More than seven in 10 South Koreans support a constitutional revision, with most of them citing the need to make the decades-old basic law relevant to changes in today's society, a survey showed Sunday. Regarding the government structure, some 46 percent preferred power sharing between the president and the prime minister while some 38 percent backed the current presidential system.The survey, conducted by Hankook Research last week commissioned by the National Assembly Speaker's Office, asked 1

Social Affairs July 16, 2017

South Korea may propose inter-Korean military talks as early as this week to follow up on President Moon Jae-in's offer to stop all acts of hostility on the border, a government official said Sunday. The unification, military and other relevant ministries are discussing the plan one day after Pyongyang first reacted to Moon's suggestion, according to the official who asked not to be named de to sensitivity of the issue. During his speech in Berlin on July 6, Moon laid out his vision for bringing

North Korea July 16, 2017

A group of South Korean scientists will launch a venture company to commercialize their technology to more effectively manufacture microfluidic devices that can be used to detect pathogens very quickly and precisely, the ICT ministry said Sunday.The team led by Yoo Yeong-eun of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials has developed a new technology to design microfluidic device, an instrument that uses very small amounts of fluid to do certain laboratory tests. (Photo courtesy of the Minis

Technology July 16, 2017

Growth of South Korea's corporate capital expenditures is expected to lose steam sharply in 2018 due to this year's big investments by major companies, the central bank said Sunday.Corporate investment in new plants and equipment is projected to expand 3 percent next year, compared to an estimated 9.5 percent surge for this year, according to the Bank of Korea.In its latest economic outlook released Thursday, the central bank said the country's capital expenditures probably jumped 14.1 percent i

Economy July 16, 2017

WASHINGTON -- North Korea has likely produced an undetermined amount of additional plutonium for nuclear weapons since September, an analysis of thermal imagery showed Friday.38 North, a US website specializing in North Korea analysis, said in a report that the communist country appears to have increased its plutonium production at the main nuclear complex in Yongbyon from September through June."The Radiochemical Laboratory operated intermittently and there have apparently been at least two unr

North Korea July 16, 2017

The parliamentary budget committee on Saturday referred an extra budget bill to its subcommittee for fine-tuning, accelerating its deliberations with the end of the current legislative session just three days away.The National Assembly's long-delayed review of the 11.2 trillion won ($9.8 billion) budget began in earnest Friday when three opposition parties lifted their parliamentary boycott a day after President Moon Jae-in's disputed pick for labor minister quit.The liberal president, who took

Politics July 16, 2017

South Korea's vice foreign minister has asked for Sweden's cooperation in tackling North Korea's nuclear issue during a bilateral policy consultation meeting, the foreign ministry here said Saturday.Lim Sung-nam held the meeting with his Swedish counterpart Annika Soder in Stockholm Friday (Sweden time), where he explained the new Seoul government's policy to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.South Korea`s Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam (R) speaks with his Swedish counterpa

North Korea July 16, 2017

WASHINGTON -- The US House of Representatives on Friday passed a defense bill calling for increased spending on missile defense programs amid North Korea's evolving threats.The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (H.R. 2810) passed 344-81 to order $696 billion for defense in the fiscal year 2018, including some $12.5 billion for missile defense programs."The Committee continues to be a strong supporter of a robust missile defense program given the increasing threats against o

North Korea July 16, 2017

PAJU -- South Korea's new Defense Minister, Song Young-moo, on Saturday called for strong and overwhelming military readiness when he met soldiers guarding the heavily armed Korean Demilitarized Zone. A day after taking office, Song visited the truce village of Panmunjom and met with soldiers from South Korea and US-led United Nations Command protecting the border.  New Defense Minister Song Young-moo (L) visits the Demilitarized Zone on July 15, 2017. (Yonhap)Song asked soldiers to stably manag

Defense July 16, 2017

South Korean baseball veteran Kim Sang-hyun has been ruled eligible to return to the top professional league a year after an off-field incident forced him out of competition.The KT Wiz in the Korea Baseball Organization said Friday they will reinstate Kim, 36, from their restricted list and then will waive him.The Wiz placed Kim on that list on July 13 last year, after Kim was charged with engaging in lewd conduct in public. Players on the restricted list are ineligible to perform anywhere in th

Baseball July 16, 2017

An Asiana Airlines jet with 176 passengers on board has landed safely after the plane's nose cone was damaged by a hailstorm in South Korea, airline officials said Saturday.Asiana Airlines flight 8234 was en route from the southern resort island of Jeju to the city of Cheongju, about 120 kilometers south of Seoul, on Friday afternoon when the incident took place.  (Yonhap)When the Airbus 321 jet approached the Cheongju airport, it was hit by hailstorm, officials said. No injuries were reported.

Social Affairs July 16, 2017

The South Korean men's national football team will depart for Uzbekistan for a crucial World Cup qualifier earlier than scheduled to ensure thorough preparation, the sport's national federation said Friday.South Korea will take on Uzbekistan on Sept. 5 at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent. The Korea Football Association said the national team had been set to depart for Uzbekistan on Sept. 3, but it decided to fly out on Sept. 1 instead. The match will be the final one for both nations in the current

Soccer July 16, 2017

DAEGU -- Two of South Korean baseball's biggest sluggers led their team to victory at the annual Korea Baseball Organization All-Star Game on Saturday.Choi Jeong of the SK Wyverns and Lee Dae-ho of the Lotte Giants each belted two home runs, as their Dream Team defeated the Nanum Team 13-8 at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, some 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul.Choi got the All-Star Game MVP honors, earning 40 out of 53 votes from the media after going 2-for-3 with three RBIs, three runs sco

Baseball July 16, 2017

DAEGU -- The greatest slugger ever in South Korean baseball played in his final All-Star Game before home fans on Saturday, picking up a double while doing everything in his power to deflect attention from himself.Lee Seung-yuop of the Samsung Lions was 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI, as his Dream Team defeated the Nanum Team 13-8 in the annual Korea Baseball Organization All-Star Game. The midsummer classic was played at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, the home park of the Lions located in

Baseball July 16, 2017

Tension over North Korea's recent launch of a ballistic missile with intercontinental range will likely raise the possibility of economic and financial risks in the Asia-Pacific region, a global ratings appraiser said Sunday."Developments in the Korean Peninsula have raised the risk of a military conflict that could have significant negative economic and financial impact across the Asia-Pacific," S&P Global Ratings said in its latest report. "Asia-Pacific sovereign credit quality faces risks fro

North Korea July 16, 2017