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S. Korean foreign ministry summons Russian envoy over NK ties

Seoul's Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin, right, speaks with Russian Ambassador Andrey Kulik in Seoul on Sept. 19. YonhapThe South Korean foreign ministry summoned the top Russian envoy to the country Tuesday to lodge a complaint over Moscow's discussions of arms deals and military cooperation with North Korea.Seoul's Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin called in Russian Ambassador Andrey Kulik earlier in the day and called for Moscow to comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions, the ministry said in a message to reporters.The summons came after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week and toured a series of key military sites amid growing concerns about a possible arms deal between the two nations.Chang called for Russia to "immediately" end moves to seek military ties with North Korea.He also stressed that Russia should act "responsibly" as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and that any violations of the resolution, as well as actions that threaten South Korea's security, would have a negative impact on the rel

Sep 19, 2023
S. Korean foreign ministry summons Russian envoy over NK ties

Korea ramps up support for marginalized youth

gettyimagesbankConcerns grow as suspects in recent crimes believed to have lived in seclusionBy Jun Ji-hyeThe government unveiled a set of new welfare policies on Tuesday that aim to reach out to young people who are living in social isolation.Socially isolated people are those who do not have meaningful interactions with others, except family, for more than six months, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said. According to the report written by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs in May, the number of socially isolated young people was 5 percent in 2021. When the ratio is applied to the youth population of 10.8 million in that year, the population of isolated young people is estimated to be at 538,000.The welfare ministry said it has prepared various channels, such as telephone and text messages, through which isolated youth can ask for help, along with psychological consultation and other programs, such as cooking classes, to help them form relationships with others. Cohousing programs will also be offered that will enable isolated youth to live with others who face si

Sep 19, 2023By Jun Ji-hye
Korea ramps up support for marginalized youth

DPK files dismissal motion of PM, calling for overhaul of Yoon administration

Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea submit a motion calling for the dismissal of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo with the National Assembly in Seoul, Sept. 18. Joint Press CorpsThe main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) filed a motion calling for the dismissal of Prime Minister Han Duk-soo on Monday, urging President Yoon Suk Yeol to carry out a complete overhaul of the way he runs the government.The motion to dismiss Han is expected to be put to a vote during a plenary session Thursday, according to the DPK.Under the National Assembly Act, lawmakers are mandated to vote on a dismissal motion for a Cabinet member within 72 hours of its submission to the parliamentary plenary session. The vote can begin 24 hours after the submission. "Han has failed to manage and has made mistakes in properly recommending the right ministers amid the total chaos in government affairs," Rep. Song Ki-hun, a DPK spokesperson, told reporters. "A complete overhaul of the Cabinet is necessary at the moment."Last week, Yoon nominated a ruling party lawmaker and former three-star A

Sep 18, 2023
DPK files dismissal motion of PM, calling for overhaul of Yoon administration

Prosecutors request arrest warrant for Lee over development, NK remittance scandals

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, leaves the Suwon District Prosecutors Office in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 12. Yonhap Prosecutors on Monday requested an arrest warrant for opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on breach of trust, bribery and other charges related to a scandal-ridden land development scandal and allegations of his involvement in a company's illegal cash remittance to North Korea.The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office made the request, accusing Lee of committing breach of trust worth 20 billion won ($15.06 million) by giving special treatment to a private developer in Seongnam's Baekhyeon-dong district apartment project between 2014 and 2015, when he was serving as the city's mayor.The prosecution's arrest warrant request came soon after Lee was taken to a hospital in the morning due to deteriorating health from his hunger strike that entered the 19th day. Lee was almost unconscious after showing a sharp d

Sep 18, 2023
Prosecutors request arrest warrant for Lee over development, NK remittance scandals

Yoon's approval inches down to 35.5%

President Yoon Suk Yeol / YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating inched down to 35.5 percent, partly due to controversial remarks made by newly-appointed minister nominees in the past, according to a poll Monday.In the survey of 2,505 eligible voters conducted by Realmeter from Monday to Friday last week, the positive assessment of Yoon's performance decreased by 1.2 percentage points from the previous week, while disapproval of Yoon's performance increased by 1.9 percentage points to 61.8 percent.His approval rating had steadily fluctuated in the mid-30 percent level since the second week of August."President Yoon's approval rating saw a decline in the latter part of the week, partly due to the renewed attention on the past actions and statements of ministerial nominees," Bae Cheol-ho, a senior analyst at Realmeter, said. On Wednesday, Yoon nominated Rep. Shin Won-sik of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to replace Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, while Yoo In-chon, special presidential adviser for culture and sports, was named the new culture minister, and Kim Haeng, a for

Sep 18, 2023
Yoon's approval inches down to 35.5%

Ex-president to attend event marking 5th anniversary of inter-Korean summit

Former President Moon Jae-in smiles at his bookstore in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, in this April 26 file photo. Moon is expected to attend Tuesday's event marking the fifth anniversary of the inter-Korean summit held in Pyongyang. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoFormer President Moon Jae-in will give a speech at an event marking the fifth anniversary of the inter-Korean summit, which was held in Pyongyang, the organizing committee said, Sunday..At the ceremony, planned for Tuesday in Seoul, Moon is expected to meet with his former secretaries and Cabinet members, including former Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul and former Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha.This would be his first public appearance in the capital since he left office in May 2022.The announcement comes as inter-Korean relations remain tense, with North Korea stepping up efforts to develop missile and nuclear weapons.The day after the Seoul-Pyongyang summit on Sept. 18, 2018, Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un issued a joint statement, calling for a no-aggression military agreement, civilian exchanges, the gradual de

Sep 18, 2023By Jung Min-ho
Ex-president to attend event marking 5th anniversary of inter-Korean summit

Opposition leader to continue hunger strike at hospital

Lee Jae-myung, center, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, is transferred to a nearby hospital in Seoul by paramedics on the 19th day of his hunger strike, Sept. 18. YonhapOpposition leader Lee Jae-myung expressed his desire Monday to continue his hunger strike even after he was taken to a hospital due to deteriorating health on the 19th day of his fast earlier in the day, officials said.Spokesperson Han Min-soo of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) delivered the information to reporters after Lee was transferred to a nearby hospital earlier, suffering dizziness and a sharp drop in blood sugar levels."Lee will only receive a minimal amount of IV treatment and will not consume any food. The move is interpreted as his will to put a stop to the reckless administration," Han said.Regarding Lee's condition, Han said Lee is out of immediate danger but is far from regaining vitality.The opposition leader began his fast on Aug. 31 under a tent in front of the National Assembly to protest what he has called the "incompetent and violent" government of Pres

Sep 18, 2023
Opposition leader to continue hunger strike at hospital
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