European Union Ambassador to South Korea Michael Reiterer received the Grand Decoration of Honor in Silver with Star for Services to the Republic of Austria in recognition for his service to his mother country, the related embassies said.“I am deeply honored that the President of the Republic of Austria conferred this high distinction upon me -- a recognition of my nearly four decades of work as a diplomat with assignments on three continents. ... I take this as an encouragement to continu

Diplomatic Circuit Sept. 30, 2019

Defense and nuclear experts from South Korea and Kazakhstan shed light on Kazakhstan’s denuclearization process in the 1990s as a reference for North Korea’s denuclearization, experts said.“North Korea’s denuclearization negotiation seemed to have hit a phase of stagnation, but recently there are signs of hope of reviving the talks,” said Lee Geun, president of the Korea Foundation, in the opening remarks at the second Korea-Kazakhstan Denuclearization Forum in cent

Diplomatic Circuit Sept. 30, 2019

French Ambassador to South Korea Philippe Lefort will present Etoile du Cinema awards to Korean actress Bae Doona and Kwak Sin-ae, producer of the award-winning film “Parasite,” in Busan this week, the embassy said.From Saturday to Sunday, Lefort will be attending the 2019 Busan International Film Festival, set to kick off Thursday.The trip marks Lefort’s first visit to Busan since he took the post here last year, the embassy said.In Busan, Lefort will also attend the screening

Diplomatic Circuit Sept. 30, 2019

Amid the efforts of governments worldwide to tackle corruption, Daniel Li, vice chairman of the advisory board of the International Anti-Corruption Academy, said corruption cannot be completely eradicated in economically vibrant societies.He added that the 19th International Anti-Corruption Conference, to take place Seoul in June 2020, should focus more on crafting practical solutions to curb corruption.“Corruption is a major problem. … I am not supporting corruption. … I wou

Social Affairs Sept. 15, 2019

The impact of the government’s appointment of Cho Kuk as justice minister is likely to be seen at next year’s general election, as the younger generation and moderate voters are showing signs of turning away from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, political analysts said Wednesday.Amid fierce resistance from opposition parties and the public’s disapproval, President Moon Jae-in appointed Cho as justice minister Monday.Cho had been portrayed as a figure on the front line of p

Politics Sept. 10, 2019

The parliamentary confirmation hearing of Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk Friday focused on the number of times he communicated with the president of Dongyang University.There are speculations that his wife surnamed Chung falsified the President’s Award her daughter received from the university in 2012 without the approval of President Choi Seong-hae, which is based in North Gyeongsang Province. Main opposition Liberty Korea Party lawmakers on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee

Politics Sept. 6, 2019

As new allegations were raised against Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk’s family, public opposition to the embattled nominee rose to 56.2 percent, a survey by a local pollster showed. The gap between those who oppose Cho and those who support him is now at its widest. The percentage of people against Cho’s nomination increased 4.7 percentage points from the previous poll to 56.2 percent. His supporters made up 40.1 percent of the total, down 6 percentage points, the survey by Real Me

Politics Sept. 6, 2019

Liberty Korea Party Floor Leader Na Kyung-won’s compromise with the ruling Democratic Party on a parliamentary confirmation hearing for Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk has stoked discontent among some party members, raising questions about Na’s leadership.Members of the main opposition party who opposed the move said Friday’s hearing would legitimize Cho’s nomination at a time when President Moon Jae-in is already widely expected to appoint Cho as Justice Minister with o

Politics Sept. 5, 2019

After weeks of wrangling, the ruling and main opposition parties agreed to hold a parliamentary confirmation hearing of Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk on Friday.The dramatic agreement came after the rival parties sparred on Wednesday over the date of a parliamentary confirmation hearing for the nominee is facing a flurry of allegations involving his daughter and wife.All the parties have agreed not to summon Cho’s family members to the hearing.“We had many differences, but based on

Politics Sept. 4, 2019

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has asked the National Assembly to resend its hearing report for embattled Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk by the end of this week, a top presidential aide said Tuesday.The request comes in the face of the opposition bloc’s vehement objection to Cho, which has only deepened since his unprecedented press conference Monday.“President Moon Jae-in has requested the National Assembly to resend the confirmation hearing reports on six nominees including J

Politics Sept. 3, 2019

Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk apologized for failing to properly oversee his daughter’s college applications and family’s investments.“I apologize to the public. I have disappointed you despite the expectations placed on me, which were more than I deserved.” Cho said in a press conference Monday at the National Assembly. “I am a wreck, but I will continue as long as I can. … I believe I have to complete what I have worked for my entire life. If I had thoug

Politics Sept. 2, 2019

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has called for a review of the country’s college entrance system amid controversy over alleged admission irregularities involving Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk’s daughter, the presidential office said Sunday.“(President Moon) asked for a reexamination of the overall college admissions system, beyond controversy surrounding nominee Cho and his family,” said Yoon Do-han, senior Cheong Wa Dae secretary for public communication.The presid

Politics Sept. 1, 2019

Ruling Democratic Party Floor Leader Lee In-young said Sunday that the party would “wait until the last moment” for the main opposition party to agree to Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk’s confirmation hearing, initially scheduled for Sept. 2-3.“If the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee approves the hearing tomorrow (Monday) morning, a confirmation hearing can be held right away starting tomorrow (as scheduled),” Lee said during a press co

Politics Sept. 1, 2019

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party held a mass protest for the second consecutive weekend in Seoul, condemning the Moon government and calling on Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk to resign.A day after holding a rally in the southern port city Busan, Cho’s hometown, the conservative party staged a protest Saturday afternoon near Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul, amid scuffles between the main opposition and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea over a parliamentary confirmation hearing

Politics Sept. 1, 2019

KAZAN, Russia -- South Korea came in at third place at the biennial 45th WorldSkills Competition with 264 points, dropping a notch from the previous competition, event organizers said Tuesday.In the six-day competition held in Kazan, Russia, South Korea clinched seven gold, six silver and two bronze medals, as well as 26 medallions of excellence, to land in third place, trailing only China and Russia.Indicative of the paradigm shift of Team Korea from strictly results-centered to a greater empha

Social Affairs Aug. 28, 2019