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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SM founder Lee Soo-man is back with A2O Entertainment
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'1 million' Christians join anti-LGBTQ+ marriage rally
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Yoon Seok-youl appointed chief prosecutor, against opposition
President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday appointed Yoon Seok-youl as the new prosecutor-general, running headlong into fierce criticism from the opposition. Yoon’s term as prosecutor-general will begin July 25, replacing Moon Moo-il as the country’s top prosecutor. With Moon forging ahead with Yoon’s appointment, the president has now appointed 16 individuals to high-level posts without the parliament adopting a confirmation hearing report. Under the law, a large number of high-l
July 16, 2019
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Moon appoints new prosecutor general
President Moon Jae-in appointed Yoon Seok-youl, a reform-minded veteran prosecutor, as new prosecution chief Tuesday, his office announced. The president authorized the appointment of Yoon as prosecutor general, but Yoon's two-year tenure will begin next Thursday, one day after the term of the outgoing prosecutor general Moon Moo-il is to end, according to Cheong Wa Dae. (Yonhap)
July 16, 2019
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Far-right party removes tents from Seoul square
A minor ultra-right party took down its protest tents at a public square in central Seoul early Tuesday just before city officials arrived there to remove them. The Our Republican Party, however, said it would return to Gwanghwamun Square soon to continue their campaign to press for a special probe into the deaths of five conservative protesters in 2017.The government of the capital city warned it would use all physical, legal and administrative means to block their illegal occupation.The party
July 16, 2019
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Moon's meeting with party leaders set for Thursday
The office of President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday welcomed a rare bipartisan decision on a proposed group meeting between Moon and the heads of five major political parties.Cheong Wa Dae welcomed the bipartisan cooperation at a time when all relevant parties need to pool their wisdom on ways to cope with Japan's tougher export restrictions against South Korean firms, the office's spokesperson, Ko Min-jung, said at a press briefing. Hours earlier, the ruling Democratic Party and four opposition part
July 16, 2019
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[Newsmaker] Political parties fail to agree on plenary meeting
Political parties failed to agree on a date for the last plenary meeting of the June parliamentary session, as the dispute over the main opposition Liberty Korea Party’s push for the dismissal of Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo dragged on.On Monday, floor leaders -- Lee In-young of the ruling Democratic Party, Na Kyung-won of the Liberty Korea Party and Oh Shin-hwan of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party -- gathered for a meeting convened by National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang on
July 15, 2019
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Moon ready for meeting with political party leaders: Cheong Wa Dae
The office of President Moon Jae-in reaffirmed Monday that he's all set to hold a group meeting with the leaders of five major political parties in South Korea. It was responding to a proposal by Hwang Kyo-ahn, the head of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, which was made hours earlier via a press conference.Hwang cited a "crisis" from Japan's stricter export restrictions against South Korean firms in an apparent retaliatory measure over historical issues.He said he would hold a
July 15, 2019
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Moon apologizes for failure to keep campaign pledge on minimum wage
President Moon Jae-in offered a public apology Sunday for an apparent failure to keep his campaign pledge to raise South Korea's minimum wage to 10,000 won ($8.48) per hour by 2020.Moon delivered the message through his chief of staff for policy, Kim Sang-jo."As the president, it's very regrettable and I am sorry for failing to keep the promise with the people," Moon was quoted as saying.Last week, a related panel of labor and business representatives and experts voted to raise the wag
July 14, 2019
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Moon upbeat about South Jeolla Province's development, making 'economy tour'
President Moon Jae-in traveled to South Jeolla Province on Friday as part of his tours of non-Seoul areas aimed at helping boost local economies and balanced growth.He received a briefing from provincial authorities on their "Blue Economy" vision at the provincial government office in Muan County.Gov. Kim Yung-rok presented five projects for the sustainable development of the province, located in the southwestern swathe of the country: Blue Energy, Blue Tour, Blue Bio, Blue Transport a
July 12, 2019
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Cheong Wa Dae proposes int'l probe into Japan's claim over S. Korea's strategic material control
The office of President Moon Jae-in on Friday bristled at Japan's accusations that South Korea might have leaked sensitive industrial materials to North Korea or third countries, demanding that Tokyo agree to have an international panel look into the issue.Cheong Wa Dae urged the Japanese government to apologize and retract its recent export control against Seoul if its assertion turns out to be false.In a statement, Kim You-geun, deputy chief of Cheong Wa Dae's national security office, emphasi
July 12, 2019
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Japan made over 30 illegal shipments to North Korea: lawmaker
Lawmaker Ha Tae-keung of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party on Thursday alleged that Japan smuggled hydrogen fluoride and materials used to develop biochemical weapons to North Korea.According to Ha, Japan made over 30 shipments of hydrogen fluoride, materials for biochemical weapon development and other strategic items to North Korea between 1996 and 2003. Strategic items refer to goods and technologies regulated from exports, to maintain national security and international peace.Ha cited a
July 11, 2019
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[Newsmaker] Political heavyweight stripped of parliamentary seat after top court confirms jail sentence
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a lower court ruling ordering a jail term for a four-term opposition lawmaker, stripping him of his parliamentary seat.The top court sentenced Rep. Choi Kyung-hwan of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party to five years in prison for taking bribes worth some 100 million won ($84,990). He was also ordered to pay 150 million won in fines. Under the law, an elected official loses his or her post if sentenced to imprisonment without forced labor for criminal cas
July 11, 2019
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[News focus] Japan’s export curbs fuel political feud in S. Korea
Japan’s decision to impose export restrictions on key hi-tech semiconductor and electronics materials to South Korea is having a political fallout here. President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday reiterated Seoul’s position that the measures are politically motivated, while criticizing Japan’s attempt to justify its actions by linking them to sanctions on North Korea. “The Japanese government is taking measures that impact our economy for political goals, and making comments that
July 10, 2019
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Moon presses Japan to halt export curbs before reaching 'dead end'
President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday ratcheted up the pressure on Japan to stop heading toward a "dead end" with "politically motivated" export restrictions against South Korea.Speaking at a meeting with dozens of local business leaders at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, he stressed that the government is doing its best for a diplomatic resolution to the problem. "I hope the Japanese government will respond to it," Moon said."I hope it will no longer go toward a dead end
July 10, 2019
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Moon likely to go ahead with appointment of top prosecutor
President Moon Jae-in was set to request a report from the National Assembly on Wednesday on the confirmation hearing of Prosecutor General nominee Yoon Seok-youl -- a report that two opposition parties have refused to adopt, accusing Yoon of perjury.A Cheong Wa Dae official told Yonhap News that the president would make the request Wednesday. A day after the main opposition Liberty Korea Party decided not to adopt the report on Yoon’s confirmation hearing, which would have signaled its ap
July 10, 2019
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Civic group chief urges Seoul to work harder to restart Kaesong complex, Mount Kumgang tours
A civic group chief urged the South Korean government on Wednesday to intensify efforts to resume a now-shuttered industrial park in North Korea and suspended tours to a scenic mountain in the communist state."It is quite disappointing that it has been two years since the government was inaugurated ... but our diplomatic and security lines have failed to persuade the US Congress and the White House to realize how important the Mount Kumgang tours and the Kaesong Industrial Complex are,"
July 10, 2019
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Seoul slams Japan's claim chemical exported to NK
South Korean Industry Minister Sung Yun-mo on Tuesday said Japan’s claim that its hi-tech materials were routed to North Korea was “completely groundless,” calling on Tokyo to stop making false accusations. South Korea and Japan will hold bilateral talks on Friday in Tokyo although the details are yet to be finalized, he added during a press conference.“We have abided by the responsibility of the international community for peace and security by exemplarily controlling ou
July 9, 2019
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Prosecutor-general nominee under fire for alleged false testimony
The ruling and main opposition parties on Tuesday continued to clash over Prosecutor-General nominee Yoon Seok-youl, with the opposition honing in on his alleged false testimony in his confirmation hearing. The ruling Democratic Party continued to defend Yoon, saying he is fit to lead the prosecution and to continue a reform drive. It added that the confirmation hearing on Monday did not reveal any crippling allegations or evidence against the nominee. The main opposition Liberty Korea Par
July 9, 2019
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Government to seek funds for materials industry
Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said Tuesday the government will propose additional funding to foster South Korea’s industrial materials production. He emphasized the urgency of nurturing the industry, referring to a recent trade dispute with Japan, as he presided over a weekly Cabinet meeting. “(The government) plans to ask the National Assembly (to approve) the additional funding necessary for that in the extra budget this time,” Lee said.In April, the government proposed a 6
July 9, 2019
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[News briefs] Police arrest homeless man for threatening Our Republican Party member
A 55-year-old homeless man has been arrested on charges of threatening a member of the far-right Our Republican Party with a utility knife, police said Monday.According to Jongno Police Station, the suspect stepped inside the party’s tent at Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul on Sunday morning, took out the weapon and threatened the victim to remove the tent. The suspect and victim engaged in a quarrel after the suspect complained about the tent.Party members reported the case to police and
July 8, 2019
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Tensions spike ahead of prosecutor-general nominee confirmation hearing
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the main opposition Liberty Korea Party on Sunday geared up for a full-fledged battle in the parliamentary confirmation hearing for Prosecutor-General nominee Yoon Seok-youl.The nomination of reform-minded Yoon has drawn fierce objection from the opposition bloc, which opposes the Moon Jae-in administration’s drive to reform the prosecution and adjust the authority of the police and the prosecution.With tensions running high, both the Democratic Par
July 7, 2019