Most Popular
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10-man S. Korea lose to Indonesia to miss out on Paris Olympic football qualification
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Hybe-Ador feud should have limited effect on Hybe's overall performance: analysts
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Second Gimpo civil servant found dead, after apologizing for not finishing work
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DP leader says he will meet Yoon without conditions
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First-ever meeting of president, opposition chief set to finally happen
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NewJeans' singles, Japanese debut to proceed as planned, despite Hybe-Ador feud
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Blinken calls on China to press N. Korea to end its 'dangerous' behavior
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Experts raise concerns about Japan putting pressure on Naver over Line
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Samsung mobile chief, Google device head meet in Seoul
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Ship linked to NK arms shipments to Russia is moored in China: State Dept.
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U.S. open to talks over ISD settlement: official
The United States is willing to discuss the controversial issue of investor-state dispute (ISD) settlement with South Korea once their free trade agreement (FTA) takes effect, a U.S. trade official said Tuesday."We are prepared to consult with Korea on any issue they may raise pertaining to KORUS af
Nov. 16, 2011
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Ahn Cheol-soo in political spotlight
Decision to donate wealth interpreted as preliminary step to enter politicsEntrepreneur-turned-professor Ahn Cheol-soo is back into the political limelight after he unveiled his plan on Monday to donate a large portion of his wealth to society.Although he insisted that it has long been his plan to fulfill his social responsibility as part of the privileged upper echelon, the decision was construed as another dramatic move to raise his political profile ahead of next year’s presidential election.
Nov. 15, 2011
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Lee says will seek ISD revision
President tells opposition Seoul will ask U.S. to revise disputed FTA clause if Assembly passes bill President Lee Myung-bak offered Tuesday to open a new round of negotiations with the U.S. on a set of controversial clauses in the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, once the parliament ratifies the treaty. Lee made the proposal to Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party, during a meeting with party leaders at the National Assembly. “The president said he would make a re
Nov. 15, 2011
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Korean NGOs in full bloom
Korea had to wait until after the military-backed authoritarian regime collapsed in the late 1980s to see nongovernmental organizations in full bloom.Under three decades of dictatorial rule, it was not expected for a civil society independent of the government’s sway to come into existence.The Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice set up in 1989 was the first major nongovernmental organization in the country. In the 1990s, more civic groups with influential voices, including the Korean Federa
Nov. 15, 2011
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Civic activists make inroads into politics
Discontent with establishment tears down wall between political circle, civil societyHundreds of participants looked upbeat about the prospects of the organization they were launching in Seoul last Thursday.Having named their group the “Country I Dream Of,” they pledged to realize the dream through active political participation. Their immediate concern was apparently next April’s parliamentary elections, in which many of the participants are planning to run.The group, which often goes by the Ko
Nov. 15, 2011
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Lee says will seek ISD revision
(Yonhap News)President tells opposition Seoul will ask U.S. to revise disputed FTA clause if Assembly passes billPresident Lee Myung-bak offered Tuesday to open a new round of negotiations with the U.S. on a set of controversial clauses in the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, once the parliament ratifies the treaty. Lee made the proposal to Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party, during a meeting with party leaders at the National Assembly. “The president said he wo
Nov. 15, 2011
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Ahn Cheol-soo says he acted on long-dreamed goal of donation
Star computer software entrepreneur Ahn Cheol-soo said Tuesday his decision to make a massive donation of personal wealth was a long-held dream of his but declined to comment on whether the decision is related to his political ambitions.Ahn, the founder of South Korea's No. 1 anti-virus software fir
Nov. 15, 2011
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Ahn Cheol-soo to donate 150b won to society
A prominent computer software entrepreneur said Monday he will donate about 150 billion won ($133 million) to help educate children of low-income families. "I plan to use about half of my shares of AhnLab for the society," Ahn Cheol-soo said in an e-mail announcement to employees of AhnLa
Nov. 14, 2011
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Lee calls free trade pact with U.S. 'survival strategy' for Korea
HONOLULU/SEOUL (Yonhap News) -- President Lee Myung-bak made yet another pitch for parliamentary ratification of the free trade agreement with the United States, stressing that the pact is a "survival strategy" that will help the country tide over global economic crises.Lee and his ruling Grand Nati
Nov. 14, 2011
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DP urges left wing to unite
The main opposition Democratic Party seeks a conference this Sunday with all liberal parties and civic groups to create a united left-wing party.DP chairman Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu met Roh Moo-hyun Foundation chairman Moon Jae-in, former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon on Sunday. They agreed to set up a joint liberal council to consolidate their forces into a single political party. They also urged minority liberal groups to join the DP initiative.“Such integration and cooper
Nov. 14, 2011
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GNP seeks new faces to boost image
Party officials mention popular figures as potential election candidatesThe ruling Grand National Party is searching for new high-profile figures as part of its efforts to regain trust among younger voters in their 20s-40s.“We plan to invite new faces who may erase the party’s negative and stagnant image, especially those who are able to actively communicate with the people,” said Rep. Joo Ho-young, chairman of the party’s recruitment committee.Several public figures are currently under conside
Nov. 14, 2011
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DP shows no sign of FTA compromise
Lee to visit Assembly today for talks with opposition leadersLiberal political parties on Monday showed little sign of compromise in their opposition to the free trade agreement with the U.S., ahead of President Lee Myung-bak’s planned visit to the National Assembly. “If the president comes empty-handed, he will return empty-handed,” said Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu, chairman of the Democratic Party. “If that’s the case, I think it is best for him not to come at all.”He made the remarks to Yim Tae-hee, Le
Nov. 14, 2011
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S. Korea to continue push to sell stake in Incheon airport
South Korea will keep pushing to sell a stake in the state-run Incheon International Airport to private investors in a bid to enhance its efficiency and global competitiveness, the nation's top economic policymaker said Monday.The Lee Myung-bak administration announced a plan in 2008 to sell up to a
Nov. 14, 2011
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North Korea 'opens luxury goods store'
SEOUL, Nov 14, 2011 (AFP) - North Korea has opened a department store in its capital offering luxury goods for the ruling elite to try to bolster loyalty before a second dynastic succession, officials and reports said Monday.The store named Potongkang opened in February, selling imported high-end br
Nov. 14, 2011
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GNP seeks budget increase for child care
The ruling Grand National Party is pushing for state coverage of child care costs for all newborn babies starting next year through a budget hike of between 800 and 900 billion won.Generous childcare support is part of a policy package GNP plans to unveil this week for those in their 20s through 40s, who shunned the ruling party in the Seoul mayoral by-election last month. “We plan to expand the provision of child care costs and child endowments for children below the age of two to all families
Nov. 13, 2011
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S. Korea to join UN atomic radiation committee in 2012
South Korea will become a full-fledged member of a UN atomic radiation committee next year that can allow the country to play a greater role in enhancing nuclear safety, the government said Saturday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Seoul will join the United Nations
Nov. 12, 2011
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Lee arrives in Hawaii for APEC summit
HONOLULU (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak arrived in Hawaii Friday to attend a summit of Pacific Rim economies aimed at discussing ways to spur the global economy, create jobs, reform regulations and improve energy efficiency and security. The summit of the 21-member Asi
Nov. 12, 2011
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Lee heads to Hawaii for APEC summit
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak left for Hawaii on Saturday to attend a summit of Pacific Rim economies aimed at discussing ways to spur the global economy, create jobs, reform regulations and improve energy efficiency and security. The summit of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic
Nov. 12, 2011
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Lee to pay visit to Assembly for U.S. FTA bill
President hopes to build momentum for ratification as opposition defiance persistsPresident Lee Myung-bak will visit the National Assembly on Tuesday to ask parliamentarians to ratify the pending free trade agreement with the U.S., his aides said Friday. “The president is strongly committed to getting the FTA ratified, so much so that he is willing to persuade opposition lawmakers in person,” Kim Hyo-jae, Lee’s senior secretary for political affairs, told reporters. Lee had initially wanted to
Nov. 11, 2011
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Registration kicks off for overseas voters
Voter registration for next year’s general elections will kick off Sunday for Koreans living abroad, the National Election Commission said Friday. Registration will end on Feb. 11.Overseas residents with Korean nationality or those living abroad temporarily though they have registered resident addresses in Korea, aged 19 and older, are eligible to register by visiting local designated diplomatic offices.Based on information supplied, the commission will confirm the list of voters in March next y
Nov. 11, 2011