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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.

Anti-leaflet law highlights differences between Seoul, Washington on North Korea's human rights

Members of Fighters for Free North Korea prepare to launch anti-North Korea leaflets from a parking lot in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, in this 2014 photo. / Korea Times fileBy Do Je-hae The Dec. 14 passage of a revision bill by the South Korean National Assembly to criminalize the sending of balloons and broadcasts with messages against the North Korean regime through the inter-Korean border is triggering concerns it will cause a rift in Korea-U.S. relations.The issue has shown how Seoul and Washington are viewing the issue differently, calling for the need for the two nations to narrow ideological differences.The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which pushed ahead with the passage of the so-called anti-leaflet law despite protests from the opposition and the international community, denounced the U.S. for excessively meddling in Korea's internal affairs. The DPK strongly criticized a possible move by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, a bipartisan commission of the U.S. House of Representatives, to hold a hearing in January to discuss the new ban on anti-North Korea leaflet

Dec 21, 2020By Do Je-hae
Anti-leaflet law highlights differences between Seoul, Washington on North Korea's human rights

Will Ahn Cheol-soo bring anti-Moon big tent?

Minor opposition People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly, Monday, a day after he declared his bid for next April's by-election for the Seoul mayoral post. YonhapBy Jung Da-minMinor opposition People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo's bid for the Seoul mayoral post and his plan to form a “big tent” from the opposition bloc have brought different reactions in the political circle. Attention is paid on whether the bid will provide momentum to bring solidarity among the conservative and centrist blocs, or whether it will rather bring about a division of the opposition.After announcing his bid to run in next April's by-election, Sunday, Ahn rolled out a plan to form a coalition government for the capital with people from different opposition parties appointed to the city administration's main posts, during a party meeting the following day.Ahn said the different parties should work together to reform politics and solve the wrongdoings of the former conservative national governments under President Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye,

Dec 21, 2020
Will Ahn Cheol-soo bring anti-Moon big tent?

'I'm right, you're wrong' attitude prevails in 2020

The four-character Chinese idiom “asitabi” was selected as a phrase best describing Korean society this year, according to Kyosu Shinmun, a weekly journal of professors, Monday. / Courtesy of Kyosu ShinmunBy Lee Hyo-jin Korean society this year has experienced continuous unproductive debates in political and social circles, with people claiming they are right and the others are wrong, said a group of professors, Monday.The professors selected “asitabi” (我是他非), a four-character Chinese idiom meaning that means to blame others, as a phrase best describing our society in 2020, according to Kyosu Shinmun, a weekly journal. Since 2001, the journal has been choosing a phrase applicable to the situation of the country at the end of each year.Asitabi was chosen by 32 percent of 906 professors nationwide in a survey conducted from Dec. 7 to 14. Unlike many other traditional four-character Chinese expressions, “asitabi” has a parallel Korean four-character idiom. It has become popular as a Chinese-character version of “naeronambul,” a Korean phra

Dec 21, 2020By Lee Hyo-jin
'I'm right, you're wrong' attitude prevails in 2020

Law proposed to deport foreign nationals for false virus test results

People wait in line at the arrival hall of Incheon International Airport on Aug. 14. / YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jinLaws may be revised to enable the deportation of foreign nationals accused of submitting false PCR test results, an entry requirement for travelers from certain countries, in a bid to effectively prevent and control imported COVID-19 cases.Independent lawmaker Lee Yong-ho said Sunday that he and 10 other lawmakers have proposed a revision bill to the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, which will enable the deportation of foreigners who have violated immigration or quarantine laws.Following the quarantine measures implemented by the health authorities in July, foreign arrivals from countries designated by the government as high-risk countries must submit certificates proving they have tested negative for COVID-19 on a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Currently, six countries ― Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, and Uzbekistan ― are on the list. The certificates must be issued by medical institutions designated by the countries Korean e

Dec 21, 2020By Lee Hyo-jin
Law proposed to deport foreign nationals for false virus test results
  • South Korea to close ski slopes, tourist sites in virus fight

US envoy Harry Harris enjoys 'original kimchi from Korea'

U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris, left, and star chef Lee Hye-jung make kimchi during an event hosted by the Asia Society Korea, Dec. 19. YonhapBy Do Je-hae U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris, who is known for his love of making and eating Korean food, has highlighted the national dish kimchi in his social media recently.His latest Kimchi-related tweet came Saturday when he posted photos of a table with Korean ramyeon accompanied by a side dish of fresh-made Kimchi, and a little glass of soju, the drink of choice for many Koreans. His Tweet read, "It's been 4 days since I learned to make #originalKimchifromKorea with Chef “Big Mama” Hye Jung Lee. Time to give it a taste, along with ramyeon and a little firewater for a perfect afternoon snack on a chilly Saturday afternoon. Thank you Chef Lee!"U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris enjoys a Kimchi-ramyeon combo with soju. Captured from Ambassador Harris' TwitterThe tweet was posted a few days after he learned how to make kimchi with the chef known as "Big Mama" on Korean TV at the Asia Society Korea. After learning to make kimchi with the cel

Dec 20, 2020By Do Je-hae
US envoy Harry Harris enjoys 'original kimchi from Korea'

Gender Ministry hit for recognizing Uniqlo as family-friendly company

A civic group member holds a rally in front of a Uniqlo store in Jongno District, Seoul on Oct. 24, 2019./ YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has come under fire for recognizing the domestic operator of Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo as a family-friendly company despite controversies over the brand, including its ad accused of mocking victims of wartime sexual slavery. FRL Korea, the operator of Uniqlo here, was included in the list of “Family-friendly firms in 2020” which the ministry disclosed Saturday. Since 2008, the government has been issuing certifications every year to companies taking a lead in supporting employees' work-family balance by creating flexible working environments. A total of 4,340 firms were selected this year.The certification not only enhances the corporate image, but the selected firms can also receive 220 types of benefits and incentives such as extra support through government programs and preferential treatment in immigration procedures. However, the gender ministry's decision to include the Japanese brand in th

Dec 20, 2020By Lee Hyo-jin
Gender Ministry hit for recognizing Uniqlo as family-friendly company

Ahn Cheol-soo declares bid for Seoul mayoral by-election

Minor opposition People's Party head Ahn Cheol-soo announces his intention to run for the Seoul mayoral election race next year in a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Sunday. YonhapAhn Cheol-soo, head of the minor opposition People's Party, announced Sunday he will run in next year's Seoul mayoral by-election in order to pave the way for a presidential power transition. He made clear that he wants to become a "unified candidate" for the opposition bloc. It will be his third bid for the Seoul mayorship.Ahn stressed the significance of the election slated for April 15 next year."I thought I should throw myself into the race to prevent the situation of a (presidential) power change becoming impossible with a defeat in the Seoul mayor election," he said during a press conference at the National Assembly. If the opposition bloc were to win the race, it would mean coming closer to victory in the presidential poll in March 2022, according to Ahn.He said he would "lay a bridge" for that. It remains uncertain whether the main opposition People Power Party will accep

Dec 20, 2020
Ahn Cheol-soo declares bid for Seoul mayoral by-election

Ex-presidential candidate to announce bid for Seoul mayoral by-election

Minor opposition People's Party head Ahn Cheol-soo speaks during the party's supreme council meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Dec. 14. YonhapAhn Cheol-soo, the head of the minor opposition People's Party, will announce his bid to run in next year's Seoul mayoral by-election, officials here said Saturday. Ahn, who finished third in the South Korean presidential election in 2017, told party officials via a text message that he has decided to run for the top executive position of Seoul, the capital and largest city of South Korea. Ahn, 58, will officially declare his bid for the Seoul mayoralty by-election, which is scheduled for April 7, 2021, at a press conference Sunday, according to the officials. The Seoul mayoral seat has been left vacant since July following the sudden death of Park Won-soon, who was found dead on a mountain in Seoul in apparent suicide after sexual harassment allegations emerged. In 2011, Ahn considered running in a by-election for the Seoul mayoralty, with his support rating exceeding 50 percent at the time. But he quit the race, lending his

Dec 20, 2020
Ex-presidential candidate to announce bid for Seoul mayoral by-election

Court rejects arrest warrant for ex-Busan mayor on sexual harassment allegations

Former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don arrives at the Busan District Court to attend his arrest warrant hearing on Dec. 18, 2020, in the southeastern port city. YonhapA South Korean court on Friday rejected the prosecution's request for an arrest warrant for former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don on sexual harassment allegations, citing no risks of him destroying evidence or fleeing.The Busan District Court's rejection came hours after Oh attended a court hearing intended to determine whether to issue the writ sought by the Busan District Prosecutors Office earlier this week."There isn't any particular argument regarding the facts, and there are no risks of him destroying evidence or fleeing," the court said.In a statement released via his lawyer, Oh acknowledged the "charge," but he maintained that he does not remember exactly what happened. He apologized to Busan citizens and victims as well. Prosecutors requested the warrant against him on charges of sexual harassment, inflicting injuries during sexual harassment and false accusation.Oh was originally accused of having made inappropriate advances t

Dec 18, 2020
Court rejects arrest warrant for ex-Busan mayor on sexual harassment allegations

Korea's freedom of expression being undermined

A bill banning the sending of anti-North Korean regime leaflets to the North is passed by a unanimous vote at a National Assembly session, Monday, in which 187 lawmakers of the supermajority ruling Democratic Party of Korea and other liberal minor parties participated. The main opposition People Power Party boycotted the vote after its members' filibuster to stop the passage of the bill was nullified through a vote led by the supermajority ruling party. YonhapBy Jung Da-minConcerns are rising over a series of attempts from the ruling bloc to push legislation that may undermine people's freedom of expression. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which has a supermajority in the National Assembly with 173 seats of the total 300, has steamrolled the passage of the controversial bills, despite protest from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) and civic groups dealing with relevant issues.It was reported that a bipartisan human rights commission of the U.S. House of Representatives is set to hold a hearing to review the law in January, according to U.S. media outlet Voice o

Dec 18, 2020
Korea's freedom of expression being undermined
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