Most Popular
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Korean labor force to shrink by 10 million by 2044: report
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[AtoZ Korean Mind] Does your job define who you are? Should it?
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Allegations surrounding BTS resurface, enraged fans demand apology
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Students with history of violence will be barred from becoming teachers
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Top prosecutor pledges 'speedy, strict' probe into first lady's luxury bag allegations
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Medical feud leaves hospitals in financial crisis
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'Super Rich in Korea' will leave viewers appreciating Korea more: producers
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Samsung mocks Apple over iPhone alarm glitch
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'Queen of Tears' riding high on Netflix chart
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Chip up cycle won’t stay long: SK chief
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Savings banks bill raises questions
Compensation exceeding legal ceiling apparently designed to woo Busan votersQuestions have arisen over the fairness and legitimacy of a special bill to compensate the victims of last year’s Busan savings banks’ bankruptcy beyond the current deposit loss compensation ceiling.The parliamentary state affairs committee on Thursday approved the bill to make up for 55 percent of financial losses over the legally guaranteed 50 million won ($44,500) for the savings bank depositors and its subordinated b
Feb. 10, 2012
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N. Korea rejects Seoul’s offer of pest control talks
North Korea has apparently rejected South Korea’s proposal to hold inter-Korean talks on pest control at ancient tombs located in the North.The South Korean authorities have contacted the North’s land and environment protection office, the Office of Forestry, through a Red Cross channel on Tuesday, to suggest both authorities meet in late February.However, Pyongyang’s China-based news website Uriminzokkiri, on Thursday said the South is not ready to hold a dialogue because it banned a civilian i
Feb. 9, 2012
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Seoul proposes inter-Korean talks on pest control at tombs
The South Korean government has proposed to North Korea that working-level inter-Korean talks be held on pest control at ancient tombs located in the North, a source said Wednesday.The complex of Goguryeo tombs, located in Pyongyang and Nampo in North Korea, has some 30 individual tombs from the late period of the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C.―668 A.D.), which ruled the northern half of the Korean Peninsula and northeastern China.The government source said on condition of anonymity that the South Ko
Feb. 8, 2012
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The case for genocide in North Korea
The following article was contributed by Robert Park, a Korean-American missionary and human rights activist who went to North Korea on Christmas day in 2009 to protest against genocide and crimes against humanity. He is also a member of the nonpartisan Worldwide Coalition to Stop Genocide in North Korea. For more information or ways to get involved, contact r2pnorthkorea@gmail.com. ― Ed.The U.N. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and Article 6 of the Rome Statu
Feb. 8, 2012
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Any big change in N.K. unlikely for now
Expert says ruling elite favors status quo, but reform inevitable for economyKim Young-hui, a North Korean defector working here as a researcher on the communist state’s economy, believes any big change there is inconceivable for now as the power elites want to preserve the status quo to maintain their vested interests. Kim of the state-owned Korea Finance Corporation also said that a wave of democratic movements in the Middle East and North Africa would hardly affect the tightly controlled coun
Feb. 8, 2012
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filler-NK-leader-gifts
N. Korean leader uses same gifts as his fatherIn another apparent move to bolster his rule, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has handed out binoculars and rifles to servicemen in the same way his late father, strongman Kim Jong-il, used to encourage military personnel.The gifts appeared frequently during Kim Jong-il‘s inspection visits to the military until August 2008, after which they were no longer seen in footage released by the North’s state media.On Tuesday, however, the (North) Korean Cent
Feb. 8, 2012
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‘Unification jar’ unfinished amid strained inter-Korean ties
The South Korean government’s attempt to create a unification account by revising a related law to prepare for the possibility of a reunified Korea over the next 20 years has failed to win bipartisan consensus.The National Assembly’s foreign affairs, trade and unification committee on Monday suspended discussions on the revision of the South-North Cooperation Fund law, because of unilateral opposition from the Democratic United Party.The Unification Ministry, which deals with North Korean issues
Feb. 8, 2012
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Group pushes to meet N. Koreans despite opposition from Seoul
The leader of a South Korean civilian group has said it would push ahead with a plan to meet its North Korean counterpart in China, despite the South Korean government’s disapproval.The South Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration plans to meet the North Side Committee on Feb. 9-10 in Shenyang, China to discuss events to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the declaration, which was adopted at the first inter-Korean summit in 2000.However, the Unification Ministry in charge
Feb. 7, 2012
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N. Korea‘s state media tout new leader’s young age
North Korea‘s propaganda machines are churning out reports highlighting the early achievements of new leader Kim Jong-un, as his young age and apparent lack of experience continue to raise doubts about his leadership.The new leader, thought to be in his late 20s, inherited power from his father Kim Jong-il, who died of heart failure on Dec. 17.Kim’s sudden demise accelerated the chosen heir‘s rise to power, though with far less grooming than his father had received. Initial fears of internal cha
Feb. 7, 2012
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N. Korea’s state media tout new leader’s young age
North Korea’s propaganda machines are churning out reports highlighting the early achievements of new leader Kim Jong-un, as his young age and apparent lack of experience continue to raise doubts about his leadership.The new leader, thought to be in his late 20s, inherited power from his father Kim
Feb. 7, 2012
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S. Korean lawmakers to visit Gaeseong complex Friday
A group of eight South Korean lawmakers plan to visit the joint inter-Korean industrial complex in the North Korean border city of Gaeseong Friday, an official said Monday.The North sent a message to South Korea on Sunday that it will accept the trip by the delegation of the parliamentary members who handle either inter-Korean relations or foreign affairs, said Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Hyung-suk.Any trip to the North requires the South Korean government‘s approval as well as the North’
Feb. 6, 2012
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North Korean accordion players are a YouTube hit
A group of North Korean accordion players is proving to be an unlikely hit on YouTube, attracting nearly 320,000 viewings in five days with their spirited version of a 1980s pop song.(Youtube)Five students of Pyongyang’s Kum Song School of Music are seen performing the mid-80s hit “Take on Me” by No
Feb. 6, 2012
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North Korea tours offered on founder’s birthday
Foreign travel agencies specializing in North Korea tourism have started offering tour packages that give travelers a peep into April events being prepared to celebrate the 100th birthday of Kim Il-sung, founder of the reclusive communist state.Korea Konsult, a Swedish tour operator, said on its website that it will conduct three types of Kim Il-sung birthday tours in April. It also said that the tour programs were almost fully booked as of Sunday.A short tour of the “100th Birthday of Kim Il Su
Feb. 6, 2012
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NK steps up efforts to develop smartphone applications
North Korea is stepping up efforts to develop smartphone applications, a move that underscores its commitment not to be left behind in the fast moving world of information technology.Choe Hyok-chol, a North Korean professor, said research projects are under way to introduce Android smartphones, acco
Feb. 5, 2012
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N. Korea calls for high-quality commercials to boost exports
North Korea appears willing to again embrace a key element of capitalism in a rare move to improve its faltering economy and raise its people’s standard of living. A North Korean economic quarterly has stressed the importance of commercials to help promote the country’s exports, which rely heavily on China.North Korea mostly exports mineral resources such as anthracite coal and iron ore to its giant neighbor and key ally. Their bilateral trade stood at $3.47 billion in 2010, the latest year for
Feb. 3, 2012
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Number of N. Korean mobile phone users tops 1 mln: report
More than 1 million North Koreans are subscribed to mobile phone services provided by Egypt's Orascom Telecom, a media report said Thursday (local time), indicating growing mobile penetration in the reclusive country.The number of cell phone users in North Korea has reportedly surged in recent years
Feb. 3, 2012
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N. Korea's nominal head of state meets with head of Egyptian mobile service provider
North Korea's nominal head of state met with the chief of Egypt's Orascom Telecom, which provides mobile phone services to the communist nation, according to Pyongyang's official news agency Thursday. Kim Young-nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly
Feb. 2, 2012
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N.K. could grow up to 12% under open economy: report
The North Korean economy could grow 10 to 12 percent a year if the communist regime opens up to outside world, a report said Thursday.While Pyongyang is under the helm of new young leader Kim Jong-un, observers’ views have been split over whether the overseas-educated young leader in his late 20s would conduct economic form to quickly bring in foreign capital.The report by the Bank of America-Merrill Lynch said an annual growth of 10 to 12 percent would narrow the income gap between South Korea
Feb. 2, 2012
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N. Korea restricts Chinese currency in markets: reports
North Korea has banned the use of China’s yuan and other foreign currency in its markets, saying this was part of the last instructions of late leader Kim Jong-il, according to a Seoul-based aid group.People have repeatedly been instructed to go to banks and exchange foreign currency for the won, Good Friends said its English-language newsletter seen Tuesday.Those using yuan in markets or circulating it would be severely punished and have their money confiscated, it said.“We are just carrying ou
Feb. 1, 2012
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U.S. expects Pyongyang to continue weapons exports
WASHINGTON (AP) ― U.S. intelligence experts expect North Korea’s new young leader Kim Jong-un to continue Pyongyang’s policy of attempting to export its weapons systems.Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told the Senate Intelligence Committee Tuesday that the North’s export of ballistic missiles and associated materials to countries including Iran and Syria illustrated the reach of its proliferation activities.He also cited North Korea’s assistance to Syria in building a nuclear rea
Feb. 1, 2012