Lee Jae-myung
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Lee Jae-myung

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South Korea
Lee Jae-myung
Lee Jae-myung
On June 4, 2025, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung became the 14th president of South Korea. He was previously the sixth governor of Gyeonggi province from 2018 to 2021, and the member of the National Assembly for Gyeyang B from 2022 to 2025.
Born
8 Dec 1963
Industry
Politics
Job Title
President of Republic of Korea
Pusan Newport Terminal in Busan. South Korea is looking for a mutually beneficial trade deal with the US after President Donald Trump announced a new 25 per cent tariff on its goods. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

‘Truly regrettable’: Trump slaps 25% tariffs on South Korea and Japan. What now?

Because of its open economy and status as Washington’s ally, South Korea has a good chance of reaching a trade deal with Trump, analysts say.

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Japan

With US tariffs looming, China’s panda diplomacy returns as Japan seeks new loan

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US-ally trade wars

Apparently impatient Trump slaps 25% tariffs on Japan, South Korea

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South Korea martial law 2024

South Korean prosecutors request detention for ex-president Yoon

Yoon is facing a criminal trial on insurrection charges and was arrested in January after resisting arrest but was released on technical grounds.

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (left) heads to the office of special counsel Cho Eun-suk, within the Seoul High Prosecutors Office in southern Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday. Photo: EPA-EFE
South Korea

South Korea ramps up stimulus as US tariff tensions loom

More money has been allocated for cash coupon handouts.

US-China trade war

South Korea, Japan step up as US targets China’s shipbuilding – can they succeed?

Washington’s curbs on Chinese shipping give Tokyo and Seoul a chance to revive their sectors – but analysts warn challenges remain.

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North Korea

‘High-risk 20-hour escape’: North Korea civilian crosses mined land border

Tens of thousands of North Koreans have fled to South Korea since the peninsula was divided by war in the 1950s, but defections across the land border are relatively rare.

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A giant loudspeaker (C), near the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas, last month. Photo: AFP
China-South Korea relations

South Korea’s Lee Jae-myung pledges to improve China, Russia ties

The president says his focus is on pragmatic diplomacy that safeguards the public and national interests.

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South Korea martial law 2024

Did South Korea’s Yoon order drones into Pyongyang to justify martial law?

Secret recording could amount to ‘smoking gun’ that Yoon sought to manufacture crisis to legitimise extending his presidency, observers say.

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South Korea

South Korea’s Lee nominates finance minister to tackle growth, Trump

A former second vice finance minister, Koo Yun-cheol comes as Lee forms a team to counter rising headwinds following months of political turmoil.

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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung delivers his first budget speech at the National Assembly in Seoul on Thursday. Photo: AP
South Korea

Talks over threats: South Korea tries a new tack to sway its nuclear neighbour

From halting border broadcasts to urging diplomacy, South Korea’s new president is making tangible gestures to de-escalate tensions.

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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks on the phone at the presidential office in Seoul earlier this month. Photo: South Korean Presidential Office / EPA-EFE
Korean peninsula

Americans held in South Korea for trying to send Bibles, cash and rice to North

Police say six Americans allegedly tried to throw bottles filled with aid and religious texts into sea.

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South Korea

South Korea’s next labour minister was driving a train when he got the call

Critics question whether political newcomer Kim Young-hoon will be ‘swayed by bureaucrats’.

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South Korea

South Korea’s Nato no-show: pragmatism or diplomatic shift?

While some see a tactical move, critics fear the no-show might undermine Seoul’s ties with Western allies and signal a broader reorientation.

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Anti-Nato protesters rally in The Hague on Sunday before this week’s summit of the transatlantic security alliance in The Netherlands. Photo: Xinhua
Diplomacy

Macroscope | A retreating US opens door to wider Asian economic integration

Buffeted by Trump’s disruptive policies, Asia should seize the chance to reassert the need for regional integration as the US retreats.

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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (right) and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba shake hands on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Banff, Alberta, on June 17. Photo: dpa
Cryptocurrency

Letters | How Asia can define the era of stablecoins

Readers discuss policy momentum for stablecoins, the Israel-Iran war, and pro-baby policies.

South Korea

South Korea’s ex-first lady reportedly hospitalised for depression

Sources say Kim Keon-hee was admitted for psychiatric treatment after experiencing severe hyperventilation.

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Asia housing and property

The View | Despite setbacks, Seoul’s property market is an example of resilience

While each Asian economy has its nuances, recent South Korean trends offer prime insight for understanding the wider regional market.

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People sit and admire the cherry blossoms and lakeside buildings in Seoul, South Korea, on March 30, 2023. Photo: Xinhua
China-South Korea relations

Lee Jae-myung turns to China to ease North Korea ties, but will it take sides?

Analysts say Beijing’s role will depend on new South Korean leader’s approach to China and potential for US-North Korea dialogue.

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South Korea

Lee Jae-myung’s debut at G7 summit shows ‘South Korea is back in the game’

His attendance at the meeting of major powers will be the new president’s first overseas trip since taking office.

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South Korea

South Korea’s Yoon on trial: what’s at stake?

Leaders of the three teams looking into the former president and first lady have been given 20 days to prepare before launching a full probe.

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Former South Korean president Yoon Suk-Yeol (left) and his wife Kim Keon-Hee celebrating National Liberation Day on August 15, last year. Photo: EPA-EFE
China travel

End of political chaos in South Korea sparks pickup in Chinese visitors

Inauguration of President Lee Jae-myung expected to lead to an increase in tourism exchanges and improved bilateral ties.

Chinese tourists wave after disembarking from the Blue Dream Melody cruise ship in Busan, South Korea, in June last year. Photo: EPA-EFE/Yonhap
South Korea

South Korea, US push for dialogue with North amid Kim’s snub of Trump letter

South Korea’s foreign ministry emphasised its efforts to reopen communication with Pyongyang to ease tensions, without directly commenting on Trump’s letter.

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South Korea

End to inter-Korea ‘loudspeaker war’?

Pyongyang’s cessation of loudspeaker broadcasts does not signal a shift in its indifferent policy towards ties with Seoul, analysts say.

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South Korea

South Korea silences propaganda loudspeakers in bid to ‘restore trust’ with North

The South resumed loudspeaker broadcasts in June 2024 after a pause, responding to North Korea’s trash-laden balloon campaign.

A South Korean military vehicle with loudspeakers is seen in front of a barbed-wire fence near the border with North Korea. Photo: AP
South Korea

Will Kim Jong-un reciprocate first move by South Korea’s Lee to ease tensions?

A proposed halt to the launch of anti-North propaganda leaflets may signal a major policy shift by President Lee Jae-myung, analysts say.

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Balloons carrying leaflets and a banner denouncing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un being prepared for launch near the border between the two Koreas in 2016. Photo: AP
SCMP Highlights

Beijing on ‘chaotic’ LA protests, US-China trade talks: SCMP daily highlights

From day 1 of US-China trade talks to Chinese state media pouncing on chaos in Los Angeles, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

China-South Korea relations

Xi urges South Korea’s new leader to set relations with China on ‘right course’

Lee Jae-myung took office last week after an election campaign in which he had pledged to establish stronger ties with Beijing.

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