Most Popular
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Korea’s homegrown nanosatellite successfully launches into space
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Ador CEO denies allegations, accuses Hybe of mistreating NewJeans
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[Herald Interview] 'Amid aging population, Korea to invite more young professionals from overseas'
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Nicaragua shuts down Seoul embassy
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Hybe's multilabel system tested amid conflict with Ador
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Medical reform committee kicks off despite boycott from doctors
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Rocket engine expert, ex-NASA exec to lead Korea's new space agency
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SNU profs to suspend treatment for one day
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Over-50s, men, single-person households take up majority of those filing for bankruptcy
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SK hynix pledges W20tr to ramp up DRAM production at home
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Liberals vow to step up efforts for unity
Liberals vowed to redouble efforts to unite all leftist forces against the ruling conservatives in elections next year, celebrating Monday the launch of a new political party created by a merger of three progressive groups. Holding its first official meeting, key members of the fledging Democratic Unified Party said it will be the driving force behind a new political movement in Korea, communicating with people online and offline. “The DUP launches on the basis of people’s desire for new politic
Dec. 18, 2011
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DP, pro-Roh group unite for new party
Merger with progressive groups ends three-year history of main oppositionThe main opposition Democratic Party was officially reborn as the new Democratic Unified Party in an attempt to prosper in next year’s general and presidential elections.The joint merger committee resolved Friday to start the new party, which will embrace the DP, the Citizen Integration Party and the Korean Federation of Trade Unions.The consolidation of the DP and the CIP, which mostly consists of those loyal to the late P
Dec. 16, 2011
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Lawmaker seeks to block pro-N.K. group members from voting
A ruling party lawmaker is seeking to disqualify overseas Koreans connected to anti-state organizations from voting in the general elections next year by limiting passport issuance.Rep. Chung Mi-kyung of the ruling Grand National Party submitted Friday the revision bill of the current Passport Act to the parliamentary secretariat, officials said.According to the bill, the government would refuse passport applications of overseas ethnic Koreans involved in anti-state groups as stated in the Natio
Dec. 16, 2011
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Seoul starts D-100 countdown for global nuclear summit
With 100 days remaining before it hosts a global nuclear summit, South Korea is putting the final touches on preparations for the 50-nation Nuclear Security Summit, key organizers said Friday, promising to make the event a success.The Seoul nuclear summit will take place on March 26 and 27, attended by top leaders from about 50 countries, including the United States, Russia, China, Japan, Britain and France. The summit, which will be the second such meeting following one in the United States in
Dec. 16, 2011
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Seoul calls for bilateral talks with Japan on comfort women
Seoul’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday renewed its call for Tokyo to engage in official talks over issues concerning former “comfort women” forced into sexual slavery during World War II.It also reiterated that the government cannot ask for the removal of the “Peace Statue” a civic group established near the Japanese Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday. The monument is to highlight demands for Japan’s apology and adequate compensation for the wartime victims.The Tokyo government has officially requested
Dec. 15, 2011
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GNP unifies around Park to reform party
Ruling party changes rules for former chairwoman to take charge Rep. Park Geun-hye, the soon-to-be chief of the ruling Grand National Party, on Thursday vowed to change the embattled ruling party to the core, a day after she successfully patched up an internal feud over reform plans. “We don’t have enough time. Our party’s fate depends on how we reach out to the public and make best efforts to address their problems during that time,” the politician said during a meeting of GNP lawmakers. She at
Dec. 15, 2011
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New left-wing party ready to launch soon
The left-wing’s inter-party merger committee substantially completed the preparatory steps to kick off a united liberal party, ahead of the general and presidential elections slated for next year.The joint committee held its second and last official meeting Thursday to confirm the name, constitution and leader selection rules of the new party, which is to combine the main opposition Democratic Party, the Citizen Integration Party and the Korean Federation of Trade Unions.The two parties agreed i
Dec. 15, 2011
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LFP lawmaker Park speaks up for the weak
This is the second in a series of interviews with first-term lawmakers. ― Ed. The key role of a lawmaker is to protect the rights of the people, especially those in pain, said a minority party representative, known for her dedication to fighting discrimination.Rep. Park Sun-young of the conservative minority Liberty Forward Party has a rather uncommon position as she is a female first-term representative of a minor party.“The past few years in Yeouido have been rugged indeed,” she said in a rece
Dec. 15, 2011
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Korea’s diplomacy faces major test
Seoul should stick to clear, consistent diplomatic principles: expertsSouth Korea’s diplomacy is facing a major test as a set of long-standing issues concerning Japan and China came to a head this week and raised tensions with the two powers that are crucial for Seoul in terms of economic and security cooperation.Seoul also faces a tough decision over how to respond to U.S. moves to toughen sanctions against Iran for its disputed nuclear programs. It is concerned about the economic impact an ant
Dec. 15, 2011
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Park moves to patch up feuds in GNP
De facto interim leader meets reformist members over reinvention of partyThe Grand National Party’s former chairwoman Park Geun-hye on Wednesday moved to prevent a possible split of the embattled ruling party, after two reformist lawmakers departed in a growing rift over whether to disband the GNP. Park, met reformist members and discussed what the party should do in order to win back the public’s confidence. “Rep. Park was willing to hear (from the reformers themselves) what the reformers think
Dec. 14, 2011
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Lawmaker pushes resolution on China
Funeral held for officer killed in crackdown on illegal Chinese fishingA ruling party lawmaker has submitted to the National Assembly a resolution urging the Beijing government to apologize for Monday’s killing of a Korea Coast Guard officer and promise to prevent a repeat of the incident, her office said on Wednesday.Rep. Chung Ok-nim of the Grand National Party proposed the resolution on Tuesday, which was signed by 20 other GNP lawmakers.It also calls on the Seoul government to bolster equip
Dec. 14, 2011
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Lee to visit Japan for summit with P.M. Noda
President Lee Myung-bak will depart for Japan on Saturday for a two-day visit that includes summit talks and meetings with South Koreans living there.Lee is scheduled to have a summit meeting with his Japanese counterpart Yoshihiko Noda in Kyoto on Sunday to discuss regional and global cooperation in a wide range of issues including those concerning North Korea, Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.His visit has been sought as part of the two sides’ “shuttle diplomacy.” Noda visited Seoul from
Dec. 14, 2011
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New moderate party to arrive by February
While the main political parties struggled with internal feuds, a former right-wing lawmaker confirmed his plans to start a new party to embrace both conservatives and moderate liberals.Park Se-il, president of the non-profit think tank Hansun Foundation, pledged at a press conference Wednesday to organize a preparatory committee in January and to launch the party by late February.“We plan to register 200 or more candidates in the April general election,” he said.“At least 30 percent of the in-p
Dec. 14, 2011
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S. Korea, Australia to seek meetings between foreign, defense ministers
South Korea and Australia on Wednesday agreed to seek the establishment of a regular meeting of their foreign and defense ministers to bolster diplomatic and defense cooperation, Seoul officials said.Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith reached the agreement during their talks in Canberra. The talks came after President Lee Myung-bak and Prime Minister Julia Gillard agreed to hold regular defense ministers’ talks last April.The “Two Plus Two” meeting will di
Dec. 14, 2011
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DP to return to parliamentary sessions
Lawmakers demand independent counsel investigate election cyber attackThe main opposition Democratic Party agreed to end their boycott of the National Assembly over the U.S. free trade deal ratification, on the condition that the ruling Grand National Party accepts its claims over key pending issues.The DP demanded that an independent counsel system be introduced to clarify the allegations that the GNP was involved in the cyber attack against the National Election Commission webpage during the O
Dec. 14, 2011
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Park Geun-hye vows complete reform for beleaguered ruling party
The ruling Grand National Party (GNP)'s leading presidential hopeful Park Geun-hye vowed Wednesday to carry out a complete reform to revive the party's tainted image ahead of next year's major elections. Her pledge comes alongside a deepening internal feud within the party over creating a new party.
Dec. 14, 2011
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2 lawmakers desert GNP
Reps. Jeong Tae-keun Kim Song-sik demand creation of new partyThe Grand National Party was seen as heading for a breakup after two reformist lawmakers on Tuesday decided to depart, citing the need to disband the embattled ruling bloc and create a new conservative party. More were expected to follow suit. Reps. Jeong Tae-keun and Kim Song-sik said they will desert party membership at a general meeting of GNP lawmakers, where participants clashed over how far they should push reforms to win back t
Dec. 13, 2011
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Preliminary candidate registration opens
Preliminary candidate registration for the April general elections began Tuesday, the National Election Commission said, partially kicking off the crucial polls that could impact the 2012 presidential race.It is the first time in 20 years that South Korea will elect a new parliament and a new president in the same year. Parliamentary elections are held every four years and the presidential votes occur every five years.The registration runs through March 21, while full-fledged official campaigns
Dec. 13, 2011
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Left-wing group gets off to rocky start
Dissenters pledge to file suit, citing procedural illegalitiesThe main opposition Democratic Party, in hand with the civic group-based Citizen Integration Party and the Korean Federation of Trade Unions, kicked off a joint consolidation committee Tuesday.Those who opposed the plan, however, once again pledged to file a suit, demanding that the court nullify the party’s decision, citing procedural illegalities.In Tuesday’s meeting, the joint body confirmed its list of 17 members, including Choi,
Dec. 13, 2011
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GNP turmoil deepens over reform
The Grand National Party is sinking further into turmoil after reformist members threatened to leave if the party did not disband and start anew, possibly without President Lee Myung-bak. In their meeting Tuesday, lawmakers of the conservative ruling group debated how far they should push reforms to win back the public’s confidence ahead of two crucial elections next year.The discord came a day after they agreed to ask Park Geun-hye, the party’s former chairwoman, to lead them out of the politic
Dec. 13, 2011