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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PM embarks on three-nation African trip for economic cooperation
Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon left for Algeria on Sunday on a three-nation African trip that will also take him to Tunisia and Morocco on a mission to strengthen economic cooperation with the countries.It will be the first time for a South Korean prime minister to make an official trip to Algeria and Tunisia, countries that lie at a strategic point linking Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In 2014, then Prime Minister Chung Hong-won visited Morocco. (Yonhap)The trip is aimed at promoting economic
Dec. 16, 2018
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Ruling, opposition parties agree on electoral reform
South Korea's ruling and four opposition parties have reached a highly anticipated agreement to reform the country's parliamentary election system to better reflect voters' party preferences, the party leaders said Saturday. The floor leaders of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), the main opposition Liberty Korea (LKP) and three other minor opposition parties said they will come up with a new proportional representation system and pass a related bill in the extra session in January. (Yonhap)They
Dec. 15, 2018
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Blue House reveals reform plans for inspection team
The composition and name of Cheong Wa Dae’s special inspection team will be changed, and new measures will be introduced to enforce discipline and prevent misconduct, the presidential office announced Friday. The measures, announced by Senior Civil Affairs Secretary Cho Kuk, are in response to recent controversy surrounding the inspection team, including that concerning a team member who attempted to gain information on an ongoing police investigation. Members of the team are also alleged to hav
Dec. 14, 2018
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Moon replaces 16 vice ministers ahead of his third year in office
President Moon Jae-in on Friday named 16 new vice ministers including two vice finance chiefs in a sweeping reshuffle of senior government officials ahead of his third year in office next year.Moon nominated Lee Ho-seung, a presidential aide on jobs, as the first vice finance minister, replacing incumbent Koh Hyeong-gwon, according to the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae. 16 new vice ministers (Yonhap)Koo Yun-cheol, chief of the budget office at the finance ministry, was named the second vice m
Dec. 14, 2018
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President Moon calls for innovation in slumping manufacturing sector
President Moon Jae-in on Thursday stressed the need for innovation in the lackluster manufacturing industry in a bid to prop up the slowing economy and boost regional economies.Moon made the remark as the manufacturing sector, including shipbuilders and automakers, has waned amid heated competition with rivals from emerging countries. (Yonhap)"The reason why the Korean economy faces difficulties is that the traditional manufacturing industry is losing growth momentum,"Moon said in a speech at an
Dec. 13, 2018
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KEF under tax audit on allegations of embezzlement, tax evasion
Tax authorities have launched an audit on an economic organization representing management on allegations of embezzlement and tax evasion, officials said Thursday.The Seoul office of the National Tax Service started auditing the Korea Employers Federation this month, specifically targeting the group's former Vice Chairman Kim Young-vae, who is suspected of misappropriating the money set aside for the federation's operations. The Korea Employers Federation`s headquarters in Mapo, Seoul (Yonhap)
Dec. 13, 2018
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Indicted governor requests suspension of Democratic Party membership
The Democratic Party of Korea’s leadership on Wednesday deferred taking any disciplinary action against Gyeonggi Provincial Gov. Lee Jae-myung, who has been indicted on several charges, including violating the election law.The ruling party has been reviewing what action to take against its member Lee, who has been investigated by police over a series of allegations regarding his family and his election campaign for the governorship. On Tuesday, the prosecution indicted him without physical deten
Dec. 12, 2018
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[Newsmaker] Na Kyung-won elected main opposition party floor leader
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party elected four-term lawmaker Rep. Na Kyung-won as its new floor leader Tuesday, amid escalating internal strife ahead of a leadership election next year.In the general meeting held at the National Assembly, Rep. Na decisively beat three-term lawmaker Rep. Kim Hack-yong, garnering 68 votes to 35. Among the 112 party lawmakers, 103 could vote, as memberships of nine lawmakers are currently suspended. Newly elected Liberty Korea Party floor leader Rep. Na Kyung
Dec. 11, 2018
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Moon stresses need to revive local economies
President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday called on government ministries to address economic issues, stressing the importance of local economies. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting held in Sejong, Moon said that while the country’s macroeconomic indexes are stable, the country is experiencing difficulties in employment and other areas linked to people’s livelihoods. President Moon Jae-in holds a Cabinet meeting in Sejong on Tuesday. Yonhap“Inclusive growth, where everyone prospers, is impossible without solv
Dec. 11, 2018
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Moon to receive briefing from education, labor ministries on 2019 policy plan
President Moon Jae-in is set to receive a briefing from the education and labor ministries on their 2019 policy plans Tuesday, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.Yoo Eun-hae, the education minister and the deputy prime minister for social affairs, will make reports to Moon at the government complex in the administrative city of Sejong. (Yonhap)It will be followed by a discussion about how to overhaul the education ministry and boost confidence for public education and ways to set up a le
Dec. 11, 2018
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Main opposition party set to pick new floor leader
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party is set to elect its new floor leader on Tuesday amid internal strife over how to overhaul the conservative party.Rep. Kim Hack-yong and Rep. Na Kyung-won will compete for the floor leadership in an election slated for later in the day. The winner will replace incumbent Kim Sung-tae. This photo, taken on Dec. 10, 2018, shows Rep. Na Kyung-won (left) and Rep. Kim Hack-yong, who are competing for the main opposition Liberty Korea Party`s floor leader position
Dec. 11, 2018
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Time magazine shortlists Moon as 2018 Person of the Year
WASHINGTON -- US magazine Time has shortlisted South Korean President Moon Jae-in as 2018 Person of the Year in recognition of his diplomacy with North Korea.Time has identified the Person of the Year since 1927 to recognize people or groups who have "most influenced the news and the world -- for better or for worse -- during the past year," the magazine said. (Yonhap)In nominating Moon for the title, Time said: "Since hosting (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-un's sister at the Pyeongchang Winter
Dec. 11, 2018
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[Newsmaker] Lawmakers criticized for raising own salaries
The recent passage of the budget bill has sparked public fury, as it included a plan to increase the annual salaries of lawmakers, while the budget for job creation was reduced.The ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the main opposition Liberty Korea Party on Saturday approved the 2019 budget bill of 469.6 trillion won ($416 billion), which included the plan to increase their wages by 1.8 percent. (Yonhap)The three minor parties 00 the center-right Bareunmirae Party, center-left opposition Part
Dec. 10, 2018
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KBS talk show under fire for ‘glorifying’ Kim Jong-un
KBS nighttime talk show “Tonight, Kim Je-dong” has come under fire after critics accused the program of airing a segment that “glorified” North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.Tuesday’s episode included an interview with a man who described the North Korean leader as “humble” and a “capable and talented leader.”Tonight, Kim Je-dong."(KBS)Kim Soo-geun, who heads the pro-Kim Jong-un group called Welcome Committee for a Great Man, introduced himself as a “real fan” of Kim on the show, before praising the
Dec. 10, 2018
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National Assembly approves gov't budget bill for next year
The National Assembly approved a revised bill on the government's 2019 budget Saturday as minor parties boycotted the vote amid a row over electoral reform.Parliament passed the 469.6 trillion-won budget bill in a 168-29 vote, with 15 abstentions, down a net 927 billion won from the government's original 470.5 trillion-won budget proposal.A record budget plan is aimed at boosting the slowing economy and spurring job creation, as well as backing up inter-Korean projects.The ruling Democratic Part
Dec. 8, 2018
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Assembly to hold plenary session to vote on 2019 budget
The National Assembly is set to open a plenary session Friday evening to vote on a revised government budget for 2019, having postponed the vote in a bid to get minor parties to participate. The three minor parties vehemently oppose larger parties’ decision to put it to a vote, as they had sought to link the budget bill passage to the introduction of a new proportional representation system.The ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition Liberty Korea Party agreed Thursday to cut some 5.2 tr
Dec. 7, 2018
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[Newsmaker] Court rejects arrest warrants for 2 ex-top court justices in power
A Seoul court on Friday denied prosecution requests for warrants to arrest two former Supreme Court justices in connection with a massive power abuse scandal in the judiciary. The Seoul Central District Court made the decisions on retired Justices Ko Young-han and Park Byong-dae, citing low risks of them fleeing and that the charges against them were not substantiated enough to require pre-indictment detention. (Yonhap)The two former chiefs of the National Court Administration, the top court's g
Dec. 7, 2018
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Major parties reach deal on government’s 2019 budget bill
The ruling and main opposition parties on Thursday reached an agreement to pass a revised bill on the government’s 2019 budget despite opposition from minor parties.The governing Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) agreed to cut more than 5 trillion won from the government’s record 470.5 trillion-won (US$426.6 billion) budget bill.Major bones of contention in the original budget bill were an expected 4 trillion-won shortfall in tax revenue that stemmed from ta
Dec. 6, 2018
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Clash over civil affairs secretary continues
The clash over President Moon Jae-in’s civil affairs secretary and misconduct by Cheong Wa Dae officials appears set to intensify. According to a local daily, Civil Affairs Secretary Cho Kuk effectively ruled out resigning from his post, saying, “all criticism must be borne, (I) will return to the school after carrying out my tasks,” in a text message. Cho is a professor of law at Seoul National University. He took the post during a sabbatical year. Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom brie
Dec. 6, 2018
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Opposition lawmaker airs doubts about Moon’s North Korea policy
Lawmaker Hong Moon-jong from the main opposition Liberty Korea Party appeared on TV Tuesday night and expressed reservations about President Moon Jae-in’s tendency to prioritize North Korea over other issues.While appearing on the latest episode of MBC’s “100 Minute Debate,” Hong commented on Moon’s approach to North Korea after the presenter asked the panel whether Moon was obsessing over North Korea despite problems within the South. (MBC)The nighttime topical show had a panel of experts and p
Dec. 5, 2018