Most Popular
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Tensions heighten ahead of first president-opposition chief meeting
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Seoul to provide housing subsidy to married couples with newborns
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Rapper jailed after public street fight with another rapper
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[KH Explains] No more 'Michael' at Kakao Games
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Woman gets suspended term for injuring boyfriend with knife
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Yoon, Lee end first talks with differences, agree to meet more
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China outpaces Korea in smaller OLED shipments for 1st time
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[Grace Kao] Hybe vs. Ador: Inspiration, imitation and plagiarism
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NewJeans pops out ‘Bubble Gum’ video amid troubles at agency
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Samsung chief bolsters ties with Germany’s Zeiss
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Young N. Korean defectors aim high by studying English
On a recent Friday morning, a small number of mostly teenaged students trained their eyes on their American teacher, repeating short English sentences after her and raising their hands from time to time to ask questions.At a glance, they look no different from ordinary students in South Korea, where parents are known for their zeal and investment in English education, with the hope that proficiency in the language will help children gain admission to better schools and land better jobs after gra
May 22, 2019
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Government vows to reduce tobacco consumption
The Health Ministry said Tuesday it is planning to ban flavored cigarettes, require plain packaging for tobacco products and increase health warning requirements as part of its measures to curb tobacco consumption.During a committee meeting for national health promotion policy Tuesday, Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said the ministry intends to “root out an environment conducive to smoking” with the regulations.According to the ministry, the percentage of male adult smokers recorded
May 21, 2019
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[Newsmaker] Hanwha Total’s chemical leak affects 650 people
Two massive leaks of chemical vapor at Hanwha Total Petrochemical’s factory in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, have affected around 650 people, local authorities said Tuesday.The company, a 50:50 joint venture of Hanwha General Chemicals and French energy giant Total, faces allegations of attempting to cover up the leakages that occurred at around 11:45 a.m. on May 17 and 5:40 a.m. the next day.“There were no reports on the accident until the city government called to confirm the first leak,
May 21, 2019
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[From the scene] Tent regulations in Hangang parks trigger controversy
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, Yeouido Hangang Park in southwestern Seoul was packed with people seeking to enjoy the greenery at outdoor picnics. A sea of tents is a familiar sight along the riverside parks -- but this time, the tents had to be squeezed into a smaller space due to new regulations from the Seoul Metropolitan Government. As of April 22, tents are allowed only in designated zones within the riverside parks until 7 p.m., and must remain open on at least two sides at all times.A pla
May 20, 2019
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Panel identifies flaws in 2009 probe into actress suicide
A truth panel concluded Monday that the prosecution did not properly investigate the 2009 suicide of an actress who claimed to have been sexually abused by high-profile figures and that a major newspaper allegedly attempted to influence the investigation.The panel, however, stopped short of recommending a reinvestigation of the case.The suicide of rookie actress Jang Ja-yeon was one of the six cases the independent panel, commissioned by the justice ministry, added to a list for reinvestigation
May 20, 2019
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Second DMZ hiking trail to open in Cheorwon in June
The second inter-Korean border trail along the Demilitarized Zone that demarcates South and North Korea will be opened to civilian hikers next month, officials said Monday.The central section of the DMZ in Cheorwon of Gangwon Province, about 90 kilometers northeast of Seoul, will be opened for the government-initiated "DMZ Peace Trail" program on June 1, the officials said.The first DMZ Peace Trail was launched in an eastern coastal section in Goseong, Gangwon Province, on April 27, drawing hund
May 20, 2019
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[Newsmaker] Video footage of female cop controlling drunkard sparks dispute
A video released by the police to refute public criticism of a female police officer’s handling of violence has proved counterproductive, as more criticism has emerged, this time citing the video.Guro Police Station on Friday disclosed a two-minute video footage showing two police officers confronting drunk men on Monday night on the street in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.(Video released by Guro Police Station)On Wednesday, a shorter version of the video uploaded online by a citizen had s
May 19, 2019
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S. Korean man held hostage in Libya returns home
A South Korean man, who was abducted in Libya last July and released this week, expressed his gratitude to the government for the rescue efforts upon his arrival here Saturday. The 62-year-old, identified only by his surname Joo, was taken hostage, along with three Filipinos, by a group of 10 armed militants on July 6 while working at a desalination plant in western Libya. He was released Thursday after 315 days of captivity. (Yonhap)"President (Moon Jae-in) and staff from the foreign ministry,
May 18, 2019
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Prosecutors indict singer Park Yoo-chun on drug use charges
Prosecutors indicted Park Yoo-chun, actor and former member of boy band JYJ, on charges of using drugs on Friday.The 32-year-old Park is alleged to have purchased 1.5 grams of methamphetamine earlier this year and used the drug together with the granddaughter of the founder of a dairy producer.Last summer, he is suspected of having taken the drug alone at his home in southern Seoul. (Yonhap)The now-jailed Park earlier confessed that he has used drugs since last summer and began to use the banned
May 17, 2019
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‘All wars are wars on children’
Marking the 100th anniversary of its founding, Save the Children has launched a global campaign reminding people that wars take a severe toll on children. As part of the campaign, the Korea chapter of the children’s charity is holding a photo exhibition at Cheonggye Plaza in downtown Seoul from Friday to Tuesday under the theme of “Stop the War on Children.”Portraits of children at refugee camps in Lebanon, Bangladesh (Save the Children)The photos were taken by award-winning documentary photogra
May 17, 2019
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[Newsmaker] Memorial ceremony held in Gwangju to remember victims of 1980 pro-democracy uprising
A memorial service was held in Gwangju on Friday to remember the victims of a 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city.Hundreds of bereaved family members and relatives attended the memorial service held at the May 18th National Cemetery in Gwangju, about 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on the eve of the 39th anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement. (Yonhap)At the traditional Korean memorial service, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop and other local dignitaries delivered ad
May 17, 2019
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Murderer of psychiatrist gets 25-year prison term
A man was sentenced to 25 years in jail on Friday for killing a doctor during medical treatment at a general hospital in Seoul last year.The Seoul Central District Court also ordered the 30-year-old defendant, surnamed Park, to carry an electronic tracking device for 25 years after his release from prison.Park was convicted of fatally stabbing his psychiatrist, Lim Se-won, while receiving treatment in Lim's clinic office at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital on Dec. 31, 2018.(Yonhap)Park stabbed Lim in hi
May 17, 2019
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S. Korean government to switch to Linux: ministry
The government will switch the operating system of its computers from Windows to Linux, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said Thursday.The Interior Ministry said the ministry will be test-running Linux on its PCs, and if no security issues arise, Linux systems will be introduced more widely within the government. (Yonhap)The decision comes amid concerns about the cost of continuing to maintain Windows, as Microsoft’s free technical support for Windows 7 expires in January 2020.The transit
May 17, 2019
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[Newsmaker] S. Korean hostage in Libya freed: Cheong Wa Dae
A South Korean man who was abducted in Libya last year has been released, Cheong Wa Dae announced Friday.The 62-year-old worker at a local firm was taken hostage by a group of around 10 armed militants on July 6.The man, identified only by his surname, Joo, was freed unharmed on Thursday (Seoul time), according to Chung Eui-yong, head of the presidential National Security Office.(Yonhap)Chung said the government of the United Arab Emirates played an active role in the release, as Crown Prince Mo
May 17, 2019
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Former vice justice minister arrested for alleged bribery
Former Vice Justice Minister Kim Hak-eui was arrested Thursday on bribery charges.The 63-year-old Kim, who briefly held the No. 2 post at the Ministry of Justice in 2013, is accused of receiving sexual favors and bribes worth 130 million won ($109,000) between 2006 and 2008, including money and valuables worth 30 million won from a construction contractor named Yoon Jung-cheon.(Yonhap)The Seoul Central District Court said it issued an arrest warrant for Kim because the evidence is strong enough
May 17, 2019
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2 tons of garbage, dumped 30 years ago, found on Jeju Island
Tons of trash believed to have been dumped more than 30 years ago was found near Hallasan National Park on Jeju Island. Though Hallasan is a popular landmark, drawing more than 1 million hikers every year, the garbage wasn't found for decades, despite being just meters from one of the main trails. Garbage dumped in Hallasan National Park in Jeju Island (Yonhap)An excavator removes garbage in Hallasan National Park in Jeju Island on Thursday. (Yonhap)The local authorities on Thursday started remo
May 16, 2019
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Police round up 93 for online drug dealing in 2-month crackdown
Police have nabbed 93 people for online drug dealing in a two-month crackdown between March 11 and May 13, conducted jointly by the National Police Agency and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.Of them, 58 are charged with possessing and using drugs, 18 with advertising drug dealings, and 17 with distributing drugs.According to the police, 26 percent of online drug dealing cases were scams selling fake products. The narcotics law also punishes selling and buying items disguised as drugs.The po
May 16, 2019
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14 booked in Busan, accused of selling counterfeit luxury goods
The police said Thursday that 14 people in Busan have been booked on suspicion of selling counterfeit luxury goods.According to the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency, the retailers are suspected of selling luxury brand knockoffs at Gukje Market, a market located in the port city’s central district. The police said the suspects operated the business undercover, on the upper floors of buildings without signs, and attracted customers by offering tour guides commissions of 10 p
May 16, 2019
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[News Focus] Surging Sejong population appeals to mega-shopping malls, hospitals
SEJONG -- It is now seven years since the government relocated numerous ministries and agencies to the newly developed special autonomous city of Sejong, neighboring the northwestern part of Daejeon, as part of its efforts to decongest Seoul.Sejong has 14 dongs -- administrative divisions -- including Eojin-dong where the Government Complex is located, one eup -- town -- and nine myeons –- townships. (Graphic by Heo Tae-seong/The Korea Herald)Though the city is rapidly expanding, its infrastruct
May 16, 2019
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Top prosecutor reiterates opposition to investigative rights reform
Prosecutor-General Moon Moo-il on Thursday reiterated his opposition to bills on redistributing investigative powers between the prosecution and police, saying it runs counter to the principles of democracy.(Yonhap)At a press briefing, he also vowed efforts to overhaul the prosecution and meet public expectations for curbing its authority amid long-held criticism that the law enforcement agency wields too much power. “The bills designated as fast-track proposals do not meet the democratic princ
May 16, 2019