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Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
In South Korea, continuity with cautious progressivism
Earlier this month, South Korea elected a new president, Lee Jae-myung, in a snap election, ending the six-month political crisis that had engulfed the country. This crisis began with then President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law in December last year, followed by his impeachment by the parliament and subsequent removal from office by the constitutional court. The high voter turnout -- nearly 80% -- illustrated the public's deep concern over democracy and desire for change. Lee Jae-myung, representing the opposition Democratic Party, won with an 8-percentage vote margin against the ruling People's Power Party candidate, Kim Moon-soo, and Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, who secured 41% and 8.3% of the vote, respectively. Lee's victory marks a notable comeback, considering he had lost to Yoon in the 2022 election by less than a single percentage point. The backlash against the declaration of martial law undoubtedly played a crucial role, galvanising support for the opposition. Internal divisions within the People's Power Party, particularly concerning Kim Moon-soo's candidature, further weakened its position. The Reform Party, a splinter group from the People's Power Party led by Lee Jun-seok, also siphoned off conservative votes. President Lee faces a daunting array of challenges. The most pressing need is to unify a deeply divided nation. Notably, significant segments of the population remained supportive of Yoon Suk Yeol through his impeachment and removal. Fostering a sense of national unity will be a critical task. Economic uncertainties also loom large. South Korea's economy has seen a growth slowdown amid the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariff war and an intensifying trade war between the US and China. On the positive side, unlike Yoon, who believed his agenda was being stifled by the Opposition's supermajority in parliament and resorted to the extreme measure of declaring martial law, Lee will likely benefit from his party's dominance in the parliament. Beyond domestic issues, Lee will also have to navigate a complex, shifting regional environment in the wake of Trump's return to office, an intensifying US-China rivalry, and a reinvigorated North Korea with its close security alignment with Russia. Over the last three decades, government transitions in South Korea have been marked by dramatic shifts in foreign policy. While both conservatives and progressive camps view Seoul's alliance with the US as central to security policy, they differ on the extent to which Korean foreign policy is centred on the alliance, with the progressives seeking more autonomy. Lee's progressive predecessor, Moon Jae-in (president during 2017-22), adopted a region-focussed foreign policy approach that prioritised engagement with North Korea, balancing relations with the US and China, and diversification of South Korea's diplomatic ties beyond its traditional partners. Amid deterioration of Korea-Japan relations and a cautious engagement with the US's Indo-Pacific strategy, his New Southern Policy put renewed focus on Asean and India. However, the conservative Yoon administration adopted a globally-oriented foreign policy agenda with the alliance with the US at its core and an outreach to Nato amid the Russia-Ukraine war. While significantly improved ties with Japan paved the way for US-Japan-South Korea trilateral security cooperation and a proactive Indo-Pacific strategy, he took a principled reciprocity-based approach to China and a hawkish stance towards North Korea. The temptation to continue with the progressive foreign policy template will be quite natural, but President Lee is likely to be more pragmatic with the changed regional and international environment. His choice of experienced, retired diplomats as advisors during the campaign and likely for key foreign policy positions in the administration signals this. A pragmatic foreign policy will entail a moderate stance on North Korea, less engagement-focused than President Moon but also less hawkish than Yoon. However, there will be significant continuity from the Yoon presidency on the US-Korea alliance, building a forward-looking partnership with Japan, and promoting US-Japan-Korea trilateral cooperation. Instead of a broader Indo-Pacific focus, Lee will likely concentrate on the role of the US-Korea alliance and the US-Japan Korea trilateral to address Korean Peninsula issues, particularly North Korea's nuclear programme. This allows flexibility in improving relations with China and Russia. During the campaign, Lee also articulated the need to strengthen ties with the Global South. This might look like an expansive version of Moon's New Southern Policy driven by twin objectives of diplomatic and economic diversification and reducing Seoul's dependence on the great powers. The six-month-long political upheaval — from the declaration of martial law to a peaceful snap election — illustrates the ability of Korean democracy to withstand internal shocks. Only time will tell how and whether President Lee can successfully unite the country and adjust South Korea's position within the evolving regional geopolitical landscape. Jojin V John is assistant professor and director, Korea Centre, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala. The views expressed are personal.
Japan Forward
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
South Korea's Choice of Next Leader Crucial to National Security
このページを 日本語 で読む In South Korea, on June 3, voters will select a successor to impeached former President Yoon Suk-yeol. With less than a month to go, South Korea's main candidates in the presidential election have now been selected. Their campaigns will necessarily focus on how to end the domestic political turmoil. However, South Korea's foreign and defense policies also impact the peace and stability in Northeast Asia, including Japan. Hopefully, there will be a serious debate on issues related to national security. Kim Moon-soo, former Minister of Employment and Labor, was chosen as the ruling People's Power Party candidate on May 3. However, former Prime Minister Han Duk-soo, a conservative who served as acting president, also announced his candidacy as an independent. Former progressive Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, however, has been leading in the polls. His party is the largest of the opposition parties. Interest will now be focused on whether conservatives can unite around a single candidate to challenge Lee. Lee also has problems. On May 1, the Supreme Court of South Korea overturned a March Seoul High Court verdict that had acquitted Lee of charges of violating the Public Offices Election Law. Some observers believe that the Supreme Court ruling, which suggested Lee may be guilty, may cause moderate voters to turn away from him. South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-Myung (©Sankei) Clearly, South Korea's domestic politics are in flux. However, it is important to note that the security environment surrounding the country has also been seriously deteriorating. In 2024, Russia and North Korea signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty. North Korea's dispatch of troops to aid Russia in its invasion of Ukraine has been justified, based on that treaty. It stipulates that each side will provide the other with military assistance in the event of a contingency. That increases the likelihood that Russia may join the conflict in the event of an emergency on the Korean Peninsula. It is possible that North Korea could attack South Korea at the same time that China invades Taiwan. This has also been pointed out. In the past, Lee has made statements like, "Whatever happens in the Taiwan Strait has nothing to do with us." He has also said, "South Korea should not get involved in a Taiwan emergency." However, to deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, cooperation among Japan, the United States, South Korea, and Taiwan is desirable. Furthermore, Lee has made other provocative statements like "Japan is a military adversary" and the "US should withdraw [from the Korean Peninsula]." We recall with concern such past comments by Lee. They were not only anti-Japanese but also ignored the severe security environment in Northeast Asia. The parties that would delight most in a weakened Japan-South Korea and Japan-US-South Korea solidarity are none other than the autocratic nations of China, North Korea, and Russia. Both Kim and Han are trying hard to distance themselves from Yoon, but it would be undesirable for all of Yoon's policies to be rejected. The security cooperation with Japan and the United States that Yoon promoted is unrelated to his martial law declaration fiasco. Hopefully, the candidates will forthrightly attest to the importance of Japan-US-Korea cooperation.. Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Taiwanese singer Chao Chuan received news of mother's death right before heading onstage
Taiwanese singer Chao Chuan said on Facebook that he got news of his mother's death prior to a performance in Pingtung, Taiwan on May 2. PHOTO: CHAO CHUAN/FACEBOOK Taiwanese singer Chao Chuan said he recently lost his 100-year-old mother, just a week before Mother's Day. The 63-year-old wrote on Facebook that he received news of her death on May 2, right before he was slated to perform onstage for a concert held in the Taiwanese county of Pingtung. Chao said in the post made on May 3 that he soldiered on with the performance. He wrote: 'Last night, before my Pingtung show, I got a call from my older sister who told me that my dearest mother has passed away. I calmed my emotions, went onstage to finish my set, waved goodbye to my fans, then swiftly took the train back home.' He also said in his tribute: 'My warmest, most loving mother, who always quietly supported my show-business career, thank you for loving and putting up with me. Thank you for your unconditional support. I'll keep singing, so I can be a son you're proud of. 'My mother was 100 this year, she has lived a full life and is now in heaven to accompany my father. Rest well there, I love you.' Chao's father died in November 2023, at the age of 94. In a sombre coincidence, his father died while he was on a concert tour in China. He said in a tribute post on Facebook to his father then: 'Thank you for loving me so much, for gifting me with a good voice, and for letting me do what I love. Thanks for dedicating your life to giving us a warm home.' The veteran singer is known for Mandopop classics like I'm Not Good Looking But I'm Very Gentle (1988), and the numbers The Silence Of The Lambs and How Could I Tell You That I Love You – which served as the opening and ending theme songs respectively to the first instalment of beloved Singaporean drama series The Unbeatables (1993). His most famous song is arguably A Tiny Bird (1990), which was recently spoofed by Singaporean political candidate Samuel Lee from the People's Power Party. During a press conference to introduce himself during the general election campaign, Mr Lee filled the song with English lyrics, lamenting the struggles faced by Singaporeans in securing a job. In a viral moment, he sang: 'I look left, look right, look left, look right, for a career path. Is this a request too high?' The song's original Chinese lyrics translate to: 'I search and search for a warm embrace. Is that too much to ask?' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Malay Mail
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Singapore GE2025: Youth surge meets veteran stalwarts in most age-diverse race yet
KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — At just 24 years old, Heng Zheng Dao is the youngest candidate in Singapore's General Election (GE2025). A horticulturist making his electoral debut under the People's Power Party (PPP) banner, Heng represents the growing presence of youth in Singapore politics. Heng will contest at the Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC) with his four other teammates, opposing the PAP's incumbent, which 73-year-old Former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong leads. In GE2020, Lee's team won 71.9 per cent of the vote (124,597 votes) against a Reform Party team. Reportedly, the largest of the 18 GRCs with 161,499 electors, Ang Mo Kio GRC will be contested by three parties for the first time since it was created in 1991. Another party is the Singapore United Party (SUP). Will Heng help draw younger voters for PPP, a party led by veteran opposition politician Goh Meng Seng, this time? This year's election sees a stronger push by parties to renew their ranks, with 44 candidates under the age of 40, up from 32 in GE2020. Candidates' ages range from 24 to 85, with a median of 48, slightly down from 49 in the previous election. At the other end of the age spectrum is 85-year-old Dr Tan Cheng Bock, chairman of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), who is once again the oldest candidate contesting the polls. The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has the highest median age of 59. All of its candidates are above 40, except 27-year-old legal executive Ariffin Sha, founder of alternative news site Wake Up Singapore. In contrast, the Workers' Party (WP) and Singapore People's Party (SPP) are presenting the youngest slates, each with a median candidate age of 45. As in GE2020, WP leads in youth representation, with about one-third of its candidates under 40. The candidates' brief profile data, including age, was sourced from The Straits Times' 'GE2025: Who's standing where in Singapore's general election?' multimedia page. — Bernama
Epoch Times
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
600 North Korean Troops Killed in Ukraine, Says South Korean Lawmaker
North Korea has suffered 4,700 casualties, including 600 deaths, in the conflict in Ukraine, South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers at a briefing on Wednesday. The briefing came two days after North Korea South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) gave a secret briefing to a parliamentary committee, and Lee Seong Kweun, one of the lawmakers who attended the meeting, later told reporters what had been said. Lee, who represents the conservative People's Power Party, said the NIS officials said 2,000 injured soldiers had been sent back to North Korea by air or train between January and March. He said the NIS said the dead North Korean soldiers were cremated in Russia, and their remains were then transported home. 'After six months of participation in the war, the North Korean military has become less inept, and its combat capability has significantly improved as it becomes accustomed to using new weapons such as drones,' Lee said. Related Story 4/28/2025 Kim Byung-kee, another lawmaker who also attended the briefing, said the NIS also stated 15,000 North Korean laborers had been sent to Russia under bilateral industrial cooperation programs. No Sign of Payment for Missiles He said North Korea had sent billions of dollars worth of missiles and artillery to Russia, but the NIS had not detected signs of any cash transfers from Moscow to Pyongyang. But Kim, who represents the liberal Democratic Party, said the NIS believed Russia had given North Korea air defense missiles, electronic warfare equipment, drones, and technology for spy satellite launches. In January, the NIS estimated 300 North Korean soldiers had died, and another 2,700 had been injured. In December 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said North Korea had suffered 'very significant' losses in the Kursk region. According to the Pentagon, 10,000 North Korean troops were initially deployed last year in the Kursk region to fight the Ukrainians. They include the Storm Corps, an elite special forces unit. In February, the NIS said North Korea had sent On April 28, the North Korean regime stated the troop deployment was ordered by leader Kim Jong Un as part of the 'comprehensive strategic partnership' he In the statement, Kim referred to the soldiers as 'heroes,' saying that their deployment demonstrated the 'firm alliance' between the two countries. The statement went on to say the North Korean soldiers 'fully demonstrated their high fighting spirit and military temperament and made an important contribution to annihilating the Ukrainian neo-Nazi forces and liberating the territory of the Russian Federation by displaying mass heroism, matchless bravery and self-sacrificing spirit.' Russia has also recently confirmed North Korean soldiers were fighting alongside its forces against the Ukrainian invasion in the Kursk region—the first such admission by the Kremlin about North Korea's involvement. Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff of the Russian Armed Forces, said in a North Korea has also supplied large quantities of artillery shells to Russia, helping the country maintain its regular bombardment of the Ukrainian lines, especially in the Donbas region, where the Russians are making a steady, slow advance. In November 2024, Russian Defense Minister Kremlin's Cease-Fire Offer On April 28, the Kremlin announced a three-day The Kremlin, on its Telegram channel, said, 'By order of the supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Russia side, guided by humanitarian motives, announces a cease-fire for the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War.' It said the truce would last from midnight Moscow time on May 8 to midnight on May 11. Ukraine, in response, questioned why Russia would not assent to its call for an immediate 30-day cease-fire. On April 29, the The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
