North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s recent visit to China indicated that the two countries’ communist alliance remains intact, but that it may be shifting toward a relationship based more on strategic and economic interests.The varying tones of state-run media reports from Pyongyang and Beijing on Kim’s summit meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao last week suggested that the two allies may not b

North Korea June 1, 2011

Both sides say the other should take responsibility for savings bank problemsThe presidential office and opposition lawmakers are accusing each other of being associated with a corruption scandal involving savings banks that has led to the arrest of a former top state auditor for bribery.A senior Cheong Wa Dae official on Tuesday went on a counteroffensive against Park Jie-won, former floor leader

Politics May 31, 2011

Chief of staff Yim will likely stay to prepare for inter-Korean summit: observersPresident Lee Myung-bak is expected to replace some of his secretaries in early June as new minister nominees take office and oust several top aides if necessary after the Grand National Party’s national convention on July 4.The National Assembly wrapped up confirmation hearings for the five new minister nominees last

Politics May 30, 2011

U.S. tested highly toxic defoliants in 5 countries including Korea in 1960sSouth Korean and U.S. officials on Friday began collecting groundwater samples near a U.S. army base in the south, a day after agreeing on a joint probe into the alleged burial of the toxic defoliant Agent Orange by American troops about three decades ago.The investigation began after former U.S. soldiers told a U.S. televi

Social Affairs May 27, 2011

Ruling party hints at parliamentary probeState prosecutors found that President Lee Myung-bak’s confidant and former state auditor Eun Jin-soo violated the law to take part in auditing savings banks last year as they investigated Eun’s alleged involvement in a snowballing savings bank corruption scandal.Eun stepped down as commissioner of the Board of Audit and Inspection Thursday after the prosec

Politics May 27, 2011

Seoul and Tokyo are discussing whether President Lee Myung-bak should accept his Japanese counterpart’s invitation for a state visit this fall, Lee’s spokesperson said Thursday.Prime Minister Nato Kan extended the invitation during his summit talks with Lee held Sunday in Tokyo on the sidelines of the annual Korea-Japan-China summit.“President Lee said Seoul’s foreign ministry will hold working-le

Politics May 26, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak on Tuesday met with a senior Vatican official in charge of promoting dialogue with other religions and expressed his respect for such efforts, the presidential office said.French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue at the Vatican, arrived in Seoul on Monday for a five-day trip that includes a visit to the headquarters

Politics May 24, 2011

South Koreans who wish to send money to their families in North Korea will be required to get government approval in advance under a revised law, Seoul’s Unification Ministry said Monday.All remittances between the South and North, including investments or aid to the North from an overseas corporation set up by a South Korean citizen, will require government approval, according to the revised law

Politics May 23, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday hosted a dinner for the participants in the two-day G20 Seoul Speakers Consultation at the presidential office.About 110 people invited to the event at Cheong Wa Dae included parliamentary speakers and delegates from the G20 states, National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae, vice speakers Chung Eui-hwa, Hong Jae-hyung, Grand National Party floor leader Hwang Woo-ye

Politics May 19, 2011