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North Korean defectors create political party

Officials of the Unification Party of North and South Koreas, a new political party launched by North Korean defectors, cheer during an inauguration ceremony at the Federation of Korean Industries Tower in Seoul, March 6. Fourth from left is An Chan-il and fifth from left, Kim Seong-min, who were elected co-leaders of the party. Courtesy of the Unification Party of North and South KoreasNew party calls for consistent policy on defector issues This is the second in a series on minor parties with specific agendas that were newly launched to target proportional representation seats for the April 15 general election. ― ED.By Jung Da-minA chronic problem North Korean defectors face in terms of receiving institutional support or protection while struggling to settle in the South is that such social policies often lack consistency and are vulnerable to political shifts, according to defectors here. They say recent years have been a rough time for many defectors. Specifically, the case last year of a destitute defector mother and her son who apparently died from starvation shocked their

Mar 12, 2020
North Korean defectors create political party

Virus raises debate over basic income

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyoung-soo speaks during a briefing at the provincial government, Sunday. YonhapBy Do Je-hae The hardships faced by many citizens and businesses from the COVID-19 epidemic have raised the issue of introducing a basic income system.While Korea does not have a regulation on basic income, some mayors and governors as well as civic groups say the nation needs such monetary support at least in case of disasters such as the coronavirus crisis.Jeonju City in North Jeolla Province has decided to provide cash relief to people whose livelihoods have been strained by the new coronavirus, the first among municipalities.During a session at the Jeonju City Council, Tuesday, Mayor Kim Seung-soo spoke of plans to provide 500,000 won ($417) each to the 50,000 unemployed people and non-regular workers struggling due to COVID-19. The city government allocated 54.3 billion won in an emergency budget and asked the council to approve it. If approved, it will be the first case of a local government implementing a temporary basic income scheme during a national disaste

Mar 11, 2020By Do Je-hae
Virus raises debate over basic income

Calls rise to reopen Gaeseong complex for mask production

Citizens buy face masks from an individual seller in front of a pharmacy in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Monday, the first day of the government-led new mask purchase rules, which were not quite effective to satisfy high demand. Korea Times photo by Lee Han-hoBy Jung Da-min Calls have been risen to restart operations at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex to produce face masks and anti-contamination suits, which both North and South Korea are short of, amid the COVID-19 outbreak. On Wednesday, the Busan Metropolitan Council urged the government to start producing masks at the border-town factory complex.Such calls came as the South is still facing a mask shortage despite factories here producing about 10 million per day.According to the Gaeseong Industrial Complex Corporations Association, which is promoting the call, there is a manufacturer able to produce about 1 million disposable face masks per month, as well as 50 manufacturers of multi-use cotton masks in the complex.“With 35,000 North Korean workers, the complex can mass produce masks, dealing with the demand not only from the tw

Mar 11, 2020
Calls rise to reopen Gaeseong complex for mask production

Professor to lead committee on balanced regional growth

By Do Je-haeGhim Sa-youl, chairman of the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development / YonhapThe presidential office has announced the appointment of Ghim Sa-youl, a professor at Kyungpook National University, to lead the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development. Ghim has served as a faculty member of the university's School of Life Science after completing his graduate studies in biology at the same university. He acquired a Ph.D. from the University of Copenhagen, Demark, in molecular biology. Born in 1956, the scholar has also served in various organizations, including an association of civic groups in Daegu and the Presidential Committee on Education Innovation. “As a professor at Kyungpook National University, Ghim has carried out various research activities and fostered the next generation of experts in his field. He has also contributed to improving his community by working actively at cultural and civic organizations in the Daegu region,” Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok said in a statement Monday. “With his extensive knowl

Mar 11, 2020By Do Je-hae
Professor to lead committee on balanced regional growth

Government's 'self-praise' in virus fight taking flak

From left are President Moon Jae-in, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Health Minister Park Neung-hooBy Kang Seung-wooThe government's hasty self-praise for its fight against the coronavirus outbreak is drawing criticism.Critics say that it is too early for the administration to bask in optimism given that the nation still reports more than 100 cases daily despite the pace slowing.The number of infections in the country stood at 7,513 as of Tuesday, making it the third-largest outbreak behind China and Italy. On Monday, President Moon Jae-in said in a meeting with his senior secretaries that, if successful in slowing down the virus spread, Korea could be seen as a model case for other countries in COVID-19 containment. However, he also said the government needs to avoid too much optimism about the situation as small-scale cluster infections have been reported across the nation.The Moon remark is a throwback to that of Health and Welfare Minister Park Neung-hoo, who also said, Sunday, the nation's quarantine systems are working effectively to contain the spread of the new coronavir

Mar 10, 2020By Kang Seung-woo
Government's 'self-praise' in virus fight taking flak

COVID-19 patients to vote from home, hospitals

Rescue authority officers check on safety facilities at a polling station in Gwangju, Monday. YonhapBy Do Je-haeThe National Election Commission (NEC) said Tuesday that people who have been either hospitalized or quarantined after being confirmed to have the new coronavirus will be allowed to vote in the upcoming general election from their residence or place of treatment.Under Article 38 of the Public Election Law, people with limited mobility due to disabilities or those who reside in hospitals, nursing homes and detention centers can vote from their place of residence rather than visiting polling stations. The NEC determined that this law is applicable to voters with COVID-19, according to its statement. “Those who are eligible to vote from their place of residence will have to apply between March 24 and 28 by mail,” the NEC said in the statement. While the NEC and the government say they are not considering postponing the general election, set for April 15, the quick spread of the virus has led to some calls from the opposition to hold it on a later date.The minor opp

Mar 10, 2020By Do Je-hae
COVID-19 patients to vote from home, hospitals

TBS urged to fire podcaster for his disparaging remarks about Daegu

By Bahk Eun-jiCalls are growing for TBS Radio to dismiss Kim Eo-jun, a liberal-minded political commentator who hosts a controversial radio show, for his disparaging remarks about Daegu, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, and its citizens, according to his critics Tuesday.A petition to remove Kim from the show on a Cheong Wa Dae website has been posted, while a conservative civic group has filed a complaint against him with the National Human Rights Commission, accusing him of violating the human rights of Daegu residents.Kim Eo-jun /Korea Times fileOn an episode of “Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,” a program he hosts on TBS Radio, that aired last Friday, Kim blamed the recent novel coronavirus outbreak on Daegu and followers of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. “If China is responsible for the spread of COVID-19, why is only one out of 100,000 people in the Seoul metropolitan confirmed infected? The numbers tell the truth,” Kim said during the radio show. He then said two face masks are enough for a week, but there are too many people who are anxious about

Mar 10, 2020By Bahk Eun-ji
TBS urged to fire podcaster for his disparaging remarks about Daegu

Women's Party aims to challenge 'male-dominated' political arena

Members of the Women's Party pose during the party's inauguration ceremony held at a theater inside the Seoul Arts College complex in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, March 8, the 112th International Women's Day. Courtesy of O Yu-jinThis is the first in a series to deal with minor parties with specific agendas that were newly launched to target proportional representation seats for the April 15 general election. ― ED.By Jung Da-min “I won't be silenced!” Women chanting the famous phrase of the worldwide #MeToo movement are now gearing up to enter the National Assembly of Korea, reflecting years-long calls by an increasing number of women who have joined rallies to make their voices on gender-related issues heard.About 10,000 women have gathered to create a party that is “for women, of women and by women” under the name of the Women's Party. The party succeeded to meet the requirements to become a legal political party ― having at least 1,000 members each in at least five regions under the central headquarters in Seoul―, with 8,200 registering as party members in late Februa

Mar 10, 2020
Women's Party aims to challenge 'male-dominated' political arena

Politicians gain spotlight for virus response

Gyeojggi Governor Lee Jae-myung YonhapBy Do Je-haeSome political heavyweights are capturing the spotlight for their leadership and sense of duty with their response to the COVID-19 outbreak here.One of the politicians to benefit the most from the epidemic is Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung. A former presidential hopeful of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Lee's political status and public image were weakened last year after a legal battle regarding alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act. But some recent surveys show rising public support for the governor.In a survey by Embrain, Lee emerged ― hypothetically ― as the No. 2 candidate for the next presidential election, with an approval rating of 13.4 percent behind the 26.9 percent for former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, who co-leads the DPK's strategy committee for the upcoming April 15 general election. This is a departure from previous surveys where second place had consistently been taken by Hwang Kyo-ahn, chairman of the main opposition United Future Party (UFP). In the Embrain survey, Hwang ranke

Mar 9, 2020By Do Je-hae
Politicians gain spotlight for virus response
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