Democratic Party chair says won’t impeach acting president for now

The Democratic Party of Korea is hitting pause on its continuous push to impeach members of the Cabinet and other heads of government agencies. Rep. Lee Jae-myung said Sunday his party would not impeach acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, despite accusing him of being complicit in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s shock martial law imposition. Lee, the leader of the Democratic Party, whose chances of another presidential run appear greater than ever, was speaking at a press conferenc

PoliticsDec. 15, 2024

Seoul’s interim leadership preparing for Trump 2.0: foreign minister

South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul pledged Sunday to facilitate smooth preparations for the incoming Trump administration under Acting President Han Duck-soo’s leadership, emphasizing his readiness to swiftly travel to the US to engage with the Trump team if needed. During a news conference held a day after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his abrupt martial law declaration, Cho outlined the Foreign Ministry’s priorities and operational

Foreign AffairsDec. 15, 2024

Yoon impeached: Why he staked presidency on martial law gamble

President Yoon Suk Yeol's abrupt declaration of martial law has led to his impeachment, making him the third South Korean president suspended from office by the National Assembly. His political fate now lies in the hands of the Constitutional Court. The impeachment motion passed in a 204-85 vote, with three abstentions and eight invalid ballots on Saturday, narrowly clearing the 200-vote threshold in the 300-member parliament. Notably, at least 12 lawmakers from Yoon’s 108-member ruli

PoliticsDec. 15, 2024

Arrest warrant sought for former Special Warfare Commander

Prosecutors on Sunday sought an arrest warrant for Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, the former head of the Army Special Warfare Command, for his role in the short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3. Kwak is accused of deploying military units to the National Assembly during the martial law declaration and allegedly colluding with President Yoon Suk Yeol and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to incite a riot aimed at subverting the Constitution. He is under charges of insurrection and abus

PoliticsDec. 15, 2024

Constitutional Court begins review of Yoon’s impeachment case

Parliament's resolution to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol now rests with the Constitutional Court of Korea, which was set to review the case starting Monday at 10 a.m. Moon Hyung-bae, the acting chief of the Constitutional Court, vowed to conduct a "swift and fair" trial, which will begin with six justices in the nine-member court. The process is set to start just two days after the South Korean National Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Yoon, a move that immediately

Social AffairsDec. 15, 2024

Acts of kindness and order define impeachment protests

South Koreans displayed a remarkable sense of civic responsibility and political conviction over 10 days of protests leading up to Saturday's successful motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. The rallies, sparked by the president’s declaration of martial law, were marked by acts of generosity, orderliness and community-driven efforts that left an impression beyond the political sphere. One of the defining characteristics of the protests was how participants took it upon themselv

Social AffairsDec. 15, 2024

Safe, orderly protests highlight Korea's mature democracy

  President Yoon Suk Yeol declaring martial law on Dec. 3 sparked demonstrations across the nation attended by tens of thousands of people. Despite the high turnout, however, the rallies remained peaceful, with no reports of violence or tension. The crowds were remarkably diverse, ranging from teenagers and young adults to families with young children and pet owners with their dogs. Participants interviewed by The Korea Herald consistently reported feeling no concerns about safety and witne

PoliticsDec. 15, 2024

K-water acquires water supply, wastewater treatment facility shares in Vietnam

The Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) started its full-scale entry into Vietnam’s water market on Friday after taking over shares in its water supply and wastewater treatment facilities. According to K-water, the public enterprise signed a memorandum of agreement with Vietnamese water treatment companies Phu My Vinh and GS Minh Hung-Sikico concerning the acquisition of shares in water supply and wastewater treatment facilities currently operating in industrial complexes near Ho C

Social AffairsDec. 15, 2024

Acting president, speaker pledge close cooperation

Acting President Han Duck-soo and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik on Sunday pledged close cooperation and communication between the Cabinet and the parliament to achieve stable management of state affairs. In line with the latest vow, Woo called for Han to swiftly form a joint consultative body between the government and the Assembly to run state affairs. "The government will closely communicate with the Assembly ... (we) will make efforts to bridge the gaps in the opinions with a

PoliticsDec. 15, 2024

Merchants hold giveaway events to celebrate Yoon’s impeachment

The National Assembly's passage of the motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol has prompted small merchants across the country to offer discounts and free giveaways. Park, 53, who runs a restaurant serving sundae gukbap -- a dish of rice and broth with slices of Korean blood sausage -- in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul, has been offering free soju to all customers since 6 p.m. Saturday. "I couldn’t join the rallies because of work. I felt sorry for the protesters. I want to celebr

Social AffairsDec. 15, 2024

Celebrating Kenya's Independence Day, Korea-Kenya ties

This year, Kenya celebrated two special milestones: 61 years of independence and 60 years of Kenya-Korea diplomatic relations. Kenya attained its independence on the Dec. 12, 1963, and weeks later, Kenya and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations on Feb. 7, 1964. With Korea having opened a resident mission in Nairobi, Kenya opened its embassy in Seoul in May 2007. Since then, Seoul has been host to four Kenyan ambassadors. I am honored to be the fourth ambassador, having presente

Diplomatic CircuitDec. 15, 2024

N. Korea remains silent about Yoon's impeachment

North Korea's state media on Sunday kept mum about President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, marking a contrast from its swift reporting of the 2016 impeachment of then President Park Geun-hye. The National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against Yoon on Saturday over his botched imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, suspending his duties as president. As of 9 a.m., none of the North's state media, including the Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper, and the Korean Cent

North KoreaDec. 15, 2024

Trump picks ex-Ambassador to Germany Grenell as presidential envoy for special missions on N. Korea, other issues

US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday named former Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell as his presidential envoy for special missions that he said covers "some of the hottest spots" around the world, including North Korea. Trump announced Grenell, one of his staunchest supporters, as the presidential envoy, saying that he will fight for "peace through strength" and push for his America First agenda. "I am pleased to announce Richard Allen Grenell as our President

Foreign AffairsDec. 15, 2024

White House says US appreciates resiliency of democracy and rule of law in S. Korea

The United States appreciates the resiliency of democracy and the rule of law in South Korea and its alliance with the Asian country remains "ironclad," a White House official said Saturday after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law attempt. South Korea's legislature impeached Yoon, suspending him from his duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate him or remove him from office. Prime Minister Han Duck-

PoliticsDec. 15, 2024

Han Dong-hoon leadership crumbles in wake of impeachment vote

Conflict within the ruling People Power Party reached new heights after the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday, with the resignations of five of the party's six supreme council members. The PPP, at a meeting convened after the plenary session Saturday, voted to remove the current party leadership to take accountability for the events that led to the president's impeachment. "It really hurts to see the country repeating a painful history. Since t

PoliticsDec. 14, 2024

‘Anti-China, pro-Japan diplomacy’ removed from Yoon impeachment bill after criticism

The bill for impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol, which passed in the National Assembly on Saturday, left out parts problematizing his “anti-Russia, pro-Japan” policies following criticism. In the first bill, which failed to pass last week, the Democratic Party of Korea and liberal third parties cited Yoon’s diplomacy policies “antagonizing North Korea, China and Russia, and instead focusing on Japan” as one of the reasons for impeaching him. “The administratio

PoliticsDec. 14, 2024

How will Yoon's criminal investigation unfold following impeachment?

After the motion to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol passed at the National Assembly on Saturday, questions linger as to how criminal investigations targeting Yoon will go forward, with the president currently booked on charges of insurrection, mutiny and abuse of power for his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3. During Saturday’s plenary session, the motion to impeach Yoon passed with 204 lawmakers voting in favor of the motion, 85 voting against, three abstentions and eight

PoliticsDec. 14, 2024

[From the Scene] Young Yoon supporter cries ‘foul’ over impeachment vote

A shrill voice from a bullhorn that pledged unwavering support for President Yoon Suk Yeol, not far from his residence in Hannam-dong, appeared to portend a rocky path ahead for the country as it awaits the Constitutional Court’s decision on Yoon’s impeachment. Shortly after the National Assembly vote that impeached Yoon, his supporters gathered around Hangangjin Station. They felt that they had to protest the “unfair vote” and protect Yoon from “anti-state forces&r

Social AffairsDec. 14, 2024

Seoul meets with envoys from US, Japan, China shortly after Yoon's impeachment

South Korea's top senior diplomats held high-level talks with envoys from the United States, Japan and China on Saturday evening, shortly after the National Assembly's passing of a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. The meetings were intended to explain domestic political developments, including the passage of the impeachment motion against Yoon, and highlight Seoul's resolve to sustain diplomatic momentum and strengthen ties with key partners under acting President and Pr

Foreign AffairsDec. 14, 2024

Full Text of President Yoon Suk Yeol's national address following impeachment

Below is the full, unofficial translation of President Yoon Suk Yeol's national address delivered on Saturday after he was impeached in a second vote at the National Assembly. My fellow Koreans, As I witnessed the passage of the impeachment motion in the National Assembly today, I was reminded of June 29, 2021, the day I first declared my participation in politics. The rule of law and liberal democracy of this country were in ruins. The despair of small business owners and the frustration

PoliticsDec. 14, 2024