Most Popular
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Signs point to N. Korean troops in Russia-Ukraine combat zone
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Rose's 'Apt.' redefines K-pop's global appeal
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Two years on, thousands mourn Itaewon tragedy, calling for accountability
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[Herald Interview] Love for K-drama, food defines 'Secret Ingredient'
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Hanwha, HD Hyundai vie for Poland’s $2.7b submarine program
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First lady’s controversies to top agenda at meeting of party leaders
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103 autumn foliage paths in Seoul
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Seoul aims to halve current suicide rate by 2030
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4 in 10 young South Koreans take up 'irregular' jobs: data
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[Photo News] Rallying against LGBTQ+
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Twitter accounts for individual North Koreans appear in rare propaganda move
North Korean individuals have taken to Twitter to post about their daily lives and domestic news, in a rare move by the reclusive country presumed to be aimed at reaching a broader audience through a more approachable style. It also appears to be in line with North Korea's recent stepped-up efforts to embrace social media, including a YouTube channel, as new propaganda vehicles. Two accounts appeared in October on Twitter, including one signed up as Kim Myong-il, who claims to be a director of
North KoreaNov. 13, 2020
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Ministry renews calls for N. Korea to act in 'discreet, wise and flexible' manner after Biden's election
The unification ministry on Friday renewed calls for North Korea to refrain from provocations, urging Pyongyang to act in a "discreet, wise and flexible" manner during the heightened uncertainty following the US presidential election earlier this month. The calls came amid uncertainty over what policy the incoming Joe Biden administration of the US will take on North Korea and concerns Pyongyang could carry out provocations to draw attention and set the tone for future negotiations.
North KoreaNov. 13, 2020
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Ruling party lawmakers said to demand replacement of gender minister
Voices are growing among lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) calling for the replacement of Minister of Gender Equality and Family Lee Jung-ok, who recently drew fire for insensitive remarks on next year's Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections, party officials said Friday. A group of progressive DP lawmakers reportedly asked Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential office, earlier this week to replace Lee in the next Cabinet reshuffle, citing fierce criticism of Lee's remarks by women's and civ
PoliticsNov. 13, 2020
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[Newsmaker] S. Koreans urged to wear masks or face new fine
South Koreans taking the bus or subway to work Friday morning were greeted by public officials warning them of a 100,000 won ($90) fine should they fail to wear a mask in public. In a country that has received widespread praise for its response to the coronavirus pandemic, most people were already wearing a mask and did not need to be told to do so. But for the few who chose not to wear a mask, or did not put it on properly, the officials were there to remind them of a new law that would make
Social AffairsNov. 13, 2020
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Ruling party chief asks Biden admin to keep 2018 deal between Kim Jong-un, Trump
The ruling party chairman expressed hope Friday that a 2018 deal signed between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and President Donald Trump will be retained under the incoming US administration under President-elect Joe Biden. "I wish that South Korea and the US will work together to reactivate the Korean Peninsula peace process," Rep. Lee Nak-yon, the chairman of Democratic Party (DP), said during a top party council meeting. "The starting point for that will be the reaffirmati
PoliticsNov. 13, 2020
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Moon congratulates US congressional leaders, asks for alliance
President Moon Jae-in has formally congratulated US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other key American congressional figures for their recent election wins, requesting their continued support for the Seoul-Washington alliance, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday. In congratulatory telegrams, Moon expressed thanks to the US congressional leadership and Korea-related organizations for their interest and support toward the alliance, according to Moon's office. Moon also asked for their sustained interest an
Foreign AffairsNov. 13, 2020
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11 more military personnel test positive for COVID-19
Three Army officers, an Air Force civilian worker and seven airmen have tested positive for the new coronavirus, the defense ministry said Friday. The airmen and the civilian employee in Seosan, 150 kilometers south of Seoul, were confirmed to have been infected with COVID-19 after a guest lecturer who visited their base earlier this week tested positive for the virus, according to the ministry. "The education took place in compliance with anti-virus rules, such as wearing masks and keepi
Social AffairsNov. 13, 2020
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Seoul city offers new ecological programs at Han River parks
New monthly ecological programs for Seoul residents are now available at the capital's Han River parks, Seoul city government said Friday. The city government is accepting visitors for 45 programs that begin in November, including those that offer hands-on experience of nature across 10 river parks in the city, including Ttukseom Han River Park, Amsa Ecological Park and Godeok Riverside Ecological Park. At Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park, stress-relief sessions, such as recitals and meditatio
Social AffairsNov. 13, 2020
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Remains of 2 Korean independence fighters to be returned home
The remains of two Korean independence fighters will be returned home from the United States this weekend for burial at a national cemetery, the veterans affairs ministry said Friday. Cho Chong-hee and Na Sung-don took part in various movements for the country's independence from the 1910-1945 Japanese colonial rule, according to government data. They were recognized by the state as patriots in 1990. The two had stayed in the US and died there earlier this year. Their remains will arrive at
Social AffairsNov. 13, 2020
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PM hints at tougher distancing guidelines amid spike in virus cases
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Friday the government "may have to seriously consider" toughening social distancing measures, citing alarming increases in new daily COVID-19 cases. "The warning light for disease control has lit up. If the current growth trend continues, (we) may have to seriously consider raising the (social) distancing level," Chung said during a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters at the government complex in Seoul. H
PoliticsNov. 13, 2020
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New virus cases spike to over 2-month high, tougher restrictions
South Korea's new coronavirus cases spiked to almost 200 Friday, the highest in 70 days, due to sporadic cluster infections from informal gatherings across the nation, forcing health authorities to consider raising the social distancing scheme. The country added 191 more COVID-19 cases, including 162 local infections, raising the total caseload to 28,133, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The daily caseload was the highest since Sept. 4, marking a triple-dig
Social AffairsNov. 13, 2020
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S. Korea completes deployment of K-9 howitzer
South Korea has completed the deployment of the K-9 self-propelled howitzer, about 20 years after it was first put into force in the country, the arms procurement agency said Friday. Manufactured by Hanwha Defense, a South Korean defense firm, the 155-millimeter K-9 artillery gun was first deployed on the western border islands of Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong in 1999. South Korea plans to continue to improve its capabilities, including its navigation equipment and operating system, and add remot
DefenseNov. 13, 2020
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Lawmakers from S. Korea, Japan hold talks to mend frayed ties
Lawmakers from South Korea and Japan on Thursday vowed to step up efforts to help mend the frayed ties between the two countries. Seven members of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union arrived in Tokyo for a three-day visit as the two countries are quickening moves to improve relations since the inauguration of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. They held a face-to-face meeting with their counterparts to discuss ways to boost cooperation and exchanges between the two sides. "Political ci
PoliticsNov. 12, 2020
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Seoul to provide aid to hurricane-hit Central American nations
South Korea will provide $700,000 in humanitarian assistance to five Central American nations to help them recover from recent hurricane damage, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday. South Korea will support Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama and El Salvador after they were severely hit by Hurricane Eta, which left more than 120 dead and more than 2.5 million people displaced. The ministry said it hopes the aid will help people who suffered damage to be able to swiftly return to their
Foreign AffairsNov. 12, 2020
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Moon dials up diplomatic push for Southeast Asia
President Moon Jae-in on Thursday announced the “New Southern Policy Plus” initiative to enhance the country’s regional diplomacy at the Korea-ASEAN Summit, held via satellite link. Moon stressed the need for international cooperation in face of the coronavirus pandemic, saying the newly unveiled strategy reflects the changing needs of Korea and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations bloc, in light of the virus crisis. “I think that it is very
Foreign AffairsNov. 12, 2020
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Workshops on e-learning to be held for ASEAN professors in Korea
A series of workshops for Southeast Asian educators and scholars based in Korea will be held as part of efforts to increase their distance teaching capacity amid the COVID-19 pandemic and boost ASEAN-Korea cooperation in the education sector. Co-organized by the ASEAN-Korea Center and the Korea Education Research Information Service, workshops on online learning content and services will be offered for the Council of ASEAN Professors in Korea on Nov. 14 and Dec. 4, respectively. Under th
Diplomatic CircuitNov. 12, 2020
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Shincheonji leader granted bail after three months in detention
A local court granted bail to Lee Man-hee, the leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus which was at the center of South Korea’s early coronavirus outbreak in late February through March. The Suwon District Court on Thursday accepted the bail request of Lee, 89, citing his old age, deteriorating health and low risks of him destroying evidence. His bail bond is set at 100 million won, and Lee will be required to wear an electric device for his whereabouts to be tracked real-time. The co
Social AffairsNov. 12, 2020
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'Fact-Check Net' launched to fight disinformation, misinformation
Local journalists, citizens and professionals on Thursday launched a joint fact-checking platform to systematically fight disinformation and misinformation in Korean society. The online platform "Fact-Check Net" (https://www.factchecker.or.kr) was established as a consortium among three media organizations -- the Korea Broadcasting Journalist Association (KBJA), the Journalists Association of Korea and the Korean Producers and Directors Association -- and Parti, a social cooperative t
Social AffairsNov. 12, 2020
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[News Focus] Travel to Korea doubles from April low, but still depleted
SEJONG -- Earlier this year, the number of foreigners going through immigration dropped sharply in the wake of the novel coronavirus. But the figure has continued to rebound after touching the bottom in April. According to the Korea Immigration Service, the number of foreign visitors to South Korea continued to drop -- from 1.32 million in January, 719,449 in February, 90,837 in March and 34,544 in April. The country’s first case of COVID-19 was reported on Jan. 20. Among major visitors
Social AffairsNov. 12, 2020
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S. Korea ‘willing to risk’ prepurchasing potential vaccines
The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare is holding an initial meeting to work out how the country intends to purchase and supply foreign-made COVID-19 vaccines here, amid buzz surrounding US drug giant Pfizer’s early results. Senior health official Yoon Tae-ho told reporters during a briefing Thursday morning that the ministry was speaking with medical experts behind closed doors later that day. “From what I understand this is the first meeting to be held for planning vacc
Social AffairsNov. 12, 2020