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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.

Cho-related scandals reveal chronic shortcomings of annual audit

Main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn, second from left, and LKP floor leader Na Kyung-won, left, join a rally at Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul, Oct. 3, calling for scandal-ridden Justice Minister Cho Kuk to step down. / YonhapBy Yi Whan-wooThe National Assembly has faced calls for years to overhaul its annual audit because it fails to properly assess hundreds of government bodies ranging from ministries and their subordinate organizations to state-run firms. The 2019 audit, which started Oct. 2, is unlikely to be an exception, as lawmakers are excessively focused on scandal-ridden Justice Minister Cho Kuk instead of covering other major areas.The audit is held for 20 days every year, but the amount of time is seen as a major shortcoming because it is too short for a thorough inspection of government activities for the previous year. The case is more extreme this year as more than 800 organizations ― the highest in the audit history ― are subject to the audit.“I'd say the audit only scratches the surface of issues that need to be brought up to

Oct 4, 2019By Yi Whan-woo
Cho-related scandals reveal chronic shortcomings of annual audit

PM urges inter-Korean peace for world peace

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon speaks during a ceremony for the National Foundation Day at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, Thursday. YonhapBy Park Ji-wonPrime Minister Lee Nak-yon stressed the importance of establishing peace between the two Koreas to contribute to world peace and realize the philosophy of Dangun, the legendary founder of Korea, Thursday, which was National Foundation Day.“We need to end hostility between South and North Korea and secure peace by fulfilling people's wishes to contribute to world peace,” Lee said during a ceremonial event in Seoul to mark the 4,351st anniversary of the country's foundation.Adding to building peace, he pointed out South Koreans should seek development, democracy and cooperation to achieve the dream of Dangun, the legendary founder of the first Korean kingdom of Gojoseon, which aimed to materialize the spirit of Hongik Ingan, or to broadly benefit humanity, and Iwha Segye, or guidance of the world through principles of nature.Citing the South's economic success, democracy and popular culture, Lee said “

Oct 3, 2019By Park Ji-won
PM urges inter-Korean peace for world peace

'US promises sanctions relief to North Korea'

Jo Chol-su, chief of the North Korean Foreign Ministry's North American Affairs Division who is also among a four-member North Korean denuclearization talks delegation led by chief negotiator Kim Myong-gil, was spotted at Beijing Capital International Airport, Thursday. YonhapChief NK negotiator remains positive for US talks in StockholmBy Kim Yoo-chulThe United States has “unofficially” promised North Korea to offer “low-level” sanctions relief including a partial resumption of tourism at Mount Geumgang in North Korea, two sources familiar with the issue said Thursday.“Washington's nuclear negotiating team plans to offer low-level sanctions relief at working-level talks which will take place Oct. 5,” one said asking not to be identified as he wasn't authorized to officially speak to the media.The diplomatic source said U.S. negotiators would use this as a “starting point,” adding that the fine details would be worked out as the talks progressed. “No major announcements will come at the working-level talks as the United States is

Oct 3, 2019By Kim Yoo-chul
'US promises sanctions relief to North Korea'
  • North Korea says submarine-launched missile test succeeded

Massive rally against justice minister, President rocks Seoul

Protesters wave Korean and U.S. flags at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Thursday, during a massive rally organized by conservative groups to condemn the Moon Jae-in administration and call for Justice Minister Cho Kuk's resignation. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukConservative groups mobilize elders against Moon administrationBy Lee Suh-yoonHundreds of thousands of mostly elderly citizens gathered in Gwanghwamun Square and streets near City Hall and Seoul Station, Thursday, to vent their discontent at the Moon Jae-in administration, calling on Justice Minister Cho Kuk to resign over corruption allegations leveled against him and his family.Conservative civic groups and political parties ― including the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) and minor ultra-rightist Our Republican Party ― set up side-by-side rallies along Sejong Street. The protesters waving Korean and American flags marched from Seoul Station to Gwanghwamun Square blocking traffic at certain locations.The huge turnout ― on a national holiday ― was sparked partly by a rally in southern Seoul last Saturday,

Oct 3, 2019
Massive rally against justice minister, President rocks Seoul
  • PHOTOS 'Cho Kuk OUT'
  • Prosecutors grill justice minister's wife for corruption allegations
  • You don't represent us
  • Justice minister's wife grilled again over alleged family corruption
  • Moon brushes aside 'public division'

Seoul-Tokyo feud deepens over radioactive water

Rep. Choi Jae-sung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), third from left, speaks during a meeting for the party's special committee to counter Japan's “retaliatory” trade restrictions on South Korea in this July 11 file photo, at the party's meeting room at the National Assembly in Seoul. YonhapBy Jung Da-minThe Japanese government's continued reluctance to openly support dumping radioactive wastewater for fear of creating a fresh controversy over the destroyed Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Fukushima is adding concern to the already deteriorated Seoul-Tokyo relations.Currently, about 1.15 million tons of contaminated water is held in about 1,000 tanks at the plant, according to its  administrator Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco). Tepco has warned that they will run out of space by the summer of 2022.One of proposed plans by the Japanese government, releasing the contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean is angering South Korea. The South Korean government, which has yet to officially lift an import ban on fishery and agricultural products from Fukushima and nea

Oct 3, 2019
Seoul-Tokyo feud deepens over radioactive water
  • Seoul summons Japanese diplomat over plans for Fukushima radioactive water
  • Tokyo urged to address concerns over Fukushima radioactive water

Moon, Abe seeking 'middle ground'

President Moon Jae-inBy Do Je-hae Cheong Wa Dae has been actively promoting the “outcomes” of President Moon Jae-in's recent visit to the United Nations General Assembly, where he held several bilateral meetings, including one with U.S. President Donald Trump. But it was noticeable that unlike last year, there was no meeting between Moon and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the annual U.N. event. It is not surprising no bilateral summit took place between the leaders of South Korea and Japan, considering the deteriorating row between the two countries over trade, history and security. And prospects for reviving the summit diplomacy between the neighboring countries, which has been on hold for more than a year, remain uncertain. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo AbeReports said Abe has decided recently not to hold a summit with Moon during the ASEAN summit in Thailand, which begins on Oct. 30. It is Abe's assessment that conditions are not conducive to make Moon-Abe encounter happens unless Seoul seeks a “resolution” to the ruling on the for

Oct 3, 2019By Do Je-hae
Moon, Abe seeking 'middle ground'
  • PM to meet Abe at Japanese emperor's enthronement event

North Korea says submarine-launched missile test succeeded

North Korea confirmed Thursday it tested a new submarine-launched ballistic missile, calling it a ``significant achievement" in its efforts to contain external threats and bolster its military power. YonhapNorth Korea confirmed Thursday it tested a new submarine-launched ballistic missile, calling it a ``significant achievement" in its efforts to contain external threats and bolster its military power.The test-firing Wednesday was North Korea's first of a submarine-launched missile in three years and came ahead of a weekend resumption of nuclear diplomacy with the United States. Some experts say North Korea wants to show to the U.S. what would happen if diplomacy fails again.The Korean Central News Agency said the test of the Pukguksong-3 missile in the waters off its east coast was successful and ``ushered in a new phase in containing the outside forces' threat to (North Korea) and further bolstering its military muscle for self-defense."It didn't say which outside forces threaten its security. But North Korea has previously said it was forced to develop nuclear-armed missiles to co

Oct 3, 2019
North Korea says submarine-launched missile test succeeded
  • 'US promises sanctions relief to North Korea'

Trump's Pyongyang visit still feasible: experts

U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un greet each other during their surprise meeting on June 30 at the military demarcation line in the Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas. YonhapBy Lee Min-hyungU.S. President Donald Trump is likely to make a historic first trip to Pyongyang for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sometime near the end of the year, if the two countries reach an agreement on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, experts said Wednesday.In a recent handwritten letter to Trump, Kim invited the U.S. president to the North Korean capital and spoke of his willingness to meet him for another summit, according to several diplomatic sources here. Trump and Kim have met three times since their first encounter in Singapore last year to discuss ways to resolve the North's nuclear program. But substantive progress has yet to be made. Trump subsequently said he would be willing to meet Kim at “some point later this year.”Sources said Trump's uncertain reelection prospects and the threat of impeachment, ironically, inc

Oct 2, 2019By Lee Min-hyung
Trump's Pyongyang visit still feasible: experts
  • US, North Korea prepared for results in nuke talks: FM

US, North Korea prepared for results in nuke talks: FM

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha listens to questions from lawmakers during a National Assembly annual audit hearing in Seoul, Wednesday. YonhapBy Lee Min-hyungThe United States and North Korea are prepared to “generate results” in their upcoming working-level nuclear disarmament talks with both sides pursuing a more flexible approach in a possible lead-up to another summit between the two countries' leaders, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said Wednesday.“We cannot jump to conclusions, but as far as I know, both sides are fully prepared to achieve results in the upcoming negotiations,” Kang told lawmakers during a National Assembly annual audit of her ministry. North Korea confirmed Tuesday evening that working-level denuclearization discussions with the U.S. would resume Oct. 5 at an “undisclosed location.” The restart comes after a months-long hiatus in the failed summit in Hanoi between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in February.The foreign minister remained optimistic for potential success in the upcoming dialogue.&l

Oct 2, 2019By Lee Min-hyung
US, North Korea prepared for results in nuke talks: FM
  • Trump's Pyongyang visit still feasible: experts
  • Seoul asks Tokyo to share intel on North Korea's missile test

Moon vows firm response to potential security threats

President Moon Jae-in salutes the audience at a ceremony to mark the Armed Forces Day at the Daegu Air Base, Tuesday. YonhapBy Do Je-hae President Moon Jae-in stressed his resolve to protect national security during a speech marking the 71st Armed Forces Day at Daegu Air Force Base in North Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday.“Our military will take the initiative to promptly respond to any potential threats to our national security with stronger and more accurate missile defense systems, new submarines and light aircraft-carrier landing ships, as well as other state-of-the-art defense systems including military satellites,” he said in a nationally-televised speech.“As the proud commander-in-chief of our armed forces, I can report to the people that we have a fully functional security posture that no one can take for granted. The military are the cornerstone for peace and prosperity,” President Moon said. He praised the military as the backbone for his ongoing peace process with North Korea. “Our military's security supports inter-Korean dialogue and cooperati

Oct 1, 2019By Do Je-hae
Moon vows firm response to potential security threats
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