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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103 autumn foliage paths in Seoul
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Hanwha, HD Hyundai vie for Poland’s $2.7b submarine program
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Seoul aims to halve current suicide rate by 2030
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First lady’s controversies to top agenda at meeting of party leaders
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When two worlds collab: K-pop flexes power with global stars
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Bipartisan panel formed to address livelihood issues amid tension over first lady probe
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S. Korea begins procedures to develop technologies for light aircraft carrier
Military officials and defense researchers were to hold their first meeting Tuesday to develop core technologies necessary to build and deploy the country's first light aircraft carrier by 2033, the arms procurement agency said. The military has been pushing to secure the 40,000-ton light aircraft carrier to "proactively respond to threats from all directions," though some critics have raised questions about its cost-effectiveness. During Tuesday's meeting, military officials and res
DefenseOct. 27, 2020
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Pastor fined for flouting in-person worship ban amid pandemic
A pastor has been fined for violating an in-person worship ban imposed to contain the spread of the new coronavirus here, a local court said Tuesday. The Gwangju District Court sentenced the pastor, only identified as a 57-year-old, to a fine of 2 million won ($1,766) on charges of breaching the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. The pastor was accused of holding an in-person worship service attended by 198 people at a church in Gwangju, some 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on J
Social AffairsOct. 27, 2020
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Korea readies for winter without COVID vaccine
South Korea’s health authorities on Tuesday urged members of the public to refrain from attending social gatherings as the country faces a second coronavirus winter without a vaccine, amid a rising number of cases linked to in-person gatherings and increased autumn activities. Korea reported 88 new coronavirus cases -- 72 locally transmitted and 16 imported from overseas -- in the 24 hours ending Monday at midnight, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. &ldqu
Social AffairsOct. 27, 2020
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US panel postpones decision on LG Chem-SK Innovation EV battery case
SEOUL/WASHINGTON -- A US trade panel on Monday postponed its final decision on a high-stakes trade secret case involving two South Korean electric vehicle battery markers -- LG Chem Ltd. and SK Innovation Co. -- to early December. The delay marks the second of its kind after the US International Trade Commission (ICT) pushed back its final ruling from Oct. 5. The decision has now been set for Dec. 10, the US panel said, without providing specific reasons for the further delay. "The Commi
Foreign AffairsOct. 27, 2020
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13 American USFK personnel test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in S. Korea
Thirteen American service members have tested positive for the new coronavirus upon arrival in South Korea from the United States this month, the US Forces Korea (USFK) said Monday. Eight of them arrived at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, some 70 kilometers south of Seoul, on US government chartered flights, and the other five arrived on international commercial flights at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, between Oct. 9 and 22, according to the US military. Of them, five individuals
Social AffairsOct. 26, 2020
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FM sees 'problem' with ambassador's remarks about alliance with US
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said Monday she sees a "problem" with recent remarks by the country's ambassador to the United States that sparked criticism for belittling South Korea's alliance with Washington. Kang also told a parliamentary audit session that she is considering taking unspecified "necessary action" over Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuck's remarks that just because South Korea chose the US as its ally 70 years ago does not mean that it has to choose the US for the n
Foreign AffairsOct. 26, 2020
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Choo hits back at chief prosecutor
The Ministry of Justice is looking into allegations that Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl met with heads of major conservative dailies, as well as developments that led to an investigation into alleged financial fraud being terminated. Speaking at the parliamentary audit of her ministry, Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae said that the allegation that Yoon met with the largest shareholders of two leading conservative dailies will be looked into as such actions could violate prosecutors’ code o
PoliticsOct. 26, 2020
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Halloween evokes COVID-19 nightmares amid easing of restrictions
Coronavirus fright is spooking many this Halloween as South Korea is set to maintain the least intensive form of social distancing through the end of October. Out of pandemic awareness, most events and activities will be scaled down. But as the country goes easy on social distancing, skipping the holiday altogether won’t be likely. Halloween festivals are planned at some of Korea’s largest theme parks, which have suffered a sharp drop in visitors since the pandemic began. The num
Social AffairsOct. 26, 2020
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S. Korea continues flu vaccinations, despite rise in suspected deaths
South Korea's health authorities said Monday they will continue a nationwide flu vaccination program, citing no direct links between flu shots and deaths. So far, a total of 59 people, mostly elderly people in their 70s and 80s, have died after getting flu shots, up from 48 last Saturday, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said in a statement. An investigation showed that 46 deaths were believed to have no link to flu shots, the KDCA said, adding it has conducted a probe
Social AffairsOct. 26, 2020
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Public divided over who should direct the financial fraud scandal investigation: poll
Koreans are divided over which authority should take charge of the investigation into controversial fund scams, a poll showed Monday, following reports suggesting politicians and prosecutors may have been involved in the cases surrounding two asset management firms. According to a Realmeter poll of 500 adults conducted last week, 43.6 percent of respondents said a special counsel probe should be launched for the probe, a measure that has been demanded by the main opposition People Power Party.
PoliticsOct. 26, 2020
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Moon says expanding flu shots needed with no link found with recent deaths
President Moon Jae-in stressed the need Monday to expand flu vaccinations this year, as South Korea strives to stem the potential simultaneous spread of the novel coronavirus and seasonal influenza. He advised the people not to be excessively concerned about the safety of flu shots administered under a state-led free vaccine program. The president said it is "being confirmed" that there is no direct link between the recent deaths of dozens of people and the flu shots they had taken.
PoliticsOct. 26, 2020
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S. Korea to send fewer emergency text alerts from next year: Safety Ministry
The government will introduce stricter rules for emergency text alerts starting next year in response to growing public fatigue over the notifications amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to an inquiry from Rep. Park Soo-young of the People Power Party, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said that starting in 2021 it plans to refrain from sending emergency text alerts between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., unless deemed absolutely necessary. Using the text alert system to promote governme
Social AffairsOct. 26, 2020
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[Newsmaker] N. Korea slams S. Korea for ‘serving’ US
A North Korean propaganda outlet slammed South Korea on Monday for “serving” the US in a display of servility, saying Washington is returning only complications on ongoing disputes with Seoul. “Ranking officials in Seoul have paid numerous visits to Washington since October. … Their alliance is a combination of subjugation and subordination where Seoul is held hostage,” the propaganda outlet Maeari said, referring to the prolonged disputes over defense costs-shar
North KoreaOct. 26, 2020
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[News Focus] Heir’s legal challenges cast shadow over new era at Samsung
The death Sunday of Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee ushers in a new era under his son, the group’s de facto head Lee Jae-yong, but the path forward for the new leader appears fraught with legal challenges. Lee Jae-yong, the 52-year-old third-generation leader of the country’s largest conglomerate, is currently standing trial in two cases that could send him back to prison and are likely to take years to reach a conclusion. At the center of the legal disputes is the process by whic
Social AffairsOct. 26, 2020
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Conscientious objectors begin alternative service at Daejeon jail
The first group of conscientious objectors began their 36-month alternative service at a Daejeon jail on Monday, following a landmark court ruling two years ago that obliged the parliament to roll out such a program. South Korea conscripts all able-bodied men for about two years to maintain defense readiness against North Korea. A total of 63 objectors entered the correctional institution on Monday for three weeks of nonmilitary training. Upon completion of the program, they will be assigned t
DefenseOct. 26, 2020
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S. Korea appears to be only country opposing Japan’s wastewater disposal: lawmaker
South Korea appears to be the only country openly opposing Japan’s plan to discharge radioactive water from the devastated Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, a lawmaker said Monday. According to information obtained by Rep. Lee Tae-kyu from the Foreign Ministry, no other country in the world has publicly protested Tokyo’s impending decision to dispose of contaminated water. Countries in the EU and Pacific island nations, as well as the US, have responded to the issue as a m
Foreign AffairsOct. 26, 2020
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Govt. to remove phone numbers from visitor registrations to protect personal info
The government is looking to exclude mobile phone numbers from handwritten visitor registrations, introduced to track coronavirus cases among visitors to multiuse facilities, to prevent possible breaches of personal information, its top official in charge of personal information protection said. Yoon Jong-in, chairman of the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), said his agency is pushing to strengthen the management of handwritten visitor entry logs by doing away with mobile phone
Social AffairsOct. 26, 2020
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Seoul city to launch new public Wi-Fi service on trial basis
The Seoul city government said Monday it will launch a new public Wi-Fi service in five wards on a trial basis next month. The free service, named "Kkachi On," will be introduced in the eastern ward of Seongdong and the southwestern ward of Guro on Sunday, before being expanded to the Eunpyeong, Gangseo and Dobong wards in mid-November, according to the city government. "Kkachi" is the Korean word for magpie, a symbol of the capital city and a bird known to bring good luck,
Social AffairsOct. 26, 2020
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US pushing for flexible adjustment of troop levels overseas: defense ministry
The United States did not commit to maintaining its troop level in South Korea in a recent joint statement between their defense ministers because it is adjusting its overseas troop presence in a flexible manner, the defense ministry said Monday. The two countries issued a joint communique after annual talks between Defense Minister Suh Wook and US Defense Secretary Mark Esper earlier this month, but the statement did not include a usual US commitment to keep American troops at the current leve
DefenseOct. 26, 2020
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Defense ministry reviewing possible provision of intelligence on slain official to UN
South Korea is considering providing the United Nations with military intelligence collected in the course of North Korea's killing of one of its citizens if the UN launches an investigation, Defense Minister Suh Wook said Monday. On Sept. 22, North Korea fatally shot the 47-year-old official, who was adrift in its side of the Yellow Sea, and burned his body, according to the South Korean military. He went missing the previous day while on duty near the western border island of Yeonpyeong. The
PoliticsOct. 26, 2020