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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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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First lady’s controversies to top agenda at meeting of party leaders
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Full text of President Moon's special address for a World Health Assembly session
The following is an unofficial translation of President Moon Jae-in's speech for the 73rd World Health Assembly. It was provided by Cheong Wa Dae. "Freedom for all" Honorable Chair and Director-General, Delegates from various nations, I find it greatly meaningful to speak before the World Health Assembly, a gathering convened to overcome COVID-19 and usher in new hope. First of all, I would like to offer my deepest condolences and words of comfort to the victims of COVID-19 all ov
May 18, 2020
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Moon says freedom-based cooperation behind S. Korea's anti-virus fight
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday suggested the need to spread "solidarity and cooperation" across the globe as nations struggle to stem the coronavirus pandemic. In a special speech for the World Health Assembly's video session, he described the approach as the "strongest weapon" against the virus. The speech was pre-taped and played at the forum of health ministers, which is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization. "One thing is absolute
May 18, 2020
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Moon to convene meeting over state fiscal health next week
President Moon Jae-in will preside over a meeting of the government, the ruling party and the presidential office next week to discuss the country's worsening fiscal health amid massive planned spending to fight COVID-19, officials said Sunday. The three-way meeting set for May 25 is likely to zero in on how to fine-tune the pace of fiscal spending against the pandemic as the country is steeping up fiscal expansion to guard the economy from the fallout of the pandemic. According to the Mini
May 17, 2020
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Moon urges full fact-finding on those responsible for 1980 massacre of Gwangju civilians
President Moon Jae-in stressed the need to find the truth about who ordered the use of military force against civilian pro-democracy protesters in Gwangju in 1980. The key issue remains unresolved four decades after the May 18 Democratization Movement amid continued attempts to conceal and distort facts, he said in a special interview aired on Sunday, the eve of the anniversary. "It has not been revealed who ordered the opening of fire and where the final legal responsibility for it is,&
May 17, 2020
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Moon vows efforts to beef up remote learning system
President Moon Jae-in pledged every effort Friday to support teachers nationwide who are busy providing students with online classes amid the continued spread of the coronavirus. In his Teachers' Day message, the president pointed out that an infection crisis can occur again even after the ongoing pandemic is brought under control. "(The government) will develop the remote learning system and information-communication infrastructure," he wrote on his social media. He said the gove
May 15, 2020
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Main opposition agrees to merge with sister party
The main opposition United Future Party (UFP) on Thursday agreed to merge with its affiliated party, which was created to seek proportional representation (PR) seats in last month's parliamentary elections. Members of the UFP established the Korea Future Party (KFP) in the runup to the April 15 elections, which were conducted under new rules designed to give minor parties better chances to win PR seats. UFP floor leader Rep. Joo Ho-young and KFP chief Rep. Won Yoo-chul said they agreed to pus
May 14, 2020
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Moon names new Presidential Security Service chief
President Moon Jae-in will replace the director of the Presidential Security Service, Cheong Wa Dae said Thursday, as he has just entered his fourth year in office. Ryoo Yeon-sang, deputy head of the agency, will be promoted to lead it, with Ju Young-hoon retiring after three years of service as the president's chief bodyguard. Ryoo will assume the post on Friday, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok. Ryoo has worked at the agency for 28 years after majoring in police administra
May 14, 2020
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Moon pledges support for startups
President Moon Jae-in on Thursday pledged increased support for local startups and to lay the foundations for the drive to make the country into a “digital powerhouse.” Speaking at a meeting with 21 young entrepreneurs included in Forbes’ list of under 30 Asian entrepreneurs, Moon reiterated his vision of building a “pioneering economy,” and the role of startups have in that vision. “Startups must survive the valley of death to become global companies. Th
May 14, 2020
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Last plenary meeting of 20th National Assembly set for next Wednesday
Rival political parties agreed Thursday to hold the last plenary meeting of the 20th National Assembly next week to handle bills linked to people's livelihoods. The meeting will convene next Wednesday to pass a set of legislation, including a revision to the employment insurance act, before the new parliament will begin its four-year term on May 30. Three hundred new lawmakers for the 21st National Assembly were elected in the April 15 polls, in which the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and its
May 14, 2020
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Govt. targets tracing all visitors to Itaewon clubs this week for virus tests: PM
The government is working to trace all visitors to clubs and bars in Seoul's multicultural district of Itaewon within this week and have them get tests for the coronavirus, the prime minister said Wednesday. The number of Itaewon club-related infections has surpassed 100, putting public health authorities on alert over community spread of COVID-19. The majority of the more than 5,000 club goers are still out of reach. "The government has a goal of finding all visitors within this week fo
May 13, 2020
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Rival parties set to open extraordinary session next week
The National Assembly appears likely to convene for another extraordinary session next week, with the end of the current parliamentary term fast approaching. According to the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and main opposition United Future Party, the two sides have tentatively agreed to hold an extraordinary session sometime next week to process uncontested bills. The ruling party’s Floor Leader Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon and his opposition counterpart Rep. Joo Ho-young are set to meet to d
May 12, 2020
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Moon says KCDC upgrade must be priority in 21st National Assembly
President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday asked the parliamentarians to prioritize strengthening quarantine and public health capabilities at the incoming 21st National Assembly. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Moon said that strengthening related capabilities including upgrading the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should be prioritized. The term of the current National Assembly will end on May 29, giving way to the lawmakers elected in this year’s general elections for their fou
May 12, 2020
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Seasonal management system greatly reduces ultrafine dust particles: govt.
The government's seasonal management system for air pollution has substantially contributed to reducing the volume of ultrafine dust particles in South Korea during this winter, the Ministry of Environment said Tuesday. The ministry said the contribution rate of the seasonal management system to the reduction of ultrafine dust pollution nationwide is estimated to range from 18 to 34 percent in the December-March period. External factors, including a decrease in the volume of ultrafine particl
May 12, 2020
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Political parties, conglomerate execs join drive to donate emergency relief funds
Rival political parties and executives of major conglomerates have joined a government-led campaign for the wealthy to donate their share of emergency disaster relief funds as the country struggles to prevent a second wave of new coronavirus infections. The government started paying out the relief funds to all households Monday to help them cope with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Citizens can donate all or part of their share either by not applying for the money or by expressi
May 12, 2020
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20th National Assembly headed for worst track record
The ruling Democratic Party is hoping to hold another extraordinary session of the National Assembly next week, but avoiding the lowest ever bill processing rate appears unlikely. The outgoing parliament has until May 29 to pass pending bills, with many in the pipeline, including some pertaining to the country’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. According to Democratic Party deputy floor leader Rep. Kim Young-jin, the ruling and main opposition United Future Party are negotiating on
May 11, 2020
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Authorities warn against homophobia hindering virus containment efforts
Korean health authorities and politicians on Monday warned against the rise of discrimination against LGBT persons here in relation to the latest coronavirus breakout in Itaewon clubs, saying social stigmatization could send potential virus carriers into hiding. “In the case of infections tied to clubs in Itaewon, we are seeing some criticism and hatred toward confirmed patients and a specific group of people,” senior Health Ministry official Yoon Tae-ho said during the daily virus
May 11, 2020
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Moon govt. performs best in health, welfare sector over past 3 years: poll
South Koreans picked the health and welfare sector as the best-performing area under the Moon Jae-in administration over the past three years, a poll showed Monday. In a Realmeter poll of 500 adults, 34.3 percent of respondents picked the health and welfare sector as the area where the Moon administration achieved the most, followed by diplomacy and security with 14.4 percent. The survey was conducted on Friday to gauge people's assessments of the government as Moon entered his third year in
May 11, 2020
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Moon prioritizes sanctions-free quarantine ties with N. Korea
President Moon Jae-in suggested quarantine cooperation with North Korea on Sunday as a viable way to jump-start a broader range of inter-Korean cooperation projects, saying it would not breach international sanctions on Pyongyang. Speaking to reporters after a special address marking the third anniversary of his inauguration, Moon pointed out that the two Koreas share the 248-kilometer-long Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as a land border, a potential transmission route. "It is worth pushing a
May 10, 2020
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Full text of President Moon's special address
The following is an unofficial translation of a special address that President Moon Jae-in delivered Sunday to mark the third anniversary of his inauguration. Fellow Koreans, It has been three years since I took office. Over these past three years, I have administered state affairs with the aspirations of the candlelight protesters in my heart. I've walked on the path toward fairness and justice, innovation and inclusiveness, and peace and prosperity. Every single day, I have felt like I am w
May 10, 2020
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Moon pledges to focus on economy for rest of term
President Moon Jae-in on Sunday pledged to build a “pioneering economy” in the post-COVID-19 era, focusing on “turning a crisis into an opportunity” for the remainder of his term. In a special address to the nation on the third anniversary of his inauguration, Moon focused on economic issues, outlining his plans to lay the foundations for economic growth and to strengthen South Korea’s standing in the international community. “The fear of unemployment is s
May 10, 2020