my timesThe Korea Times
South Korea

Politics

Controversy rises over ruling bloc's criticism against judiciary

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, left, and Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae speak during a meeting of the National Assembly Special Committee on Budget and Accounts and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, respectively, Tuesday. Both of them criticized a court decision that permitted a massive rally on Aug. 15, claiming the decision led to massive infections among participants. Korea Times photos by Oh Dae-geunBy Jung Da-minHigh-ranking government officials and members of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) are intensifying criticism against a court decision which approved a massive rally in central Seoul on Aug. 15, saying its “wrong judgment” resulted in mass spread of COVID-19 among participants and accelerated the current resurgence of the pandemic. But some critics also denounce this criticism, saying it infringes on the independence of the judiciary and legal judgment should not be affected by politics.Seoul City initially tried to ban the planned demonstration organized by a conservative Christian group, but Seoul Administrative Court lifted the ban, saying des

Aug 26, 2020
Controversy rises over ruling bloc's criticism against judiciary

Politicians under fire for choice of masks

Main opposition United Future Party (UFP) member Rep. Kim Mi-ae, right, sports a mesh mask as she sits next to Kim Chong-in, the leader of the UFP, on a visit to the office of Jung Eun-kyeong, head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, Aug. 21. Courtesy of UFPBy Do Je-hae The use of face masks for protection against COVID-19 has emerged as a subject of political controversy among supporters of the ruling and opposition parties.Some politicians have come under fire this week for choosing to wear masks which are seen as not providing adequate protection. Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the main opposition United Future Party (UPF), accompanying the party's interim chief Kim Chong-in, visited the office of Jung Eun-kyeong, head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, Aug. 21. Photos of them sitting side by side across from Jung at her office angered citizens because Rep. Kim was wearing a mesh mask ― a type of mask adopted by some recently because of the hot weather ― but they have not been

Aug 26, 2020By Do Je-hae
Politicians under fire for choice of masks

Ruling party chief urged to stop discrimination against disabled

Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Hae-chan speaks during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, Aug. 19. / YonhapBy Park Han-solThe National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has urged the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Monday, to put an end to acts of discrimination against people with disabilities, in response to remarks made by party Chairman Lee Hae-chan in January.Specifically, the commission requested that the DPK stop discriminatory acts, come up with appropriate measures to prevent recurrence of such misdeeds, and have its members take courses on the rights of people with disabilities. This form of recommendation is the strongest measure the commission can take, and the ruling party must accordingly submit its plan on how to carry out the recommendations within 90 days.DPK Chairman Lee drew criticism back in January for his comments made about people with inborn disabilities. “It is said people born with disabilities are relatively weak-willed because they have been like that from a young age,” he said on the party's officia

Aug 26, 2020By Park Han-sol
Ruling party chief urged to stop discrimination against disabled

Moon's new security team off to awkward start

President Moon Jae-in walks with new National Intelligence Service chief Park Jie-won, right, new Unification Minister Lee In-young, second from left, and new National Police Agency head Kim Chang-ryong, left, after giving them letters of appointment at Cheong Wa Dae, July 29. / Korea Times fileBy Kang Seung-wooThe much-heralded new national security team is off to a rough start as the spy agency head is in the hot seat over political intervention allegations and the unification minister faces heat over a botched plan for inter-Korean exchanges. President Moon Jae-in shook up his national security lineup last month in a bid to double down on his inter-Korean peace initiative, with veteran politicians Park Jie-won and Lee In-young appointed to lead the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Ministry of Unification respectively.However, they have not lived up to their boss' expectations to date. The NIS director, a former four-term lawmaker, garnered headlines last week after saying in his first briefing to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee that North Korean leader Kim

Aug 26, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Moon's new security team off to awkward start

Mickelson goes low, extends lead in PGA Tour Champions debut

Phil Mickelson of the United States hits his tee shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the Charles Schwab Series at Ozarks National on in Branson, Mo., Tuesday. / AFP-YonhapThe hole Phil Mickelson considered the most important in the second round of his PGA Tour Champions career was not any of the eight he birdied but rather the only one on which he made bogey.He was 5 under after the front nine Tuesday at Ozarks National when he hit driver at the par-4 10th. The ball wound up in such heavy rough that Mickelson couldn't find it, forcing him to take a penalty stroke. He still wound up making a long putt to salvage bogey, and that gave him some momentum for the rest of the round.``I was able to get right back to even par on the back side with a birdie on the next hole, and then I made a couple more coming in,`` said Mickelson, whose 7-under 64 left him 17 under.That was good for a four-shot lead over Tim Petrovic and Rod Pampling, who will be his playing partners for the final round.``I've been putting really well,'' Mickelson said. ``Today I didn't drive it the way I've bee

Aug 26, 2020
Mickelson goes low, extends lead in PGA Tour Champions debut

'Unity in time of crisis pushes up approval rating for President'

President Moon Jae-in speaks during an emergency COVID-19 response meeting at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Friday. / Courtesy of Cheong Wa DaeBy Park Han-solThe Moon Jae-in administration's successful handling of the initial stages of the COVID-19 crisis early this year has become a rallying point amid the recent virus resurgence, leading to a rise in approval ratings for the President, political watchers said, Tuesday.According to a poll released by Realmeter, Monday, 46.1 percent of 2,511 respondents nationwide gave a positive assessment of Moon's job performance, up by 2.8 percentage points from the previous week. Another poll by Gallup Korea, Friday, showed an even sharper increase in his approval rating from 39 percent a week earlier to 47 percent.Over the past few months, his approval rating had been mainly heading downward due to multiple factors including failed real estate policies.The support rate for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) also rebounded from 34.8 percent to 39.7 percent in the Realmeter survey. That of the main opposition United Future Party (UFP

Aug 25, 2020By Park Han-sol
'Unity in time of crisis pushes up approval rating for President'

China supports vaccine development

Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming, right, poses with Jerome H. Kim, director general of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) at Seoul National University, Tuesday, after the Chinese Embassy made a donation for vaccine development. YonhapBy Do Je-hae The Chinese Embassy in Korea has made a donation for vaccine development to a Seoul-based international research center. The donation has gained attention as it was made while the rivalry between China and the U.S. is deepening and countries around the world are eager to develop a coronavirus vaccine, although the embassy and the center said the donation would be used for vaccine studies in general, not specifically for the coronavirus.Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming took part in a ceremony at the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) at Seoul National University, Tuesday, marking the embassy's donation of $20,000 to the institute. Founded in 1997 at the initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the IVI is devoted to vaccine development and vaccination programs in developing countries. “Viruses know

Aug 25, 2020By Do Je-hae
China supports vaccine development

Gov't to clamp down on coronavirus fake news

South Korea's telecommunications regulator said Tuesday it will clamp down on fake news surrounding COVID-19 as the country experiences a resurgence of the virus.The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) said it would take "stern action" against fake news on the virus, which disrupts anti-infection measures, by working with the police and the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) to block and delete such information."Fake news on COVID-19 aggravates public concerns and distrust, and disturbs preventative measures against the virus," the KCC said in a statement. The move came a day after President Moon Jae-in called the spread of fake news on the virus an "anti-social crime."South Korea reported 280 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, raising the total caseload to 17,945, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Daily virus cases have been in triple digits since Aug. 14 due to clusters mostly traced to a church in northern Seoul.Amid the resurgence in cases, the KCSC, which regulates internet content, blocked two cases of false online information relate

Aug 25, 2020
previous page
759760761762763
next page

Most Read in South Korea