South Korea's opposition parties on Saturday urged former President Park Geun-hye to publicly accept the Constitutional Court's decision to dismiss her. Park has remained silent in the presidential house since the ruling was delivered on Friday morning. Former President Park Geun-hye (Yonhap)"Park has not issued any statement as if she is discontent and disobedient," Rep. Youn Kwan-suk, the spokesman of the Democratic Party said. Youn said she should deliver a message showing that she respects t

Politics March 11, 2017

South Korea's election watchdog chief vowed Saturday to administer the upcoming presidential by-election "transparently and fairly," and called on the nation to turn it into an opportunity to restore national unity.Kim Yong-deok, the chairperson of the National Election Commission, made the remarks a day after the Constitutional Court ruled to dismiss President Park Geun-hye and set the stage for the election two months later.NEC chairman Kim Yong-deok reads a public statement on the presidentia

Politics March 11, 2017

Two political bigwigs met Saturday to discuss the ramifications of the Constitutional Court's decision to oust President Park Geun-hye and other issues, as the parties quicken preparations for a presidential by-election expected in May.In Myung-jin, the interim head of the Liberty Korea Party, and Kim Chong-in, the former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, held a close-door session just a day after the historic ruling to uphold Park's impeachment over a corruption scandal. In Myung-

Politics March 11, 2017

A KTX bullet train bound for Incheon International Airport broke down on Saturday morning, causing the Airport Express to temporary stop its service on the busy weekend morning.A KTX train waits for repair after being suddenly stopped at Yeongjong Bridge in Incheon. (Yonhap)The train, which departed Daejeon at 7:51 a.m. for the airport, suddenly stopped at Yeongjong Bridge. Due to the breakdown, the Airport Express that runs between Seoul Station and the airport stopped for nearly two hours. The

Social Affairs March 11, 2017

A local court on Saturday upheld the decision to ban the jailed confidante of former President Park Geun-hye from meeting acquaintances, claiming the inmate may seek to destroy evidence related to the influence-peddling scandal.The Seoul High Court said it has decided to reject the appeal made by Choi to allow her more leeway in having visitors. Choi Soon-sil, a confidante of former President Park Geun-hye (Yonhap)Choi, who is in custody, is currently banned from having visitors other than legal

Social Affairs March 11, 2017

South Korean police on Saturday braced for more violence between opponents and supporters of ousted President Park Geun-hye, who was stripped of her powers by the Constitutional Court over a corruption scandal that has plunged the country into a political turmoil.Three people died and dozens were injured in clashes between police and Park's supporters after the ruling Friday, according to police, which detained seven protesters for questioning. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency was planning t

Social Affairs March 11, 2017

Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Friday apologized for the leadership vacuum that has resulted from President Park Geun-hye’s ouster, calling for an end to monthslong rival rallies that have deepened the political divide and intensified confrontation across society.The former prosecutor urged the people to respect the Constitutional Court’s decision as the citizens of a “free democratic nation built upon constitutionalism.” “We face the situation for the first time in our con

Politics March 10, 2017

Following President Park Geun-hye’s ouster, Washington and Japan expressed respect toward the court’s ruling Friday, boosting hopes of greater cooperation with the next government here, while China called for political stability. “It is up to the Korean people and their democratic institutions to determine the future of their country, and we respect their decisions,” US State Department acting spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. Washington looks forward to a “productive relationship with w

Politics March 10, 2017

When Park Geun-hye won a grueling presidential election in December 2012 in defiance of most exit polls, the outside world extolled her as East Asia’s first-ever female leader.At home, however, expectations had not been high for her role in such tasks as empowering women and improving gender equality. Many South Koreans instead questioned whether she would manage to embrace not only her foes, but also the marginalized, as the daughter of a president whose 18-year dictatorial rule and subsequent

Politics March 10, 2017

A video has emerged in which a man claims to be the son of Kim Jong-nam, the recently assassinated half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, triggering speculation over his possible relocation out of Asia and current whereabouts. “My name is Kim Han-sol, from North Korea, part of the Kim family,” the man says in the clip. “My father was killed a few days ago. I’m currently with my mother and my sister.” He went on to say he was “very grateful to” an organization or person before the audio

Foreign Affairs March 8, 2017

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system is a core element of the US’ multilayered missile defense program, designed to shoot down short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles at altitudes of 40-150 kilometers during the terminal stage of their flight. Built chiefly by US defense giant Lockheed Martin, a THAAD battery typically consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, a fire control and communications unit and an AN/TPY-2 X-Band radar. Before interception, the

Foreign Affairs March 7, 2017

North Korea’s missile launches Monday came as the Donald Trump administration in the US shapes its policy for Pyongyang, one of the thorniest diplomatic and security challenges it faces. The firing was largely seen as an all-too-familiar show of force against the South Korea-US annual joint military drills that kicked off Wednesday for a two-month run. But the event may also mean a fresh test for the nascent US leadership’s resolve as it maps out its North Korea policy vision, expected as early

North Korea March 6, 2017

　With China ratcheting up economic retaliation against South Korea over a US missile shield to be installed here, Seoul and Washington on Friday voiced criticism against Beijing, calling its actions “unreasonable.” 　China’s National Tourism Administration has recently been instructing travel agencies to stop selling South Korean tour packages, industry officials said. The move is the latest in a series of retaliatory steps by Beijing for the plan to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense s

Foreign Affairs March 3, 2017

With China ratcheting up economic retaliation against South Korea over a US missile shield to be installed here, Seoul and Washington on Friday voiced criticism against Beijing, calling its actions “unreasonable.” China’s National Tourism Administration has recently been instructing travel agencies to stop selling South Korean tour packages, industry officials said. The move is the latest in a series of retaliatory steps by Beijing for the plan to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense sys

Foreign Affairs March 3, 2017

North Korea on Thursday threatened to take its “toughest counteractions” as South Korea and the US stage their annual military exercise.The Foal Eagle drill began Wednesday in its biggest-ever in scale in the face of heightened tension following Pyongyang’s launch of a new ballistic missile last month, the Pukguksong 2. (Yonhap)“Our army will counter them with the toughest counteractions as it had already declared,” the General Staff of the North’s Korean People’s Army said in a statement carrie

North Korea March 2, 2017