Most Popular
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Ador CEO denies allegations, accuses Hybe of mistreating NewJeans
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10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification
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Hybe-Ador feud should have limited effect on Hybe's overall performance: analysts
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Second Gimpo civil servant found dead, after apologizing for not finishing work
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DP leader says he will meet Yoon without conditions
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Seoul to promote luxurious side of the city
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First-ever meeting of president, opposition chief set to finally happen
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NewJeans' singles, Japanese debut to proceed as planned, despite Hybe-Ador feud
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Experts raise concerns about Japan putting pressure on Naver over Line
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Samsung mobile chief, Google device head meet in Seoul
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Lee’s book stresses unification, green growth
President’s English autobiography ‘The Uncharted Path’ to be published in U.S. on Nov. 1President Lee Myung-bak reiterated his commitment to unification with North Korea and his trademark policy of “green growth” in his upcoming autobiography, saying a unified Korea would be a blessing for the world, and he would continue to champion a greener future after leaving office.“A peaceful peninsula will have enormous benefits that will go far beyond the region,” Lee says in the English-language autobi
PoliticsOct. 25, 2011
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Turnout in age groups key factor in by-election
Surveys show Park backed by 20s and 30s, but Na prevails among 50s and upWith Wednesday’s Seoul mayoral vote widely perceived as a curtain-raiser to the presidential race next year, political observers are zeroing in on several key factors that could determine the outcome such as the voter turnout among the young and the weather.Latest surveys showed that opposition candidate Park Won-soon was mostly backed by voters in their 20s and 30s while support for ruling the Grand National Party’s Rep. N
PoliticsOct. 25, 2011
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Defense chiefs of South Korea, U.S. to hold security talks
The two defense chiefs of South Korea and the U.S. will hold their annual security meeting in Seoul on Friday to discuss regional security and pending bilateral military alliance issues, officials at the Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday.During the 43rd Security Consultative Meeting, Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and his U.S. counterpart Leon Panetta will also touch on ways to enhance joint deterrence against North Korea.The allies have alternately held the meeting since 1968 to deal wit
DefenseOct. 25, 2011
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Drive against ‘excess education’ to focus on high school graduate jobs
The government and businesses have stepped up efforts to create job opportunities for vocational high school students in a country where too many college graduates compete for too few jobs. The education, labor and economy ministries signed a memorandum of understanding Monday with five major business organizations including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Korean Industries and Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business to make efforts to provide more job opportu
Social AffairsOct. 25, 2011
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N. Korea, U.S. start 2nd day of nuclear talks
GENEVA/SEOUL -- North Korean and U.S. diplomats on Tuesday began a second day of talks during which Washington wants to see whether the North is indeed prepared to take concrete steps toward denuclearization before the stalled six-nation talks can resume.North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gw
North KoreaOct. 25, 2011
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Activists call for global protests against N.K. rights abuses
An online global network of activists called on the international community Tuesday to stage simultaneous protests and hunger strikes against North Korea’s human rights abuses to mark the anniversary of a United Nations genocide convention in December.In an e-mail to journalists and other North Korea watchers, the N.K. Liberation Prayer Network urged readers to take part in its Worldwide Demonstration for North Korean Liberation and Human Rights on Dec. 9. The date marks the 63rd anniversary sin
North KoreaOct. 25, 2011
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U.S.-N. Korea nuclear talks in Geneva show some progress
The top U.S. envoy on North Korea has reported some progress after the first day of talks over Pyongyang’s nuclear program, the second direct encounter between both sides in less than three months.Speaking to reporters and TV cameras Monday night as he re-entered his lakeside hotel after their first meeting at the United States’ U.N. mission in Geneva, Stephen Bosworth called himself “neither optimistic nor pessimistic.’’“We have had a good day of talks. I think we’re moving in a positive direct
Foreign AffairsOct. 25, 2011
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Parties move to toughen sex crime law
Rival parties are pushing to abolish the statute of limitations for those charged with sexual assault against disabled people or children under 13.The bill review subcommittee of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee examined and passed the so-called “Dogani” bill regarding sexual assault on children and the disabled. The bill is now awaiting approval by the National Assembly. Dogani is the title of a film based on the true story of teachers who committed sex crimes against
Social AffairsOct. 25, 2011
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Economic slowdown to affect 2012 polls
The economic slowdown, if it extends well into next year, may hold sway over the results of the parliamentary and presidential elections, observers say.The ruling Grand National Party and its presidential frontrunner Rep. Park Geun-hye are positioned to feel the chill from a cooling economy more than the opposition bloc.Aides to Park have recently expressed concerns over the impact of the prolonged economic slump on her prospects for succeeding in her second presidential challenge. They fear det
PoliticsOct. 25, 2011
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N.K. invites S. Korean aid staff to Pyongyang
North Korea invited representatives of an association of South Korean charity groups to Pyongyang, an association official said Tuesday, the first such invitation since the two Koreas exchanged fire near their tense sea border last year. North Korea sent the invitation to the Korea NGO Council for Cooperation, a collaboration of some 50 non-governmental aid groups, suggesting a meeting in its capital city to discuss aid from Wednesday through Saturday, Park Hyun-seok, secretary general of the as
North KoreaOct. 25, 2011
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Rights panel urges end to police conscription
The National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday advised the administration to abolish police conscription and hire professional police officers to replace draftees. It also advised the Ministry of National Defense to cooperate with the National Police Agency in replacing personnel. The panel recommended the Ministry of Public Administration and Security increase recruitment of police officers and that the Ministry of Strategy and Finance allocate sufficient funds for it.According to the independ
Social AffairsOct. 25, 2011
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WHO bans staff from using N.K. airline
The World Health Organization has asked its officials not to use North Korean airliners in the latest such move by an international organization prompted by safety concerns, a U.S.-funded radio station reported Tuesday. The WHO Southeast Asia office recently gave Pyongyang’s Air Koryo a “C” rating for safety in May, which means officials are banned from using the airliners unless special approval is given by the body’s travel officer, according to Voice of America. Air Koryo was rated the lowest
North KoreaOct. 25, 2011
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Korea eases rules on residency for foreign investors
More foreigners who have made large corporate investments will be able to obtain temporary residency visas, while a new visa class will be opened for foreign spouses, the Justice Ministry said Tuesday.According to ministry officials, foreigners currently holding a corporate investment (D-8) visa may now obtain an F-2 visa if they have spent three continuous years here.The revised bill passed by the Cabinet Tuesday also states foreigners who have invested over $300,000 and employ at least two Kor
Social AffairsOct. 25, 2011
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Concern rises over T-50 export after U.S. deferral
The U.S. Defense Acquisition Board’s deferral last week of its decision on whether to acquire new trainer jets from overseas has prompted concern here about the export of Korea’s T-50 supersonic aircraft.The Korean aviation industry and government officials paid keen attention to what decision the DAB would make at its Oct. 21 session. They believe that the T-50 is one of the strongest contenders for the U.S. trainer procurement project. With technological assistance from U.S. defense giant Lock
DefenseOct. 25, 2011
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New visa to stabilize marriage immigrants' lives in Korea
SEOUL, Oct. 25 (Yonhap) -- A new visa reserved for foreigners living in the country after marrying South Koreans will be introduced as part of efforts to guarantee their stable stay and better deal with their growing numbers, the Justice Ministry said Tuesday.Under the legal revisions to the immigra
Social AffairsOct. 25, 2011
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Police chief declares war against organized crime
Police chief Cho Hyun-oh declared war against organized crime Tuesday amid growing criticism of officers’ bungled response to a clash among gangsters in Incheon last week. He said police will use all means necessary, including guns, to control violent crime. “Police will wage a war against crime rings. In cracking down on them, I will have police mobilize all devices and equipment,” he told a news conference.More than 130 members of two rival criminal factions in Incheon fought at a funeral cere
Social AffairsOct. 25, 2011
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Lawmakers move to raise penalties on rapes of children, disabled
SEOUL, Oct. 25 (Yonhap) -- Lawmakers on Tuesday moved to raise penalties for rapes of children and disabled people in a bid to curb sex crimes against the most vulnerable.A sub-committee of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee passed a revision bill lifting the statute of limita
PoliticsOct. 25, 2011
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N. Korea, U.S. in 'businesslike, useful' talks in Geneva
GENEVA/WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (Yonhap) -- North Korea and the United States on Monday opened another round of direct talks in a "businesslike and useful" manner, U.S. officials said, but they remained guarded about whether there will be progress this time."I would say that they have been ongoing in a b
North KoreaOct. 25, 2011
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U.N. says aid to N.K. should be separate from politics
With four in every 10 North Korean children suffering from severe malnutrition, donor states should keep the issue of humanitarian aid to the country completely separate from political agendas related to the nuclear-armed state, the visiting top relief official of the United Nations said. Speaking in Seoul after her recent trip to North Korea and China, Valerie Amos, U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, said some 6 million North Koreans, particul
North KoreaOct. 24, 2011
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Despite some progress, parties still split on FTA
Opposition rejects proposal for special parliamentary address by LeePolitical parties made some progress Monday in talks over the proposed free trade agreement with the U.S., but key differences remained. Two committees of the National Assembly began the handling of all 14 bills that need to be approved for the FTA to take effect. The bills would revise local rules to abolish tariffs and import barriers between the two countries.Members of the National Assembly’s foreign affairs and trade commit
PoliticsOct. 24, 2011