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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.

Yoon calls for abolishing 'nonsensical political subsidies'

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks at a national financial strategy meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Wednesday. YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol called Wednesday for abolishing "nonsensical political subsidies" in an apparent reference to subsidies given to civic groups under the previous administration.Yoon made the remark while presiding over a national financial strategy meeting with government and ruling party officials ahead of full-fledged planning for next year's government budget, according to presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon."We must get rid of nonsense political subsidies, while keeping economic subsidies alive and making social subsidies more efficient and rational," Yoon was quoted as saying during the meeting held at the former presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae.The instruction came after a recent audit of government subsidies given to about 12,000 civil organizations over the past three years found a total of 1,865 cases of irregularities involving about 31.4 billion won ($24 million).Earlier, Yoon ordered the implementation of a strict oversight system under which

Jun 28, 2023
Yoon calls for abolishing 'nonsensical political subsidies'
  • Gov't to raise quota for skilled worker visas to 30,000 from 2,000

Gov't to raise quota for skilled worker visas to 30,000 from 2,000

Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon, left, talks to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo ahead of a national financial strategy meeting presided over by President Yoon Suk Yeol at the former presidential compound of Cheong Wa Dae, Wednesday. YonhapBy Jun Ji-hyeThe government will drastically increase the quota for skilled worker visas to 30,000 this year from 2,000 last year, aiming to tackle labor shortages faced by industries, Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon said Wednesday.Han made the remarks during a national financial strategy meeting presided over by President Yoon Suk Yeol. The meeting was held to discuss follow-up measures after Yoon instructed the government earlier this week to streamline the management of foreign workers to meet the changing needs of businesses, according to presidential spokesman Lee Do-woon.“Labor shortage is a major issue that industries need to resolve in the short term,” Han was quoted as saying by the spokesman. “We are pushing to increase the number of foreign workers as instructed by the president.”Han also said the government will push to

Jun 28, 2023By Jun Ji-hye
Gov't to raise quota for skilled worker visas to 30,000 from 2,000
  • Yoon calls for abolishing 'nonsensical political subsidies'

Government's treatment of war veterans under scrutiny

Korean War veterans pay silent tribute during a ceremony to mark the 73rd anniversary of the outbreak of the war in Wonju, Gangwon Province, Sunday. YonhapMonthly average allowance for veterans stands at just $70By Jun Ji-hyeThe treatment of war veterans by central and local governments has been called into question following news of a Korean War veteran stealing food due to his economic plight.The veteran in his 80s was booked by police in Busan earlier this month for allegedly stealing several bottles of sesame oil, “jeotgal” (fermented fish) and other food products worth 83,000 won ($64) between April and May.According to police, the veteran relied on government subsidies but evidently, it was not enough and, therefore, stole the food due to financial difficulty.The issue has raised questions over whether the central and local governments have properly protected former soldiers who have risked their lives, fought and survived war. According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Wednesday, since May 2003 it has paid a monthly allowance to Korean War and Viet

Jun 28, 2023By Jun Ji-hye
Government's treatment of war veterans under scrutiny

Yoon says 'anti-state forces begged' to have NK sanctions lifted

President Yoon Suk Yeol gives congratulatory remarks during an event marking the 69th founding anniversary of the Korea Freedom Federation at a gymnasium in central Seoul, June 28. Yonhap In an apparent reference to the preceding administration, President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday that "anti-state forces" had significantly undermined South Korea's security by begging for the lifting of U.N. sanctions on North Korea and pushing for an end-of-war declaration with Pyongyang.Yoon made the remark at an event celebrating the 69th founding anniversary of the Korea Freedom Federation, a major conservative civic group, in apparent reference to the previous Moon Jae-in administration and its efforts to promote peace with North Korea."Anti-state forces with a distorted view of history and an irresponsible view of the state begged for the lifting of U.N. Security Council sanctions on the communist group of North Korea, which is advancing its nuclear armament," he said during

Jun 28, 2023
Yoon says 'anti-state forces begged' to have NK sanctions lifted

Gov't, PPP to guarantee learning rights of university students on military reserve training

Government officials and ruling People Power Party lawmakers hold a meeting at the National Assembly, June 28. Yonhap The government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) agreed Wednesday to amend a relevant enforcement ordinance to prevent university students from facing possible disadvantages when missing classes due to mandatory military reserve training.In Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military for at least 18 months, with most of them enlisting in their early 20s. They are also obligated to serve as reservists for approximately eight years after their discharge.Criticism has arisen over the unfavorable treatment faced by some university students who are reservists. These students have experienced disadvantages due to their absence from classes to participate in the training that sometimes take two to three days.During a policy consultation meeting with PPP lawmakers at the National Assembly, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho said that the

Jun 28, 2023
Gov't, PPP to guarantee learning rights of university students on military reserve training

Parliamentary subcommittee passes bill mandating registration of newborns

The parliamentary judiciary committee holds a subcommittee meeting, June 19. YonhapThe parliamentary judiciary subcommittee on Wednesday passed a bill mandating medical institutions to register the birth of newborns, after two unregistered babies were found dead in a refrigerator last week.The revision to the Act on Registration of Family Relations comprises several legal proposals that have been pending in the committee, with its primary objective being to require hospitals to directly notify local governments of baby information upon their births.In Korea, only parents are required to report the birth of their children to the government within a month after birth, but violators are punished only with small fines. That leaves open the possibility of abuse of unregistered babies, critics say.The parliamentary deliberation on the legislation comes after two unregistered babies were found dead inside a refrigerator last week in Suwon, 30 kilometers south of Seoul. The mother of the infants has been arrested for investigation.Under the revision, heads of medical institutions must notify

Jun 28, 2023
Parliamentary subcommittee passes bill mandating registration of newborns

Hunger strike or 'mukbang': lawmakers' contrasting responses to Fukushima wastewater release

Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea ― Rep. Yoon Jae-gap, left, and Rep. Woo Won-shik, center ― stage an indefinite hunger strike at the National Assembly, Monday, in protest of Japan's plan to discharge radioactive wastewater into the sea. At right is DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung. YonhapIAEA expected to issue final report on Fukushima wastewater in early JulyBy Lee Hyo-jin Rival parties are showing contrasting responses to Japan's imminent discharge of radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. Opposition lawmakers have launched a hunger strike, while ruling party lawmakers are visiting local markets to eat seafood so as to reassure the public that the contaminated water will not affect Korea's seafood products. However, such political displays that are of no help in seeking practical responses to the issue are causing anger as they only incite conflict, without meaningfully addressing the critical issue at hand. Rep. Woo Won-shik of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) started an indefinite hunger strike, Monday, in protest of Tokyo's pla

Jun 27, 2023By Lee Hyo-jin
Hunger strike or 'mukbang': lawmakers' contrasting responses to Fukushima wastewater release

PINNACLE'S ITAEWON Redefining brunch, supporting one Itaewon venue at a time

Sauce in Itaewon / Courtesy of Robert Michael EvansBy Pinnacle TheHustlerSauce: redefining brunchBrunch. Some people greet the day by indulging in the tantalizing texture of a poached egg on toast in the early afternoon, while others come to refresh themselves from the questionable decisions of the night before. Whatever fuels your desire for the delights of that timeslot between breakfast and lunch, Sauce has exactly what you need.Sauce, nestled comfortably on the edge of Gyeongnidan, has emerged as the go-to destination for brunch enthusiasts seeking an experience beyond the traditional Saturday/Sunday brunch.As you step into Sauce, you are greeted by an inviting atmosphere adorned with natural accents, refreshing sunlight and soft hues that create a warm and comfortable setting. The restaurant's dedication to providing a memorable dining experience is felt from its kind staff to its delectable array of menu items. Another quality attribute that contributes to making brunch an unforgettable (or possibly forgettable) affair, is the bottomless drinks add-on for an additional 30,000wo

Jun 27, 2023
[PINNACLE'S ITAEWON] Redefining brunch, supporting one Itaewon venue at a time

Ruling party, gov't agree to provide schools with additional air-conditioning expenses

Seniors study in a classroom at a high school in Seoul, June 20. YonhapThe government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) agreed Tuesday to provide all elementary, middle and high schools with 24 million won ($18,474) each to help pay their air-conditioning bills.The fund will bring the total amount of money each school receives from the government for their electricity bills to 76.5 million won, Rep. Park Dae-chul, the PPP's chief policymaker, said after a policy meeting with the government."We anticipate building an environment where there are no steam-bath classrooms," Park said.The two sides also agreed to expand the number of underprivileged households that can receive energy vouchers to over 1.1 million households from the current 857,000, while raising the value of each voucher to 43,000 won from the current 40,000 won. (Yonhap)

Jun 27, 2023
Ruling party, gov't agree to provide schools with additional air-conditioning expenses

Yoon says his 'sales diplomacy' helped attract massive investments

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, June 27. YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday that his focus on "sales diplomacy" during overseas trips, coupled with sweeping deregulation, helped attract massive investments in the country.Yoon made the remark during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office, three days after returning from a trip to France and Vietnam."In order to overcome the global polycrisis and continue the growth of our economy, which is heavily dependent on external factors, I have actively carried out economic diplomacy and sales diplomacy as a salesman of the Republic of Korea," he said.In the year since he took office, the state-funded industrial complex in Saemangeum, a reclaimed area in the southwestern coastal city of Gunsan, has attracted 6.6 trillion won ($5.07 billion) in investment from 30 companies, or more than four times the amount pledged over the preceding nine years, Yoon said."Such large-scale investments were possible because we created an institutional environment needed by businesses thro

Jun 27, 2023
Yoon says his 'sales diplomacy' helped attract massive investments
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