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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[Photo News] Rallying against LGBTQ+
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4 in 10 young South Koreans take up 'irregular' jobs: data
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'1 million' Christians join anti-LGBTQ+ marriage rally
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SM founder Lee Soo-man is back with A2O Entertainment
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Moon pledges to aid foreign firms’ operations in Korea
President Moon Jae-in on Thursday pledged to increase support and to reduce regulations to aid foreign companies operating here, as he highlighted their contributions to the Korean economy. Speaking at his first meeting with leaders of foreign businesses and related organizations at Cheong Wa Dae, Moon emphasized the significance of their role. President Moon Jae-in addresses leaders of foreign businesses and organizations at the presidential office on Thursday. Yonhap“When a foreign company in
March 28, 2019
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[Newsmaker] SMEs Minister nominee Park says Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang knew of ex-vice justice minister’s sex-bribery video
Minister of SMEs and Startups nominee Rep. Park Young-sun on Thursday continued her claims that main opposition Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn knew of ex-Vice Justice Minister Kim Hak-eui’s sex-bribery video before he took office.“Tell the truth. Of course, we didn’t watch the CD together. I clearly remember that afternoon, you left the scene baffled with red face and ears,” Park tweeted. SMEs and Startups Minister nominee Park Young-sun speaks at a confirmation hearing by the National
March 28, 2019
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[Herald Interview] Justice should be priority in setup of independent investigative body: lawmaker
Successive presidents and administrations over the past 20 years have failed to fulfill their pledges to establish an independent body with the power to investigate and indict high-ranking government officials as well as the president’s family members.The National Assembly has hit a snag in its plans to fast-track 10 key bills that deal with abuses of power, including one concerning the proposed investigative unit and another that would readjust the division of powers between the prosecution and
March 27, 2019
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New Northern Policy committee seeks progress
Seoul and local governments will seek to secure diverse communication channels with their Russian counterparts to achieve the goals of the Moon Jae-in administration’s New Northern Policy, the presidential committee for the policy said Wednesday. The New Northern Policy aims to boost economic and political ties with countries to the north of South Korea. It is one of President Moon’s main foreign policy projects, along with the New Southern Policy. Chief of New Northern Policy committee Kwon Go
March 27, 2019
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Lawmaker seeks audit on president’s daughter
An opposition lawmaker filed a request to the Board of Audit and Inspection on Tuesday to look into suspicions regarding President Moon Jae-in’s daughter’s move to Thailand last year. The lawmaker, Rep. Kwak Sang-do of the Liberty Korea Party, has been pegged as a subject of investigation into the nomination in 2013 of an ex-vice justice minister despite a suspected sex-bribery scandal (Yonhap)At the time, Kwak was the top aide on civil affairs to then President Park Geun-hye.“Under the current
March 27, 2019
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[Newsmaker] Cooperative threat reduction a creative method to resume US-North Korea denuke talks: unification minister nominee
Unification Minister nominee Kim Yeon-chul said Tuesday that reintroducing the Cooperative Threat Reduction program for the US and North Korea could hasten the resumption of stalled denuclearization talks.“A creative solution is one that the US and North Korea can agree to. During my tenure as the head of the Korea Institute for National Unification, I proposed adopting the Cooperative Threat Reduction program for Yongbyon. Including this, I will look for as many different ways as possible,” sai
March 26, 2019
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‘Ex-chief of think tank stepped down due to pressure from presidential office’
An opposition lawmaker disclosed a recording on Monday substantiating allegations that the presidential office pressured a former chief of a state-run think tank to step down in January last year.In the four-minute recording of a Jan. 12, 2018, telephone conversation between Sohn Ki-woong, then chief of the Korea Institute for National Unification, and an official at the Prime Minister’s Office, the latter says that they “receive notifications from the office of the senior presidential secretary
March 26, 2019
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[News Focus] Ruling and opposition parties clash over latest Cabinet nominees
The parliamentary confirmation hearings of seven minister nominees kicked off Monday, heralding yet another round of political wrangling. The latest confirmation hearings began with one for Choi Jeong-ho, who has been nominated to lead the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.As with most, if not all, confirmation hearings for Cabinet nominees, the opposition’s attacks focused on Choi’s personal affairs. Choi, who rose to the rank of vice minister at the ministry before serving as depu
March 25, 2019
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[Newsmaker] Bareunmirae Party’s deepening conflict to hold back fast-tracking of key bills
Eyes on whether former party leader Ahn Cheol-soo will return to Korea in summerIntensifying dispute between members of the minor conservative Bareunmirae Party due to differing views on the independent investigative agency has sparked the possibility of former party leader Ahn Cheol-soo’s return to politics. In the midst of Bareunmirae Party members showing no signs of reaching an agreement, some party officials have hinted at the possibility co-party founder Ahn could return home from his stay
March 24, 2019
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[News Focus] Policies for Busan draw attention one-year ahead of election
SEJONG -- South Korea’s political parties are likely to enter election mode as early as in the second quarter of the year, which is expected to be a great showdown between ruling and opposition parties under the Moon Jae-in government.For the coming 21st National Assembly, the general election is scheduled for April 15, 2020.According to polls from Gallup Korea, the support-rating gap between the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and main opposition Liberty Korea Party posted 16 percentage points
March 24, 2019
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Moon highlights need to overhaul bank lending system for firms
President Moon Jae-in called Thursday on local lenders to change their risk-free lending system to increase investment in new, innovative companies based on their growth potential."In the fourth industrial revolution, ideas represent competitiveness. We must be allowed to embark on a challenge with only our ideas," the president said in a meeting with some 110 officials from local companies and lenders, including venture capitalists."Finance must recognize the value of ideas. Finance must active
March 21, 2019
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PM says inter-Korean economic cooperation should be made under sanctions framework
Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said Wednesday inter-Korean economic cooperation should be pursued in a way that does not hamper international sanctions.(Yonhap)Lee also expressed hope that cross-border economic exchanges could induce North Korea to give up its nuclear program."Under the current sanctions regime, it is possible to seek exchanges in such areas as culture, academia and sports. So there is a need to focus on those areas," Lee said at a parliamentary interpellation session on foreign and
March 20, 2019
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Korea-US defense costs not ‘free money’ for US-Mexico border wall: lawmaker
Rep. Song Young-gil of the Ruling Democratic Party of Korea criticized the US government for allocating part of the defense budget for US troops here to build the controversial US-Mexico border wall.“South Korea’s burden-sharing to maintain US troops here is not ‘free money’ the US can use as it wishes,” Song said in a statement released Wednesday.“North Korean soldiers did not invade (the South) through the Mexico border,” he added, pointing out the purpose of cost sharing is intended to cover
March 20, 2019
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Two people arrested for spycam videos of 1,600 people
Seoul police said Wednesday they have booked four people for livestreaming and selling secretly filmed videos of some 1,600 motel guests in the past year.Two have been arrested for distribution of illicitly filmed videos of motel guests via wireless internet protocol cameras set up at 42 motel rooms at 30 motels in 10 cities in the North and South Gyeongsang and Chungcheong Provinces between Nov. 24 last year and March 2 this year. (Yonhap)Two people that helped set up the spycams have been book
March 20, 2019
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President nominates two new Constitutional Court justices
President Moon Jae-in nominated two new justices to the Constitutional Court Wednesday.The president has tapped Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-sun, both district court judges, to become the newest members of the Constitutional Court's nine-member panel, Moon's office Cheong Wa Dae said. (Yonhap)Moon, 54, is currently serving as a senior judge at Busan High Court, while Lee, 49, sits as a senior judge at the Seoul Central District Court.The two will replace outgoing justices Cho Yong-ho and Suh Ki-suk
March 20, 2019
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Democratic Party spokesperson says criticism of reporter aimed at opposition
Spokesperson Lee Hae-sik of the ruling party Democratic Party of Korea defended Tuesday his criticism of a Bloomberg reporter, saying his comments were directed at conservative media and political leaders, and rejecting accusations of racism. “The commentary I wrote was aimed at (Liberty Korea Party) Floor Leader Na Kyung-won’s parliamentary speech, it was not a commentary about an individual reporter. I am not sure who wrote it (the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club official statement), but I’
March 19, 2019
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Moon says economy still needs a push despite some improvements
President Moon Jae-in urged government efforts to revitalize the country's economy Tuesday, insisting the overall economy is showing signs of improvement but that some sectors still require an additional push.In a weekly Cabinet meeting held at his office Cheong Wa Dae, the president singled out the manufacturing industry as being most in need of support."Amid gloomy outlooks for the global economy this year, our economy too is strongly affected. It is a relief that our economy is showing signs
March 19, 2019
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Ruling party lawmaker questions court’s 2015 decisions in former vice justice minister’s sexual abuse
Rep. Baek Hye-ryun of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea on Monday said a Seoul court and the prosecution had helped cover up allegations surrounding former Vice Justice Minister Kim Hak-eui’s sexual bribery received from a local businessman.“Not only the prosecution, the Seoul High Court also exonerated the former vice justice minister from alleged sexual bribery,” said Baek, who is a member of the National Assembly’s Judiciary Committee. Rep. Baek Hye-ryun of the ruling Democratic Party of
March 19, 2019
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Moon names Joo Hyung-chul new economic adviser
President Moon Jae-in on Monday named Joo Hyung-chul as his new economic adviser. The post had been vacant since late January when Kim Hyun-chul resigned over controversy raised by his comments regarding opportunities in Southeast Asia. Joo Hyung-chul. Cheong Wa DaeJoo heads the Korea Venture Investment Corp. Previously, Joo headed the Seoul Business Agency and worked as the chief of SK Communications. Joo studied computer science at Seoul National University and received a master’s degree in ma
March 18, 2019
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President Moon returns home after three-nation ASEAN tour
President Moon Jae-in returned home Saturday after wrapping up his three-day state visit to Cambodia that also concluded his trip to three Association of Southeast Asian nations.Moon began his weeklong trip Sunday with a state visit to Brunei, becoming the first South Korean head of state to make a state visit to the country in 19 years. (Yonhap)The trip later took him to Malaysia before it ended in Phnom Penh earlier in the day.His departure from Cambodia came after a brief trip to Angkor Wat,
March 17, 2019