Articles by Jo He-rim
Jo He-rim
herim@heraldcorp.com-
Oil emerges as most powerful tool to tame NK
The possibility of cutting North Korea’s oil supply to raise pressure on the regime is gaining momentum as the world reels from its latest nuclear weapons test. While an oil embargo is seen one of the most effective of all sanctions against the reclusive regime, it is not an easy one to be implemented, experts noted, since it would have to involve China and Russia. “All international sanctions against North Korea effectively depends on China. It is difficult to predict but it is unlikely that Ch
North Korea Sept. 5, 2017
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North Korea may fire ICBM toward North Pacific: spy agency
North Korea may fire an intercontinental ballistic missile toward the North Pacific as early as this week, Seoul’s spy agency was quoted as saying in a parliamentary briefing Monday. In a closed session, National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon briefed lawmakers on indications that Pyongyang may be preparing to launch another ballistic missile, possibly an ICBM, around the anniversary of the regime’s foundation slated for Saturday, or the establishment of the ruling Workers’ Party of Kore
North Korea Sept. 4, 2017
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Choo receives flak after proposing envoy dispatch to North
South Korea’s ruling party chief on Monday proposed sending special envoys to both North Korea and the United States to alleviate heightened tensions following the communist regime’s recent nuclear test. Her idea, however, was immediately rejected by conservative lawmakers who said the liberal leader was being naive and lacking in understanding of the gravity of the situation. While denouncing Pyongyang for Sunday’s nuclear test, the Democratic Party of Korea Chairwoman Rep. Choo Mi-ae reiterate
Politics Sept. 4, 2017
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China condemns NK for ‘wrong actions’
China, North Korea’s main ally and economic backer, strongly condemned the isolated regime for testing a nuclear weapon Sunday, urging it to stop “wrong actions that only deteriorate the situation.”Other neighbors, Japan and Russia, also denounced the nuclear test. “North Korea has ignored the international community’s widespread opposition, again carrying out a nuclear test,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website. “China’s government expresses resolute opposition and s
North Korea Sept. 3, 2017
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Environment Ministry considers expanding habitats for endangered bears
South Korea’s project to bring back endangered wild bears has been successful, but it has produced an unforeseen problem: runaway bears. The Environment Ministry was to announce Monday what is to be done with a 2-year-old bear that has been in captivity for over a month after it escaped from its original habitat twice.Tagged KM-53, the Asiatic black bear was found on Sudosan in North Gyeongsang Province, some 90 kilometers away from its original habitat on Jirisan in late July. As it was the bea
Social Affairs Sept. 3, 2017
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Park complains of back pain, visits hospital from jail
Detained former President Park Geun-hye, who is currently on trial for corruption, visited a general hospital outside jail confines, complaining of pain in her back. It was the second time since her detention in March that she was allowed to step outside the jail, other than to attend interrogation sessions during the investigation or for court dates. In late July, she visited the hospital to have an injured toe examined.Park was escorted out of the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Pro
Politics Aug. 30, 2017
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Bareun Party pushes to stop parties from election profiteering
The minor conservative opposition Bareun Party on Monday proposed a bill to plug the regulatory loophole that has allowed political parties to receive more than what they actually spent on an election in state subsidies. The move comes after its three larger rivals -- the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, main opposition Liberty Korea Party and centrist minor opposition People’s Party -- reportedly reclaimed extra money from the election committee after this year’s presidential election in May.
Politics Aug. 29, 2017
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Liberty Korea Party seeks to expel Park before Chuseok
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party is moving to remove former President Park Geun-hye from its ranks before Chuseok holidays, in a bid to raise ratings before the local election slated for June next year. As the national holiday, which falls on Oct. 4, is the time for family gatherings in Korea, the party seeks to prevent negative sentiment shared among voters over their party’s connection with the embattled former president. Liberty Korea Party chairman Hong Joon-pyo has been calling to cu
Politics Aug. 29, 2017
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Ahn vows to keep government in check
Ahn Cheol-soo, the new chairman of the minor centrist opposition People’s Party, on Monday vowed to keep the government in check, sharpening the edge against the Moon Jae-in administration.“The People’s Party should always be awake. We will become an opposition that can strongly go against the government when it makes decisions that divide the people and goes against national benefit,” said Ahn at a meeting with senior party members. The party’s former chief and presidential candidate reclaimed
Politics Aug. 28, 2017
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South Korea had 14 purported terror threats this year
South Korea had 14 purported terror threats in the first seven months this year but seven out of 18 regional fire defense headquarters do not have an anti-terrorism squad to respond to them. According to government data revealed by Rep. Hong Chul-ho of minor opposition Bareun Party, the seven without an anti-terrorism response team, as required by law, are Gangwon, North Jeolla, South Gyeongsang and Jeju provinces, and Daejeon, Changwon and Sejong cities. The Act on 119 Rescue and Emergency Medi
Politics Aug. 28, 2017
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[Weekender] Kids go wild in ‘infant forests’
“Take a look at this pupa hanging from a leaf.” At the call of the guide, 5-year-olds crowded around to observe the cocooned insect hanging from a shrub inside the “infant’s forest” of Samcheong Park, in the center of the country’s busiest city, Seoul. Each with a magnifying glass in hand, the children freely explored their surroundings, poking at a slug and shrieking in delight at finding a spider hanging on a web in a tree. Amid the drone of city life and strictly planned classroom culture, mo
Social Affairs Aug. 25, 2017
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Moon, Abe agree to peaceful solution to North Korea’s provocations
President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday agreed to work together to pressure North Korea and seek a peaceful resolution to nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula, Cheong Wa Dae said.The two leaders reaffirmed their stance that they would watch closely and analyze provocative actions from North Korea and cooperate with international society, in a 30-minute conversation by phone from 10:40 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. South Korean President Moon Jae-in (left) and Japanese Prime
Politics Aug. 25, 2017
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Government begins environment survey of THAAD site
The South Korean government on Saturday began a formal environmental survey on the advanced US missile defense system deployed in a southern town amid a fierce protest by local residents and activists, officials said.The defense and environment ministries were to conduct their joint study of electromagnetic radiation and noise from the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in Seongju, some 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, according to them.Two rocket launchers and a powerful X-band radar
Defense Aug. 12, 2017
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Seoul shares expected to move in tight range next week
South Korean shares are expected to move in a tight range next week as escalating war rhetoric between North Korea and the United States could continue to weigh in the main index, analysts said Saturday.Cape Investment & Securities said it expected the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index to trade at the 2,300-2,360 range next week. The broader index closed at 2,319.71 points on Friday, down 3.1 percent from a week ago. Heightened tensions between North Korea and the US are negative f
Market Aug. 12, 2017
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Sexual slavery victim makes debut as singer
A victim of Japanese sexual slavery, Kil Won-ok, on Thursday announced she will make her debut as a singer on the fifth memorial ceremony in tribute to the comfort women. “Whether others like it or not, I believe singing is my job because I like to sing,” Kil said in a production press conference held at the War and Women’s Human Rights Museum in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Former “comfort women” Gil Won-ok (center) smiles at a press conference for her new EP at War & Women’s Human Rights Museum in Mapo-gu
Politics Aug. 10, 2017
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