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Minor Reform Party to vote on removing leader
The minor opposition Reform Party is poised to vote on the removal of its leader, Heo Eun-A, amid growing challenges to her leadership following a clash with the party's founder, who is widely seen as its top contender for the upcoming presidential election. The Reform Party announced Wednesday during a senior meeting convened by Floor Leader Rep. Cheon Ha-ram that it has decided to hold a vote of all party members on Friday and Saturday as to whether Heo will remain the party leader. “It’s time
Jan. 22, 2025 -
Where is future of AI textbooks headed?
Parents condemn acting president's decision, urge to revoke AI textbooks Confusion at schools is growing as to what scenario to prepare for after South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok vetoed a bill to redefine artificial intelligence digital textbooks as "educational materials" rather than "textbooks." During a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Choi justified the decision by emphasizing the importance of AI-powered textbooks in promoting personalized learning experiences. He also expressed concern
Jan. 22, 2025 -
Yongin accelerates growth as global semiconductor hub
The city of Yongin, recognized as a key player in South Korea’s semiconductor strategy, is making significant strides toward becoming a global leader in the industry. Building on landmark achievements made in 2024, the city is now focusing on the development of infrastructure, industrial parks and residential spaces to support its semiconductor ambitions. In December 2024, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport granted final approval for the Advanced System Semiconductor Industrial C
Jan. 22, 2025 -
Mayor leads Yongin's aspirations for chip sector leadership
Yongin, a city in Gyeonggi Province, is gearing up to lead the semiconductor industry under a mayor committed to investing all the city's administrative capacity to achieve the goal of becoming a global chip hub. “Our vision of making Yongin a global semiconductor hub is taking shape,” said Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin Special City in an interview with The Korea Herald. “We will mobilize all administrative resources to ensure this project progresses smoothly and continues to attract world-class e
Jan. 22, 2025 -
Yoon continues to refuse CIO interrogation
While attempting to enforce summons, CIO to transfer case to prosecution GWACHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- Suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol continued to refuse being interrogated by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Wednesday, prompting investigators to explore the option of forcing him to comply with the summons. As in their attempts both Monday and Tuesday, investigators were stymied by Yoon as he refused to submit to questioning once again Wednesday, with his legal
Jan. 22, 2025 -
Seoul Mayor open to presidential run
Oh Se-hoon suggests constitutional reform to establish mutual checks between legislature, Cabinet Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Wednesday emphasized the necessity of political and economic reforms, while adopting a cautious stance on a potential run in the event of an early presidential election. During a press conference held at Seoul City Hall, the 64-year-old mayor addressed questions about his possible candidacy, saying that “it is too early to provide a definitive answer at this time.” “No one
Jan. 22, 2025 -
Ex-airports chief tied to Muan airport project found dead
Son Chang-wan, a former president of the state-run Korea Airports Corporation, who spearheaded a controversial facility upgrade at Muan International Airport, was found dead at his home in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, on Tuesday, authorities confirmed. Muan Airport is where a Jeju Air passenger plane crashed on Dec. 29, bursting into flames after colliding with a concrete embankment at the end of the runway. Gunpo Police said that while an investigation into the circumstances of his death is ongoin
Jan. 22, 2025 -
Pharmacists decry lawmaker's comment on 'AI replacing pharmacists'
“Honestly, can you think of any aspect of a pharmacist's task that artificial intelligence cannot replace?” This question, posed by Rep. Lee Jun-seok on Saturday and reported by a local media outlet Monday, has South Korean pharmacists fuming. The Korean Pharmaceutical Association on Tuesday denounced the 35-year-old lawmaker, calling his perspective to their profession “childish.” "We strongly decry Rep. Lee for disparaging the value of pharmacists through his arrogant and ignorant comments," t
Jan. 22, 2025 -
Parliamentary committee issues order to bring Yoon as witness for martial law hearing
An opposition-led parliamentary committee issued orders on Wednesday to bring impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol and six others involved in Yoon's marital law declaration to appear at the National Assembly as witnesses. The special committee investigating Yoon's insurrection charges issued the orders after Yoon, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and five other military officials did not appear despite having been adopted as witnesses for its first hearing. The orders required their appearance
Jan. 22, 2025 -
Prosecutors question impeached PM in martial law probe
Impeached Prime Minister Han Duck-soo underwent questioning by prosecutors earlier this week as part of their probe into the short-lived imposition of martial law last month, judicial sources said Wednesday. Han appeared before the prosecution's special investigation team Tuesday as a suspect in the case, according to the sources. Prosecutors reportedly focused their questioning on the circumstances surrounding the martial law declaration on Dec. 3, such as a Cabinet meeting held shortly before
Jan. 22, 2025 -
Acting president orders 24-hr police surveillance at Constitutional Court
Acting President Choi Sang-mok said Wednesday that police officers will be stationed at courts, including the Constitutional Court, on a 24-hour basis to ensure security amid heightened tensions following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The announcement comes after supporters of the impeached president stormed the Seoul Western District Court early Sunday, smashing windows and entering the premises in protest against the court's decision to formally arrest Yoon over his short-lived d
Jan. 22, 2025 -
Over 1.34 m S. Koreans projected to travel overseas during Lunar New Year holiday
Over 1.34 million South Koreans are expected to travel overseas during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, when many will likely take extra leave to further extend the period to up to 10 days, according to industry data Wednesday. According to the data from the Incheon International Airport Corp. and the Korea Airports Corp. submitted to the office of Rep. Yeom Tae-young of the main opposition Democratic Party, 1,340,295 passengers were projected to travel overseas via six international airport
Jan. 22, 2025 -
CIO to attempt forced questioning of Yoon Suk Yeol, urges him to 'respect court decision'
Oh Dong-woon, the chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, said Wednesday that his officials will attempt to force President Yoon Suk Yeol to comply with interrogation related to his Dec. 3 martial law declaration and the subsequent orders. Oh said that the CIO will once again attempt to force Yoon to comply with a summons. The impeached president has been refusing to appear for questioning since his arrest on Jan. 15. Yoon was questioned by the CIO on the day of
Jan. 22, 2025 -
Rubio says US will seek to prevent, avoid conflict, but 'never at expense of American security, interests'
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that the United States will seek to prevent and avoid conflict, but never at the expense of its national security, interests and core values, as the former Florida senator took office to lead the State Department. Rubio made the remarks during a welcoming ceremony at the department, noting that President Donald Trump's "overriding" global policy goal is to promote peace and avoid conflict, while underlining Trump's foreign policy mission to advance Ame
Jan. 22, 2025 -
N. Korea briefly reports on Trump's inauguration
North Korea's state media on Wednesday briefly carried reports on the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, marking its first news reports since he was elected last year. The Rodong Sinmun, the North's main newspaper catering to domestic readers, and the Korean Central Broadcasting Station, a state-run radio network, reported that Trump was sworn in as the US president earlier this week. "In the United States, Donald Trump has taken office as president. He was elected the 47th president of
Jan. 22, 2025