Yoon meets with religious leaders, seeks advice on state affairs

President Yoon Suk Yeol met with a group of religious leaders Tuesday to thank them for their efforts to promote social unity and seek advice on state affairs, his office said. The meeting was held over lunch at the former presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae, with the attendance of nine faith leaders: respective representatives of the Jogye and Chontae orders of Buddhism, the United Christian Churches of Korea, Myungsung Church, the Catholic Church, Won Buddhism, Confucianism, Cheondoism an

May 30, 2023

Yoon dismisses KCC chief over alleged score rigging in cable channel relicensing

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday signed off on a proposal to dismiss the chief of the broadcasting watchdog accused of involvement in score manipulation against a right-wing cable channel in the process of renewing its broadcasting license in 2020, the presidential office said. Han Sang-hyuk, chairman of the state Korea Communications Commission (KCC), was indicted earlier this month on charges of prodding senior KCC officials to give low scores to TV Chosun during its license renewal evaluati

May 30, 2023

MBC raided over alleged leak of minister’s personal info

The Seoul Metropolitan Police’s anti-corruption unit raided Korean broadcaster MBC on Tuesday as part of a probe into the alleged leaking of Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon’s personal information involving one of its journalists. The police said the raid of the MBC headquarters in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, was reportedly to search through the reporter’s department to seize evidence. They also raided the home of the MBC reporter in the morning and confiscated the phone and car of t

May 30, 2023

PM asks Fukushima inspection team to brief public on results in transparent manner

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Tuesday requested a team of experts to transparently and comprehensively present the outcome of their inspection of Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant. The 21-member team, headed by Nuclear Safety and Security Commission Chairperson Yoo Guk-hee, returned home Friday after completing their six-day trip to Japan that included the on-site inspection of the plant ahead of its controversial release of contaminated water into the ocean scheduled for this

May 30, 2023

National Assembly to revote on controversial nursing act after Yoon's veto

The National Assembly was set to hold a revote Tuesday on the nursing act vetoed by President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month amid expectations it is unlikely to win the necessary two-thirds support. Yoon exercised his veto power against the bill railroaded by the main opposition Democratic Party, saying the legislation causes too much tension among medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses and nursing assistants. The Democratic Party put the bill to a revote, but it is highly likely to be

May 30, 2023

Yoon and Pacific island leaders agree to further cooperation on climate crisis and development

President Yoon Suk Yeol and the leaders of a group of Pacific island nations agreed Monday to expand cooperation in diverse areas, including the response to the climate crisis and economic development. The leaders reached the agreement during an inaugural summit held between South Korea and Pacific island nations in Seoul, according to a summary of a joint statement provided by Yoon's office. The two-day summit is being held through Tuesday under the theme "Navigating towards Co-Prospe

May 29, 2023

Yoon hosts Seoul summit with Pacific island leaders

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday met with leaders of five Pacific island countries in the first such summit hosted in Seoul by the South Korean president to discuss ways to boost regional security and partnership in resource development. The Sunday leg of the Korea-Pacific Islands Summit was attended by President Taneti Maamau of Kiribati, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni of Tonga, Prime Minister Kausea Natano of Tuvalu, Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau of Vanuatu and Prime Minister James Marape o

May 29, 2023

NEC officials fail to declare relations after hiring of children: lawmaker

All six National Election Commission officials embroiled in suspicions of hiring favors for their children did not declare their relations with the hired children in violation of an ethics code, according to a ruling party lawmaker. The NEC has come under hiring favor suspicions following revelations that children of senior officials joined the agency by applying for experienced positions. The NEC's secretary-general and his deputy resigned last week, though they claimed their children were

May 29, 2023

Yoon's approval rating rises to 40%

President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating has risen to 40 percent in a Realmeter survey due in large part to positive public assessments of his handling of foreign affairs and national security issues. In the survey conducted last week of 2,504 people, Yoon's approval rating rose 1 percentage point from a week earlier, while his disapproval rating fell 1.2 percentage point to 56.7 percent during the same period. It is the first time in 12 weeks that his rating has reached the 40 percen

May 29, 2023

Yoon, first lady star on TV show with adopted dog

President Yoon Suk Yeol and his adopted Labrador retriever appeared Sunday on a TV show featuring scenes of the dog adjusting to his new home at the presidential office. The retired service dog, named Saeromi, was adopted by Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee on Christmas Eve last year, becoming the first couple's 11th pet. Yoon introduced himself as "the father" to Saeromi as he appeared with Kim on the local broadcaster SBS, saying that he had wanted to adopt a guide dog since h

May 28, 2023

Yoon set to hold summits with leaders of 5 Pacific island nations

President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to hold a series of bilateral summits with the leaders of five Pacific island nations in Seoul on Sunday, his office said. Yoon will hold talks with Kiribati's President Taneti Maamau at his office at 3 p.m., followed by Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni and Prime Minister Kausea Natano of Tuvalu. He will also hold summits with Vanuatu's Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau and Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea, according to Yoon's offic

May 28, 2023

Yoon to host Pacific islands summit

President Yoon Suk Yeol will host a two-day summit with Pacific island nations starting Monday, marking the first such meeting to take place, according to the presidential office Thursday. Yoon and the leaders, or senior officials representing them in their absence, from the Pacific Islands Forum, an 18-member regional bloc meant to enhance cooperation, will discuss ties as the Korean leader looks to expand the country’s presence in the region. Participants will hold talks on the first day

May 25, 2023

Korea making public servants disclose virtual assets

South Korea will soon begin requiring its public servants to disclose any ownership of digital assets in the same way they do traditional financial assets. The National Assembly convened a plenary session Thursday and passed an amendment to the laws on public service ethics to include cryptocurrencies in their financial disclosures. Under the public service ethics laws, lawmakers and high-ranking public servants such as Cabinet members must regularly disclose their assets and investments. The am

May 25, 2023

[Herald 70th] PPP leader stresses new alliance for Korea’s new role

The resumption of trilateral meetings among Korea, the US and Japan shines a bright light on the path for the country’s future, said Kim Gi-hyeon, chairman of the ruling People Power Party, on Wednesday at the Shilla Seoul during a forum held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance and the foundation of The Korea Herald and Herald Business. Speaking at the “Alliance Plus,” a special forum hosted by Herald Corp., Kim also said that cutting-edge technologies

May 25, 2023

[Herald 70th] Prime Minister Han emphasize ROK-US ties beyond security

The next phase of the South Korea-US alliance will extend beyond security and national defense, with advanced technologies and shared values forming the foundation of the partnership, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said on Wednesday at the Shilla Seoul during a forum held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Korea-US alliance and the foundation of The Korea Herald and Herald Business. Han, describing the Korea-US alliance as the most successful alliance in history, said the April sum

May 25, 2023

[Herald 70th] Seoul to make full efforts for Korea-US alliance: mayor

Seoul will vigorously support strengthening the South Korea-US relationship, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said Wednesday during a forum held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the two allies' bilateral ties and the foundation of The Korea Herald and Herald Business. Speaking at the forum titled "The ROK-US Alliance Plus," hosted by Herald Corp., Oh said that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to the US last month solidified the comprehensive and future-oriented nature of the Korea-

May 25, 2023

[Herald 70th] Former UN chief, Foreign Minister Park honor Korea Herald’s achievements

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Foreign Minister Park Jin celebrated the accomplishments The Korea Herald has made since it was first published in 1953, noting the insights delivered by the country’s largest English newspaper by circulation will always guide the country through pivotal moments. Speaking in video messages during a special dinner Wednesday that accompanied a ceremony marking the newspaper’s 70th anniversary, the former UN chief and the top diplo

May 25, 2023

[Herald 70th] 'Newspaper bridging Korea with world': Foreign envoys laud Korea Herald's 70-year journey

Top diplomats attended a gala celebrating the 70th anniversary of The Korea Herald in Seoul on Wednesday, touting the role the newspaper has played in bridging the country with global communities since 1953. Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto applauded the newspaper’s professionalism and its commitment in delivering accurate and reliable news. "For seven decades, The Korea Herald served as a pillar of English-language news for the diplomatic community. The Korea Herald&

May 25, 2023

[Herald 70th] A 70 years to celebrate

From morning to evening, and through speeches, engaging discussions, captivating photos and inspiring videos, Herald Corp. commemorated a 70-year journey of shared growth between South Korea and the US in Seoul on Wednesday. The day’s events, hosted by the media company and held at the Shilla Seoul, also marked the foundation of The Korea Herald in 1953 and its sister paper Herald Business in 1973. At the ROK-US “Alliance Plus” forum, which was attended by approximately 1,000

May 25, 2023

Kim Jong-un might not have son

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s eldest child might not be a son after all. In patriarchal North Korea, the eldest son -- whose existence remains a mystery -- would naturally be the heir to the North Korean leadership. Kim’s only publicly seen child to date is Ju-ae, a girl who is believed to be around 10 to 12 years of age. Joao Micaelo, Kim’s friend from his school days in Switzerland, told Radio Free Asia on Wednesday that he has not heard the North Korean leader speak abou

May 25, 2023