Most Popular
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[Exclusive] Korean military set to ban iPhones over 'security' concerns
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Korean, Romanian leaders discuss defense tech, nuclear energy
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[Graphic News] 77% of young Koreans still financially dependent
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S. Korea calls on Japan to confront history amid Yasukuni Shrine visit
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Yoon’s jailed mother-in-law excluded from latest parole list
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Hybe and Min Hee-jin, CEO of Hybe sublabel Ador, lock horns
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[Pressure points] Leggings in public: Fashion statement or social faux pas?
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Yoo Jae-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok team up in 'Whenever Possible'
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Aging population to drive down Korea's housing prices from 2040: experts
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North Korea holds drills simulating nuclear counterattack against enemy
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Busan battle to decide shape of DUP’s presidential bid
This is the eighth in a series introducing the key inter-party battle fields in the upcoming April 11 general election. ― Ed.The Sasang district in Busan is one of the most dramatic constituencies in the upcoming general elections, as a right-wing political debutante made a daring challenge against a liberal presidential potential.For the left-wing camp, it is a strategic spot, considering the district is a longtime conservative stronghold and especially so in light of the presidential election
April 1, 2012
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Prosecutors seek warrant for former presidential secretary
Prosecutors on Sunday sought an arrest warrant for a former presidential secretary for employment and labor affairs over allegations that he played a leading role in destroying evidence related to the government’s purported surveillance of civilians.Lee Young-ho, a former aide to President Lee Myung-bak, was interrogated for some 16 hours after he turned himself in for questioning on Saturday.“I responded conscientiously to the prosecutorial investigation,” he said while moving his way through a
April 1, 2012
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Cheong Wa Dae, DUP clash over surveillance case
Most of monitoring cases occurred during former government’s term: Cheong Wa DaeCheong Wa Dae and the main opposition Democratic United Party on Sunday traded barbs over the government’s allegedly illicit surveillance of civilians as the snowballing scandal has risen as a key issue impacting the upcoming general elections.Their confrontation came a day after the presidential office said most of the surveillance cases reported in the media occurred during former late President Roh Moo-hyun’s term
April 1, 2012
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Park, Han use contrasting strategies
Saenuri leader banks on ‘star power’; DUP chief shares leadership roleThe leaders of the two main parties are using contrasting campaign styles, with the ruling party chief leading from the front and the opposition leader delegating duties.Ruling Saenuri Party chairwoman Rep. Park Geun-hye largely acted alone and canvassed a wide area, especially the southeastern Yeongnam region, which includes Busan.Rep. Park went to Busan on Sunday, marking her fifth visit this year and displaying her interest
April 1, 2012
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Saenuri ups efforts to contain fallout from surveillance scandal
Most of monitoring cases occur during former government’s term: Cheong Wa DaeAmid a widening scandal involving government officials spying on civilians, Saenuri Party leader Rep. Park Geun-hye on Sunday called for an end to “wrong, old politics” in which both past and current governments illicitly monitored civilians.Her remarks, an apparent bid to contain the fallout from the issue, came a day after the embattled Cheong Wa Dae struck back against the main opposition Democratic United Party, un
April 1, 2012
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Ruling party demands special probe into illegal surveillance
South Korea's ruling party on Saturday called for a special probe into allegations the government carried out extensive spying on both public servants and private citizens. Striking journalists at public broadcaster KBS reported in a news program posted on the Internet Thursday that they
March 31, 2012
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Explosive scandal rocks politics ahead of poll
Bombshell revelation gives ammunition to opposition to attack Lee, ruling partyA spying scandal involving former aides of President Lee Myung-bak is rocking Korean politics in the lead-up to an election in which his Saenuri Party may lose control over the parliament. The main opposition Democratic United Party on Friday went into full-fledged attack mode against Lee and the conservative ruling party, aiming to capitalize on the explosive scandal in the upcoming parliamentary poll. On Thursday, d
March 30, 2012
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Key aide to Park GH takes on enemy turf
This is the seventh in a series introducing the key inter-party battle fields in the upcoming April 11 general election. ― Ed.The liberal camp is tensing up over Gwangju, as a ruling party runner is performing above expectations in the traditional left-wing stronghold.Representing the ruling Saenuri Party for the city’s Seo-B constituency is first-term proportional representative Rep. Lee Jung-hyun, who is also party leader Rep. Park Geun-hye’s right-hand man.His rival is Oh Byung-yun of the min
March 30, 2012
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Explosive scandal hits politics before poll
Bombshell revelation gives ammunition to opposition to attack Lee, ruling partyA spying scandal involving former aides of President Lee Myung-bak is rocking Korean politics in the lead-up to an election in which his Saenuri Party may lose control over the parliament. The main opposition Democratic United Party on Friday went into full-fledged attack mode against Lee and the conservative ruling party, aiming to capitalize on the explosive scandal in the upcoming parliamentary poll. On Thursday, d
March 30, 2012
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PMO had more than 2,600 people under surveillance
New evidence suggest prosecutors were aware of wider case in 2010 New evidence surfaced on Thursday suggesting that the surveillance scheme operated by the ethics division of the Prime Minister’s Office targeted more than 2,600 people.While the controversy surrounding the ethics division’s surv
March 30, 2012
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Lee government draws flak for fresh revelations in surveillance scandal
The main opposition Democratic United Party on Friday intensified its attacks on President Lee Myung-bak, following the disclosure of documents alleging that his government carried out extensive spying on not only public officials but also civilians years ago.The ruling Saenuri Party also condemned
March 30, 2012
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Race one of the closest ever
Battles in Seoul, Gyeonggi set to be decisive in April 11 pollsThe following is the first in a series of articles on the April 11 general elections. ― Ed. Korea’s two main political parties are neck-and-neck in the contest for control of the 300-seat parliament in next month’s election. With the showdown less than two weeks away, opinion polls place the rivals ― the conservative ruling Saenuri Party and the liberal Democratic United Party ― within the margin of error apart. Political experts say
March 29, 2012
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Candidates on stump as campaigning starts
Party leaders make hectic campaign stops in and around SeoulParties kick-started their election campaigns on Thursday as the official 13-day canvassing period started for the upcoming April 11 general elections.Leading parties displayed particular focus on the southwestern Youngdeungpo-B constituency, where a tight contest is expected between a ruling party heavyweight and an opposition rookie.The constituency is not only the most crucial one in southwestern Seoul but also holds symbolic signifi
March 29, 2012
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Three-way battle set for Sejong City
This is the sixth in a series introducing the key inter-party battle fields in the upcoming April 11 general election. ― EdOne of the key constituencies in the April 11 election is the recently designated Sejong City, the new administrative city in South Chungcheong Province.Parties have set their eyes on Sejong’s first-ever parliamentary seat as the city is regarded as not only a significant political symbol but also a bellwether for the central region of the country.The city was designed by th
March 29, 2012
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Rival parties solicit support ahead of official campaign period
Parties woo voters on eve of official campaignThe leaders of the country’s rival political forces on Wednesday continued their whirlwind tour of the country to solicit support as their candidates ready for the start of a 13-day official campaign Thursday. The April 11 general election is shaping up to be a tight race between the ruling Saenuri Party and the opposition alliance amid widespread public dissatisfaction with established politics. At stake are the 300 seats of the single-chamber Nati
March 29, 2012
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Lee agrees to expand bilateral ties with Hungary, Georgia leaders
President Lee Myung-bak discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, business and other pending issues with the leaders of Georgia and Hungary on Thursday, completing his six days of summit diplomacy.Lee had bilateral talks with the leaders of around 25 nations and international organizations, who were here to attend the two-day Nuclear Security Summit that ended Tuesday.Lee and his Georgian counterpart Mikheil Saakashvili noted that their bilateral diplomatic relationship has continuously evolved
March 29, 2012
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Head of shared growth commission resigns
Chung Un-chan, a head of the Commission on Shared Growth for Large and Small Companies, announces his resignation at a news conference at a hotel in Seoul, Thursday. (Yonhap News)Former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan stepped down as the head of the Commission on Shared Growth for Large and Small Compa
March 29, 2012
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Korea, EU heads hail FTA benefits
EU leaders urge N. Korea to call off rocket launch planThe leaders of South Korea and the EU on Wednesday expressed their expectation that the full implementation of their bilateral free trade pact will enhance their economic cooperation and benefit both companies and consumers.President Lee Myung-bak held bilateral talks with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday to discuss cooperation on trade, business,
March 28, 2012
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S. Korea’s first overseas voting begins
South Koreans living overseas began to cast ballots on Wednesday in a national election for the first time, as their home country is set to hold general elections on April 11.The overseas vote for the general elections will take place at 158 diplomatic missions in 107 countries worldwide for six days until April 2, according to the National Election Commission (NEC).The first polling station opened at a South Korean mission in Auckland, New Zealand.A total of 123,571 pre-registered overseas Sout
March 28, 2012
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Ahn seen building base for possible presidential bid
Software guru says ‘willing to endure’ politics, if he has toAhn Cheol-soo, a software guru supported by many young Koreans for the next president, shook politics with comments that observers said revealed he might be leaning toward a presidential bid. “I can endure politics, if only I can be a tool for the development of our society,” Ahn said during a lecture Tuesday at Seoul National University. “But if those who are already in politics do well, I don’t need to.” The 50-year-old former CEO of
March 28, 2012