Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Lee raises currency swap during Bessent visit as Korea readies for investment, seeks won stabilization

President Lee Jae Myung raised the need for a bilateral currency swap arrangement with the United States during his meeting with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the Blue House on Wednesday.

2026-05-13

Blue House, green onions

A farmer stacks green onions during a press conference held by the farmers’ group Farmers’ Road with the People near the presidential office in Jongno District, central Seoul, on May 13.

2026-05-13

Security chief says Seoul is reviewing 'levels of military roles' in U.S.-led Hormuz initiatives

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Wednesday that South Korea is considering U.S.-led initiatives to enable safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and reviewing "various levels of military roles."

2026-05-13

Blue House vows to support Samsung labor talks, but stays mum on invoking emergency arbitration

The presidential office threw its weight behind Samsung Electronics' labor negotiations on Wednesday, vowing to keep both sides talking before a strike deadline later this month.

2026-05-13

Blue House condemns strike on cargo vessel but cautious on naming attacker

The Blue House on Monday condemned what it called an “unjustifiable and intolerable” attack on the Korean-operated cargo vessel HMM Namu after an investigation found the vessel was struck near the Strait of Hormuz.

2026-05-11

No more need for Korea to mull 'Project Freedom' after Trump suspended it, Blue House says

The Blue House said Wednesday that Korea no longer needs to review participation in the U.S.-led "Project Freedom" initiative, a tricky issue for Seoul, as President Donald Trump temporarily suspended the operation amid negotiations with Iran.

2026-05-06

President, first lady mark Children's Day with tour, activities with kids at Blue House

Some 100 children flocked to the Blue House in central Seoul for a chance to tour the presidential premises and ask questions directly to President Lee Jae Myung in celebration of Children's Day on Tuesday.

2026-05-05

Blue House chief of staff predicts slower housing price growth after tax benefit withdrawal for multiple homes

The local housing market may see slower price growth starting in May, when the government is set to end tax benefits to owners of multiple homes, the presidential chief of staff for policy forecast Monday.

2026-05-04

Blue House orders investigation into alleged business abuses by retired public employees

Kang Hoon-sik, presidential chief of staff, on Monday ordered action on suspected business abuses by retired employees of public institutions and state-run companies.

2026-05-04

President Lee urges caution for special probe into alleged political prosecutions, but signals support

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday signaled support for a special counsel investigation into allegations of politically motivated prosecutions under his predecessor, but urged his own party to proceed cautiously.

2026-05-04