SUWON -- England won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea after edging out Venezuela 1-0 in the final on Sunday.Dominic Calvert-Lewin's first-half strike lifted England to their first U-20 football title in their 11th tournament appearance. It was also England's first title in a FIFA men's competition since their senior team's victory at the 1966 World Cup at home.England's previous best U-20 World Cup finish was in 1993 when they finished third in Australia.England`s under-20 national footbal

Soccer June 11, 2017

The government said Sunday it will ban the trade of live birds for two weeks starting midnight Sunday to prevent the further spread of bird flu.The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the ban as the highly pathogenic avian influenza has spread to 21 farms in 10 days. In this photo provided by the South Gyeongsang provincial government, a quarantine official restricts access to a farm suspected of having chickens infected with avian influenza in Goseong, 466 kilometers south

Social Affairs June 11, 2017

The trial involving former President Park Geun-hye, who is on trial over a series of corruption allegations, will accelerate starting this week, with the court adding one more hearing per week.The Seoul Central District Court is scheduled to hold four hearings every week to look into the alleged bribery allegations involving Samsung Group on Mondays and Tuesdays, and SK and Lotte Group on Thursdays and Fridays. Park, who remains in detention, is on trial over a total of 18 charges including brib

Social Affairs June 11, 2017

The government plans to push to slash hospital charges for children aged 15 and younger, the Health Ministry said Sunday. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said it had launched a discussion on the plan to expand the coverage of health insurance as part of efforts to reduce financial burdens facing parents.  (123rf)When children in the age group are hospitalized, the government will support 95 percent of medical fees through the health insurance, falling in line with one of the key election pled

Social Affairs June 11, 2017

South Korean President Moon Jae-in showed his gratitude to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Sunday in a tweet after the chief congratulated the presidential office's new Twitter account. “Thank you, @jack. I very much look forward to communicating with people through twitter,” Moon said in a tweet in English through the presidential office’s official account.  (Screen captured from Twitter)The tweet comes after Dorsey left a tweet in Korean to congratulate Moon on the launch of the Blue House’s new Tw

Social Affairs June 11, 2017

South Korea's former foreign ministers have come out in support of Kang Kyung-hwa, a beleaguered diplomat nominated by President Moon Jae-in to be his first foreign minister.Ten former top diplomats, who served as foreign ministers in the preceding conservative and liberal governments, issued a joint statement Saturday, saying Kang is the right person to deal actively with the nation's diplomatic challenges and pending thorny issues. Kang Kyung-hwa (Yonhap)"Foreign minister nominee Kang Kyung-hw

Diplomatic Circuit June 10, 2017

Japan's senior ruling party official has arrived in Seoul as a special envoy of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Saturday.While meeting with reporters at Gimpo Airport, Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said, "I will cooperate with everyone to try my best to do my job as a special envoy." Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is surrounded by reporters at Gimpo Airport, outside Seou

Diplomatic Circuit June 10, 2017

Princess Astrid of Belgium arrived in South Korea on Saturday along with an economic mission to promote business ties between the two countries, according to theforeign ministry.During her one-week stay, Princess Astrid is scheduled to meet with President Moon Jae-in and Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon to discuss bilateral economic cooperation, a foreign ministry spokesman said. Princess Astrid of Belgium (Yonhap)She also plans to visit the Demilitarized Zone bisecting the two Koreas, as well as hav

Diplomatic Circuit June 10, 2017

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Saturday that he won't let democracy falter or backtrack in honor of those who risked their lives to safeguard it.During an address to mark the 30th anniversary of the pro-democracy uprising in June, he said, "Under the Moon Jae-in government, democracy will flourish and human rights will be protected further."In June 1987, a nationwide movement against the dictatorship of the then Chun Doo-hwan government took place, triggered by the state's ruthless crac

Politics June 10, 2017

A former defense ministry official has been sentenced to five years in jail for receiving bribes in connection with military facility construction projects, the Seoul Central District Court said Saturday.The court handed down the hefty punishment to the former head of the Ministry of Defense's Defense Installations Agency, identified only as a 64-year-old Kim, after convicting him of pocketing 80 million won ($71,000) in bribes from a special door manufacturer in return for helping it be chosen

Social Affairs June 10, 2017