Most Popular
-
1
[Exclusive] Korean military set to ban iPhones over 'security' concerns
-
2
Korean, Romanian leaders discuss defense tech, nuclear energy
-
3
[Graphic News] 77% of young Koreans still financially dependent
-
4
S. Korea calls on Japan to confront history amid Yasukuni Shrine visit
-
5
Yoon’s jailed mother-in-law excluded from latest parole list
-
6
Hybe and Min Hee-jin, CEO of Hybe sublabel Ador, lock horns
-
7
[Pressure points] Leggings in public: Fashion statement or social faux pas?
-
8
Yoo Jae-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok team up in 'Whenever Possible'
-
9
Korea’s homegrown nanosatellite successfully launches into space
-
10
Aging population to drive down Korea's housing prices from 2040: experts
-
Allies face tough talks over wartime control transfer
Seoul and Washington face a tough reassessment of the timing of the transfer of wartime operational control as U.S. military leaders appeared cautious over another delay in the handover slated for December 2015.The allies began their consultations over the possible delay this week at their high-level defense dialogue in Seoul after the South’s request in May for a review of the timeline in light of North Korea’s increasing nuclear threats.During the two-day Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue
July 31, 2013
-
[Newsmaker] Tax service chiefs: A barrel of bad apples
The former heads of the National Tax Service collectively have one of the worst track records among high-level government officials for corruption. Of the 20 individuals to head the NTS since 1966, six have been penalized for it. Jeon Goon-pyo, who was the country’s top tax official from July 2006 to November 2007, served a prison term for taking 70 million won ($63,000) and $10,000 in cash from a subordinate in return for favorable treatment in a personnel reshuffle. Jeon is once again under th
July 30, 2013
-
Lawmakers line up NIS reform bills
Lawmakers are queuing to submit bills to reform the National Intelligence Service, an issue that has see little progress over decades due to persistent ideological divides.Many of the latest calls for reform are a repeat of previous measures that generally were put on the back burner, as neither the agency nor political circles were bold enough to let go of their vested interests.The resurgent reform drive is expected to continue for the time being as the NIS has announced it will prepare its ow
July 30, 2013
-
Tripartite labor panel plans major overhaul
The tripartite consultative body of labor, management and government expanded its organization by inviting representatives from small and medium-sized companies, as well as youth and women. The expansion of the Economic and Social Development Commission comes as it takes on a broader role and seeks to provide a platform for dialogue among more diverse economic players to solve labor-related problems, including the government’s goal to achieve 70 percent employment by 2017.The overhaul will incre
July 29, 2013
-
Saenuri, DP chairmen unlikely to hold talks before August
A meeting of the chairs of the ruling and the main opposition parties appears likely to be put off until next month because of differences over the agenda. On Saturday, Saenuri Party chairman Rep. Hwang Woo-yea suggested a meeting with his Democratic Party counterpart Rep. Kim Han-gil to discuss “all political issues” to end their disputes. While both parties are in agreement over the need to resolve outstanding issues, mainly those regarding the missing 2007 inter-Korean summit transcript, the
July 29, 2013
-
Park takes first break since inauguration
President Park Geun-hye and most of the presidential secretaries began their five-day summer vacation Monday, their first break since Park’s inauguration in February.The destination and plans for Park during her break were not released for security reasons.Park reportedly prepared five books, including “A European Education” by Romain Gary, to take on her vacation, although the reports were never confirmed.“During my vacation, I will read books, look back at the administration so far and calmly
July 29, 2013
-
Allies mark armistice’s 60th year
South Korea and the U.S. honored the sacrifices of those who fought in the Korean War during ceremonies to mark the 60th anniversary of the armistice Saturday, underscoring the idea that “freedom is not free.”North Korea held a separate ceremony to celebrate what it calls a victory day ― an event analysts say was designed to demonstrate its leader Kim Jong-un’s stable grip on power and its military might, and strengthen internal unity.During the ceremony at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul, Pr
July 28, 2013
-
Prosecutors move fast in summit record investigation
The prosecution’s investigation into the missing 2007 inter-Korean summit transcript is getting off to a speedy start, as the two main political parties seek to close their differences.On Saturday, the prosecutors’ office issued a travel ban on former government officials who were in a position to tamper with presidential records during the Roh Moo-hyun administration.The transcript was found to be missing as lawmakers searched for the document to settle the controversy surrounding allegations t
July 28, 2013
-
Ruling party boycotts hearing on spy agency scandal
The ruling Saenuri Party on Friday boycotted a hearing on the state spy agency's alleged meddling in last year's presidential election as it wrangled with opposition parties over whether the meeting should be open to the public.The ruling party has argued that the hearing should be held behind closed doors because it is likely to touch on sensitive intelligence issues as lawmakers question National Intelligence Service (NIS) chief Nam Jae-joon and other officials of the spy agency in connection
July 26, 2013
-
Korea, France agree to enhance partnership
The prime ministers of Korea and France agreed to enhance the bilateral partnership in trade, investment and high-tech businesses on Thursday. French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault visited Seoul as part of an Asian tour and met with President Park Geun-Hye and his counterpart Chung Hong-won. Jung and Ayrault promised to harness the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement to boost economic ties and further cooperate in the future growth sectors of information technology, robotics, medicine and pharmaceut
July 25, 2013
-
Court commutes prison term of ex-President Lee's brother
A Seoul appellate court on Thursday commuted the sentence of an elder brother of former President Lee Myung-bak to one year and two months from two years on bribery charges. Lee Sang-deuk, the former six-term lawmaker, was indicted on charges of receiving a total of 750 million won (US$654,165) in kickbacks from a local company and two troubled savings banks from 2007 to 2011. Clearing the elder Lee of charges that he received 300 million in bribes from Kim Chan-kyong, the former chief of Mir
July 25, 2013
-
Saenuri, DP figures call for end to summit bickering
A growing number of politicians are voicing the need to move on from the controversy over the missing 2007 inter-Korean summit minutes as the rival parties continue to bicker over their whereabouts.Viewing the transcript of the summit was chosen as the means to verify claims that late President Roh Moo-hyun conceded the Northern Limit Line to deceased North Korean leader Kim Jong-il during the 2007 summit.When the ruling Saenuri Party and main opposition Democratic Party lawmakers searched for t
July 24, 2013
-
Park backs Gangwon rail project
President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday backed a controversial express railway project linking Seoul with the eastern coast. During a visit to Gangwon Province, she said the new train corridor would not only help boost the local economy but also strategically benefit the country.“I believe this project is not only to stimulate the local economy, such as through attracting tourists, but it is also in consideration of eventually being connected to Eurasia over the long term,” Park said during a brief
July 24, 2013
-
Parliamentary probe into spy agency scandal kicks off
A parliamentary probe into the state spy agency's alleged meddling in last year's presidential election began Wednesday with a hearing attended by justice ministry officials as rival parties questioned the legitimacy of a now-complete prosecution investigation into the scandal.The parliamentary probe aims to uncover the truth behind allegations that former National Intelligence Service (NIS) chief Won Sei-hoon ordered an online smear campaign to sway public opinion in favor of the ruling Saenuri
July 24, 2013
-
S. Korea extends travel ban on four nations
South Korea on Tuesday decided to extend its travel ban on four nations -- Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Somalia -- for another six months to one year, the foreign ministry said, citing worsening unrest in the countries.Under the decision, South Korean citizens are prohibited from traveling to Iraq until Jan. 31; Syria until July 31, 2014; and Afghanistan and Somalia until Aug. 6, 2014, the ministry said in a statement.The Seoul government currently bans the four countries, along with Yemen, for
July 23, 2013
-
Park calls for support for S. Korea's participation in Vietnam's nuclear power plant project
South Korean President Park Geun-hye asked Tuesday for Vietnam's support for South Korea's participation in the Southeast Asian nation's nuclear power plant construction project, her office said.Park made the remark in a meeting with Vietnam's National Assembly Speaker Nguyen Sinh Hung, saying South Korea can be a good partner for the country's nuclear power industry, according to presidential spokeswoman Kim Haing.Vietnam is seeking to build 10 atomic power plants by 2030."I understand that Vie
July 23, 2013
-
Saenuri urges prosecution to act on missing summit transcript
The two main political parties are continuing to clash over the missing 2007 inter-Korean summit minutes, with the ruling Saenuri Party calling for an investigation by the prosecutors’ office.The Saenuri Party is calling for a prosecutors’ investigation to determine how the transcript disappeared, and has pointed the finger of blame at the Roh Moo-hyun administration. The transcript of the summit became a hot political issue following claims that late President Roh Moo-hyun had denied the legiti
July 23, 2013
-
[Newsmaker] Moon enmeshed in summit records controversy
The missing 2007 inter-Korean summit records have driven the main opposition Democratic Party on the defensive as the debate has shifted to how the transcript went missing.At the core of the dispute is Rep. Moon Jae-in, the former right-hand man to late President Roh Moo-hyun, who is alleged by the ruling camp of having ordered the transcript in question be deleted upon leaving office.Moon, supported by the pro-Roh forces against the current party leadership, had spearheaded the calls to view th
July 23, 2013
-
No trace of 2007 inter-Korean summit minutes: lawmakers
The 2007 inter-Korean summit looked likely to cause further controversy after lawmakers searching for the transcript of the meeting concluded that the records could not be found.On Monday, ruling Saenuri Party and main opposition Democratic Party lawmakers concluded that the National Archives was not in possession of the transcript. The transcript of the summit became a hot political issue following claims that late President Roh Moo-hyun had denied the legitimacy of the Northern Limit Line ― th
July 22, 2013
-
Abe may focus on economy for the time being: analysts
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may not revert to his nationalist agenda immediately as his ruling coalition’s electoral triumph on Sunday reaffirmed his economic drive as a top policy priority, analysts said Monday.But Abe is expected to continue his push for the agenda, such as a full-fledged military, historical revisionism and constitutional amendments during his stint expected to continue for three years until the next parliamentary elections in 2016.Concerns had persisted that buoyed by
July 22, 2013