Most Popular
-
1
Yoon apologizes for first lady Dior bag scandal, calls push for special probe ‘political’
-
2
Korea forecast to overtake Taiwan in chip production by 2032: report
-
3
Girl hanging on bridge, police trying to rescue her both fall off; rescued immediately
-
4
[K-pop’s dilemma] Can K-pop break free from ‘fandom’ model?
-
5
YouTuber fatally stabbed on livestream by another YouTuber in Busan
-
6
Yoon rebuffs opposition's call for special probe into wife
-
7
No plan to let doctors with foreign licenses practice here anytime soon: PM
-
8
Stray Kids hit with racism in Met Gala photo line
-
9
[News Analysis] Yoon's first 2 years marked by intense confrontations, lack of leadership
-
10
Yoon apologizes for wife's 'unwise conduct'
-
Ruling party lawmaker loses seat as top court confirms penalty
The Supreme Court on Thursday confirmed a fine imposed on Rep. Kim Geun-tae for illegal campaigning ahead of last April’s general elections, stripping the ruling party lawmaker of his parliamentary seat. The nation’s top court upheld a lower court’s decision to impose a fine of 7 million won ($6,500) on the 61-year-old Kim for violating the Public Official Election Act.He was found guilty of sending out text messages to voters in his constituency after forming a private group that resembled an e
Feb. 28, 2013
-
Parties play chicken over government organization
The confrontation between the rivaling parties over the government reorganization plan continued to cripple the fledgling Park Geun-hye administration with no signs of breakthrough in sight. The ruling Saenuri Party’s chairman Hwang Woo-yea on Thursday proposed a joint meeting among leaders of the rivaling parties and the National Assembly speaker to discuss the revised Government Organization Act.Hwang offered a deadline to resolve the confrontation by saying, “It is hoped that we can hold a jo
Feb. 28, 2013
-
S. Korea expresses ‘strong regret’ over Japan FM‘s remarks on Dokdo
South Korea‘s foreign ministry on Thursday denounced Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida for trying to raise an “unfair argument” on Dokdo in a speech renewing Japan’s claim to the South‘s easternmost islets.Seoul’s foreign ministry spokesman Han Hye-jin made the remarks in response to a parliamentary speech by Kishida earlier in the day that renewed Japan‘s territorial claim to Dokdo.“The government expresses strong regret about the ill-considered remarks by the foreign minister of Japan’s
Feb. 28, 2013
-
[Photo] Japanese wives’ group demands Japan’s apology on sexual slavery
A group of Japanese wives of Korean men urged Japan on Thursday to apologize for Korean women’s sex slavery during the World War Ⅱ.The civic group “Overcoming Korea and Japan’s History and Making a Better Relationship between the Two Countries” issued a statement in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province demanding Japan’s apology on the “comfort women” issue. The term “comfort women” refers to sex slaves under the Japanese military during World War II.“Only the victims would understand how painful
Feb. 28, 2013
-
Nominees take heat at Assembly hearings
The National Assembly grilled President Park Geun-hye’s nominees to head three government ministries Wednesday, centering on their ethical standards and past misdeeds. During his confirmation hearing, Yoo Jin-ryong, the nominee to head the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, apologized to the public after he conceded that his wife had falsely registered her residential address in 1988, a widely used practice to purchase extra property or have children attend prominent schools.His wife alleg
Feb. 27, 2013
-
President falters on first steps
As the fanfare over the Park Geun-hye administration’s inauguration dies down, what is left is deep political confrontation, a government still not formed and a void in state administration at a time of critical security and economic threats.Park presided over the first presidential meeting of senior secretaries on Wednesday. But visibly absent was Kim Jang-soo, the head of the newly formed National Security Office, while 10 chief secretaries on state planning, politics, economy, foreign affairs
Feb. 27, 2013
-
Rival parties adopt report on hearing of nominee for home affairs minister
Rival parties adopted a consenting report Wednesday after an one-day confirmation hearing on home affairs minister nominee Yoo Jeong-bok, paving the way for his appointment to the Cabinet post.The adoption of the report came only hours after Yoo, 56, underwent the parliamentary hearing, in which he vowed to take "fundamental" measures to guarantee a safe living environment for the public against what he called rampant crimes and natural disasters."By comprehensively analyzing factors that could
Feb. 27, 2013
-
P.M. donates W100m on first day in office
Prime Minister Chung Hong-won, who began his official duties on Wednesday, donated 100 million won ($92,081) to a local charity organization in a gesture to take care of citizens in need and prioritize the lives of the people.Chung, 68, was formally appointed by President Park Geun-hye as her first prime minister on Tuesday after the National Assembly approved his nomination earlier in the day.After paying a visit to the national cemetery as his first official duty, he visited the Community Ches
Feb. 27, 2013
-
Japan‘s colonial textbook describes Dokdo as Korean territory
A local scholar on Wednesday disclosed an early 20th-century Japanese school textbook stating that the East Sea islets of Dokdo, now a source of diplomatic tension between the two countries, are Korean territory.Kim Moon-gil, an honorary Japanese language professor of Busan University of Foreign Studies and chief of a private research center on Japan, unveiled photos of the Japanese middle school textbook that was published in 1924, years after its colonization of the Korean Peninsula.The Japane
Feb. 27, 2013
-
N.K. tops Park’s foreign policy agenda
President Park Geun-hye held back-to-back meetings with 19 foreign delegations including U.S. national security adviser Tom Donilon on her second day in office Tuesday.In the meeting with the U.S. delegation, Park and Donilon reportedly shared concerns and views on North Korea’s defiant Feb. 12 nuclear test and agreed on enhanced cooperation to deal with the heightened security tensions.Donilon is a close aide of U.S. President Barack Obama in charge of foreign affairs and security policies.“I s
Feb. 26, 2013
-
Assembly approves Chung as P.M.
The National Assembly confirmed the appointment of Chung Hong-won as prime minister on Tuesday making the former prosecutor the first endorsed member of President Park Geun-hye’s administration.Hours later, Park issued him with a certificate of appointment at Cheong Wa Dae.The new president, sworn in Monday, is struggling to launch her Cabinet amid partisan feuds over her government reorganization plans and some controversial nominees accused of corruption and ethical problems. Chung’s appointme
Feb. 26, 2013
-
National Assembly confirms Chung as prime minister
The National Assembly on Tuesday confirmed former veteran prosecutor Chung Hong-won as prime minister in a first step to form the Cabinet of new President Park Geun-hye.Chung, 68, was named as Park's first prime minister earlier this month, after serving as chief of her ruling Saenuri Party's candidate nomination committee ahead of last April's general elections. Before that, he served as a public prosecutor for nearly 30 years and worked as a lawyer after retiring from public office.Chung's con
Feb. 26, 2013
-
Park pledges a happier Korea
Park Geun-hye took oath to become Korea’s 18th president Monday, pledging to better people’s lives through a creative economy and expanded welfare, and urging North Korea to discard its nuclear ambition and join the trust-building process for peace.“As President of the Republic of Korea, I will live up to the will of the people by achieving economic rejuvenation, the happiness of the people, and the flourishing of our culture,” Park said before some 70,000 attendants including former presidents,
Feb. 25, 2013
-
[Newsmaker] Security, prosperity key to happiness: Park
National security, public safety and economic prosperity will be central to President Park Geun-hye’s plans for “opening a new era of hope.”In her inauguration speech, Korea’s first female president presented “economic revival,” “happiness of the people” and “flourishing culture” as key themes for her five-year term.Regarding her plans for the economy, Park did not stray far from past statements stressing the importance of creating a science and technology-based “creative economy,” the efforts f
Feb. 25, 2013
-
Cheers and high expectations for new leader
Even before sunrise, citizens began to gather around the private residence of the nation’s first female president in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul. When President Park Geun-hye emerged from her two-story house shortly past 10 a.m. to go to the inauguration ceremony, she was greeted by hundreds of flag-waving well-wishers.A citizen representative gave Park the gift of two white Jindo puppies, South Korea’s popular native breed of hunting dogs. Park is a well-known lover of dogs. “There must have
Feb. 25, 2013
-
Key points of address: prosperity, happiness, peace
Following are excerpts from the English version of President Park Geun-hye’s inaugural address ― Ed. As President of the Republic of Korea, I will live up to the will of the people by achieving economic rejuvenation, the happiness of the people, and the flourishing of our culture. I will do my utmost to building a Republic of Korea that is prosperous and where happiness is felt by all Koreans.Throughout the vortex of our turbulent contemporary history we always prevailed over countless hardships
Feb. 25, 2013
-
[Photo News] Inauguration
President Park Geun-hye took office on Monday promising a second ‘Miracle on the Han,’ more inclusive economic and social systems, and peace efforts with North Korea. A record 70,000 people, half of them ordinary citizens, participated in the two-and-a-half-hour inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly. Later in the day she attended an informal celebration with citizens in downtown Gwanghwamun and moved in to Cheong Wa Dae, welcomed by hundreds of waving residents near the presidential man
Feb. 25, 2013
-
Park names secretaries for foreign affairs, international cooperation
A career diplomat well versed in relations with the United States will be named as President Park Geun-hye's foreign affairs secretary, presidential sources said Monday.The selection of Kim Hyoung-zhin, who served as director general at the foreign ministry's North American affairs bureau in 2010, is seen as a move by Park to reaffirm her commitment to strengthening the alliance with Washington, they said.Kim, 52, will work under senior foreign affairs and security secretary Ju Chul-ki.The presi
Feb. 25, 2013
-
Park names Yoon as presidential spokesman
President-elect Park Geun-hye on Sunday tapped her transition team spokesman Yoon Chang-jung and Wikitree Vice Chairwoman Kim Haing as the spokespeople for her administration.The nominations come a day ahead of Park’s inauguration ceremony on Monday when the 61-year-old will be sworn in as South Korea’s first female president.Yoon, 57, a former journalist-turned-political columnist, joined the transition team as senior spokesman in December.Kim, 54, is a founding member of social network news se
Feb. 25, 2013
-
Former President Lee to serve as adviser to developing countries
After his retirement on Sunday, former President Lee Myung-bak is expected to serve as an advisor to developing countries and others in need of his experience in leading economic advancement and global initiatives such as green growth.According to Lee Dong-kwan, his former presidential secretary for public relations, Lee, 71, is expected to establish a private foundation and open its office in southern Seoul for his work to contribute to the international community. “(Former) President Lee is a
Feb. 25, 2013