Seoul is focusing on the military aspects of inappropriate actions by Japanese military planes, in an apparent move to avoid the matter being politicized by Tokyo, following another close-proximity flight by a Japanese patrol plane. On Wednesday, Seoul’s Ministry of National Defense revealed that Japan’s P-3 patrol plane flew at an altitude of 60 to 70 meters and 540 meters away from South Korean destroyer Daejoyeong in international waters near Ieodo, a submerged rock near Jeju Island. Military

Defense Jan. 24, 2019

Rep. Sohn Hye-won again denied all allegations brought against her in a press conference in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, Wednesday. Sohn is alleged to have used her influence as lawmaker to intervene in the designation of a dilapidated area in the city as a cultural asset. She is also accused of purchasing properties under the names of her family members, including a niece, in the area to profit from the real estate price increase expected after the area became protected for its cultural value.

Social Affairs Jan. 23, 2019

The UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea has granted exemptions from the sanctions to four organizations, it was revealed Tuesday. According to the committee, Christian Friends of Korea, the Eugene Bell Foundation, First Steps and UNICEF were given exemptions that took effect Jan. 18. Christian Friends of Korea is a US-based organization that has been providing humanitarian aid to North Korea since 1995, and First Steps is a Canada-based Christian organization that focuses on a

North Korea Jan. 23, 2019

The two Koreas and the US wrapped up working level talks Monday, having reportedly dealt with issues regarding the upcoming US-North Korea summit and regional security. On Monday, US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and South Korean negotiator Lee Do-hoon concluded their talks held on the outskirts of Stockholm.  North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui leaves the conference venue in Stockholm on Monday. YonhapDetails o

North Korea Jan. 22, 2019

Allegations involving Rep. Sohn Hye-won will be dealt with according to the law if wrongdoings are found, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said Tuesday as the prosecution began its investigation. Sohn allegedly engaged in real estate speculation in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, by purchasing or aiding the purchase of several properties in an area that was later designated as a cultural asset. It is alleged that Sohn used the names of relatives and an aide to hide her involvement in the transactions.Re

Politics Jan. 22, 2019

North Korea appears to be hoping to increase pressure on Seoul over inter-Korean projects and human rights concerns ahead of the second US-North Korea summit.  This file photo shows a UN Security Council meeting convened to discuss North Korea's human rights condition. (AFP-Yonhap)North Korean media and propaganda websites on Monday said Seoul was being swayed by the US with regard to inter-Korean projects, while accusing the UN of creating friction between the two Koreas. A propaganda poster ca

North Korea Jan. 21, 2019

North Korea’s chief negotiator in US-North Korea talks, Kim Yong-chol, will head to Washington on Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed Wednesday, sparking speculations a second US-North Korea summit may be imminent. According to the ministry, North Korean officials, including Kim, have booked tickets to Washington that depart from Beijing on Thursday.  Kim Yong-chol. YonhapKim is the vice chairman of the ruling Workers’ Party Central Committee and the chief negotiator in US-North Kor

North Korea Jan. 16, 2019

The prosecution’s decision on whether to seek an arrest warrant for former Supreme Court chief Yang Seung-tae appears likely to be pushed back, with Yang continuing his marathon review of the records of his interrogation. Yang, who is under investigation over power abuse allegations, has been questioned by prosecutors on three occasions, with the latest taking place Tuesday.  Former Supreme Court chief Yang Seung-tae seen after the first questioning on Jan. 11. YonhapIn the latest questioning, i

Social Affairs Jan. 16, 2019

Tak Hyun-min, the presidential aide for protocol, has handed in his resignation, the presidential office confirmed Monday. According to Cheong Wa Dae, Tak handed in his resignation on Jan. 7. Tak’s resignation has not been accepted yet, and he has been on leave since Friday.  Tak Hyun-min (left) seen at the Cabinet meeting on Jan. 8. YonhapThis is the second time Tak has expressed hopes to resign from the post, having posted such wishes on his social media account in June. At the time, former pr

Politics Jan. 14, 2019

President Moon Jae-in will meet with leaders of conglomerates and large companies on Tuesday, continuing his efforts to highlight economic issues. The meeting, the second with business leaders in as many weeks, will be attended by top executives of conglomerates and large companies and chiefs of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and local chambers of commerce.  President Moon Jae-in at the meeting with startups and SMEs held on Jan. 7. YonhapAccording to Cheong Wa Dae, the chiefs of 22

Politics Jan. 14, 2019

North Korea will raise the issue of forced mobilization of Koreans during Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula should talks be held between Pyongyang and Tokyo, Japanese media reported Sunday. North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho addresses the general debate of the General Assembly at the United Nations on Sept. 29 last year. UNAccording to Japanese news reports, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho informed Mongolian Foreign Minister Damdin Tsogtbaatar of the plans during their m

North Korea Jan. 13, 2019

Former short track speedskating coach Cho Jae-beom may be questioned by the police over allegations of sexual assault as early as Wednesday, local media reported Sunday. According to reports, the investigators plan to question Cho at the prison in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, where he is serving a 10-month sentence for habitually assaulting Olympic gold medalist Shim Suk-hee. Former short track coach Cho Jae-beom seen before his court appearance in June last year. YonhapThe assaults for which Cho i

Social Affairs Jan. 13, 2019

Apartments are everywhere in Korea. The country’s first apartment block was built as housing for employees of a construction materials maker in 1956. At the time, this type of building was a sight most had only heard or read about. Apartment construction sites were unusual enough to warrant a visit by the president in the 1950s.Since then, apartments have become the most visible, preferred and coveted form of residence. The skylines of most major cities have long been dominated by apartment buil

Social Affairs Jan. 10, 2019

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s trip to China hints that the second US-North Korea summit is imminent and that Kim’s visit to Seoul is likely to follow in its wake. Speaking at a New Year’s press conference, Moon ruled out the possibility of North Korea’s denuclearization and a potential peace treaty being linked to the US military presence in South Korea, Japan and the Pacific. South Korean President Moon Jae-in (Yonhap)“To put it simply, Chairman K

North Korea Jan. 10, 2019

President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday named South Korean Ambassador to China Noh Young-min as his new chief of staff. He also appointed two new senior secretaries. The changes were announced by Im Jong-seok, the outgoing chief of staff. The new chief of staff, who begins his duties Wednesday, is considered one of Moon’s closest associates, having held key posts in Moon’s 2017 election campaign and also in 2012, when he lost to ousted former President Park Geun-hye. Noh Young-min, newly named chief of

Politics Jan. 8, 2019