The 20th National Assembly elected the leaders of the parliamentary standing committees on Monday, finishing the work of forming the legislative body after two weeks of wrangling, but earlier than previous parliaments.The lawmakers officially began their four-year term on May 30. It was the shortest period to form the Assembly since the lawmakers set a legal deadline in 1994. The rival parties last week had reached a consensus on how to distribute key parliamentary positions, considered key in c

Politics June 13, 2016

A police-turned-lawmaker created an unusual debate by declaring he would not be responding to any telephone calls outside of working hours.Rep. Pyo Chang-won of the main opposition The Minjoo Party of Korea said on Twitter on Wednesday that his office at the National Assembly would not answer any the telephone calls between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m., and between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. during the weekdays. The move -- considered bold in the country notorious for long working hours -- was met with mixed react

Politics June 10, 2016

 The National Assembly elected the main opposition party’s Rep. Chung Sye-kyun as its new speaker on Thursday, catapulting the sixth-term moderate lawmaker to the top parliamentary job in hopes of bridging partisan gaps in the opposition-controlled parliament. Of the 287 attending lawmakers out of the 300-member Assembly, 274 voted in approval of the motion to endorse Chung as the top lawmaker. Rep. Shim Jae-chul of the ruling Saenuri Party and Rep. Park Joo-sun of the third-biggest People’s Par

Politics June 9, 2016

The main political parties concluded the work of forming the 20th National Assembly on Wednesday, ending weeks-long debate over the distribution of key parliamentary positions including the Assembly speaker and chiefs of standing committees. The three mainstream parties’ floor leaders decided to give the speakership to the main opposition The Minjoo Party of Korea. In return, the ruling Saenuri Party would chair the key standing parliamentary committees, including the house steering committee as

Politics June 8, 2016

The ruling Saenuri Party announced Wednesday that it would forgo its bid to hold the post of the National Assembly’s speaker, boosting hopes for a breakthrough in the deadlock over the formation of the new parliament. The Saenuri Party’s floor leader Rep. Chung Jin-suk said that his party has decided to “yield” on the speaker seat and offer it to the main opposition party. The Saenuri party had previously insisted that it is “customary” for the ruling party to keep the top job in the Assembly.“I

Politics June 8, 2016

Moderate lawmakers of rival parties launched a policy discussion group to advance reform agenda Tuesday, fueling speculation that the centrist gathering would transform into a new political force in the run-up to next year’s presidential election. Named “Agenda 2050,” the panpartisan entity consists of 12 lawmakers including prominent centrists such as Rep. Kim Chong-in, the chairman of the main opposition The Minjoo Party of Korea, and Rep. Yoo Seong-min, an independent who had until earlier th

Politics June 7, 2016

 President Park Geun-hye paid respect to the nation’s fallen soldiers during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, urging the people to unite against the security threat from North Korea and warning that Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions will lead to its “self-destruction.”　President Park’s speech, delivered after she attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Cemetery, came after her return from an overseas trip during which she spent much of her time building international coalition against th

Politics June 6, 2016

　South Korea’s human right watchdog said Sunday that it would urge the government to amend a decree enabling the authorities to “interfere” with local entities’ efforts to gather information on North Kora’s human right abuses. 　National Human Rights Commission of Korea announced that it had concluded on Thursday that some provisions of the decree infringe upon independent agencies’ authority to access records because they are required to consult with the government before gathering due informati

Politics June 5, 2016

The 20th National Assembly kicked off Monday, with the rival parties streamlining their prioritized legislation initiatives as a start to the crucial four year-term that will include a presidential race next year.With the opposition bloc securing a parliamentary majority for the first time in 16 years, the parties pledged to devote their attention to improving people’s standard of living by loading up their own legislative agenda for the upcoming session. The National Assembly (Park Hae-mook/The

Politics May 30, 2016

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s six-day trip in South Korea would have been just a routine visit by the world’s top diplomat to his home state -- if not for the growing anticipation on his potential run in the 2017 presidential election Instead, Ban found himself at the center of national attention. Ever since the 71-year-old diplomat hinted on Wednesday at the possibility of his foray into politics, following his previous 10-year tenure, his every step has been interpreted to take on a pol

Politics May 29, 2016

After visiting U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon indicated potentially joining next year’s presidential race, frenzied debate was sparked in political circles on its implications for the current political landscape and whether he stands a chance.The 71-year-old diplomat said Wednesday evening that he would “contemplate” what he would do as a South Korean citizen when his term ends in December 2016 in response to widespread speculation of him becoming a presidential candidate for the ruling Saen

Politics May 26, 2016

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon began a six-day visit in South Korea on Wednesday with a series of meetings with government officials and senior politicians, amid widening speculation that he might run in next year’s presidential election. Ban arrived at Jejudo Island to attend the Jeju Forum alongside foreign head of state and local politicians. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Thursday before leaving for the G7 Summit in Japan. Following the two-day event, he wil

Politics May 25, 2016

The ruling Saenuri Party’s factional leaders have chosen to serve in a parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and inter-Korea relations in the upcoming National Assembly, a move seen to solidify their positions as presidential candidates. The Saenuri Party’s former leader Rep. Kim Moo-sung and former Financial Minister Choi Kyung-hwan have applied for positions at the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, according to party sources Tuesday. Kim leads the faction that challenges loyalist

Politics May 24, 2016

The government and lawmakers are stepping up moves to legislate preventive measures and stronger punishment against hate crimes, following the murder of a 23-year-old woman in Gangnam last week.Although the police reiterated that they view the case as a random crime committed by a mentally-ill person, politicians have come to the fore to identify it as a hate crime, calling for the need to stiffen penalties for crimes motivated by prejudice. The suspect had testified that he committed the murder

Politics May 23, 2016