Most Popular
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Court refuses injunction on medical school expansion
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Why Korean crime stories typically feature nameless, faceless perpetrators
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Debate on 'no-seniors zones' heats up
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Rare mid-May heavy snow warning issued over mountainous areas of Gangwon
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S. Korea, Cambodia forge strategic partnership
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Is NewJeans headed for a long 'break'?
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[KH Explains] Hyundai-backed Motional’s struggles deepen as Tesla eyes August robotaxi debut
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Police raid popera singer Kim Ho-joong's house over hit-and-run suspicions
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Trump may like to 'solve' N. Korean nuclear problem if reelected: ex-official
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New Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office chief vows full-fledged probe into first lady
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Ruling party chief apologizes to Park over constitutional debate
The chief of South Korea's ruling party apologized to President Park Geun-hye Friday after his remarks on a possible constitutional revision were seen as challenging the president's authority.On Thursday, Kim Moo-sung, chairman of the Saenuri Party, said he expects an "outpouring" of political debate on a possible revision of the Constitution when the ongoing regular session of the National Assembly ends in December.His remarks raised a political storm as they came only days after Park expressed
Oct. 17, 2014
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Park: N.K. key to Eurasia plan
MILAN -- President Park Geun-hye urged Asian and European leaders on Thursday to support her Eurasia Initiative to strengthen the “physical connections” between the two continents, stressing that such regional cooperation could prevent North Korean provocations.At the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting, held in Milan, Park said that the initiative could drive North Korea to open up to neighboring countries, which in turn could prod the communist regime to become a responsible member of the international c
Oct. 17, 2014
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Park, Chinese P.M. talk security, economy
MILAN ― President Park Geun-hye held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday to discuss issues ranging from regional security to economic cooperation, amid mixed signs of hope and tension on the Korean Peninsula as Pyongyang moves to engage in talks with Seoul.The talk was held on sidelines of the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit that brought leaders from 51 Asian and European nations together in Milan to enhance “connectivity” between the two continents on economic cooper
Oct. 17, 2014
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Park knew passengers were trapped on Sewol: lawmaker
President Park Geun-hye received reports at the time of the Sewol’s sinking that most passengers were likely trapped on the ship, an opposition lawmaker revealed Thursday, raising more questions about the government’s response.On April 16, the ferry sank off the coast of Jindo Island, South Jeolla Province, killing more than 300 people. The Coast Guard and other concerned government agencies have been under fire since then for failing to adequately respond. According to New Politics Alliance for
Oct. 16, 2014
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Saenuri open to Constitution change
Ruling Saenuri Party chairman Rep. Kim Moo-sung on Thursday hinted at opening discussions for amending the Constitution, raising concerns of a dent in ruling party-Cheong Wa Dae relations. In contrast to President Park Geun-hye’s stance on the issue, Kim claimed that a “flood” of discussions on the issue will be unleashed after the regular session of the National Assembly. Kim also hinted that the issue needed to be dealt with before the presidential election in 2017.“The power structure in the
Oct. 16, 2014
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Park proposes symposium on Eurasian logistics network in 2015
South Korea on Thursday proposed a symposium next year to discuss a logistics network across Eurasian nations as part of President Park Geun-hye's ambitious initiative to bind Eurasian nations closer together. South Korea made the proposal as more than 50 leaders from Asia and Europe opened their biennial two-day Asia-Europe Meeting, known as ASEM, in Milan. The proposed symposium would bring together officials and experts from Russia, China and other countries as well as international orga
Oct. 16, 2014
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Ruling party head sees more debates on constitutional revision
The head of South Korea's ruling Saenuri Party said Thursday he expects an "outpouring" of political debate on a possible revision of the Constitution later this year when the ongoing regular session of the National Assembly ends. The remarks by Kim Moo-sung are expected to create a political storm because President Park Geun-hye has opposed calls to revise the Constitution, a sensitive issue that could change the power structure in South Korea where power is concentrated heavily in the presiden
Oct. 16, 2014
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Parliamentary reform act under fire
Legislative freedom is a key element of democracy, but an act designed to aid the process is bogging down the National Assembly. Lawmakers in Seoul have been fighting a war of words over the so-called National Assembly Advancement Act for months, with the bickering still going strong even though the two main parties appeared to be moving toward a detente on Tuesday.The advancement act involves amendments made in 2012 to the country’s lawmaking process. The revisions added checks against the majo
Oct. 15, 2014
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Park seeks partnership with Italy for creative economy
MILAN -- President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday urged businessmen and authorities from South Korea and Italy to expand bilateral cooperation to achieve her vision of a creative economy, which she believes could become a new growth engine and create more jobs in the future.At a forum in Milan cohosted by businessmen from the two nations, Park called Italy one of the most optimal partners for realizing her economic vision and engaging in business collaborations to target new markets abroad. The crea
Oct. 15, 2014
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Oceans Ministry, Coast Guard grilled over Sewol accident
Issues surrounding the April 16 sinking of the ferry Sewol took center stage in the parliamentary audit on Wednesday with lawmakers honing in on the disorganized response and lax follow up measures. The parliamentary Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee grilled the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Coast Guard, accusing the organizations of lacking responsibility and failing in their duties. The disaster, which left more than 300 people dead, is thought to have
Oct. 15, 2014
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NPAD lawmakers shun Kakao
Main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy lawmakers are shunning the mobile messenger app KakaoTalk over concerns that their conversations might be leaked. According to reports, NPAD lawmakers’ group chatroom has all but been abandoned with less than a handful of lawmakers continuing to communicate through it. The comments posted on the group chatroom are mainly said to concern official duties regarding the ongoing parliamentary audit of government agencies. Until recently, NPAD lawmak
Oct. 15, 2014
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Parties clash over alleged gov't cyber censorship
Rival political parties clashed Wednesday over the government's alleged censorship of private messages on mobile platforms, an issue that has raised concerns about freedom of expression in one of the world's most wired nations.The scandal centers on allegations that government monitors read messages sent on Kakao Talk, the flagship service of South Korea's top mobile messenger operator Daum Kakao, in order to sift out remarks critical of President Park Geun-hye and her administration.Daum Kakao
Oct. 15, 2014
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[Graphic News] Low earners gain least from Park’s health policy
Fewer low-income earners in South Korea have benefited from the national health insurance program’s increased coverage of expenses related to the “four major diseases” that require costly treatment, including cancer and heart disease, while high-income earners recouped far more benefits from the policy, according to Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo’s office.The four serious diseases are cancer, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and a total of 138 incurable conditions such as Crohn’s disease.According to
Oct. 14, 2014
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Park arrives in Milan for ASEM
MILAN ― President Park Geun-hye arrived in Milan, Italy, on Wednesday (Korean time) to attend the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting, which is set to strengthen cooperation between leaders from Asian and European nations.For Park, it is her first ASEM meeting since taking office early last year. She is also the first South Korean president to visit Italy in five years, the presidential office said. Through her trip, she aims to expand South Korea’s role in the international community and strengthen ties w
Oct. 14, 2014
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Health Ministry criticized for tobacco tax plan
South Korea’s Health Ministry came under fire for using the money it raised from this year’s tobacco taxes for projects not related to smoking prevention, during a two-day parliamentary audit session which started Monday in Sejong.The criticism toward the ministry came about a month after it announced it would raise tobacco prices by a whopping 80 percent in the name of improving public health. According to Rep. Kim Yong-ik of the main opposition party, the ministry set aside 990 million won ($9
Oct. 14, 2014
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Park heads to Milan for ASEM
President Park Geun-hye is set to arrive in Milan, Italy, early Wednesday (Korean time) to attend the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting, which is set to strengthen cooperation between leaders from Asian and European nations.For Park, it is her first ASEM meeting since taking office early last year. She is also the first South Korean president to visit Italy in five years, the presidential office said. Through her trip, she aims to expand South Korea’s role in the international community and strengthen ti
Oct. 14, 2014
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S. Korea says no shift in sanctions on N. Korea
South Korea said Tuesday there is no change in its position on sanctions on North Korea despite President Park Geun-hye's unexpected public comments on the matter.Seoul banned all inter-Korean economic exchanges except for a joint industrial complex following the North's 2010 torpedo attack on the South's Cheonan warship that killed 46 sailors. President Park said Monday the two Koreas should resolve it "through dialogue in a responsible manner.""The North should first take a responsible step wi
Oct. 14, 2014
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Seoul to raise N. Korea's human rights issue at U.N. meeting
South Korea is likely to raise the issue of North Korea's serious violation of human rights at the United Nations later this month, diplomatic sources said Tuesday, amid growing international condemnation of the North's dismal situation.The third Committee of the U.N. General Assembly is scheduled to be held on Oct. 28 in New York, where North Korea's human rights situation will be discussed, the sources said.The European Union and Japan are driving efforts to slam North Korea's human right cond
Oct. 14, 2014
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Park: Seoul open to discussion on N.K. sanctions
President Park Geun-hye on Monday hinted that Seoul could consider lifting economic sanctions on Pyongyang if the communist regime shows a willingness to resolve the stand-off through proposed high-level talks. “South and North Korean officials should resolve matters including the May 24 (sanctions), which is a red-hot issue now, by holding sincere talks with a responsible attitude,” said Park during a meeting with members of the presidential committee for unification preparation.It was the firs
Oct. 13, 2014
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Authorities accused of illegal online surveillance
Opposition lawmakers slammed law enforcement officials on Monday for stepping up questionable online surveillance of private citizens, amid concerns the government was suppressing information online.Minor opposition Justice Party Rep. Seo Gi-ho said prosecutors had set up a special team last month that would “makes requests” to portal sites to delete certain frequently browsed search words. Prosecutors aim to curb “defamatory conspiracy theories targeting government officials,” Seo said, quoting
Oct. 13, 2014