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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N. Korea slams planned S. Korea-US military drills, warns of 'catastrophic aftermath'
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‘Malice should not undermine the system, social order,’ says Hybe's Bang
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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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[Newsmaker] Hiker killed as wildfires ravage eastern areas
The wildfires in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, and Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, have mostly been extinguished, the authorities said on Sunday. The fire in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, however, remains out of control.The Gangwon Province fires broke out on Saturday, and are thought to have been caused accidentally by hikers. The Sangju incident, also began on Saturday, occurred when a flames from garbage being incinerated at an orchard spread to nearby forest. The Sangju fire has left a 58-ye
May 7, 2017
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Employed Koreans getting older: report
Employed South Koreans have been getting older over the past five years in line with the country's rapid population aging, with the average age of the jobless falling, a report said Sunday.The persistence of such a situation is feared to increase the burden of local companies and make some industries have difficulties recruiting new employees due to a dearth of young workers. (Yonhap)According to the report by the Hyundai Research Institute, the average age of employed South Koreans has increase
May 7, 2017
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Thousands ordered to evacuate as forest fire grows in eastern city
The Gangneung city government said more than 2,500 residents were ordered to flee Saturday as a wind-fed forest fire spread in the eastern city.About 300 residents are known to have fled from their homes after the blaze started on a hill near Daegwallyeong, a mountain pass close to the east coast, at around 3:30 p.m., according to city officials.A total of 30 private houses were damaged by the fire as of 10 p.m., but no casualties have been reported, they said. (Yonhap)The residents took shelter
May 7, 2017
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Prosecutors launch probe into SBS report on ferry salvage delay
Seoul's prosecutors said Saturday that they have launched an investigation into possible election law violations surrounding a recent television news report that appeared to slander presidential front-runner Moon Jae-in.On Tuesday, private broadcaster SBS reported that the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries was suspected of attempting to collude with Moon while intentionally delaying the salvaging of the ferry Sewol, which sank off the southwestern coast in April 2014, killing more than 300 people
May 7, 2017
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Ex-President Park Geun-hye moves to quieter neighborhood
Impeached former President Park Geun-hye had her residence moved to a quiet neighborhood in Seoul with little fanfare on Saturday.Park, who was ousted from office two months ago, remains in jail while facing bribery and other criminal charges, mostly involving her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil and key former aides.With Park away, movers arrived at her former home in Samseong-dong in southern Seoul at around 7:30 am. They started loading their trucks some half an hour later. Naegok-dong (Yonhap)P
May 6, 2017
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Worst fine dust of year blankets nation
The worst fine dust of 2017 blanketed much of South Korea on Saturday, as the authorities issued health warnings against the sandy, chemical-laden wind from China.The National Institute of Environmental Research said fine dust warnings have been issued in 12 cities and counties nationwide as of 7:30 am Seoul and a few other regions have been placed under an advisory. (Yonhap)The fine dust warning is issued when an hourly average dust concentration of more than 300 micrograms per cubic meter (㎍/㎥
May 6, 2017
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Social media inundated with early voters’ selfies
As two-day early voting marked a record high turnout Friday, voters of all ages flooded social media with the latest trend -- taking selfies to celebrate their participation in democracy. It has become fashionable among tech-savvy young voters to share “voting selfies” -- photos of themselves posing in front of the polling booth or of hands or other body parts bearing ballot stamp marks. “I took a selfie and shared it online because I am proud that I had voted. Also, I wanted to encourage others
May 5, 2017
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[Election 2017] Who will be president for animals?
In this year’s presidential election, there is good news for pet lovers. Presidential hopefuls may differ on their political ideologies, but they have all promised a better life for animals. All major candidates have incorporated animal welfare issues -- from tougher punishment for animal abuse to a cut in medical costs -- into their official platform to woo the growing number of animal lovers in the country. According to government data, 21.8 percent of the South Korean households -- about 10 m
May 5, 2017
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[Graphic News] Could weather affect voter turnout?
Many factors come into play determining voter turnout and conventional wisdom is a bad weather could dampen electoral participation. Yet, a look at past elections in South Korea does not show a clear correlation between weather conditions and voter participation rates. In the previous 2012 poll in which Park Geun-hye was elected as president, the morning low in Seoul recorded 10 degrees below zero. But the voter turnout was 12.8 percent points higher than in elections held in warmer times. For T
May 4, 2017
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Police raids Samsung Heavy Industries over crane collision
Police on Thursday raided the offices of Samsung Heavy Industries as part of their investigation into a crane collision that killed six people and injured 25 others at the company’s shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province.A total of 30 investigators searched offices inside the shipyard in Geoje and secured documents such as job sheets and safety education materials, police said.(Yonhap)Investigators said it will focus on whether the crane collision was caused by miscommunication between cra
May 4, 2017
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[From the Scene] Koreans flock to early voting booths
INCHEON/ SEOUL -- As the two-day early voting kicked off Thursday, millions of South Koreans flocked to polling stations across the nation to elect their next president. Instead of voting on the scheduled election day of Tuesday, many chose to cast ballots earlier as they have to work or have other plans, such as a trip to vacation hot spots.People wait in line at Incheon International Airport on May 4, 2017, for early voting for the May 9 presidential election. (Yonhap)When The Korea Herald vis
May 4, 2017
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Korean voters yearn for upright, competent, responsive leader
With the presidential election five days away, South Koreans are yearning for an upright, competent and responsive leader capable of navigating the country through daunting economic and security challenges and restoring its rattled justice and democratic system.The May 9 poll comes on the heels of a massive corruption scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye that laid bare the country's flawed politics and deep-rooted corruption in the top echelons.Disenchantment with status quo politics
May 4, 2017
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Early voting for presidential election begins at 3,500 polling stations
Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans cast their ballots Thursday in advance voting for the presidential election set to be held next week, the election watchdog said.Over 1 million voters have voted as of 10:30 a.m., according to the National Election Commission, with many more expected to follow before the two-day voting period ends at 6 p.m. Friday.There is a 12-hour overnight break starting from 6 p.m. Thursday. National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun takes a "selfie" after casting his bal
May 4, 2017
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Election watchdog launches probe into negative report on Moon
The state election watchdog said Wednesday it has launched an investigation into possible election law violations surrounding a news report that appeared to slander presidential front-runner Moon Jae-in.On Tuesday, private broadcaster SBS reported that Moon of the liberal Democratic Party was behind the delay in the salvaging of the ferry Sewol, which sank off the southwestern coast in April 2014, killing more than 300 people aboard. This image shows Moon Jae-in (left), presidential candidate of
May 4, 2017
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S. Korea to face shortage of medical workers: report
South Korea will be confronted with a severe shortage of medical sector workers in the coming years as demand for health care services exceeds supply, a local report said Wednesday.In the report on the long-term outlook for medical service personnel, the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs estimated the country will face a shortage of 110,000 nurses by 2020 with numbers hitting 158,000 by 2030. (Seoul National University Hostpial Webpage)In addition to the existing workforce, an addit
May 3, 2017
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Ministry denies intentionally delaying Sewol salvage
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on Wednesday vehemently denied a news report that suggested the ministry intentionally delayed the salvage operation of the Sewol ferry.The ministry’s clarification followed broadcaster SBS’ report that the ministry delayed the operations due to political circumstances. Lee Cheol-jo, a ministry official in charge of the salvage operation, speaks at a press conference in Mokpo on Wednesday. (Yonhap)“The Sewol salvage operation was delayed purely due to technic
May 3, 2017
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Over 1,200 S. Korean separated family members died in Q1: data
More than 1,200 South Korean members of families separated across the border since the 1950-53 Korean War died in the first quarter of this year, government data showed Wednesday.The two Koreas held last family reunions in October 2015 at a resort on Mount Kumgang on North Korea's east coast. The event was suspended amid tensions in inter-Korean ties. (Yonhap)The number of separated family members who died in the January-March period reached 1,273, compared to 3,378 tallied for the whole year of
May 3, 2017
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Korean government using unlicensed software: USTR report
South Korea's government is using unlicensed software requiring policymakers to pay more attention to intellectual property rights, a local association citing a report by the United States Trade Representative said Wednesday.The Korea International Trade Association said Washington has expressed concerns about unauthorized software use in its 2017 Special 301 review and the need for Seoul to set an example to be followed by the private sector. (Yonhap)The USTR, citing data from the Software Alli
May 3, 2017
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Whistleblower in Park scandal indicted on influence-peddling charges
Prosecutors on Tuesday indicted a man who broke the news on a corruption scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye on charges of influence-peddling.Ko Young-tae, a former associate of Park's close friend Choi Soon-sil, is accused of receiving some 22 million won ($19,500) from an official at the Incheon-based customs office in exchange for exerting influence on personnel issues. This image shows Ko Young-tae (center), a former associate of ousted President Park Geun-hye's friend Choi Soon
May 2, 2017
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Cabinet approves ordinance on Sewol investigative committee
The Cabinet on Tuesday passed an ordinance detailing the makeup and operational duties of a committee that will investigate the cause of the deadly ferry sinking that killed more than 300 people.The ordinance establishes a 53-member committee led by a minister-level chairman, a vice chairman and standing committee member. Officials from the maritime, interior, education and personnel management ministries, the Office of Government Policy Coordination, the National Police Agency and the Korea Com
May 2, 2017