South Korea - The Korea Times

Yoon calls for adjusting regulatory, labor systems to global standards

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, Jan. 25. YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol called Wednesday for adjusting the country's regulatory and labor systems to global standards, saying such adjustments are essential to ensure competitiveness in the world.Yoon made the remark during a Cabinet meeting, days after returning from the United Arab Emirates, where he bagged a $30 billion investment pledge, and from Switzerland, where he met with CEOs of multinational companies and asked them to invest in Korea."In my meeting with the global CEOs, I stated the commitment of our government that is creating an environment where it feels safe to invest and asked for their active investment in Korea," the president said."What's most important is that we adjust our country's systems to global standards. If we don't do that, we cannot survive in the international community. If we do not adjust our systems to global standards in regulations, labor and all such systems, no one will invest in our country, and it will become difficult for our businesses

Jan 25, 2023

Yoon calls for adjusting regulatory, labor systems to global standards

Na bows out of PPP leadership race

Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won holds a press conference at the headquarters of the ruling People Power Party in Seoul, Jan. 25. Yonhap Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won said Wednesday she will not run for leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), giving in to apparent objections from the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol and raising questions about whom her supporters will back instead.Na said she made the decision because she does not want to see division in the party."I will courageously lay it down if it can prevent people's concern about division and confusion in our party and help the party return to harmony and unity," Na said during a press conference. "If my backing off can shine the future of all of us, I think that will also be a step forward."Whether Na will run or not has been a key focus of attention, because her running could significantly affect the chances of Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon, the current front-runner, widely believed to be backed by Yoon's office.The

Jan 25, 2023

Rival parties trade attacks over Yoon's remark on Iran

DPL floor spokesman Rep. Oh Yeong-hwan / Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geunThe main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Tuesday that President Yoon Suk Yeol was the "biggest threat" to South Korea's diplomacy and security, escalating their criticism of his remark on Iran.In response, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) accused the DPK of acting like a "traitor," claiming the opposition was seeking to create a diplomatic problem out of Yoon's pep talk to South Korean troops deployed overseas.During a visit to a South Korean military contingent stationed in the United Arab Emirates last week, Yoon said that South Korea and the UAE were in similar situations as the two countries face North Korea and Iran as their respective enemies.Iran has protested the remark. South Korean officials have stressed that the remark was made as part of efforts to encourage the troops, and Seoul's commitment to relations with Iran remains firm."The biggest threat to the Republic of Korea's diplomacy and security is none other than President Yoon," DPK floor spokesman Rep. Oh Yeong-hwan said in a

Jan 24, 2023

Rival parties trade attacks over Yoon's remark on Iran

Exhibition raises question: Who took these photos?

Children in hanbok, traditional Korean attire, play in a street in Seoul in this 1948 photo taken by an unknown photographer. Courtesy of Noonbit Publishing Gallery owners piece together information to identify unknown photographer of 35 photos on displayBy Kang Hyun-kyungDozens of old photos taken in 1948 are on display in a dimly lit gallery in Insa-dong, Seoul. Under those images hung on the wall, stacks of photo books published by Noonbit Publishing are placed on a long, narrow table in the center of Gallery INDEX.The photography exhibition ― together with this “small book fair” ― are called, “That Winter Was Warm,” when directly translated into English. It is the gallery's first exhibition since its current owners, Lee Kyu-sang and his wife Ahn Mi-sook, purchased the space from an acquaintance last year.It would have been a typical exhibition showcasing vintage photos if not for the missing information about their author. Nobody knows who took the photos.“I'm c

Jan 22, 2023By Kang Hyun-kyung

Exhibition raises question: Who took these photos?

Bill proposed to extend tax exemption on petroleum for farming, forestry, fishing

Rep. Song Eon-seok, third from left, of the ruling People Power Party speaks at a meeting on educational reform, Jan. 16. Yonhap A ruling party lawmaker said he has proposed a bill aimed at extending a tax exemption on petroleum used for farming, forestry and fishing for three more years.Rep. Song Eon-seok of the ruling People Power Party said this was proposed to stabilize the supply of agricultural and fisheries products amid rising inflation. "If the amendment is passed, it will not only reduce the burden on farmers and fishermen, but also ease the burden on the people from the rising prices of agricultural and fisheries products," Song said. The exemption of value-added and consumption taxes on petroleum for farming, forestry and fishing is set to expire at the end of this year. If the bill is passed, the tax exemption will be extended to the end of 2026. (Yonhap)

Jan 21, 2023

Bill proposed to extend tax exemption on petroleum for farming, forestry, fishing

Yoon, first lady offer Lunar New Year greetings

President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee offer Lunar New Year greetings to the people, Saturday, in this photo provided by the presidential office. YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee offered Lunar New Year greetings to the people Saturday, renewing his commitment to vitalize their livelihoods and take care of the vulnerable.In a video message, Yoon said the government "will take care of our needy neighbors more warmly and meticulously in the new year." Despite the grim economic outlooks at home and abroad, Yoon said the government will do its utmost for a "new leap" this year. Yoon also thanked soldiers, police officers and firefighters who are working over the holiday. The president returned home Saturday from a weeklong visit to the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland.Yoon said the visit's "entire schedule was focused on the economy so that our people and businessmen can demonstrate their capabilities on the world stage." (Yonhap)

Jan 21, 2023

Yoon, first lady offer Lunar New Year greetings

Yoon's visit to UAE, Switzerland ends in economic deals

Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea, speaks during the 53rd annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. The meeting brings together entrepreneurs, scientists, corporate and political leaders in Davos under the topic “Cooperation in a Fragmented World” from 16 to 20 January. AP-YonhapPresident Yoon Suk Yeol wrapped up what was billed as a “sales diplomacy” trip to the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland after bagging a $30 billion investment pledge from the Middle Eastern nation. The four-day state visit to the UAE was the first such visit by a South Korean leader since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1980, demonstrating the will of both sides to further strengthen their special strategic partnership.From the escorting of Yoon's jet by UAE fighter planes to an official welcome ceremony at the presidential office in Abu Dhabi, the state visit was an elaborate affair from beginning to end.The highlight was UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's decision to invest $30 billion

Jan 20, 2023

Yoon's visit to UAE, Switzerland ends in economic deals

Yoon wraps up UAE, Switzerland trip with fruitful economic outcomes

Documentary following BTS' J-Hope's creation of 1st album to be released next month

This mage provided by Big Hit Music is a promotional poster for "J-Hope in the Box," a documentary film showcasing the creation of his first solo album. YonhapA behind-the-scenes documentary about the creation of BTS star J-Hope's solo debut album, "Jack in the Box," will be released on Feb. 17, his agency said Friday.According to Big Hit Music, the documentary film produced by Hybe follows about 200 days spent by the rapper-dancer to make the album and perform as the closer of the 2022 Lollapalooza festival in Chicago. He became the first Korean act to headline a major U.S. music event there.Hybe is a leading entertainment company that has several K-pop labels, including Big Hit Music, under its wing.The film, "J-Hope in the Box," will be made available simultaneously on Weverse, an online K-pop fan community platform, and Disney+, a global streaming service."Jack in the Box" topped iTunes Top Albums charts in 49 territories around the world upon its release in July and ranked as the ninth best album of 2022 by U.S. music magazine Rolling Stone. (Yonhap)

Jan 20, 2023

Documentary following BTS' J-Hope's creation of 1st album to be released next month

Yoon explores Korea's strategies for quantum technology

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a meeting with quantum science researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday (local time). YonhapBy Nam Hyun-wooZURICH ― President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), Thursday (local time), and met with leading experts in quantum technologies, in order to explore strategies for Korea to take the lead in the field, which is anticipated to be an industrial game changer within the next 10 years.ETH Zurich is one of the most prestigious post-secondary education institutions, with alumni including Albert Einstein and John von Neumann. The university has 22 Nobel laureates and two Fields medal winners.ETH Zurich's Quantum Device Lab is engaged in a number of individual and collaborative projects funded by the European Commission and the Swiss National Science Foundation.Andreas Wallraff, one of the world's leading experts in superconductor quantum computing, currently leads the lab, and a slew of other prestigious minds in the field are involved there too.Du

Jan 20, 2023By Nam Hyun-woo

Yoon explores Korea's strategies for quantum technology

Defector-turned-lawmaker declares bid for PPP Supreme Council

Rep. Tae Yong-ho, a North Korean defector-turned-lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party, speaks at a press conference at the National Assembly, Jan. 19. YonhapRep. Tae Yong-ho, a North Korean defector-turned-lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party, announced his bid to run for the party's Supreme Council on Thursday.Tae, who formerly served as the No. 2 diplomat at North Korea's Embassy in London, defected to South Korea in August 2016. In 2020, he was elected to the National Assembly as the main conservative opposition United Future Party's candidate in Seoul's affluent southern district of Gangnam, becoming the first person hailing from the communist nation to be chosen directly by South Korean voters as their representative."If I become a Supreme Council member of the Republic of Korea's ruling party, it would be what Kim Jong-un would be most afraid of," he said in a press conference, referring to the North Korean leader.The party is scheduled to hold a national convention March 8 to pick a new leader. Five seats of its Supreme Council will also be up for grabs. (Yonhap)

Jan 19, 2023

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