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Debates over four-day workweek rise again ahead of presidential election

The liberal ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK)'s presidential candidate, Lee Jae-myung, center, visits an exhibition booth of a robot industry exhibition at the Korea International Exhibition Center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. The ruling party candidate has said that reducing work hours is an unavoidable trend in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and that the country will adopt a four-day workweek system at some point in the future. Joint Press CorpsBy Jung Da-min Debates over the matter of introducing a four-day workweek system have risen again in political circles, ahead of the upcoming presidential election slated for March next year. Similar discussions about the feasibility of shortening the workweek were made earlier this year in April among candidates of the Seoul mayoral by-election.The idea has again come to the fore after local broadcaster JTBC reported on Wednesday that the liberal ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) presidential candidate, Lee Jae-myung, is considering the introduction of a four-day workweek system as one of his policy promis

Oct 29, 2021
Debates over four-day workweek rise again ahead of presidential election

Self-proclaimed prophet and maverick, ridiculed by others, makes 3rd presidential bid

In this Aug. 18 file photo, Huh Kyung-young shows up in a traditional suit of armor and on horseback to declare his third presidential bid at Haengju Fortress in Goyang, northwest of Seoul. YonhapPompously clad in a Joseon-era general's suit of armor, a longsword in hand, Huh Kyung-young, honorary chief of a little known political party, showed up on horseback at an historic battlefield site northwest of Seoul in August to declare his presidential bid in yet another bout of his unique political gimmickry.Enacting the Joseon army's heroic victory over invading Japanese forces at Haengju Fortress in one of the major Imjin War battles (1592-1598), the 71-year-old made a spectacle by playing the role of a national hero who slices the enemies to death and saves the country, in front of journalists and supporters. He then changed into a sleek business suit and glided back to the audience in his famous Rolls Royce to declare his campaign pledge to run in the 2022 presidential election, solemn-faced throughout the whole event.The pledges blatantly included a one-shot payment of 100 million w

Oct 29, 2021
Self-proclaimed prophet and maverick, ridiculed by others, makes 3rd presidential bid

Kim Dong-yeon, career civil servant seeking to create 'new wave' in Korean politics

Former Deputy Prime Minister and independent presidential hopeful Kim Dong-yeon announces the foundation of his political party, named, "New Wave," during an event in Mapo District, Seoul, Oct. 24. Joint Press CorpsThis article is the fifth in a series on the major presidential contenders' leadership styles, campaign promises, strengths and weaknesses, as well as career histories ― ED.By Nam Hyun-wooFormer Deputy Prime Minister Kim Dong-yeon is known for his life story of overcoming difficulties and rising as Korea's top financial policymaker. He appears to have chosen an uneasy path in his presidential campaign, founding his own political party to stand as a candidate outside the country's current political dynamics dominated by the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the conservative People Power Party (PPP).On Oct. 24, Kim founded his party, named “the New Wave,” saying that he wants to change the “political dynamics” of Korea completely through creating the party. “As long as the current political ecosystem dominated by the two major parties

Oct 29, 2021By Nam Hyun-woo
Kim Dong-yeon, career civil servant seeking to create 'new wave' in Korean politics

Opposition continues over 'state funeral' for ex-president

The national flag of Korea at the Gwangju Metropolitan City office has not been lowered to fly at half-mast, Thursday, during the funeral of former President Roh Tae-woo. The city, where many citizens died during the 1980 pro-democracy movement against Chun Doo-hwan's 1979 military coup, in which Roh played a major role, has decided not to commemorate Roh's death in respect to victims of the military government's lethal suppression. YonhapBy Jung Da-min After the government's Wednesday announcement to hold a state funeral for former President Roh Tae-woo who died the day before, controversies are still raging over whether it was an appropriate decision. Members of the country's liberal bloc, as well as many citizens, especially residents of Gwangju, are protesting the government's decision, saying Roh's role in Chun Doo-hwan's 1979 military coup and violent suppression of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy movement were serious crimes, and providing any support for Roh's funeral would insult those who fought for the country's democratization.Multiple petitions have been posted on the Che

Oct 28, 2021
Opposition continues over 'state funeral' for ex-president

Ruling party candidate stirs controversy with idea of 'restaurant cap'

Ruling Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung purchases persimmons at a traditional market in Gwanak District, Seoul, Wednesday. Joint Press CorpsBy Nam Hyun-wooRuling Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung stirred controversy with his idea of putting a cap on the number of restaurants in the country, which the main opposition party described as “a totalitarian idea.”During his visit to a traditional market in Gwanak District, Seoul, Wednesday, Lee floated the idea, saying, “I have a thought of running a system that puts a cap on the number of restaurants.”Lee mentioned the idea while expressing concerns over the large number of people opening eateries, only to close them down after failing to make ends meet.“Though debate is required for this idea, I think the system is necessary,” Lee said during a meeting with stall owners at the market. “I wasn't able to introduce the system due to concerns that it could infringe on freedom, but I don't think such a cap is a bad idea … It is not freed

Oct 28, 2021By Nam Hyun-woo
Ruling party candidate stirs controversy with idea of 'restaurant cap'

Lee behind both Yoon, Hong in presidential race: poll

This compilation image shows, from left, Lee Jae-myung, the presidential nominee of the ruling Democratic Party; Yoon Seok-youl, a presidential contender of the main opposition People Power Party; and Rep. Hong Joon-pyo, another PPP contender. YonhapLee Jae-myung, the presidential nominee of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), is trailing both leading opposition contenders in hypothetical two-way matchups, a survey showed Thursday.Lee earned 38.9 percent against 44.4 percent for Rep. Hong Joon-pyo of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), according to the survey of 2,035 adults conducted Monday and Tuesday by Realmeter.In a matchup with PPP contender Yoon Seok-youl, Lee garnered 40.9 percent against Yoon's 45.3 percent.The difference with Hong was outside the margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. With Yoon, the difference was within the margin.Lee also lost out to former Jeju Gov. Won Hee-ryong of the PPP in a hypothetical two-way race with 40.1 percent against Won's 43.8 percent.The only PPP contender he led was former Rep. Y

Oct 28, 2021
Lee behind both Yoon, Hong in presidential race: poll

Former UN chief Ban mourns death of ex-President Roh, praises his post-Cold War diplomacy

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks to journalists after paying his respects at the funeral altar of late ex-President Roh Tae-woo at Seoul National University Hospital in central Seoul, Oct. 28. YonhapFormer U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday mourned the death of late former President Roh Tae-woo, commending the deceased for his post-Cold War diplomacy and North Korea policy.Ban paid his respects at the funeral altar for Roh at Seoul National University Hospital in central Seoul earlier in the day. Roh, who served as president from 1988-93, died at age 88 on Tuesday. "From a career diplomat's point of view, Roh is someone who exponentially broadened the horizon for South Korea's diplomacy," Ban told reporters after his visit to the funeral home. Ban served as the director of the foreign ministry's North America department while Roh was president.Ban said that it was thanks to Roh's signature Nordpolitik, or Northern Policy, that Seoul forged formal diplomatic ties with more than 40 countries under his presidency, including nations in the communist

Oct 28, 2021
Former UN chief Ban mourns death of ex-President Roh, praises his post-Cold War diplomacy

Moon calls for stronger cooperation to end pandemic at ASEAN summit with Japan, China

President Moon Jae-in speaks during his opening remarks at the annual Association of South East Asian Nations Plus Three Summit held online, Wednesday. YonhapSouth Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday urged the leaders of Southeast Asian countries, as well as Japan and China, to step up their regional cooperation to help the world end the COVID-19 pandemic, his office said. Moon also reaffirmed the need for stronger regional cooperation to jointly address challenges posed by the pandemic and establish a more resilient and sustainable future, according to Cheong Wa Dae. During his opening remarks at the annual Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Plus Three Summit, Moon said free trade and multilateral trade agreements are important to restore pandemic-disrupted global supply chains. "As an axis of global vaccine production, the Republic of Korea will make its best efforts for a fair and swift supply of vaccines," Moon said. Other attendees included Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.It set the stage for Moon's first meeting with Kishi

Oct 27, 2021

Experts discuss measures to develop legislative administration of Asian nations

Minister of Government Legislation Lee Kang-seop, sixth from left, poses with other participants during the Asian Legislative Experts Symposium hosted by the ministry at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Government LegislationBy Jun Ji-hyeLegal officials and scholars from six Asian countries, including Korea and Vietnam, discussed measures, Wednesday, to enhance exchanges and cooperation between Asian nations for the development of their legislative administration systems. The discussions were carried out at the 9th Asian Legislative Experts Symposium (ALES), hosted by the Ministry of Government Legislation, in Seoul.This year's event, which took place under the theme of “Legislative Administration of Each Asian Country and Cooperation Measures,” was held both online and offline with a limited number of in-person participants, considering the difficulties facing overseas speakers and participants to attend the event in person amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. The event was livestreamed through YouTube. “Legislation is the process of mak

Oct 27, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Experts discuss measures to develop legislative administration of Asian nations
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