South Korea - The Korea Times

Honoring victims of April 19 Revolution

President Yoon Suk Yeol pays tribute to victims of the April 19 Revolution at the April 19th National Cemetery in Seoul, Wednesday, ahead of a ceremony to mark the 63rd anniversary of the pro-democracy movement. The civil revolt was triggered by public anger over vote-rigging in the presidential election by then-President Syngman Rhee. Yonhap

Apr 19, 2023By Ko Dong-hwan

Forced labor victim calls for prompt court decision against Japanese firms

Kim Sung-joo, one of the three surviving victims of Japan's wartime forced labor, speaks during a media conference in front of the Supreme Court in Seoul, Wednesday. YonhapBy Jun Ji-hyeKim Sung-joo, one of the three surviving victims of Japan's wartime forced labor, together with a related civic group, called on the Supreme Court, Wednesday, to hand down prompt rulings on pending cases regarding compensation collection from the offending Japanese companies.Kim, 95, said during a media conference held in front of the court, “Among the victims of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, only two ― Yang Geum-deok and I ― are left alive. Yang is now in the hospital. I really wish the issue will be solved as soon as possible.”During the media conference, members of the civic group criticized the Yoon Suk Yeol government for engaging with Japan from “a submissive stance” when announcing a plan on March 6 to compensate Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor through a Korean public fund, without Japan's contributions.The group claimed there would be no reason for the vict

Apr 19, 2023By Jun Ji-hye

Forced labor victim calls for prompt court decision against Japanese firms

Yoon to give address at Harvard University

President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers a speech during a ceremony to mark the 63rd anniversary of the April 19, 1960, pro-democracy uprising by students at the April 19th National Cemetery in Seoul, April 19. YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol will give an address at Harvard University during his trip to the United States next week, his office said Wednesday.The address, whose title is translated as "New Journey Toward Freedom," will make Yoon the first sitting Korean president to give a speech at the prestigious institution, Senior Presidential Secretary for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok told reporters.Following the address, Yoon will hold a discussion with Joseph Nye, Harvard University distinguished service professor, emeritus, and take questions from students.Yoon's state visit to the U.S. comes as Korea and the U.S. mark the 70th anniversary of their alliance.He is scheduled to hold a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington on April 26. (Yonhap)

Apr 19, 2023

Yoon to give address at Harvard University

Yoon vows to defend freedom, democracy from 'swindlers'

President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers a speech during a ceremony to mark the 63rd anniversary of the April 19, 1960, pro-democracy uprising by students at the April 19th National Cemetery in Seoul, April 19. YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol vowed Wednesday to defend freedom and democracy from "swindlers" as he marked the anniversary of a 1960 pro-democracy civil uprising that led to the ouster of Korea's first President Rhee Syng-man.In an address on the 63rd anniversary of the "April 19 Revolution," Yoon offered his condolences to the families of the students and civilians killed in the uprising and promised to remember and pass on their deeds to future generations."The democracy that we have defended with blood and sweat is constantly under threat and challenged," Yoon said during a ceremony at the April 19th National Cemetery in northern Seoul, which holds the remains of 186 people killed in the uprising."It can be challenged by dictatorships, violence and buyouts with money. But in today's world, false incitement, fake news, threats, violence, incitement, and such things are distorting a

Apr 19, 2023

Yoon vows to defend freedom, democracy from 'swindlers'

Remembering April 19 Revolution

A family member of a protester who died during the April 19 Revolution pays tribute at the April 19th National Cemetery, Tuesday, on the eve of the 63rd anniversary of the country's historic pro-democracy movement in 1960. The cemetery was established to remember the 224 people who lost their lives during the mass civilian protests against widespread vote-rigging in presidential elections by then-President Syngman Rhee. The event eventually led to the downfall of the Rhee government that had ruled the country for 12 years. Yonhap

Apr 18, 2023

Nepotism by labor unions at top of reform agenda

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Joint Press CorpsPresident dusts off playbook of bashing unionists to raise approval ratingBy Nam Hyun-wooPresident Yoon Suk Yeol is recalibrating his focus on reforming South Korea's labor union culture, an agenda that salvaged his dismal job approval ratings months ago, in an apparent effort to work his way out of a string of diplomatic controversies weakening his grip on state affairs. During a Cabinet meeting, Tuesday, Yoon slammed some companies' hiring practice of giving favors to employees' children, saying such preferential employment policy is “very wrong.”“Some domestic companies' collective bargaining agreements maintain clauses forcing the businesses to prioritize hiring employees' children,” Yoon said. “This is a very wrong practice.”According to data released by the Ministry of Employment and Labor in August last year, 58 out of 1,057 domestic companies employing more than 100 workers had collective bargaining agreem

Apr 18, 2023By Nam Hyun-woo

Nepotism by labor unions at top of reform agenda

Yoon says drug distribution to teenagers 'shocking'

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, April 18. YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol vowed Tuesday to eradicate drug crimes, saying what's "most shocking" is the wide distribution of drugs to teenagers.Yoon made the remark during a Cabinet meeting, saying drug crimes have been on the increase, with the number of drug offenders expected to surpass 20,000 for the first time this year."What's most shocking is that drugs have been widely distributed to teenagers who are the future generation," he said during the meeting at the presidential office. "Together with law enforcement authorities, the government's collective response is strongly required. We must all join forces to root out drug crimes that destroy the nation."Earlier this month, Yoon ordered a stern crackdown on drug rings after learning of a recent scam where high school students were duped into drinking drug-laced beverages.On Tuesday, he referred to a case of teenagers joining a drug smuggling and distribution ring, and another case of enough drugs for 390,000 people being d

Apr 18, 2023

Yoon says drug distribution to teenagers 'shocking'

Each drink in Gangnam drug scam had 3 times more meth than usual dose

Major parties see public support wane amid controversies

Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Jae-myung, center, bows during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday, as he apologizes in response to allegations of bribery during the party's 2021 national convention. YonhapDPK engulfed in bribery scandal, PPP suffers from infightingBy Nam Hyun-wooThe popularity of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) have both entered a downward spiral as infighting continues and a bribery scandal draws the public's ire.The DPK is now struggling with fresh allegations that political funds were inappropriately dished out to members during the party's national convention in 2021, forcing Chairman Lee Jae-myung to make a public apology.On the other hand, the PPP faces criticism over infighting between its leadership and a party heavyweight over the handling of a right-wing pastor's attempt to peddle influence. The ruling party is also being denounced for the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's “low-key” stance on reports that the U.S. spied on Korean government off

Apr 17, 2023By Nam Hyun-woo

Major parties see public support wane amid controversies

DPK leader apologizes over 'cash envelope' bribery scandal involving party members

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, center, chairman of the DPK, bows his head in apology during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday, April 17. YonhapThe leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) apologized Monday over snowballing allegations that cash envelopes were distributed to lawmakers and party members as bribes ahead of a 2021 national convention held to elect a new party leader.Prosecutors are investigating suspicions that envelopes containing cash totaling 94 million won ($71,700) were handed out to members of the then ruling DPK to help then lawmaker Song Yong-gil be elected as the party chair ahead of the party convention in May 2021. Song eventually won the election."As party leader, I deeply apologize for causing people concern over this issue," Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the DPK, said during a party meeting at the National Assembly.Prosecutors have raided the homes and offices of Reps. Youn Kwan-suk and Lee Sung-man for their alleged involvement in distributing the money collected from regional businesspeople. Youn and Lee served in Song'

Apr 17, 2023

DPK leader apologizes over 'cash envelope' bribery scandal involving party members

Remembering Sewol ferry disaster

A man ties a yellow ribbon in memory of the victims of the Sewol ferry disaster at Jindo Port, formerly known as Paengmok Port, Sunday, on the ninth anniversary of the disaster. The 6,800-ton vessel sank on April 16, 2014, in waters off the country's southwestern coast, killing 304 people, mostly high school students on a trip to Jeju Island. Yonhap

Apr 16, 2023

Politics