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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Trump may like to 'solve' N. Korean nuclear problem if reelected: ex-official
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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 slams planned S. Korea-US military drills, warns of 'catastrophic aftermath'
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[Robert J. Fouser] Social attitudes toward language proficiency
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N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS
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[Graphic News] How much do Korean adults read?
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N. Korea says it test-fired tactical ballistic missile with new guidance technology
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DUP offers talks with Saenuri over primary
The main opposition Democratic United Party’s interim leader Moon Sung-keun on Sunday proposed talks with the ruling Saenuri Party’s chairwoman Park Geun-hye to discuss adopting fully-open primaries ahead of the Dec. 19 presidential race.Park has been facing growing calls within and outside the party to replace the current system with an open primary, in which the candidate is decided by a vote by citizens. Park, who enjoys sturdy in-house support as a presidential frontrunner, has been defendin
April 29, 2012
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Speculation of gov't weighing U.S. beef import ban unfounded:Cheong Wa Dae
Speculation that the South Korean government is considering a move to halt U.S. beef imports is unfounded since there is no risk to public health, a senior aide to the president said Saturday.Senior press secretary Choe Geum-nak said media reports that the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae is reviewing the possibility of halting imports are not true.The comments came as some media outlets reported
April 28, 2012
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Seoul faces another beef test
Around this time in 2008, officials in Seoul struggled for weeks to explain to angry protesters that their agreement with the U.S. to resume imports of American beef would not put them at risk of mad cow disease. Four years later, with the U.S. having reported a new case of the brain-damaging disease in one of its cattle, they face increasing calls to prove that they did not lie and to take immediate safeguard actions. The government is struggling to handle the politically sensitive issue differ
April 27, 2012
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Lame duck Lee hitting rough final stretch
One close aide after another suffers fall in expanding corruption investigationStaying true to the usual cycle in which lame duck presidents and their aides face corruption scandals toward the end of his term, an increasing number of President Lee Myung-bak’s men are being investigated for alleged irregularities.While a series of charges and convictions have put former aides of Lee in the headlines over the past several months, the strongest blow yet was dealt with allegations against the presi
April 26, 2012
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Parties hit by leadership strife
Key figures of Saenuri, DUP accused of back room deals over party posts that will sway presidential electionThe country’s two largest parties are embroiled in factional politics and backdoor power plays as they move to select new leaders who will guide them into a crucial presidential election at the end of the year. In the ruling Saenuri Party, rumors that current party chief Park Geun-hye has already sorted out who will take what posts in the next leadership council created an uproar among mem
April 26, 2012
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Opposition calls for U.S. beef import halt
The opposition camp urged the government on Thursday to immediately suspend the import and the quarantine of U.S. beef, as one case of mad cow disease was recently reported in California.The South Korean government reinforced its quarantine inspections in response, but nevertheless continued the beef imports.“The government should abide by its earlier pledge to discontinue all imports, should a case of mad cow disease break out in U.S. beef,” said Rep. Park Jie-won of the main opposition Democra
April 26, 2012
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‘Kingmaker’ hints at presidential bid
Veteran politician Rep. Lee Jae-oh of the ruling Saenuri Party hinted Wednesday at throwing his hat into the ring for the Dec. 19 presidential election.“I have no intention to play ‘kingmaker’ this time. I am thinking of running for the presidential election,” Lee was quoted as saying in the JoongAng Ilbo. Adding that he will formalize his bid around the party’s national convention on May 15, Lee said he will start touring the country to assess public sentiment until early next month.Lee will be
April 25, 2012
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Parties struggle to end deadlock
Ruling, opposition parties in negotiations over legislative reform billStung by public criticism, rival political parties on Wednesday sought to break a deadlock on legislative-process reforms and pass some other important bills before the current parliament ends its term. Leaders of the ruling Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic United Party, after rounds of behind-the-scene negotiations, reached a compromise deal on the bill aimed at promoting compromise and preventing violent c
April 25, 2012
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Assembly session postponed
The National Assembly on Tuesday postponed what was expected to be its last plenary session, after rival parties failed to narrow their differences on a bill on the legislative process. Floor leaders of the ruling Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic United Party agreed to defer the session, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. They did not say when it will be held. The decision darkened prospects for nearly 60 other pending bills, such as one to permit sales of over-the-counter drugs at
April 24, 2012
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Progressive party criticized for double standards
Irregularities alleged in Unified Progressive Party’s proportional representative primary The far-left minority Unified Progressive Party is facing mounting internal and external criticism over allegations that its nomination of proportional representative candidates was full of irregularities and fraud. Political observers said the allegations, following a similar election fraud case involving its co-chair Lee Jung-hee, could shake the party to its core, as it is built on a public image of pur
April 24, 2012
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Prosecutors aim at ‘king’s man’
Ex-Vice Minister Park latest of Lee’s closest aides involved in graft scandalProsecutors are reportedly tracing the bank accounts of Park Young-joon, 52, a former knowledge and economy minister, in a burgeoning bribery scandal involving President Lee Myung-bak’s closest aides.News reports said prosecutors had secured testimony from a business developer that he handed over 1 billion won ($876,000) to Park between 2007 and 2008 in exchange for his help in getting a distribution complex constructio
April 24, 2012
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Asan international forum to discuss leadership in global challenges
Leading international experts will discuss North Korea and other regional and global challenges during a three-day conference that kicks off in Seoul on Wednesday. Hosted by the local think tank Asan Institute for Policy Studies, the 2012 Asan Plenum will focus particularly on the role of leadership in dealing with political and economic crises, with a number of countries undergoing changes in heads of state this year.The second annual forum will bring together about 350 people, including renown
April 24, 2012
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Former activist targets non-Park conservatives
Gyeonggi Gov. Kim Moon-soo, the first politician to announce his presidential bid, is known for his unconventional path from pro-democracy student activist, to hard-line labor leader, and then outspoken right-wing politician. The former lawmaker and second-term governor will join the ruling Saenuri Party’s presidential primary in August to challenge formidable party leader Park Geun-hye.His bold charge may not be opportune. He has been sarcastically nicknamed “the Governor,” referring to his aut
April 24, 2012
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Progressives drop ‘united’ from party name
The minority Unified Progressive Party decided Tuesday to simplify its name to the Progressive Party as it seeks to sharpen its leftist identity.The party announced the draft revision of its constitution that included the name change.The name “Progressive Party” had been registered with the National Election Commission as the official abbreviation of another leftist minority party, the New Progressive Party.The NPP, however, was delisted after it failed to get 2 percent of the vote in this month
April 24, 2012
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Debate brewing in Saenuri over open primary contest
A debate is brewing in the ruling Saenuri Party over its presidential nomination rules, as underdog candidates call for an open primary contest in hopes of challenging party chief and frontrunner Park Geun-hye. Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Moon-soo, who declared his presidential candidacy Sunday, first floated the idea, claiming that the party should invite ordinary voters ― regardless of their political party affiliation ― to select who should represent the conservative party at the polls in Dece
April 23, 2012
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‘My mission is to make a great nation’
Gyeonggi governor to compete in Saenuri presidential primaryKim Moon-soo, governor of Gyeonggi Province, on Sunday said he would run for the presidency, becoming the first official candidate for the December vote. “I am here to tell you about my decision to run for the 18th president of Korea,” Kim told a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul. The two-term governor said he will join the ruling Saenuri Party’s presidential primary, expected to be dominated by party chief and overwhel
April 22, 2012
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Scandals leave Saenuri needing Assembly allies
With the Saenuri Party losing its majority in the 19th National Assembly, attention is becoming focused on whether the party will be able to win support from a minor conservative party and unaffiliated lawmakers to exert control in the assembly. Following allegations of plagiarism and attempted sexual assault two Saenuri Party lawmakers-elect ― Kim Hyung-tae and Moon Dae-sung ― left the party, reducing the party’s seats to 150 from 152 in the 300-member 19th National Assembly.In addition, with c
April 22, 2012
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Saenuri underdogs gear up for race
May work together in bid to challenge Park Geun-hye in party primaryThe ruling Saenuri Party’s presidential nomination process is looking like a multi-horse race, with several underdogs striving for an upset win against frontrunner Park Geun-hye. While Park, the party’s chief since December, is to step back from frontline politics, her potential challengers are expected to take steps to position themselves as presidential candidates. Among them, Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Moon-soo became the fir
April 22, 2012
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Former news anchor vows to focus on news media policy
This is the second article in a series introducing significant lawmakers-elect of the upcoming 19th National Assembly. ― Ed.The main opposition Democratic United Party was disappointed by the results of the recent parliamentary elections but succeeded in winning some key battles in the capital.One of the party’s electoral heroes is political rookie Shin Kyoung-min, who defeated Rep. Kwon Young-se, third-term lawmaker and secretary-general of the ruling Saenuri Party in the Youngdeungpo-B constit
April 22, 2012
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Kim becomes first to announce presidential run
Kim Moon-soo, governor of Gyeonggi Province, on Sunday declared his candidacy for the presidency, becoming the first to throw his hat into the ring for the December vote. Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo (Yonhap News)“I am here to tell you about my decision to run for the 19th president of Korea,” Kim told a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul. The two-term governor said he
April 22, 2012