Most Popular
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Court refuses injunction on medical school expansion
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Is NewJeans headed for a long 'break'?
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Jimin of BTS, actor Song Da-eun suspected to be dating, again
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Police raid popera singer Kim Ho-joong's house over hit-and-run suspicions
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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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N. Korea slams planned S. Korea-US military drills, warns of 'catastrophic aftermath'
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N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS
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‘Malice should not undermine the system, social order,’ says Hybe's Bang
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Lawmaker gets 16-month jail term for receiving illegal political
A sitting lawmaker, formerly affiliated with the main opposition party, received a jail sentence Friday for taking bribes from a businessman.The Seoul Central District Court handed down a 16-month jail term to Rep. Park Ki-choon, formerly of the Minjoo Party of Korea, for receiving some 270 million won ($225,800) from the head of a distribution agency, only known by his surname Kim, in return for business favors. The court also ordered Park to forfeit 278 million won. Prosecutors alleged that Pa
Jan. 8, 2016
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Former state oil firm head found not guilty of breach of trust
A local court on Friday acquitted the former head of the national oil company of causing a huge loss to state coffers in the purchase of two Canadian firms. The Seoul Central District Court ruled Kang Young-won, the former CEO of the Korean National Oil Corp. (KNOC), should not be held responsible for losing 550 billion won (US$464 million) of state funds by acquiring two Canadian resource companies -- Harvest Oil Operation Corp. and its affiliate North Atlantic Refining Limited -- in 2009.
Jan. 8, 2016
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Former USFK official indicted over drug smuggling
An American civilian who worked at the U.S. military in South Korea has been indicted on charges of trafficking drugs to Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul, prosecutors said Friday.The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office said the 35-year-old, identified only by his initial J, is suspected of receiving 35 pills of MDMA, better known as "ecstasy," and 20.5 grams of hemp from an unidentified seller last year.Still, the suspect was not taken into custody.The drugs were sent from the Netherland
Jan. 8, 2016
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Korean fugitive repatriated home from China
A 45-year-old South Korean man who fled to China in 2009 after being sought on charges of investment and stock fraud involving 250 billion won ($209.1 million) was repatriated home on Friday to face charges, the South Korean Embassy in Beijing said. The suspect, who is only identified by his surname Lee, was arrested at his mistress' home in Beijing in October, the embassy said in a statement.As a chief executive of a non-listed company in South Korea, the suspect is accused of allegedly inflati
Jan. 8, 2016
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Gov't to allow blood drives in malaria-prone areas to cope with low reserves
South Korea will temporarily allow blood drives in malaria-prone areas of the country to cope with dangerously low blood reserves, the government said Friday.The Ministry of Health and Welfare said the country's blood reserves stood at just 2.1 days, much lower than the recommended 5 days.The country's reserves are so low, the government has already raised the blood reserve alert level to "yellow" and will consider marking it up further if things do not improve, it said.Blood donations will be a
Jan. 8, 2016
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Mutation detected in S. Korean MERS virus: government
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus that spread through South Korea last year underwent a mutation that could have affected its ability to infect people and the fatality rate, the government said Friday.The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said bodily fluid specimens taken from eight people infected with the MERS inducing coronavirus, showed signs of genetic mutation in spike glycoprotein when compared with previous documented cases. Spike glycoprotein is the
Jan. 8, 2016
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Korean Gender Minister nominee blasted for views on sex slavery deal
South Korea's Gender Equality Minister nominee Kang Eun-hee was lambasted by opposition lawmakers for her views on the recent ROK-Japan sex slavery settlement during her confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on Thursday. The former IT businesswoman and Saenuri Party lawmaker described the settlement between the two nations as “an outcome that came out as a result of South Korean government’s utmost efforts” during the session. The agreement has been criticized for not clearly admitting
Jan. 7, 2016
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FDI in Seoul hits record high
Foreign direct investment in Seoul City hit a record high of $8.48 billion last year, driven by a rising inflow of Chinese capital, officials said Thursday. This is an increase of about 55 percent on-year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said. The investments in Seoul also made up 41.6 percent of the total $20 billion FDI in Korea. The previous highest foreign investment amount was $7.2 billion in 2005. The sharp rise in Chinese investments contributed to the record-breaking FDI, the city said
Jan. 7, 2016
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City to provide better free high-speed Wi-Fi in subways
Seoul City will provide better free high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access in subways starting from next year to offer faster and more stable Internet service to the public, officials said Thursday. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it would change the existing in-train wireless broadband, or Wi-Bro, system to high-speed Wi-Fi. Currently, the free Internet access in trains has been provided only through wireless broadband by telecommunications business operators since 2011. The speed of the Wi-br
Jan. 7, 2016
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Eased rules allow Seoul version of Times Square
The government earlier this week lifted ad regulations to create a Korean version of New York City’s Times Square as part of its efforts to boost the ad industry and attract more visitors, officials said.The Interior Ministry said Monday it had eased the rule to create a zone where outdoor digital screens and billboards can freely be installed without any restrictions on types or sizes. The size, type and location of outdoor ads had been strictly restricted prior. The revised rules have been pro
Jan. 7, 2016
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Teachers of institute for disabled, ex-chief jailed for abuse, embezzlement
A local court on Thursday gave jail terms to the former chief and teachers of a residential facility for disabled people on charges of abusing them and siphoning operating expenses.The Seoul Northern District Court sentenced the former chief of Seoul Ingang School, identified only by her surname Lee, to two years in prison for pocketing 1.37 billion won ($1.14 million) of subsidies given by the city government.The 64-year-old chief was indicted in August 2014 on charges of going on overseas trip
Jan. 7, 2016
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‘Comfort women’ rally marks 24 years
The weekly rally held to protest Japan’s sexual enslavement of Korean women during World War II marked 24 years Wednesday, becoming the longest-running demonstration in the world. Despite the landmark deal between Seoul and Tokyo on Dec. 28, the decades-long ordeal of the victims -- euphemistically called “comfort women” -- appears to be far from over, with the victims and their supporters still crying out for the same demands in front of the Japanese Embassy in downtown Seoul. (Yonhap)In the 1
Jan. 6, 2016
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Education chiefs propose child care standoff talks
Heads of six education offices across the country accused the government Wednesday of unfairly forcing local education offices to shoulder the costs for its free child care Nuri program, and suggested an open dialogue to resolve the “crisis.”Education chiefs of Seoul, Incheon, Gwangju, Gangwon Province, North Jeolla Province and South Jeolla Province held a joint press conference and called for an emergency meeting ― of the leaders of ruling and opposition parties, education superintendents, and
Jan. 6, 2016
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Seoul city to revitalize Seochon
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday it will embark on projects to restore and beautify a neighborhood of traditional Korean houses in central Seoul.The city government plans to build historic cultural streets in Seochon, or "western village," which stretches out from the western wing of Gyeongbok Palace and stretches all the way up to the base of Mount Inwang.The plan is to enlarge the pedestrian passages from 1 meter to 4 meters, repave roads and restrict building heights in the ar
Jan. 6, 2016
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Top court orders retrial for army officer convicted of condemning ruling party
The nation's top court has returned to a lower military court a ruling that convicted an army officer of criticizing the ruling party on social media in violation of the Public Servant's Act, court officials said Wednesday.The captain, whose identity was withheld, was indicted in 2013 over tweeting negative comments about the Saenuri Party during the 2012 presidential election.The current law prohibits civil servants from taking part in political activities such as holding rallies or voicing pol
Jan. 6, 2016
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Park’s salary to rise by 3 percent
The Cabinet has decided to raise President Park Geun-hye’s annual salary by more than 3 percent and expand the merit-based wage system in the public sector, the Ministry of Personnel Management announced Tuesday. Park is set to earn 212 million won ($179,000) this year, compared to 205 million won last year, after the Cabinet approved the bill on government employees’ salaries in the meeting held in the morning.Given that the nation’s average consumer price inflation stood at 0.7 percent last ye
Jan. 5, 2016
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Prosecutors seek 1-year jail term for ex-PM
Prosecutors on Tuesday sought a one-year jail term for a former South Korean prime minister on charges of receiving bribes from a deceased businessman. Former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo was accused of receiving 30 million won (US$25,000) at his election office in April 2013 from Sung Wan-jong, the late chairman of construction firm Keangnam Enterprises Inc.Prosecutors said the sentence demand came as Lee's actions "severely damaged" the laws related to the transparency of political fundings.The
Jan. 5, 2016
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Marriage stress may fuel Korea’s low fertility rate: study
Marriage and financial stress, rather than child care-related struggles, may have a bigger influence on a Korean mother’s decision not to have more than one child, research by a state-run think tank suggested. Contrary to the popular belief in Korea that child care stress can significantly reduce the mother’s desire to have a second child, the study, written and released by the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education, showed that wives with lower household income or who are unhappy with thei
Jan. 5, 2016
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Korean fire stations to get advanced ambulances
The government will place at least one ambulance with advanced equipment at each fire station in the country to provide quicker treatment for emergency patients, officials said Tuesday. The Ministry of Public Safety and Security said it would provide special ambulances that are equipped with 12 emergency medical devices to 205 fire stations. In these ambulances, medical staff will be able to conduct emergency treatments, such as intubation or heart-stimulating drug injections, which are difficul
Jan. 5, 2016
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Park’s salary to rise by 3 percent
The Cabinet has decided to raise President Park Geun-hye’s annual salary by more than 3 percent and expand the merit-based wage system in the public sector, the Ministry of Personnel Management announced Tuesday. Park is set to earn 212 million won ($179,000) this year, compared to 205 million won last year, after the Cabinet approved the bill on government employees’ salaries in the meeting held in the morning.Given that the nation’s average consumer price inflation stood at 0.7 percent last ye
Jan. 5, 2016