The Korea Times

Editorial Discourteous and undiplomatic

China under fire for raising THAAD issue again중국이 또 다시 사드 문제를 제기해 비난을 받고 있다Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan has come under criticism for his seemingly inappropriate statement during his meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday. Wang, who came here to attend Yoon's inauguration ceremony as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy, offered a five-point proposal designed to promote bilateral relations further. Most notably, he cited the need for the two countries to "properly handle sensitive issues." China has used this expression when attempting to demand the withdrawal of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system from Korea.왕치산 중국 국가부주석이 화요일 윤석열 대통령을 만난 자리에서 부적절한 발언을 해 비난을 받고 있다. 시진핑 중국 국가주석의 특사 자격으로 윤 대통령의 취임식에 참석하기 위해 방한한 왕 부주석은 양국 관계를 더욱 증진시키기 위해 고안된 5개항의 제안을 내놓았다. 특히 왕 부주석은 "민감한 문제를 적절히 처리해야 한다"고 말했다. 중국은 한국에 사드(고고도미사일방어체계) 철수를 요구할 때 이런 표현을 써왔다.Seoul and Beijing agreed to terminate the dispute on THAAD issues and mend their soured relations in October 2017. Despite the agreement, China's Xi repeatedly called on former President Moon Jae-in to "properly h

May 15, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Full-scale rebuilding

HDC Hyundai's decision is necessary to restore public trust국민 신뢰 회복 위해 HDC현대산업개발의 결단 필요HDC Hyundai Development has decided to demolish all eight apartment buildings at a complex in Gwangju under construction and rebuild them. The builder decided so, judging that it could hardly dissipate would-be residents' safety concerns if it rebuilds only one partially collapsed building. We hope the decision will ultimately serve as an occasion for the company facing a crisis of trust to change its perceptions of building safety.HDC현대산업개발이 시공 중인 광주의 한 아파트 단지 8개동을 전면 철거한 뒤 재시공하기로 했다. 현대산업개발은 부분적으로 붕괴된 동 하나만 재시공해서는 입주 예정자들의 안전 우려를 해소하기 힘들다고 판단해 이 같은 결정을 내렸다. 이번 결단이 궁극적으로 신뢰의 위기를 맞은 현대산업개발에 안전 문화에 대한 인식을 바꾸는 계기가 되기를 바란다.It is unusual to tear down substantially constructed apartment buildings and build them all over again, which is the case of Hwajeong I'Park in Gwangju, some 330 kilometers south of Seoul. The developer expects the reconstruction to cost 370 billion won ($294 million) and take about 70 months. However, all these factors could not keep the company from making the unusual decision, be

May 9, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Tyranny of majority

Unilateral legislation is insult to democracy일방적인 입법은 민주주의에 대한 모욕The outgoing Moon Jae-in administration and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) have completed a legislation process to deprive the prosecution of its investigative powers, despite strong opposition from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) as well as prosecutors, lawyers and professors. The ruling camp cannot deflect criticism for railroading related bills through the National Assembly in an apparent bid to prevent the prosecution from investigating allegations of corruption and abuse of power raised against the Moon government.제1야당인 국민의힘과 검찰, 변호사 및 교수들의 강력한 반대에도 불구하고, 퇴임하는 문재인 정부와 여당인 더불어민주당은 검찰 수사권을 박탈하는 입법 절차를 완료했다. 여권은 분명 문 정부에 제기된 부정부패와 권력 남용 의혹을 검찰이 수사하는 것을 막기 위해 국회에서 관련 법안을 강행 처리했다는 비판을 피할 수가 없다.On Tuesday, President Moon promulgated the legislation in a Cabinet meeting, allowing it to become a law which will take effect in four months. He ignored demand by the prosecution and the PPP that he should exercise his veto power. The move came hours after the DPK passed a revision to the Criminal Proced

May 8, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Strengthen alliance

Summit could mark milestone in bilateral ties한미 정상회담은 양국 관계에 이정표 될 수 있어Incoming President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden are scheduled to hold their first summit in Seoul on May 21 to discuss how to strengthen the alliance and deepen the partnership between the two countries. The summit will come only 11 days after Yoon is sworn in as president May 10. This will mark the earliest-ever meeting between the leaders of the allies following a South Korean president's inauguration.윤석열 대통령 당선인이 21일 대통령 신분으로 조 바이든 미국 대통령과 서울에서 첫 정상회담을 개최해 양국 간의 동맹 강화와 동반자 관계를 심화시키는 방법에 대해 논의할 예정이다. 이 정상회담은 윤 당선인이 10일 대통령으로 취임한 지 11일 만에 개최된다. 대통령 취임 이후 역대 정부 가운데서도 전례 없이 이른 시점에 한미정상회담을 치르는 것이다.Both Seoul and Washington certainly feel the urgent need for better ties and enhanced cooperation amid growing North Korean military threats, the ongoing Russian war on Ukraine and the escalating rivalry between the U.S. and China. Thus, Yoon and Biden are expected to work together closely to open a new era in bilateral relations.북한의 군사적 위협이 증가하고 러시아의 우크라이나 침공이 계속되며 미중 간의 경쟁이 고조되고 있는 가운데 한미 양국은 보다 나은 관계와 협력 강

May 2, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Self-destructive behavior

Allies should thwart North’s threat to use nukes한미 양국은 북한의 핵 사용 위협을 저지해야North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has declared his resolve to ramp up his country's nuclear capabilities and use such weapons for other purposes beyond war deterrence. "Though the basic mission of the nuclear forces is to deter war, we must carry out the second mission if any forces attempt to infringe on the fundamental interests of the state," Kim was quoted as saying by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) Tuesday.북한 김정은 위원장이 핵 능력을 증강해 전쟁 억지력 뿐만 아니라 다른 용도로도 사용하겠다는 결의를 천명했다. 김 위원장은 "핵전력의 기본 임무는 전쟁을 억제하는 것이지만 어떤 세력이든 국가의 근본 이익을 침해하려 한다면 제2의 임무를 수행해야 한다"고 말한 것으로 관영 조선중앙통신이 화요일자로 보도했다.Kim made the statement during a huge military parade to mark the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA) Monday night. The event showcased tanks, ammunitions, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), in the North's apparent bid to beef up its internal solidarity and flex its military muscle to the outside world.김 위원장의 이 같은 발언은 21일 밤

Apr 29, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Party head faces penalties

Alleged sexual bribery case must be dealt with strictly성접대 의혹은 엄격하게 다뤄져야The ethics committee of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) decided last week to seek disciplinary action against Lee Jun-seok, chairman of the soon-to-be ruling party, over allegations that he accepted sexual favors via a businessperson in 2013. Lee, 37, is also facing allegations that he tried to destroy evidence related to the alleged sexual bribery case.곧 집권여당이 될 국민의힘 이준석 대표가 지난 2013년 한 사업가로부터 성접대를 받았다는 의혹과 관련해 지난주 국민의힘 중앙윤리위원회가 징계 절차에 들어가기로 했다. 37세의 이 대표는 성상납을 받은 후 관련 증거 인멸을 시도했다는 의혹에도 직면해 있다.Lee is the first chairman in the history of the country's conservative bloc to be referred to the ethics committee while in office. The committee will decide whether to take disciplinary action after hearing an explanation from him. Lee has consistently denied the allegations, saying they are "completely false."한국 보수 진영 역사상 재임 중 윤리위에 회부된 것은 이 대표가 처음이다. 윤리위는 이 대표의 소명 절차를 거친 뒤 징계 여부를 결정한다. 이 대표는 의혹에 대해 ‘전혀 사실이 아니다’라며 혐의를 일관되게 부인해 왔다.There are four types of disciplinary actions ― expulsion, recommendat

Apr 25, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Landmark ruling on gay sex

More steps needed to protect rights of sexual minorities성소수자 권리 보호를 위해 더 많은 조치가 필요해The Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a military court's conviction of two male soldiers sentenced to suspended prison terms for their same-sex relationship. In a landmark ruling hailed by human rights groups, the top court opposed the punishment of the soldiers under the military criminal code as they engaged in consensual sex in private while off duty.대법원이 목요일 동성애 혐의로 집행유예를 선고받았던 군인들에 대한 군사법원의 유죄판결을 뒤집었다. 인권단체들이 환영한 이 역사적인 판결에서 대법원은 군인들이 근무 시간이 아닌 때 합의된 성관계를 가졌기 때문에 군형법에 따라 처벌할 수 없다고 판단했다.The two men, a first lieutenant and a master sergeant, were indicted in 2017 under Article 92-6 of the Military Criminal Act for having sex in 2016. The court said punishing the men for the acts violates their "sexual autonomy" and infringes upon their rights to pursue equality and happiness as guaranteed by the Constitution. It referred the case to a lower military court.A중위와 B상사는 지난 2016년 성관계를 가진 혐의로 군형법 92조 6항에 따라 2017년 기소됐다. 대법원은 이들을 처발하는 것이 '성적 자율성'과 헌법에 보장된 평등권과 행복추구권을 침해할 우려가 있다고 밝혔다. 대법원은 것은 이 사건을 군사고등법원으

Apr 25, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Return to normal life

Korea seeks to downgrade COVID-19 to endemic한국 정부, 코로나19 풍토병으로 격하할 것Korea lifted most COVID-19 restrictions Thursday, starting a journey back to normalcy. The lifting came two years and one month after the country adopted such limits to battle the coronavirus. It is welcome news for the people who have struggled to ride out the unprecedented public health crisis.한국은 목요일 대부분의 COVID19 규제를 해제하며 일상으로 돌아가는 여정을 시작했다. 이번 해제는 한국이 코로나바이러스를 극복하기 위해 제한을 가한 지 2년 1개월 만에 이루어진 것이다. 전례 없는 공중 보건 위기를 이겨내기 위해 씨름해온 국민들에게 반가운 소식이다.Most notable is that all social distancing rules, except the mask mandate, were scrapped. Curfews on restaurants, cafes, bars and other entertainment establishments were lifted completely. And people are now allowed to gather without any restrictions such as the 10-person cap on private gatherings.가장 주목할 만한 것은 실내외 마스크 착용 의무를 제외한 모든 사회적 거리두기를 종료했다는 것이다. 식당, 카페, 술집, 유흥업소 등에 대한 영업 시간 금지는 완전히 해제되었다. 사람들은 이제 사적 모임 인원 제한 10인과 같은 제한 없이 모이는 것이 허용된다.Furthermore, health authorities plan to downgrade the infectious disease level of COVID-19 by one notch to the second-highest level under a

Apr 18, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Stop engaging in politics

Former president hit for influencing election선거에 영향을 미친 박 전 대통령President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol visited disgraced former President Park Geun-hye at her residence in Dalseong County, Daegu, Tuesday. During their 50-minute meeting, Yoon expressed regret over his role as a member of the independent counsel team that investigated and indicted her for her involvement in a corruption scandal. He invited her to his May 10 inauguration ceremony, and Park made a positive response to the invitation.윤석열 대통령 당선인이 어제 대구 달성군 박근혜 전 대통령 자택을 방문했다. 윤 당선인은 50분간의 만남에서 자신이 박 전 대통령 비리 의혹을 수사하고 기소한 특검팀의 일원으로서의 역할에 대해 유감을 표명했다. 윤 당선인은 5월 10일 대통령 취임식에 박 전 대통령을 초대했고, 이에 박 전 대통령은 긍정적인 반응을 보였다.Yoon told Park that he has been sorry about the bad relations between them, according to People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker Kwon Young-se, vice chairman of Yoon’s transition team, who accompanied and briefed the meeting to reporters. Park’s lawyer and close associate Yoo Yeong-ha, who also attended the meeting, said Park listened quietly to Yoon without making any comments. Kwon said the meeting proceeded in a ver

Apr 18, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Editorial

Editorial Stop war crimes

Russia condemned for mass killings of Ukrainians우크라이나인 대량 학살에 러시아 강력 규탄The Russian army has caught the world off guard with its apparent mass killings of civilians in the towns of Ukraine along with other atrocities such as sexual offenses and even torture. Ukraine said it has recovered more than 410 corpses in Bucha and other cities on the outskirts of Kyiv who were victims of atrocities committed by Russian troops.러시아군은 우크라이나 마을에서 민간인 대량 학살 의혹과 성폭행, 심지어 고문과 같은 다른 잔혹 행위들로 세계를 경악케 했다. 우크라이나는 부차와 키이우 외곽의 여타 도시들에서 러시아군이 자행한 잔혹 행위의 희생자인 410명 이상의 시신을 수습했다고 밝혔다.Agonizing images of Bucha reported by global news outlets show dead people with their hands bound behind their backs with many of them being shot to death at close range. The footage of a mass grave in Bucha vividly demonstrates the cruelties committed by Russian troops.세계 언론이 보도한 부차의 참혹한 현장에는 두 손이 뒤로 묶인 채 총상을 입고 사망한 사람들의 모습이 담겨 있다. 부차의 대규모 공동 묘지 현장은 러시아군이 자행한 잔혹 행위를 생생하게 보여주고 있다.Russia has been the target of international condemnation since it fired missiles at civilian facilities such as hospitals and kindergartens from the begin

Apr 11, 2022By Ahn Seong-jin

Ahn Seong-jin

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Editorial Discourteous and undiplomatic

Editorial Full-scale rebuilding

Editorial Tyranny of majority

Editorial Strengthen alliance

Editorial Self-destructive behavior

Editorial Party head faces penalties

Editorial Landmark ruling on gay sex

Editorial Return to normal life

Editorial Stop engaging in politics

Editorial Stop war crimes

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