Liberty Korea Party’s reform committee recommended Wednesday that the main opposition bloc request former President Park Geun-hye and two of her loyalists to leave the party, in an attempt to gain back public support.“The Liberty Korea Party leadership cannot be free of liability on the current crisis of the conservatives,” Lew Seok-choon, the reform panel chief said at the party’s headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul.“The party should ask former President Park Geun-hye to take responsibility over the

Politics Sept. 13, 2017

To South Koreans, North Korea has never been a foreign country. Despite the war six decades ago and occasional military conflicts with it thereafter, North Koreans were always “brethren” who share the same history, culture and language. Even at the height of inter-Korean tensions, there were always people in the South who sympathized with the sufferings of those across the border. This complex sentiment toward North Korea is now giving way to a more hawkish one, as the communist regime, under th

North Korea Sept. 12, 2017

Asia Society Korea will host a fundraising dinner to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its foundation on Sept. 19, the nonprofit organization said. The event is expected to draw around 300 dignitaries from the US and South Korea, diplomatic envoys here as well as the group’s members. It will take place at Lotte Hotel in central Seoul. Charles Rockefeller, the great-grandson of Asia Society’s founder John D. Rockefeller III, will be present to deliver a keynote speech. A speech will also be given

Social Affairs Sept. 10, 2017

Minor opposition Bareun Party’s Chairwoman Rep. Lee Hye-hoon resigned from her post on Thursday over a graft scandal, 73 days after she was inaugurated.“I step down from the chairperson position today. I apologize for my carelessness amid this crisis of national security,” the three-term lawmaker said in a general party meeting.  Rep. Lee Hye-hoon, the former chairwoman of minor opposition Bareun Party, participates in a regular parliamentary session at the National Assembly on Thursday. (Yonhap

Politics Sept. 7, 2017

The price of automobile fuel in Pyongyang has reportedly soared in recent weeks, possibly due to developments related to sanctions imposed on the nation.With North Korea ignoring the international community’s warnings to cease its missile and nuclear programs, more sanctions have been imposed. Furthermore, Seoul, Washington and other nations now hope to completely cut off Pyongyang’s fuel supply. (Yonhap)“Gasoline prices rose to $27-$30 per 15 kilograms (19.4 liters) in Pyongyang last month, and

North Korea Sept. 7, 2017

Signs that multiple landslides have occurred around North Korea’s nuclear test sites have been spotted in commercial satellite imagery, a US-based North Korean watchdog reported on Wednesday. According to satellite images released by Planet, the areas near Punggye-ri nuclear test site displays surface disturbances -- they are centered on and around Mantapsan that embraces the blast zones, the North Korean watchdog 38 North explained. The photo also shows clear differences between pictures taken

North Korea Sept. 6, 2017

The possibility of cutting North Korea’s oil supply to raise pressure on the regime is gaining momentum as the world reels from its latest nuclear weapons test. While an oil embargo is seen one of the most effective of all sanctions against the reclusive regime, it is not an easy one to be implemented, experts noted, since it would have to involve China and Russia. “All international sanctions against North Korea effectively depends on China. It is difficult to predict but it is unlikely that Ch

North Korea Sept. 5, 2017

North Korea may fire an intercontinental ballistic missile toward the North Pacific as early as this week, Seoul’s spy agency was quoted as saying in a parliamentary briefing Monday. In a closed session, National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon briefed lawmakers on indications that Pyongyang may be preparing to launch another ballistic missile, possibly an ICBM, around the anniversary of the regime’s foundation slated for Saturday, or the establishment of the ruling Workers’ Party of Kore

North Korea Sept. 4, 2017

South Korea’s ruling party chief on Monday proposed sending special envoys to both North Korea and the United States to alleviate heightened tensions following the communist regime’s recent nuclear test. Her idea, however, was immediately rejected by conservative lawmakers who said the liberal leader was being naive and lacking in understanding of the gravity of the situation. While denouncing Pyongyang for Sunday’s nuclear test, the Democratic Party of Korea Chairwoman Rep. Choo Mi-ae reiterate

Politics Sept. 4, 2017

China, North Korea’s main ally and economic backer, strongly condemned the isolated regime for testing a nuclear weapon Sunday, urging it to stop “wrong actions that only deteriorate the situation.”Other neighbors, Japan and Russia, also denounced the nuclear test. “North Korea has ignored the international community’s widespread opposition, again carrying out a nuclear test,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website. “China’s government expresses resolute opposition and s

North Korea Sept. 3, 2017

South Korea’s project to bring back endangered wild bears has been successful, but it has produced an unforeseen problem: runaway bears.　The Environment Ministry was to announce Monday what is to be done with a 2-year-old bear that has been in captivity for over a month after it escaped from its original habitat twice.Tagged KM-53, the Asiatic black bear was found on Sudosan in North Gyeongsang Province, some 90 kilometers away from its original habitat on Jirisan in late July. As it was the bea

Social Affairs Sept. 3, 2017

Detained former President Park Geun-hye, who is currently on trial for corruption, visited a general hospital outside jail confines, complaining of pain in her back. It was the second time since her detention in March that she was allowed to step outside the jail, other than to attend interrogation sessions during the investigation or for court dates. In late July, she visited the hospital to have an injured toe examined.Park was escorted out of the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Pro

Politics Aug. 30, 2017

The minor conservative opposition Bareun Party on Monday proposed a bill to plug the regulatory loophole that has allowed political parties to receive more than what they actually spent on an election in state subsidies. The move comes after its three larger rivals -- the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, main opposition Liberty Korea Party and centrist minor opposition People’s Party -- reportedly reclaimed extra money from the election committee after this year’s presidential election in May. 

Politics Aug. 29, 2017

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party is moving to remove former President Park Geun-hye from its ranks before Chuseok holidays, in a bid to raise ratings before the local election slated for June next year. As the national holiday, which falls on Oct. 4, is the time for family gatherings in Korea, the party seeks to prevent negative sentiment shared among voters over their party’s connection with the embattled former president. Liberty Korea Party chairman Hong Joon-pyo has been calling to cu

Politics Aug. 29, 2017

Ahn Cheol-soo, the new chairman of the minor centrist opposition People’s Party, on Monday vowed to keep the government in check, sharpening the edge against the Moon Jae-in administration.“The People’s Party should always be awake. We will become an opposition that can strongly go against the government when it makes decisions that divide the people and goes against national benefit,” said Ahn at a meeting with senior party members. The party’s former chief and presidential candidate reclaimed

Politics Aug. 28, 2017