Most Popular
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[Exclusive] Korean adoptee sisters meet for the first time in 39 years
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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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Yoon calls for measures to protect Koreans amid escalating Iran-Israel conflicts
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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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[Photo News] Rallying against LGBTQ+
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Cabinet OKs revised law to better compensate victims of humidifier sanitizers
A revised law intended to expand the scope of diseases caused by the use of humidifier sterilizers and increase compensation for their victims and their bereaved families is to take effect later this month, the Ministry of Environment said Tuesday. The ministry said a revision of the Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on Remedy for Damage Caused by Humidifier Disinfectants was approved by the Cabinet meeting in the day and will go into effect on Sept. 25. Under the revised law, people who
Sept. 15, 2020
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Civic groups call for inter-Korean peace ahead of 2nd anniv. of Pyongyang summit
An alliance of religious and civic groups on Monday called for a grassroots movement to help repair inter-Korean relations, ahead of the second anniversary of a historic agreement reached at the end of the third summit between leaders of the two Koreas in 2018. The Peace Campaign to End the Korean War, an alliance of seven religious orders and 353 religious and civic groups nationwide, made the plea to the public to support the inter-Korean peace movement during a news conference in Seoul. Th
Sept. 14, 2020
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[News Focus] Seoul set on telecom subsidy despite controversy
Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling Democratic Party appear set on giving a 20,000 won ($16.90) telecom bill subsidy to all South Koreans despite growing criticism from the opposition bloc and the public. It was decided last week to offer a telecom subsidy for all Koreans over the age of 13 as part of the latest package of measures aimed at easing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the plan immediately met with backlash from the opposition bloc, which accused the Moon Jae-in adminis
Sept. 14, 2020
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[Newsmaker] Justice minister apologizes over alleged power abuse scandal involving her son
Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae apologized Sunday over allegations she used her influence to seek special favors for her son during his mandatory military service, breaking her recent silence on the issue. Choo has come under fire over suspicions that she abused her power to seek preferential treatment for her son, surnamed Seo, when he was in the military in 2017, such as by extending medical leave without following due procedures. Choo was chairwoman of the ruling Democratic Party at the time.
Sept. 13, 2020
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Gyeonggi governor slightly ahead of DP leader in presidential hopeful poll
Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province, topped an opinion poll on potential presidential candidates for the second consecutive month. In a survey by Gallup Korea released Friday, Lee of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), maintained a 1 percentage point lead over Lee Nak-yon, the party's chief and a former prime minister. The gap between the two remained within the margin of error of 3.1 percentage points of the poll, which was conducted on 1,002 voters across the country from Tuesday t
Sept. 11, 2020
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Govt. to tighten discipline among civil servants amid pandemic
Cheong Wa Dae said Friday that it will toughen a crackdown on possible corruption, lax discipline and other wrongdoings among South Korea's public servants, especially as the country is struggling to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak. The office for civil affairs and justice at the presidential office agreed on the "special inspection" measure during a related council meeting with the prime minister's office and the Board of Audit and Inspection. To come under close watch are possible co
Sept. 11, 2020
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Opposition leader asks conservative groups to postpone rallies amid spread of coronavirus
The leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday asked conservative groups to postpone their protest rallies scheduled for early next month amid resurgent new coronavirus woes. Rightist civic groups are seeking to stage anti-government demonstrations in central Seoul on Oct. 3, the National Foundation Day, despite criticism that their rallies last month led to more than 550 new COVID-19 cases across the country. Kim Chong-in, chief of the conservative opposition party, c
Sept. 10, 2020
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S.Korea plans W7.8tr boost for economy
The government will draw up a 7.8 trillion won ($6.57 billion) supplementary budget bill to shore up the economy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cash subsidies for small businesses are among the items to be covered. The budget, finalized Thursday at an emergency economic meeting presided over by President Moon Jae-in, would fund 3.2 trillion won worth of subsidies for small-business owners affected by the pandemic, and a one-off 20,000 won subsidy for telecommunications bills for all South
Sept. 10, 2020
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[Newsmaker] Justice minister asked defense ministry to extend son's leave: document
Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and her husband asked the defense ministry in 2017 to extend medical leave for their son who was serving his mandatory military duty at the time, according to documents apparently written by the ministry. Choo has come under fire over allegations that she used her influence to seek special favors for her son, who served in the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) for the 2nd Infantry Division of the US 8th Army. Choo was chairwoman of the ruling De
Sept. 10, 2020
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President Moon's approval rating falls amid another justice minister scandal
President Moon Jae-in's approval rating has dropped 2.4 percentage points, with a controversy snowballing over alleged influence peddling by Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae for her son in connection with his military service a few years ago, a poll showed Thursday. In the Realmeter survey of 1,504 voters nationwide from Monday through Wednesday, 45.7 percent supported Moon, down 2.4 percentage points from a week earlier. The portion of those who gave a negative assessment of his presidency rose fo
Sept. 10, 2020
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Parties split over alleged special favors for justice minister's son
The main opposition party Wednesday called on President Moon Jae-in to take a stand on growing allegations of preferential treatment for Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's son, as the ruling party dismissed the case as groundless. The split comes amid renewed allegations that the 27-year-old, surnamed Seo, took an extended leave during his military service in 2017 without getting prior approval. Choo was chairwoman of the ruling Democratic Party at the time. Other key allegations surrounding the s
Sept. 9, 2020
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Moon stresses ‘cooperative politics’
President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday called for cooperation between ruling and opposition blocs, saying “cooperative politics” is more important than ever as the nation struggles against the COVID-19 pandemic. “There has never been a time when the people wanted cooperative politics between the ruling and opposition parties, agreement among the government, and ruling and opposition parties more than now,” Moon said at a meeting with the leaders of the ruling Democratic Pa
Sept. 9, 2020
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Main opposition floor leader presses Moon to address people's 'grievances'
The floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) accused President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday of not communicating with the public and "isolating himself" within the walls of Cheong Wa Dae. "The president should honestly respond to what people are curious about, as well as the affairs that grieve them rather than just telling his side of the story via meetings of the Cabinet and top presidential officials," Rep. Joo Ho-young said in his speech to a plenary sessio
Sept. 8, 2020
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Moon to meet ruling party leaders over coronavirus, budget
President Moon Jae-in will hold a meeting with top ruling party officials at Cheong Wa Dae this week on COVID-19, state budgets and other pending issues, his office announced Tuesday. Moon has invited Lee Nak-yon, head of the Democratic Party, and its floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon to the session slated for Wednesday, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok. Also attending it will be Park Kwang-on, secretary general of the party, and policy committee chief Han Jeoung-ae, Kang said. Moo
Sept. 8, 2020
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[Newsmaker] Pressure mounts on Choo over son's military service
The controversy over allegations against Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae’s son continues to grow, with some comparing the situation to last year’s scandal surrounding former Justice Minister Cho Kuk. Choo, a former ruling Democratic Party lawmaker who served five terms in the National Assembly, is accused of using her influence to help her son obtain special favors during his military service. It has been claimed that Choo’s influence as a politician enabled Seo to go on ex
Sept. 8, 2020
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KCDC chief tapped as head of new state disease control agency
President Moon Jae-in has picked Jeong Eun-kyeong, chief of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), as leader of the newly created agency to serve as South Korea's control tower of disease control and response, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday. The government plans to reorganize the KCDC into an independent agency with more authority to respond to infectious diseases more effectively. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) will be launched Saturday. Jeong is a he
Sept. 8, 2020
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Moon vows to shut down 30 more coal plants to bring cleaner air and battle climate change
South Korea will shut down 30 additional coal power plants by 2034 in line with the country’s ambition to cut greenhouse gas emissions and promote eco-friendly energy sources, President Moon Jae-in announced Monday. In a speech delivered virtually for the first International Day for Clean Air for blue skies, the president said his administration plans to close 10 existing coal power plants by the end of 2022 and another 20 by 2034. At the same time, the country will more than triple the
Sept. 8, 2020
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Ruling party relaunches in-house coronavirus response committee headed by party leader
The ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Tuesday relaunched a high-profile in-house committee dedicated to combating the COVID-19 pandemic as the country is struggling to contain a flare-up in mass infection cases. The "COVID-19 national crisis management" committee is set to hold its first plenary meeting Tuesday afternoon under the leadership of the party's chief, Rep. Lee Nak-yon, according to party officials. The committee initially set sail in February and had operated till Ju
Sept. 8, 2020
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Moon expects greater role for national disease control body with enhanced stature
President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday the elevation of South Korea's state disease control agency to an independent administration represents "epoch-making" progress in the nation's efforts to prevent and fight infectious diseases. He made the remarks during a weekly Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, in which he formally approved the plan to enhance the stature of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) to an organization with more power, authority and workforce. Th
Sept. 8, 2020
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Moon vows S. Korea will quickly transition to 'clean, safe' energy to reduce greenhouse gas, fine dust
South Korean President Moon Jae-in underlined his government's commitment Monday to a strong policy drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fine dust, marking the inaugural United Nations anniversary on clean air, which was designated under the country's initiative. South Korea will "accelerate the transition to clean and safe energy," he said in a speech for the virtual ceremony on the first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. Moon proposed the designation of the da
Sept. 7, 2020