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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Parliamentary speaker plans to put budget bill on review despite partisan clash
National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang vowed Friday to put the pending government budget proposal for 2020 on review next week even amid a continuing partisan clash. "Speaker Moon decided that he would not to sit out (the chance to convene) a plenary National Assembly meeting on Monday and Tuesday as the end of the current regular parliamentary session is a few days ahead," parliamentary spokesperson Han Min-soo told reporters. "Moon disclosed his plan to hold the plenary me
Dec. 6, 2019
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[Newsmaker] Political parties to withdraw filibuster, postpone fast-track bills
Major political parties on Friday reached a tentative agreement to normalize parliament through the withdrawal of the main opposition party's filibuster and the postponement of contested fast-track bills.The floor leaders of the ruling Democratic Party, main opposition Liberty Korea Party and minor opposition Bareunmirae Party reached a consensus and are set to finalize and soon announce the details at a meeting led by the National Assembly speaker, according to party officials.Under the agreeme
Dec. 6, 2019
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Prosecutors grill whistleblower in election-meddling probe
Prosecutors grilled Vice Mayor of Ulsan Song Byung-gi on Friday over Cheong Wa Dae’s suspected meddling in regional elections last year. Song’s home, office and car were also raided by prosecution agents at around 8:50 a.m. the same day.Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office launched the operation after it was revealed Thursday that Song had informed the presidential office about alleged wrongdoings by associates of then-Ulsan Mayor Kim Gi-hyeon, a conservative candida
Dec. 6, 2019
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Ex-ruling party leader Choo tapped as justice minister
Choo Mi-ae, former chairperson of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, was nominated new justice minister Thursday, amid a power abuse scandal involving Cheong Wa Dae. The five-term lawmaker will succeed Cho Kuk, her embattled predecessor who resigned over corruption allegations involving his family and who now faces additional power abuse allegations. “Choo was a judge known for her people-centered philosophy. As a judge and lawmaker, she has displayed strong convictions and will deliv
Dec. 5, 2019
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Ruling party accuses prosecution of ‘ulterior motives’ in Blue House probes
The Democratic Party went on the offensive against the prosecution Thursday, characterizing the investigations into alleged abuse of power by the Blue House as an attempt to resist prosecutorial reform.The ruling party convened the first meeting of an intra-party committee to call on the prosecution to conduct an unbiased investigation.The committee’s head Rep. Sul Hoon said, “The prosecution is framing and stirring suspicions” that Cheong Wa Dae ordered an investigation into o
Dec. 5, 2019
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Ruling party lawmaker nominated as new justice minister
Choo Mi-ae, a five-term ruling party lawmaker, has been nominated for the position of justice minister, Cheong Wa Dae announced Thursday amid keen attention to her role in the South Korean government's push for prosecution reform.President Moon Jae-in picked Choo to fill the post that has been vacant for several weeks since Cho Kuk stepped down in the face of state prosecutors' probe into alleged irregularities involving his family.Cheong Wa Dae noted that Choo has expertise and qualities of sta
Dec. 5, 2019
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Main opposition shakes up leadership amid flagging ratings
In an apparent push for the upcoming general election, the main opposition party announced on Wednesday a replacement of a key party post.During a supreme council meeting convened Wednesday by Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn, Liberty Korea Party decided Floor Leader Na Kyung-won will be leaving her post on Tuesday when her term expires.The decision comes as the party continues to lag behind the ruling Democratic Party in support ratings.In Tuesday’s Realmeter survey of 500 adults, over half of resp
Dec. 4, 2019
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Prosecutors raid Blue House in power abuse probe
The investigation into an alleged power abuse scandal involving Cheong Wa Dae intensified Wednesday as prosecutors raided the presidential office to secure records related to the controversial suspension of an internal inspection of a senior official in late 2017. The senior official, former Busan Vice Mayor for Economic Affairs Yoo Jae-soo, was detained Nov. 27 on bribery charges. The prosecutors were handed over documents identified in the warrant as per the usual custom. By law, law enforc
Dec. 4, 2019
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Prosecution raids Cheong Wa Dae office over probe into ex-vice mayor
The prosecution raided a division of the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday for its probe into an alleged cover-up of an inspection into an ex-vice mayor who faces bribery charges.The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors Office said it launched the raid on the Cheong Wa Dae office at 11:30 a.m. after securing a warrant from a court.State prosecutors are seeking to obtain evidence for its probe into why a special inspection into Yoo Jae-soo, the former vice mayor of Busan, was abruptly
Dec. 4, 2019
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Still long way to go for income-led growth: Cheong Wa Dae panel chief
The head of presidential committee on South Korea's income-driven growth strategy said Tuesday the government's related initiative faces a long road before achieving full-fledged accomplishments despite some nascent positive indications.Boosting the wages and income of ordinary households here is a key economic policy of the liberal Moon Jae-in administration, which seeks the "innovative and inclusive" development of Asia's fourth-biggest economy."The Moon Jae-in government has be
Dec. 3, 2019
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Prosecutors raid police station over 2018 election-meddling claims
Prosecutors on Monday raided the Seocho Police Station, which was looking into the death of an investigator found dead Sunday amid a power abuse scandal. They seized his cellphone and other belongings. The investigator worked for Baek Won-woo, a former presidential secretary who is now under suspicion of power abuse. Baek had allegedly run an independent team to instigate a probe into an incumbent Ulsan mayor running for reelection in 2018. A longtime friend of President Moon Jae-in won that e
Dec. 2, 2019
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Moon urges parliament to process budget, bills
President Moon Jae-in on Monday urged the National Assembly to process the budget and other pending bills, saying the country’s political arena is overwhelmed by “bad politics.” “Bad politics that puts the interests of the parties and political wrangling above the people have impeded normal politics,” Moon said at his weekly meeting with top aides. In an apparent barb aimed at the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, Moon said that exploitation of the National Assem
Dec. 2, 2019
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National Assembly set to miss legal deadline to pass govt. budget bill
The National Assembly looks almost certain to miss a legal deadline to handle the government's 2020 budget proposal on Monday amid intensified tensions sparked by the main opposition party's threat to use a filibuster.Dec. 2 is the legal deadline for the parliament to pass the government's record high 513.5 trillion-won ($435 billion) budget proposal for next year.But it is highly likely that parliament will miss the deadline for the fifth straight year as partisan conflicts have shown no signs
Dec. 2, 2019
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Ruling party vows ‘strong, emergency action’ to pass key bills at parliament
The ruling Democratic Party said Saturday it‘ll start taking “strong, emergency action” to have key bills passed at the parliament, in response to the main opposition party’s threat to start a filibuster to block votes on them.DP Rep. Lee In-young, the party‘s floor leader, made the remark during a meeting of party leaders at the National Assembly, which followed an attempt by the Liberty Korea Party on Friday to use a filibuster to prevent votes on fast-track bills
Nov. 30, 2019
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Main opposition to stage filibuster to prevent vote on key reform bills
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party said Friday it will launch a filibuster to prevent a parliamentary vote on contentious reform bills, effectively putting to a halt the ongoing regular session.The conservative LKP approved a filibuster drive with a plan to have its lawmakers take turns speaking for four hours until the ongoing parliamentary regular session ends on Dec. 10, according to party officials.A filibuster involves lawmakers speaking for extended periods as way to prevent a parliam
Nov. 29, 2019
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Opposition leader declares end to hunger strike
South Korea's opposition leader has decided to terminate his hunger strike of more than a week but vowed to toughen his struggle against the Moon Jae-in administration over contentious reform bills, his party said Friday.Hwang Kyo-ahn, chairman of the conservative Liberty Korea Party, ended his eight-day fast Thursday afternoon on the recommendation of doctors, party officials and family, party spokesperson Jun Hee-kyung said in a press release.Hwang lost consciousness and was rushed to Severanc
Nov. 29, 2019
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Opposition lawmakers continue ailing chairman’s hunger strike
Main opposition Liberty Korea Party lawmakers are taking up the outdoor hunger strike started by party chief Hwang Kyo-ahn, after he was hospitalized Wednesday night, on the eighth day of his fasting.Hwang, who fell unconscious around 11 p.m. Wednesday, was rushed to Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seoul, where he is receiving medical treatment, party officials said. Upon regaining consciousness, Hwang insisted on resuming the hunger strike despite dissuasion from party members concerned about hi
Nov. 28, 2019
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Opposition floor leader takes flak over remarks on US-N. Korea summit made on US trip
The floor leader of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party came under fire Thursday after it was reported that she had expressed concerns to the US that holding a US-North Korea summit before South Korea’s general elections might have a negative impact. On Wednesday, a local broadcaster reported that Rep. Na Kyung-won had asked US officials not to hold a US-North Korea summit before April 15, when South Korea’s general elections will take place. The US officials reportedly included
Nov. 28, 2019
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[News Focus] Real estate, education policies lower Moon’s approval ratings among housewives, students
SEJONG -- President Moon Jae-in started the latter part of his term this month amid discontent with his administration’s policies on real estate and education.Alongside sagging economic indices, a number of other factors have led citizens to express frustration or anger with Moon. Among these are skyrocketing apartment prices in Seoul and alleged irregularities by former Justice Minister Cho Kuk and his family.Though President Moon’s approval ratings remain above the psychologically
Nov. 28, 2019
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PM asks Koreans to use less power in winter
Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon on Thursday asked Koreans to reduce their power usage in winter, to help the country maintain a stable power supply and sufficient reserves. “Most countries recommend room temperatures be kept between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius,” Lee said during a meeting at the government complex in Sejong on Thursday morning.“But there are people who wear shorts indoors during the winter, and they need to reduce power use by lowering their room temperatures a little.
Nov. 28, 2019