Most Popular
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Exports to US reach all-time high, widen gap with China
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Trump rekindles criticism: US forces defending 'wealthy' S. Korea 'free of charge'
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[Music in drama] Rekindle a love that slipped through your fingers
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S. Korea discussed possible participation in AUKUS Pillar 2 with Australia: defense minister
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[New faces of Assembly] Architect behind ‘audacious initiative’ believes in denuclearized North Korea
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On May Day, labor unions blast Yoon's foreign nanny proposal
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Seoul Metro to seek legal action against malicious complaints
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Illit, mired in controversy, remains on Billboard charts for 5th week
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[KH Explains] Will alternative trading platform shake up Korean stock market?
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S. Korea lowers COVID-19 warning level, lifts last-remaining antivirus mandates
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2012 a pivotal year in Korean politics
The year 2012 is going to be a big year for Korean politics, with two major elections ― one in April to pick members of the National Assembly and another in December to elect a new president. The Korea Herald will run a series of articles on what to look for this election year. ― Ed. Name two most important events in a democracy, and parliamentary and presidential elections are most likely to come to mind. Korea will have both in 2012. “It is going to be a pivotal year for Korean politics, with
Dec. 30, 2011
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SNU professor Bark tapped as trade minister
President Lee Myung-bak tapped Seoul National University professor Bark Tae-ho to be trade minister in a small-scale reshuffle that affected seven high-level government posts, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday.Bark, currently teaching at the SNU Graduate School of International Studies, formerly headed the Korea Trade Commission and the Korean Association of Trade and Industry Studies.“As he has abundant knowledge of the overall economy, foreign language proficiency and professionalism, we believe he is
Dec. 30, 2011
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GNP names Rep. Kwon as secretary-general
The ruling Grand National Party’s emergency leadership council braced for next year’s electoral battles by organizing its detailed tasks and appointing new key officials.In its meeting on Friday, the council appointed Rep. Kwon Young-se as its new secretary-general and allocated party lawmakers and non-party experts to four sectors ― political reform, policy design, public communication and recruiting.The third-term lawmaker is largely considered a non-faction figure and his selection is seen as
Dec. 30, 2011
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Ex-dissident and minister Kim Geun-tae dies at 64
(Yonhap News)Kim Geun-tae, a renowned pro-democracy activist and politician who laid the cornerstone of South Korean democracy, died of complications from pneumonia and blood poisoning on Friday. He was 64.He served as leader of the former ruling Uri Party and health and welfare minister during the
Dec. 29, 2011
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Ahn’s meetings with experts fan speculation on presidential bid
Entrepreneur-turned-professor Ahn Cheol-soo has recently met with several experts on a variety of issues, including North Korea and the economy, adding to speculation that he may have begun preparations for next year’s presidential election.Ahn, who has grabbed the media spotlight as one of the strongest presidential contenders on the back of strong popularity particularly from young voters, has yet to clarify whether he will enter politics.Local media speculated that the dean of Seoul National
Dec. 29, 2011
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Parliament rushes to wrap up bills
The National Assembly pushed to wrap up long-delayed issues such as the trade-related bills and the budget before the end of the year.In its second-to-last plenary session on Thursday, the parliament passed a series of subordinate bills to the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.The list included a trade procedure bill which enhances the assembly’s authority to monitor inter-government trade pacts.The bill to preserve profit for farmers was, however, delayed to Friday’s session, as lawmakers demande
Dec. 29, 2011
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Factional conflict reemerges in GNP
Leadership member calls for shakeup, targeting President Lee’s confidantsRep. Park Geun-hye’s drive to reform the Grand National Party faced a backlash Thursday, after one member of her leadership team called for a personnel shakeup targeting old-guard members and those close to President Lee Myung-bak. Lawmakers loyal to the president vented out their resentment at the new leadership, saying it is acting like an occupation army, purging opponents. At the center of the conflict was Lee Sang-don,
Dec. 29, 2011
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26 year old grabs spotlight among new GNP leaders
A 26-year-old Harvard graduate grabbed the media spotlight Wednesday after making a surprise debut as a member of the Grand National Party’s leadership council. Handpicked by Rep. Park Geun-hye, the party’s chief and strongest presidential candidate, Lee Jun-seok is by far the youngest on the 11-member council launched Tuesday, and the youngest ever to hold a leadership position in the history of the conservative ruling party. Park, introducing Lee to party members Tuesday, expressed hopes that
Dec. 28, 2011
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DUP prepping for leadership election
The new main opposition Democratic Unified Party geared up for its national convention slated for next month, as its candidates for chairperson kicked off their electoral campaigns on Wednesday.The nine candidates who passed the preliminary race on Monday attended an initial joint speech on Jeju Island Tuesday afternoon. They are also to appear in televised debates over the coming weeks, according to officials.The list of candidates includes former Democratic Party floor leader Park Jie-won, for
Dec. 28, 2011
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GNP leadership vows bold reform action
Park pledges to conclude at least one issue in each council meetingThe ruling Grand National Party’s emergency leadership council vowed to come up with tangible renewal plans every week, starting with action on a cyber attack that has shaken the party.Rep. Park Geun-hye, chairperson of the council and presidential hopeful, said that she would conclude at least one of the party’s urgent issues in each Monday council meeting, one of her close aides said.The interim leader showed her determination
Dec. 28, 2011
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Will Kim grow out from his father’s shadow?
Untested heir is saddled with daunting tasks such as shoring up economy, people’s supportAfter the funeral for North Korea’s longtime strongman Kim Jong-il ended on Wednesday, attention is being drawn to the future of the communist state under the leadership of his third son and successor Jong-un.While having to grow out from the shadow of his father, the untested heir is now saddled with daunting undertakings such as shoring up the economy, ensuring firm support from his people and establishing
Dec. 28, 2011
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GNP asks Rep. Choi to leave over aide’s role in DDoS attack
Ruling party launches panel to overhaul itself ahead of major pollsThe ruling Grand National Party’s emergency leadership council, which held its first meeting Tuesday, has asked Rep. Choi Gu-sik to quit the party over the recent cyber attack scandal involving his ex-secretary.A former aide to Rep. Choi Gu-sik confessed earlier this month that he was responsible for hacking the National Election Commission website during the Oct. 26 by-elections. Though the aide, surnamed Gong, claimed to have a
Dec. 27, 2011
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South in discord over North in transition
Experts call for detaching inter-Korean matters from domestic politicsFor Kim Oh-bok, the mother of a marine killed in North Korea’s shelling of a border island last year, Kim Jong-il’s death was the answer to her prayers to God. Since losing her son, she had prayed that the North Korean dictator would die as soon as possible.On Dec. 19 when Pyongyang belatedly announced the death of its leader, the 51-year-old posted a note on her son’s mini-homepage in a symbolic move to let him know of the ne
Dec. 27, 2011
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Scholars, young businessmen join GNP leadership council
Surprise list including 26-year-old venture businessman seen as reformative but showoffRep. Park Geun-hye of the ruling Grand National Party officially kicked off the party’s emergency leadership council Tuesday by confirming its members, which included both former senior presidential officials and young venture businessmen.As Park’s list remained confidential until the very last minute, its content came as a surprise to many, including some of her closest aides.Disputes also rose on whether Par
Dec. 27, 2011
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Panel demands U.S. FTA renegotiation
The National Assembly’s foreign affairs committee on Tuesday adopted a resolution demanding a renegotiation of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, especially for the modification, reversing or abolition of the Investor-State Dispute settlement clause.The panel also urged the government to conduct in-depth researches on the U.S. federal and state laws which may come in conflict with the trade deal and make due diplomatic efforts to solve the problem.Though some of the ruling party lawmakers disa
Dec. 27, 2011
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Parliament adopts resolution demanding U.S. FTA renegotiation
South Korean lawmakers on Tuesday passed a resolution calling for renegotiation of a key clause in the free trade agreement with the United States expected to go into effect early next year.In a resolution adopted by the parliamentary trade committee, ruling party and opposition lawmakers urged the
Dec. 27, 2011
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Nine picked for race to lead DUP
Candidates to compete for six seats in national convention on Jan. 15The main opposition Democratic Unified Party on Monday chose nine of the 15 candidates who will run for party leader next month. The list included former Democratic Party floor leader Park Jie-won, former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook and civic group-based candidate Moon Sung-keun.Reps. Park Young-sun, Kim Boo-kyum and Lee Kang-rae of the former DP also joined the list, along with Park Yong-jin, Lee In-young and Lee Hak-young.
Dec. 26, 2011
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Lee to meet conservative minor party heads on North
President Lee Myung-bak will meet with leaders of the conservative minor Liberty Forward Party this week to seek cooperation in handling the aftermath of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s death, an aide said MondayThe meeting with LFP leader Sim Dae-pyung and floor leader Kim Nak-sung, set for Tuesday, comes days after Lee held a similar meeting with the ruling Grand National Party and the main opposition Democratic Unity Party last week.“President Lee will have a tea meeting with LFP chairman S
Dec. 26, 2011
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Governor Kim slams ‘kowtowing’ to N.K. heir
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo on Monday used bitter words to explain the developments in North Korea after the death of its “Dear Leader” Kim Jong-il, and the world’s subsequent response. He said the communist country is putting an untested, 20-something son of a late strongman in power to complete a third-generation dynastic succession, yet the world is acting as if it is a righteous regime change. “North Korea is handing over all power and authority to a 20-something, inexperienced l
Dec. 26, 2011
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DUP sorts out runners for leadership race
Nine elected candidates to compete in national convention on Jan. 15The main opposition Democratic Unified Party held a preliminary race Monday to sort out the final candidates for the party’s leadership race next month.The elected chairperson, along with the decision-making body, is to lead the newly formed party through next year’s general and presidential elections.The race was to select nine from among the 16 candidates -- 11 from the former Democratic Party and five from the former Citizens
Dec. 26, 2011