The Korea Times

1 in 4 young Koreans ignorant about Liberation Day meaning: poll

A girl points to a display showing the signatures of Korea's independence fighters in Seoul, Tuesday, as the nation celebrates the 78th anniversary of its liberation from the 1910-45 Japanese occupation. Yonhap By Jung Min-hoMore than one out of four young Koreans who were born between 1995 and 2009 are not sufficiently aware of the meaning of National Liberation Day, with more than 10 percent saying they had no idea, a recent poll shows.According to survey results released Monday, the day before the national holiday marking Korea's independence from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, 15.6 percent of respondents in that age group said they were “not well aware” of its meaning, while 11.2 percent said they were “completely unaware.”Among those respondents, described as members of Generation Z by PMI, a pollster, only 21.9 percent said they were well aware of the day, including the date, year of independence and meaning, while 51.4 percent said they were somewhat aware.Th

Aug 15, 2023By Jung Min-ho

1 in 4 young Koreans ignorant about Liberation Day meaning: poll

Yoon calls Japan 'partner' in defense against rising threats

Foreign Affairs

Yoon calls Japan 'partner' in defense against rising threats

President Yoon Suk Yeol gives a speech during a ceremony marking the 78th anniversary of National Liberation Day from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Tuesday. NewsisPresident vows not to give in to 'communists disguised as democracy or human rights activists'By Jung Min-hoPresident Yoon Suk Yeol vowed to strengthen security ties with Japan, calling the country a partner which South Korea must work with to defend shared values against intensifying threats. He made the comments in a speech, Tuesday, marking the 78th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Tokyo's 1910-45 colonial rule.He delivered the speech ahead of a trilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden at Camp David, Friday (local time), which Yoon said would “set a new milestone” for their cooperation in preserving peace not just on the Korean Peninsula but in the entire Indo-Pacific region.“South Korea and Japan are now partners who share universal values and pursue common interests,” Yoon said at the National Liberation D

Aug 15, 2023By Jung Min-ho

Yoon calls Japan 'partner' in defense against rising threats

1 in 4 young Koreans ignorant about Liberation Day meaning: poll

Politics

Business leaders, 2,100 others pardoned ahead of Liberation Day

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a meeting with officials of United Nations Command at the presidential office in Seoul, Thursday. Yoon on Monday granted pardons to 2,176 people on the occasion of Liberation Day, including business tycoons. YonhapList includes ex-chiefs of Kumho Petrochemical, Booyoung, Lotte FoundationBy Jung Min-hoPresident Yoon Suk Yeol granted pardons to 2,176 people, Monday, on the occasion of Liberation Day (Aug. 15), including the former chiefs of Kumho Petrochemical, Booyoung and Lotte Foundation.Park Chan-koo, former chairman and CEO of the leading manufacturer of synthetic rubber, Lee Joong-keun, founder and former chairman of Booyoung, a building developer and Shin Young-ja, a daughter of late Lotte Group founder Shin Kyuk-ho, were among those on this year's list. The three were all convicted of breach of duty and embezzlement.Other names on the list include Kim Tae-woo, who was given a suspended prison term after disclosing classified information regarding the misconduct of the previous Moon Jae-in administration, and Kang Man-soo, who was sentenced

Aug 14, 2023By Jung Min-ho

Business leaders, 2,100 others pardoned ahead of Liberation Day

Foreign Affairs

How Jamboree money was wasted

Participants wait in a long line to enter a souvenir shop at the campsite for the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, Aug. 4. Government data suggests that a big portion of the event's budget may have been wasted. Reuters-YonhapTate Modern, Prague Castle, Iguazu Falls: Much of budget earmarked for 'unnecessary trips'By Jung Min-hoKorea has built its reputation as a reliable host of international events over the past several decades during which it successfully staged the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 2010 G20 Summit, the 1988 Summer and 2018 Winter Olympics and many others.That reputation is now in tatters as a result of the disastrous management of the 25th World Scout Jamboree, which opened on Aug. 1 amid extreme weather, sanitation issues and a slew of other problems.Given a lack of resources and basic services prepared for the teenage Scouts and adult volunteers, many have raised questions as to how the more than 117 billion won ($89 million) budgeted for the event was spent. Government data about officials' work-related overseas trips and training programs

Aug 12, 2023By Jung Min-ho

Global Community

Gov't to prioritize Korean language ability as part of immigration reform

gettyimagesbankBy Jung Min-hoKorea will now place more of a weighting on an immigrant's ability to communicate in Korean over other skills, as the country moves to accept more foreign workers after plans have been implemented to reform its immigration policy.In its response to questions sent recently by The Korea Times, the Ministry of Justice, which is expected to announce policy details regarding immigration system changes later this year, said that Korean language ability would be a significant factor in terms of obtaining E-7-4 visas.The visas are issued to those meeting certain requirements, including a minimum amount of work experience (four years). They effectively permit a permanent stay in Korea, offering a three-year base period with unlimited renewals.“Korean language ability is the most basic and crucial element in order for immigrants to assimilate as members of our society, as was the case for other countries,” the ministry said. “We are planning to give more points if those with excellent language ability wish to change their visas (to E-7-4).”T

Aug 12, 2023By Jung Min-ho

Gov't to prioritize Korean language ability as part of immigration reform

North Korea

Rights groups call for UN action to protect North Korean escapees in China

This March file photo, taken in the Chinese city of Dandong, shows two bridges connecting North Korea and China. Human rights groups on Friday called for the OHCHR to take action to protect North Korean refugees in China as North Korea is expected to lift COVID-19 border restrictions to resume Beijing's forcible repatriation of escapees. Korea Times photo by Cho Young-binOHCHR accused of keeping silent on repatriation issue for sake of BeijingBy Jung Min-hoHuman rights activists called for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to take immediate action to protect North Korean refugees in China amid signs of the resumption of Beijing's forcible repatriation of escapees.In a joint statement, Friday, Transitional Justice Working Group and 11 other groups said the lives of as many as 2,000 North Koreans are now at stake as Pyongyang is expected to lift its COVID-19 border restrictions soon ahead of the Hangzhou Asian Games, which are scheduled to take place from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8.In a serious accusation, the groups also claimed that the OHCHR remains

Aug 11, 2023By Jung Min-ho

North Korea

North Korean hacking of Russian technology highlights distrust between allies: experts

This image shows Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu looking at North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War in Pyongyang, North Korea, July 27. YonhapBut allies expected to promote unity out of necessityBy Jung Min-hoA team of North Korean hackers reportedly breached the computer networks of a major Russian weapons maker for at least five months last year, in an episode analysts said demonstrates deep-rooted distrust between the two countries.According to Reuters, the hackers secretly installed stealthy digital back doors into systems at NPO Mashinostroyeniya, a leading manufacturer of missiles and military spacecraft based in Reutov, east of Moscow.Speaking to The Korea Times, Tuesday, experts said the North Korean attempt to damage Russia's key national interest probably did not surprise Moscow, which knows its ally all too well. They also believe the two countries would nevertheless continue to promote unity as if nothing serious had happened, given that “they desperately need each other.”“

Aug 8, 2023By Jung Min-ho

North Korea

North Korea's arms exports to Russia likely to increase: analysts

This photo released Sunday by state media shows North Korean leader holding a rifle during an inspection of munitions factories at an undisclosed location in North Korea. YonhapPyongyang promotes 'defense business' as it reinforces military ties with Moscow By Jung Min-hoAs Seoul cements its position as one of the world's fastest-growing arms exporters, Pyongyang may also be aiming to emulate the South's success.After North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected key weapons factories from Thursday to Saturday, its state media honed in on “defense business” ― a term it has never before used.Speaking to reporters on Monday, Koo Byoung-sam, the spokesman for the Unification Ministry, said that recent signs indicate that North Korea might be seeking to export arms to Russia, a country in need due to its invasion of Ukraine. “If that really is what it (North Korea) aims for, it is deeply regrettable as it is tantamount to admitting that it will violate the U.N. resolutions,” Koo said.For some experts, the ministry's analysis is a bit too conservative. They believe tha

Aug 7, 2023By Jung Min-ho

North Korea's arms exports to Russia likely to increase: analysts

Foreign Affairs

Gov't scrambles to keep World Scout Jamboree going

British Scouts leave the venue of the World Scout Jamboree in Buan, North Jeolla Province, Sunday, cutting short their stay due to extreme heat. YonhapTourism programs being arranged for participants amid heat waveBy Jung Min-hoThe Korean authorities are scrambling to arrange indoor and tourism programs for the remaining participants at the World Scout Jamboree instead of scheduled outdoor activities as they vow to plow ahead with the event despite criticism of sloppy planning and calls to cut it short.The central and provincial governments were busy coordinating efforts, Sunday, to revitalize the Jamboree, which was put in jeopardy after the British Scouts decided on Friday to leave the campsite at Saemangeum in Buan, North Jeolla Province, citing extreme temperatures. The Americans and Singaporeans decided to follow suit the next morning.Their decisions and a request by the world scouting body to shorten the Jamboree, scheduled to run from Aug. 1 to 12, immediately thrust the fate of the event into question, prompting President Yoon Suk Yeol the next day to call for all-out efforts

Aug 6, 2023By Jung Min-ho

Gov't scrambles to keep World Scout Jamboree going

North Korea

What is life like for disabled people in North Korea?

Maeng Hyo-shim, fourth from right, and Kim Myeong-hee, third from right, pose with other North Korean refugees and the co-founders of Freedom Speakers International, Casey Lartigue Jr. and Lee Eun-koo, during their visit to the State Department in Washington, D.C., July 20. Courtesy of Freedom Speakers InternationalA group of refugees discuss human rights abuses at US State DepartmentBy Jung Min-hoLife is harsh for everyone in North Korea. But for disabled people, it's even worse.People with serious disabilities are almost invisible. Even in Pyongyang, support systems for the disabled are virtually nonexistent. There are no wheelchairs or automatic doors. With few available means of movement, they are usually stuck at home.Maeng Hyo-shim, a daughter of a North Korean woman who is unable to walk, said the only thing her mother had were crutches.“Without my father's devotion and care, my mother would not survive,” she told The Korea Times in a recent interview. “After arriving here after our escape, she described this country as a 'heaven-like' one where she can have

Aug 2, 2023By Jung Min-ho

Jung Min-ho

Read more

1 in 4 young Koreans ignorant about Liberation Day meaning: poll

Yoon calls Japan 'partner' in defense against rising threats

Business leaders, 2,100 others pardoned ahead of Liberation Day

How Jamboree money was wasted

Gov't to prioritize Korean language ability as part of immigration reform

Rights groups call for UN action to protect North Korean escapees in China

North Korean hacking of Russian technology highlights distrust between allies: experts

North Korea's arms exports to Russia likely to increase: analysts

Gov't scrambles to keep World Scout Jamboree going

What is life like for disabled people in North Korea?

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