The independent counsel looking into the Druking scandal searched the home and office of South Gyeongsang Province Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo on Thursday, as it gears up to summon him for questioning. Kim has been implicated in the case since the beginning, but his status in the investigation was changed to that of a suspect just this week. According to reports, Kim could be questioned as early as the weekend. Investigators on Thursday collect materials from the National Assembly office used by South G

Social Affairs Aug. 2, 2018

South Gyeongsang Province Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo will be summoned for questioning as a suspect in a probe into a public opinion-rigging scandal, the independent counsel said Wednesday.  South Gyeongsang Province Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo speaks at an event on unification on July 13. YonhapKim Kyoung-soo, a close associate of President Moon Jae-in, was questioned in an earlier police investigation as a witness. The scandal centers on allegations the main suspect, Kim Dong-won, also known by the penname Dr

Social Affairs Aug. 1, 2018

The date of the third inter-Korean summit and plans for sending an envoy to North Korea remain undecided, Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday. A local daily had reported that National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon is set to visit the North in the near future to discuss the possibility of holding the third inter-Korean summit in late August. President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un embrace at the inter-Korean summit on April 27. YonhapPresident Moon Jae-in and North Korean lead

North Korea Aug. 1, 2018

The National Court Administration on Tuesday disclosed additional documents linked to alleged politically influenced decisions and illegal surveilling of judges conducted by the organization. The documents, the contents of which range from public relations strategies to meetings with politicians, are likely to fan controversy the country’s judiciary has been facing since earlier this year.  (Yonhap)The National Court Administration is alleged to have influenced trials and surveilled judges under

Social Affairs July 31, 2018

China’s inclusion in declaring the end of the Korean War remains a possibility, a high-level Cheong Wa Dae official revealed Tuesday.While Seoul and Pyongyang agreed to seek an official end to the Korean War in the Panmunjom Declaration, there has been some contention over whether such a declaration should involve just the two Koreas and the US, or include China. “It remains to be seen whether the declaration of an end to the war will be trilateral or quadrilateral, but a four-way declaration ha

North Korea July 31, 2018

The military’s intelligence unit wiretapped a former president and defense minister and collected intelligence on a large number of civilians, a nongovernmental organization alleged Monday. The latest allegation against the Defense Security Command comes as the Ministry of National Defense speeds up the process of drawing up reform plans for the military intelligence unit.  Lim Tae-hoon, chief of Center for Military Human Rights, speaks during a press conference in Seoul on Monday. YonhapOn Mond

Defense July 30, 2018

The Ministry of Health and Welfare refuted reports that it plans to crack down on “meokbang.”The term , also known as mukbang, translates to “eating show,” referring to internet broadcast hosts communicating with viewers while eating. A screenshot of Ddeonggaeddeong’s YouTube channel (YouTube)Such shows came into the spotlight following the Health Ministry and other concerned government bodies announcing plans to fight growing obesity problems Tuesday. The plans are aimed at curbing the growth o

Social Affairs July 27, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday tapped Rep. Lee Kai-ho of the ruling Democratic Party as the new head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.  Rep. Lee Kai-ho. (Cheong Wa Dae)Lee is currently serving his second term in the National Assembly, and has served as an administrative deputy governor of South Jeolla Province. “(Lee) has served on the parliamentary committee on agriculture, so he has a clear understanding on of the Agriculture Ministry’s organization and functions,” Che

Social Affairs July 26, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday hinted at the possibility of penalizing the defense minister and stressed the need to reform the military’s intelligence agency. Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom holds a briefing on Thursday. YonhapAccording to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom, Moon raised concerns about recent developments surrounding the Defense Security Command’s drawing up of plans for a martial law declaration. The plans, drawn up during the demonstrations that led to the ouster o

Defense July 26, 2018

The independent counsel investigating the “Druking” scandal is to focus on shedding light on the suspects’ wrongdoings, including whether they threatened the late Rep. Roh Heo-chan.Roh, a member of the minor Justice Party, died by suicide Monday, days after it was alleged he had illegally received political funds from an organization run by Kim Dong-won, the main suspect in the case who is also known as Druking. Park Sang-yoong, spokesman for special prosecutor Huh Ik-bum`s team, briefs the medi

Social Affairs July 24, 2018

Cheong Wa Dae on Monday said the government has been looking into North Korean coal being imported since October, refuting reports that the presidential office had sat on the information for four months. “(Cheong Wa Dae) has been receiving information since immediately after North Korean coal was brought (into South Korea) in October,” Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said. “Since then, the matter has been under investigation, with the customs office taking the central role. (The investigat

North Korea July 23, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday swore in Adm. Sim Seung-seob as the new head of the Navy, raising him from the rank of vice admiral. Sim replaces Adm. Um Hyun-seong as chief of naval operations. The new Navy chief had headed the Chief Directorate of Strategic Planning of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Adm. Sim Seung-seob salutes President Moon Jae-in after being sworn in as the Navy`s new chief of naval operations on Thursday. YonhapSim graduated from the Korea Naval Academy, and served in a numb

Defense July 19, 2018

President Moon Jae-in’s drive to increase the minimum wage is splitting his supporter base, while at the same time casting doubt on his economic policies. On Sunday, the Minimum Wage Commission set next year’s minimum wage at 8,350 won ($7.40) per hour, up 10.9 percent from this year.  President Moon Jae-in at Monday`s meeting with top presidential aides. YonhapThe planned raise has been met with criticism from all sides -- small and large employers, labor groups, as well as conservatives and li

Politics July 18, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Monday apologized for expected difficulties in meeting his minimum wage goal, and promised measures to help small businesses deal with the rise in wages. Speaking at a weekly meeting with top presidential aides, Moon also called on corporate, government and labor entities to cooperate in minimum wage-related issues.  President Moon Jae-in speaks at the meeting with his top aides at Cheong Wa Dae on Monday. YonhapOn Saturday, the Minimum Wage Commission set next year’s mi

Politics July 16, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday headed to Singapore following a state visit to India. Moon is scheduled to hold a summit with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong on Thursday. Following the summit, Moon and Lee are scheduled to attend a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding between the governments and other organizations of the two countries, and hold a joint press event. President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook wave before departing New Delhi for Singapore on Wed

Foreign Affairs July 11, 2018