Most Popular
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[AtoZ into Korean mind] Humor in Korea: Navigating the line between what's funny and not
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Yoon seeks rebound, taps 5-term lawmaker as chief of staff
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Medical standoff deepens as doctors reject new med school plan, talks
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[Herald Interview] Why Toss invited hackers to penetrate its system
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S. Korean envoys convene to navigate strategy amid Middle East tensions
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[Graphic News] 77% of young Koreans still financially dependent
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North Korea fires several short-range ballistic missiles into sea: JCS
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Samsung, SK hynix investors dump shares on Nvidia crash
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Suspect in murder of girlfriend's mugshot, name made public
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S. Korea, US to initiate early defense cost-sharing talks this week
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U.S. pivot toward Asia unlikely to have quick impact on Korea
The Obama administration’s foreign policy “pivot” toward Asia from the Middle East has drawn attention here as many wonder about its implications for the Korean Peninsula.Some painted a sanguine picture, saying that Seoul’s relations with Washington will deepen and broaden while others expressed concerns that Seoul will be further stuck between the “two whales” amid worsened Sino-American relations. U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton recently said that the U.S. is pivoting towards the area a
Dec. 12, 2011
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Left declares unity in fractious meeting
The main opposition Democratic Party adopted a resolution Sunday to merge with the civic group-based Citizen Integration Party and integrate left-wing forces including the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, amid in-party strife and controversy over quorum.The party held a provisional convention at Jamsil Gymnasium on Sunday upon the request of its consolidation committee to vote on the merger and integration resolution.The vote, however, was caught up in a violent dispute over the quorum. The pa
Dec. 11, 2011
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Left declares unity in fractious meeting
By Bae Hyun-jungThe main opposition Democratic Party adopted a resolution Sunday to merge with the civic group-based Citizen Integration Party and integrate left-wing forces including the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, amid in-party strife and controversy over quorum.The party held a provisional convention at Jamsil Gymnasium on Sunday upon the request of its consolidation committee to vote on the merger and integration resolution.The vote, however, was caught up in a violent dispute over th
Dec. 11, 2011
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‘Reopening 6-party talks to help nuclear summit’
Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan expressed hope Sunday for North Korea to halt uranium enrichment and take other steps to roll back its nuclear development, saying such moves will lead to resumption of six-party talks and contribute to next year’s Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul.Kim made the remark in an interview with Yonhap News Agency held in part to promote March’s nuclear summit that is expected to bring together about 50 heads of state from around the world, including U.S. President Barack
Dec. 11, 2011
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April election candidates to register from Tuesday
The nation’s election watchdog said preliminary candidates who want to run in next year’s general elections can register from Tuesday until March 21. The National Election Commission said the starting date for preliminary candidate registration has been set for Dec. 13, 120 days prior to the general elections scheduled for April 11, 2012.Registered preliminary candidates allowed to run an election campaign through e-mails, mobile text messages and phone calls from Tuesday. They can hand out name
Dec. 11, 2011
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Senior GNP members to discuss party’s future
Senior members of the ruling Grand National Party will meet on Monday to discuss the future of the party reeling from mass resignations of its Supreme Council members and its party leader Rep. Hong Joon-pyo.The meeting will be attended by lawmakers who have been elected three or more times, who will discuss issues surrounding the GNP’s leadership crisis, including the question of who will lead the emergency committee and how to make the conservative party anew. “About 30 lawmakers elected three
Dec. 11, 2011
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Lee names senior journalist as new chief of staff
President Lee Myung-bak on Sunday named a senior journalist and former head of SBS television as his new chief of staff in a reshuffle that also affected six other posts at the top office, including appointing a spokeswoman for foreign media.Ha Kum-loul, 61, was tapped to replace Yim Tae-hee as chief of presidential staff, Lee‘s office said in a statement.Ha spent decades as a TV journalist and served as head of SBS TV, one of the three largest television networks in South Korea, from 2007-2009
Dec. 11, 2011
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Lee, Hong say won’t run in April election
Two ruling party lawmakers ― Rep. Lee Sang-deuk, the elder brother of President Lee Myung-bak, and Rep. Jungwook Hong ― said Sunday they will not run in next year’s general election.Reps. Lee Sang-deuk and Jungwook HongTheir annoucement came as the ruling party faces a virtual collapse in the wake of an election defeat and a series of scandals that have been bringing down its prospects for next year’s major elections. .Lee, a six-term lawmaker, was apparently put under pressure by last week’s al
Dec. 11, 2011
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Korea likely to announce fresh sanctions on Iran this week
South Korea plans to announce a set of fresh sanctions on Iran as early as this week, diplomatic sources said Sunday, after the United States asked for such punishment for the Middle Eastern nation accused of illicit nuclear programs. "Related ministries are finalizing positions and this week w
Dec. 11, 2011
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U.S. seeks more time for implementing FTA with Korea: report
South Korea is pushing hard for a free trade pact with the United States to take effect on Jan. 1, but Washington wants more time for preparations, a U.S. news provider reported Friday.The two sides had working-level discussions on a timetable on Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington, but th
Dec. 10, 2011
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NEC cyber attack was not ordered from above: police
The police Friday concluded that the Oct. 26 cyber attacks on the websites of the state election watchdog and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon were masterminded by the former secretary of a Grand National Party lawmaker. The conclusion dismissed the suspicion that the attack was ordered by those higher up in the GNP.The main opposition Democratic Party upbraided the police for their “insufficient” investigation and vowed to uncover the truth behind the attack through a parliamentary investigation or a
Dec. 9, 2011
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Probes target people close to Lee
Suspects include aide to president’s brother, wife’s relative and former vice ministerProsecutors are speeding up investigations into a series of corruption scandals involving President Lee Myung-bak’s close associates. A new allegation erupted this week that a secretary of Grand National Party Rep. Lee Sang-deuk, the president’s elder brother, received some 700 million won ($610,980) from the scandal-ridden SLS Group.The group’s chairman Lee Kuk-chul was indicted Monday for bribery and other c
Dec. 9, 2011
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Hong bows out amid mounting calls for reform
Park may take over at top of embattled GNP Rep. Hong Joon-pyo stepped down as chairman of the Grand National Party on Friday, bowing to an overwhelming call from members that he vacate the top seat for former chairwoman Park Geun-hye. “I decided to step down. I hope this ends the factional
Dec. 9, 2011
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GNP renewal begins now: chief
Hong unveils reform roadmap amid mounting pressure to resignGrand National Party chairman Hong Joon-pyo said he will start immediately efforts to reform the party, as fears mounted among its members that the party, without drastic reforms, will be crushed by a resurgent liberal opposition in crucial elections next year. “A committee, comprising both party and non-party figures, will be launched, tasked with preparations for the party’s rebirth,” Hong told a press conference at the National Assem
Dec. 8, 2011
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GNP seeks to spend W320b more for farmers
The ruling Grand National Party is seeking to spend an additional 320 billion won ($283 million) on compensation measures for the farming, fisheries and livestock industries feared to suffer from the free trade agreement with the U.S., a party official said Thursday.The plan was put together after the party held talks with 39 industry lobbies, and party officials plan to discuss it with the government, said Hong Moon-pyo, head of the party’s special committee in charge of minimizing the trade pa
Dec. 8, 2011
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GNP lawmaker dreams of conservative reform
This is the first of a series of interviews with first-term lawmakers. ― Ed.The 18th National Assembly has been dominated by senior lawmakers, but rookies nevertheless managed to bring in some positive and significant changes, said a first-term lawmaker of the ruling Grand National Party said.Rep. Kim Se-yeon, a Busan-based entrepreneur-turned-lawmaker and youngest member in the current parliament, is known for his active role in Minbon 21, an in-party group of progressive novice lawmakers.He cu
Dec. 8, 2011
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DP truce ends over left-wing merger
Two leading Democratic Party figures announced they would break their alliance Tuesday, spelling trouble for Sunday’s party convention.Former floor leader and aspiring chairman Rep. Park Jie-won pledged to withdraw his support for current chairman Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu, amid their ongoing conflict over the left-wing consolidation process.Park earlier said that he would serve as Sohn’s chief secretary, should he win in the presidential election next November.“I have so far maintained a positive relat
Dec. 8, 2011
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NEW-GNP recreation begins now: chief
GNP renewal begins now: chief Hong unveils roadmap for reform amid mounting pressure to resign By Lee Sun-youngGrand National Party chairman Hong Joon-pyo said he will start immediately efforts to “recreate” the party, as fears mounted among its members that the party, without drastic reforms, will be crushed by a resurgent liberal opposition in crucial elections next year. “A committee, comprising both party and non-party figures, will be launched soon, tasked with preparations for the recreati
Dec. 8, 2011
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Opposition ends boycott of parliament, agrees to handle budget bill
SEOUL, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) agreed Thursday to end its boycott of parliament and handle next year's budget and other urgent bills before year's end, officials said.DP floor leader Kim Jin-pyo reached the agreement in talks with his ruling Grand National Party
Dec. 8, 2011
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Ex-president and his deputy ordered to pay 100 million won to former lawmaker
SEOUL, Dec. 7 (Yonhap) -- A court ordered Wednesday that former President Chun Doo-hwan and his deputy pay 100 million won ($88,800) in compensation to a former opposition lawmaker.The Seoul High Court ruled that Chun and Lee Hak-bong, who served as a chief investigator in the martial law command in
Dec. 8, 2011