Most Popular
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[H.eco Forum] H.eco Forum calls for transition to clean, carbon-free energy
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[Exclusive] LACMA admits it needs further research on donated Korean paintings
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Russia likely offering N. Korea technology aid to expand threats to US, others: Pentagon official
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[Bridge to Africa] Africa-Korea partnership: Why it matters for future
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[Herald Interview] Korean adoptees embark on journeys to find roots
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[Graphic News] Medical tourists visiting Korea reach record high
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‘Gimflation’ in S. Korea as dried seaweed prices grow on rising global demand
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Yoon to resume diplomatic activity via 3-way summit with Japan, China
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Revote on Marine probe bill to be held next week
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S. Korea's gender pay gap worst in OECD
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Defense Ministry bans golfing, boozing
The South Korean military has once again forbidden all serviced members from playing golf and drinking following the latest execution in North Korea, Defense Ministry sources said on Saturday. Officials said while the announcement had not been made public, such a message has been passed on throughout the military in order to keep vigilant.In particular, the ministry ordered the staff to stay out of trouble at year-end parties and other festivities. “Exactly when the ban will be lifted has yet to
Dec. 14, 2013
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N.K. leader visits military institute after executing uncle
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently inspected a military institute for design in what was Kim’s first public activity since the execution of his uncle, the reclusive nation’s state media said on Saturday.Kim appeared to be determined to showcase his determination to keep a firm grip on the military, according to those watching the situation, as the visit most likely occurred on Friday, one day after Jang Song-thaek was purged for treason. As the uncle of Kim, Jang was once known as the seco
Dec. 14, 2013
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Beijng warns of restrictions on Pyongyang
China's state media warned on Saturday that Beijing may consider imposing "some restrictions" on its relations with Pyongyang in the wake of North Korea's stunning execution of the once-powerful uncle of leader Kim Jong-un.North Korea said Friday that the 67-year-old uncle, Jang Song-thaek, who had been considered the second most powerful man in the reclusive state, was executed after a special military tribunal found him guilty of treason, marking the biggest political upheaval in the North's c
Dec. 14, 2013
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Jang’s demise attests to instability, hints at more purges
The sudden announcement of the demise of Kim Jong-un’s uncle underscores the instability and fierce power struggle within the 2-year-old regime and prefigures a string of bloody purges, officials and analysts said Friday. Pyongyang’s state media on Friday released information about the execution of Jang Song-thaek, former vice chairman of the powerful National Defense Commission, for conspiring against Kim, the party and the state. It labeled him a “traitor for all ages” and “worse than a dog.”
Dec. 13, 2013
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Did Jang’s cockiness lead to his downfall?
In light of the little-expected purge and execution of North Korea’s former No. 2 Jang Song-thaek, some are saying that Jang’s arrogance may have led to his downfall.North Korea, as it sentenced Kim Jong-un’s uncle to death, said that Jang acted in an insolent fashion when Kim was formerly announced as Kim Jong-il’s heir in September 2010. It said that Jang “halfheartedly” clapped his hands for his nephew while the rest of the high-ranking officials erupted in thunderous applause.Several photogr
Dec. 13, 2013
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Seoul wary of provocations by N. Korea after Jang's execution
Following North Korea's execution of its young leader's once powerful uncle, South Korea's defense chief on Friday pledged to maintain high military vigilance to deter potential provocations by the unpredictable communist regime.The latest move comes after Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency reported that Jang Song-thaek, considered as North Korea's No. 2, was executed on Thursday for treason charges, just four days after he was stripped off all of his posts. "We will heighten readiness again
Dec. 13, 2013
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Koreas to hold talks on upgrading joint factory park next week
South and North Korea agreed to hold working-level talks next week to discuss ways to upgrade their joint factory park in the North Korean border city of Kaesong, a Seoul official said Friday.The fourth meeting of the Seoul-Pyongyang joint management committee on the Kaesong Industrial Complex will be held on Thursday inside the complex, Seoul's unification ministry spokesman Kim Eyi-do said in a briefing.The agreement was made after the North proposed the date and the South accepted it, he said
Dec. 13, 2013
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No major impact seen on N. Korea-China ties despite execution of Kim's uncle: expert
The stunning execution of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's once-powerful uncle, Jang Song-thaek, is unlikely to have a major impact on bilateral relations with China, a Chinese expert said Friday, describing the execution as Pyongyang's "internal affair." North Korea announced earlier in the day that Jang, who had been considered the second most powerful man in the reclusive state, has been executed after a special military tribunal found him guilty of treason."In my personal opinion, it is unl
Dec. 13, 2013
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S. Korea expresses 'deep concerns' after execution of N.K. leader's uncle
South Korea expressed deep concerns Friday after North Korea announced the surprise execution of leader Kim Jong-un's uncle amid fears about its implications for Pyongyang's future, inter-Korean relations and the standoff over the country's nuclear program.The execution of Jang Song-thaek came as a surprise, as few had expected the young leader would go as far as executing his uncle just four days after the regime held a political bureau meeting of the ruling Workers Party and removed him from a
Dec. 13, 2013
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N. Korea executes leader’s uncle
North Korea said Friday it has executed leader Kim Jong-un’s uncle, who it said plotted to subvert his nephew’s regime, branding him a “traitor for all ages” and a “despicable political careerist and trickster.”The execution of Jang Song-thaek, former vice chairman of the powerful National Defense Commission, took place the day before, following a special military tribunal. He was found guilty and admitted to “anti-party, counter-revolutionary factional acts,” according to the North’s official K
Dec. 13, 2013
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N. Korea slams South Korea's weapons purchase plan
North Korea on Thursday denounced South Korea's plan to buy high-end fighter jets and surveillance drones from the United States, warning that it will escalate cross-border tensions and stimulate an arms race in the region.South Korea is pushing to buy 40 Lockheed Martin-developed F-35A stealth fighter jets and four unmanned Hawk surveillance aircraft, called RQ-4 Block 30s, from the U.S. The plan is part of Seoul's mid-term force improvement program aimed at coping with growing military threats
Dec. 12, 2013
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N.K. suspected of hacking defectors group
North Korea is suspected of having hacked a personal computer owned by the leader of a North Korean defector group based here, South Korean police said Wednesday.Chang Se-yool, who leads the group, was the victim of so-called “spear phishing” attacks in April, May and November this year, resulting in a massive leak of private data stored on his computer, the National Police Agency said.Spear phishing is a virtual trap that targets a specific individual or organization, seeking unauthorized acces
Dec. 11, 2013
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N.K. sells gold to China in sign of economic crisis
North Korea has begun to sell large amounts of gold to China in a bid to tide over its economic crisis, multiple sources familiar with North Korea affairs said Wednesday.The disposal could be an indication of an imminent economic collapse as it goes against founding leader Kim Il-sung’s order to never sell the country’s gold, according to the sources.“Since several months ago, North Korea has begun to sell even its gold,” one source said, asking that he not be identified.“Overseas sales of gold
Dec. 11, 2013
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Rumors flying over downfall of N.Korea’s No.2
In light of Jang Song-thaek -- the once-powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un -- being dismissed from all posts, rumors are sprouting over the fall of the hermit kingdom’s former No.2.On Tuesday, The Herald Business newspaper reported that Jang had attempted to overthrow the youthful leader in order to hoist Kim’s elder half-brother Jong-nam as the new leader. The newspaper, citing sources, said that Jang and the North Korea leader had frequent disagreements over foreign relations an
Dec. 11, 2013
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Speculation spreads over fate of people close to deposed N.K. official
After the ouster of Jang Song-thaek, the once-powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, a host of his confidants and associates are thought to have been purged or fled the country.Ri Su-yong, Pyongyang’s former ambassador to Switzerland and key manager of the reclusive regime’s overseas funds, appears to be among them. Japan’s daily Mainichi Shimbun has reported, citing multiple sources close to the North Korean leadership, that Ri was executed for crimes in connection with Jang, who wa
Dec. 11, 2013
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Kim Jong-il’s ‘treasurer’ executed: Japanese media
Ri Su-yong, believed to have been the main handler of North Korea’s former leader Kim Jong-il’s slush fund, has been executed, Japanese media reported Wednesday.The Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, citing multiple sources close to Pyongyang’s leadership, said that Ri’s execution was related to the recent purging of the communist country’s No. 2, Jang Song-thaek. Ri had been a close confidant of Jang.Ri, who was named Pyongyang's ambassador to Bern in 1988, handled some $4 billion that Kim had stashed
Dec. 11, 2013
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N.K. strengthening reign of terror
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is expected to strengthen his reign of terror for the time being to tighten discipline among power elites following the ouster of his once-powerful uncle Jang Song-thaek.In an unusual move on Monday, Pyongyang’s state television showed Jang, once dubbed the No. 2 man in the North, being arrested for “anti-party, counter-revolutionary activities” during a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party.Analysts argued that the TV scene foreshadowed more purges and tougher dis
Dec. 10, 2013
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S. Korea says N. Korean leader's uncle may face imprisonment
The ousted uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may be sent to a concentration camp for his alleged factional acts, a South Korean official said Tuesday.Jang Song-thaek, who had long been viewed as the North's No. 2 man and Kim's regent, was dismissed from all posts and expelled from the ruling Workers' Party at a key party meeting presided by Kim on Sunday, according to North Korea's state media.The party's political bureau accused Jang of trying to form a faction, increase his force and bu
Dec. 10, 2013
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Ousted N. Korean leader’s uncle tried to overthrow him: report
Jang Song-thaek, North Korea’s No. 2 figure, is believed to have attempted to overthrow the regime and hoist Kim Jong-un’s elder brother as the country’s new leader, sources said Tuesday. Jang, the revered uncle and mentor of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has been publicly ousted on the charges of faction-building, gambling and other violations. “The reason Jang was purged in such a merciless fashion was because he is suspected of being connected to Kim Jong-nam,” an anonymous source told The
Dec. 10, 2013
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China media calls for Kim's visit to Beijing for stability after purge
China's state-run media urged its government Tuesday to make efforts for North Korea's young leader, Kim Jong-un, to visit Beijing "as soon as possible" for the North's long-term stability and bilateral relations after Kim purged his powerful uncle. The purge of Jang Song-thaek, considered the second most powerful official in the North's hierarchy, marked the biggest political upheaval since the death of Kim's father, Kim Jong-il, in late 2011 and the young leader's subsequent takeover. The 67-y
Dec. 10, 2013