Most Popular
-
1
Court refuses injunction on medical school expansion
-
2
Why Korean crime stories typically feature nameless, faceless perpetrators
-
3
Debate on 'no-seniors zones' heats up
-
4
Rare mid-May heavy snow warning issued over mountainous areas of Gangwon
-
5
S. Korea, Cambodia forge strategic partnership
-
6
Is NewJeans headed for a long 'break'?
-
7
[KH Explains] Hyundai-backed Motional’s struggles deepen as Tesla eyes August robotaxi debut
-
8
Police raid popera singer Kim Ho-joong's house over hit-and-run suspicions
-
9
Trump may like to 'solve' N. Korean nuclear problem if reelected: ex-official
-
10
New Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office chief vows full-fledged probe into first lady
-
Park, Obama agree to stand firm against N. Korean military threat
WASHINGTON - The leaders of South Korea and the U.S. pledged Tuesday united, stern action against any provocation by North Korea while leaving the door open for dialogue.During their first summit, U.S. President Barack Obama expressed support for President Park Geun-hye’s trustpolitik policy of reengaging the North and deterring its military threat. The leaders also adopted a joint declaration in commemoration of the two countries’ 60-year-old alliance to set the new direction for a broader coo
May 7, 2013
-
Park pledges greater support for overseas Koreans
WASHINGTON -- President Park Geun-hye said Monday that her government will provide increased support for overseas Koreans to improve their legal status at home during a meeting with Korean-Americans in Washington. “I think it would be advisable to issue something similar to resident registration cards for overseas Koreans to give them more opportunities to contribute to their homeland, and to offer more administrative support in related areas,” Park said in response to questions about her admini
May 7, 2013
-
Main opposition party moves toward center to regain stability
The Democratic Party’s struggles to regain unity and public trust in the aftermath of election defeats are leading the main opposition toward more moderate policies and pushing out those with strong factional affiliations from the center of power.On Saturday the Democratic Party’s main nonmainstream figure Rep. Kim Han-gil was elected as the party’s new chairman, beating Rep. Lee Yong-sup, who had the support of the pro-Roh Moo-hyun faction, by more than 20 percentage points. In Saturday’s elect
May 6, 2013
-
[Newsmaker] Rookie steals the show in DP leadership race
Rep. Shin Kyung-min, a former TV anchor renowned for his biting comments and staunch liberalism, became a political star Saturday by taking the No. 2 post in the main opposition Democratic Party just two years after entering politics.The first-term lawmaker earned the most votes in the party election to join the Supreme Council, the highest decision-making body. In 2008, the veteran TV journalist started to host MBC’s main news program and enjoyed wide popularity for his scathing closing comment
May 6, 2013
-
Park likely to press for enhanced nuclear use at summit
NEW YORK ― President Park Geun-hye is expected to bring up the subject of South Korea’s demands regarding the peaceful use of nuclear energy for “enhanced mutual cooperation” during summit talks with U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday (Wednesday Korea time).Among the agenda items relevant to enhanced cooperation will be “a smooth implementation of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement and enhanced cooperation regarding the peaceful use of nuclear power between Seoul and Washington,” Ju Chul-ki
May 6, 2013
-
Park touts creative economy in U.S.
NEW YORK ― While security is high on the agenda, President Park Geun-hye’s trip to the U.S. also aims to boost investment and trade and deliver her commitment to transforming Korea into a “creative” economy. Her schedule on the flight and in New York on Sunday (Monday Korea time) underscored her economic mission as she emphasized the roles of small innovators in powering the Korean economy to advance beyond its current growth limits.The president is accompanied by a number of representatives of
May 6, 2013
-
New Democratic leader vows end to factionalism
Kim Han-gil, who was elected Saturday to head the Democratic Party, pledged to end factionalism, push for reforms and build a competent and accountable opposition party.The four-term lawmaker, seen as coming from outside the party mainstream, defeated Lee Yong-sup, who was backed by the party’s largest faction by a larger-than-expected margin of 23 percentage points in the two-way election.“I feel heavy responsibility for being elected with the overwhelming support of the party and the public. T
May 5, 2013
-
[Newsmaker] Party maverick takes helm of opposition
New opposition leader Rep. Kim Han-gil is said to be a moderate centrist, an astute strategist and a resilient fighter roaring from the wilderness to the helm of the Democratic Party.The four-term lawmaker was long sidelined as the party was dominated by loyalists to the late former President Roh Moo-hyun. But Kim took advantage of grievances among rank-and-file members toward the mainstream faction to defeat its flag-bearer Lee Yong-sup. The new leader is expected to push a more centrist agend
May 5, 2013
-
Ruling party to pick new floor leader on May 16
The ruling Saenuri Party plans to hold a national convention in mid-May to elect a new floor leader, a party official said Sunday.“The national convention will be held on May 16 to choose a new floor leader if the National Assembly passes the government supplementary budget to boost the economy this week,” said the official, requesting anonymity.The new choice would replace Rep. Lee Hahn-koo, a four-term lawmaker who has been in the post since 2012.The governing party’s vote is widely seen as a
May 5, 2013
-
Parliament pushes to pass extra budget this week
The parliamentary committee on the national budget is scurrying to pass the extra budget, which is much needed to help stimulate the slowing economy, by this week with lawmakers gathering for a weekend budget examination meeting on Saturday.The government submitted the extra budget proposal to the National Assembly for approval on April 18. The proposal consists of 12 trillion won ($10.1 billion) to make up for revenue shortfalls and 5.3 trillion won in more spending to stimulate the economy.Law
May 5, 2013
-
Kim Han-gil picked to lead Democratic Party
The main opposition party elected Rep. Kim Han-gil as the new chairman and renamed itself as the Democratic Party on Sunday, as it seeks to recover from election defeats and to grow its supporter base.“I feel heavy responsibility for being elected with overwhelming support from the party and the public. The fact that I, who do not belong to any faction, have been elected is a symbol of big changes for the Democratic Party,” Kim said.He added that he will remove factionalism from the party and un
May 4, 2013
-
Parliament pushes to pass extra budget by next week
The parliamentary committee on the national budget is scurrying to pass the extra budget, which is much needed to help stimulate the slowing economy, by next week with lawmakers gathering for a weekend budget examination meeting on Saturday.The government submitted the extra budget proposal to the National Assembly for approval on April 18. The proposal consists of 12 trillion won ($10.1 billion) to make up for revenue shortfalls and 5.3 trillion won in more spending to stimulate the economy.Law
May 4, 2013
-
Park sends thank-you letter to USFK commander
President Park Geun-hye sent a letter to the commander of American troops stationed here Friday, expressing thanks for their efforts to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula and hoping for further strengthening of the alliance between the two countries, her spokesman said.The letter to Gen. James Thurman came just days before Park embarks on a visit to the United States for her first summit with President Barack Obama expected to focus on how to deal with North Korea and enhance the alliance be
May 3, 2013
-
Parties agree on tax breaks
The ruling Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic United Party resumed negotiations over the supplementary budget plans Friday after they reached an agreement on reducing tax exemptions for large corporations.The parties are expected to process the extra spending bill before the April session of the National Assembly ends Tuesday. The proceedings of the parliament’s Special Committee on Budget and Accounts had come to a halt with the DUP refusing to review the plans unless measures to
May 3, 2013
-
Park, Obama to adopt joint declaration on alliance
The leaders of South Korea and the U.S. will adopt a joint declaration to upgrade the 60-year-old military alliance of the two countries during their summit on Tuesday, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday. President Park Geun-hye will embark on a six-day tour of the U.S. on Sunday. The first summit between Park and U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to focus on North Korea’s security threat and the expanded role of the bilateral alliance. “The two countries are preparing a joint declaration on the ne
May 3, 2013
-
Key pro-Roh figure quits DUP ahead of leadership election
A high-ranking official defected Friday from the Democratic United Party amid growing factional fighting in the lead up to Saturday’s leadership election.Moon Sung-keun, a former Supreme Council member and a key figure in the mainstream pro-Roh Moo-hyun faction, announced his departure on his Twitter account.“I am leaving the DUP. I am sorry that I was unable to tell the many people who supported and guided politician Moon Sung-keun,” the movie actor-turned-politician said. Moon is a ranking mem
May 3, 2013
-
NEC to relax limits on campaigning
Campaigning verbally or via telephone even before the official election period begins should be allowed until the election day to enhance voters’ freedom of political expression, the National Election Commission said in its report.Voters should also be allowed to invite a candidate or a preliminary candidate at town hall meetings or debates to discuss policies. Clauses banning printouts that show support or opposition toward a policy 180 days before election day should also be removed, the commi
May 2, 2013
-
Minor opposition party defection fuels progressive shakeup rumors
Rep. Kang Dong-won of the minor opposition Progressive Justice Party announced on Thursday that he was leaving the party.While Kang was cautious about whether he would join Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo should the latter found a new party, the development fueled speculation about a shakeup within the progressive bloc. “I will work without party affiliation for the time being while monitoring the situation, and make the decision according to the opinion of the locals,” Kang said regarding his position on jo
May 2, 2013
-
Park names ex-lawmaker as head of unification council
President Park Geun-hye named a former five-term lawmaker to head a state advisory council on national unification, her office announced Thursday. Hyun Kyung-dae, 74, now chief of a law firm, was designated to lead the National Unification Advisory Council as its senior vice chairman. The president is the ex-officio chairman of the council. Hyun, considered one of seven elder political mentors believed to be offering advice to Park, served as a lawmaker from 1981 to 2004. He also worked for
May 2, 2013
-
Park revives top trade, investment council
President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday led a revived trade and investment promotion council of the kind that spearheaded Korea’s export-driven growth under her father, President Park Chung-hee, through the 1960s to 1980s. Some 150 participants including Deputy Prime Minister Hyun Oh-seok, ministers and business leaders attended the meeting to discuss ways to promote investment and protect businesses from foreign exchange fluctuations and other obstacles.The meeting was suspended in 2009 during the
May 1, 2013