Most Popular
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Court refuses injunction on medical school expansion
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Why Korean crime stories typically feature nameless, faceless perpetrators
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Debate on 'no-seniors zones' heats up
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S. Korea, Cambodia forge strategic partnership
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Rare mid-May heavy snow warning issued over mountainous areas of Gangwon
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Is NewJeans headed for a long 'break'?
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[KH Explains] Hyundai-backed Motional’s struggles deepen as Tesla eyes August robotaxi debut
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Police raid popera singer Kim Ho-joong's house over hit-and-run suspicions
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New Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office chief vows full-fledged probe into first lady
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Trump may like to 'solve' N. Korean nuclear problem if reelected: ex-official
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Reform often cosmetic in Korean politics
Parties view election victory more important than ideology and policy, says expertThe following is the fifth of a series of articles on Korean politics in 2012, when the general and presidential elections are taking place in the same year for the first time since 1992. ― Ed.The country’s political parties are in the grip of a reform drive ahead of the general and presidential elections.When faced with the need to reform, lawmakers have often changed the names of their parties, forged new allianc
Jan. 29, 2012
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Activist’s seat push could see Korea’s own Pirate Party
A Korean version of the Pirate Party could be established within the Democratic United Party.Lee Seung-hwan, a member of an online activist group working for freedom of expression within cyber space, plans to apply to DUP’s proportional representative plan for those aged between 25 and 35.While
Jan. 29, 2012
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DUP presidential hopeful Sohn decides not to run in general elections
Former main opposition party leader Sohn Hak-kyu said Saturday he will not run in April's parliamentary elections, indicating he will instead focus on his presidential bid later this year.Sohn, 64, stepped down as chairman of the then Democratic Party (DP) last month to pave the way for the launch o
Jan. 28, 2012
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Ruling party to tighten control on conglomerates
The ruling party resolved Friday to impose sanctions on conglomerates to alleviate the polarization of wealth and promote public welfare in a bid to appeal to voters ahead of the general elections.The conservative Grand National Party, which has often been accused of favoring the rich, made a turn from its conventional business-friendly stance, but drew a line with the left-wing’s progressive policies.The policy reform subcommittee of the party’s interim leadership council decided Friday to incl
Jan. 27, 2012
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DUP pins high hopes on presidential poll
Pro-Roh figure gains popularity; some consider Ahn indispensableSince its recent leadership election, public polling has grown more favorable for the main opposition Democratic United Party.One of the big boosts has come from the rising popularity of Moon Jae-in, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation and close aide to the liberal former president.Many nevertheless claimed Ahn Cheol-soo, independent but left leaning professor should not be ruled out for the party to gain public support.“It is o
Jan. 26, 2012
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Ruling party to change its name next week
The ruling Grand National Party decided to change its official name next week in an attempt to fundamentally renew the party’s image prior to the April general elections.This will be the first time for the right-wing party has changed its name since it began in 1997 through a party merger.The party’s emergency leadership council agreed to the change Thursday through a majority vote.The decision largely reflected the pledges of council leader Rep. Park Geun-hye.“I am ready to adopt a new party na
Jan. 26, 2012
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Ruling party set to change name next week
The ruling Grand National Party(GNP) said Thursday it has decided to change its name next week, with a majority of its legislators in support of the revision, a symbolic move to shed its image before the parliamentary elections less than three months away. (Yonhap News)With the GNP's emergency counc
Jan. 26, 2012
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Korea seeks to shorten hours to create jobs
Employers’ group hits back at move, says plan will increase labor costs and depress wagesThe government is aiming to shorten working hours in a bid to create more jobs and improve workers’ quality of life. President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday directed his staff to come up with measures to reduce labor hours, starting with large conglomerates that tower over the local economy. “Shortened hours have many positive impacts on our society, such as improving lifestyles, creating new jobs and boosting
Jan. 25, 2012
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GNP lawmaker probed over political funds
Ex-presidential aide Yoon denies allegations, threatens to take legal actionInvestigators of Jeil Savings Bank chairman Ryu Dong-chun’s political lobbying case are looking into Rep. Yoon Jin-sik of the Grand National Party, a close aide of President Lee Myung-bak.Yoon has denied the allegations made against him and threatened to take legal action should the “false information” be used politically.According to reports, investigators secured testimony from Ryu that he gave Yoon between 20 million
Jan. 25, 2012
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GNP in agony over drastic restructuring
Opinions were divided within the ruling Grand National Party on whether to abolish the current chairperson and Supreme Council system, as suggested by an in-party panel.“The current system of a single chairperson and five supreme councilors should be replaced by an open-door national committee,” Lee Sang-don, a leading member of the party’s interim leadership council, told reporters Tuesday.The abolition of the decision-making body is the key prerequisite in order to decentralize powers and to e
Jan. 25, 2012
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Rival parties agree to adopt mobile voting for open primary
A parliamentary committee on political reform plans to adopt an open primary system using mobile voting to allow political parties to select election candidates through contests open to non-party members, officials from the rival parties said Wednesday.An open primary is a system in which ordinary p
Jan. 25, 2012
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‘Communication’ keyword in Korean politics
Liberal, conservative figures turn to TV talk shows to reach public ahead of electionsThe following is the fourth of a series of articles on Korean politics in 2012, when general and presidential elections take place in the same year for the first time since 1992. ― Ed.There was something more than a little fishy with a recent joke by Grand National Party leader Park Geun-hye.“Which is superior, a whale, or a shrimp? I say a shrimp. Whales are made into pop corn-sized snacks (‘goraebap’ chips) b
Jan. 24, 2012
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Women take center stage in Korean politics
Female politicians lead major parties into crucial electionsWhen Grand National Party leader Park Geun-hye met her opposition counterpart Han Myeong-sook earlier this month, photojournalists and cameramen created a frantic scene, trying to best capture the moment. The next morning, many local newspapers published a picture of the two women smiling at each other, describing it as a “monumental” event that symbolized the opening of a new era for female political leadership in Korea. Park became in
Jan. 24, 2012
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Ahn denies he is in politics
Says ‘I am not a politician,’ but speculation persistsProfessor Ahn Cheol-soo, whom local media have painted as the top potential presidential candidate for the liberal camp, once again denied the possibility of his political debut.Observers, nevertheless, held on to speculation that he may still enter the presidential race later on.“If parties would fulfill their given duties, I do not see why a person like myself should worry about politics,” Ahn told reporters Saturday.“As an ordinary citizen
Jan. 24, 2012
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Parties gear up candidate screening
Leading parties are to add momentum to their preparations for the upcoming general elections by kicking off a candidate nomination committee as early as this week.They are also expected to carry out a major nominee reshuffle, in response to ongoing calls for reforms.The ruling Grand National Party’s emergency leadership council is to line up a nomination screening committee this week and to confirm its members as early as Wednesday, according to officials on Tuesday.The panel, in an attempt to f
Jan. 24, 2012
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Ahn denies direct involvement in politics
(Yonhap News)Ahn Chul-soo, a prominent South Korean entrepreneur, sought Friday to distance himself from South Korea's established political circles, adding no fuel to rumors of a presidential bid."I am not a politician," Ahn told Yonhap News Agency. "I didn't say anything special (about my intent o
Jan. 21, 2012
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Minority parties struggle
LFP damaged by breakaways, feuds; UPP offers a hand to DUPThe major parties have taken action to overcome the crisis ahead of this year’s elections, but most minor parties are still caught in incessant feuds.The ruling Grand National Party, after a series of election defeats and criticism for its snap-passage of free trade agreement with the U.S., late last year replaced its Supreme Council with an emergency leadership led by presidential hopeful Park Geun-hye.The main opposition Democratic Uni
Jan. 20, 2012
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Seoul cautious about joint drill with U.S.
South Korea and the U.S. appear cautious about staging their annual springtime military exercise here as planned, as it could provoke North Korea, about which uncertainty has deepened since the death of Kim Jong-il last month. The North has routinely denounced the Key Resolve exercise as a “rehearsal” to topple its regime. Last year, it hardened its bellicose rhetoric against the allies, warning of a “ruthless” military response with its nuclear, missile deterrence capabilities. “We are coordina
Jan. 20, 2012
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Ambassador to Cambodia tapped as Lee’s foreign policy secretary
President Lee Myung-bak on Friday tapped Chang Ho-jin, Seoul’s ambassador to Cambodia, as his secretary for diplomatic affairs.Chang has served in a variety of key diplomatic posts including those in the Foreign Ministry’s divisions handling North American issues and inter-Korean peace negotiations. He has served at the embassy in Cambodia since September 2010.Lee also appointed Kwon Ik-hwan, senior prosecutor in charge of financial and taxation cases at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ O
Jan. 20, 2012
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GNP split over president’s membership
Reform-minded members call for distance from unpopular president to win electionsA controversy was brewing within the ruling Grand National Party on Thursday after a key member of its leadership team openly called for President Lee Myung-bak to leave the party.Party leadership played down the provocative remarks by Kim Jong-in as a personal view. Hoverer, some reform-minded members threw weight behind Kim, saying the party should distance itself from the unpopular president to win the coming gen
Jan. 19, 2012