Articles by Jo He-rim
Jo He-rim
herim@heraldcorp.com-
Political divide on constitutional reform delays plenary session
The divide between political parties over when to hold a public referendum on constitutional revision has delayed the opening of a plenary session, raising concerns that pending bills will be held off until next year.The one-month parliamentary session for December, which was to end Saturday, was automatically extended to Jan. 9 after a plenary session scheduled Friday was canceled. First-term lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea urge opposition parties to cooperate on holding a
Politics Dec. 26, 2017
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Presidential office admits importing anthrax vaccines, only for treatment
The presidential office on Sunday confirmed it imported anthrax vaccines this year, but denied claims that it has only vaccinated its officials against the disease.Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Park Soo-hyun said in a press release that the purchase was planned by the former administration in early 2016 and that this was reflected in the budget this year. Presidential office spokesman Park Soo-hyun (Yonhap)“The need to introduce anthrax vaccines came after the anthrax delivery accident at the US m
Social Affairs Dec. 25, 2017
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Moon calls for joint efforts in dealing with NK nuclear arms
South Korean President Moon Jae-in stressed the importance of cooperation between Seoul and Beijing, calling for joint efforts in dealing with North Korea’s nuclear issues, in an address given at Peking University on Friday.“North Korea’s nuclear tests and missile launches are not limited to South Korea. Its nuclear provocations have raised tension, and threatens not only Seoul but also threatens peace and development of China,” he said in a special lecture to 290 student audiences at the Peking
Politics Dec. 15, 2017
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Incheon Global Campus at forefront of education in Northeast
Incheon Global Campus in South Korea is emerging as a leading global education hub in Northeast Asia, providing education to foster the next generation of global leaders in various sectors. A project led by the central government and Incheon Metropolitan City, the educational complex has the campuses of five universities ranking in the top 100 in the global university index. (Incheon Global Campus)National and local governments have invested about 1 trillion won ($918 million) in the IGC, aimin
Social Affairs Dec. 15, 2017
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[Newsmaker] Main opposition plagued by corruption allegations
President Moon Jae-in’s ongoing campaign to right past wrongs has put the main opposition Liberty Korea Party on edge. From a first-term lawmaker to party heavyweights, over seven of its politicians have been investigated for corruption or are soon to face interrogation. The latest to come under scrutiny was five-term lawmaker Rep. Won Yoo-chul, who on Wednesday was questioned by the prosecution on the allegation of receiving hundreds of millions of won in illicit political funds from local busi
Politics Dec. 13, 2017
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Personnel Ministry supports Uzbekistan’s personnel reform initiatives
South Korea’s Personnel Ministry expressed support for personnel reform initiatives pursued by Uzbekistan on Tuesday. Seoul’s Ministry of Personnel Management and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations signed a memorandum of cooperation on Nov. 23 to promote exchanges and cooperation in the field of personnel administration and mutual development, according to the ministry. (Yonhap)“Following the recent signing of the memorandum, Korea will assist Uzbekistan with its successful
Foreign Affairs Dec. 12, 2017
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Top NK defector receives human rights award at parliament
Democratization in North Korea should be earned by North Koreans, just like the people in the South achieved economic development and democracy, said Thae Yong-ho, a high-profile North Korean defector, in his acceptance speech for a human rights award at the National Assembly on Monday. Thae Yong-ho. YonhapThe KNA Human Rights Forum and Korean Parliamentary League on International Parliamentarians’ Coalition for Asian Human Rights presented the Human Rights Activist award to Thae, the former de
Politics Dec. 11, 2017
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Former culture minister questioned over NIS bribery allegations
Former presidential aide Cho Yoon-sun appeared at the prosecutor’s office on Sunday to be questioned over bribery involving the nation’s spy agency during the Park Geun-hye administration. “I will earnestly do my part in the questioning,” she told reporters as she appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office at around 9 a.m. Former presidential secretary Cho Yoon-sun appears in front of Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office to be questioned over bribery allegations, in Seoul o
Social Affairs Dec. 10, 2017
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Parliament passes 2018 government budget proposal
The National Assembly passed next year‘s government budget proposal of 428.8 trillion won ($394.5 billion) Wednesday, amid objections from the main opposition party which had demanded the reduction of new public service jobs to be created.Main opposition party lawmakers protest the Assembly's unilateral passage of the revision of the corporate tax law on Wednesday. (Yonhap)In the plenary session, 160 of the 178 Assembly members voted in favor of the budget bill, with 15 lawmakers against and 3 a
Politics Dec. 6, 2017
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[Feature] Time for reality check on abortion
It is a cliche in Korean soap operas for the vicious and disapproving mother of the male lead to pressure the female lead to “remove” the baby she’s expecting. She soon disappears, struggles through life as a single mom, and later by chance reunites with the man who, after finding out she didn’t give up the baby despite stigma and obstacles, falls back in love with her. All of this is as if abortion were a valid option for women in South Korea. Pro-choice activists hold up banners and images of
Social Affairs Dec. 3, 2017
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Seoul sends rescue plane to Bali
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry sent a chartered airplane to Indonesia on Thursday to bring home hundreds of Korean nationals stranded there after airports in Bali were closed due to an imminent volcanic eruption.The Asiana Airline’s passenger carrier that departed from Incheon Airport at 3 p.m. will pick up 276 South Koreans from Juanda International Airport near Surabaya, Indonesia. Asiana Airlines flight attendants bound for Bali, Indonesia, wait to board the aircraft on a special mission to b
Social Affairs Nov. 30, 2017
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Seoul considers rescue flight to Bali
President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday ordered the Foreign Ministry to consider sending chartered planes to rescue hundreds of South Korean nationals stranded on Bali, as the Indonesian resort island has closed its international airport due to a possible volcano eruption.“Take measures to securely escort Korean residents and travelers in Bali, and review plans such as sending chartered planes,” President Moon said at an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, according to his chief press
Social Affairs Nov. 29, 2017
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Catholics claim presidential office misinterpreted pope’s words on abortion
South Korea’s Catholic Church refuted the presidential office on Tuesday, saying it has misinterpreted Pope Francis’ words and strategically used it to back its stance on abortion.A Life Committee under Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea claimed that the pope had never spoken about the need to “find a new balance” on the issue of abortion, as suggested by Cheong Wa Dae’s statement released Sunday. Pope Francis (Yonhap)It released a Korean translation of the pope’s interview with an Italian C
Social Affairs Nov. 28, 2017
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[Herald Interview] Ahn calls for stronger stance on North’s violation of armistice agreement
The South Korean government must take on a firmer stance on North Korea, according to Ahn Cheol-soo, the chairman of the minor opposition People’s Party. Ahn, who ran against President Moon Jae-in in the presidential election in May, also criticizes the Moon administration of “inaction” with regards to North Korea’s recent violation of the armistice agreement of the Korean War.Ahn Cheol-soo, the chairman of the minor opposition People’s Party, speaks during an interview with The Korea Heraldon T
Politics Nov. 26, 2017
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[Weekender] Exploring Seoul’s hidden underground world
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
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