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INTERVIEW 'I will end the era of super-presidents:' Sim Sang-jung

Sim Sang-jung, the presidential candidate of the progressive Justice Party, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times in her office at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Jan. 24. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukJustice Party presidential candidate vows to give voice to the voiceless By Ko Dong-hwanPresidential candidate Sim Sang-jung, a politician who focuses on representing the grassroots, has vowed to end Korea's era of “super-presidents” if elected, to make more people's voices heard in the legislature. Having stood for workers, women, sexual minorities and other vulnerable groups for over 20 years as a lawmaker, Sim criticized the country's political system that concentrates too much power in the president, while leaving regional councils that represent local constituencies weaker than they should be.“Under this 'super-presidency,' citizens' voices can barely be heard among those of the politicians,” explained the minor progressive Justice Party presidential candidate in an interview with The Korea Times, Monday. “Under Korea's two-party

Jan 26, 2022By Ko Dong-hwan
[INTERVIEW] 'I will end the era of super-presidents:' Sim Sang-jung

Mid-campaign break makes Sim bolder progressive standard bearer

The presidential candidate of the minor progressive Justice Party, Sim Sang-jung, left, shakes hands with a pedestrian near Mangwon Station while on the campaign trail in Seoul on Tuesday. YonhapBy Kang Hyun-kyungPresidential candidate Sim Sang-jung took a five-day break in mid-January. For a presidential candidate on the campaign trail, taking a hiatus for five days without reaching out to voters seemed like something akin to a gamble ― if not a detrimental move. At that time, there were just over 50 days left before the March 9 presidential election.The clock for the election was ticking and it seemed like every minute counted. Other candidates were intent on engaging with as many voters as possible, adding events and gatherings into their already busy schedules in order to appeal to people's hearts and minds. What Sim did, however, was the opposite. She chose to take some alone time. Canceling her fully packed schedule from the early morning to late at night, while making the surprise announcement that all her campaign would be suspended from then on, Sim then temporarily vanished

Jan 26, 2022By Kang Hyun-kyung
Mid-campaign break makes Sim bolder progressive standard bearer

Prosecutors re-seek arrest warrant for ex-lawmaker linked with development scandal

Rep. Kwak Sang-do leaves the National Assembly after offering to resign his seat, Oct. 2. YonhapAn arrest warrant was again sought on Tuesday for a former opposition lawmaker on charges of accepting bribes and violating political funding laws in connection with a massive development corruption scandal.After it was revealed his son received 5 billion won ($4.2 million) in severance pay from Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management, Kwak Sang-do quit the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) and ultimately gave up his parliamentary seat. Prosecutors suspect the money was a bribe to Kwak.The previously unheard-of asset management company has been under investigation over its astronomical profits from a lucrative apartment development project in the Daejang-dong district of Seongnam City, south of Seoul.The prosecution again sought a warrant for Kwak on additional charges of receiving illegal political funds after a court denied an arrest warrant request for him last month. At that time, the court cited insufficient grounds for his arrest.Investigators suspect Kwak offered business favors to H

Jan 25, 2022
Prosecutors re-seek arrest warrant for ex-lawmaker linked with development scandal

Ruling party leader vows not to seek reelection, joins calls for 'Generation 586 Out'

Ruling Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Song Young-gil speaks during a press conference at the party's headquarters on Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. Joint Press CorpsBy Nam Hyun-wooRuling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Song Young-gil announced Tuesday that he won't seek reelection in the next National Assembly elections, vowing his party will also not field candidates for the by-elections taking place on the same day of the March 9 presidential election.The move is being seen as the party's desperate effort to help its presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung bounce back amid his stagnant support rate in public opinion surveys. The DPK has been facing mounting calls for the so-called “Generation 586” ― a term referring to politicians who are in their 50s, experienced the democratic movements of the 1980s and were born in the 1960s ― to let go ove their privileges as the party mainstream.“During the past nine months (after I became the chief of the DPK), the party has been making efforts for change and rejuvenation, while accepting the public's criticisms of incom

Jan 25, 2022By Nam Hyun-woo
Ruling party leader vows not to seek reelection, joins calls for 'Generation 586 Out'

Animal rights becomes presidential campaign issue

Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition conservative People Power Party, caresses a retired guide dog at the training center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Jan. 19. Joint Press CorpsPresidential candidates speak up on animal rights to appeal to pet ownersBy Lee Hae-rin“What is dangerous for humans could also be unsafe for animals. We must work to create a safe environment for both animals and people,” Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) wrote on social media, Jan. 22. Referring to the death of a horse during the filming of a KBS TV series, Yoon added that he felt deep sorrow when he heard the news of the animal's death.Kim Hye-kyung, the wife of the ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK)'s candidate Lee Jae-myung, provided voiceover narration for an animal welfare campaign video uploaded on Lee's YouTube channel, Jan. 21.In the video, a caregiver of stray cats gives water and food to her feline friend on a cold winter day. “Winter is a harsh season for both people and small animals

Jan 25, 2022By Lee Hae-rin
Animal rights becomes presidential campaign issue

Ahn Cheol-soo fires shot at Yoon Suk-yeol

By Kang Seung-wooAhn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the minor opposition People's Party, denounced Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), Tuesday, calling him an unprepared candidate who has been benefiting from the Moon Jae-in administration's incompetence in state affairs. Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the minor opposition People's Party, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapThe former software tycoon also said it was premature to say whether the approval ratings will stay unchanged until election day, adding that the real trend could begin after the Lunar New Year long weekend.“When it comes to how voters cast their votes in the election, it is important that they consider whether a candidate can surely deliver on their support for a change of government,” Ahn said during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul.“An unprepared change of government could lead the nation to experience the same failures of previous unsuccessful administrations.”Ahn a

Jan 25, 2022By Kang Seung-woo
Ahn Cheol-soo fires shot at Yoon Suk-yeol

Court to rule this week on Ahn's request to stop TV debate between Lee, Yoon

People's Party presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo speaks during his visit to a rechargeable battery research center at UNIST located in Ulsan, Monday. YonhapA court will make its decision this week on an injunction request filed by minor party presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo to stop TV stations from hosting a televised debate exclusively between the two top mainstream rivals, officials said Monday. Ahn of the People's Party filed for the injunction with the Seoul Western District Court last week to stop the country's three major broadcasters ― MBC, KBS and SBS ― from airing a two-way debate between ruling party candidate Lee Jae-myung and his main opposition rival Yoon Suk-yeol. Lee's Democratic Party and Yoon's People Power Party have been in talks with the broadcasters to set up a TV debate only between the two sometime between Jan. 30 and 31. On Monday, the court held a hearing and said it will make its decision no later than Wednesday. "It's not a complex or difficult issue, but there are many points to consider, because it could influence the presidential election," the c

Jan 24, 2022

Korea's contradictory nuclear energy policy raises eyebrows

Wolseong 1 nuclear reactor in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Korea Times fileGov't eager to shut down nuclear plants, while seeking to build many abroad By Lee Kyung-min The Moon Jae-in administration has been under constant criticism for its double standards on nuclear energy, as it shows completely different attitudes toward nuclear power plants at home and abroad, according to economists and energy analysts, Monday.While abroad, Moon has been touting Korea's nuclear plants as the world's safest and most efficiently run, urging foreign governments to adopt the country's nuclear reactors. But here at home, the Moon administration has been eager to shut down local plants, calling nuclear energy an environmentally harmful and outdated energy source, and instead stressed the use of solar, wind and other renewable energy sources.This is a clear failure of the Moon administration's energy policies, they said, highlighted further by a rapid overall decline in industrial productivity brought on by higher energy import costs. Further complicating the issue is the ongoing criminal

Jan 24, 2022By Lee Kyung-min
Korea's contradictory nuclear energy policy raises eyebrows

Yoon vows to rebuild Korea-US alliance; calls Moon's peace process a 'failure'

Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition conservative People Power Party, speaks during a press conference on his diplomacy and security policies held at party headquarters in Seoul, Monday. Joint Press CorpsLee pledges 'transportation revolution' for metropolitan areaBy Jung Da-min Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition conservative People Power Party (PPP), vowed, Monday, to “rebuild” Korea's alliance with the U.S. to deal more effectively with both North Korea's nuclear threats and other regional security and economic cooperation issues. He also said he would expand South Korea's role in U.S.-led multilateral initiatives, including the Quadrilateral Strategic Dialogue, widely known as the “Quad.”“I would focus on bolstering a comprehensive and strategic alliance with the United States based on the shared values and principles of freedom, democracy, the market economy, constitutionalism and human rights,” Yoon said during a press conference on his diplomacy and security policy pledges at party hea

Jan 24, 2022
Yoon vows to rebuild Korea-US alliance; calls Moon's peace process a 'failure'

Moon not to hold New Year press conference to focus on handling Omicron

President Moon Jae-in delivers his New Year speech at Cheong Wa Dae, Jan. 3. Joint Press CorpsPresident Moon Jae-in will not hold a New Year press conference as he focuses on handling the COVID-19 situation with the highly transmissible Omicron variant becoming the dominant strain in Korea, a senior presidential official said Monday.The presidential office had been preparing for the New Year press conference as Moon wrapped up his eight-day visit to the Middle East last Saturday."In a situation where the Omicron variant has become the dominant strain, the New Year press conference is difficult to realize while focusing on coping with it," Park Soo-hyun, senior presidential secretary for public communication, told reporters.Asked whether the press conference was canceled, Park replied his remarks do not constitute a cancellation, because Cheong Wa Dae did not publicly announce a plan to hold a New Year press conference in the beginning.Earlier in the day, the government said the detection rate of the Omicron variant had reached 50.3 percent as of last week, meaning the Omicron has bec

Jan 24, 2022
Moon not to hold New Year press conference to focus on handling Omicron
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