Most Popular
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Contentious grain bill put directly to plenary meeting for vote
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Yoon's approval rating plunges to all-time low
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Will tug-of-war between doctors, government end soon?
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Climate impacts set to cut 2050 global GDP by nearly a fifth
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Trilateral talks acknowledge ‘serious’ slumps of won, yen
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[Graphic News] More Koreans say they plan long-distance trips this year
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[KH Explains] Hyundai's full hybrid edge to pay off amid slow transition to pure EVs
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North Korea removes streetlights along cross-border roads with South
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Russia's denial of entry of S. Korean national unrelated to bilateral ties: Seoul official
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Farming households dip below 1m for first time in 2023
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Vice minister resigns but denies allegations of sexual misconduct
Vice Justice Minister Kim Hak-ui resigned Thursday amid alleged involvement in a sex-for-favors scandal, dealing a fresh blow to President Park Geun-hye. Police have reportedly obtained statements from a woman hired by a contractor to perform sexual services for the official in 2009 at a country house in Wonju, Gangwon Province. After his name was disclosed by news media earlier in the day, he denied having received sexual services in exchange for exerting his influence.“Though all these allegat
March 21, 2013
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Constitutional Court, SMBA chiefs named
President Park Geun-hye on Thursday nominated Constitutional Court justice Park Hanchul as its chief, and business administration professor Han Jung-wha to head the Small and Medium usiness Administration.Park, who has been serving as a member of the top court’s nine-member bench since 2011, was chosen for his “expertise and capability,”Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Yoon Chang-jung said. Yoon also explained that Park was the first in line to succeed the top seat in terms of his tenure, the longest amo
March 21, 2013
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Government revision bill stumbles on broadcasting
The National Assembly failed to approve President Park Geun-hye’s government overhaul plan as rival parties disagreed over the new science and technology ministry’s authority over broadcasters.Despite the tentative agreement that the Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic United Party reached on the Government Organization Act on Sunday, clauses regarding cable system operators, or SOs, proved to be the main sticking point.Under the agreement drawn up by the leaders of the two parties,
March 20, 2013
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Park, Xi discuss N. Korea and bilateral relations
President Park Geun-hye requested Chinese leader Xi Jinping to persuade North Korea to return to dialogue during a phone call Wednesday to congratulate Xi on his inauguration as president. They also discussed ways to bolster bilateral relations during their first conversation since Park was inaugurated on Feb. 25 and Xi assumed presidency last week. The talks took place amid North Korea’s stepped-up saber-rattling in response to tougher international sanctions over the reclusive state’s Feb. 12
March 20, 2013
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Saenuri’s plan to reform nominations in peril
After a heated debate, the Saenuri Party leaders on Wednesday overruled its vetting committee’s proposal to refrain from nominating candidates for the April 24 local by-elections. “The Supreme Council discussed plans to not issue nominations in provincial government and council elections but a conclusion was not reached. The council will work on new plans,” Saenuri Party secretary general Seo Byung-soo told reporters. Seo also heads the nomination review committee. The proposal faced strong oppo
March 20, 2013
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[Graphic News] Airbus makes biggest sale in aviation history
Airbus set a new record in the aviation industry on Monday when it completed the biggest aircraft sale in history.The order for 234 Airbus aircraft by Indonesian carrier Lion Air was worth close to $24 billion, beating by some $2 billion the previous record held by Boeing and American Airlines.The achievement by the French aircraft manufacturer was welcome news for the French economy, which is currently struggling with an unemployment rate of over 10 percent. By John Power (john.power@heraldcorp
March 19, 2013
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[Newsmaker] Blind trust rule turns ‘thorny’ for Park
President Park Geun-hye has aptly compared regulatory and business hurdles plaguing smaller firms to a “thorn under the nail.” It turns out that she has her own obstacles right under her nose. On Monday, Park’s nominee to head the Small and Medium Business Administration, Hwang Chul-joo, withdrew, citing a rule that compels high-level officials to dispose of any personal assets related to their duties.Hwang, who is the CEO of a venture company called Jusung Engineering, was considered one of Par
March 19, 2013
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Park says N.K. nukes intolerable
President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday said North Korea’s nuclear threat was “a problem that cannot be simply let off the hook” and reaffirmed the South’s resolve to strongly counter any provocation.“We cannot live with the nuclear (threat) hanging above our head,” Park said in a luncheon with the country’s religious leaders at Cheong Wa Dae.“If North Korea should abandon its nuclear (programs) right now and step toward the right path, I promise to support North Korea by actively mobilizing the Kore
March 19, 2013
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Factional infighting tears at fabric of DUP
A factional feud is gripping the Democratic United Party once again ahead of crucial by-elections in April and its leadership race in May as the main opposition party struggles to regain footing after last year’s presidential election defeat.The DUP is divided mainly between two groups, one loyal to late former President Roh Moo-hyun and the other his predecessor Kim Dae-jung. While the pro-Roh faction kept a tight grip on the party’s internal affairs, their belligerent image and hard-line parti
March 19, 2013
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Defense minister nominee draws fresh allegations over asset disclosure
Defense Minister-designate Kim Byung-kwan came under further pressure to withdraw Tuesday after he was found to have shares in controversial overseas resource developer KMDC and to have failed to report them in asset disclosure and confirmation hearings.Following the latest revelation of his irregularities, the Democratic United Party once again called on the retired general to withdraw his nomination. KMDC is a resource developer founded in 2010. It was alleged in 2011 that an influential figur
March 19, 2013
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Deal clears way for prosecution reform
President Park Geun-hye is set to embark on much-debated prosecution reform, expected to sharply reduce its power and organization, following a political agreement on the government reorganization plan.The ruling Saenuri Party and the Democratic United Party on Sunday struck an agreement to pass Park’s government overhaul proposal, which includes a major restructuring of the prosecution office.The plan calls for the abolishment of the powerful Central Investigation Department at the Supreme Pros
March 18, 2013
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Park forges ahead with leadership
President Park Geun-hye forged ahead with her state agenda Monday following the parliamentary agreement on her new Cabinet plans, ordering her aides to swiftly assist each ministry to begin work. But major obstacles remain for Park as some of her minister choices are staunchly opposed by the main opposition Democratic United Party, while the rival parties’ vaguely worded agreement leaves much more to be worked out.“We should be speeding up our work more efficiently with a clear direction and pur
March 18, 2013
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SME policy chief-nominee quits
President Park Geun-hye was dealt another blow Monday after her nominee for smaller business policy withdrew apparently due to a rule that compels high-level officials to dispose of personal assets. Hwang Chul-joo, CEO of semiconductor manufacturing equipment maker Jusung Engineering, was tapped Friday to head the Small and Medium Business Administration. He asked Park to cancel the nomination during the weekend and Park accepted his decision, according to the government agency. He became the th
March 18, 2013
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Park’s aides call for strong measures to prevent GI crimes
The Korean government has reportedly asked the United States to take stern action against recent crimes by U.S. soldiers stationed here.Korean and U.S. officials began consultations to prevent recurrences and enhance discipline of U.S. service members, Yonhap News Agency reported citing a presidential official responsible for foreign policy and security affairs.“After consultations with the U.S., we plan to come up with stronger measures,” the official was quoted as saying. “The United States ta
March 18, 2013
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Japanese step up against anti-Korea demonstrations
As anti-Korea sentiment in Japan boils over, some Japanese citizens are stepping up to protest the negativity.According to Yonhap News Agency, around 100 Japanese citizens held a rally in Koreatown of Tokyo on Sunday to counter anti-Korea demonstrations. Pro-Korean Japanese picketed to protest the demonstration by hundreds of members from far-right groups.The participants of pro-Korea rally organized online and urged against anti-Korean sentiment by holding signs bearing words “Let’s be friends”
March 18, 2013
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S.Korea, GCF ink headquarter agreement
South Korea and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a United Nations organization, have signed a headquarter agreement regulating the privileges and immunities of GCF and its staff, the finance ministry said Sunday.The agreement was signed in Berlin, Germany, during the third round of the GCF board meeting held from March 12-15, the ministry said.The agreement laid the legal foundations for the establishment of the GCF headquarters to the Songdo International Business District in Incheon, 40 kilometer
March 17, 2013
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Parties strike deal on government organization
The ruling Saenuri Party and the Democratic United Party struck a deal over a Government Organization Act revision on Sunday after 47 days of negotiation deadlock and 21 days of administration stagnation. The parties plan to process the bill on Wednesday.The two sides agreed to uphold most of the original plans by President Park Geun-hye but implement additional measures to address concerns raised by the opposition party, namely concerning the authority over new media outlets.The agreement final
March 17, 2013
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Park stresses inter-governmental cooperation in Cabinet workshop
President Park Geun-hye asked her Cabinet Saturday to work out a new policy roadmap as quickly as possible to better serve people.Park took office on Feb. 25 but her 17-member Cabinet could not be fully organized until earlier this week due to conflicts with opposition politicians over her government reorganization proposal.On Saturday, Park addressed a meeting of about 100 senior presidential and government officials, including Prime Minister Chung Hong-won, to discuss ways to share the goal of
March 16, 2013
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Park names Chae prosecution chief
President Park Geun-hye named the heads of 18 government offices Friday including the most powerful agencies of the prosecution, police and tax service.Senior prosecutor Chae Dong-wook was nominated for the public prosecutor general and Kim Duk-joong, chief of the Jungbu Regional Tax Office, to head the National Tax Service. Busan police chief Lee Sung-han, was named to lead the National Police Agency. The three are subjected to go through a parliamentary confirmation hearing.Chae, 54, now head
March 15, 2013
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Busan police chief nominated for top police post
Busan's police chief has been nominated to take over the nation's top police post, officers said Friday.Lee Sung-han, who currently heads the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency, has been nominated to succeed Kim Ki-yong as commissioner of the National Police Agency, they said."(I) feel a sense of huge responsibility to be nominated for the post that handles such a difficult and important task," Lee told reporters on his way to attend a hearing. After holding the hearing, the seven-member National
March 15, 2013