Most Popular
-
1
Exports to US reach all-time high, widen gap with China
-
2
Trump rekindles criticism: US forces defending 'wealthy' S. Korea 'free of charge'
-
3
[Music in drama] Rekindle a love that slipped through your fingers
-
4
S. Korea discussed possible participation in AUKUS Pillar 2 with Australia: defense minister
-
5
[New faces of Assembly] Architect behind ‘audacious initiative’ believes in denuclearized North Korea
-
6
On May Day, labor unions blast Yoon's foreign nanny proposal
-
7
Seoul Metro to seek legal action against malicious complaints
-
8
Illit, mired in controversy, remains on Billboard charts for 5th week
-
9
[KH Explains] Will alternative trading platform shake up Korean stock market?
-
10
S. Korea lowers COVID-19 warning level, lifts last-remaining antivirus mandates
-
Liberal presidential candidates call for extending voting hours on election day
South Korea's liberal presidential candidates on Wednesday called for extending the voting hours for the Dec. 19 election day so more people can cast their ballots to pick the country's new leader.The main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) had forwarded a revision bill that would allow people to vote from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., compared to the present closing time for polls set at 6 p.m.In a com
Sept. 26, 2012
-
Lee stresses military as crucial bedrock of security
President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday underscored the need for robust military and defense reforms as the crucial “bedrock” to cope with the changing security environment in the region that is plagued by a series of intensifying territorial rows.“Although Northeast Asia has risen as a center of world politics and economy in the 21st century, the security environment has been more fluid and unstable,” he said during a ceremony to mark the Oct. 1 Armed Forces Day at the Gyeryongdae military headqua
Sept. 26, 2012
-
China’s buildup raises arms race fears
Asian power’s display of maritime ambitions comes amid territorial disputesChina’s recent commissioning of its first aircraft carrier has further heightened tension amid regional territorial rows and sparked concerns over a possible arms race.The 67,500-ton Liaoning was put into service Tuesday as nationalist sentiment surged in China following Japan’s nationalizing of the disputed islands in the East China Sea and ahead of a once-in-a-decade leadership handover slated for next month.China’s bol
Sept. 26, 2012
-
Candidates busy filling up key campaign posts
Park, Moon name key members, Ahn pays respects to late RohThe control towers for the three major candidates’ campaigns are starting to take shape as the presidential race shifts gears into a full-fledged battle of election pledges.The three are aiming to illustrate their philosophies and visions through the lineup. In operating the campaign offices, Rep. Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party is emphasizing unity, Rep. Moon Jae-in of the main opposition Democratic United Party horizontal team
Sept. 26, 2012
-
Allegations of financial misdeeds may damage Ahn campaign
With his unsullied image, presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo has raised the public’s hopes for a new kind of politics.But this also means that the rookie politician faces a greater fall should his actions turn out to be inconsistent with his words.The most serious allegation against Ahn is that he made illegitimate profits through fraudulent transactions of shares of AhnLab, the computer virus developer that won him the reputation as the country’s leading software guru.In 1999, Ahn purchased t
Sept. 26, 2012
-
Software guru and professor in uncharted domain
From shy student to software mogul, Ahn looks to continue his success storyThe formidable popularity of Ahn Cheol-soo as he makes his political debut in the presidential race is seen to represent the voters’ desire for change and originality.The conservative opponents’ attempt to classify Ahn’s entry as impudent is doing little to dampen the former professor’s smooth political ride so far.The soft-spoken software genius underscores he was never one to quit throughout his career changes, from a m
Sept. 26, 2012
-
Candidates all out to draw elite campaigners
The top three presidential candidates are picking up the pace to form their campaign organizations this week ahead of the crucial Chuseok holiday.The ruling Saenuri Party’s Rep. Park Geun-hye summoned her closest allies to overcome the recent controversies involving some of her aides.The main opposition Democratic United Party’s Rep. Moon Jae-in and independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo are competing for prominent figures.Park is currently choosing her campaign chief from among the party’s heavywe
Sept. 25, 2012
-
Candidates seek to boost peace, welfare credentials
Rep. Park Geun-hye, the ruling Saenuri Party’s presidential candidate, on Tuesday visited a military unit in Gangwon Province, in her latest move to underscore her leadership in the realm of security.Rep. Moon Jae-in, candidate of the main opposition Democratic United Party, visited the country’s northernmost Dorasan Station in an effort to promote his vision of peninsular peace and inter-Korean economic cooperation. Meanwhile, independent presidential contender Ahn Cheol-soo carried on his camp
Sept. 25, 2012
-
Tough tasks remain on Moon’s road to Dec. 19 election
Following his overwhelming victory in the Democratic United Party’s primaries earlier this month, Rep. Moon Jae-in now faces a tough vetting process over his qualifications and integrity as a potential president.With people remembering him as the closest aide of former President Roh Moo-hyun, Moon is being called on to move out from the shadow of the late liberal leader and establish fresh leadership. Unifying liberal candidacy with his rival Ahn Cheol-soo and regrouping his party once hit by fa
Sept. 25, 2012
-
Former Roh aide seeks to retake power
Moon Jae-in focuses on welfare, economic democratization, political reform, improved ties with N.K.From a recalcitrant student activist to a human rights lawyer and now the presidential candidate of the main opposition Democratic United Party, the life of Rep. Moon Jae-in has been tumultuous yet fortuitous.Until early last year, few had thought the former chief of staff to late President Roh Moo-hyun would wade through the rough waters of politics to challenge the presidency.“Politics is not in
Sept. 25, 2012
-
Gov't to buy land for controversial presidential retirement home
The government said Tuesday it will buy a plot of land where President Lee Myung-bak once sought to build his retirement home, raising suspicions it might be intended to offset losses for the land's co-owner who is the president's son.According to the finance ministry, the government decided to purchase the 463-square-meter plot in Naegok-dong on the southern edge of Seoul at the previous acquisit
Sept. 25, 2012
-
Ahn stresses innovation, convergence
Independent presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo geared up his campaign activities on Monday stressing his philosophy of “convergence” and the importance of innovation.“Unmanned vehicles appears to be a field where convergent thinking is well established in,” Ahn said during a visit to Kookmin University’s unmanned vehicle research center. “Looking around, I thought what convergent approach to solving social issues really is being shown here.” He also introduced his idea of “innovation economy”
Sept. 24, 2012
-
Moon meets DJ’s widow, vows to continue legacy
Democratic United Party presidential candidate Moon Jae-in visited late President Kim Dae-jung’s widow Lee Hee-ho on Monday and promised to carry on the legacy of her late husband.“In the end, the desires of President Kim Dae-jung need to be continued,” Moon said.“(I) will work hard on South-North relations that were first opened by President Kim Dae-jung,” Moon said. Kim had strong support from the Jeolla provinces, and was the first South Korean leader to hold summit talks with North Korea’s l
Sept. 24, 2012
-
Saenuri’s new spokesman caught in gaffe
A close aide to Saenuri Party presidential nominee Park Geun-hye stirred controversy after he insulted journalists during a dinner with drinks and described Park’s political aim as “to redeem her father’s honor” late Sunday night Rep. Kim Jae-won, a second-term lawmaker who was designated as the party’s spokesman earlier in the day, hosted a dinner with several journalists, Under the influence of alcohol, he reportedly commented, “The reason why Park is in politics is to redeem her father’s hono
Sept. 24, 2012
-
Saenuri takes tough stand on sex criminals
Experts at the ruling Saenuri Party are calling for extremely tough punishment and extensive information disclosure of offenders to curb sex crimes. A special panel recently submitted five bills that include toughened measures such as chemical castration. The party also proposed that convicted sex offenders have their residential addresses disclosed to the public.The system would apply retroactively to all convicted of sex offenses since July 2000.Also, the injection of drugs to restrain crimina
Sept. 24, 2012
-
DUP emphasizes preventive measures
The main opposition Democratic United Party has adopted sex crime measures as one of its top priorities, but focuses on preventative measures and a remedial program for victims rather than adding new criminal penalties.Rep. Nam In-soon submitted earlier this month a revision bill to ban sentence commutation on those who have sexually violated minors under the influence of alcohol. The bill also allows authorities to indict the offender without the explicit consent of the victim. “The correspondi
Sept. 24, 2012
-
Tackling sex crimes becomes issue of moment
Experts voice need for more fundamental solutions to growing social illAssembly Voice looks into key issues and controversial bills through interviews with rival lawmakers who lead the legislative debate at the National Assembly. ― Ed.South Korea has been terrorized by a series of heinous sex crimes over the past month. Some were committed by repeat offenders, raising questions over the country’s ability to prevent and punish the violent crimes.On Aug. 21, a young mother of two was killed by an
Sept. 24, 2012
-
Park apologizes for father’s rule
Saenuri candidate acknowledges suffering caused by Park Chung-hee governmentSaenuri Party presidential candidate Rep. Park Geun-hye publicly apologized to the people who suffered under her father’s iron-fisted rule Monday in a move to ward off controversy over her historical views and regain her frontrunner status.“The May 16, Yushin and Inhyeokdang cases damaged the value of the Constitution and delayed the political development of the Republic of Korea,” Park said at a press conference held at
Sept. 24, 2012
-
Candidates race to take upper hand
Each candidate expected to finish campaign team organization, flesh out policies this weekThree presidential candidates are stepping up their campaigns ahead of a national holiday late this month which is crucial to voter sentiment.With less than three months to go before election day, Rep. Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party, Rep. Moon Jae-in of the main opposition Democratic United Party and independent Ahn Cheol-soo are in a tight race, polls show.They are expected to complete forming t
Sept. 23, 2012
-
U.S. agrees to extend Seoul’s ballistic missile range: reports
Seoul and Washington have provisionally agreed to revise their bilateral pact to allow South Korea to develop ballistic missiles with a range of up to 800 kilometers, up from the current 300 km, reports said Sunday.The weight of the payload is expected to remain at the current 500 kg. The allies are fine-tuning details and likely to announce the result of their negotiations next month, the reports said.Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said, “Nothing has been confirmed yet, and the negotiations are still
Sept. 23, 2012