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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.

Moon apologizes over COVID-19 infections among Cheonghae unit sailors

President Moon Jae-in / YonhapPresident Moon Jae-in apologized Friday over the breakout of COVID-19 infections among the members of South Korea's naval unit operating off the coast of Africa.He wrote on social media that he failed to ensure that they carry out their duties in good health."I am also sorry to their families" who have worries about the incident, Moon added.The president was responding to criticism that the government should have taken measures to get the sailors vaccinated in advance.Most of the 300 members of the anti-piracy and counterterrorism unit aboard the destroyer have been infected with the virus. They hurriedly returned home earlier this week on an aerial refueling and transport aircraft. (Yonhap)

Jul 23, 2021
Moon apologizes over COVID-19 infections among Cheonghae unit sailors
  • Member of virus-hit Cheonghae unit dismisses suspicion of sailors going AWOL at African port

Pardon of ex-president could sway Korea's presidential election

Jailed former president Park Geun-hye enters Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in Seocho District, Tuesday, for shoulder treatment. Yonhap By Nam Hyun-wooExonerating jailed former president Park Geun-hye is emerging as a variable in Korea's presidential election next year, with President Moon Jae-in appearing to be contemplating whom he will grant presidential pardons to on the upcoming Aug. 15 Liberation Day.Rumors of a possible pardon for Park emerged earlier this week, as multiple news outlets here reported that Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's case was under review by the Ministry of Justice for a Liberation Day release. Lee was jailed for bribing Park and her confidante Choi Soon-sil to win government support for him inheriting control of the Samsung conglomerate from his father, the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee. Though the justice ministry did not confirm whether Lee was included in its review list for pardons, liberal ruling Democratic Party of

Jul 22, 2021By Nam Hyun-woo
Pardon of ex-president could sway Korea's presidential election

Politicians defend credibility by sharing stories of adoption, disability

Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choe Jae-hyeong, of the conservative main opposition People Power Party, who recently declared his presidential bid, is photographed while holding a meeting with party spokepeople at the National Assembly, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geunBy Jun Ji-hyeIn the past, some adoptive parents in Korea have hid the fact of their children's adoption from them, as well as from other people, for various reasons, such as prejudice against adoptees. For similar reasons, many people with disabilities have also taken pains to hide them, in an attempt to avoid discrimination.Such preconceptions about adoption and disabilities have in the past been seen as very sensitive matters to politicians who thoroughly manage their public images.However, in today's changing social atmosphere, two presidential hopefuls ― former Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) Chairman Choe Jae-hyeong of the conservative main opposition People Power Party (PPP) and Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung of the liberal ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) ― have attract

Jul 22, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Politicians defend credibility by sharing stories of adoption, disability

Gyeonggi governor pledges to distribute universal basic income if elected president

Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung speaks during a media conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, July 22. YonhapGyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung, the front-running presidential contender for the ruling Democratic Party, made a campaign pledge Thursday to distribute universal basic income of up to 2 million won ($1,736) per year to all citizens."Within the (five-year) term of the next administration, (I) will provide 2 million won in basic income to each young person every year and 1 million won each to the rest of the citizens" Lee said in a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul. "The end goal would be paying 500,000 won per month, the equivalent to what is paid to those in the bottom income bracket currently, but it will be (practically) impossible to achieve the level within the term due to financial conditions," Lee noted. Under the road map laid out by Lee, the first basic income of 250,000 won per person, in the format of expirable provincial currencies, will be distributed in 2023 and the payment will be expanded by up to four times before the end of th

Jul 22, 2021
Gyeonggi governor pledges to distribute universal basic income if elected president

President under fire over responsibility for infection cluster in Cheonghae unit

Members of the Cheonghae naval unit disembark from an air force transport plane at the Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. YonhapConservative main opposition demands presidential apology, parliamentary investigationBy Nam Hyun-wooCriticism is mounting from the conservative opposition that President Moon Jae-in is dodging responsibility as the commander-in-chief of South Korea's armed forces, following a major COVID-19 infection cluster among members of the Cheonghae naval unit. All members of the unit, which was on an anti-piracy mission in waters off Africa, returned home via specially-arranged multirole aircraft Tuesday due to the cluster outbreak. According to the Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday, 270 out of the 301 unit members tested positive for COVID-19, meaning that 90 percent of them were infected.Hours before their return, Moon said on Tuesday, “It is difficult to deny that the military was negligent in handling the COVID-19 infections among members of the Cheonghae unit,” ordering the ministry and relevant organizations to check the

Jul 21, 2021By Nam Hyun-woo
President under fire over responsibility for infection cluster in Cheonghae unit
  • Gov't likely to extend toughest virus curbs amid unrelenting COVID-19 wave

Guilty verdict on Moon's aide deals blow to administration's legitimacy

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyoung-soo closes his eyes while answering reporters' questions at the entrance to the provincial government building in Changwon, Wednesday, after the Supreme Court confirmed a two-year jail term imposed on him after he was found guilty of online opinion rigging. YonhapTop court confirms South Gyeongsang Province governor's 2-year jail term, strips him of position By Kim RahnThe Supreme Court has upheld the conviction and two-year prison sentence imposed on South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyoung-soo for online opinion manipulation, thus stripping him of the governorship and preventing him from running for election to public office for nearly seven years. The ruling dealt a heavy blow to not only the political career of Kim, one of the closest aides to President Moon Jae-in, but also the entire ruling bloc as the guilty verdict recognized that an attempt to rig public opinion had taken place ahead of the 2017 presidential election.The court upheld the decision by the district and high courts that sentenced him to two years imprisonment fo

Jul 21, 2021By Kim Rahn
Guilty verdict on Moon's aide deals blow to administration's legitimacy

Young generation arises as new center of Korean politics, economy

Millennails, Gen Z seen as swing voters for upcoming presidential electionBy Nam Hyun-wooYoung people in their 20s and 30s are emerging as the new center of Korean politics and the economy, spearheading changes in various aspects of society. Called the “MZ Generation” ― a combination of Millennials and Generation Z ― they show no hesitation in expressing their opinions on various issues; and political parties, businesses and civic groups are being compelled to listen to their voices. Many Koreans now agree that they exert an influence across all of society, and this growing influence is outpacing all other demographic groupsThe MZ Generation is the most commonly accepted term in Korea to categorize those who were born between about 1981 and 2005. It is not an internationally accepted term, and there are arguments that Millennials ― born between 1981 and 1995 ― and Generation Z ― born between 1996 and about 2005 ― should be treated separately given their differences, but the term has now been widely accepted to categorize the attitudes and behavior of those in their 20s an

Jul 20, 2021By Nam Hyun-woo
Young generation arises as new center of Korean politics, economy

Delayed schedule to become variable in ruling party's presidential primary

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, left, bumps fists with former ruling Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Nak-yon at TV Chosun studio in Seoul, July 8, ahead of a TV debate for presidential contenders of the ruling party. Joint Press CorpsBy Jung Da-minWith the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) putting off its presidential primary by five weeks due to the recent upsurge in COVID-19 infections, attention is now being paid on how it will affect the competition among the six contenders. The extended period could either give Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung more time to solidify his lead, or offer a chance for runner-up former DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Nak-yon to catch up.The DPK announced, Monday, that it would select its candidate on Oct. 10, instead of Sept. 12, but if none of the contenders win more than 50 percent of the vote, a run-off election will be held in mid-October.Currently, Governor Lee has been topping opinion polls, followed by Rep. Lee and four other contenders who passed the first-round primary cutoff, July 11.Some DPK members, who do not support t

Jul 20, 2021
Delayed schedule to become variable in ruling party's presidential primary

Korea to create think tank for space program

gettyimagesbankSouth Korea's science ministry said Tuesday it will create a space policy-oriented think tank in a move to bolster its space development ambitions.The country has recently ramped up its space program, with its first homegrown space rocket set for a launch in October and a lunar orbiter program scheduled for next year.The Ministry of Science and ICT said the new think tank, tentatively named the Korea Space Policy Research Center, will conduct space-related research and analysis to offer guidance for the country's space development policies, as well as private sector efforts.The think tank is expected to be formed with space industry experts from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Korea Astronomy & Space Science Institute and the Agency for Defense Development.South Korea, a relative latecomer to the global space development race, has revved up efforts in space-related technologies to propel growth in future industries, with aims to develop over 100 miniature satellites by 2031.The country aims to launch 14 low earth orbit communications satellites by that year

Jul 20, 2021
Korea to create think tank for space program

DPK postpones presidential primary by 5 weeks amid COVID-19 resurgence

The six contenders who will run for the second round of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) presidential primary pose after making it through the first round at the party's headquarters on Yeouido, Seoul, Sunday. From left are Rep. Kim Du-kwan, Rep. Park Yong-jin, former DPK Chairman Lee Nak-yon, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and former Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae. YonhapThe ruling Democratic Party (DPK) decided Monday to put off its presidential primary by five weeks in light of the recent upsurge in COVID-19 infections. The decision was sealed earlier in the day during a closed-door meeting of the DPK's supreme council. "(The DPK) decided to postpone the first half of its nationwide campaign tour (for presidential contenders), originally slated to kick off on Aug. 7, by four weeks and the second half by five weeks," Rep. Lee Sang-min, the chair of the DPK's election committee, told reporters following the meeting. "The recent elevation of the country's social distancing regime following mass COVID-19 outbreaks as well as the

Jul 19, 2021
DPK postpones presidential primary by 5 weeks amid COVID-19 resurgence
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