my timesThe Korea Times
South Korea

Politics

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Outdoor events for Jamboree Scouts canceled due to typhoon

Mexican Scouts participating the 25th World Scout Jamboree visit the Lotte World amusement park in Seoul, Thursday, as all outdoor activities were suspended due to safety concerns over Typhoon Khanun. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Jun Ji-hyeAll outdoor events prepared for Scouts participating in the 25th World Scout Jamboree were replaced with indoor activities on Thursday, as Typhoon Khanun, accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds, passes through the Korean Peninsula.Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said the safety and health of the Jamboree participants should be the top priority and instructed local governments to refrain from holding outdoor programs.“Local governments should once again check areas near accommodation where the participants are currently staying, in preparation for possible floods and mudslides there,” Han said during a government emergency response meeting on the Jamboree.About 37,000 youths and adult volunteers left the Jamboree venue in Saemangeum, a reclaimed tidal flat in North Jeolla Province, Tuesday, four days ahead of schedule due to the t

Aug 10, 2023By Jun Ji-hye
Outdoor events for Jamboree Scouts canceled due to typhoon

Ruling bloc dismisses calls to fire minister over jamboree chaos

Gender Equality and Family Minister Kim Hyun-sook speaks during a press conference at the 25th World Scout Jamboree in the Saemangeum reclamation area in Buan, North Jeolla Province, Aug. 7. YonhapRuling bloc officials dismissed calls Thursday to replace Gender Equality Minister Kim Hyun-sook over the mismanagement of the 25th World Scout Jamboree, saying the responsibility should fall on the local government that hosted the event.Some critics, including opposition politicians, have claimed Kim should be fired for poorly handling the event, which drew widespread criticism for lacking the facilities and equipment needed to host tens of thousands of Scouts and volunteers from around the world during a scorching heat wave last week.Ruling bloc officials, however, said the provincial government of North Jeolla, where the jamboree campground was located, was wholly responsible for organizing the event, with the central government providing all the additional funds it requested."If the host, North Jeolla Province, does not realize its own responsibility for the jamboree breakdown, then it

Aug 10, 2023
Ruling bloc dismisses calls to fire minister over jamboree chaos

Opposition leader Lee to appear for prosecution questioning on Aug. 17

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during a party meeting, Aug. 9. YonhapOpposition leader Lee Jae-myung said Thursday that he will appear before prosecutors for questioning next week regarding suspicions surrounding a land development project in Seongnam, located just south of Seoul, during his previous term as the city's mayor.The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office has summoned Lee, the chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party, as part of its investigation into allegations that he had provided administrative favors to a private developer for a property project in Seongnam's Baekhyeon-dong district during his term as the mayor in the mid-2010s."It is a clear intention to evade the administration's crisis," Lee said in a statement given by the party's spokesperson, Rep. Kang Sun-woo, on behalf of him. "Nevertheless, I will confidently accept the summons for investigation."Lee is scheduled to show up for questioning as a suspect on Aug. 17, Kang said.Later, in a Facebook message, Lee once again criticized the ongoing prosecution investigation, stating, "The worst ty

Aug 10, 2023
Opposition leader Lee to appear for prosecution questioning on Aug. 17

US policy on restricting China investment to have limited impact on Korea: gov't

President Joe Biden speaks about the economy at Arcosa Wind Towers factory in Belen, U.S., Aug. 9. AP-YonhapKorea said Thursday the latest executive order limiting U.S. investment in some Chinese technology sectors is expected to have only a limited impact on Korean companies.On Wednesday (U.S. time), the White House vowed to restrict investment in "countries of concern" in certain technology sectors that could pose threats to its national security while adding only China, including Hong Kong and Macau, to the list.The areas include "sensitive technologies and products in the semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum information technologies, and artificial intelligence sectors," it added."The ban will be applied to future investments, and it will only cover U.S. citizens and entities," Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a statement."Accordingly, it will have only a limited impact on local companies," it added.The industry ministry said Korea will closely assess its impact on the economy and submit the government's and local companies' opinions to Washington, "

Aug 10, 2023
US policy on restricting China investment to have limited impact on Korea: gov't
  • Biden issues an executive order restricting US investments in Chinese technology

INTERVIEW China expert expects Xi to emulate Putin on Taiwan

A People's Republic of China (PRC) warship, identified by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command as PRC LY 132, crosses the path of U.S. Navy destroyer USS Chung-Hoon as it passes by the Taiwan Strait with the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Montreal on June 3 in an image captured from video. Reuters-YonhapRetired US Air Force general unravels China's political warfare, urges political leaders of free democracies to look into Beijing's true intentions By Kang Hyun-kyungThere are two schools of thought in the United States about how to interpret China's motives behind its massive military buildup. Some senior military officials, such as Adm. Michael Gilday and Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan, claim that China's invasion of Taiwan is imminent and it could occur as early as 2023. Senior officials at the Department of Defense, however, remain doubtful about the claims. In February, Colin Kahl, then undersecretary of defense for policy, said on a podcast interview with Defense News that he did not see anything suggesting that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is imminent in the next couple of years. Gen.

Aug 10, 2023By Kang Hyun-kyung
[INTERVIEW] China expert expects Xi to emulate Putin on Taiwan

Gov't enhances safety management to protect Jamboree participants from typhoon

Scouts from Denmark and Norway visiting Korea for the 25th World Scout Jamboree tour the former presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and TourismBus carrying Swiss Scouts collides with local bus, injuring 9 By Jun Ji-hyeThe government has enhanced safety management measures to protect tens of thousands of participants of the 25th World Scout Jamboree from the rapidly approaching Typhoon Khanun. Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min said Wednesday that the government, in cooperation with local governments, police and fire authorities, has strengthened patrols in areas near accommodation where the participants are currently staying, in preparation for possible floods and mudslides there.About 37,000 Scouts and adult volunteers participating in the international youth camp left the campsite on reclaimed tidal flats in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, Tuesday, four days ahead of schedule due to the powerful typhoon set to arrive on Thursday morning. They are now scattered throughout 128 accommodation facilities in Seoul

Aug 9, 2023By Jun Ji-hye
Gov't enhances safety management to protect Jamboree participants from typhoon
  • Typhoon causes flood, wind damage while heading north slowly

Jamboree Scouts explore Korea's culture, tourism destinations after leaving Saemangeum

Italian participants of the 25th World Scout Jamboree pose at Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, Wednesday. The 300-member delegation is exploring travel destinations in Seoul and neighboring cities while staying at Inha University's dormitory in Incheon after leaving Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Lee Hae-rinAbout 37,000 young Scouts and adult volunteers from over 150 countries participating in the 25th World Scout Jamboree are exploring regional travel points in Seoul and seven other cities after leaving the event's original venue on reclaimed land in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, due to a typhoon forecast, the organizing committee said, Wednesday. The programs arranged for Jamboree participants have diverse themes ranging from Korean traditional and pop culture to nature and high-tech industry field trips, which meet the quadrennial global event's mission of new experiences and exchanges, the committee said.On Wednesday morning, 90 participants from Denmark and Norway experienced a K-pop choreography session and guided tour of media art exhibit

Aug 9, 2023By Lee Hae-rin
Jamboree Scouts explore Korea's culture, tourism destinations after leaving Saemangeum

Labor ministry holds conference for Employment Permit System in Busan

Labor Minister Lee Jung-sik delivers a congratulatory speech during the 2023 EPS Conference in Busan at Westin Josun Busan, Wednesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Employment and LaborBy Jun Ji-hyeA conference for the Employment Permit System (EPS) kicked off on Wednesday for a three-day run in Busan, co-hosted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Human Resources Development Service of Korea.The EPS is a migration labor program, under which workers from 16 Asian countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, are allowed to work in Korea under special visas.The ministry began holding the event in 2016 in a bid to enhance exchanges and cooperation between local governments and these countries. The ministry decided to hold the annual event in the southeastern port city of Busan this year as part of efforts to support the city's bid to host the 2030 World Expo.Labor Minister Lee Jung-sik and Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon as well as ambassadors of the 16 countries were present for the 2023 EPS Conference in Busan.“This year's event will be a chance to loo

Aug 9, 2023By Jun Ji-hye
Labor ministry holds conference for Employment Permit System in Busan

PM vows 'impeccable' gov't support till end of World Scout Jamboree

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo addresses an emergency countermeasures meeting of the 25th World Scout Jamboree in an administrative building in Seoul, Aug. 9. YonhapPrime Minister Han Duck-soo vowed Wednesday the government will provide "impeccable" support for the participants of the 25th World Scout Jamboree until the event's conclusion.Han made the pledge in a government emergency response meeting on the jamboree, a day after about 37,000 teenage Scouts and adult volunteers from 156 countries evacuated the Saemangeum campsite due to safety concerns connected to the approach of the powerful Typhoon Khanun. The event was originally scheduled to take place in the reclaimed wetland until Saturday."The government promises to provide impeccable support until the departure of all Scouts. Although activities in the wetland of Saemangeum were cut short due to the typhoon, the jamboree will continue until the weekend," the prime minister said."Although there may be fewer opportunities to interact or experience (activities) with participants from other nations, the government will do its best t

Aug 9, 2023
PM vows 'impeccable' gov't support till end of World Scout Jamboree
  • What went wrong with Saemangeum Jamboree preparation?

Korea to offer low-interest loans for nuclear energy firms

A person is entering the industrial ministry's building in this undated file photo. YonhapKorea's industrial ministry said Wednesday it plans to offer a second batch of low-interest loans worth 150 billion won ($113.6 million) to support nuclear energy firms, which suffered an earnings cut following the previous administration's nuclear phaseout policy.The loan program was initiated in response to the declining sales of the country's nuclear energy industry, which reached 21.6 trillion won in 2021, falling sharply from 27.5 trillion won tallied in 2016, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.Under the previous Moon Jae-in administration, Korea decided to gradually reduce the use of nuclear energy and instead expand reliance on sustainable sources, including solar power.Over the period, the number of employees in the sector also fell from 37,000 to 35,000, the ministry added.The current government, which launched in May last year, has been actively pushing to revive the country's nuclear energy industry, reversing the phaseout policy.Korea rolled out the first batch

Aug 9, 2023
Korea to offer low-interest loans for nuclear energy firms
previous page
371372373374375
next page

Most Read in South Korea