South Korea Politics & Government Policy

Latest news and analysis on South Korea's politics, government policies, diplomacy, and regulatory changes.

Lee Urges Public Servants to Take Vacations: "Rest When You Can"

President Lee Jae-myung urged government public servants to take vacations and recharge after completing ministry work briefings, calling for staff leave to be guaranteed....

Published 2026.08.04. 21:24:49 |

Kim, Song Vow to Protect Mega Projects as Race Turns to Honam

Democratic Party of Korea leadership candidates Kim Min-seok, Chung Chung-rae and Song campaigned in Honam ahead of the Aug. 15 primary, with Kim lead...

Published 2026.08.04. 20:10:47 |

Lawmakers Draw Fire for "Roundhouse Kick" Joke at Event with Assault Victim

PPP lawmakers Suh Beom-soo and Jin Jong-oh apologized after exchanging a "roundhouse kick" joke at a National Assembly meeting attended by the Busan a...

Published 2026.08.04. 20:08:03 | Updated 2026.08.04. 20:24:09 |

Ruling Party to Hold Semiconductor Roundtable in Yongin on 11th

Korea's Democratic Party will hold a semiconductor roundtable in Yongin on the 11th, reviewing early cluster development and addressing investment red...

Published 2026.08.04. 18:05:56 |

Ruling Party Lawmaker Blasts Government's Anti-Stock-Suppression Plan

Democratic Party Rep. Lee So-young, the original author of the Anti-Stock-Suppression Act, criticized the government's revised plan, warning it could ...

Published 2026.08.04. 18:05:22 |

Lee Slams Prosecutors' "Excessive Powers"; Opposition Warns of "Judicial Collapse"

President Lee Jae-myung's Cabinet approved a Criminal Procedure Act amendment abolishing prosecutors' investigation powers, drawing opposition warning...

Published 2026.08.04. 18:04:59 | Updated 2026.08.04. 18:46:41 |

Democratic Party's Park Jie-won Backs Bill to End Reconstruction Levy in Depopulating Areas

Democratic Party's Rep. Park Jie-won joins a People Power Party bill to abolish the reconstruction excess profit levy in Korea's 89 depopulating areas...

Published 2026.08.04. 18:03:06 |

US Ambassador Steel Makes First Courtesy Call on Cho, Draws Notice With Spouse

US Ambassador Michelle Steel made her first courtesy call on Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, drawing notice by bringing her husband, attorney Shawn ...

Published 2026.08.04. 18:02:43 |

Lee Endorses Bill Stripping Prosecution of Investigative Powers

President Lee Jae-myung signed an amendment abolishing prosecutors' direct and supplementary investigative powers, declining an opposition veto reques...

Published 2026.08.04. 17:44:16 |

President Lee Praises Labor, SME, Antitrust Agencies: "Let's Give a Round of Applause"

President Lee Jae-myung praised Korea's Labor Ministry, SME Ministry, and Fair Trade Commission in policy briefings on the 4th, citing fewer workplace...

Published 2026.08.04. 17:36:16 |

Democratic Party Convention Faces Fresh 'Rules' Dispute Over Additional Voting

Pro-Lee Jae-myung faction candidates for the Democratic Party Supreme Council demand additional voting during the primary, sparking a fresh dispute ov...

Published 2026.08.04. 17:13:48 |

Japan Claims Dokdo for 22nd Year; Seoul Summons Officials

South Korea's foreign and defense ministries summoned Japanese Embassy officials on the 4th to protest Japan's 2026 defense white paper, which again c...

Published 2026.08.04. 15:39:38 |

First Female Officer Named Captain of Large Warship Dokdo

Colonel Bae Sun-young becomes the first female officer to command a large Korean Navy warship, taking the helm of the 14,500-ton transport ship Dokdo ...

Published 2026.08.04. 13:55:05 |

Defense Ministry to Hold Public Hearing on Integrated Military Academy Sept. 26

South Korea's Defense Ministry will hold a public hearing on the 26th to gather opinions on establishing an integrated four-year Korea Armed Forces Ac...

Published 2026.08.04. 13:54:00 |

Lee Slams Tax Gap: 50% on Labor Income, Just Millions on Property Gains

President Lee Jae-myung criticized the tax gap, noting labor income over 1 billion won faces nearly 50% tax while real estate gains of tens of billion...

Published 2026.08.04. 11:32:37 | Updated 2026.08.04. 18:22:10 |

Democratic Party Pushes Aug. 13 Plenary to Vote on Filibuster-Curbing Bill

The Democratic Party of Korea is pushing to hold an Aug. 13 plenary session to vote on a bill shortening the fast-track process, setting up a clash wi...

Published 2026.08.04. 11:21:55 |

Ruling Party Mega Committee to Visit Yongin Chip Cluster on the 11th

Korea's ruling Democratic Party Mega Committee will visit the Yongin semiconductor cluster on the 11th to review progress and support early constructi...

Published 2026.08.04. 10:56:48 |

Ruling Party's Han Vows to Refine Tax Reform to Prevent Unintended Harm

Democratic Party Policy Chief Han Jeoung-ae pledged to refine the government's tax reform plan to prevent unintended harm, minimizing sudden swings in...

Published 2026.08.04. 10:28:42 |

Breaking News: Lee Says Criminal Procedure Law Not Severe Enough to Deny Legislative Power

President Lee Jae-myung said the Criminal Procedure Act amendment is not serious enough to deny the National Assembly's legislative power, dismissing ...

Published 2026.08.04. 10:24:21 |

Democratic Party Defends Tax Reform, Vows to Protect Owner-Occupiers

Korea's Democratic Party defends the government's 2026 tax reform, calling it a "tax normalization measure" that protects owner-occupiers and rejects ...

Published 2026.08.04. 10:02:30 |