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Main opposition leader under fire for inappropriate comments

Main opposition United Future Party (UFP) Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn speaks during an election campaign rally in Seoul's Jongno District, Saturday. Hwang has faced criticism for a series of inconsiderate remarks which supporters said were 'slips of the tongue.' Yonhap By Jung Da-min Main opposition United Future Party (UFP) Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn has come under fire for a series of remarks he made on sexual exploitation and physically challenged people. His continuous series of inconsiderate statements are being criticized even among party members, who say he is not being helpful but is damaging the party's image ahead of the April 15 general election.Hwang took part in an open forum in Seoul last Wednesday and discussed punitive measures for those involved in cyber sexual exploitation and abuse on SNS platforms, which has recently become a hot topic following the so-called “Nth room” case on Telegram. Hwang said, “Punishment could be different for those who entered the

Apr 5, 2020
Main opposition leader under fire for inappropriate comments

With world lauding Korea's virus responses, rival parties adopt new campaign strategies

President Moon Jae-in speaks during a teleconference with G20 leaders from his office, March 26. The rival parties are using new campaign strategies for the April 15 general election as the world looks to Korea's model in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. / Courtesy of Cheong Wa DaeBy Yi Whan-wooThe rival parties are using new campaign strategies for the April 15 general election, after Korea has emerged as an exemplar in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) had called for the need to support the party and the government when the country became one of the worst-hit countries after the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak in January.The DPK is now underscoring how reliable and dependable the party and the government are, as Korea is being lauded by other countries for its swift implementation of a mass-scale testing regimen as well as its consistent, transparent messaging to the public throughout the arc of the crisis.The main opposition United Future Party (UFP) had called for “judging” the Moon Jae-in administration on

Apr 5, 2020By Yi Whan-woo
With world lauding Korea's virus responses, rival parties adopt new campaign strategies

S. Korea maintains strict social distancing until April 19

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun South Korea on Saturday decided to extend its social distancing campaign for another two weeks amid a slowing but still continuing spread of the new coronavirus.The decision came in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who insisted the country had no choice but to maintain a high-level social distancing drive "for some time.""We have no choice but to continue an intense social distancing drive for some time in the future," the prime minister said in the meeting held earlier in Seoul.People have been advised to keep a social distance of at least 2 meters from each other since South Korea reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on Jan. 20.The government intensified the drive two weeks earlier, forcing all major public facilities, including schools and private gyms, to shut down at least until this Sunday to help prevent clusters of infections.Under the renewed government drive, the people will be advised to avoid public gatherings, including church services, until at least April 19."The country has maintained a social distancing d

Apr 4, 2020
S. Korea maintains strict social distancing until April 19

Gov't limits freedom of foreigners; violators to face up to three years' jail

Incheon International Airport.South Korea's justice ministry said Friday it has implemented an administrative order that restricts the scope of activities for all foreign arrivals for the first time over the new coronavirus pandemic. The restriction order has begun to apply to all foreign entrants who have arrived in South Korea since Wednesday as the government is struggling to curb imported cases of COVID-19. A justice minister can issue an order to limit the scope of activity for foreigners when there is a need to keep public orders and protect the country's key interests. It marked the first time that such an order has been implemented. Violators can face a prison term of a maximum three years or a fine up to 20 million won ($16,261). The action came as some foreigners infected with the coronavirus did not follow the self-isolation rules and traveled without wearing masks, raising the risk of infections in communities. The government has required all international arrivals to be quarantined for two weeks since Wednesday. Foreigners who do not abide by the self-isolation rules wil

Apr 3, 2020
Gov't limits freedom of foreigners; violators to face up to three years' jail

Two former judges clash in Dongjak-B

Lee Soo-jin, left, and Na Kyung-won greet citizens on April 2 in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. YonhapThis is the fourth in a series on battleground districts for April 15 general election. ― ED.By Do Je-hae One of the most coveted districts in the April 15 general election is the Dongjak-B District in southwestern Seoul. Dongjak-B has been a stronghold of conservative parties for the past 12 years, but recent surveys have shown that there is a significant level of support for the liberal ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). A recent survey conducted by Research and Research showed that 38.9 percent supported the DPK, while 24.6 supported the main opposition United Future Party (UFP).The candidates running in the district on the two main parties' tickets are both former judges. The two women are both in their 50s and graduated from Seoul National University's law school.Rep. Na Kyung-won of the UFP, one of a handful of four-term female lawmakers, is seeking reelection in the district she has represented since 2014. The high-profile politician is being challenged by Lee Soo-jin of the DPK, who

Apr 3, 2020By Do Je-hae
Two former judges clash in Dongjak-B

Moon pushing for virtual summit of ASEAN+3 leaders

President Moon Jae-in/ YonhapBy Do Je-haeCheong Wa Dae is pushing for a virtual summit of ASEAN+3 (ASEAN members plus Korea, China and Japan) to advance multilateral cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a presidential aide, Thursday."Close consultations are underway to realize the summit," vice presidential spokesman Yoon Jae-kwan said during a briefing. "These countries have a lot of exchanges with Korea, so forming a consensus with them is very important."Korea hosted the ASEAN summit in Busan in November 2019, the highlight of President Moon Jae-in's New Southern Policy of increasing ties with Southeast Asia. Moon has been actively participating in international diplomacy through video conferences and phone calls in coordinating responses to COVID-19. In particular, he has underlined the need to allow the flow of business exchanges despite the entry bans imposed by countries worldwide. Tokyo recently expanded its entry ban on all travelers arriving from Korea.The South Korean leader is expected to renew his call for allowing essential travel which h

Apr 2, 2020By Do Je-hae
Moon pushing for virtual summit of ASEAN+3 leaders

Political parties officially kick off election campaigns

Banners showing pictures of Lee Nak-yon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, top, and Hwang Kyo-ahn of the main opposition United Future Party hang in a street in Seoul's Jongno District, Thursday, the first day of the official 13-day election campaign period designated by the National Election Commission. The political heavyweights are leading the liberal and conservative camps, respectively in the April 15 general election. Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-hanBy Jung Da-min The political parties officially kicked off their campaigns for the April 15 general election Thursday, the first day of the 13-day campaigning period designated by the National Election Commission. Although the campaigns have been restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the parties are trying to increase their contact with voters as much as possible such as by using slogans to appeal to them.The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is trying to turn favorable public opinion toward President Moon Jae-in over his handling of the pandemic into support for the ruling party. Its election slogan “Workers aga

Apr 2, 2020
Political parties officially kick off election campaigns

Liberal and centrist parties likely to fall victim to scaled-down overseas voting

Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, right, along with Interior Minister Chin Young, left, and Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, gives a public statement for fair and safe elections at the Seoul Government Complex, Thursday, as the 13-day official campaign period for the April 15 general elections began the same day. / Yonhap By Kang Seung-wooPolitical parties are scrambling to calculate how the reduction in the availability of overseas voting because of the COVID-19 pandemic will affect them in the upcoming general election. If history is any guide, liberal and centrist parties may suffer the most from this.The elections are scheduled to take place April 15 to choose who will make up the 300-strong 21st National Assembly.Earlier, more than 177,000 overseas Koreans in 119 countries registered to vote in the proportional representation section of the election, with voting initially scheduled for April 1 to 6. However, as many countries have implemented lockdowns and movement restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the government decided to suspend polling activities at 65 diplomatic mi

Apr 2, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Liberal and centrist parties likely to fall victim to scaled-down overseas voting

Gov't vows to ensure safe voting environment amid virus outbreak

The government vowed Thursday to take measures to create a safe voting environment for the April 15 general elections, including disinfecting polling stations at home and abroad. The government also asked for understanding regarding its decision to suspend overseas voting in 51 countries, including the United States and many European countries, due to health risks, movement restrictions and lockdowns over the COVID-19 pandemic."It was a decision made considering the impact on the safety and health of our nationals living abroad when they vote in places exposed to high infection risk, and it became difficult to conduct the polls when many foreign governments have enforced executive orders, such as the restriction of movement and lockdowns," said a joint statement issued by the foreign, justice and interior ministers. "We feel very sorry that our nationals in these countries are unable to exercise their right to vote, and we ask for your understanding."About 172,000 South Koreans around the world could originally vote overseas, but only about half of them, or 86,000 people, in 66 count

Apr 2, 2020
Gov't vows to ensure safe voting environment amid virus outbreak

Campaigning for April 15 elections kicks off amid pandemic

Campaign posters. YonhapOfficial campaigning for the April 15 parliamentary elections kicked off Thursday amid expectations that the assessment of the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic will be a major issue.The 13-day campaign period will last until the eve of the polls, according to the National Election Commission.Up for grabs will be 253 directly elected seats and 47 proportional representation slots as voters will be allowed to cast two ballots ― for a candidate and a political party.The upcoming polls will be seen as a barometer of voter sentiment ahead of the presidential election in 2022. President Moon Jae-in took office in May 2017.Political parties plan to campaign in a calm manner amid the COVID-19 outbreak that has resulted in nearly 10,000 infections in South Korea.The virus outbreak has not only halted conventional electioneering but also taken away voters' attention from political parties' election pledges and candidates.Two major rival parties are expected to contest the government's handling of the pandemic and its economic fallout, political analysts

Apr 2, 2020
Campaigning for April 15 elections kicks off amid pandemic
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