as some of the core values of the nation, Yoon said he would do his utmost to help the country play a greater role in defending those values around the world.“It is our generation's calling to build a nation that espouses liberal democracy and ensures a thriving market economy, a nation that fulfills its responsibility as a trusted member of the international community and a nation that truly belongs to the people,” he said. The most frequently used word in Yoon's inauguration speech was “freedom,” which was used 35 times. It was followed by “pe

May 10, 2022
Yoon vows to rebuild nation by defending 'value of freedom'

Cambodian immigrant, North Korean defector, 'Squid Game' star among '20 representatives of hope'

South Korean flags are seen outside of the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. An immigrant from Cambodia, a North Korean defector and “Squid Game” star O Yeong-su were among “the 20 representatives of hope” who appeared on stage with President Yoon Suk-yeol during his inauguration. AP-YonhapBy Jung Min-hoUm Gye-sookAn immigrant from Cambodia, a North Korean defector and “Squid Game” star O Yeong-su were among “the 20 representatives of hope” who appeared on stage with President Yoon Suk-yeol during his inauguration Tuesday.According to the presidential office, the representatives are “the hidden giants” who “made Korea proud” through their hard work and dedication. The list alludes symbolically to the policy direction of the new government.Park Chae-eun, 35, a Cambodian-born woman who began a new life here after marrying a Korean national, was selected to represent multicultural families, which have become increasingly visible in Korean society over the past few years. Children from such households account for

May 10, 2022By Jung Min-ho
Cambodian immigrant, North Korean defector, 'Squid Game' star among '20 representatives of hope'

Mixed reactions to Yoon's new presidential office building

The Ministry of National Defense building in Seoul's Yongsan District / YonhapResidents in the neighborhood around the new presidential office showed mixed reactions on the first day of the relocation Tuesday, with some, especially shop owners, expressing hopes it would lead to increased sales and others voicing concern about traffic congestion and noise from rallies.President Yoon Suk-yeol began work at what previously was the defense ministry building in Seoul's Yongsan District after carrying out his election promise to move the presidential office out of Cheong Wa Dae in an effort to connect better with the people.Kim Se-in welcomed Yoon working in the neighborhood, saying that the relocation of the presidential office will accelerate the development of Yongsan, which was previously considered as a neglected and underdeveloped part of Seoul."I hope Yongsan will be the new center for the capital," Kim said. She has lived in the region for her entire life.A 49-year-old citizen surnamed Yang ― who owns a coffee shop adjacent to the compound ― was excited about the relocation, expres

May 10, 2022
Mixed reactions to Yoon's new presidential office building

Cheong Wa Dae opens to public after 74 years

The main gate of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul is being opened, Tuesday, during a celebratory event to mark the full opening of the former presidential office and residence. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBuilding interiors still remain closedBy Kwak Yeon-sooCheong Wa Dae, the presidential office and residence for more than seven decades, has been transformed from a secluded place for the president and presidential staff, to an open space for everybody. It was opened to the public for the first time in 74 years on Tuesday, the day of the inauguration of President Yoon Suk-yeol, who promised to return the compound to the public and relocate the presidential office to the defense ministry building in Yongsan District.Cheong Wa Dae has been the site of the presidential office and residence since the Republic of Korea government was established in 1948. However, President Yoon has repeatedly declared that he would never move into Cheong Wa Dae, calling it a symbol of Korea's legacy of imperial presidencies.People approach the main gate of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Tuesday, during a celebratory

May 10, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Cheong Wa Dae opens to public after 74 years

Multicultural children's choir opens Yoon's inauguration ceremony

Dancers give performance during President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony held at the National Assembly, Tuesday. Joint Press CorpsNew government expected to promote multicultural policiesBy Lee Hyo-jin President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony kicked off on Tuesday with the national anthem sung by a choir consisting of children from multicultural backgrounds, raising expectations that policies for people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds will receive more attention under the new governmentThe Rainbow Choir, comprised of about 30 children from multicultural backgrounds, along with bass Youn Kwang-chul, sang Korea's national anthem for the inauguration ceremony on the National Assembly lawn, Tuesday. The ceremony was held under the slogan of, “Again Korea! A new country of the people,” with about 41,000 guests in attendance.But unlike previous presidential inaugural ceremonies, which usually included star-studded performances from famous artists and K-pop stars, lesser-known stars and ordinary people were invited for congratulatory performances, refl

May 10, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin
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