Time - INT (2022-06-06)

Tensions are high on the Korean

Peninsula, as U.S. offi cials

say there are concerns that say there are concerns that

North Korea may be preparing North Korea may be preparing

to resume nuclear testing. to resume nuclear testing.

South Korea’s new President, South Korea’s new President,

Yoon Suk-yeol, a former pros-Yoon Suk-yeol, a former pros-

ecutor with little foreign policy ecutor with little foreign policy

experience, is determined to experience, is determined to

take on the challenge. take on the challenge.

On the campaign trail, Yoon, On the campaign trail, Yoon,

of the conservative People of the conservative People

Power Party, called for a tougher Power Party, called for a tougher

stance in relation to his coun-stance in relation to his coun-

try’s northern neighbor, com-try’s northern neighbor, com-

pared with that of his predeces-pared with that of his predeces-

sor, who had pushed for greater sor, who had pushed for greater

engagement with North Korea. engagement with North Korea.

In his May 10 inauguration In his May 10 inauguration

address, Yoon offered an “auda-address, Yoon offered an “auda-

cious plan” to strengthen North cious plan” to strengthen North

Korea’s economy in exchange Korea’s economy in exchange

for complete denuclearization. for complete denuclearization.

It’s a deal that analysts say Kim It’s a deal that analysts say Kim

Jong Un is unlikely to accept.Jong Un is unlikely to accept.

The 61-year-old Yoon has also The 61-year-old Yoon has also

said that he wants to align with said that he wants to align with

the U.S.—South Korea’s most the U.S.—South Korea’s most

important military ally—more important military ally—more

closely. This will likely create closely. This will likely create

friction with China, its largest friction with China, its largest

trading partner. trading partner.

But if Yoon has big aims But if Yoon has big aims

internationally, he will also need internationally, he will also need

to prove himself at home. The to prove himself at home. The

populist leader promises to heal populist leader promises to heal

economic and political divides, economic and political divides,

something that will be necessary something that will be necessary

after a campaign in which he after a campaign in which he

infl amed divisions by weapon-infl amed divisions by weapon-

izing anti izing anti feminist rhetoric to feminist rhetoric to

gain support. Not everyone is gain support. Not everyone is

confi dent in his abilities. A poll confi dent in his abilities. A poll

released in early April by Gallup released in early April by Gallup

Korea found that only 55% of Korea found that only 55% of

respondents expect Yoon, who respondents expect Yoon, who

won by a razor-thin margin, to do won by a razor-thin margin, to do

a good job in offi ce.a good job in offi ce.

Gunia is a TIME staff writerGunia is a TIME staff writer

Yoon Yoon

Suk-yeolSuk-yeol

Shifting gearsShifting gears

B Y A M Y G U N I AB Y A M Y G U N I A

Letitia

James

Enforcing the law

BY CHARLOTTE ALTER

As the fi rst Black

woman to serve as

New York State’s

attorney general—one

of the most powerful

law- enforcement posi-

tions in the country—

Letitia James has

used her position to

take down powerful

men and pursue

nationwide causes.

Her investigation into

the state’s handling

of COVID-19 deaths

at nursing homes

damaged Governor

Andrew Cuomo’s repu-

tation, and her offi ce’s

investigation into the

sexual harassment

claims against the

governor led to his

resignation in August

2021. Her investiga-
      tion into former Presi-
      dent Donald Trump’s
      business dealings
      has been one of the
      most aggressive
      so far, resulting in a
      New York State judge
      briefl y holding the
      former President in
      contempt of court
      as the state seeks
      documents relating
      to possible fraud at
      his organization. And
      she’s using her posi-
      tion as New York’s
      top law- enforcement
      offi cer to wield power
      on national issues,
      from protecting
      women from other
      states who seek an
      abortion in New York
      to investigating the
      role of social media
      companies in spread-
      ing online hate.

Alter is a TIME senior

correspondent

JAMES: ERICA LANSNER—REDUX; YOON SOURCE PHOTO: JAMES LEE—XINHUA/GETTY IMAGES

62 TIME June 6/June 13, 2022