The Korea Herald

GNP cliques clash after by-election shocks

The ruling Grand National Party, in the aftermath of its defeat in last week’s by-elections, held an intra party debate in which opposing factions clashed over how to start over.More than 110 lawmakers participated and 19 volunteered to speak in the hours-long debate on Monday, according to party officials.“We are on the verge of a major crisis,” said the party floor leader Kim Moo-sung in his ope

Politics May 2, 2011

GNP cliques clash after by-election shocks

Yonsei offers scholarship to top foreign students

Yonsei University is to expand its scholarship program for outstanding foreign students in Korea.The new scholarship system, revamped last September, took effect from this year’s spring semester to offer a full four-year scholarship to a maximum of 10 foreign students, according to school officials.“Unlike many other schools in Korea, we have refrained from giving out scholarship benefits just to

Social Affairs May 2, 2011

Prosecution probing 22 people possibly involved in massive bank run

Prosecutors are investigating 22 people who may have improperly withdrawn their money from local savings banks shortly before their business suspensions, an official said Sunday.In February, operations of seven savings banks were suspended due to their capital shortages. Suspicions have erupted that employees of the banks told their family members and close friends to withdraw their deposits on th

National May 1, 2011

Savings bank withdrawal probe spreads to customers

The prosecution is focusing its probe of allegedly illicit withdrawal from suspended savings banks on a small group of major customers and their potential accomplices within the lenders.The Supreme Prosecutor’s Office drew up a list of 22 customers who withdrew massive deposits from their accounts just a day before the savings banks were suspended, officials said Sunday.These affluent customers fa

Social Affairs May 1, 2011

GNP grapples with selection of leader

Big names mentioned as party chair, but all cautious about their plansIn the aftermath of its defeat in the April by-elections, the ruling Grand National Party is struggling to select a new head who may lead the party in the future, especially in next year’s general and presidential elections.The ruling party is scheduled to line up its top leader and supreme council anew within the month through

Politics May 1, 2011

IIE to help expand TaLK language exchange program

A governmental education institute has joined hands with its U.S. counterpart in a program to bring overseas Koreans as volunteer English teachers for students in rural areas here.The National Institute of International Education signed a memorandum of understanding with the Institute of International Education in New York on Friday, officials said. Chung Sang-ki (third from right), director of th

Social Affairs May 1, 2011

IIE to help expand TaLK language exchange program

Assembly panel passes Korea-EU free trade pact

The Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee of the National Assembly passed the long-stalled Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement on Thursday as rival parties compromised to cut taxes for small livestock farms.The agreement will now be forwarded to the plenary session on Friday and, if approved, will take effect this July.During the panel session, government officials reported their preventive measures to sa

Politics April 28, 2011

Ruling party leaders resign

Following poor results for the ruling Grand National Party in Wednesday’s by-elections, the party’s leaders resolved Thursday to resign en masse and form an emergency panel next week.“We fully realize our responsibility for the given results and shall accept the people’s message,” said leader Ahn Sang-soo at a senior lawmakers’ meeting early Thursday.“All members of the supreme council have agreed

Politics April 28, 2011

Sohn’s gamble proves DP doubters wrong

Ex-governor shakes off public doubts, paves way to presidential paceThe political status of opposition leader Sohn Hak-kyu skyrocketed as he brought a landslide victory to his party by winning in the Bundang-B constituency in Wednesday’s by-elections.He gained ground in his bid for next year’s presidential election, rising as the most powerful runner in the opposition camp. Sohn Hak-kyu (second fr

Politics April 28, 2011

Opposition wins key elections

Winners of the by-elections (from left): Sohn Hak-kyu, Choi Moon-soon and Kim Tae-ho. (Yonhap News)Sohn Hak-kyu, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, paved his way to the presidential race next year by beating his ruling party rival in the Bundang-B constituency in Wednesday’s by-elections.The ballot count started soon after the polls closed at 8 p.m. but Sohn’s lead over Kang Jae-sup,

Politics April 28, 2011

Opposition prospects brighten for 2012 elections

Floor leader Park Jie-won (left front) and members of the main opposition Democratic Party cheer late on Wednesday as candidate Sohn Hak-kyu takes a lead in the by-election vote in Bundang. Yang Dong-chul/The Korea HeraldThe opposition seems to have made important progress in preparations for next year’s general and presidential elections as its candidates marked a better-than-expected performance

Politics April 28, 2011

Opposition prospects brighten for 2012 elections

Voter turnout gets by-election boost

Candidacy of big-name politicians raises electorate participation, officials sayVoters in by-election constituencies headed to nearby polling stations on Wednesday, pulling the turnout rate up to an unprecedented level and reflecting the public’s keen interest in this year’s political races.The general voting rate in 1,353 stations in 38 constituencies nationwide as of 3 p.m. was 28.2 percent, or

Politics April 27, 2011

Political big picture hangs on by-election results

The futures of the ruling and opposition parties may hinge on the results of Wednesday’s by-elections, considered a preview of next year’s general and presidential races.The by-elections are relatively minor in size, involving the replacement of three lawmakers, one provincial governor and 34 municipal or district officials. Voters cast ballots Wednesday in 38 constituencies nationwide. (From left

Politics April 27, 2011

Political big picture hangs on by-election results

Parties pitch in countdown to election fight

Fiercest battle expected in BundangParties and candidates were in last-minute campaign mode Tuesday, the day before the by-elections that may set the course for next year’s general and presidential elections.A major matter of interest for all is voter turnout.In the past, the higher the turnout, the better the chances for the opposition party.In a survey on residents of by-election constituencies,

Politics April 26, 2011

Parties pitch in countdown to election fight

Legal feuds mar last-minute campaigns

With the by-elections taking place on Wednesday, last-minute competition between candidates has turned into a game of mudslinging and legal feuds.The main opposition Democratic Party on Monday accused Ohm Ki-young, the ruling Grand National Party candidate for Gangwon governor, of breaking election law, according to officials.“Ohm violated the public election law by operating an unregistered call

Politics April 25, 2011

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