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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.

Embattled main opposition party to change name

The embattled main opposition People Power Party (PPP) said Monday it has decided to change its name next month in a symbolic move to shed its image before the local elections less than five months away. Rebranding the party was among a set of reform measures unveiled by PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok at a press conference last week where he issued an apology for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration. The conservative party has been in disarray over the aftermath of Yoon's failed attempt to impose martial law. The decision was announced at the party's supreme council meeting, with more than 68 percent in favor of the revision, amid the PPP's efforts to revamp its image following the martial law bid. The PPP plans to hold a public contest for the party's new name next month. If confirmed, the party's name, adopted in early September 2020, will be scrapped after around five years, marking the conservative party's fifth name change. The conservative bloc has typically rebranded its party name following major political crises, including impeachment, corruption scandals or electi

Jan 12, 2026By Yonhap
Embattled main opposition party to change name

Lee vows utmost efforts for inclusive society in meeting with religious leaders

President Lee Jae Myung said Monday he will spare no efforts to help the nation move forward an inclusive society as he seeks to ease social conflicts and hatred in order to unite a divided nation. Lee made the remarks during a luncheon with leaders from major religious communities, including Buddhism, Protestantism and Catholicism. "I will make my best efforts to build a Republic of Korea in which people are united, forgive one another and embrace each other," Lee said, referring to Korea's official name. "I believe the most important role of a president is to unite the people. I am doing my utmost, but there are limitations," he added. He expressed concern over rising social conflict and animosity, and asked religious leaders to continue playing a role in fostering unity and reconciliation, saying, "The essence of religion is the practice of love." Venerable Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order and co-chair of the Korean Council of Religious Leaders, echoed the sentiment. "We share the president's wish for the peace and stability of the nation and its people," Jinwoo said. "We hope to wo

Jan 12, 2026By Yonhap
Lee vows utmost efforts for inclusive society in meeting with religious leaders

Lee's approval rating rises for 2nd consecutive week: poll

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rose for the second consecutive week, driven by positive sentiment toward his diplomacy and economic policies, a survey showed Monday. According to the survey by Realmeter commissioned by a local news outlet, 56.8 percent gave a positive assessment of Lee's job performance, up 2.7 percentage points from the previous week. Negative assessment of Lee fell 3.6 percentage points to 37.8 percent. Realmeter attributed the increase to Lee's diplomatic and economic achievements, including his recent successful summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and a bullish stock market. During the summit, the two leaders discussed ways to bolster bilateral economic ties and promote peace regarding North Korea. The two sides also addressed sensitive issues, including China's steel structures in overlapping territorial waters of the West Sea, which Seoul views as potential groundwork for territorial claims. The survey was conducted on 2,530 adults from Monday to Friday last week and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points, with a confidence rate of

Jan 12, 2026By Yonhap
Lee's approval rating rises for 2nd consecutive week: poll

Ruling party elects Rep. Han Byung-do as new floor leader

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) elected three-term lawmaker Han Byung-do as its new floor leader Sunday, days after his predecessor resigned amid mounting allegations of misconduct. Han, who represents a district in the southwestern city of Iksan, won a runoff against Rep. Back Hye-ryun, after none of the four candidates running for floor leader secured a majority of the initial vote. The first round had combined a vote among DPK representatives and an online vote among general party members with voting rights, weighted 8:2. The other two candidates in the first round were Reps. Jin Sung-joon and Park Jeung. "I will speedily push state tasks and quickly improve people's livelihoods in order to securely support the success of the Lee Jae Myung administration," the new floor leader said in his acceptance speech at a general DPK lawmakers' meeting at the National Assembly. "From this moment on, I will swiftly handle the chain of confusion and urgently set forth to end the insurrection, reform the prosecution and judiciary and improve people's livelihoods," he added, referring to t

Jan 11, 2026By Yonhap
Ruling party elects Rep. Han Byung-do as new floor leader

Opposition party seeks nationality disclosure for online commenters

Political parties are clashing over whether online platforms should be required to disclose the nationality of commenters, as the issue is emerging as a flashpoint ahead of the June 3 local elections. Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), has called for the mandatory disclosure of commenters’ nationalities on online platforms, along with restrictions on foreign nationals’ voting rights in local elections, citing concerns over foreign interference in domestic politics. While similar arguments have previously been raised by individual lawmakers, this marks the first time the conservatives have formally advanced the issue at the party leadership level. “Public opinion is being distorted by comments from foreign nationals,” Jang wrote on social media on Saturday. “There was even a case in which an X account that posted more than 65,000 comments criticizing the PPP over the past seven years was found to have a login location in China.” Jang also argued that Korea’s sovereignty is being undermined by the expansion of voting rights for forei

Jan 11, 2026By Anna J. Park
Opposition party seeks nationality disclosure for online commenters

Cheong Wa Dae reaffirms no intention of provoking N. Korea over drone incursion

Cheong Wa Dae on Sunday reaffirmed that South Korea has no intention of provoking or irritating North Korea, after Pyongyang again blamed the South for drone incursions into the North and demanded an explanation. In a statement, the Office of National Security at Cheong Wa Dae said, "The government once again confirms that it has no intention of provoking or irritating the North side." "The government will look into the latest drone incident through a joint military-police probe and promptly disclose its results," the office said, also pledging continued efforts to ease inter-Korean tension and build trust. On Sunday, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, called on Seoul to provide a detailed explanation, a day after the North Korean military claimed that the South violated the North's sovereignty by sending drones in September and on Jan. 4. The South Korean military denied sending the drones or operating the models found in the North, raising the possibility that private entities may have been behind them and pledging an investigation.

Jan 11, 2026By Yonhap
Cheong Wa Dae reaffirms no intention of provoking N. Korea over drone incursion

Ruling party demands ex-floor leader accused of corruption leave party

The leadership of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Sunday demanded former floor leader Rep. Kim Byung-kee voluntarily leave the party amid mounting corruption suspicions surrounding him, as the DPK was set to pick a new floor leader later in the day. "We request that (Kim) deeply deliberate on which path best cherishes the party," DPK spokesperson Park Soo-hyeon said, in what was apparently a call on him to give up party membership. Park said there were even impending calls for the DPK leadership to expel Kim. The call came after Kim resigned as the DPK's floor leader last month amid snowballing allegations, including claims that he received money from a former local council member in 2020 while serving as the secretary of the party's Seoul nomination committee. Despite mounting pressure to leave the party, Kim has said he will not quit even if he faces expulsion. "DPK Chair Jung Chung-rae is spending many sleepless nights out of concern, while considering public and party sentiment as the top priority," the party spokesperson said, in what was seen as signaling the leader's

Jan 11, 2026By Yonhap
Ruling party demands ex-floor leader accused of corruption leave party

Ruling party set to elect new floor leader

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) was set to elect a new floor leader on Sunday after Rep. Kim Byung-kee resigned from the post amid mounting allegations of misconduct. An online vote among general party members with voting rights, which kicked off the previous day, will conclude at 4 p.m., with a separate vote among DPK representatives scheduled for the afternoon to elect a new floor leader, according to party officials. If none of the four representatives running for the post wins a majority, the party will hold a runoff vote to name a new floor leader later in the day. Reps. Han Byung-do, Jin Sung-joon, Park Jeung and Back Hye-ryun — all in their third terms — are running for floor leader. The new floor leader will serve out the remainder of the resigned predecessor's term until May. The vote came after Rep. Kim resigned as the DPK's floor leader last month amid snowballing allegations, including claims that he received preferential treatment and abused his power, which are currently under police investigation. Also on Sunday, the DPK was set to hold a vote to elect three

Jan 11, 2026By Yonhap
Ruling party set to elect new floor leader
  • Ruling party demands ex-floor leader accused of corruption leave party

Lee orders prompt probe into alleged drone incursions into N. Korea

President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday ordered a prompt investigation into alleged drone incursions into North Korea, warning that such acts would constitute "a grave crime" threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula and national security if confirmed. North Korea claimed earlier in the day that South Korea had infringed on its sovereignty with drone incursions last September and again earlier this week, but Seoul's defense ministry rejected Pyongyang's accusations. Addressing the possibility that the drones were operated by a private individual or group, Lee said if the allegation proves true, it would amount to "a serious crime that threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula and national security," calling on the military and police to conduct a swift and thorough probe, Cheong Wa Dae said. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the North's military shot down a drone that had flown north from Ganghwa County in Incheon, west of Seoul, forcing it to crash in the North's border city of Kaesong on Jan. 4. It claimed the drone was equipped with surveillance devices, citing a spokesperson for

Jan 11, 2026By Yonhap
Lee orders prompt probe into alleged drone incursions into N. Korea

Seoul city councilor admits to giving money to lawmaker ahead of 2022 local elections

A Seoul city councilor embroiled in a bribery scandal involving the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has admitted to giving money to a lawmaker in the lead-up to the 2022 local elections, sources said Friday. Kim Kyung, the councilor in question, has been under investigation over allegations that she gave 100 million won ($68,600) to an aide of Rep. Kang Sun-woo, formerly of the DPK, allegedly in exchange for her constituency nomination ahead of the 2022 elections. In a recently submitted statement to police, Kim admitted to handing over the 100 million won and getting it back. Kim is currently in the United States after leaving the country on Dec. 31, soon after a complaint was filed against her over the bribery allegations. Police have been coordinating with her lawyers over her return. Separately, Seoul city councilors of the main opposition People Power Party are preparing a motion to take disciplinary action against Kim, including possible expulsion from the Seoul Metropolitan Council. A final decision on the disciplinary action is expected to be made as early as next month. Kim

Jan 9, 2026By Yonhap
Seoul city councilor admits to giving money to lawmaker ahead of 2022 local elections
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