Cheong Wa Dae on Monday issued a warning against fraud using the names of President Moon Jae-in and his close aides. According to the presidential office, Moon ordered the presidential office to disclose a number of examples of such cases and urged the public to report related developments to the police.Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom announces the warning from the presidential office on Monday. YonhapIn fraud cases uncovered so far, the suspects claimed ties to the president, or three of

Politics Oct. 22, 2018

The Pope effectively accepting the invitation to North Korea conveyed by Moon Jae-in on Thursday will aid the denuclearization process, and is evidence of international society’s support for peace, ruling Democratic Party floor leader Rep. Hong Young-pyo said Friday. Floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party Rep. Hong Young-pyo speaks at the party`s supreme council meeting on Friday. YonhapAccording to Cheong Wa Dae, Pope Francis responded positively to North Korean leader Kim jong-un’s sugges

Politics Oct. 19, 2018

The Korean government is considering lifting the May 24 measures against North Korea, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said Wednesday. Speaking at the parliamentary audit by the diplomatic and unification committee of the National Assembly, Kang also said that tours to North Korea are banned for South Koreans not by international sanctions, but by measures enforced by Seoul.  Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha speaks at the parliamentary audit in Seoul on Wednesday. YonhapIn response to D

North Korea Oct. 10, 2018

The second US-North Korea summit will be held after the US midterm elections, with three or four locations being considered, US President Donald Trump said Tuesday.“I just can’t leave now,” Trump was quoted as saying aboard Air Force One, referring to his campaign activities that do not allow for a summit before the Nov. 6 elections. Earlier in the day at the White House, Trump also said that “three or four locations” are being considered by his staff, and once again stressed his vision of North

North Korea Oct. 10, 2018

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would “passionately welcome” Pope Francis, should the pontiff visit Pyongyang, Seoul’s presidential office said Tuesday. According to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom, the North Korean leader revealed such intentions to President Moon Jae-in during the inter-Korean summit in North Korea. Moon and Kim held their third summit in Pyongyang from Sept. 18 to 20.  (Yonhap)The spokesman added that Moon intends to relay the North Korean leader’s words to the Pope dur

North Korea Oct. 9, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Monday said the geopolitical order on the Korean Peninsula was taking on a new form, citing developments concerning North Korea. President Moon Jae-in speaks at the Cabinet meeting on Monday. Yonhap“Separately from the North-US summit, Chairman Kim Jong-un is set to visit Russia, and a visit to North Korea by President Xi Jinping is expected in the near future,” Moon said at Monday’s Cabinet meeting.“In addition, the possibility of a North Korea-Japan summit is open. A n

North Korea Oct. 8, 2018

Pyongyang and Moscow are working to arrange an official visit to Russia for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, a top Russian politician revealed Friday.  Valentina Matviyenko, chairwoman of Russia’s Federation Council,shakes hands with Seoul’s National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong at the presidential office in Seoul on Friday. Yonhap“(I) attended North Korea’s 70th foundation anniversary event on orders from President Putin,” Valentina Matviyenko, chairwoman of Russia’s Federation Council,

North Korea Oct. 5, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Friday tapped Cho Myung-rae for the post of environment minister. If appointed, Cho would replace Kim Eun-kyung. Cho is currently the chief of the Korea Environment Institute, and chairs an association of chiefs of environmental research organizations. Cho studied urban development and planning in university and graduate school, and taught related subjects at Dankook University.  Cho Myung-rae. Cheong Wa Dae“Cho is a scholar who has (worked) with environmental civic move

Politics Oct. 5, 2018

A South Korean who has been missing in Indonesia since last week’s earthquake has been found dead, Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday. The deceased, identified by the surname Lee, was found under the debris of the hotel where he was staying in Palu, which was hit by a tsunami.  Emergency personnel approach a collapsed hotel in Palu, Indonesia. YonhapLee is the only South Korean identified to have been killed in the earthquake, which has so far claimed more than 1,420 lives. “The b

Social Affairs Oct. 4, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday highlighted the role of the private sector in job creation, admitting to the shortcomings of his administration’s related policies so far. President Moon Jae-in speaks at the meeting of the job creation commission at the SK hynix plant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province Thursday. YonhapSpeaking at a meeting of the job creation committee held at SK hynix’s new plant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, Moon said job creation is ultimately up to the priva

Politics Oct. 4, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday appointed five vice minister-level officials, including the first and second vice ministers of foreign affairs.In the reshuffle, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun was appointed as the first vice minister of foreign affairs, and his place was filled by Moon’s trade affairs secretary Lee Tae-ho.Cho is a career diplomat who has served as second vice minister since June last year. Lee is also a career diplomat, and served as deputy minister for econom

Politics Sept. 27, 2018

Facilitating US-North Korea talks and easing inter-Korean military tension is the aim of the inter-Korean summit, President Moon Jae-in said Monday. Moon is set to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on Tuesday. President Moon Jae-in speaks at the meeting with senior aides in Seoul on Monday. Yonhap“My aim for the summit is to speak with Chairman Kim Jong-un with open hearts,” Moon said at Monday’s meeting with his senior aides, saying that building trust is key to improving inter-

North Korea Sept. 17, 2018

The first-ever inter-Korean summit between late President Kim Dae-jung and late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il took place in Pyongyang over three days beginning June 13, 2000.Kim Dae-jung was the first South Korean leader to roll out an engagement policy toward the North labeled the “Sunshine Policy,” and the meeting resulted in the June 15 Declaration. President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at their first summit meeting on April 27. Cheong Wa DaeThe declaration stated that t

North Korea Sept. 17, 2018

President Moon Jae-in will be accompanied by 64 government, social and business representatives on his trip to Pyongyang, Cheong Wa Dae chief of staff Im Jong-seok said Sunday. Moon is set for a three-day visit to Pyongyang from Tuesday, upon which he will hold his third summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.Cheong Wa Dae chief of staff Im Jong-seok on Sunday announces the retinue that will accompany President Moon Jae-in to Pyongyang. YonhapThe 14 government and Cheong Wa Dae officials in

North Korea Sept. 16, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday urged the judiciary and the National Assembly to push for complete reform of the judicial branch, saying that past wrongs must be addressed. Speaking at an event marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the judicial branch held at the Supreme Court, Moon said that the law is the last refuge of the people and that ongoing reforms must meet the public’s expectations. President Moon Jae-in addresses the public at the event marking the 70th anniversay of

Politics Sept. 13, 2018