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Lee, Yoon neck-and-neck at 34 percent vs. 33 percent: poll

gettyimagesbank Ruling party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung is running neck-and-neck with his main opposition rival Yoon Suk-yeol with support of 34 percent to 33 percent, a poll showed Friday.Lee of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea lost 3 percentage points from last week, while Yoon of the conservative People Power Party added 2 points, according to the Gallup Korea survey conducted on 1,002 adults from Tuesday to Thursday.Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the minor opposition People's Party, maintained his record high 17 percent from last week, while Sim Sang-jeung of the minor progressive Justice Party followed with 3 percent.Undecided voters came in at 12 percent.By age group, Lee was popular among voters in their 40s and 50s, earning 51 percent and 42 percent, respectively. Yoon performed well among voters in their 60s and those aged 70 and older, scoring 43 percent and 49 percent, respectively.Among those in their 20s, Yoon led with 30 pe

Jan 21, 2022
Lee, Yoon neck-and-neck at 34 percent vs. 33 percent: poll

Environmental groups urge presidential candidates to address climate crisis

One of the activists from Plan 0 speaks during a protest against the four presidential candidates who have so far neglected to make pledges concerning climate change, in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Art at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Jan. 20. One of the cardboard pickets prepared by the environmental group reads, “It's not an economic crisis, it's a climate crisis.” YonhapBy Ko Dong-hwanA coalition of environmental activists held a protest Thursday in downtown Seoul, urging the presidential candidates to hold an open debate concerning climate change. Plan 0, a coalition of young activists in their 20s and 30s from four different groups, huddled in front of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts at Gwanghwamun Square, one of the city's largest open public spaces. Four activists made speeches, criticizing the candidates for having neglected to make pledges on dealing with climate change. The protest ended with a performance, parodying the four leading candidates ― Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Yoon Suk-yeol of the main

Jan 20, 2022By Ko Dong-hwan
Environmental groups urge presidential candidates to address climate crisis

Outspoken lawmaker stands ground in party despite Buddhist backlash

Rep. Jung Chung-rae of the ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a National Assembly meeting in this April 2021, photo. Korea Times fileDPK leader denies allegation that he pressured Rep. Jung to quit By Jung Da-min An outspoken lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Jung Chung-rae disclosed Wednesday that he was pressured to leave the party against his will but decided to stand his ground. Recently, the three-term lawmaker said he had an unexpected visitor, whom he called “Mr. Lee's core associate,” derived from “Mr. Yoon's core associate,” which refers to a confidant of the main opposition People Power Party's candidate, Yoon Suk-yeol.Without giving specific information about the individual, Jung said the man was a point man sent by DPK presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung for the special mission of persuading the lawmaker to quit the party to allay Buddhists who were irritated over his previous remarks that allegedly derided Buddhism and those who are affiliated with the religion. Rep. Jung Chung-rae, a three-term lawmaker

Jan 19, 2022
Outspoken lawmaker stands ground in party despite Buddhist backlash

Ethics questioned of 2 TV journalists for joining election camp

Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Song Young-gil, left, introduces former JTBC anchorman Lee Jeong-heon, center, and former YTN anchorwoman Ann Gwi-ryeong at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Jan. 18. Lee and Ann had been scouted by the party's presidential election camp to support candidate Lee Jae-myung. Korea Times fileBy Ko Dong-hwanBroadcast journalists are up in arms after two of their ex-colleagues joined the election camp of one of the presidential candidates, accusing them of “swapping their vocational conscience for a ticket to the national political inner circle.”The workers' union of The JoongAng and JTBC, an association of JTBC journalists, and the National Union of Media Workers' YTN branch issued statements on Jan. 18 criticizing JTBC anchorman Lee Jeong-heon, YTN anchorwoman Ann Gwi-ryeong and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) election camp that had recruited them.With the election set for March 9, the camp recruited them as “speakers” to deliver candidate Lee Jae-myung's pledges to the public more effectively and respond

Jan 19, 2022By Ko Dong-hwan
Ethics questioned of 2 TV journalists for joining election camp

Bad blood between Lee Jun-seok, Ahn Cheol-soo remains obstacle for unified candidacy

Ahn Cheol-soo, left, and Lee Jun-seok / Korea Times photoBy Kang Seung-wooEven though fielding a unified candidate for the opposition bloc is regarded as a winning formula in the March 9 presidential election, it remains to be seen whether it can really happen due to animosity between Lee Jun-seok, the chairman of the main opposition People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, an emerging candidate of the minor opposition People's Party. While PPP candidate Yoon Suk-yeol was caught up recently in internal divisions within the party, Ahn saw his approval ratings reach double digits in many public surveys, some of which found that he was a better fit as a unified opposition candidate than Yoon, as the former software tycoon was projected to have the best chances at defeating Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. However, Lee, who has long been critical of Ahn, was dismissive of the presidential candidate once again, dismissing the recent surge in Ahn's approval rating.“Ahn is excessively fired up about a temporary upward trend in his approval, so he is asserting himse

Jan 19, 2022By Kang Seung-woo
Bad blood between Lee Jun-seok, Ahn Cheol-soo remains obstacle for unified candidacy

Retired professor critical of President Moon joins Ahn Cheol-soo camp

Choi Jin-seok, right, a professor emeritus of Sogang University, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate and leader of the minor opposition conservative People's Party, are seen at Choi's house in Hampyeong County, South Jeolla Province, Tuesday. YonhapBy Jung Da-min A retired professor of Sogang University, Choi Jin-seok who has criticized the Moon Jae-in government, joined the minor opposition People's Party to spearhead the Ahn Cheol-soo camp as an election campaign chairman. The two met on Tuesday at Choi's home in Hampyeong County, South Jeolla Province after Ahn went all the way down to the rustic southern countryside to bring the academic onboard to join his presidential campaign. After having an hour-long conversation with the presidential candidate, Choi, 62, accepted the offer. After the meeting, Ahn said he was inspired by the professor of philosophy and has adored him after reading his book, without mentioning which book he was talking about. “I hope that he can be an ideological center of our camp… and I expect that he would keep informing the public o

Jan 19, 2022
Retired professor critical of President Moon joins Ahn Cheol-soo camp

Criminal profiler quits Yoon camp over #MeToo apology

Lee Soo-jeong, the former co-chair of the major opposition People Power Party election committee, attends a committee meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Dec. 13, 2021. Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-hanBy Lee Hae-rinLee Soo-jeong, a criminal profiler and professor of Kyonggi University, stepped down from her advisory role in the Yoon Suk-yeol election camp, a day after she offered an apology to a sexual assault victim for Yoon's wife's controversial remarks about the #MeToo movement. “Somebody had to apologize to Kim Ji-eun (the victim of sexual assault by former Chungcheong Province Governor An Hee-jung). I was more desperate to follow my conscience than stay in the adviser position and I have no regrets for what I've done,” Lee told local news outlets, Tuesday, after stepping down.The evening before, she posted on social media: “I express my sincere regret to Kim Ji-eun, the victim of former Governor An Hee-jung.”Lee's post irritated Yoon's supporters, who said she is not in a position to apologize on behalf of the candidate or his wife. Previously in

Jan 19, 2022By Lee Hae-rin
Criminal profiler quits Yoon camp over #MeToo apology

Lee vows legalization of virtual asset industry

Ruling party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung / YonhapRuling party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung said Wednesday he will institutionally recognize the virtual asset industry and guarantee various business opportunities in the sector.Lee of the Democratic Party of Korea made the remarks in a meeting with heads of the nation's four major cryptocurrency exchanges and industry experts in Seoul, apparently targeting voters in their 20s and 30s who have a relatively strong interest in virtual asset investments.Lee said he will prepare objective listing standards and make the disclosure system transparent through the legalization of virtual assets. He also promised to monitor unfair trade practices and devise regulatory protections to cope with the digital divide.Lee said he will consider allowing initial coin offerings after establishing sufficient safeguards to protect investors and prevent market disturbances. The candidate said he will also consider permitting the issuance of security tokens based on real assets."An existing market doesn't disappear even if our eyes are covere

Jan 19, 2022
Lee vows legalization of virtual asset industry

Yoon pledges to ease tax burden on cryptocurrency investment profits

Main opposition presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol / YonhapMain opposition presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol pledged Wednesday to ease the tax burden on profits from cryptocurrency investments by raising the threshold from the current 2.5 million won ($2,097) to 50 million won.Yoon of the conservative People Power Party announced the pledge at the party's headquarters, saying he will raise the bottom limit to the same level as stocks and give tax exemptions for returns of up to 50 million won.The candidate also said he will introduce a digital asset law aimed at protecting investors and confiscating the entire amount of profits obtained unfairly through manipulation.Yoon promised to establish a new government agency to oversee new areas of the digital industry, such as cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens, and also allow local initial coin offerings (ICOs)."I will foster a digital asset investment environment similar to the stock market to ensure young people can enter new markets without fear," he said. (Yonhap)

Jan 19, 2022
Yoon pledges to ease tax burden on cryptocurrency investment profits

Will Justice Party chief escape shadow of eccentric presidential candidate?

Justice Party President Sim Sang-jung addresses the nation at the National Assembly on Jan. 17, after resuming her presidential campaign that she unexpectedly halted on Jan. 12. Korea Times fileBy Ko Dong-hwanBefore Korea's presidential race began last year, Justice Party chief Sim Sang-jung's steadfast political stature seemed to face no threat from the zany National Revolutionary Party leader Huh Kyung-young. Sim started out in the 1980s as a laborer at Seoul's Guro factory district and became a politician backing human rights and improved working conditions for workers, women and other socially vulnerable groups for over 20 years. She has had her own legion of followers and shaped her party as a symbolic minor progressive force against larger political groups. This was why there was reason enough to believe that, when she ran for this year's presidential election on March 9, she would somehow draw enough supporters to chip away at the ratings of major party candidates like Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) or Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Po

Jan 19, 2022By Ko Dong-hwan
Will Justice Party chief escape shadow of eccentric presidential candidate?
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