Most Popular
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Key suspects grilled over alleged abuse of power in Marine death inquiry
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Marine Corps commander summoned by CIO for questioning on alleged influence-peddling case
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Army takes group action against Hybe for neglecting BTS
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Debate rages over ‘overly fatty’ samgyeopsal
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Some junior doctors are returning: Health Ministry
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Ador CEO's request for exclusive right to terminate NewJeans' contract with Hybe refused in February
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[Weekender] Korean psyche untangled: Musok
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Naver will consider company benefits in deciding on selling Line shares: CEO
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Woman dangling from power lines rescued by residents holding blanket
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Hankook Tire takes over control of Hanon Systems
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Ruling party mulls reinstating state history textbook
Leaders of the ruling Saenuri Party on Wednesday called for debate on the issue of reinstating state history textbooks as an alternative to the private sector textbooks that have caused controversy over their alleged biased content.Controversy over the textbooks has grown in recent weeks as a number of high schools across the country have canceled their choice of a new history textbook under pressure from students, alumni and left-leaning civic groups.Opposition lawmakers and other critics have
Jan. 8, 2014
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China hails Park's remarks calling for enhanced bilateral ties
China on Tuesday praised remarks by South Korean President Park Geun-hye that Seoul is committed to enhancing bilateral relations with Beijing, saying it would help promote peace and stability in the region. In her New Year's press conference on Monday, Park urged China to further improve bilateral ties. Park held a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping last June during her state visit. "China highly commends the relevant statement by President Park Geun-hye," China's foreign ministry spo
Jan. 7, 2014
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Prosecution seeks arrest warrants for Tong Yang chairman for fraud
The prosecution is seeking warrants to arrest Tong Yang Group chairman Hyun Jae-hyun and three former executives accused of fraud and neglect. Hyun and the three former Tong Yang Group executives are suspected of orchestrating illegal dealings that caused damages estimated at nearly 2 trillion won ($1.87 billion). Last month, Hyun was questioned on three occasions, but each time denied the allegations that he was involved in fraudulent dealings.According to reports, the Seoul Central District Pr
Jan. 7, 2014
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Ahn calls for end of party nominations in local elections
Independent Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo on Tuesday joined the growing criticism against the ruling Saenuri Party’s move to retain the controversial party-led candidate selection method for local elections, calling for its removal.Ahn’s panel, widely considered to be a preparatory committee for a new political party, said that the current method should be replaced with a more transparent system to prevent alleged deep-rooted practices associated with the nomination process.The panel’s statement came after
Jan. 7, 2014
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Park urges public firms to join reform drive
President Park Geun-hye called on heavily-indebted public firms Tuesday to take an active part in efforts to improve their efficiency, renewing her commitment to public sector reform."Public organizations take on an important role of providing public services directly linked to the everyday lives of the people. We can say that the competitiveness of public organizations translates directly into national competitiveness," Park said during a Cabinet meeting."Without the reduction of excessive debt
Jan. 7, 2014
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Parties scrap over local governance
Political bickering over the ruling Saenuri Party’s proposals for reforms in provincial governance escalated on Monday as the main opposition Democratic Party stepped up its criticism that the suggestions would undermine grassroots democracy. On Sunday, the Saenuri Party put forward a set of reform plans, which it argues are aimed at increasing efficiency and transparency in provincial governance mechanisms. Among them was to dissolve legislative bodies of low-level administrative units such as
Jan. 6, 2014
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Park struggles to shed aloof image
President Park Geun-hye on Monday struggled to ease growing criticism over her lack of communication with the public, which observers said contributed to recent social and political problems including the recent railway workers’ strike.Park only reiterated her stance that genuine communication can take place based on the premise that each side upholds the shared values and rules of the community ― an allusion to what her government calls an “illegal” walkout by railway service workers.“We need t
Jan. 6, 2014
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Controversy grows over NIS’ alleged involvement in love child scandal
Disputes intensified on Monday over the spy agency’s alleged role in illegally collecting personal information of a boy suspected to be the illegitimate son of former prosecution chief Chae Dong-wook.The prosecution investigating the case said it has secured testimony from an education officer that he was requested by a National Intelligence Service agent to check the name of the boy’s father.It is the first time that the NIS is speculated to be involved in the illegal access of personal informa
Jan. 6, 2014
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Park lays out 3-year economic innovation plan
The second year of President Park Geun-hye's government will focus on laying the groundwork for innovation and improvement of the overall economic conditions that can be palpable to the people.To that end, President Park said during a news conference marking the new year that she will launch and successfully carry out the so-called three-year economic innovation plan this year and open the "era of people's happiness.""In order for people to feel the actual achievement, we will establish the thre
Jan. 6, 2014
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Yoon Yeo-jun jumps on Ahn’s ‘new politics’ bandwagon
Former Environment Minister and political strategist Yoon Yeo-joon on Sunday joined Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo’s new politics committee as its fifth co-chair. The process of establishing a new party under Ahn’s leadership is gathering momentum, just as the established parties gear up for the June 4 provincial elections. Ahn’s committee, which is to form the foundations of his party, also counts former Democratic Party lawmakers Lee Kye-ahn, Kim Hyo-seok, doctor and civic activist Yoon Jang-hyun and form
Jan. 5, 2014
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[Newsmaker] Former mentor Yoon returns to Ahn
Former Environment Minister Yoon Yeo-jun has once again created a stir in the political arena by joining independent Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo’s “new politics” movement. In 2012, Yoon sent ripples across the conservative bloc when he joined the presidential campaign of the Democratic Party’s Rep. Moon Jae-in. The move, unexpected because of his long-running conservative ties, earned him strong criticism including being branded a “political prostitute” from disgraced former Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Yoon
Jan. 5, 2014
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President urges focus on economy, peace
President Park Geun-hye on Friday urged the country’s political, economic and government leaders to do their utmost to help revitalize the still sluggish economy, enhance people’s livelihoods and secure peninsular peace.In a meeting with them to exchange New Year’s greetings, Park called on economy chiefs to help create jobs through “sweeping” innovation and investment, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness to help create per-capita national income of $40,000.“Social stability and develop
Jan. 3, 2014
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Parliament earmarks W4b for Roh’s memorial hall
The National Assembly has allocated 4 billion won ($3.79 million) from the 2014 budget to build a memorial honoring late President Roh Moo-hyun, parliamentary officials said Friday.The project, which began in 2010 under a law honoring former presidents, aims to pay tribute to the former president who committed suicide in 2009 amid a prosecution investigation into allegations that some of his family members took bribes.Roh’s single five-year term ended in early 2008. Under South Korean law, presi
Jan. 3, 2014
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Union calls for Park’s resignation
A militant umbrella labor organization on Friday called for a nationwide general strike and demanded that President Park Geun-hye resign over a police raid on its office. Some 700 members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the more militant of the country’s two umbrella unions, staged a rally in central Seoul. The union has more than 690,000 members from sectors including construction and public transport. “The illegal intrusion into the KCTU is another example of the Park administrati
Jan. 3, 2014
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Cheong Wa Dae denies reshuffle speculation
President Park Geun-hye is not considering a Cabinet reshuffle, her chief of staff said Thursday, dismissing growing speculations that the president may replace key ministers and presidential secretaries as part of efforts to refresh her government and shore up public support.“Now is a critical time to plan ahead for sustainable economic development by keeping the embers for economic recovery alive and tighten national security amid a stringent security environment,” Presidential Chief of Staff
Jan. 2, 2014
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DP outlook worsens on Ahn’s party prospects
The upcoming local elections are gripping the political arena with six months left, while independent Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo’s potential new party is casting a deep shadow on the opposition bloc. According to recent surveys conducted by local media outlets, the support that Ahn’s party would garner in the June 4 provincial elections would dwarf that of the main opposition Democratic Party. One survey conducted by a broadcaster placed the DP in third place with 8.9 percent of support while the figure
Jan. 2, 2014
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KORAIL plans gradual return to normal service
The state-run train operator is expected to bring KTX and freight train operations back to normal by Jan. 14, as political parties agreed to form a parliamentary subcommittee to assure there would be no privatization of the firm. The labor union of Korea Railroad Corp. returned to work on Tuesday after ending its 22-day strike in protest of the government’s plan to set up an affiliate to run a new bullet train service. The union claims the plan is a step toward privatization of the firm that cou
Jan. 2, 2014
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Ahn steps up moves to create new party
Onetime presidential candidate Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo continued to build up the presence of his political committee at a New Year press conference on Thursday in Seoul.Ahn began his statement by describing last year’s politics as a series of events “full of disappointment,” that lost the trust of the Korean people.“Good politics can never be born in a rusty political environment. We must show our citizens a political culture embedded with sincerity, reconciliation, and integration,” the lawmaker sai
Jan. 2, 2014
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S. Korea cuts budget for envisioned peace park in DMZ
South Korea has slashed the budget for an ambitious plan to build a peace park inside the heavily fortified border with North Korea, the unification ministry said Thursday.The National Assembly has earmarked 30.2 billion won ($28.7 million) for the pet project of President Park Geun-hye, 10 billion won less than requested by the ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs. The Assembly cited a lack of feasibility as the reason for the reduction. Last year, Park proposed that the two Koreas build
Jan. 2, 2014
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FM urges 'extra caution' on growing North Korea uncertainty
South Korea's top diplomat on Thursday called for "extra caution" over implications from recent political developments in North Korea, vowing continued efforts to induce positive changes in the communist neighbor.North Korea is widely believed to be experiencing a political upheaval including, most notably, the shock execution of its leader Kim Jong-un's once-powerful uncle Jang Song-thaek for treason last month."We have to pay extra caution for effects that the North's execution of Jang Song-th
Jan. 2, 2014