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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.

Korea seeks UNESCO listing of April 19 pro-democracy movement

President Moon Jae-in speaks during a national ceremony marking the pro-democracy movement at the April 19 National Cemetery in Seoul, Sunday. YonhapPresident Moon Jae-in declared a bid Sunday for the inscription of documentary heritage related to South Korea's historic pro-democracy movement in 1960 on UNESCO's global Memory of the World Register.Speaking at a national ceremony to mark the movement's 60th anniversary, he said the bid is meant to "specially commemorate" the spirit of the April 19 Revolution and leave its spirit to mankind, ."The April 19 Revolution was the first democracy movement in a newly independent country following World War II, and it was also the start of students' uprisings throughout the entire world," he said in a televised speech during the event held at the April 19 National Cemetery in Seoul. "It's a solid root of democracy of the Republic of Korea," Moon said, using South Korea's official name.The two-week mass civilian protests, spearheaded by students protesting widespread vote-rigging in presidential elections by then-President Rhee Syngman, later l

Apr 19, 2020
Korea seeks UNESCO listing of April 19 pro-democracy movement

Ruling party seeks to give relief money to all

Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki speaks at a press conference on the extra budget at the Sejong Government Complex, Thursday. / YonhapBy Kang Seung-wooFollowing its win in Wednesday's general election, the ruling party is reigniting the drive to offer emergency disaster relief money to every household to ease economic strain from the coronavirus pandemic ― in the face of the government's opposition due to pressure on financial soundness. On Sunday, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) held a trilateral meeting with Cheong Wa Dae and the government in Seoul to seek an understanding on expanding the scope of recipients. DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Hae-chan and floor leader Rep. Lee In-young sat with Senior Presidential Secretary for Policy Kim Sang-jo and Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki. The initial government scheme was to deliver between 400,000 won ($328) and 1 million won in accordance with the number of household members in the bottom 70 percent of income-earners. But during the election campaign, the DPK pledged to give the disaster allowance to every citizen in an effort to gain votes. Last w

Apr 19, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Ruling party seeks to give relief money to all

Tribute to victims of democracy movement

President Moon Jae-in pays tribute at the tomb of a student who died in the April 19 Revolution, a pro-democracy movement in 1960, at the April 19th National Cemetery in Seoul, on Sunday, the 60th anniversary of the student-led movement against the rigged election of then-President Syngman Rhee. Moon said the revolution represents a judgment against the forces that betrayed democratic principles. Yonhap

Apr 19, 2020
Tribute to victims of democracy movement

Future of main opposition party looks dim after 'crushing defeat' in election

Rep. Shim Jae-cheol, center, floor leader of the main opposition United Future Party, speaks during a ceremony to disband the party's election campaign committee at the National Assembly in Seoul, Friday, two days after the April 15 general election. While the UFP suffered a “crushing” defeat against the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, most of the current party leaders, including Shim and former party Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn, also failed to win seats. Hwang resigned from the party post on Wednesday. YonhapBy Jung Da-min The future of the main opposition United Future Party (UFP) looks dim after it suffered a “crushing defeat” in the April 15 general election to form the 21st National Assembly. Although the party intends to analyze the cause of the defeat and taking reform measures, the tasks are mounting due to the current leadership vacuum, and internal disputes are rising over who should take responsibility for the election results and who should take over party leadership.Through the first-past-the-post vote in 253 constituencies, the UFP won 84 seats, whi

Apr 19, 2020
Future of main opposition party looks dim after 'crushing defeat' in election

Guide dog to be allowed into National Assembly

Kim Ye-ji, left, the visually impaired candidate of the Future Korea Party, poses with her guide dog Joy and party leader Won Yoo-chul at the party office in Seoul, March 27. Korea Times photo by Lee Han-hoBy Kim RahnThe incoming 21st 300-strong National Assembly will have one additional, unofficial member ― Joy, the guide dog of Kim Ye-ji, a visually impaired pianist-turned-politician from the Future Korea Party, the satellite party of the main opposition United Future Party (UFP).Following Kim's joining the Assembly as a lawmaker selected for a proportional representation seat, the National Assembly Secretariat has been looking into relevant regulations on whether to allow the dog to enter the plenary chamber and committee meeting rooms, as animals, even guide dogs, have been banned so far.The ban was based on a clause in the law on the National Assembly which states an assemblyperson should not bring objects or food that could cause a disturbance into the plenary chamber and committee meeting rooms. Former Rep. Jeong Hwa-won of the Grand National Party, a predecessor of the UFP, w

Apr 19, 2020By Kim Rahn
Guide dog to be allowed into National Assembly

National Assembly speaker to return 30% of salary in solidarity with those hit by COVID-19

National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang. / YonhapBy Jung Min-hoTop-ranking officials at the National Assembly, including Speaker Moon Hee-sang, will return 30 percent of their salaries to show solidarity with those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.The National Assembly Secretariat said Friday that Moon will donate 30 percent of his salary for April and May ― about 9.6 million won ($7,900) excluding special activity expenses ― “to share the burden of those who are suffering from the coronavirus.”Seven ministers and vice minister-level officials have promised to do the same for four months from April.The secretariat said it was still deciding how to use the money.Their decisions come a month after President Moon Jae-in and his Cabinet members decided to return 30 percent of their salaries over the next four months to help fund efforts to battle the disease.

Apr 19, 2020By Jung Min-ho
National Assembly speaker to return 30% of salary in solidarity with those hit by COVID-19

PM's appeal: Strict adherence to social distancing until early May

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyunPrime Minister Chung Sye-kyun called on the people Saturday to minimize outdoor activities during upcoming holidays and adhere to social distancing guidance to stem the coronavirus."I am worried that the social distancing campaign that we've carried out very well could be jeopardized later this month," Chung said, pointing to planned holidays set to begin at the end of this month.South Korea is to mark Buddha's birthday on April 30, which will be followed by Labor Day, and Children's Day falls on May 5 after the weekend."I earnestly ask you to refrain from outdoor activities during holidays for the safety of the community. If you are planning a trip, please reconsider that," Chung stressed.South Korea has reported fewer than 30 daily COVID-19 cases over the past five days in a row, but health authorities have warned against complacency.From March 22, the government has intensified the drive, forcing all major public facilities, including schools and private gyms, to shut down to stop the spread of the virus, and it is expected to announce soon its decisio

Apr 18, 2020
PM's appeal: Strict adherence to social distancing until early May

New parliament faces pressure to revise defective election law

As a new proportional representation system, introduced for Wednesday's parliamentary elections, failed to fulfill its purpose, newly-elected lawmakers are now expected to address the problem during their four-year term that begins in early June.The mixed-member proportional representation system was introduced under an electoral reform bill that passed the National Assembly in December to better reflect votes cast for parties. It was expected to work favorably for minor parties by distributing more PR seats to parties less represented in constituencies but that won more support in votes for parties.But the new system was exploited by two gigantic rival parties, contrary to the stated aim of promoting minor parties to better reflect various voices and needs of voters.Not long before the elections, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition United Future Party (UFP) created satellite parties for the purpose of gaining PR seats.The satellite parties of the two major parties eventually secured 36 of the 47 PR seats while such minor parties as the Justice Party, the People'

Apr 18, 2020

Moon, Trump discuss COVID-19 response, North Korea

President Moon Jae-in/YonhapBy Do Je-haeThe leaders of Korea and the U.S. discussed cooperation on COVID-19 response and North Korea aid, Cheong Wa Dae said Saturday.During a phone call made late in the evening Korea time, Trump congratulated Moon on his parliamentary election victory and expressed his appreciation for Korea's help with COVID-19 test kit, the presidential office said in a statement.They also agreed on the need to push for humanitarian assistance for North Korea with regard to the COVID-19. Trump also reaffirmed his policy of engaging with North Korea.After a sweeping general election victory, all eyes now are on what Moon will do to use this renewed momentum in policy-making.With the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK)'s formidable control of the 21st National Assembly ― with 180 seats out of 300 ― Moon will seek visible progress on some stalled reform bills regarding the economy, labor and the judiciary during the remainder of his presidency. For this, speculation is rising that Moon will conduct a Cabinet reshuffle soon. Former presidents such as Park Geun-hye conducte

Apr 17, 2020By Do Je-hae
Moon, Trump discuss COVID-19 response, North Korea

Memorial for provisional gov't to promote balanced views on national history

In the left photo, President Moon Jae-in, second from left, and first lady Kim Jung-sook, center, take a group photo at the provisional government's headquarters in Chongqing, China, during a state visit to the country in December 2017. It was the first time for a sitting president to visit the site. In the right, Kim Koo, center in the front row, and other members of the provisional government take a group photo at the Chongqing complex on Nov. 3, 1945 before heading back to Korea on Nov. 23. / Korea Times fileBy Do Je-hae This is a landmark year for the government-in-exile founded during the 1910-1945 Japanese colonial rule, which was mostly based in China.To mark the 101st anniversary of the provisional government, President Moon Jae-in took part in a groundbreaking ceremony April 11 for a memorial hall to remember its role in leading the independence movement. President Moon has shown more enthusiasm than any other Korean leader in recent decades toward honoring the provisional government, which undertook administrative, diplomatic and military activities to gain independence. He

Apr 17, 2020By Do Je-hae
Memorial for provisional gov't to promote balanced views on national history
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