Most Popular
-
1
Yoon's approval rating plunges to all-time low
-
2
S. Korea votes in favor of Palestinian bid for UN membership
-
3
Russia's denial of entry of S. Korean national unrelated to bilateral ties: Seoul official
-
4
Bae Doo-na shares portraying Korean identity in Hollywood's 'Rebel Moon'
-
5
[From the Scene] Monks, Buddhists hail return of remains of Buddhas
-
6
Medical schools granted enrollment quota flexibility for next year
-
7
Yoon offers first one-on-one meeting with opposition leader next week
-
8
France rejects opening Paris flight routes to T'way Air, deals blow to Korean Air merger
-
9
Iran fires air defense batteries in provinces as sound of explosions heard near Isfahan
-
10
Chinese man behind drug scam targeting teens nabbed in Cambodia
-
Cho Seok tapped as second vice minister of knowledge economy
Korea Industrial Complex Corp. President Cho Seok was tapped as the second vice minister of knowledge economy in a small-scale reshuffle, Cheong Wa Dae said Monday.The presidential office said that Cho, 54, is fit for the job given his leadership and expertise in energy and resources.Small & Medium Business Corp. President Song Jong-ho was named to lead the Small & Medium Business Administration. Song, 53, was chosen in consideration of his specialty in promoting business activities for SMEs. Pa
Dec. 5, 2011
-
Minor left-wing parties unite for election
Three minor left-wing parties have merged to form a new progressive party to increase their chance of winning more seats in next year’s general election.The leaders of the Democratic Labor Party, the People’s Participation Party and an offshoot of the New Progressive Party resolved to create the new Unified Progressive Party on Monday.The group officially separated itself from mainstream consolidation efforts led by the main opposition Democratic Party and the political activists’ group Integrat
Dec. 5, 2011
-
Cheong Wa Dae reorganizes to reach young
Cheong Wa Dae will be reorganized to enhance communication with the public and effectiveness in the management of state affairs during the last year of the president’s five-year term, the presidential office said Monday.In a bid to reach out to people in their 20s-40s, Cheong Wa Dae will institute a regular meeting to reflect their needs in crafting or implementing government policies. It will also create a senior-level post in charge of it.The reorganization was finalized during a meeting of se
Dec. 5, 2011
-
Election cyber attack perplexes ruling party
Opposition on offensive over cyber attack involving aide of GNP lawmaker The Grand National Party was in turmoil Monday following earlier allegations that an aide to one of its lawmakers was involved in a cyber attack against the national election watchdog during the election for Seoul mayor.Last week, the National Police Agency’s cyber investigation unit arrested a former assistant of GNP Rep. Choi Ku-shik, surnamed Gong, and three others for allegedly directing a cyber attack against the Natio
Dec. 5, 2011
-
Former female prosecutor arrested over corruption suspicion
A former female prosecutor embroiled in a corruption scandal was arrested on Monday to be questioned over allegations that she received a luxury sedan and a designer handbag in return for peddling her influence, prosecutors dealing with the case said.(Yonhap News)The Busan prosecutors took the
Dec. 5, 2011
-
GNP mulls rise in capital gains tax
Ruling party considers task force on tax increase for ultra-richThe ruling Grand National Party’s attention has been drawn to the possibility of a hike in capital gains taxes after its strongest presidential hopeful Rep. Park Geun-hye stressed the need for it Thursday.Former GNP chairwoman Park said raising taxes on major shareholders’ capital gains and investment returns could help redress economic inequality.Her comments came as the conservative party has been discussing heavier income taxes f
Dec. 4, 2011
-
More flocking to Korea for medical services, tourism
The number of foreigners seeking medical service in Korea has grown dramatically in recent years as domestic medical institutions actively promote the quality of their staff and equipment.As many as 81,789 foreigners visited medical centers in the country last year for checkups, surgery or other medical services, up 36 percent from a year earlier, industry sources said Sunday.This year will likely bring a further surge of more than 30 percent, the sources said, noting the popularity of Korean po
Dec. 4, 2011
-
GNP mulls open primary system
Experts say number of issues remain to ensure smooth implementationThe ruling Grand National Party is considering introducing an “open primary” system that would allow citizens to participate in nominating its candidates for next April’s parliamentary elections.The party believes that by allowing citizens to play a crucial role in the process, the system could help bring back public interest and shore up voter support.The idea has been raised as the GNP is accelerating reform efforts to regain p
Dec. 4, 2011
-
Opposition party launches investigation into election site hacking
The main opposition Democratic Party on Saturday launched a committee to investigate the possible involvement of a ruling party lawmaker in the hacking of the national election watchdog's Web site. The move came after the National Police Agency said Friday it is seeking arrest warra
Dec. 3, 2011
-
GNP lawmaker denies cyber attack involvement
A lawmaker of the ruling Grand National Party denied opposition allegations Friday that he was behind an alleged cyber attack on the national election watchdog’s website during the recent by-elections.Earlier in the day, police sought an arrest warrant for a chauffeur and secretary of Rep. Choi Koo-sik of the GNP on charges of attacking the website of the National Election Commission on Oct. 26.“I don’t know anything about it. I feel like I’ve been struck by a bolt of lightning out of the blue,”
Dec. 2, 2011
-
Park stresses fair nomination rules
Park Geun-hye, the leading presidential hopeful for the ruling Grand National Party, stressed the need for a fair and transparent nomination system for next year’s general elections Thursday.She also said that the most pressing issue facing the party is its transformation through integration and harmony.The former GNP chairwoman made clear her intention to run for president in interviews with the new general programming cable channels launched on Thursday.“I basically think a couple of powerful
Dec. 2, 2011
-
Lawmaker's aide suspected of hacking into election Web site
SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- Police said Friday that they are seeking arrest warrants for an incumbent lawmaker's aide and three other Web site administrators on suspicion of orchestrating massive cyber attacks on the national election watchdog's Web site on the day of the October by-elections. The Nat
Dec. 2, 2011
-
Deadlocked National Assembly misses 2012 budget deadline
The National Assembly missed the deadline for next year's budget bill on Friday, as widely expected, with the protracted standoff between rival parties continuing following the ruling party-led parliament's ratification of the free trade deal with the U.S. late last month.South Korean law obliges th
Dec. 2, 2011
-
Park Geun-hye stresses fair nomination standard for general elections
Park Geun-hye, the leading presidential contender for the ruling Grand National Party (GNP), said Thursday that her party should select competitive candidates for next year's parliamentary elections through a fair and transparent nomination system. "I basically think a couple
Dec. 1, 2011
-
Lawmaker to face ethics committee over tear gas bomb in Assembly chamber
An opposition lawmaker, who detonated a tear gas bomb in the National Assembly's main chamber in protest at the free trade agreement with the U.S., will be sent before a parliamentary ethics committee over his use of violence during a vote, a conservative minor lawmaker said Thursday. &n
Dec. 1, 2011
-
Ahn says will not create new party
Popular potential presidential candidate also rules out running for parliamentary seatEntrepreneur-turned-professor Ahn Cheol-soo on Thursday denied speculation that he would create a political party and run in the general election next year.Ahn has yet to confirm whether he will enter politics. But he has received media attention as a formidable potential presidential runner who enjoys popularity among the public disenchanted with established politicians.“There have been rumors about me creatin
Dec. 1, 2011
-
Assembly set to miss deadline for budget approval
The National Assembly is set to miss the Dec. 2 deadline for handling next year’s budget, although legislators of the ruling Grand National Party on Thursday resumed deliberations without liberal opposition members. The Constitution obliges the National Assembly to pass the national budget bill by Dec. 2 to allow 30 days of preparation for its execution. The parliament has failed to meet the deadline for the past eight years. “We’re resuming deliberations of the budget bill today, without lawmak
Dec. 1, 2011
-
Liberal parties yet to overcome internal feud
The left-wing consolidation project seemed to take a step forward as the main opposition Democratic Party’s leading figures reached a general compromise but it continues to face obstacles within.DP chairman Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu and former floor leader Rep. Park Jie-won met on Wednesday and agreed to kick off a negotiation body which will lead the liberal camp’s unity talks after the party’s upcoming convention.They, however, failed to come to a full agreement on how to confirm the rules on electing
Dec. 1, 2011
-
Ahn stays at the center of political talk
Rise of political novice makes veteran politicians scramble ahead of major electionsAlthough he has yet to officially enter politics, entrepreneur-turned-professor Ahn Cheol-soo has recently drawn more of the political spotlight than any established politician thanks to his wide public backing.Although he on Thursday denied speculation that he would create a new party and run in the parliamentary elections next year, observers said that Ahn still might be seriously considering stepping into real
Dec. 1, 2011
-
Ahn denies rumors of new party
Entrepreneur-turned-professor Ahn Cheol-soo on Thursday denied speculation that he would create a political party and run in the general elections next year.Ahn has yet to confirm whether he will enter politics. But he has received media attention as a formidable potential presidential runner who en
Dec. 1, 2011