Most Popular
-
1
Jimin of BTS, actor Song Da-eun suspected to be dating, again
-
2
What's next for the government's push in quota hike?
-
3
Woman falls to death from acquaintance's home after exhibiting ‘unexplained' behaviors
-
4
‘Malice should not undermine the system, social order,’ says Hybe's Bang
-
5
N. Korea says it test-fired tactical ballistic missile with new guidance technology
-
6
[Weekender] Geeks have never been so chic in Korea
-
7
NewJeans members submit petitions over court injunction in Hybe-Ador conflict
-
8
Human rights commission urges Korea to raise awareness of LGBTQ rights
-
9
Teens banned from entering, working at 'hold 'em' pubs, cafes
-
10
Samsung expected to introduce new Exynos processor in next Galaxy series
-
Ahn syndrome leaves mark on election
Days after quitting the presidential race, Ahn Cheol-soo looms large over the electoral landscape.The former independent candidate still remains the most important variable in a tight race between the ruling Saenuri Party’s Park Geun-hye and the main opposition Democratic United Party’s Moon Jae-in.Ahn’s election camp was to disband on Tuesday afternoon but hurriedly called off the ceremony, citing security reasons.“We judged that more time was needed until the supporters overcome their sense of
Nov. 27, 2012
-
Park, Moon set out on 22-day stumps
Presidential candidates Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in hit the trails in the key battlegrounds of Daejeon and Busan, respectively, Tuesday at the start of their 22-day official campaign for Cheong Wa Dae.The two leading candidates slammed each other hard as unfit to lead the nation as they vied for the swing votes that hold the key to the Dec. 19 election.Polls released Monday showed Saenuri Party Park maintains a narrow lead against the Democratic United Party’s Moon with 44.7 percent against Mo
Nov. 27, 2012
-
Lee sharpens words against N.K.
President Lee Myung-bak on Tuesday urged top military commanders to maintain a robust readiness posture around the clock, portraying North Korea as the “most bellicose people.”His hardened rhetoric came as the ruling Saenuri Party and main opposition Democratic United Party have been striving to gain the upper hand on security and North Korea issues ahead of the Dec. 19 presidential election.“North Korea has a system that could launch provocations at any time in line with its own (military) stra
Nov. 27, 2012
-
Park moves to cement conservative base
The Saenuri Party’s presidential candidate Park Geun-hye is courting her former rivals and adversaries in an effort to unite the conservative faction ahead of the Dec. 19 presidential election. Lee Hoi-chang, the three-time presidential candidate and former head of the Grand National Party, the predecessor to the Saenuri Party, joined Park’s campaign last week.She is also seeking support from Lee Jae-oh, who once headed the GNP’s mainstream group loyal to President Lee Myung-bak, which had long
Nov. 27, 2012
-
Park sells policies for middle class in TV forum
Saenuri Party candidate Park Geun-hye's first televised debate late Monday focused on plans to protect the middle class which is regarded to hold the key to the Dec. 19 election.In the solo-debate, she reiterated her pledges to reduce household debt, create jobs, reduce private education costs, cut college tuitions and fight crime. She also expressed determination on maintaining strong national security. Some have been skeptical of her abilities in these areas as a woman without military experie
Nov. 27, 2012
-
Official campaigns start in close race
The presidential candidates kick off official campaigning for the Dec. 19 election on Tuesday, focusing on floating voters that have sharply risen in number following the sudden withdrawal of independent Ahn Cheol-soo on Friday.Negative campaigning was also seen to escalate as the presidential election became a two-way battle between conservative Park Geun-hye of the Saenuri Party and liberal Moon Jae-in of the Democratic United Party. The two are still neck and neck with less than one month bef
Nov. 26, 2012
-
Park richest party presidential candidate
Saenuri Party presidential candidate Park Geun-hye is the richest of the three party-affiliated candidates who completed the final registration on Sunday.With assets worth just over 2.18 billion won ($2 million), Park’s total financial value dwarfs those of the Democratic United Party’s Moon Jae-in and United Progressive Party’s Lee Jung-hee, according to the National Election Commission. The largest proportion of Park’s assets is accounted for by real estate ― two residential properties worth 2
Nov. 26, 2012
-
Election features record number of female, progressive candidates
A record number of female candidates and progressive activists are set to stand in Dec. 19 presidential election, though most are receiving little attention from voters. The National Election Commission wrapped up the two-day registration for the 18th election to pick the next head of state on Monday. Four out of seven candidates are women, including the ruling Saenuri Party’s Park Geun-hye. Among the fringe contenders, the most recognized figure is Lee Jung-hee of the minority Unified Progressi
Nov. 26, 2012
-
Ahn, Moon expected to meet as early as this week
Ahn Cheol-soo, the popular liberal independent who dropped out of the presidential race last week, could meet with his former rival Moon Jae-in of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) as early as this week to discuss ways to jointly defeat the ruling party in the Dec. 19 election, officials from both sides said Monday.Ahn, a 50-year-old software mogul-turned-politician, withdrew his candidacy Friday amid a deadlock in talks to select either him or Moon as the unified opposition cont
Nov. 26, 2012
-
Presidential frontrunner Park suffers from series of gaffes
The ruling Saenuri Party’s presidential candidate Park Geun-hye made yet another gaffe Sunday when she accidentally announced she was stepping down as the president.“Today, after sharing joy and sorrow with the people for 15 years, I am resigning from the presidency,” she said during a press conference held at Saenuri headquarters.It was an odd statement, considering that the 60-year-old politician -- despite her position as a prominent figure within the parliament and her party -- had never act
Nov. 26, 2012
-
Minor progressive party presidential hopeful quits race, supports
The presidential hopeful for the minor progressive party withdrew her bid Monday and endorsed the main opposition candidate running for the December election.Rep. Sim Sang-jung of the Progressive Justice Party (PJP) said she was quitting and hoped such a move could help rally support around one liberal candidate."I hope people will support Democratic United Party (DUP) candidate Moon Jae-in, who is effectively representing the liberal opposition camp," she said at a news conference held at the N
Nov. 26, 2012
-
Park, Moon set for 2-way showdown
Presidential candidates Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in, of the ruling and opposition party respectively, registered Sunday as official candidates for the Dec. 19 election.With the two neck-and-neck in various polls after former independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo’s withdrawal, they are especially focused on attracting moderate voters. “I plan to end my political career should I fail to win the people’s trust in this presidential election,” Park said Sunday, announcing her resignation from the par
Nov. 25, 2012
-
DUP struggles to woo Ahn supporters
Democratic United Party candidate Rep. Moon Jae-in vowed on Sunday to closely ally with former independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, sending a reconciliatory message to Ahn and his supporters to ensure their continued backing for the liberal opposition campaign.Moon promised to forge “people’s solidarity” through building a comprehensive campaign machine that encompasses Ahn’s supporters, and to work together to implement mutually agreed-upon visions for political reform, economy, welfare and pen
Nov. 25, 2012
-
Lee Hoi-chang backs Park bid
Lee Hoi-chang, former chairman of the Liberty Forward Party, on Saturday announced his support for presidential candidate Park Geun-hye, reinforcing the ruling Saenuri Party’s gathering of conservative forces.“This year’s election is about whether or not the Republic of Korea can maintain its identity. As I deemed I cannot stay a third party, I have decided to support Park,” Lee, the standard-bearer of the conservatives, said at a press conference. Lee submitted his registration to the party upo
Nov. 25, 2012
-
Polls show S. Korean candidates in tight race
South Korea's ruling and opposition candidates are in a neck-and-neck race for the Dec. 19 presidential race, according to public surveys released on Sunday, after a popular software mogul dropped out of contention after talks for a liberal alliance stalled. The upcoming vote has become a two-horse race between Park Geun-hye, the front-runner for the ruling Saenuri Party, and Moon Jae-in of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) after independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo quit on Friday
Nov. 25, 2012
-
Campaigners of opposition hopeful Moon resign to form greater liberal camp
Top election campaigners for Moon Jae-in, the presidential candidate of the main opposition Democratic United Party, decided to give up their posts Saturday, allowing their candidate to form a new election camp that will include other liberal forces.The move came one day after independent presidential hopeful Ahn Cheol-soo withdrew from the presidential election, endorsing Moon as the sole candidate of the so-called liberal camp.Moon's top election campaigners "agreed there is a need to form a n
Nov. 24, 2012
-
Ahn’s farewell speech met with sighs and wails
Shock and sorrow gripped Ahn Cheol-soo’s campaign as he announced his withdrawal from the presidential race on Friday evening.Ahn showed up at his campaign headquarters in central Seoul, not too far from Cheong Wa Dae shortly after 8 p.m. News reports had earlier stated that he had paid a visit to the police station to pick up the required background check documents for the registration of presidential candidates on Nov. 25-26. He appeared to be swallowing his tears as he read out his last speec
Nov. 23, 2012
-
Saenuri denounces Ahn for quitting race
The ruling Saenuri Party late on Friday denounced Ahn Cheol-soo’s renouncement of his presidential bid as “irresponsible,” immediately eyeing moderate votes that had been supporting the former professor.“We regret the resignation of Ahn, who envisions new politics,” Ahn Hyung-hwan, a Saenuri spokesman, said in a statement. “Ahn Cheol-soo’s experimental efforts for political reform appear to have run into the wall of the DUP’s crafty old politics and fallen apart.” The popular software mogul-turn
Nov. 23, 2012
-
Moon’s camp ‘sorry’ but ‘grateful’ to Ahn
The main opposition Democratic United Party said it was sorry but grateful to independent Ahn Cheol-soo for his decision to drop out of the presidential race and support its candidate Moon Jae-in.Minutes after Ahn’s announcement to quit, Moon said on his Twitter account, “I am deeply sorry to Ahn and his supporters.”Moon’s campaign office said that with Ahn’s backing, the liberal opposition campaign would achieve a change of government that would usher in a “new politics and new era.”“We are ind
Nov. 23, 2012
-
Merger process comes to a dramatic end
It was to be a beautiful marriage. But jealousy, betrayal and deception were threatening the proposed union of the two progressive candidates and emboldened the nation’s former first daughter’s claim to the throne. At the moment most expected to see a messy split, independent presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo announced that he would sacrifice his bid and pledged to honor the vows he made with Democratic United Party candidate Moon Jae-in.“Candidate Moon and I failed to bridge our positions. M
Nov. 23, 2012