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.

Main opposition slams ruling party's push to keep NIS' authority to conduct anti-communist investigations

Officials from the National Intelligence Service conduct a raid of the headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in central Seoul while surrounded by union officials holding signs of protest, Jan. 18. YonhapThe main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Friday slammed the ruling party's push to call off the envisioned transfer of the authority to conduct anti-espionage investigations related to North Korea from the spy agency to the police.The issue drew fresh attention after President Yoon Suk Yeol said during a luncheon with leaders of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday the plan should be reconsidered as it involves overseas investigations while the police mostly operate within the country. Under a law revision passed in 2020 during the preceding Moon Jae-in administration, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) is scheduled to hand over to police the right to investigate espionage cases linked to North Korea next year. The PPP has called for keeping the NIS in charge of such investigations, arguing that the transfer of the authority to the poli

Jan 27, 2023
Main opposition slams ruling party's push to keep NIS' authority to conduct anti-communist investigations

First lady meets with female PPP lawmakers

President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, and first lady Kim Keon Hee wave goodbye at Zurich Airport before boarding a flight back to Korea after a four-day visit to Switzerland, Jan. 20. YonhapFirst lady Kim Keon Hee met with a group of female lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Friday and discussed areas of mutual interest, including helping the socially vulnerable and women's political participation, multiple attendees said.The luncheon was held at the official presidential residence with the participation of all nine female PPP lawmakers with constituencies and one female lawmaker with a proportional representation seat.The 10 lawmakers were Reps. Kim Young-sun, Kim Jung-jae, Lim Lee-ja, Kim Mi-ae, Bae Hyun-jin, Yang Kum-hee, Lee In-seon, Cho Eun-hee, Hwangbo Seung-hee and Cho Su-jin. It was the first time the first lady held her own formal meeting with politicians."I enjoy listening to people's stories," she was quoted as saying by one attendee. "If each of you comfortably share your stories, I will listen closely."During the two-hour luncheon, Kim talked about her recent

Jan 27, 2023
First lady meets with female PPP lawmakers

DPK accuses prosecution of 'witch hunt' on eve of leader's questioning

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a meeting of the party's Supreme Council at City Hall in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, southwestern Korea, Jan. 27. YonhapThe floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea on Friday accused the prosecution of conducting a "witch hunt" without evidence on the eve of party leader Lee Jae-myung's planned appearance for questioning over corruption allegations."Chairman Lee is going to the prosecution again tomorrow, and the prosecution is spreading fake news in time (for the questioning)," Rep. Park Hong-geun, the DPK's floor leader, said in a party meeting held in the southwestern city of Iksan, referring to a string of news reports about Lee's alleged wrongdoing.Park said prosecutors are attempting to use the court of public opinion in a witch-hunt type tactic as they failed to put forward clear evidence even after a massive investigation involving unprecedented manpower and time.Lee plans to show up for questioning at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office on Saturday as part o

Jan 27, 2023
DPK accuses prosecution of 'witch hunt' on eve of leader's questioning

Support for Ahn doubles after Na quits PPP leadership race: poll

Ahn Cheol-soo, left, and Kim Gi-hyeon of the ruling People Power Party, who have both declared their bids for party leadership, attend a party event in western Seoul, Jan. 15. YonhapRep. Kim Gi-hyeon of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) is leading in the race for party leadership, but support for runner-up Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo also jumped twofold after strong contender Na Kyung-won bowed out, a poll showed Friday.Kim was ahead of the others with 40 percent in the poll of 422 PPP supporters conducted by Realmeter between Wednesday and Thursday.Ahn, who placed third with 17.2 percent in the poll conducted a week earlier, rose to No. 2 with 33.9 percent.Former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min and former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn trailed with 8.8 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively. PPP lawmakers Yoon Sang-hyun and Cho Kyung-tae, who have both declared their bids to run, earned 3.2 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively.This was the first poll by Realmeter conducted after Na said Wednesday she will not run for party leadership, giving in to apparent objections from the office of President Yoon

Jan 27, 2023
Support for Ahn doubles after Na quits PPP leadership race: poll

Yoon hints at objection to changing spy agency's role

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a policy briefing by the Ministry of Justice at Yeongbingwan state guesthouse in Jongno District, Seoul, Thursday. YonhapBy Nam Hyun-wooPresident Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday hinted at his objection to the scheduled transfer of the investigative jurisdiction of espionage cases to the police from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) next year.The issue has come to the fore in South Korea due to the unique nature of its spy agency. Most foreign espionage organizations usually collect information regarding foreign countries and their citizens. But the NIS has the authority to investigate South Korean nationals who are under suspicion of engaging in espionage activities especially for North Korea.Conservatives want the NIS to retain that role, citing the threat of North Korean spies, while progressives want the agency to focus instead on intelligence-gathering overseas and let the police handle domestic investigations.The NIS and police are currently investigating allegations that underground civic groups in Jeju and Changwon, South Gyeongsang Provin

Jan 26, 2023By Nam Hyun-woo
Yoon hints at objection to changing spy agency's role

Gov't seeks to limit where child sex offenders can reside

Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon speaks during a press briefing at the government complex in Seoul, Thursday. NewsisInspired by Jessica's Law, justice minister vows to push for revision to lawBy Jung Min-hoKorea will seek to limit where convicted high-risk sex offenders can reside after finishing their prison sentences in an effort to better protect children and women. Speaking to President Yoon Suk Yeol about the ministry's plans for this year, Thursday, Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon said he will push for a revision to the anti-sex crime law as one of its five main projects.If passed, the law would bar child sex criminals and those convicted of repeated sex offense charges from residing within 500 meters of a daycare center, kindergarten or school.This means that sex offenders would not be allowed to live in almost all residential areas of big cities such as Seoul where such facilities for minors are ubiquitous.Critics say such a law would violate the Constitution that guarantees citizens' freedom of residence and the right to move at will. Some claim it would be tantamount to &ldquo

Jan 26, 2023By Jung Min-ho
Gov't seeks to limit where child sex offenders can reside

Gov't to double subsidies for vulnerable households as energy bills soar

An apartment complex janitor in Seoul looks at gas bills delivered to mail boxes on Wednesday. YonhapSoaring utility fees trigger blame game in National AssemblyBy Nam Hyun-wooThe government will increase energy vouchers and gas price discounts for economically vulnerable families, in order to alleviate their economic burdens amid soaring utility fees. Choi Sang-mok, a senior presidential secretary for economic affairs, said in a press conference on Thursday that the government will temporarily double the amount of energy vouchers granted for 1.71 million vulnerable households from current 152,000 won ($123.42) to 304,000 won per home this winter.Also, state-run Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS) will double the range of gas bill discounts for 1.6 million households from 36,000 won to 72,000 won. The energy vouchers are a government subsidy program for vulnerable households. As of last year, eligible families could receive vouchers worth up to 385,300 won per year and use them in paying utility fees such as electricity and gas bills. “Since the war in Ukraine started, the international ga

Jan 26, 2023By Nam Hyun-woo
Gov't to double subsidies for vulnerable households as energy bills soar
  • Koreans stunned by spike in heating costs
  • Korea's gas, coal imports hit record high in 2022: data

Na Kyung-won passes on PPP's leadership race, Ahn Cheol-soo to benefit

Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won answers reporters' questions during a press conference at the party's headquarters on Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. Na said she will not run for the ruling party's chairman election slated for March 8. YonhapRuling party's chairperson election to be two-way race between Kim, AhnBy Nam Hyun-wooRuling People Power Party (PPP) leadership hopeful Na Kyung-won on Wednesday said she will not run for the party's chairman election slated for March 8, after ongoing discord with the presidential office and President Yoon Suk Yeol's party loyalists.“If I can prevent public concern on the division of the party and contribute to the cohesion and unity, I will make a bold decision to skip the bid,” Na said during a press conference at the party's headquarters on Yeouido, Seoul.“Any bid by me to run for the party leadership is now being framed as a symbol of division and this can be interpreted negatively by the public,” Na said. “Thus, I made my decision for the sake of the party.”Na, a four-term former lawmaker, has

Jan 25, 2023By Nam Hyun-woo
Na Kyung-won passes on PPP's leadership race, Ahn Cheol-soo to benefit

Chinese hackers threaten to attack S. Korean cybersecurity watchdog

Screenshot of the Korean East-West Mind Science Association website after being compromised by a hacker group that calls itself "Dawn Cavalry.” Korea Times fileGroup attacks 12 South Korean research, academic agenciesBy Jack LauA foreign hacker group, apparently a Chinese one, attacked the websites of a dozen mostly research and academic institutions in South Korea over the Lunar New Year holiday, the country's cyber-safety agency said on Wednesday.The hacker group, which identifies itself as Dawn Cavalry, said on its public channel on messaging app Telegram that its next target is the Korea Internet and Security Agency (KISA), which is the first government agency to be identified as a target of the group's cyberattacks.“The next target is KISA,” a Dawn Cavalry administrator wrote in a message in Chinese and English on Telegram. “The specific invasion list is waiting for the official reply from South Korea.”“So far, the South Korean government has reported breaches from only 12 agencies, but I've deleted more databases and websites than that.&rdquo

Jan 25, 2023
Chinese hackers threaten to attack S. Korean cybersecurity watchdog

Opposition leader Lee expected to appear for prosecutors' questioning alone this weekend

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung receives reporters' questions in front of the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors Office in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, Jan. 10. YonhapOpposition leader Lee Jae-myung is expected to appear for a scheduled questioning at a prosecutors office this weekend without the company of party lawmakers, sources said Wednesday. Lee plans to show up for questioning at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office on Saturday as part of an investigation into corruption allegations surrounding a property development project in Seongnam, just south of Seoul, launched while Lee was serving as the city's mayor from 2010 to 2018.It will mark the second time for Lee to undergo questioning since he took over as chair of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). Last time he appeared for questioning on Jan. 10 as part of a separate corruption probe, a group of party lawmakers accompanied him in a show of solidarity for him.But Lee plans to go to the prosecutors office alone this weekend, Rep. Cho Jeong-sik, the

Jan 25, 2023
Opposition leader Lee expected to appear for prosecutors' questioning alone this weekend
previous page
452453454455456
next page

Most Read in South Korea