Chung Dong-young tapped for unification minister, 20 years after last term
If his appointment is confirmed through a parliamentary confirmation process, he will return to the post he held two decades ago. Chung served as unification minister from 2004-2005 under the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, during which he doubled as chair of the National Security Council's standing committee.
With experience in shaping pro-engagement, pro-dialogue policy toward the North, Rep. Chung is the liberal bloc's most seasoned expert on North Korea matters. He is credited with playing a key role in the successful launch of the now-closed Kaesong Industrial Complex in 2004, working closely with senior US officials to secure US backing for the inter-Korean factory project.
Born in 1953 in Sunchang, North Jeolla Province, he began his career as a journalist at Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation in 1978 and later became a prominent news anchor.
He entered politics in 1996 as a member of the 15th National Assembly and became the youngest member of the Democratic Party's Supreme Council in 2000. He ran in the 2007 presidential election as the candidate of the United New Democratic Party, a precursor of the current Democratic Party of Korea.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
3 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Workplace bullying cases of migrant workers tripled since 2020, many more likely uncounted
Reports of workplace harassment cases involving migrant workers in South Korea have more than tripled between 2020 and 2024, government data shows. But advocates warn these official figures may be only the tip of the iceberg. According to Labor Ministry data released by Rep. Kim Wi-sang of the People Power Party, reported cases of workplace bullying and harassment targeting foreign national workers rose from 65 in 2020 to 225 in 2024, marking a 3.5-fold increase. By May of this year, 112 new complaints have already been filed, suggesting 2025 will likely see the highest number yet. The bullying of migrant workers drew renewed attention last month: a video emerged of a Sri Lankan worker at a brick factory in Naju being tied to a stack of bricks with plastic wrap and lifted by a forklift. Authorities determined the act constituted workplace harassment and fined the employer 3 million won ($2,200). President Lee Jae Myung condemned the incident as 'unacceptable violence' and pledged strong action. South Korean police are currently conducting a nationwide, 100-day special crackdown on workplace abuse and violence against foreign national workers. Migrant workers and their advocates argue that the true extent of workplace harassment is largely missing from official statistics, as such complaints are often handled internally by employers. Many foreign national workers are employed by small businesses with fewer than five employees, where reporting abuse by coworkers or supervisors is often difficult. Even when victims file complaints, many cases end without penalties due to gaps in the legal framework. South Korea's Workplace Anti-Bullying Act, introduced in 2019, defines harassment as abuse of authority that causes physical or psychological harm or worsens the work environment. Employers must investigate complaints, protect victims and take corrective measures. If they carry out these duties, cases can be officially recorded as 'no violation,' rendering the case as resolved. The law also does not cover workplaces with fewer than five employees or workers in special employment arrangements. Migrants are heavily concentrated in these sectors, leaving many outside the law's reach. The Labor Ministry recorded over 820 harassment complaints involving migrant workers between 2020 and May 2025. Of these, only a few dozen led to corrective orders, just over ten to fines, and slightly more to criminal referrals. Roughly 400 cases were withdrawn or closed with "no violation" findings, while several hundred were placed in 'other' categories, typically covering workplaces too small to fall under the law or jobs outside standard protections. Lawmakers have warned that the system underreports the true extent of harassment, which is often resolved internally or never reported at all. Jung Young-seop from the civil society coalition Migrant Workers Solidarity for Equality told the Korea Herald, 'About 70 percent of migrant workers in South Korea are employed at workplaces with fewer than 30 people, many of them under five. When they ask to transfer after being abused, some employers retaliate by refusing to assign them work. That means no wages and often worse treatment.' Amid a renewed push to better protect migrant workers, the Korean government is now pledging reforms. It plans to revise the E-9 employment visa system to give migrant workers more freedom to change jobs and extend their stays in three-year terms. Many working visas require employees to remain at their approved job unless authorized to relocate or change employers. Until now, workers were only allowed to transfer under limited conditions, such as unpaid wages or physical abuse.
Korea Herald
6 hours ago
- Korea Herald
PM says MASGA to be framework for advanced S. Korea-US partnership
Kim to meet Bill Gates to discuss global health issues, potential cooperation with Korean government Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Tuesday that the large-scale shipbuilding cooperation projects with the US proposed by Seoul, a key factor in the recent tariff deal, will serve as a framework for a more equal partnership between the two countries. '(Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) may become a typical and representative model of South Korea–US relations in the future, unlike in the past,' Kim said in a press conference. 'It is not a case of South Korea receiving one-sided help from the US, but rather South Korea playing a decisive role for the (benefit) of the US in many aspects, in the form of providing new grounds for cooperation,' he added. The Seoul-proposed initiative, dubbed "Make American Shipbuilding Great Again,' or MASGA, refers to a $150 billion investment pledge by South Korea in the US shipbuilding industry, which played a key role in the tariff agreement reached between the two allies in late July. It is part of a $350 billion investment package Seoul pledged in exchange for the US reducing its reciprocal tariff rate on South Korea to 15 percent from the initial 25 percent. Kim also highlighted the need for South Korea to showcase its position as an equal partner to the US in the upcoming summit between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump scheduled to be held in Washington on Aug. 25. 'I believe it is better now to confidently explain that South Korea is no longer the United States' 'little brother,' but a partner,' he said when asked about the summit. Regarding the issue of the modernization of the alliance between South Korea and the US, Kim said the discussions can start 'step by step,' while considering Seoul's new position as a world-class military power and the need for South Korea to build more self-reliance in defense. Observers say that the Trump administration may seek to 'advance' the decadesold alliance, which includes adjusting the role of US Forces Korea. The purpose of the alliance would be aligned with Washington's goal of deterring threats from China. Kim said he plans to meet with Bill Gates, the chair of the Gates Foundation, during his visit to South Korea later this week. Gates is set to hold a press conference at the National Assembly on Thursday. "I will be meeting with Bill Gates -- he has important stakes in global health initiatives and has been at the forefront of various international issues," Kim said.
Korea Herald
6 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Lee meets business leaders ahead of summit in US
Tycoons voice hopes that summit in Washington will open doors to new markets, boost global reach Ahead of his first summit with US President Donald Trump, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met Tuesday with South Korea's leading business chiefs to map out strategies for boosting the economic outcomes of next week's Washington visit. During the meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, Lee expressed appreciation for the business leaders' contributions to the recent tariff negotiations with the United States, which he said helped deliver better-than-expected results. "The government's top priority is to revitalize the economy and lay the foundation for sustainable growth," Lee was quoted as saying by presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. "While both the government and businesses are facing difficulties due to changing export conditions, we must join forces to turn this crisis into an opportunity." The closed-door meeting, which lasted about two hours, brought together major business leaders and senior government officials, including presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lak, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan, and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo. In response, Ryu Jin, chair and CEO of Poongsan Group and head of the Federation of Korean Industries, said the recent deal with Washington had helped reduce uncertainty and restore momentum for Korean businesses. "The recent agreement with Washington helped eliminate uncertainty for Korean exporters and restored growth momentum. The business community will continue to be a strong partner to the government," he said. Samsung Electronics Executive Chair Lee Jae-yong emphasized the group's commitment to continued domestic and overseas investment. "We will maintain our commitment to investing not only in the United States but also here in South Korea to foster high-value industries and create quality jobs," he said. Seo Jung-jin, founder and chair of Celltrion Group, urged a forward-looking approach in a time of change. "A crisis can become an opportunity. We must prepare for future industries with a new perspective," he said. "To cultivate capable young entrepreneurs, we need to boost investment in startups rather than relying solely on collateral-based loans," he added. According to the presidential office, business leaders expressed hope that the upcoming summit would produce tangible outcomes benefiting both corporate and national interests. They said the visit should serve as a stepping stone for expanding Korean companies' access to the US market and enhancing their global competitiveness. President Lee said he would carefully consider the leaders' on-the-ground insights and encouraged them to achieve meaningful results during the trip, the presidential office added. Tuesday's meeting followed the government's announcement of a revised tariff agreement with the United States late last month. On July 31, the government confirmed that planned US tariffs on Korean exports would be reduced from 25 percent to 15 percent. In return, South Korea pledged a total of $350 billion in investments into the US, including $150 billion for shipbuilding cooperation and $200 billion for strategic sectors such as semiconductors, batteries, and biopharmaceuticals. Seoul also agreed to purchase $100 billion worth of US energy products. Lee's trip to the US will include a two-day stop in Tokyo for talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba prior to the summit with Trump.
