The Korea Times

Unification ministry hopes for North Korea to respond to offer for discussion on virtual conference system

Unification Minister Lee In-young / Yonhap The unification ministry on Thursday expressed hope that North Korea will respond to South Korea's recent offer for discussion on setting up a virtual conference system for inter-Korean talks.South Korea made a proposal to discuss the matter with North Korea days after the two Koreas restored cross-border communication lines last week that had been severed for more than a year after North Korea cut them off in protest of anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent from the South. North Korea has yet to provide answers to the offer. "We have sufficiently explained the need for the establishment of a virtual conference system for the sake of safe dialogue amid the coronavirus situation. Since we made the offer for discussions in that context, we expect the North to respond," a ministry official said.Saying that the North has not yet provided answers to the offer, the official said that the ministry continues to make all necessary preparatio

Aug 5, 2021By Lee Hyo-sik

Unification ministry hopes for North Korea to respond to offer for discussion on virtual conference system

Foreign Affairs

Marking the 49th UAE National Day

H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president / Courtesy of Embassy of UAEUAE Embassy in Korea contributed the article below on the occasion of the country's 49th National Day. ― ED.On 2 December 2020, the UAE will celebrate the 49th anniversary of the union of the seven emirates. This occasion marks a sincere reflection of the federation's journey ― rich in monumental events and achievements ― building on the foundation that was first laid down by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brothers, the fellow founding fathers. Today, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, follows in their footsteps, leading our nation on its journey towards the future.Throughout the year 2020, the UAE has witnessed achievements in several fields at the national, regional and international levels. This year, the UAE continued with its ambitious national efforts, launching a peaceful nuclear power plant, the first of its kind in the region, as well as entering the global race to explore outer space by sending the first Arab and Islamic probe to Mars ―

Dec 1, 2020By Lee Hyo-sik

Foreign Affairs

UAE, Korea marks 40th anniv. of diplomatic relations

Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, UAE ambassador to Korea, contributed the article below on the occasion of the country's 49th National Day. ― ED.H.E. Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, UAE ambassador to Korea / Courtesy of Embassy of UAEThis year, the UAE celebrates the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea, with significant progress made in all aspects of cooperation.In view of the growth and expansion of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic field, our relations were eventually promoted to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2018.However, the measures enforced at the global level due to the outbreak of COVID-19 have substantially affected economic exchanges and the movement of business people.To cope with this situation, the two sides implemented the Fast Track Procedure in August. The main objective of the FTP is to facilitate travel between the two countries for business and humanitarian purposes.This cooperation has led to the expansion of relations between our two countries and paved the way for further

Dec 1, 2020By Lee Hyo-sik

UAE, Korea marks 40th anniv. of diplomatic relations

Opinion

Trauma of being the first

By Lee Hyo-sikSince the coronavirus began sweeping the entire nation late January, many offices, plants and other business establishments have been shut down as a result of infections among workers.There is no doubt the closures tarnished the corporate reputations of those companies and hurt their bottom lines. The individuals who unintentionally led to these unexpected shutdowns have become the subject of criticism from their coworkers and others affected.According to a recent survey of coronavirus patients in the nation by Seoul National University, they were more worried about being criticized by other people and suffering financial and other damage as a consequence while they were found to be less concerned about whether they will be able to recover from the virus.In August, two employees at the Government Employees Pension Service tested positive for the virus, becoming Public Enemy No. 1 at the company. The head of pension manager even posted a message on Facebook, blaming the two for being reckless by going to a church in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, where mass infections occurr

Sep 9, 2020By Lee Hyo-sik

Politics

Korean Air demands Seoul city stop blocking land sale

The site owned by Korean Air in Songhyeon-dong, Jongno-gu, in downtown Seoul. / Korea Times FileBy Lee Hyo-sikKorean Air released a statement, Friday, demanding the Seoul Metropolitan Government stop blocking the sale of a site in downtown Seoul, which the air carrier seeks to dispose of to raise much-needed cash.Korea's largest flagship carrier said the city likely violated the law by designating its 37,000-square-meter site in Songhyeon-dong, Jongno-gu, as land for a public park, urging city officials to stop infringing on its property rights.The company bought the former compound of embassy housing for American diplomatic personnel for 290 billion won ($240 million) in 2008 to build a hotel. But it has been unable to do so because of opposition from the city government. To secure cash amid its worsening bottom line and plunging travel demand, the carrier now wants to sell the property, worth about 500 billion won. But Seoul city has designated the site as a public park, driving off those prospective buyers.“Seoul city has not secured enough money to buy the Songhyeon-dong la

Aug 28, 2020By Lee Hyo-sik

Politics

Top prosecutor rejects justice minister's reform proposal

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul / YonhapBy Lee Hyo-sikThe Supreme Prosecutors' Office has rejected a recent proposal made by the Ministry of Justice to reorganize the prosecution, a move certain to deepen the ongoing rift between Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, according to legal circles Friday. The highest prosecutors' office reportedly informed the ministry of its stance on the controversial proposal, which Yoon's supporters argue is largely designed to weaken the power of the top prosecutor, saying “It needs to be carefully reviewed.” The office also reportedly pointed out “flaws” in the overhaul plan and conveyed its own suggestions.The plan centers on abolishing four senior positions at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, whose roles are to collect information on potential criminal activities and coordinate investigations conducted by regional offices for the top prosecutor.Since Tuesday when the ministry made the scheme public, a number of prosecutors have publicly issued protests, claiming it solely aims to reduc

Aug 14, 2020By Lee Hyo-sik

Top prosecutor rejects justice minister's reform proposal

Over 430,000 sign for removal of justice minister

Travel & Food

Tourism underrated as job creator, growth driver

By Edmund WongMy humble career in the tourism industry has given me the opportunity to experience some of the world's most dynamic tourism markets including Singapore, Malaysia, China, Australia and New Zealand, and exotic places such as Bangladesh and Mongolia. Yet the years spent in these markets failed to prepare me for the raw potential that is Korea's tourism sector when I first came to Jeju Island six years ago. For instance, the fact that 70 percent of Korea's land mass is covered in unspoiled mountains is a true blessing for the country's tourism industry. Korea also offers a diverse range of different landscapes including beaches, valleys, marshes and rivers all just a few short hours away from each other. Coupled with Korea's cultural charms, hospitality and some of the world's most advanced public infrastructure, the nation truly has all the ingredients to offer the world a delectable tourism feast. All this notwithstanding, the question must be asked: Is Korea living up to its full tourism potential? According to a recent OECD report issued early this year, the average co

Aug 10, 2020By Lee Hyo-sik

Tourism underrated as job creator, growth driver

Health

31 out of 72 arriving from Iraq show coronavirus symptoms

Korean workers arrive at Incheon International Airport from Iraq, Friday, via a chartered flight. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-sikThirty-one out of 72 workers arriving from Iraq, Friday, showed possible coronavirus symptoms, according to the government's COVID-10 response headquarters.“Seventy-two people coming from Iraq arrived at Incheon International Airport Friday morning via a chartered flight,” a quarantine official at the headquarters said. “Of these, 31 showed a fever or other symptoms of the virus.”Quarantine officials in Iraq checked workers' health before they boarded the plane in the Middle East nation. The officials then separated people showing symptoms from those who did not on the plane. The two groups then entered Incheon International Airport through separate arrival gates. On arrival, the 31 underwent coronavirus tests. The remaining passengers will undergo two weeks of self-quarantine. “People who test positive will be quarantined and treated for the virus at treatment centers,” the official said. “Those who test negative will be hous

Jul 31, 2020By Lee Hyo-sik

31 out of 72 arriving from Iraq show coronavirus symptoms

Health

'Go vegan'

Civic group members wearing pig-like face masks stage a performance to promote veganism at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap

Jun 14, 2020By Lee Hyo-sik

Society

Summer already?

Children play on Haeundae Beach, one of the most visited summer tourist spots in Busan, Sunday. The city will officially open the beach to the public Monday requiring them to keep 2 meters apart from one another and follow other social distancing rules. Yonhap

May 31, 2020By Lee Hyo-sik

Lee Hyo-sik

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