Monaco has filed its implementation report for United Nations-led sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear test and other provocations, becoming the first member country to submit the action plan, sources said Wednesday.The move came about a week before the deadline by which all member countries are required to submit their own guidelines on how to carry out the toughened sanctions adopted by the U.N. about three months ago. Details, including what measures Monaco will take, have not been d

North Korea May 25, 2016

South Korea's ruling Saenuri Party on Wednesday said it will hold a general meeting in the "near future"to discuss the normalization of the party, which may include reorganizing its power structure to grant more authority to a single leader.Chung Jin-suk, the floor leader, said the party will hold a meeting to exchange ideas on details of the discussions made by key officials earlier this week. The meeting will try to find a breakthrough in the prolonged power vacuum at the top after the party's

Politics May 25, 2016

A South Korean court on Wednesday dismissed an appeal by two male filmmakers to legally recognize their marriage, saying that same-sex marriage cannot be accepted without due "legislative" action.Kim Chokwangsu and Kim Seung-hwan tied the knot in a public wedding in September 2013 but are still seeking to get legal status as the country does not recognize same-sex marriages.They submitted a report of marriage to a Seoul district office, but it was denied by the office on the grounds that "same-s

Social Affairs May 25, 2016

An annual Arab film festival will be held simultaneously in Seoul and Busan later this week, providing a rare chance for a South Korean audience to better understand the Arab world, a co-organizer said Wednesday.  The 5th Arab Film Festival will feature 15 films from 10 Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Iraq, Egypt and Palestine, the Busan Cinema Center here said. The event, which runs from May 26-June 1 at Arthouse MOMO in Seoul and the BCC in Busan, consists of three s

Culture May 25, 2016

North Korea has extended its offer to hold dialogue with South Korea for the sixth day in a row, calling on Seoul to accept its proposal to ease tension on the Korean Peninsula, the country's state media reported Wednesday.An institute under the ruling Workers' Party of Korea said North Korea is ready to have candid talks with South Korea, blaming Seoul for not accepting its dialogue proposal, according to the Rodong Sinmun, the party's main newspaper.The offer is part of North Korea's charm off

North Korea May 25, 2016

South Korea's defense chief will leave for Singapore early next month to attend a regional security meeting where he will exchange views on North Korea's nuclear provocation and other mutual issues, Seoul's officials said Wednesday.Defense Minister Han Min-koo will join the Asia Security Summit to be held from June 3-5 in Singapore, according to the defense ministry. The summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, is an annual security meeting organized by the International Institute of Strat

Defense May 25, 2016

Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Wednesday said the country will come up with measures to better protect women and vulnerable citizens from crimes, as the recent stabbing of a female in southern Seoul sparked a public outcry for more security."I am saddened by the fact an innocent citizen was killed in a cruel crime," Hwang said, urging prosecutors and police, as well as gender and welfare ministries to come up with plans that can boost public safety.Last week, a 34-year-old man killed a 23-year-

Social Affairs May 25, 2016

South Korea's defense procurement agency said Wednesday it plans to import arms worth about 3.5 trillion won ($3 billion) this year in a bid to enhance its defense capabilities.South Korea plans to spend about 9 percent of this year's defense budget of 38.8 trillion won to buy weaponry from overseas, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.It said the government plans to spend an average of 3.5 billion won per contract to import weapons from foreign suppliers.Amid North Korea

Defense May 25, 2016