Focus on Korea

Spotlight on North Korea

South Korean PM candidate vows 'inclusion' amid opposition calls for withdrawal

World News // 1 day ago

South Korean PM candidate vows 'inclusion' amid opposition calls for withdrawal

SEOUL, June 17 (UPI) -- South Korean nominee for prime minister Kim Min-seok said Tuesday rebuffed accusations by the opposition party over past funding scandals and vowed to pursue "the politics of inclusion" in a deeply polarized climate.

South Korea's ruling party delays push to pass controversial bills

World News // 1 week ago

South Korea's ruling party delays push to pass controversial bills

SEOUL, June 10 (UPI) -- South Korea's ruling Democratic Party on Tuesday withdrew a plan to hold a plenary session this week to pass several controversial bills, including one aimed at halting criminal trials for an elected president.

Lee Jae-myung takes office as South Korean president, pledges to unify country

World News // 2 weeks ago

Lee Jae-myung takes office as South Korean president, pledges to unify country

SEOUL, June 4 (UPI) -- Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as South Korea's president on Wednesday, just hours after his victory was certified in a snap election that brought an end to months of political turmoil in the country.

Lee Jae-myung on track to win South Korean presidential election in a landslide

World News // 2 weeks ago

Lee Jae-myung on track to win South Korean presidential election in a landslide

SEOUL, June 4 (UPI) -- Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung was on track to win the South Korean presidential election by a landslide early Wednesday morning, with a massive lead after almost all votes had been counted.

South Korea votes for new president after martial law chaos

World News // 2 weeks ago

South Korea votes for new president after martial law chaos

SEOUL, June 3 (UPI) -- South Koreans headed to the polls in record numbers on Tuesday to vote for a new president exactly six months after the botched martial law decree by impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol unleashed political turmoil.

Candidates hold final rallies on eve of South Korea presidential vote

World News // 2 weeks ago

Candidates hold final rallies on eve of South Korea presidential vote

SEOUL, June 2 (UPI) -- The top candidates in the South Korean presidential race made their final campaign pitches to voters on Monday, one day before a snap election caused by ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law decree and impeachment.

South Korean election officials investigate voting irregularities

World News // 2 weeks ago

South Korean election officials investigate voting irregularities

June 1 (UPI) -- Ahead of South Korea's snap presidential elections on Tuesday, the nation's diplomatic relations with North Korea and China have risen to the fore -- and officials are investigating voting irregularities.

Record turnout as early voting starts in South Korea presidential election

World News // 2 weeks ago

Record turnout as early voting starts in South Korea presidential election

SEOUL, May 29 (UPI) -- South Koreans turned out in record numbers to cast their ballots as early voting kicked off on Thursday, with long lines at many of the country's polling stations ahead of the June 3 snap presidential election.

World News // 3 weeks ago

Candidate profile: Who is Kim Moon-soo?

May 28 (UPI) -- The People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo, 73, is the main conservative candidate in South Korea's June 3 snap presidential election.

Opposition candidate leads South Korea's presidential race polls

World News // 3 weeks ago

Opposition candidate leads South Korea's presidential race polls

May 28 (UPI) -- South Korea's opposition candidate is leading in recent opinion polls with a week until the presidential election, although the gap has narrowed.

World News // 3 weeks ago

Candidate profile: Who is Lee Jae-myung?

SEOUL, May 28 (UPI) -- Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, 60, is the frontrunner in South Korea's June 3 snap presidential election, leading his main opponent Kim Moon-soo in most polls.

S. Korean candidate Kim Moon-soo backs Trump summit with Kim Jong Un: adviser

World News // 3 weeks ago

S. Korean candidate Kim Moon-soo backs Trump summit with Kim Jong Un: adviser

SEOUL, May 26 (UPI) -- South Korean presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo would ''proactively support" a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un if elected, a key policy adviser said Monday.

Analysis: Economic theory heats up South Korean presidential race

World News // 3 weeks ago

Analysis: Economic theory heats up South Korean presidential race

SEOUL, May 22 (UPI) -- An economic theory has sparked controversy during South Korea's presidential campaign, with the opposition leader introducing a classic economic metaphor called the "hotel economy."

South Korean presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo says party will not expel impeached Yoon

World News // 1 month ago

South Korean presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo says party will not expel impeached Yoon

SEOUL, May 13 (UPI) -- Kim Moon-soo, the candidate from the conservative People's Power Party in next month's presidential election, said Tuesday the party was not considering expelling impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Former South Korean PM Han Duck-soo seeks presidency on pledge of constitutional reform

World News // 1 month ago

Former South Korean PM Han Duck-soo seeks presidency on pledge of constitutional reform

SEOUL, May 7 (UPI) -- Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Wednesday he would make reforming South Korea's constitution his top priority if he is able to secure the candidacy of the conservative People Power Party and win the presidency.

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung maintains strong lead in South Korea presidential poll

World News // 2 months ago

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung maintains strong lead in South Korea presidential poll

SEOUL, April 18 (UPI) -- Lee Jae-myung, the former head of South Korea's opposition Democratic Party, is maintaining a strong lead among potential candidates for a June election to replace impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, a survey said Friday.

South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung announces presidential bid following Yoon's ouster

World News // 2 months ago

South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung announces presidential bid following Yoon's ouster

SEOUL, April 10 (UPI) -- South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said Thursday he would run for president in the June snap election triggered by the removal of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from office.

South Korea sets June date for presidential election to replace Yoon

World News // 2 months ago

South Korea sets June date for presidential election to replace Yoon

SEOUL, April 8 (UPI) -- South Korea will vote for a new president in a snap election on June 3, the acting president announced Tuesday, as the country works to recover from a martial law crisis that led to the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol.