From a slain dictator’s covert hideout to a forgotten subway station, secret bunkers have been lying for decades underneath the bustling city of Seoul. Recently, some of these spaces were unveiled to the public for the first time under a special one-month tour program. Although city-run tours of the “ghost station” in Sinseol-dong and the air-raid shelter underneath Gyeonghuigung Palace are to end this weekend, one underneath Yeouido, turned into a museum, will remain open for visitors. (Shot by

North Korea Nov. 24, 2017

North Korea is highly likely to launch different types of ballistic missiles before the end of this year to underline its nuclear threats, South Korea’s spy agency said Monday. Active movements are continuously being spotted around the missile development institutes in North Korea and it has also conducted engine tests for missiles, the National Intelligence Service told lawmakers in a closed-door parliamentary meeting. Hwang Pyong-so (left) and Kim Won-hong (Yonhap)“While there has not been any

Politics Nov. 20, 2017

Two former National Intelligence Service chiefs of the Park Geun-hye administration were arrested Friday in the expanding probe into allegations that several billion won of NIS funds were funneled to the presidential office.The Seoul District Court approved arrest warrants for the two former NIS chiefs Nam Jae-joon and Lee Byung-kee over separate charges of embezzlement and bribery. Former NIS chiefs Nam Jae-joon (left), Lee Byung-kee (Yonhap)Prosecutors had sought warrants for the two and anoth

Politics Nov. 17, 2017

Jun Byung-hun, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, tendered his resignation on Thursday, in the wake of a rare corruption investigation into an incumbent senior presidential aide. It is the first time for a presidential aide to resign under the Moon Jae-in administration that came into office in May.The 59-year-old political affairs secretary is under the allegation of laundering a corporate donation of 300 million won in return for business favors, when he was sitting as the ho

Politics Nov. 16, 2017

Over 10,000 private security guards at apartment blocks and buildings are at risk of losing their jobs due to a spike in the minimum wage next year, civic groups claimed Wednesday. An association of civic groups and labor unions warned of the looming massive layoffs of custodians and guards at residential buildings, after conducting a survey on over 5,300 of them in Seoul. It called on the government to come up with measures to deal with the problem.  Members of civic groups advocating the right

Social Affairs Nov. 15, 2017

Nearly six months after the May presidential election, the fortunes of its five main candidates have seen some twists and turns. But three of them are now finding themselves back in a familiar race against one another, this time as leaders of their respective parties. With Rep. Yoo Seong-min elected Monday to helm the Bareun Party, the three leaders -- Yoo, Hong Joon-pyo of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party and Ahn Cheol-soo of the minor People’s Party -- will vie to gain a foothold at the

Politics Nov. 14, 2017

South Korea‘s top portal operator Naver Corp. said Monday its news section maintains balance despite rising suspicions over its neutrality after the company recently admitted to intentionally editing sports news rankings.Last month, Naver admitted rearranging its news page at the request of an official from the Korea Professional Football League, who wanted negative news about the body to be less conspicuous on the portal. (Yonhap)“While we express our apology over the issue on the sports sectio

Industry Nov. 13, 2017

Rep. Yoo Seong-min was elected to lead the minor opposition Bareun Party on Monday, while the party treads a tightrope for survival following a mass defection. The new chairman, who was the party’s presidential candidate early this year, now faces the daunting challenge of navigating the looming wave of political realignment ahead of next year’s local elections. Last week, the Bareun Party, which was founded less than a year ago with 33 lawmakers, lost nine of its then-20 parliamentarians to its

Politics Nov. 13, 2017

A massive global movement was triggered after actresses revealed that Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein had sexually harassed them. Celebrities and ordinary people around the globe are opening up about their experiences of sexual abuse on social media with the hashtag #MeToo. In South Korea, the issue is no less serious, although the campaign has not really taken off here yet. Rape against minors, sexual harassment at work and sexually-motivated murder cases are making headlines. Fear and rage ag

Social Affairs Nov. 10, 2017

Trevari is different from most people’s idea of a conventional book club. Instead of a single group of people who enjoy books, Trevari does things on a much bigger scale. The company does all the “annoying administration” of running and managing 111 separate reading groups so people can just enjoy being members. “For a regular meeting to occur with a group of people, it is important that someone manages the schedule and reminds members of the topics. And a lot of people don’t realize that it is

Culture Nov. 10, 2017

US President Donald Trump’s address to the National Assembly was longer than expected, lasting 33 minutes and punctuated by 22 rounds of applauses and standing ovations at the beginning and end. Hours before he arrived for the much-anticipated speech, originally scheduled for 11 a.m. but delayed by about 20 minutes, the atmosphere in and outside the National Assembly was tense.  US President Donald Trump waves to South Korean lawmakers after he finished his parliamentary speech at the National A

Politics Nov. 8, 2017

Since a change of status last year, the IFEZ Global Center in Incheon has seen its role expand, along with the number of expats using its services. The center offers services to foreign residents in the three cities designated as part of the Incheon Free Economic Zone -- Songdo, Yeongjong and Cheongna International City -- from language assistance to cultural experiences. Expats take part in cultural activities at the IFEZ Global Center in Songdo, Incheon. (IFEZ)The IFEZ Global Center opened in

Social Affairs Nov. 8, 2017

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump at the state dinner in Cheong Wa Dae  (All photos by Yonhap)(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

Politics Nov. 7, 2017

US President Donald Trump was served traditional Korean dishes at a state dinner Tuesday, attended by some 120 other guests representing the two countries’ close relationship in the areas of diplomacy, business, culture and security. President Moon Jae-in, first lady Kim Jung-sook, US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump share a toast during a state dinner at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Tuesday. (Yonhap)The main dish was Korean beef ribs marinated in a special soy sauce with the Kor

Politics Nov. 7, 2017