South Korea - The Korea Times

Justin Bieber apologizes to Korean fans

By Jeong Ji-suJustin Bieber apologized to his Korean fans for posting photos online of his visit to a controversial Japanese shrine, said Nocut News on Wednesday.Bieber visited the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo which is regarded as a symbol of Japan’s imperialism when Japan occupied large areas of China and Korea during the Second World War.He posted a photo on Instagram of himself in front of the shrine with the caption “thank you for your blessings.” This sparked controversy online, making him take down the photo with an apology of “I love you China and I love you Japan” on Twitter.However, in response to Korean fans’ outrage, Bieber had to apologize again, now to Korean fans by saying, “Found out that when I was in Japan I hurt my fans in Korea when visiting that shrine. That was never my intent. I love Korea. I’m sorry,” on Twitter.

May 7, 2014

First May snow in 33 years

Daegwallyeong, a mountain pass in Gangwon Province, is covered with light snow on May 6, 2014. It is the first time in 33 years that snow has fallen in the east coast mountain region in May. / Yonhap 

May 7, 2014

Salvation Sect

Members of the Evangelical Baptist Church, also known as “Salvation Sect,” protest in front of the Incheon Prosecutors’ Office, Tuesday, calling for the prosecution to stop its investigation into the church, which was founded by Yoo Byung-eun, the de facto owner of the operator of the sunken ferry Sewol. / Yonhap

May 6, 2014

Serendipity love on travel believed by most Koreans

Survey found majority of Koreans fantasize getting hooked up while travelling.By Ko Dong-hwan Serendipity love discovered on travel is not just a fictitious romance but can be pursued in reality, as believed by most Korean single men and women.JoongAng Ilbo on Monday revealed a survey result, in which about 90 percent of a total 295 respondents answered positive to the chances of matchmaking during travel. About 40 percent answered with an affirmed yes, while 49 percent gave a careful nod.Sixty three percent of the respondents added a condition to the fling that they will date only after they verify the partners’ backgrounds.  The romantic idea was pushed aside by 11 percent of the respondents. As to reasons, they said they wouldn’t know who the persons might be, wouldn’t be able to make discrete judgments in a jovial mood, or dating isn’t on their travel.Some 12 and 11 percent of the respondents said respectively that what happens during travel stays in travel, and meeting dates during travel is next to impossible. 

May 6, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

Serendipity love on travel believed by most Koreans

Scholar asks Park to step down

By Ko Dong-hwanKim Yong-okKim Yong-ok, a scholar noted for his sarcastic comment on the current government, called on President Park Geun-hye to step down, taking full responsibility for the Sewol disaster.Kim published such opinion in the Hankyoreh newspaper May 3.Directing his imperative at Park, he said she will have quit the presidency if she really wants to remain as a true leader of Koreans.Kim went on to criticize the government for having failed to effectively deal with the tragedy.Attributing all causes of the accident to Park’s poor leadership, Kim further criticized the president for not yet having made a sincere apology to the public after the disaster erupted. 

May 6, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

UFC fighters visit cremated fan after Sewol tragedy

UFC fighter Seo Doo-won is offering an honorary plaque to one of the victims of the Sewol tragedy known to have loved martial arts sports.By Ko Dong-hwan Martial arts fighters visited a charnel house to pay tribute to their fan dead in the sinking of the ferry Sewol, Chosun Ilbo said Tuesday.On Thursday, Seo Doo-won, 33, and comedian Yoon Hyung-bin, 34, sought the memorial house in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, to meet the late Park Hong-rae, a second grader from Danwon High School who died in the accident at age of 17.Seo and Yoon heard about Park from his older brother, who contacted them and asked to come and pay tribute to his younger brother. Granting the request, they came and placed in front of the deceased an honorary plaque to honor the soul.The report quoted the older brother as saying he and his brother had common passion for the martial arts. The older brother, 18, has been into the sports for four years and practiced with his sibling.The late Park was paving down a road to become a good fighter. Next to his remains, a gold trophy he had received in his past championship

May 6, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

UFC fighters visit cremated fan after Sewol tragedy

Sewol tragedy victims nettled by sympathizers

Citizens lined up to pay their tributes to victims of the Sewol ferry disaster.By Ko Dong-hwan  Citizens sympathizing with victims of the Sewol ferry disaster paid condolatory visits to memorial altars, school and port, but their act of grievance isn’t all that comforting to the families.People lining up at the altars and crowding the accident site to pay tribute have exploded since the tragedy broke out. But a report from Newsis Monday said the visitors should ask themselves how they might be seen by the families of those they pay tribute to.It turns out 150 family members still waiting for the missing passengers are known to have been nettled by the sight of the visitors.For the desperate families, beholding people wearing yellow ribbons, taking selfies in front of the altars, flocking to protest against the government only pricks their sentiments ravaged by the aftermath.The report quoted those concerned with the families as saying the visitors appear more like daytime spenders seeking to have fun.Some families were reported to have raved at a citizen who visited Paengm

May 6, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

Sewol tragedy victims nettled by sympathizers

Reading newspaper headline 4

안성진의 안글리쉬: "영자신문 헤드라인 읽기 4" 동영상 강의

May 3, 2014By Ahn Seong-jin

Prime minister's office wants to reduce safety policies

By Jeong Ji-su While the government’s safety management system is being criticized by the public after the ferry disaster, the prime minister’s office presented a plan to reduce safety policies for the sake of “regulatory reform,” said Nocut News on Friday.The prime minister’s office announced its plans to reduce the total number of policies by 10-20 percent for each government sector starting from July.In response, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries requested for an exemption for safety related policies from the reduction policy. However, the prime minister’s office denied it.“We even have to get rid of safety regulations for mandatory policy reductions,” said a spokesman of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.In fact, maritime regulations have been softening since the days of former president Lee. There were a total number of 480 marine accidents reported in 2008 which almost doubled in 2011 to 948. In response to the new deregulation, the Korea Forest Service let out a ridiculous plan. Currently, those who smok

May 3, 2014

Prime minister's office wants to reduce safety policies

For Sewol victims

A child participates in a moment of silence for the victims of the sunken ferry Sewol while holding a chrysanthemum at a mourning altar in Seoul Plaza, Friday./ Yonhap

May 2, 2014

Others

Others

Justin Bieber apologizes to Korean fans

First May snow in 33 years

Salvation Sect

Serendipity love on travel believed by most Koreans

Scholar asks Park to step down

UFC fighters visit cremated fan after Sewol tragedy

Sewol tragedy victims nettled by sympathizers

Reading newspaper headline 4

Prime minister's office wants to reduce safety policies

For Sewol victims

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