Most Popular
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Signs point to N. Korean troops in Russia-Ukraine combat zone
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[Exclusive] Korean adoptee sisters meet for the first time in 39 years
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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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Civil servant’s death linked to workplace bullying
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[Weekender] Walk around Korea to really get to know the country
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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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[Photo News] Rallying against LGBTQ+
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Head of minor rightist party accused of insulting party official
The minor rightist Our Republican Party's co-head was accused of insulting and verbally abusing a party official, police said Saturday.According to Seoul's Yeongdeungpo Police Station, the party official filed an official complaint with the police, accusing co-head of the party Cho Won-jin of insulting and verbally abusing the official during a recent protest rally in front of the National Assembly. The party official demanded a criminal penalty for Cho for the alleged insult and verbal abu
Dec. 28, 2019
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Nat'l Assembly passes bills for alternative military service
South Korea's National Assembly passed bills to establish a law on alternative military service and amend the Military Service Act to that effect at its plenary session on Friday, allowing conscientious objectors to avoid criminalization. According to the proposed law, conscientious objectors can fulfill the obligatory military service via 36 months of alternative service at correctional facilities. At present, all able-bodied Korean men are required to serve in the Army for 21 month
Dec. 27, 2019
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National Assembly passes electoral reform bill amid opposition lawmakers' protest
South Korea's National Assembly on Friday passed an election reform bill to introduce a new proportional representation system and lower the voting age amid fierce protests by opposition lawmakers. The revision bill has been at the center of a monthslong political spat after the ruling Democratic Party and smaller opposition parties placed it on a legislative fast track in late April, along with a set of bills to overhaul the prosecution and set up an independent body to probe high-level corrupt
Dec. 27, 2019
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National Assembly passes electoral reform bill
The National Assembly on Friday passed a controversial reform bill designed to adopt a new proportional representation system for the April general elections.The bill was put up for vote about eight months after the ruling Democratic Party and its smaller rivals placed it on a fast-track in late April, along with prosecution reform bills. National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang introduced the electoral reform bill Monday despite strong objections from the main opposition Liberty Korea Party.The
Dec. 27, 2019
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National Assembly convenes plenary meeting to vote on electoral reform bill
The National Assembly convened a plenary meeting Friday to vote on a controversial electoral reform bill designed to adopt a new proportional representation system for the April general elections.The bill will be put to a vote, about eight months after the ruling Democratic Party and its smaller rivals placed it on a fast-track in late April, along with prosecution reform bills.National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang introduced the electoral reform bill Monday despite strong objections from the
Dec. 27, 2019
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Moon meets top military commanders over lunch to discuss combat posture
President Moon Jae-in had a year-end luncheon at Cheong Wa Dae on Friday, in which he discussed South Korea's combat readiness with a group of top military commanders.Moon had the 100-minute meeting with Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Park Han-ki, as well as the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Also present was Gen. Choi Byun-hyuk, deputy commander of the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command.The meeting was meant as a chance for M
Dec. 27, 2019
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Electoral reform bill to be put to vote at parliament Friday
A contentious bill on electoral reform will likely be put to a vote at the National Assembly on Friday, after a three-day filibuster led by the main opposition group ended at the stroke of midnight Wednesday. Rep. Lee In-young, the ruling Democratic Party’s floor leader, made clear Thursday the party’s determination to push for its passage, despite the main opposition’s continuing resistance. Having forged a coalition on the issue with four minor groups, the Democratic Party ha
Dec. 26, 2019
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Prosecution publicly opposes prosecutorial reform bill
The prosecution has publicly come out against a push by the ruling Democratic Party and four minor liberal parties to pass a prosecutorial reform bill calling for the creation of a new powerful investigative organization to check the power of the prosecution in probes of suspected corruption by all top-ranking government officials.The Supreme Prosecutors Office issued a statement on Thursday, voicing objection to the bill on the establishment of the so-called High-Ranking Officials' Corruption I
Dec. 26, 2019
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Opposition's filibuster ends, electoral reform bill to be put to vote at parliament
The main opposition party's filibuster, designed to block a ruling party-led bill on electoral reform, ended at the stroke of midnight Wednesday night, as the extra parliamentary session came to a conclusion.The contentious bill will be put to a vote during the new extra session at the National Assembly, which will convene at 2 p.m. Thursday and end on Sunday.Joo Ho-young, a four-term lawmaker of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, began to filibuster at 9:49 p.m. on Monday, soon after Spea
Dec. 26, 2019
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Filibuster against election reform continues for 2nd day
Lawmakers from rival political camps took to the parliamentary podium for a marathon, relayed speech, as a filibuster continued into the second consecutive day Tuesday over a proposed reform of election rules. The main opposition Liberty Korea Party began the filibuster at the National Assembly on Monday night in an attempt to block the passage of the ruling Democratic Party-led election law revision. Speaker Moon Hee-sang introduced the bill for a parliamentary vote earlier in the day aft
Dec. 24, 2019
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Opposition leader hospitalized after two-week sit-in
Hwang Kyo-ahn, chairman of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, was hospitalized on Tuesday for deteriorating health after staging a sit-in at the National Assembly for the past two weeks, the party said."Hwang was admitted to Severance Hospital in the morning as his health condition has deteriorated," LKP Secretary General Rep. Park Wan-su told reporters. Hwang has staged a sit-in in front of the National Assembly's main conference hall since Dec. 11 in protest of the ruling Democ
Dec. 24, 2019
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Assembly convenes to deal with election, prosecution bills
The National Assembly convened a plenary session late Monday to deal with pending bills including contentious proposals on new electoral rules and a prosecution overhaul amid fierce protests from the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP). Earlier in the day, the ruling Democratic Party (DP), three minor parties and one splinter group reached a final agreement on the details of fast-tracked bills, moving a step closer to putting them to votes.Before the session began, the LKP filed for
Dec. 23, 2019
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Moon asks lawmakers to hold confirmation hearing on prime minister nominee
President Moon Jae-in on Firday sent a motion to the National Assembly requesting a confirmation hearing for prime minister nominee Chung Sye-kyun, according to Cheong Wa Dae.Moon submitted the motion at around 3 p.m., it said, citing legislation calling for lawmakers to complete a confirmation hearing on a Cabinet member nominee within 20 days of the delivery of such a document. Accordingly, political parties need to set a schedule for a confirmation hearing for Chung, who served as National As
Dec. 20, 2019
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Prosecution raids finance ministry in election-meddling probe
State prosecutors on Friday morning began a search of the finance ministry as part of ongoing probes into an election-meddling case involving the incumbent Ulsan mayor who is known to be a close presidential confidant.Investigators were dispatched to the ministry headquarters and government think tank Korea Development Institute, both located in Sejong, an administrative hub 130 kilometers southeast of Seoul, to secure computer drives and documents on the case.The raid was seen as aiming to find
Dec. 20, 2019
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Outgoing PM says his role for 2020 elections hinges on ruling party's decision
Outgoing Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon has said he will accept whatever the ruling party decides over his role in next year's general elections, as he is set to resume his political career.Lee, a former four-term lawmaker, plans to return to politics as President Moon Jae-in named Chung Sye-kyun, a former parliamentary speaker, as his successor Tuesday. The nomination is subject to parliamentary approval.There is growing speculation that Lee may run in a district for the April 15 parliamentary elec
Dec. 20, 2019
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Speaker submits bill on compensation for Japan's wartime forced labor
South Korea's parliamentary speaker on Wednesday submitted a bill to compensate victims of Japan's wartime forced labor through contributions from firms and citizens from both nations.National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang spearheaded the writing of the bill to create a fund that would compensate 1,500 Korean victims of Tokyo's forced labor via voluntary contributions.The bill, co-authored by 13 lawmakers, has the potential to resolve bilateral diplomatic tensions sparked by Japan's protest aga
Dec. 18, 2019
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Minor parties reach deal over details of electoral reform bill
Three minor parties and one fringe group reached a deal over a contentious electoral reform bill on a parliamentary fast-track Wednesday in an effort to apply new rules for next year's general elections.But it is still uncertain whether the ruling Democratic Party will accept their agreement as it adamantly opposes the adoption of a new way of allotting proportional representation seats.The DP and its four rivals are seeking to produce a single deal over the adoption of a new proportional repres
Dec. 18, 2019
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PM nominee stresses need to revitalize economy
Prime minister nominee Chung Sye-kyun on Wednesday raised the need to revitalize economic momentum as the top priority in boosting the sagging economy.His remarks came as the South Korean economy is slowing down on faltering exports and sluggish domestic demand amid heightened external uncertainties."I think it is most important to set the stage to help economic agents do economic activities vibrantly," Chung told reporters when asked about the top priority for the economy. "Makin
Dec. 18, 2019
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Rival parties seek breakthrough over electoral reform bill on fast track
Rival political parties resumed negotiations Tuesday to produce an agreement over a contentious electoral reform bill currently in a parliamentary fast-track process.The floor leaders and ranking officials from the ruling Democratic Party (DP), three minor parties and one fringe group met for talks at 9 p.m. to seek a breakthrough.The so-called four plus one consultative body has been in talks to fine-tune the fast-track legislation. But negotiations hit a snag over the details of an electoral r
Dec. 17, 2019
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PM Lee expected to resume political career as successor named
Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon is widely expected to resume his political career for next year's general elections after President Moon Jae-in announced his pick for his successor Tuesday, political analysts said.Earlier in the day, Moon named Chung Sye-kyun, a six-term ruling party lawmaker and former National Assembly speaker as the new prime minister. Lee, who has become the longest-serving prime minister in South Korea, is expected to play a role in helping the ruling Democratic Party (DP) win t
Dec. 17, 2019