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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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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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[Herald Interview] 'Amid aging population, Korea to invite more young professionals from overseas'
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[Pressure points] Leggings in public: Fashion statement or social faux pas?
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Korea’s homegrown nanosatellite successfully launches into space
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Nicaragua shuts down Seoul embassy
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Rocket engine expert, ex-NASA exec to lead Korea's new space agency
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[News Focus] GNP embroiled in identity crisis, feud
Conflicts over free school meals, college tuition fee cut escalateAn identity crisis is deepening at the Grand National Party, after reformists who emphasize greater welfare for the working class took control of the ruling conservative bloc. On one side, the party’s two new chiefs ― floor leader Rep. Hwang Woo-yea and top policymaker Rep. Lee Ju-young ― are championing a plan to slash college tuit
May 24, 2011
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‘Chemicals dumped in Bucheon’
Ex-soldier claims indiscriminate dumping at U.S. baseAnother former U.S. soldier claimed seven years ago that his unit in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, dumped “every imaginable chemical” there in the 1960s, a U.S.-based Korean journalist said Monday.The comment further escalated public anxiety over toxic chemical contamination by U.S. troops here, who are alleged to have buried a considerable amount
May 24, 2011
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Expert calls for pragmatic N.K. policy
U.S. analyst expects herald interview N.K. ‘apology,’ easing of Seoul’s sanctions in near futureNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s seventh official visit to China is once again drawing attention to whether the reclusive state will forge a major economic partnership with its main ally and provider of aid.In addition to revisiting China’s underdeveloped northeastern provinces last week, Kim traveled
May 24, 2011
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Lee meets envoy from the Vatican
President Lee Myung-bak on Tuesday met with a senior Vatican official in charge of promoting dialogue with other religions and expressed his respect for such efforts, the presidential office said.French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue at the Vatican, arrived in Seoul on Monday for a five-day trip that includes a visit to the headquarters
May 24, 2011
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Revision calls mount for U.S. forces rules
Lawmakers and civic groups are calling for the revision of the Status of Forces Agreement with the U.S. to toughen regulations after possible environmental contamination here.They argue that with the “abstract, vaguely-worded terms” in the pact, the Seoul government cannot demand that the U.S. engage in environmental surveys or offer compensation for its troops’ environmental damage here.The two a
May 24, 2011
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Generational change remains political slogan
Grand National Party leadership race heats up as July convention approachesIn November 1969, Kim Young-sam, then an opposition lawmaker, announced his intention to run in his party’s presidential nomination race, using the slogan “40-something standard bearer.”The announcement by the then 43-year-old Kim took aback the New Democratic Party’s aged leadership, which had posed no serious challenge to
May 24, 2011
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Korea-Japan-China secretariat headed by Shin
The cooperative secretariat of South Korea, Japan and China will help strengthen the partnership between the three neighboring countries and thereby wield a strong influence over the Northeast Asian economy, Seoul’s secretary-general of the institution said. Shin Bong-kil, appointed as the first chief of the institution on May 21, will serve for two years after which the post will be passed to ano
May 24, 2011
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N.K. leader visits industrial complex in China
BEIJING/YANGZHOU (Yonhap News) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il visited an economic development zone and a discount store in the eastern city of Yangzhou on Monday in a trip apparently designed to study China's economic reform, a source said.After his two separate outings, Kim appeared to have dinner with former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, the source said."I understand there was a dinner comb
May 23, 2011
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Five minister nominees face tough grilling
While opposition parties pledge to call off the government reshuffle results, the five minister nominees face their parliamentary hearing this week, where they are to be grilled over varying charges and suspicions.“We aim at dismissing all five nominees through the hearings,” said Rep. Kim Jin-pyo, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party.His ruling Grand National Party counterpart Hwa
May 23, 2011
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Seoul tightens rules on cash flow to North Korea
South Koreans who wish to send money to their families in North Korea will be required to get government approval in advance under a revised law, Seoul’s Unification Ministry said Monday.All remittances between the South and North, including investments or aid to the North from an overseas corporation set up by a South Korean citizen, will require government approval, according to the revised law
May 23, 2011
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GNP vows to slash tuition, doubts remain
Opposition parties accuse ruling party of copying their fee-cut policyThe ruling Grand National Party has come under fire for its new plan to drastically cut college tuition fees for low-income families. “We aim at lowering the college tuition fees at least by half for all low-income families,” said Rep. Hwang Woo-yea, the GNP floor leader, on Sunday.“Though we expect difficulties in securing the
May 23, 2011
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S. Korea, U.S. launch Agent Orange probe
South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to a joint investigation into the alleged burial three decades ago of Agent Orange at a U.S. military base in Waegwan, North Gyeongsang Province, a senior government official said Sunday.“Recognizing the urgency and importance of the matter, the U.S. has actively engaged in consultations with us. For a prompt, transparent resolution of the issue, the two sides
May 22, 2011
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Korea, Japan, China agree on nuke safety
Wen says Beijing invited N.K. leader to witness economic developmentLeaders of South Korea, Japan and China agreed Sunday to set up an early notification system for nuclear accidents during an annual tripartite summit in Tokyo which took place as North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was visiting China.Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao told President Lee Myung-bak that “Beijing invited Kim to give the N
May 22, 2011
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Lee, Park to tackle reform in ruling party
Meeting comes as factional strife looms large, party licks post-election woundsThe meeting between President Lee Myung-bak and former Grand National Party chairwoman Park Geun-hye, scheduled for this week, is drawing keen attention as the rare talks are to come amid the party’s efforts for reform.The ruling party has been seeking measures to revamp itself and shore up public trust since its by-ele
May 22, 2011
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Court to open trial of Somali pirates
Prosecutors to charge 23-year-old with attempted murderIn a first of its kind, four of the five Somali pirates captured after a daring naval raid on a South Korean freighter in the Arabian Sea will go on jury trial Monday, according to court officials.Arai Mahomed, 23, who is suspected of shooting Captain Seok Hae-kyun at point-blank range, and three others will be publicly tried at the Busan Dist
May 22, 2011
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Chinese premier says N.K. leader invited to witness economic development
TOKYO (Yonhap) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Sunday that Beijing invited North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to the country in an effort to help Pyongyang learn about his nation's economic development and use it for reviving the North's own economy, an official said.Wen made the remark during a bilateral meeting with Lee on the sidelines of a tripartite su
May 22, 2011
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Korea, Japan, China agree on nuclear safety
TOKYO (Yonhap News) -- Leaders of South Korea, Japan and China agreed Sunday to establish an early notification system for nuclear accidents, strengthen the sharing of related information and take other steps to bolster cooperation in handling disasters.Nuclear safety and disaster management were the top topics at the annual summit of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Japanese Prime Minister N
May 22, 2011
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N. Korean leader heading for eastern China: sources
BEIJING, China (Yonhap) -- A special train carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong-il appears to be heading south for Yangzhou, adjacent to China's economic capital Shanghai, sources said Sunday, contradicting expectations that he would visit Beijing after departing from northeastern Chinese cities.Kim began his secretive trip to China last Friday, when his train crossed the border and arrived in Tu
May 22, 2011
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Lee visits disaster-stricken Japanese regions
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak made consolation visits to disaster-stricken Japanese regions on Saturday, expressing sympathy for victims of an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident and pledging to provide active support for recovery efforts.Lee made the visits to Sendai and Fukushima, which are among the hardest-hit regions, en route to Tokyo for an annual tripartite summit with Japanese
May 21, 2011
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Full text of G-20 Speakers' Consultation Joint Communique
SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- The following is the full text of the G-20 Speakers' Consultation Joint Communique released after the three-day meeting of the world's parliamentary leaders ended in Seoul Friday.1. We, the speakers of the G20 Parliaments, have gathered in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from May 18 to 20, 2011 under the theme of "Development and Growth for Common Prosperity," in the recognitio
May 20, 2011