Latest news with #RohMoo-hyun
Korea Herald
11-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Korea Herald
Get something good for body and soul this weekend
To take your mind off the oppressive heat, slurp nutrition-packed cold soybean broth noodles or take in the view of Changdeokgung while sipping fair-trade coffee. Looking inward to discover your inner self with tea recommended just for you might also distract you from all that is wrong with the world. Icy, nutrient-packed summer eats With temperatures in Seoul soaring to a sweltering 37.8 degrees Celsius — setting a new record for the highest ever logged in the city during the July 1-10 period since records began — it's time to cool down with icy, nutritious summer meals. One of the favorites is kongguksu, a beloved Korean comfort dish that translates to 'soybean noodles.' This chilled delicacy features noodles served in a silky, creamy broth made from ground soybeans. Packed with protein and boasting a distinctive flavor, kongguksu is a go-to for Koreans looking to beat the heat, revive their appetites, and recharge their energy. For those eager to try some of the best kongguksu in Seoul, three names stand out: Jinju Hoegwan in Jung-gu, Jinju Jip in Yeouido, and Matjarang in Gangnam. Located in the heart of central Seoul, Jinju Hoegwan is a must-visit. The restaurant famously counted the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee among its regulars, and it remains a magnet for diners, especially in the summer. If you visit Jinju Hoegwan, don't miss the kimchi served alongside the noodles. The side dish provides the perfect tangy contrast to the rich, nutty broth. A bowl of kongguksu here will cost 16,000 won (about $11) — a touch on the pricey side, but well worth it for a local-approved taste of Korean summer.' Jinju Hoegwan 26 Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul Space that welcomes everyone A building embodying the late President Roh Moo-hyun's people-centered philosophy stands in the heart of Seoul, right next to Changdeokgung. The building stands out with warm, yellow-tone bricks and a unique design that emphasizes flow and horizontality. The roof, exterior walls, and the ground connect seamlessly, forming a structure that flows gently without interruption. Whatever impressions you get from the building, it welcomes everyone. So step inside without any purpose and not having to spend the money. The interior design also creates a continuous flow, forming a single stair path that connects from the lowest level of the building to the top. Climbing up along the terraced bookshelves to the very top, the third floor reveals Coffee Saneun Sesang, which means 'A World Where Coffee Lives.' The cafe, which serves fair-trade coffee and other options, opens onto a terrace that offers a tranquil view of Changdeokgung. The community center, which was built with funding of 7.1 billion won ($5.2 million) donated by 28,148 citizens between 2019 and 2021, houses a studio, reservable lecture rooms, and a performance venue, all under one roof. Rest areas are available throughout the building. The center also offers a wide range of activities, from a choir and a teen acting class to lectures. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., every day except Mondays. Roh Moo-hyun Civic Center 73 Changdeokgung-gil, Jongno District, Seoul Finding stillness in Mullae-dong In Mullae-dong, a neighborhood in Yeongdeungpo-gu known for its unique blend of small shops and industrial warehouses, there's a special place where you can focus entirely on yourself in a cozy, tranquil setting. The tea house Ado, whose name means "the path to myself," features a bar-style seating area on the first floor and a loft space upstairs. The second floor is available as a private room by reservation. Ado's menu recommends teas based on the seven emotions as defined in Eastern philosophy — joy, anger, sorrow, pleasure, love, hate and desire. You can also order seasonal fruit or traditional sweets to pair with tea. For a personalized experience, guests can take a short questionnaire and receive a curated tea recommendation. In one corner of the tea house, there's a guestbook in which visitors can write their personal stories or worries. You're welcome to add your own stories or leave a reply to someone else's. Customers can share warm gestures even with strangers across pages. Due to its growing popularity, visits are limited to 90 minutes when there's a waiting list. Ado is closed on Tuesdays. It's open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to 10 p.m. on weekends. yoonseo.3348@ gypark@ jy@
Korea Herald
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Who is Lee Jong-seok, Seoul's new spy chief?
Lee Jong-seok, the new director of the National Intelligence Service, is a North Korea strategist and scholar who played key roles during the era of inter-Korean rapprochement in the early 2000s. Taking his oath at the start of his confirmation hearing on June 19, Lee picked "building a peaceful and safe South Korea, founded on two pillars of cooperation and a strong military," as one of his priorities as the head of the country's top spy agency. Lee said he saw it as his job to support the success of a "national interest-based, pragmatic diplomacy" -- the phrase that has come to define the new administration's foreign policy vision. Speaking to The Korea Herald after his confirmation hearing, Lee said, "reducing inter-Korean tensions and restoring dialogue with North Korea" is the "demand of the people." Lee was the unification minister and deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council under another liberal president, the late Roh Moo-hyun. Lee was a key national strategist in the Roh administration. He was appointed Roh's minister of unification in February 2006 to oversee inter-Korean affairs, only to resign in December that same year in the aftermath of North Korea's first nuclear test. At the confirmation hearing, Lee was grilled over whether he thinks the broad economic assistance to North Korea, given over two liberal administrations under presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Dae-jung, had been helpful to the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Lee said he believes economic aid to North Korea "had helped thaw strained ties," which was met by protests from the opposition lawmakers who said that it had only funded Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. Lee has been a scholar of North Korea for over 30 years. His main area of concentration was the Workers' Party of Korea. When Lee was not in public office, he served as a policy adviser to the unification and national defense ministries. He also worked at top research institutions in the country, including the Sejong Institute, where he stood as an emeritus senior fellow up until his appointment. He was a visiting professor at Beijing University in 2017-18. At the confirmation hearing, Lee denied accusations of being a "North Korea dove." Calling himself a "pragmatist," Lee said he did not subscribe to any particular schools of thought or associate with particular factions when it comes to North Korea. "I have followed the principle of pragmatism throughout my professional life," he said. Lee's past public remarks from years back came under scrutiny at the confirmation hearing, including his referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as "someone who has the qualities of both a CEO and an absolute ruler," speaking at the Jeju Forum in June 2021. When asked by an opposition lawmaker if he considered the North Korean leader to be a dictator, Lee replied, "He is a dictator." Lee was also asked to elaborate on his opposition to the introduction of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system for defending against North Korean missiles, or the signing of the General Security of Military Information Agreement, the information sharing pact with Japan. Lee said extra THAAD deployments required a "careful consideration of factors such as South Korea's national interests and the South Korea-US joint defense posture." As for GSOMIA, Lee said that as the scheme is "already agreed upon and in place, it should be complied with." 13 trips to North Korea According to the record he submitted to the National Assembly, Lee had been to North Korea at least 13 times. His first visit to Pyongyang was in June 2000 for the inter-Korean summit. In 2006, he visited North Korea five times during his time as unification minister, for a ministerial summit and other business, including two site visits to the joint industrial park in Kaesong. His last trip to North Korea was in December 2018 for a ceremony marking the start of the construction of coastal railways connecting the North and South. Six former spy chiefs of South Korea had visited North Korea while they were in office, the latest one being Suh Hoon. Suh, who was the NIS director for former President Moon Jae-in, was part of the Seoul delegation for the 2018 inter-Korean summit. Long history with president President Lee Jae Myung and his new spy chief go back a long way. The two are believed to have first met around 2010 when the president had just been elected mayor of Seongnam. The NIS director worked for the president at his Seongnam mayoral office as well as his Gyeonggi Province gubernatorial office. The NIS director was part of the president's 2022 and 2025 campaigns.
Korea Herald
13-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Kim Kyoung-soo enters race championing Roh's Sejong-centered vision
Kim Kyoung-soo, former governor of South Gyeongsang Province, announced his presidential bid on Sunday in Sejong — the de facto administrative capital of South Korea — in a symbolic gesture, becoming the fourth contender from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. Kim stressed the need for political and institutional reforms to prevent the recurrence of presidential overreach, citing disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 last year, which led to his removal by the Constitutional Court in early April. 'To ensure that tragic events like a martial law attempt never happen again, we must reform our political system to enable power-sharing, oversight and checks,' Kim said during his campaign launch event at Sejong City Hall in Sejong, south of Seoul, proposing a constitutional revision to that end. 'During the first 400 days of my administration, through public deliberation and debate, we will make constitutional reform a reality in time for the next local elections (in 2026),' he added. Kim's choice of Sejong as the location for his campaign launch also held symbolic weight. Sejong was envisioned by former President Roh Moo-hyun, Kim's political mentor, as a new administrative capital to ease the overconcentration of power, infrastructure and population in Seoul and to promote balanced national development. Since its establishment in 2012, many government ministries and agencies have relocated there — with a few exceptions, including the presidential office, which remains in Seoul. Building on this legacy, Kim unveiled a broader decentralization initiative aimed at reviving national growth and empowering regions beyond the capital. 'Instead of the Seoul-centered system, we must create five mega cities across the country,' Kim said. 'Through administrative reorganization, we will establish autonomous governments in each mega city to lead the nation's development.' He pledged to allocate over 30 trillion won ($21 billion) annually to support their financial autonomy. Kim also vowed to fully relocate the presidential office from Seoul to Sejong. 'We can no longer use Yongsan, a symbol of insurrection, as the presidential office,' he said. Kim is widely considered a political heir to former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in. He served as Roh's final presidential secretary and later played a central role in Moon's administration as a chief speechwriter and strategist during the 2017 presidential campaign. Kim was elected governor of South Gyeongsang Province in 2018, but his political ascent was interrupted by legal troubles. In 2021, Kim was sentenced to two years in prison for colluding with a power blogger known as 'Druking' to manipulate online opinion in favor of Moon's 2017 campaign — a conviction that led to the loss of his governorship and Democratic Party membership. Kim was granted a presidential pardon in December 2022 under the Yoon administration, alongside former President Lee Myung-bak. However, his eligibility to run for office was not restored until August 2024, following that year's general elections in April. He rejoined the Democratic Party in February this year. However, Kim currently trails far behind Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the front-runner of the Democratic Party of Korea. According to a Media Research poll conducted Tuesday and Wednesday on 1,000 respondents, Lee led with 87.9 percent support among Democratic Party supporters, followed by Kim Dong-yeon, governor of Gyeonggi Province, with 2.5 percent and Kim Kyoung-soo with 2.4 percent. Lee Jae-myung announced his candidacy on Thursday, followed by Kim Dong-yeon and Kim Doo-kwan, a former Democratic Party lawmaker. The latter two, along with Kim Kyoung-soo, are widely regarded as key figures in the party's anti-Lee faction.
Korea Herald
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Kim Kyoung-soo enters race with Roh's Sejong-centered vision
Kim Kyoung-soo, former governor of South Gyeongsang Province, announced his presidential bid on Sunday in Sejong — the de facto administrative capital of South Korea — in a symbolic gesture, becoming the fourth contender from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. Kim stressed the need for political and institutional reforms to prevent the recurrence of presidential overreach, citing disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 last year, which led to his removal by the Constitutional Court in early April. 'To ensure that tragic events like a martial law attempt never happen again, we must reform our political system to enable power-sharing, oversight and checks,' Kim said during his campaign launch event at Sejong City Hall in Sejong, south of Seoul, proposing a constitutional revision to that end. 'During the first 400 days of my administration, through public deliberation and debate, we will make constitutional reform a reality in time for the next local elections (in 2026),' he added. Kim's choice of Sejong as the location for his campaign launch also held symbolic weight. Sejong was envisioned by former President Roh Moo-hyun, Kim's political mentor, as a new administrative capital to ease the overconcentration of power, infrastructure and population in Seoul and to promote balanced national development. Since its establishment in 2012, many government ministries and agencies have relocated there — with a few exceptions, including the presidential office, which remains in Seoul. Building on this legacy, Kim unveiled a broader decentralization initiative aimed at reviving national growth and empowering regions beyond the capital. 'Instead of the Seoul-centered system, we must create five mega cities across the country,' Kim said. 'Through administrative reorganization, we will establish autonomous governments in each mega city to lead the nation's development.' He pledged to allocate over 30 trillion won annually to support their financial autonomy. Kim also vowed to fully relocate the presidential office from Seoul to Sejong. 'We can no longer use Yongsan, a symbol of insurrection, as the presidential office,' he said. Kim is considered a political heir to former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in. He served as Roh's final presidential secretary and later played a central role in Moon's administration as a chief speechwriter and strategist during the 2017 presidential campaign. Kim was elected governor of South Gyeongsang Province in 2018, but his political ascent was interrupted by legal troubles. In 2021, Kim was sentenced to two years in prison for colluding with a power blogger known as 'Druking' to manipulate online opinion in favor of Moon's 2017 campaign — a conviction that led to the loss of his governorship and Democratic Party membership. Kim was granted a presidential pardon in December 2022 under the Yoon administration, alongside former President Lee Myung-bak. However, his eligibility to run for office was not restored until August 2024, following that year's general elections in April. He rejoined the Democratic Party in February this year. However, Kim currently trails other Democratic Party candidates in public support. According to a Media Research poll conducted Tuesday and Wednesday on 1,000 respondents, Lee Jae-myung led with 87.9 percent support among Democratic Party voters, followed by Kim Dong-yeon with 2.5 percent and Kim Kyoung-soo with 2.4 percent. Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the party's leading presidential hopeful, announced his candidacy on Thursday, followed by Kim Dong-yeon, governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Kim Doo-kwan, a former Democratic Party lawmaker. The latter two, along with Kim Kyoung-soo, are widely regarded as key figures in the party's anti-Lee faction. flylikekite@
Korea Herald
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Kim Kyoung-soo enters race with Roh's Sejong-centered vision
Kim Kyoung-soo, former governor of South Gyeongsang Province, announced his presidential bid on Sunday in Sejong -- the de facto administrative capital of South Korea -- in a symbolic gesture, becoming the fourth contender from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. Kim stressed the need for political and institutional reforms to prevent the recurrence of presidential overreach, citing disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 last year, which led to his removal by the Constitutional Court in early April. 'To ensure that tragic events like a martial law attempt never happen again, we must reform our political system to enable power-sharing, oversight and checks,' Kim said during his campaign launch event at Sejong City Hall in Sejong, south of Seoul, proposing a constitutional revision to that end. 'During the first 400 days of my administration, through public deliberation and debate, we will make constitutional reform a reality in time for the next local elections (in 2026),' he added. Kim's choice of Sejong as the location for his campaign launch also held symbolic weight. Sejong was envisioned by former President Roh Moo-hyun, Kim's political mentor, as a new administrative capital to ease the overconcentration of power, infrastructure and population in Seoul and to promote balanced national development. Since its establishment in 2012, many government ministries and agencies have relocated there — with a few exceptions, including the presidential office, which remains in Seoul. Building on this legacy, Kim unveiled a broader decentralization initiative aimed at reviving national growth and empowering regions beyond the capital. 'Instead of the Seoul-centered system, we must create five mega cities across the country,' Kim said. 'Through administrative reorganization, we will establish autonomous governments in each mega city to lead the nation's development.' He pledged to allocate over 30 trillion won annually to support their financial autonomy. Kim also vowed to fully relocate the presidential office from Seoul to Sejong. 'We can no longer use Yongsan, a symbol of insurrection, as the presidential office,' he said. Kim is considered a political heir to former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in. He served as Roh's final presidential secretary and later played a central role in Moon's administration as a chief speechwriter and strategist during the 2017 presidential campaign. Kim was elected governor of South Gyeongsang Province in 2018, but his political ascent was interrupted by legal troubles. In 2021, Kim was sentenced to two years in prison for colluding with a power blogger known as 'Druking' to manipulate online opinion in favor of Moon's 2017 campaign — a conviction that led to the loss of his governorship and Democratic Party membership. Kim was granted a presidential pardon in December 2022 under the Yoon administration, alongside former President Lee Myung-bak. However, his eligibility to run for office was not restored until August 2024, following that year's general elections in April. He rejoined the Democratic Party in February this year. However, Kim currently trails other Democratic Party candidates in public support. According to a Media Research poll conducted Tuesday and Wednesday on 1,000 respondents, Lee Jae-myung led with 87.9 percent support among Democratic Party voters, followed by Kim Dong-yeon with 2.5 percent and Kim Kyoung-soo with 2.4 percent. Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the party's leading presidential hopeful, announced his candidacy on Thursday, followed by Kim Dong-yeon, governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Kim Doo-kwan, a former Democratic Party lawmaker. The latter two, along with Kim Kyoung-soo, are widely regarded as key figures in the party's anti-Lee faction.
