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North Korean human rights abuses 'egregious': US

By Lee Min-hyungThe United States has expressed regret over North Korea's “egregious violations” of human rights amid their reviving tension in the wake of the North's recent test of short-range projectiles. “For decades, the regime in North Korea has subjected its people to egregious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” U.S. Department of State spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement Monday (local time).She said about 100,000 North Koreans suffer in political prison camps, and those who try to flee are “tortured and killed” when caught.“We remain gravely concerned and deeply troubled by these abuses,” she said. “We continue to work with the international community to raise awareness, highlight abuses and violations, enhance access to independent information, and promote respect for human rights in North Korea.”The statement came only a few days after the North fired some projectiles into the East Sea, in an apparent show of dissatisfaction over the stalemate in nuclear talks with the U.S. following t

May 7, 2019By Lee Min-hyung

North Korean human rights abuses 'egregious': US

LKP's ideological attack escalates after North Korea firing

Liberty Korea Party Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn speaks during his nationwide tour to protest the government at Jagalchi Market in Busan, Tuesday. / YonhapBy Park Ji-wonThe main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) stepped up criticism over the Moon Jae-in administration’s North Korea policy, Tuesday, after North Korea’s firing of projectiles.LKP Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn condemned the government’s North Korea policy, criticizing that it failed to detect what Pyongyang fired were “missiles.”“North Korea took provocative actions against South Korea. But the Moon Jae-in administration claims what North fired were not missiles,” Hwang said during his nationwide tour in Busan, Tuesday.Claiming that South Korean people live under the threat of the North’s nuclear weapons, he said “South Korea’s economy, people’s lives and security have collapsed under the current administration.”He also criticized the government’s “income-led” policy for resulting in slow growth and reporting higher unemployment.Rep. Na Kyung

May 7, 2019By Park Ji-won

LKP's ideological attack escalates after North Korea firing

DPK to elect new floor leader on May 8

Candidates in the race for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) floor leader participate in a seminar at the National Assembly, Tuesday. From left are, Reps. Kim Tae-nyeon, Lee In-young and Noh Woong-rae. / YonhapBy Park Ji-wonThe ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) will elect its new floor leader Wednesday as parties are preparing to draw up campaign strategies for the general elections in April 2020.The winner will be among Reps. Lee In-young, Noh Woong-rae and Kim Tae-nyeon, all three-term lawmakers. The election is reportedly a neck-and-neck race between Lee and Kim, who are both known to be loyalists of President Moon Jae-in. Lee is allegedly garnering broad support from Moon’s supporters while Kim is backed by Moon’s longtime aides including former chairwoman Choo Mi-ae and incumbent chairman Lee Hae-chan.Lee used to be one of the most famous student activists who stood up against dictatorship in the 1980s, and has strong negotiation skills, while Kim has his advantages in coming up with strategies backed by his experience as a chief policymaker.The DPK law

May 7, 2019By Park Ji-won

Assembly can revise reform bills: Cheong Wa Dae

Cho Kuk, left, a senior presidential secretary for civil affairs and Kang Gi-jung, a presidential secretary for political affairs before having a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday. / YonhapBy Park Ji-wonCheong Wa Dae's senior presidential secretary for civil affairs Cho Kuk said Monday that it was National Assembly's decision on whether to give more power to the police.Citing the possibility of revising a fast-tracked bill on repurposing investigative rights between the police and prosecution before it is passed, Cho said; “It is the Assembly's job to deal with this when reviewing the bill.”“The prosecution and police can each submit opinion letters, during the legislative process. But the Assembly holds authority for a final decision, which must be respected. The prosecution, police and Cheong Wa Dae cannot overturn the Assembly's decision,” Cho wrote on Facebook, Monday afternoon. Cho made it clear that he recognizes concerns on the matter. “Of course, there are certain ways for the prosecution to oversee the authority o

May 7, 2019By Park Ji-won

Assembly can revise reform bills: Cheong Wa Dae

Moon's approval rating remains in high 40-percent range

President Moon Jae-in waits for invited children at his office during Children's Day, Sunday. His approval rating remained in the high 40-percent range for the seventh consecutive week. / YonhapBy Yi Whan-wooPresident Moon Jae-in's approval rating inched up close to 50 percent, according to a survey released Monday. In a Realmeter poll conducted from April 29 to 30 and May 2 to 3, 49.1 percent of 2,018 respondents said they support Moon's job performance, up from 47.4 percent when the last survey was taken from April 22 to 26. This puts Moon's approval rating in the high 40-percent range for the seventh consecutive week.Moon's disapproval rating came in at 46 percent, down 2.4 percentage points. The remaining respondents said they were undecided about the President's job performance.Analysts said the polls show a sign that conservative and liberal voters are polarizing under their rival parties, in the wake of the fast-tracking of reform bills and Moon's struggle to salvage dialogue with North Korea.The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) received the support of 40.1 percent, the

May 6, 2019By Yi Whan-woo

Kuwait to introduce Korea's anti-corruption measures

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, center, claps as Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Vice Chairman Lee Geon-lee, left, and his counterpart Riyadh Humood Alhajeri, vice chairperson of the Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority, shake hands after signing a memorandum of understanding on sharing anti-corruption policies at Bayan Palace, Kuwait, Wednesday. YonhapBy Park Ji-wonKuwait will introduce South Korea's anti-corruption assessment measures following Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon's visit to the country, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) says. .The South's anti-corruption body signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on sharing anti-corruption initiatives with the Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), the country's anti-corruption organization, to improve both countries' anti-corruption measures and thus create a better business environment for South Korean companies there.“Successful anti-corruption cooperation between Korea and Kuwait will not only contribute to strengthening the anti-corruption capacities of both nations but also to creating a better

May 5, 2019By Park Ji-won

Kuwait to introduce Korea's anti-corruption measures

Seoul, Washington calibrate response to North Korea

This Saturday, May 4, in a photo provided by the North Korean government May 5, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, equipped with binoculars, observing tests of different weapons systems, in North Korea. AP-YonhapBy Kim Yoo-chulDespite North Korea conducting a live-fire drill of long-range multiple rocket launchers and unspecified tactical guided weapons, South Korea is standing with the United States to maintain Trump's version of “strategic patience” toward Pyongyang to keep the nuclear diplomacy going.On Sunday, a senior presidential aide told The Korea Times that while Cheong Wa Dae is concerned about the North's actions, the presidential office has “no imminent plans” to implement any harsh response to the latest missile tests.“Senior government officials from the United States, Japan and South Korea agreed to 'cautiously respond' to the latest drill and continue communication by sharing key information and the latest updates as none of them want to see further backtracking after seeing progress towards resolving the North's nuclear issue,”

May 5, 2019By Kim Yoo-chul

Seoul, Washington calibrate response to North Korea

Top prosecutor cuts short overseas trip amid stir over reform bills

Prosecutor-General Moon Moo-il speaks to journalists at Incheon International Airport, Saturday, upon his return from an overseas trip legging Oman, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Ecuador. YonhapProsecutor-General Moon Moo-il called for thorough protection of the basic rights of the people on Saturday, reaffirming his clear opposition to government-led judiciary reform bills.He made the remarks upon arriving at Incheon International Airport after cutting short his four-country trip, as he caused controversy earlier this week by openly criticizing the bills that call for the expansion of the independent investigative authority of police."I also agree with voices for changes in the prosecution's way of carrying out its duties ... But the fundamental rights of the people cannot be compromised at any cost, and there should not be any confusion in executing the investigative rights," Moon said.Speaking of simmering discontent from the prosecution over the bills and its growing confrontation with police, Moon said he will "assess (the situation) and respond accordingly" after full consideratio

May 4, 2019

Top prosecutor cuts short overseas trip amid stir over reform bills

Three lawmakers vie for ruling party floor leader

Candidates in the floor leader race of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) pledge allegiance to the flag in a seminar at the National Assembly, Tuesday. From left are, Reps. Lee In-young, Noh Woong-rae and Kim Tae-nyeon. The new floor leader of the DPK is tasked with resolving the recent dissonance with the main opposition Liberty Korea Party created by the differences over fast-tracking reform bills and winning in the 2020 elections and supporting the third year of Moon Jae-in administration in a long term. / YonhapBy Park Ji-wonThree lawmakers have thrown their hats into the race to become the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK)'s new floor leader, who will play a central role in mapping out campaign strategies for the general elections scheduled for April next year.Reps. Lee In-young, Noh Woong-rae and Kim Tae-nyeon, all three-term lawmakers, have announced their bids for the party's floor leader election, scheduled to be held on May 8. The winner, during a one-year term, will be tasked with resolving the recent dissonance with the main opposition Liberty Korea Party cre

May 3, 2019By Park Ji-won

Three lawmakers vie for ruling party floor leader

North Korea condemns USFK's THAAD drill

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system deployed at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Apr. 24. YonhapBy Lee Min-hyungNorth Korea has condemned a recent anti-ballistic missile defense drill by the United States Forces Korea (USFK), calling it a rash act of military provocation, the North's propaganda media outlets said Friday.The criticism came about a week after the USFK revealed it staged an exercise last month using the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system deployed in South Korea, at its Camp Humphreys garrison in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.“The drill is a military provocation that breaks the atmosphere of peace on the Korean Peninsula,” Uriminzokkiri, the North's propaganda website, said.“It would be a stupid misjudgment for the U.S. to believe that the country can achieve its impure intention by testing and threatening the North with power.” Pyongyang also stepped up pressure on Seoul, urging it to “behave discreetly” over the U.S.'s military exercises on the peninsula.“An unfavorable result

May 3, 2019By Lee Min-hyung

Cheong Wa Dae concerned about North Korea's breach of inter-Korean military deal

Politics

Politics

North Korean human rights abuses 'egregious': US

LKP's ideological attack escalates after North Korea firing

DPK to elect new floor leader on May 8

Assembly can revise reform bills: Cheong Wa Dae

Moon's approval rating remains in high 40-percent range

Kuwait to introduce Korea's anti-corruption measures

Seoul, Washington calibrate response to North Korea

Top prosecutor cuts short overseas trip amid stir over reform bills

Three lawmakers vie for ruling party floor leader

North Korea condemns USFK's THAAD drill

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