President Lee Myung-bak said on Monday that Korea will make the utmost efforts to ease concerns over the safety of the nuclear power plants that it builds in the United Arab Emirates.“I am confident that cooperation between the two nations in the construction of nuclear reactors will further solidify bilateral relations,” Lee said at a groundbreaking ceremony for initial works at the proposed nucl

Politics March 14, 2011

South Korea on Friday filled the post of chief state auditor that had been vacant for more than five months amid political setbacks and the disgraceful exit of a former nominee.President Lee Myung-bak gave a letter of appointment to Yang Kun to lead the Board of Audit and Inspection. Lee earlier emphasized the agency’s role in his “fair society” campaign and drive to fight corruption and moral haz

Politics March 11, 2011

The Seoul government is anxious that the escalating scandal involving Korean diplomats and a Chinese woman in Shanghai might damage diplomatic relations with Beijing.Kim Jung-ki, former consul general in Shanghai, returns home Wednesday night in Seoul after being interrogated on the leak of consular files to a Chinese woman. (Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald)Officials here say the government informat

Social Affairs March 11, 2011

The government is suspected of having kicked leaks of confidential information to a Chinese woman in Shanghai into the long grass, as it learned of her affairs with South Korean diplomats in November.The consulate in Shanghai sent back two officers who allegedly had inappropriate relationships with the woman, Deng Xinming, to Seoul early November citing “personal problems.” The men identified only

Social Affairs March 9, 2011

Speculation is growing about the Chinese woman who allegedly had inappropriate relationships with at least three former South Korean diplomats in Shanghai and used them to collect confidential government information. Speculation is that Deng Xinming is most likely a broker, although it would be too premature to eliminate the possibility of her being a spy.For years, Deng has made money by fixing b

Social Affairs March 9, 2011

Three S. Korean diplomats in Shanghai alleged to have given informationSuspicions of an espionage scheme are snowballing as at least three former South Korean diplomats are believed to have leaked confidential government information to a Chinese woman they had affairs with in Shanghai. The data thought to be leaked to the Chinese woman surnamed Deng includes visa records, documents on the Foreign

Social Affairs March 8, 2011

South Korea’s intelligence chief said Friday that North Korea was tightening control of information to keep its people from being influenced by the pro-democracy protests in the Middle East. “North Korea is strengthening its ideological training through media statements, fearing domestic spread of the news” that uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia overthrew dictatorships and spread to Libya, Won Sei-ho

Politics March 4, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak said Thursday that he wished the South Korean church could help bring the country together, without mentioning its latest fury over a bill on Islamic bonds. “I hope the Korean church can untie the knots of social conflict and serve as a bridge for national integration,” Lee said during the national prayer breakfast in southern Seoul.“I believe an attitude of understanding a

Politics March 3, 2011

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., South Korea's No. 2 shipbuilder, said Wednesday that it has won a 1.2 trillion won ($1.06 billion) order to build two drill ships.Under the deal with Aker Drilling of Norway, Daewoo Shipbuilding will deliver the vessels, used to explore for oil and gas wells in deep waters, by 2013, the company said in a statement.Daewoo Shipbuilding said it has an opt

Industry March 2, 2011