Most Popular
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Key suspects grilled over alleged abuse of power in Marine death inquiry
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Marine Corps commander summoned by CIO for questioning on alleged influence-peddling case
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Army takes group action against Hybe for neglecting BTS
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Debate rages over ‘overly fatty’ samgyeopsal
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Some junior doctors are returning: Health Ministry
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Ador CEO's request for exclusive right to terminate NewJeans' contract with Hybe refused in February
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[Weekender] Korean psyche untangled: Musok
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Naver will consider company benefits in deciding on selling Line shares: CEO
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Woman dangling from power lines rescued by residents holding blanket
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Hankook Tire takes over control of Hanon Systems
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[From the Scene] Koreans flock to early voting booths
INCHEON/ SEOUL -- As the two-day early voting kicked off Thursday, millions of South Koreans flocked to polling stations across the nation to elect their next president. Instead of voting on the scheduled election day of Tuesday, many chose to cast ballots earlier as they have to work or have other plans, such as a trip to vacation hot spots.People wait in line at Incheon International Airport on May 4, 2017, for early voting for the May 9 presidential election. (Yonhap)When The Korea Herald vis
May 4, 2017
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Korean voters yearn for upright, competent, responsive leader
With the presidential election five days away, South Koreans are yearning for an upright, competent and responsive leader capable of navigating the country through daunting economic and security challenges and restoring its rattled justice and democratic system.The May 9 poll comes on the heels of a massive corruption scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye that laid bare the country's flawed politics and deep-rooted corruption in the top echelons.Disenchantment with status quo politics
May 4, 2017
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Early voting for presidential election begins at 3,500 polling stations
Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans cast their ballots Thursday in advance voting for the presidential election set to be held next week, the election watchdog said.Over 1 million voters have voted as of 10:30 a.m., according to the National Election Commission, with many more expected to follow before the two-day voting period ends at 6 p.m. Friday.There is a 12-hour overnight break starting from 6 p.m. Thursday. National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun takes a "selfie" after casting his bal
May 4, 2017
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Election watchdog launches probe into negative report on Moon
The state election watchdog said Wednesday it has launched an investigation into possible election law violations surrounding a news report that appeared to slander presidential front-runner Moon Jae-in.On Tuesday, private broadcaster SBS reported that Moon of the liberal Democratic Party was behind the delay in the salvaging of the ferry Sewol, which sank off the southwestern coast in April 2014, killing more than 300 people aboard. This image shows Moon Jae-in (left), presidential candidate of
May 4, 2017
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S. Korea to face shortage of medical workers: report
South Korea will be confronted with a severe shortage of medical sector workers in the coming years as demand for health care services exceeds supply, a local report said Wednesday.In the report on the long-term outlook for medical service personnel, the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs estimated the country will face a shortage of 110,000 nurses by 2020 with numbers hitting 158,000 by 2030. (Seoul National University Hostpial Webpage)In addition to the existing workforce, an addit
May 3, 2017
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Ministry denies intentionally delaying Sewol salvage
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on Wednesday vehemently denied a news report that suggested the ministry intentionally delayed the salvage operation of the Sewol ferry.The ministry’s clarification followed broadcaster SBS’ report that the ministry delayed the operations due to political circumstances. Lee Cheol-jo, a ministry official in charge of the salvage operation, speaks at a press conference in Mokpo on Wednesday. (Yonhap)“The Sewol salvage operation was delayed purely due to technic
May 3, 2017
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Over 1,200 S. Korean separated family members died in Q1: data
More than 1,200 South Korean members of families separated across the border since the 1950-53 Korean War died in the first quarter of this year, government data showed Wednesday.The two Koreas held last family reunions in October 2015 at a resort on Mount Kumgang on North Korea's east coast. The event was suspended amid tensions in inter-Korean ties. (Yonhap)The number of separated family members who died in the January-March period reached 1,273, compared to 3,378 tallied for the whole year of
May 3, 2017
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Korean government using unlicensed software: USTR report
South Korea's government is using unlicensed software requiring policymakers to pay more attention to intellectual property rights, a local association citing a report by the United States Trade Representative said Wednesday.The Korea International Trade Association said Washington has expressed concerns about unauthorized software use in its 2017 Special 301 review and the need for Seoul to set an example to be followed by the private sector. (Yonhap)The USTR, citing data from the Software Alli
May 3, 2017
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Whistleblower in Park scandal indicted on influence-peddling charges
Prosecutors on Tuesday indicted a man who broke the news on a corruption scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye on charges of influence-peddling.Ko Young-tae, a former associate of Park's close friend Choi Soon-sil, is accused of receiving some 22 million won ($19,500) from an official at the Incheon-based customs office in exchange for exerting influence on personnel issues. This image shows Ko Young-tae (center), a former associate of ousted President Park Geun-hye's friend Choi Soon
May 2, 2017
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Cabinet approves ordinance on Sewol investigative committee
The Cabinet on Tuesday passed an ordinance detailing the makeup and operational duties of a committee that will investigate the cause of the deadly ferry sinking that killed more than 300 people.The ordinance establishes a 53-member committee led by a minister-level chairman, a vice chairman and standing committee member. Officials from the maritime, interior, education and personnel management ministries, the Office of Government Policy Coordination, the National Police Agency and the Korea Com
May 2, 2017
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Trial of ousted Park begins
Former President Park Geun-hye maintained her claim of innocence via attorneys at the first hearing of her trial Tuesday, signaling a tough battle against the corruption charges that brought an end to her presidency in March. The Seoul Central District Court held the preliminary hearing and set May 23 as the start date for a formal trial that Park, who has remained in custody since late March, must attend. She did not appear this time as her attendance was not mandatory. During the hearing, Park
May 2, 2017
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Seoul kicks off 2nd street art discovery project
A Seoul citizen-led project to improve the city’s artistic appeal kicked off its second two-month run Saturday. About 101 Seoul residents gathered at Dongdaemun Design Plaza on Saturday to embark on a mission to find and promote the hidden artistic gems of Seoul.In its second year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s “Arts on Seoul’s street found by citizens,” will run from April through June.Participants of “Arts on Seoul’s street found by citizens” pose for a photo in Dongdaemun Design Plaza i
May 2, 2017
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Korea still has OECD’s least happy students
The level of happiness of South Korean students was one of the lowest among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, a survey showed Monday.According to a survey conducted by the Institute for Social Development Studies of Yonsei University, the subjective happiness index of Korean students stood at 20th (88 points) among 22 OECD countries. Last year, Korea ranked 22nd. At the bottom of the list was Czech Republic with 81 points.(123RF)The survey was conducted on 7,343 el
May 2, 2017
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Extreme obesity among children, teens on rise
South Korean children and teenagers suffering from extreme obesity are on a sharp rise compared to decades ago, a report showed Tuesday.According to a study released by the Korea University Anam Hospital, the prevalence of extreme obesity among the age group of 2-19 has more than quadrupled to 4.7 percent in 2014 from 0.7 percent in 1998.(123RF)The research was based on nationwide health and nutrition surveys conducted on 19,593 Koreans aged 2 to 19 from 1998-2014. Extreme or morbid obesity ref
May 2, 2017
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Public restroom trash cans to be removed
One Korean practice that has often baffled foreigners is the trash bins inside public bathrooms accompanied by signs asking users not to flush down toilet paper and instead to toss it into a bin. This is about to change. Starting Jan. 1 next year, all public bathrooms will be devoid of trash cans, under a revised law that passed the Cabinet on Tuesday.(Yonhap)“We believe it’s more reasonable to distribute rapid dissolving toilet papers for public restrooms instead of trash cans which can cause h
May 2, 2017
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Historic bridge in Gyeongbok Palace to return to original site
A historic bridge in Gyeongbok Palace, which was reconstructed in 1953 after being destroyed during the 1950-1953 Korean War, will be returned to its original site after 60 years, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday.The administration said the Chwihyang Bridge, constructed over the artificial Hyangwon Lake, will be dismantled and moved to north of Hyangwon Pavilion -- where it used to stand. Hyangwon Pavilion and Chwihyang Bridge inside Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul. (Yonhap)The name
May 2, 2017
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Children, teens have high rate of severe obesity: report
South Korean children and adolescents are suffering from a high prevalence of severe obesity, which could sharply increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, a report said Tuesday.A survey of 19,593 South Koreans aged 2 to 19 showed that 2 to 3 in every 100 have severe obesity, whose prevalence shot up to 2.4 percent in 2014 from 0.7 percent in 1998, according to the report by a research team from Korea University in Seoul.(Yonhap)The report covered children and adolescents who participa
May 2, 2017
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More singles feel dating costs are waste as marriage becomes sidelined
Only a third of unwed men and women think that marriage is a must, and for some, the cost of dating is a waste of money, a survey showed Tuesday.Duo, a leading matchmaking company, polled 1,000 single men and women last year and found that 33 percent believed that marriage was mandatory. It is lower than the 43.2 percent in a 2013 survey.(Yonhap)On the other hand, 34.2 percent of the people answered marriage was not a must, up from 25.6 percent in 2013.Perception about matrimony differed between
May 2, 2017
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6 killed, 19 injured in crane accident at shipyard
GEOJE -- Six people were killed and 19 others injured after a crane part fell onto a ship under construction on Monday, authorities said.Two cranes collided at a Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard in the southeastern port city of Geoje around 2:50 p.m., causing a structure to fall from one of the cranes, according to firefighters and police. The tower crane that broke was between 50 and 60 meters long and weighed 32 tons.Six were confirmed dead, three were seriously hurt, while 19 sustained minor
May 1, 2017
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Record number of overseas Koreans cast ballots in presidential election
A record number of overseas South Koreans have cast ballots in early overseas voting for the country's upcoming presidential election, the election watchdog said Monday.A total of 221,981 overseas voters cast ballots over a six-day voting period that ended Sunday, according to the National Election Commission.There are about 1.97 million South Korean nationals who are staying overseas and are eligible to take part in the presidential election slated to be held next Tuesday. A South Korean nation
May 1, 2017