The Korea Times

Nation Cannot be Subject of Libel Suit

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter The human rights commission concluded that the nation cannot be the subject of a libel suit. In September of 2009, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) filed a defamation suit against human rights lawyer, Park Won-soon for damaging the reputation of the “state,” making the nation the plaintiff. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) reached a conclusion that the state cannot be defamed and be the main body of a libel case in an inside report, Sunday. The NHRCK is going to confirm whether to accept this as its official opinion and report their final decision to the Seoul Central District Court, where the case is pending, through a committee scheduled today. The NHRCK investigated the case since it was considered a critical issue dealing with the freedom of expression. The report is said to include the fact that there were no lawsuits where the state was a plaintiff or a defendant of a case in other countries such as the Unites States, the United Kingdom or South Africa. There were cases that had been filed by publi

Apr 11, 2010By Kwon Mee-yoo

South Korea

Adoption Rare for Multicultural Children

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter Multicultural children abandoned due to the breakup of their families are becoming a new social issue. According to the Seoul Child Welfare Center, there are currently 10 multicultural children in their custody. The number had jumped from two in 2008 to seven in 2009. In addition, some 10 multicultural children have been admitted to temporary child shelters in Uijeongbu and Anyang, Gyeonggi Province. Most children in these childcare facilities are from immigrant mothers, from countries such as China, Vietnam and the Philippines, married to Korean fathers. Some multicultural families separate due to problems such as domestic violence. These children of mixed-race face difficulty in finding adoptive homes due to social prejudices. “Korean orphans themselves, are not easily adopted and it is almost impossible for multicultural children to find new homes,” a center official said. “Recently, a family talked about the possibility of adopting a multicultural child, but it fell through. No multicultural child has been adopted in Korea so far

Apr 11, 2010By Kwon Mee-yoo

South Korea

Was Seoul Plaza Sold for World Cup Marketing?

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter Seoul Plaza, the Mecca of outdoor gatherings in Korea, is becoming a battleground for marketing among major companies, particularly ahead of the 2010 World Cup slated to take place from June through July in South Africa. Located in front of City Hall, the plaza has been the largest outdoor cheering venue during the two previous World Cups in 2002 and 2006. In 2002, more than 400,000 people flocked to Seoul Plaza to watch soccer games together and support the Korean team. Civic organizations however are opposed to allowing the marketing practice. The civic group Cultural Action recently issued a public statement claiming that “Seoul Plaza is not the property of Seoul City or SK Telecom.” The group said an MOU signed by Seoul City and SK Telecom includes a clause that both will cooperate in making citizens proud of Seoul City through major events such as the 2010 World Design Capital and 2010 World Cup. “In other words, Seoul City allowed the wireless carrier to host the cheering events in the plaza,” an activist of Cultural Action said.

Apr 11, 2010By Kwon Mee-yoo

South Korea

Ex-PM Han Cleared of Bribery Charge

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter A Seoul district court found former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook not guilty of bribery charges in a high-profile ruling that will provide her with greater leverage to run for Seoul mayor in the local elections in June. Han, 66, was charged of receiving $50,000 in December 2006 from Kwak Young-wook, a former CEO of Korea Express, in exchange for helping him gain the top post at a state-run company. In its verdict, the Seoul Central District Court questioned the credibility of Kwak's testimony that he had handed $50,000 to Han. "Kwak's testimony can hardly be trusted. It seems that he has made false statements in order to avoid a personal crisis" it said in the ruling. The prosecution said it will appeal. Prosecutors had demanded a five-year prison term and a $50,000 fine as punishment for the former prime minister. Han, currently a senior adviser to the main opposition Democratic Party, was more than pleased with the decision. "The truth has been unveiled. I really thank the people for believing in me," Han said, emerging

Apr 9, 2010By Kwon Mee-yoo

South Korea

Gang Leader Freed 2 Days After Arrest

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter Lee Kang-hwan, 67, the leader of the nation's largest gang "Chilsungpa," was released by the prosecution Thursday, only two days after his arrest, due to a lack of evidence solid enough to see him remain in custody. Lee was suspected of extorting some 400 million won ($333,000) from the head of a local construction company as well as kidnapping and physically assaulting him. Busan Yeonje Police Station requested an arrest warrant for Lee for making continual threats, but the prosecution discharged Lee requesting supplementary investigation. The prosecution called for additional investigations into five issues including Lee's intervention in assault and kidnapping. ``The police investigation was not complete enough to justify an arrest warrant. That's why we asked for further investigation,'' a prosecutor at the Busan district prosecution office said. ``If stronger evidence to prove his crimes is secured, we will seek a warrant to apprehend him.'' He said further inquiries are necessary as the request for an arrest warrant might be rej

Apr 8, 2010By Kwon Mee-yoo

South Korea

2 Million Won Granted for Sprained Ankle in Cinema

By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter If a moviegoer sprains his ankle while exiting a dark theater, are they entitled to compensation, and if so, how much? A theater was told to pay 2 million won ($1,670) to a patron who hurt his ankle because the theater was too dim, a court said Monday. The person, identified only as Lee, received a phone call while watching a movie in a multiplex theater and hurt his ankle while trying to find the exit so he could answer it, last year in Seoul. However, there was no lighting in the stairwell and Lee fell down without being aware of the stairs on the way to emergency door. He sprained his ankle and sustained bruises, which cost him 400,000 won in medical treatment. Lee demanded 10 million won in compensation from the movie theater, to cover the medical expenses and for damages. He said the cinema did not have any lighting to ensure the safety and security of their patrons. "Even if there was no lighting, I wouldn't have been injured if there was a slope instead of stairs," Lee said in the complaint, claiming the theater was fully

Apr 6, 2010By Kwon Mee-yoo

South Korea

New Buildings Next to Myeongdong Cathedral?

Archdiocese of Seoul to Push for Redevelopment Plan to Build Buildings By Kwon Mee-yoo Staff Reporter A plan to erect two new buildings next to Myeongdong Cathedral, one of the most iconic modern buildings in Seoul, is raising concerns that it may harm the cathedral itself and the scenery around it. The Archdiocese of Seoul, which oversees the management of the cathedral, submitted a plan for the two buildings ㅡ nine-stories- and 13-stories-high ㅡ and an underground parking lot as well as other facilities four floors below ground level. The plan, however, is drawing criticism from architects and experts who say the redevelopment plan will damage the open view of the cathedral. To date, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) has not given the go ahead, saying it needs more time to review the plan as it concerns a historical part of the city's landscape, and could damage the cathedral's foundations due to the underground construction. Built in 1898, Myeongdong Cathedral served as the symbol of Korean Christianity, and was a haven for political dissidents who fo

Apr 5, 2010By Kwon Mee-yoo

Kwon Mee-yoo

Read more

Nation Cannot be Subject of Libel Suit

Adoption Rare for Multicultural Children

Was Seoul Plaza Sold for World Cup Marketing?

Ex-PM Han Cleared of Bribery Charge

Gang Leader Freed 2 Days After Arrest

2 Million Won Granted for Sprained Ankle in Cinema

New Buildings Next to Myeongdong Cathedral?

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