Most Popular
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Opposition-led Assembly unilaterally passes bill to probe Marine's death
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Golden chance to liquidate babies’ gold rings?
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Inflation eases in April, continues bumpy ride
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Seoul to more than double military drones by 2026 to counter NK threats
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Russia sent more than 165,000 barrels of refined petroleum to N. Korea in March: White House
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Seoul alerts overseas missions to NK terror threats
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Over 60% of S. Koreans support W100m childbirth incentive: survey
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Key suspects grilled over alleged abuse of power in Marine death inquiry
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‘Inside Out 2’ adds four new emotions, explores teenage life
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Questions raised over fair promotion of RM, NewJeans
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Canada, Korea to collaborate in science, technology and innovation
The governments of Canada and Korea signed an agreement last week to lay the ground for bilateral cooperation in science, technology and innovation.At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul on Dec. 20, Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Canadian Ambassador to Korea Eric Walsh inked the Science, Technology and Innovation Agreement, which builds on head of state visits in 2014. The accord sets in motion an institutional framework for civilian activities of common interest, mutual benefit a
Dec. 26, 2016
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French Embassy to be repurposed, refashioned
The French Embassy in Seoul will be repurposed to its original glory, unveiling its traditional and modernist structures, according to the diplomatic mission.The new plan will refashion the residence and chancery, while adding an 11-story tower office and two-story gallery spanning 60 meters. The chancery in particular, which performs administrative duties, will be refurbished to its original form under the new name “Pavillon.” “Within the framework of partnership between France and Korea, the F
Dec. 26, 2016
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Myanmar woos investments in infrastructure, transport and energy
With the recent enactment of the investment law and lifting of sanctions, Myanmar has become friendlier to foreign investment, particularly in infrastructure, transport and energy, according to its state investment agency. The Myanmar Investment Law was passed on Oct. 18 by combining the country’s foreign investment law and citizen investment law, providing income tax exemptions of up to seven consecutive years to outside investors, operating in underdeveloped regions. When the law comes into ef
Dec. 26, 2016
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Challenges, opportunities for Korea’s ODA in 2017
Next year’s presidential election in Korea, growing global political and economic uncertainties and fresh waves of nationalism in the West are set to come together to pose both challenges and opportunities to Seoul’s efforts to help fight poverty in the developing world. Since it first started its official development assistance in 1987, Korea has been striving to shore up its commitment by focusing on sharing technology and other know-how from its own rapid development. Nearly 30 years on, offi
Dec. 25, 2016
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Ministry to penalize diplomat for sex abuse
The Foreign Ministry plans to give severe penalties and pursue legal action against a diplomat who is accused of harassing at least two teenage girls while working in Chile, officials said Wednesday. After a two-day investigation on the diplomat, who returned home the day before, the ministry confirmed some of the allegations, to which he also partially admitted. The decision was based on his testimonies and those by others, as well as a video unveiled in a Chilean television show in which the o
Dec. 21, 2016
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US congressmen reaffirm unwavering support for alliance with S. Korea
A group of United States congressmen reaffirmed Monday that their support for a strong South Korea-US alliance will remain unwavering in any circumstance, a pledge which came after President Park Geun-hye's impeachment earlier in the month. Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn met with six US House of Representatives members, including Peter Anderson (Republic-Texas), who are visiting South Korea.In the meeting, Hwang highlighted that the government's policy lines, including those on the alliance, rem
Dec. 19, 2016
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French chamber fetes thriving ties with Korea
Marking the 130th anniversary of bilateral ties and 30th anniversary of founding, the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a gala on Dec. 10 in Seoul that spotlighted its feats and future. The event at Grand Hyatt Seoul attracted some 800 guests related to France commercially and diplomatically. The theme of the event was “Impressive Normandy,” referring to the northern region in France with a rich history and culture as well as a vibrant and creative economy. “These two anniver
Dec. 19, 2016
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Philippine envoy awarded Ambassador of Year
Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez (center) poses with Dr. Lee Hong-koo (left), Asia Society Korea center honorary chairman and former Korean prime minister, and Han Sung-joo, an Asia Society board member and former foreign minister, at a ceremony in Seoul on Dec. 9, where he was conferred the 2016 Ambassador of the Year Award. Hernandez was honored for actively supporting the organization and diplomatic community here, as well as promoting relations between the Philippines and Kor
Dec. 19, 2016
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Nabeghlavi, Georgian mineral water comes to Korea
Georgia’s naturally carbonated mineral water, Nabeghlavi, will be available in Korea in the foreseeable future thanks to concerted efforts by the Georgian Embassy in Seoul. The diplomatic mission has strived to strengthen bilateral ties on various fronts between the two countries since opening its office in August 2011.Nabeghlavi, renowned for its unique taste and healthy properties, is a competitive national mineral water brand in the mountainous Caucasus country. Bottling of the Nabeghlavi wat
Dec. 19, 2016
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Agreeing on the future of migration governance
By Shahidul Haque, foreign secretary of Bangladesh We live in a rapidly evolving, hyper-connected world, where goods, capital and people are more mobile than ever before. But whereas countries have shown a willingness to cooperate on exchanging goods and capital, the international community has shown little appetite for improving how it governs human mobility.After the wide-scale persecution and displacement of people in World War II, world leaders took the bold step of crafting the 1951 Refugee
Dec. 19, 2016
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Video shows envoy in Chile harassing minors
A Korean diplomat in Chile was caught harassing teenage girls on a video released Monday by a television network there, prompting officials to launch an investigation. In an episode of the reality show “En Su Propia Trampa,” which roughly translates to “Caught in Your Own Trap,“ the diplomat attempted to hug and kiss a girl, apparently saying he liked her eyes, lips and breasts. He also sought to take her into another room.Tio Emilio, who runs the program, said via his Facebook and Twitter pages
Dec. 19, 2016
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Korea steps up efforts to meet global development agenda
Since the country began doling out development aid in 1987, South Korea has been chiefly focusing on improving education, public administration and health in recipient countries, building on its experience from a rapid economic ascent. Technology transfer and capacity building are the overarching theme across the sectors, given Seoul’s relatively small scale of official development assistance compared with that of countries like Japan and China which are investing heavily in infrastructure build
Dec. 18, 2016
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FM Yun, Kerry reaffirm strong alliance amid uncertainties
South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and US Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday agreed to maintain a close watch for possible North Korea provocations amid uncertainties facing the two countries, Yun's ministry said.During a 15-minute telephone discussion earlier in the day, the two agreed to "keep the current cooperation momentum" under the countries' alliance, the foreign ministry said in a press release."Yun asked Kerry to make efforts in the process of transitioning power to the
Dec. 17, 2016
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Trump will push pragmatic trade policies: ex-president
Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Thursday that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to roll out pragmatic trade policies based on his entrepreneur background, amid concerns that the incoming U.S. administration will lean toward protectionism."Although Trump supported protectionism during the campaign, his stance will change," Lee said during an economy forum in Los Angeles. "Based on my experience, both Democratic and Republican parties support globalization and are trad
Dec. 15, 2016
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Portrait of outgoing U.N. chief Ban unveiled
A large portrait of outgoing U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was unveiled at the U.N. headquarters on Wednesday.Ban's portrait was placed next to that of his predecessor Kofi Annan on a wall at the lobby of the U.N. secretariat. Ban and his wife, Yoo Soon-taek, pulled blue cloth off the portrait in an unveiling ceremony attended by U.N. officials and diplomats from various countries. The portrait, painted by South Korean artist Lee Won-hee, depicts Ban wearing a blue tie standing next to a gl
Dec. 15, 2016
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Trump should send oral message to N.K. leader to propose resumption of talks: U.S. expert
Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump should send an oral message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il shortly after taking office to propose a preparatory meeting between the two countries in a first step toward reopening formal denuclearization negotiations, a U.S. expert suggested Wednesday.Joel Wit, a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins University's US-Korea Institute and founder of the website 38 North, made the suggestion in a policy recommendations report to the Trump administration, saying negot
Dec. 15, 2016
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Trump’s foreign policy lineup mounts challenges for Seoul
With an atypical pick for secretary of state, US President-elect Donald Trump is forecast to abate his predecessor’s refocus toward Asia while toughening the stance against North Korea over its nuclear program. The billionaire real estate magnate picked ExxonMobil Chief Executive Rex Tillerson to be his secretary of state Tuesday. The announcement effectively completed his foreign policy team, which includes Secretary of Defense-designate retired Marine Gen. James Mattis and Assistant to the Pre
Dec. 14, 2016
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Finland, Korea mark innovation, education and tourism ties
The Finnish Embassy last week marked the 99th anniversary of national independence and thriving ties with Korea centered on innovation, education and tourism.Speaking at a reception in Seoul on Dec. 6, Finnish Ambassador to Korea Eero Suominen said Finland’s image here was “extremely positive,” as Koreans have taken note of its world-class education and innovation as well as the Nordic lifestyle and welfare system. “The relations between Finland and Korea are excellent,” the envoy said. He added
Dec. 13, 2016
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‘Philippines offers stable, secure investment environ’
In part energized by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s nationwide crackdown on crime and corruption, the Philippines’ business climate has become more stable and secure, according to its commercial bureaus. Duterte’s administration has laid out its 10-point socio-economic agenda aimed at shoring up macroeconomic conditions, international competitiveness, integration into regional and global value chains, rural development, human capital and innovative capacity. The Philippine economy grew a
Dec. 13, 2016
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Nordic embassies advocate gender equality
The embassies of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland hosted a forum last week to shine light on policies and experiences related to gender equality. The event, Policy Forum on Gender Equality: Cooperation Between Korea and Nordic Countries, was held at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on Dec. 5 and co-organized by Korea’s Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.Delving into policies aimed at utilizing female talents and breaking the glass ceiling, the seminar featured presentations by Pernille Rav
Dec. 13, 2016