Most Popular
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Jimin of BTS, actor Song Da-eun suspected to be dating, again
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What's next for the government's push in quota hike?
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Woman falls to death from acquaintance's home after exhibiting ‘unexplained' behaviors
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‘Malice should not undermine the system, social order,’ says Hybe's Bang
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N. Korea says it test-fired tactical ballistic missile with new guidance technology
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N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS
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[Weekender] Geeks have never been so chic in Korea
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Korean firms target EV charging market in US
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Seoul sees further jump in cost of dining out
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NewJeans members submit petitions over court injunction in Hybe-Ador conflict
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UPP leader goes on hunger strike, protests ‘witch hunt’
Lee Jung-hee, chairperson of the minor opposition Unified Progressive Party, went on a hunger strike on Monday to protest what she called a “witch hunt” against UPP lawmaker Lee Seok-ki, who recently was accused of plotting an armed revolt.“A democratic person must put an end to the witch hunt against Rep. Lee Seok-ki, whether or not you agree with him,” Lee said at a press conference held at 1:40 p.m. in front of the National Assembly. “In order to stop the arrest motion on Lee from being passe
Sept. 2, 2013
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Park signs motion for parliamentary consent to opposition lawmaker's arrest
President Park Geun-hye signed a request Monday for parliamentary consent to arrest a leftist lawmaker accused of plotting to overthrow South Korea's government in a daring scheme suspected of links to North Korea.The motion for the arrest of Rep. Lee Seok-ki of the Unified Progressive Party was sent to the National Assembly for approval shortly after Park's signing. Parliamentary consent is required to arrest him because lawmakers are immune from detention while the parliament is in session.A m
Sept. 2, 2013
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UPP faces further isolation
The minor opposition Unified Progressive Party is becoming increasingly isolated as its former leftist allies are turning their backs over allegations that its leading members plotted an armed revolt.As the two main parties appear ready to approve the government’s request to allow the arrest of key suspect Rep. Lee Seok-ki within the week, the UPP on Sunday fired back at the National Intelligence Service, claiming that the agency had paid a party member to spy on its activities for an extended p
Sept. 1, 2013
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DP returns to Yeouido, unveils new logo
The main opposition Democratic Party on Sunday opened its new headquarters in Yeouido, returning to Seoul’s political center after nine years away. In 2004, the party relocated to Yeongdeung-po, a relatively underdeveloped area in southern Seoul, following criticism that its headquarters were too luxurious. In making the move to the new office, which is about 90 percent smaller than its previous office, the DP relocated a number of departments to the National Assembly in order to cut costs. Acco
Sept. 1, 2013
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Korea eyes infrastructure projects in Turkey
ISTANBUL (Yonhap News) ― Prime Minister Chung Hong-won called for Turkey’s support for South Korean companies trying to win more infrastructure deals in the West Asian country, a Seoul official accompanying him said Saturday.Chung was in Turkey on the last of his eight-day trip that also took him to Bahrain, Qatar and Sri Lanka. On Saturday, he met with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul.In July, a consortium led by Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. won a $697 mill
Sept. 1, 2013
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Parliament to handle arrest request for Lee next week
The National Assembly is expected to handle the court's request to arrest Rep. Lee Seok-ki, who has been accused of conspiring to start an armed rebellion, next week, insiders said Saturday. Lee and some members of the Unified Progressive Party have been accused by the National Intelligence Service of planning an armed revolt if war breaks out with North Korea. The country's spy agency said the people under investigation hatched a plot to attack key infrastructure in the South to aid the North
Aug. 31, 2013
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Govt. to pick business delegates for president’s overseas trips
The government will directly recruit the economic delegation for the president’s overseas visits to enhance the transparency of the selection process and provide wider opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday. So far, leading business organizations have been responsible for picking the delegation, raising concerns that the participants tended to be focused on conglomerates, limiting the access of smaller enterprises.The new policy goes into effect starting f
Aug. 30, 2013
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Saenuri vows cooperation; DP remains reluctant
Commotion among the political parties surged Friday as the probe into leftist lawmaker Lee Seok-ki picked up pace, leaving them with the looming task of deciding on whether to approve his detainment on suspicion of plotting a revolt.The parties are expected to vote on the prosecution-filed motion to detain Lee for his arrest in their regular session sometime next month depending on the progress of the investigation.To arrest or detain an incumbent lawmaker, the court must ask the Ministry of Jus
Aug. 30, 2013
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Court approves Lee’s detention
The Suwon District Court on Friday gave a green light to prosecutors to detain leftist lawmaker Lee Seok-ki by asking them to bring written parliamentary approval in the burgeoning probe on him and his associates charged with plotting an armed revolt. The prosecutors will be seeking parliamentary consent to detain Lee of the Unified Progressive Party through the Justice Ministry, which will first seek approval from the Cabinet meeting and President Park Geun-hye in the next week.Observers said t
Aug. 30, 2013
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Former President Roh released from hospital
Former President Roh Tae-woo, 81, was released from the hospital on Thursday after being admitted on Monday for high blood pressure.“His blood pressure has stabilized and he was released at around 4:30 p.m.,” said an official at Seoul National University Hospital on condition of anonymity.Roh, who served as president between 1988 and 1993, has been repeatedly taken to the hospital for asthma and other illnesses over the last decade. He underwent surgery for prostate cancer in 2002. In April 2011
Aug. 30, 2013
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Court issues warrant to detain Lee in revolt plot probe
The Suwon District Court on Friday issued the warrant to detain leftist lawmaker Lee Seok-ki in the burgeoning probe on him and his associates charged with plotting an armed revolt. Following the court’s decision, the prosecutors will be seeking for parliamentary consent to detain Lee of the Unified Progressive Party through the Justice Ministry, which will first seek approval from the Cabinet meeting and President Park Geun-hye in the next several days.Observers said the process will take aroun
Aug. 30, 2013
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Spy agency seeks arrest warrant against leftist lawmaker
The National Intelligence Service on Thursday requested a preliminary arrest warrant for leftist lawmaker Lee Seok-ki on charges of plotting an armed rebellion and breaking the National Security Law. The agency also sought warrants to arrest three other members of his Unified Progressive Party on the same charges. The accomplices have been in custody since Wednesday. The suspects denied all charges and accused the spy agency of fabricating the case to “oppress democracy.”On Wednesday, the NIS ra
Aug. 29, 2013
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[Newsmaker] Leftist's allegations put UPP in jeopardy
The spy agency’s ongoing investigation into leftist lawmaker Lee Seok-ki on charges of plotting a rebellion threatens to engulf the far left of Korean politics and push his Unified Progressive Party over the edge.The UPP, which represents the more extreme end of progressive politics in Korea, was founded in November 2011 when the Democratic Labor Party merged with other progressive factions. Although its formation was aimed at representing a united front in last year’s general and presidential e
Aug. 29, 2013
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UPP probe escalates ideological divide
The probe into the leftist Unified Progressive Party members has wreaked political havoc, further complicating the partisan wrangling over the spy agency’s alleged interference in last year’s presidential election. As the investigation of an alleged plot of rebellion continues, the ruling party is focusing on the potential threat to national security, while the main opposition party is scrambling to a work out its stance in the ideological fray.With lingering questions over the intent and timi
Aug. 29, 2013
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Creative economy will aid middle class: Park
President Park Geun-hye said Thursday she believes her “creative economy” growth strategy is key to bolstering the dwindling middle class as the vision calls for providing more decent jobs through creative business ideas.Park made the remark during a meeting of the National Economic Advisory Council, saying increasing employment translates directly into propping up the middle class, one of Park‘s key presidential campaign promises, along with raising the employment rate to 70 percent.The creativ
Aug. 29, 2013
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NTS officials banned from dining out, playing golf with executives of large businesses
South Korea's tax agency said Thursday that it will ban its high-ranking officials from dining out or playing golf with executives of large businesses as part of efforts to enhance fairness in enforcing its tax-related polices.The National Tax Service (NTS) also said that it plans to launch a team tasked with investigating corruption cases involving high-ranking public servants and intensify reviews of tax audits in order to enhance overall transparency.Those moves are part of measures put forth
Aug. 29, 2013
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Opposition lawmaker denies allegations of plotting rebellion
A minor opposition lawmaker suspected by the state intelligence agency of plotting a rebellion against the state claimed Thursday that the allegations had been fabricated in an effort to suppress democratic forces.The National Intelligence Service raided the homes and offices of Rep. Lee Seok-ki and nine other members of the minor opposition Unified Progressive Party (UPP) on Wednesday for allegedly plotting a rebellion involving blowing up infrastructure in the country and helping North Korea i
Aug. 29, 2013
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Leftist lawmaker under probe over alleged armed revolt plot
The National Intelligence Service on Wednesday raided the office and home of the Unified Progressive Party’s Rep. Lee Seok-ki, and detained three of his associates on charges of laying out a preliminary plot for a revolt. The arrested individuals are Hong Soon-seok, Han Dong-geun and Lee Sang-ho. Hong is the deputy chief of the UPP’s Gyeonggi Province branch while Han had served as the chief of the party’s Suwon office. Lee Sang-ho is an adviser at a progressive group based in Gyeonggi Province.
Aug. 28, 2013
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Park urges conglomerates’ aggressive investment
President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday urged the country’s top conglomerate owners to pursue aggressive investment and expand employment to rev up the country’s slumping economy.In return, Park said the “economic democratization” regulations will not aim to damage the businesses with excessive control, and that the government will “carefully review” the controversial Commercial Law revision that the businesses claim will impair their managerial right.“Now more than ever is the time for each busine
Aug. 28, 2013
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[Newsmaker] Lee no stranger to legal run-ins
The minor Unified Progressive Party’s Rep. Lee Seok-ki has never been free from controversy having been accused of election fraud, illegal funding and leftist ideology.But the investigation of the progressive lawmaker unveiled Wednesday was stunning to the public: He faces the first charge of revolt in 30 years. The first-term lawmaker has been at the center of one of the largest scandals to engulf the left-wing party in the past year. Lee gained his parliamentary seat as a proportional represen
Aug. 28, 2013