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Kang Seung-woo

Korea Times Business Reporter

Kang Seung-woo is the Business Desk editor at The Korea Times. Prior to this position, he covered politics, national affairs, finance and sports.

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North Korea

North Korea's propaganda changes

Un A, the female North Korean presenter of Echo DPRK, a YouTube channel believed to be managed by the North Korean regime, talks in one of the channel's clips posted on May 7. / Captured from YouTubeBy Kang Seung-wooNorth Korea is changing the way it promotes  its closed-off regime to international audiences, with the propaganda now being produced in various and modern styles and with the presenters' signature bombastic style of speech being toned down.It is a stark contrast to the conventional propaganda put out by its state media that was traditionally unfriendly and unilateral. It is believed the change was made following its leader Kim Jong-un's repeated instruction to develop realistic and up-to-date propaganda.Echo DPRK, a YouTube channel that is believed to be managed by the North Korean regime, is one of the new-style outlets. Since its launch in August 2017, the channel has uploaded some 40 videos and has gained over 7,000 subscribers. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which is the North's official name. The video channel featuring a female Nort

May 19, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
North Korea's propaganda changes
Health

Moon offers cooperation on global vaccine development effort

President Moon Jae-in delivers a keynote speech to the World Health Assembly through teleconference, at Cheong Wa Dae, Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Cheong Wa DaeBy Kang Seung-wooPresident Moon Jae-in proposed Monday that the international community cooperate beyond borders to develop vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 and other pandemics that may emerge in the future.“The Republic of Korea fully supports the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop vaccines and treatments,” Moon said in a keynote speech to the World Health Assembly, delivered via videoconference. “Furthermore, such vaccines and treatments are public goods that must be distributed equitably to the whole world.”His speech came as Korea has gained international recognition for its successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the nation's achievement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus proposed, during an April 6 phone conversation, that Moon deliver the keynote speech, hoping it could serve as a good opportunity to share Korea's experience on dealing with

May 18, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Moon offers cooperation on global vaccine development effort
Politics

Marking 1980 pro-democracy uprising

Residents march in front of the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju, Saturday, carrying large-sized puppets made in commemoration of the victims of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy movement. On the ground are pictures satirizing conservative politicians, scholars and activists who have defamed the movement as well as former President Chun Doo-hwan who led the military junta that cracked down on the protesters. Yonhap

May 17, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Marking 1980 pro-democracy uprising
North Korea

Can China emerge as inter-Korean mediator?

President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping / Korea Times fileBy Kang Seung-wooAmid a deadlock in denuclearization talks between North Korea and the United States that were much anticipated to bring peace and stability to the Korean Peninsula, China sees its presence as a facilitator in the stalled inter-Korean relations increasing.The development comes as re-election-seeking U.S. President Donald Trump has been putting engagement with the North on the back burner, leading President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to reach out to Chinese President Xi Jinping.However, it remains to be seen whether China can live up to such expectations as it is currently engaged in a struggle for hegemony with the U.S. Last week, Moon had a phone conversation with Xi, during which the latter agreed to visit the South within this year. The government has been pushing for Xi's visit Seoul, which could help expand bilateral trade. But apart from the economic considerations, it is also seeking support from the Chinese government for Moon's “Korean Peninsula peace process&r

May 17, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Can China emerge as inter-Korean mediator?
Politics

Nation mixed on use of relief money

By Kang Seung-wooAs the government begins the rolls out its COVID-19 emergency relief funds, questions are arising about how to channel those funds to best support those in need. In the political arena, one side is calling for the wealthy or those who simply wish to help others in need to donate the funds in preparation for a second surge of coronavirus infections while the other side claims those same recipients should spend the aid money directly in their communities to revive slumping local economies. Gangwon Province Gov. Choi Moon-soon / Korea Times fileSince May 4, the relief money has been distributed to all citizens to help them deal with financial strain from the coronavirus pandemic, but people can also opt to donate all or part of their share so the money can be used for the government's unemployment insurance programs. It is paid in the form of credit or debit card points, regional gift certificates or prepaid cards.Political and business circles have joined a government-led campaign for people in high-income brackets to donate their share, hoping the payouts will be used

May 14, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Nation mixed on use of relief money
Foreign Affairs

Korea to lead health security issue at UN

Cho Hyun, the Korean ambassador to the United Nations (U.N.), participates in a video conference of the Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security at the U.N. headquarters in New York, Tuesday (local time). / Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign AffairsBy Kang Seung-wooKorea's successful handling of the initial coronavirus outbreak here has enabled the government to participate as a founding member of a global forum for exchanging views on how to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday that the Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security was launched Tuesday (local time) with an inaugural video conference based out of New York.Alongside Korea, Canada, Denmark, Sierra Leone and Qatar co-chair the organization while other U.N. member states can freely join the group.According to the ministry, the organization is aimed at serving as a platform for U.N. member countries to discuss how to deal with COVID-19 and other challenges to global health security through various forms of multilateral cooperation. In additi

May 13, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Korea to lead health security issue at UN
Defense

Father, son operate Cobra choppers

By Kang Seung-wooThere is a son following in the footsteps of his father who was a Cobra attack helicopter pilot for decades.Army Warrant Officer Oh Byeong-nam, right, and his son First Lieutenant Oh Jeong-hwan / Courtesy of Republic of Korea ArmyAccording to the Army, Wednesday, First Lieutenant Oh Jeong-hwan from the 17th Aviation Group of the Seventh Corps started flying the chopper last week that his father, Warrant Officer Oh Byeong-nam, piloted for 33 years. The Oh Byeong-nam began his military career in 1987 as a non-commissioned officer and after spending four years in the Special Forces, he was selected as an Army aviation officer in 1991. He participated in a variety of military operations, including one against North Korea's submarine infiltration incident into Gangneung, Gangwon Province in 1996, and rescue operations in disasters. In April, he reached 5,000 hours of flight time with a record of no accidents. He is now working on aircraft maintenance. “When an engine gear malfunctioned during an air operation in 2000, Warrant Officer Oh helped the aircraft make a sa

May 13, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Father, son operate Cobra choppers
Society

Navy to study impact on radioactive water leak by Japan

A Tokyo Electric Power official wearing protective gear stands in front of Advanced Liquid Processing Systems during a press tour at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant in this Nov. 12, 2014, photo. / Korea Times fileBy Kang Seung-wooThe Navy announced, Tuesday, plans to study the effects of radioactive water on its operations in an apparent countermeasure against Japan's alleged plan to dump the contaminated water from its Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.While many domestic and international environment groups have studied the possible water release by Japan, this is the first time that the Korean military has decided to investigate the issue, although it remains cautious about specifying Japan is the target country for the study.According to a notice posted on the government's procurement system site, the Navy plans to commission research into the potential impact of radioactive water within its operational areas on its maritime operations and ways to stably carry out missions.The Navy said the 30 million-won ($24,000) research project is scheduled to run until Nov. 3

May 12, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Navy to study impact on radioactive water leak by Japan
Politics

Competition for Assembly Speaker

Rep. Park Byeong-seug, left, of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) shakes hands with fellow DPK lawmaker Rep. Kim Jin-pyo, during a forum on emergency responses to climate disasters at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. The two veteran lawmakers are competing for the speaker post in the 21st National Assembly. / Yonhap

May 12, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Competition for Assembly Speaker
North Korea

Moon poised to resume inter-Korean projects

By Kang Seung-wooPresident Moon Jae-in's third-anniversary press conference is fueling speculation that South Korea is set to act independently of the United States to promote inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation that could take place in the areas of healthcare, railways and tourism. Such a move has come from the idea that Seoul cannot just wait until progress is made in denuclearization talks between Pyongyang and Washington, with this being unlikely for a while. President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un walk on a bridge in the truce village of Panmunjeom during their summit, April 27, 2018. / Korea Times“Unlike expectations, talks between North Korea and the U.S. have stalled and no one knows whether they could reap the fruits. Particularly, when taking a look at the U.S. political calendar, we can surely say this,” Moon told reporters, Sunday, after his public address from Cheong Wa Dae.“What I propose is we have to do what the two Koreas can do regardless of the deadlock in U.S.-North Korea denuclearization talks.”However, the President s

May 11, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Moon poised to resume inter-Korean projects
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