The composition and name of Cheong Wa Dae’s special inspection team will be changed, and new measures will be introduced to enforce discipline and prevent misconduct, the presidential office announced Friday. The measures, announced by Senior Civil Affairs Secretary Cho Kuk, are in response to recent controversy surrounding the inspection team, including that concerning a team member who attempted to gain information on an ongoing police investigation. Members of the team are also alleged to hav

Politics Dec. 14, 2018

A team looking into the possible abuse of power and human rights abuses by public prosecutors has asked for another extension, local media reported Tuesday. According to reports, the investigators requested the commission overseeing related issues to be extended for three months, citing incomplete investigations. The operation of the commission is set to end Dec. 31.  Members of women`s rights groups call for an extension into the probe into alleged irregularities in prosecution`s investigations

Social Affairs Dec. 12, 2018

A visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Seoul within the year looks unlikely, but later dates including January remain possible, a high-level official with South Korea’s presidential office said Wednesday.  A large painting installed near Cheong Wa Dae shows President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shaking hands. YonhapThe comment follows local news reports that the presidential office has effectively ruled out the possibility of North Korean leader Kim visiting Seoul with

North Korea Dec. 12, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday called on government ministries to address economic issues, stressing the importance of local economies. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting held in Sejong, Moon said that while the country’s macroeconomic indexes are stable, the country is experiencing difficulties in employment and other areas linked to people’s livelihoods. President Moon Jae-in holds a Cabinet meeting in Sejong on Tuesday. Yonhap“Inclusive growth, where everyone prospers, is impossible without solv

Politics Dec. 11, 2018

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s visit to Seoul remains undecided, with Pyongyang yet to respond to Seoul on the matter, Cheong Wa Dae reiterated Sunday. “There has been no contact (on the issue) from North Korea,” a high-level Cheong Wa Dae official said.  A large painting installed near Cheong Wa Dae shows President Moon Jae-in and north Korean leader Kim Jong-un shaking hands. Yonhap“Sufficient messages have been sent to the North, and as it would have many things to consider if the visit is

North Korea Dec. 9, 2018

The pope may visit North Korea in 2019, and the Vatican has begun working-level efforts to establish a point of contact with Pyongyang, a Korean news agency reported Sunday. Citing a Vatican official who requested anonymity, Yonhap News Agency reported that the Vatican has not ruled out a visit to Pyongyang by Pope Francis in the coming year.  President Moon Jae-in and Pope Francis shake hands at the Vatican during their meeting in October. Cheong Wa Dae“To my knowledge, the Vatican is trying to

North Korea Dec. 9, 2018

The clash over President Moon Jae-in’s civil affairs secretary and misconduct by Cheong Wa Dae officials appears set to intensify. According to a local daily, Civil Affairs Secretary Cho Kuk effectively ruled out resigning from his post, saying, “all criticism must be borne, (I) will return to the school after carrying out my tasks,” in a text message. Cho is a professor of law at Seoul National University. He took the post during a sabbatical year.  Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom brie

Politics Dec. 6, 2018

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service on Wednesday said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s visit to Seoul is dependent on US-North Korea talks.According to the minor conservative opposition Bareunmirae Party’s Rep. Lee Hag-jae, NIS officials also corroborated Cheong Wa Dae’s claims that the dates of Kim’s possible trip to Seoul are undecided, at a parliamentary intelligence committee briefing. National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon (center) attends a session with the National

North Korea Dec. 5, 2018

Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday once again stressed that the dates for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s possible visit to Seoul remain undecided, denying reports of behind-the-scenes negotiations between the two Koreas.“As the president stated, (the dates are) open whether it’s this year or early next year. The important thing is the North’s decision,” President Moon Jae-in’s senior press secretary Yoon Young-chan said.Groups calling for end to North Korean sanctions hold up cutouts of President Moo

North Korea Dec. 5, 2018

The significance of a possible visit to Seoul by the North Korean leader lies in laying the foundations for the second US-North Korea summit, rather than with its timing, President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday.Speaking after his meeting with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand in Auckland, Moon said the timing of Kim’s visit was secondary to its purpose. President Moon Jae-in and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand shakes hands at the joint press conference in Auckland, New Zealand

North Korea Dec. 4, 2018

The opposition parties on Monday continued raising pressure on the presidential secretary for civil affairs, as President Moon Jae-in remains silent on the recent series of misconduct by Cheong Wa Dae officials. On Monday, the conservative main opposition Liberty Korea Party renewed its criticism of Cheong Wa Dae over related matters, with its interim leader Kim Byung-joon accusing the administration of turning a blind eye to wrongdoings within its ranks.  President Moon Jae-in and his Senior Se

Politics Dec. 3, 2018

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could still visit Seoul within the year, with the US fully supporting the plan, President Moon Jae-in said Saturday onboard a flight from Buenos Aires to New Zealand. “The possibility of Chairman Kim Jong-un visiting within the year remains open. President Trump and I shared the view that Kim Jong-un’s visit to Seoul would play a very positive role in North Korea-US denuclearization talks,” Moon said, referring to his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Buen

North Korea Dec. 3, 2018

President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump will hold a summit meeting in Buenos Aires on Friday, Seoul’s presidential office confirmed. According to Cheong Wa Dae, the meeting has been set for 3:15 p.m. Friday, Buenos Aires time (3.15 a.m. Saturday in Korean time).  President Moon Jae-in addresses Koreans based in Argentina in Buenos Aires on Thursday. YonhapAccording to Cheong Wa Dae, the two leaders will focus on discussing how to increase cooperation on denuclearization, and to stren

Foreign Affairs Nov. 30, 2018

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party on Friday renewed its attack on Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Cho Kuk and the presidential office over alleged misconduct by investigators on Cheong Wa Dae’s inspection team.Allegations of wrongdoing by officials on the inspection team, which is under the authority of the office of the civil affairs secretary, surfaced earlier this week. Senior Secretar for Civil Affairs Cho Kuk. YonhapIn one case, an official from the team allegedly attempted to gain

Politics Nov. 30, 2018

From ancient structures raised more than 1,600 years ago to modest venues located in commercial buildings, thousands of Buddhist temples dot South Korea.Buddhism is deeply entwined with the history of the Korean Peninsula. At times of oppression, temples secreted away in deep mountains provided refuge to the persecuted. In more modern times, Buddhist temples have provided safe haven for labor and student activists wanted by the authorities. Temples, and life in Buddhism, are also rumored to have

Travel Nov. 29, 2018