The Korea Herald

Seoul to up pressure on N.K. nuke program

Evaluating the outcome of the U.S.-China summit as positive, South Korea repeated on Thursday that the resumption of any kind of dialogue with North Korea “depended fully” upon the nuclear-armed state’s earnest intent to halt provocations and disarm. Overcoming their once-divided view on how to deal with Pyongyang’s growing belligerence, U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao

Politics Jan. 20, 2011

Seoul to up pressure on N.K. nuke program

Obama, Hu summit draws attention in Seoul

With the U.S. and China expected to try resolving their once complicated relations by emphasizing common goals at their summit this week, South Korea is preparing for any changes which may occur in the regional powers’ attitude toward North Korea. U.S. President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao are expected to discuss a wide range of economic and diplomatic issues Thursday, inclu

Politics Jan. 19, 2011

‘Gambling celebrity’ back in Korea to face the music

Disgraced TV celebrity Shin Jung-hwan returned to Korea on Wednesday to face investigations at home into allegations he gambled away hundreds of millions of won in the Philippines last year. Setting foot in his homeland for the first time in more than five months, the troubled 36-year-old admitted the illegal gambling charges.“I am ready for punishment. Please punish me harshly,” the singer-turned

Social Affairs Jan. 19, 2011

‘Gambling celebrity’ back in Korea to face the music

Minister-nominee rejects allegations

Choi Joong-kyung pledges to stabilize commodity prices, create jobsWhile defending himself against ethical suspicions at a parliamentary hearing Tuesday, President Lee Myung-bak’s economy minister-nominee pledged to focus on stabilizing commodity prices and creating more jobs once parliament approves his appointment. Choi Joong-kyung, who formerly served as senior presidential secretary for econom

Politics Jan. 18, 2011

Choung denies wrongdoing in hearing

Culture minister-nominee grilled over alleged tax evasion, real estatePresident Lee Myung-bak’s culture minister-nominee pledged to end the cultural gap between social classes while being grilled by parliament over ethical issues on Monday. “I will push for policies that help integrate society,” said minister-designate Choung Byoung-gug during his parliamentary confirmation hearing. “I pledge to m

Politics Jan. 17, 2011

Allies urge N.K. to clear way for inter-Korea talks

As regional powers are coming together on the terms of restarting stalled peace talks with North Korea, the outcome appears to be lying in the hands of the nuclear-armed state which clearly has the most to gain through the dialogue.Members of the aid-for-denuclearization talks have been engaged in a flurry of diplomacy this month, discussing the best solution to the high-running tensions between t

Politics Jan. 16, 2011

U.S. more cautious on N.K. threats

Expert warns of Pyongyang’s possible missile test-firing, more provocations this yearAs regional powers coordinate terms under which they can resume peace talks with North Korea, Washington appears to be growing more cautious about what impatience and instability could push the nuclear-armed state to do. Nuclear and missiles threats by the impoverished communist state go “beyond the region to the

Politics Jan. 13, 2011

Seoul remains lukewarm on N.K. calls for talks

North Korea is stepping up efforts to persuade a reluctant South Korea into having talks, apparently realizing that inter-Korean dialogue is its only hope of resuming larger-scale talks with regional powers and thereby securing much needed aid.The North called for better ties with Seoul in its New Year’s editorial, and has repeatedly proposed, through both official and unofficial channels, to iron

North Korea Jan. 12, 2011

Seoul remains lukewarm on N.K. calls for talks

GNP chief distances party from administration

The chairman of the ruling Grand National Party vowed Tuesday to pay more attention to public demand while backing government policies, a significant wording as his party remains at odds with President Lee Myung-bak over a controversial chief state auditor nominee.His party has and will continue to actively support policies by the conservative Lee government, but at the same time will “make the ut

Politics Jan. 11, 2011

GNP chief distances party from administration

S. Korea, Philippines agree to boost ties

Foreign ministers of South Korea and the Philippines agreed to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries at a meeting in Seoul. Philippine Foreign Minister Alberto G. Romulo met his South Korean counterpart Kim Sung-hwan in Seoul on Monday to discuss, among other issues, ways to promote ties in the fields of trade and investment, agriculture and energy. President Lee Myung-

Politics Jan. 10, 2011

S. Korea, Philippines agree to boost ties

Probe into construction site catering bribes spreads

Civil service marred by ethical problemsDozens of government officials and lawmakers could have been involved in bribery related to construction site catering contracts, prosecutors said.Prosecutors began investigating the potentially explosive scandal last month, suspecting former National Police Agency chief Kang Hee-rak and ex-commissioner general of the National Coast Guard Lee Gil-beom of rec

Social Affairs Jan. 9, 2011

Probe into construction site catering bribes spreads

Allies skeptical over N. Korea’s dialogue offer

South Korea and the U.S. have dismissed North Korea’s proposal for “unconditional talks” as insincere, insisting actions still had to be made ahead of any kind of dialogue. Nuclear envoys of Seoul and Washington agreed Wednesday that peace talks between the two Koreas should precede the resumption of the six-party denuclearization negotiations. The reclusive North made the rare proposal through an

Politics Jan. 6, 2011

S. Korea, U.S. coordinating terms of resuming nuke talks

South Korea and the U.S. are in agreement that North Korea should first solve issues with Seoul before rejoining the multinational peace talks with four other regional powers, a Seoul official said Wednesday. Top envoys of Seoul and Washington on North Korea discussed the terms of resuming the stalled six-nation denuclearization talks with the reclusive state, apparently noting the inevitable need

Politics Jan. 5, 2011

‘N.K. commits 221 provocations since 1953’

North Korea has violated the armistice with South Korea 221 times, a recent report by the Defense Ministry said, as tensions continue to run high following two deadly attacks by Pyongyang last year.Since the two Koreas temporarily ended their three-year war with a truce in July 1953, North Korea has repeatedly violated the pact and conducted an actual military attack up to 26 times, according to a

North Korea Jan. 5, 2011

‘N.K. commits 221 provocations since 1953’

Allies move toward resuming 6-way talks

Preconditions for reopening dialogue to be delivered to the North ‘via inter-Korean channel’While maintaining tough rhetoric, South Korea and the U.S. appear to be opening the door to possible peace talks with North Korea, apparently sending messages Pyongyang that the issue depends upon its attitude from this point on. Positive changes have been brewing on the tense Korean Peninsula since North K

Politics Jan. 4, 2011

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