#SOUTHKOREA: Governing Party Wins Parliamentary Election In Landslide

[world politics news]

By the time the polls closed on April 15th, 66.2% of South Korea's eligible voters had cast a ballot, more than in any parliamentary election since 1992. And they had voted overwhelmingly for the governing Democratic Party, largely due to their handling of the coronavirus crisis.

As much of the world remained in virus-induced lockdown, South Koreans donned face masks and plastic gloves to show that even in a pandemic, the journey to the polling booth is essential.

[FULL STORY HERE]

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#SOUTHKOREA: Pres. Moon Jae-in Offers Olive Branch In Trade Talks

[world politics news]

South Korean President Moon Jae-in offered an olive branch to Japan to end an ongoing trade dispute Thursday, saying Seoul will "gladly join hands" if Japan wants to talk.

Moon's government has been accusing Japan of weaponizing trade to target its export-dependent economy and retaliate against South Korean court rulings calling for Japanese companies to offer reparations to South Koreans forced into labor during World War II. Tokyo's measures struck a nerve in South Korea, where many still harbor resentment over Japan's ruthless colonial rule from 1910 to 1945.

After threatening stern countermeasures and declaring that South Korea would "never lose" to Japan again, Moon has taken a more conciliatory tone over the past week as there was relief in Seoul that the impact of Japan's trade measures might not be as bad as initially thought.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SOUTHKOREA: Adviser To Pres. Moon Resigns After Urging Stressed Youth To Seek Employment In Other Nations

[world politics news]

South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday accepted the resignation tendered by his economic policy aide over controversial remarks related to job seekers.

Kim Hyun-chul, who advised Moon on economic policy, offered to resign on Tuesday, one day after he urged young and middle-aged job seekers to stop calling the country "Hell Chosun" and instead to go to other Asian nations to seek opportunities. His resignation was accepted immediately, Presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said in a briefing. 

"Hell Chosun" is a term, used mainly by young people, to describe South Korea's punishing and stressful social and career lifestyle, characterized by cram schools and widespread discrimination against the poor, women and minorities. "Chosun" is an ancient name for Korea.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SOUTHKOREA: New Pres. Moon Taking "Softer" Approach To North Korean Neighbors

[world politics news]

South Korea says it wants to re-establish lines of communication with North Korea, as new President Moon Jae-in seeks a two-track policy involving sanctions and dialogue with its reclusive neighbor to rein in its nuclear and missile programs. The two countries are technically still at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. The North has ignored calls to curb its weapons programs, defending them as necessary to counter US hostility.


[FULL STORY HERE]

#SOUTHKOREA: Liberals Return To Power After Scandal, Impeachment Of Pres. Park

[world politics news]

Moon Jae-in, a human rights lawyer-turned liberal politician, will take the South Korean presidency in a landslide. His win marks the return of a liberal administration after just under 10 years of conservative governments and seven months of a political turmoil set off by a scandal involving former conservative Pres. Park Geun-hye, leading to her impeachment.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SOUTHKOREA

Former Pres. Election Foes' Increasingly Bitter War of Words [world politics news]