Most Popular
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South Korea confirms North Korea’s latest spy satellite launch failed
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Financially active women bear fewer children, report finds
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Leaders agree to revive 3-way cooperation, reaffirm security efforts
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N. Korea notifies Japan of plan to launch satellite before June 4: Kyodo
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S. Korea's exports set to maintain growth in May: trade minister
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Aespa breaks silence on Hybe chairman’s remark to ‘crush’ them
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[Feature] Ignorance about Africa still rampant in Korea
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Korea ushers in new space era with KASA launch
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South Korea flies fighters near border over North Korean spy satellite alarm
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Yoon, Kishida agree on close communication over Naver's Line app row
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Seoul, U.S. make progress in talks on missile range
Seoul and Washington have reportedly made considerable progress in their negotiations over the revision of a bilateral ballistic missile pact to allow South Korea to better deal with North Korea’s increasing military threats.The negotiations are expected to be concluded within a month or two, and their results could be announced in October when the allies’ defense chiefs meet in Washington D.C. for their annual Security Consultative Meeting, according to Dong-A Ilbo.“The two sides are making the
Sept. 4, 2012
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DUP presidential primary loses steam
Moon scores his seventh consecutive primary victory in South GyeongsangAnxiety is growing within the main opposition Democratic United Party as its presidential primaries are failing to attract attention of even its own members.For the DUP, it is crucial that the party’s nominee heightens his public credential ahead of competition with liberal rival professor Ahn Cheol-soo or eventually conservative foe Rep. Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party.As of the seventh round of voting in South Gye
Sept. 4, 2012
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Ethical questions about Ahn
Popularity based on squeaky-clean image may backfireDoubts about Seoul National University professor Ahn Cheol-soo’s integrity are growing day by day as political circles and the public wait for the popular political aspirant to make a decision on his presidential bid.The latest is a revelation that the former software mogul had already purchased a home in 1988, contrary to his earlier comment, “I myself am also well aware of the misery of renting a home (without owning one).”While most of the
Sept. 4, 2012
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Ex-prosecutor and social activist joins Dec. race
As prosecutor, activist and government commissioner, Kang Ji-won has devoted himself to fighting social evils from sex crimes and child abuse, to drug and game addictions. The hyperactive social crusader is moving his campaign to politics, declaring on Tuesday that he will be running in the presidential election in December.The 62-year-old has little apparent political or social influence compared to other presidential hopefuls, but he says he hopes to bring about “political reform” by running.
Sept. 4, 2012
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Authorities go all out to root out sex crimes
Heinous crimes reignite debate over capital punishmentPresident Lee Myung-bak on Monday vowed to strengthen measures to curb sex crimes, including an increased use of chemical castration, in the wake of the brutal rape of a 7-year-old girl.In his biweekly radio address, Lee said that his government will seek to allocate more funds for public security, increase police numbers in high-risk areas, and intensify efforts to curb the spread of illegal obscene materials on the Internet.His remarks came
Sept. 3, 2012
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Korea to hold defense talks with Sweden, Norway
South Korea will hold working-level defense talks with Sweden and Norway this week to expand cooperation in peacekeeping operations and the defense industry with the European nations, the defense ministry said Monday. A South Korean delegation led by Choi Hong-ki, the ministry’s international policy director, will visit Sweden’s defense ministry on Tuesday for cooperation talks with Maj. Gen. Stig Christer Lidstrom.On Friday, the delegation will meet Norwegian Defense Minister Espen Barth Eide t
Sept. 3, 2012
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Park Geun-hye eyeing foreign trip ahead of presidential polls
The Saenuri Party’s presidential hopeful Park Geun-hye is considering a move to visit several foreign countries to highlight her diplomatic credentials and ability to lead the country in the global arena, sources said Monday.Sources said that no specific date or schedule has been set, although confirming that Saenuri believes a trip is necessary as Park strives to become South Korea’s next chief executive.They said that because there is not a lot of time before the Dec. 19 presidential election,
Sept. 3, 2012
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Lee’s secretary to head Sejong City construction
President Lee Myung-bak on Monday tapped Lee Jae-hong, presidential secretary for land and maritime affairs, as the new head of an agency in charge of constructing Sejong City.He was named chief of the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Agency due to his ample experience and professionalism in the fields of city construction and policy planning, Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release. Jeong Byeong-yun, assistant minister for territorial policy at the Ministry of Land, Transport and
Sept. 3, 2012
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Assembly passes special probe into Lee’s retirement home scandal
The National Assembly on Monday approved the launch of a special probe into the controversy surrounding the now-scrapped plan to build President Lee Myung-bak’s retirement home. Lee’s son and aides had been accused of violating real estate laws and misappropriating taxpayers’ money in the purchase of a plot of land located in Naegok-dong, southern Seoul. They were cleared of charges by prosecutors. The motion led by the main opposition Democratic United Party to open an independent counsel’s pro
Sept. 3, 2012
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Korea to raise sex slavery at U.N.
South Korea will raise the issue of aging Korean women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II at this month’s U.N. General Assembly in New York, a senior official said Monday. The move comes after South Korea last week blasted remarks by some nationalist Japanese officials, including Jin Matsubara, chairman of Japan’s National Public Safety Commission, who challenged Seoul to provide proof that the victims were forcibly drafted by the Japanese military.
Sept. 3, 2012
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Ahn to join presidential race as independent, source says
Seoul National University professor Ahn Cheol-soo, explosively popular among the younger voters, has made a decision to play a role in the presidential race independently, a source said Monday.Even if he is elected president, the former software mogul will deviate from establishing a new party or joining the main opposition Democratic United Party, and remain independent, the source was quoted as saying by the Herald Business.Speaking on the premise that Ahn would run in the election, the source
Sept. 3, 2012
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Park Geun-hye visits Buddhist leader to win support for national unity
Ruling Saenuri Party presidential candidate Park Geun-hye met with Ven. Jaseung, the head of the Jogye Order, South Korea's largest Buddhist sect, on Monday to win support for her campaign to promote national unity.The 60-year-old lawmaker who won her party's presidential nomination on Aug. 20 held talks with the monk and stressed that pushing for national unity could lead to the happiness of the
Sept. 3, 2012
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Seoul, Tokyo show signs of easing diplomatic tension over Dokdo
Japan will stick to its plan to join this month's anti-proliferation exercise led by South Korea, Seoul officials said Monday, in the latest sign that mounting diplomatic tension over the sovereignty issue of Dokdo may not affect other bilateral relations. The two historical rivals have also held consultations over last week's talks in Beijing between North Korea and Japan, their first governmental meeting in four years, in another indication that the diplomatic chill over Dokdo has not swelled
Sept. 3, 2012
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DUP rivals eye alliance to defeat Moon
Rep. Moon Jae-in of the main opposition Democratic United Party secured his sixth consecutive win in the regional votes Sunday, further prompting his rivals to consider an alliance to pull down his ratings in the remaining polls.The former presidential aide once again came out a winner in the Incheon primary by winning 5,928 ballots, or 50 percent of the total valid votes. It followed his win in North Jeolla Province the day before.Moon, however, is yet to secure a sure win by having gained an a
Sept. 2, 2012
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Park calls for anti-crime campaign
President Lee, Saenuri candidate meet ahead of presidential racePresident Lee Myung-bak and the ruling Saenuri Party’s presidential candidate Park Geun-hye met for a private luncheon for the first time in eight months Sunday, during which the two discussed ways to tackle violent crimes and economic difficulties.During the 100-minute-long meeting, the former chairwoman suggested setting up a nationwide campaign for safety in light of increased social anxiety following a series of high-profile vio
Sept. 2, 2012
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Parties ready for stormy Assembly regular session
The 19th National Assembly is opening its first regular session Monday for what is expected to be 100 days of heavy political wrangling over reform bills, special audits and attacks on presidential candidates.On the surface, both parties vow to devote their legislative activities to improving public livelihood.But observers warn the parties will take advantage of the session, held just months ahead of the Dec. 19 presidential election, to slam opposing presidential candidates and hinder each oth
Sept. 2, 2012
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Korea mourns passing of Ethiopian P.M. Meles
The following is the contribution by President Lee Myung-bak on the passing of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. ― Ed. On Aug. 20, I was greatly shocked by the unexpected news that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had passed away, and I was deeply saddened by the news. My mind was only focused on Typhoon Bolaven heading toward the Korean Peninsula at that time, but I could think back on how the Prime Minister and I had forged our friendship. I vividly remember him as a warm-hearted and passionat
Sept. 2, 2012
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Moon wins primary for sixth straight time in Incheon
Rep. Moon Jae-in, a lawyer-turned-politician, won his sixth straight victory in a regional primary of the Democratic United Party (DUP) on Sunday, coming closer to securing the party's ticket for the Dec. 19 presidential polls.Moon, formerly chief of staff to the late President Roh Moo-hyun, garnered 5,928 votes, or 50.1 percent, of the 11,834 cast in Incheon, a port city west of Seoul, the party'
Sept. 2, 2012
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Lee meets with presidential candidate Park
President Lee Myung-bak met with ruling-party presidential candidate Park Geun-hye Sunday in a rare meeting watched closely for signs of a development in their strained relations ahead of December's presidential election.The one-on-one lunch meeting at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae came at the request of Park, a five-term lawmaker and eldest daughter of late President Park Chung-hee, who w
Sept. 2, 2012
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Moon wins crucial primary in North Jeolla Province
Rep. Moon Jae-in, a lawyer-turned-politician, won his fifth straight victory in the ongoing regional primary contest of the Democratic United Party(DUP) on Saturday, coming closer to securing the main opposition party's presidential candidacy ahead of the Dec. 19 polls.Moon, formerly chief of staff to the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, garnered 16,350 votes, or 37.54 percent, of the 43,553 ca
Sept. 2, 2012