A Korean diplomat in Chile was caught harassing teenage girls on a video released Monday by a television network there, prompting officials to launch an investigation. In an episode of the reality show “En Su Propia Trampa,” which roughly translates to “Caught in Your Own Trap,“ the diplomat attempted to hug and kiss a girl, apparently saying he liked her eyes, lips and breasts. He also sought to take her into another room.Tio Emilio, who runs the program, said via his Facebook and Twitter pages

Foreign Affairs Dec. 19, 2016

Since the country began doling out development aid in 1987, South Korea has been chiefly focusing on improving education, public administration and health in recipient countries, building on its experience from a rapid economic ascent. Technology transfer and capacity building are the overarching theme across the sectors, given Seoul’s relatively small scale of official development assistance compared with that of countries like Japan and China which are investing heavily in infrastructure build

Foreign Affairs Dec. 18, 2016

With an atypical pick for secretary of state, US President-elect Donald Trump is forecast to abate his predecessor’s refocus toward Asia while toughening the stance against North Korea over its nuclear program. The billionaire real estate magnate picked ExxonMobil Chief Executive Rex Tillerson to be his secretary of state Tuesday. The announcement effectively completed his foreign policy team, which includes Secretary of Defense-designate retired Marine Gen. James Mattis and Assistant to the Pre

Foreign Affairs Dec. 14, 2016

The top nuclear negotiators of South Korea and the US on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the North Korea policy toward denuclearization despite the political transitions in both countries.Kim Hong-kyun, special representative for Korean Peninsular peace and security affairs at Seoul’s Foreign Ministry, hosted his US and Japanese counterparts, Joseph Yun and Kenji Kanasugi, to review new sanctions adopted at the UN and by the three nations. Top nuclear envoys from South Korea, t

Politics Dec. 13, 2016

Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn launched a new ministerial consultative body Monday, setting security, the economy, people’s livelihood and public safety as top items on his agenda for stable state management. After initially emphasizing security, the prime minister appears to be turning to domestic tasks in the face of ever-growing signs of economic trouble and an outbreak of avian influenza across the nation. Instead of taking over regular meetings of top presidential secretaries and the Cabine

Politics Dec. 12, 2016

With the National Assembly having passed the ball to the Constitutional Court, justices are set to kick-start their deliberations Monday on the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. Eight of the nine justices -- all except Kim Yi-su who is visiting Peru -- turned up at the court during the weekend. They are expected to discuss the deliberation schedule, the planned operation of a task force and other related issues. Kang Il-won, the chief justice on the case, cut short his business trip to Ven

Politics Dec. 11, 2016

Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn on Friday vowed to ensure no vacuum in statecraft, economic stability and an airtight security posture against North Korea’s provocations after taking over control of the country from President Park Geun-hye. The prime minister officially took up the nation’s top job after the National Assembly approved a motion to impeach the disgraced president, going on to preside over a meeting of the Cabinet and the National Security Council. Shortly after the bill’s passage,

Politics Dec. 9, 2016

Even if the impeachment motion is approved Friday, the nation’s fight to bring an end to the Park Geun-hye presidency would still face a rough ride, with a lengthy legal battle expected at the Constitutional Court. The motion’s passage would immediately suspend the disgraced president from her duties. But that would only be the beginning, as Park refuses to step down on her own and is seen as gearing up to defend her innocence in court. With six months given to the constitutional justices to del

Politics Dec. 8, 2016

President Park Geun-hye’s former Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon appeared poised and prepared, flatly denying a string of allegations lawmakers made over his role in the Choi Soon-sil scandal throughout the second public hearing Wednesday.Unlike other testifiers, the 77-year-old showed no emotion, even when an opposition legislator called him an “eel” for his constant, astute evasion of tricky questions, and another said he would not to go heaven when he dies. Unscathed, Kim repeated he was sorry, c

Politics Dec. 7, 2016

Korea mapped out action plans to taper greenhouse gas emissions Tuesday, breaking down reduction targets for energy-intensive sectors in the mid and long terms. The pangovernmental comprehensive framework, approved by the Cabinet, aims to achieve the country’s goal of cutting carbon emissions by 37 percent, or 315 million metric tons, based on business-as-usual levels. Seoul introduced its voluntary reduction target during a UN climate conference in Paris last December. “The action plans were fo

Politics Dec. 6, 2016

South Korea blacklisted several top aides of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Friday as part of a fresh set of its unilateral sanctions aimed at helping curb the defiant neighbor’s nuclear and missile programs.The package is also designed to tighten Seoul’s squeeze on Pyongyang’s financial and maritime networks and reinforce export controls. The announcement followed two days after the UN Security Council approved a new resolution in response to Pyongyang’s fifth nuclear test in September. Jap

North Korea Dec. 2, 2016

The government said Thursday it plans to introduce a new set of unilateral sanctions on North Korea on Friday in a bid to ramp up pressure over its nuclear and missile programs and complement the latest UN Security Council resolution. The announcement will be made by Lee Suk-joon, minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, who will be joined by senior officials from the foreign and unification ministries and other agencies, the office said.  The forthcoming sanctions will be inte

North Korea Dec. 1, 2016

The UN Security Council on Wednesday approved a fresh batch of sanctions following North Korea’s fifth nuclear test, seeking primarily to slash the state’s coal exports to China by nearly 60 percent and prohibit trade of copper, nickel and other minerals. Resolution 2321 is designed to further stifle Pyongyang’s financial and maritime networks, diplomatic activities and overseas labor exports, while levying a new embargo on sales of statues, helicopters, ships and other items. It also called for

North Korea Nov. 30, 2016

In the wake of President Park Geun-hye’s offer of a power transition, rival parties are forecast to spur debate over what is poised to be an early presidential election next year. The disgraced leader expressed her willingness Tuesday to give up the presidency, due to end in February 2018, if the National Assembly secures a “stable pathway” for its handover.At the heart of the discussions are the time frame of Park’s dismissal and the vote, as well as whether to let Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn

Politics Nov. 29, 2016