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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
North Korea condemns USFK's THAAD drill

Prosecution's discontent builds up against judiciary reform bill

Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho, Seoul / YonhapBy Lee Suh-yoonThe top prosecutor's public opposition to a judiciary reform plan is triggering a flurry of angry comments from prosecutors, as if implemented it will give greater autonomy to the police in investigations and divide the prosecution's exclusive power to indict with a new anti-corruption agency. With more critical comments emerging among junior and senior prosecutors toward the plan, one of President Moon Jae-in's key policy goals, concern is rising that the issue could produce another case of collective insubordination by the prosecution similar to one in 2005, also regarding a plan to reduce its power. Prosecutor-General Moon Moo-il openly expressed his opposition Wednesday to the judiciary reform bill that was recently fast-tracked at the National Assembly. In addition, the online bulletin board at Epros, the prosecution's intranet, has been flooded with complaints that the reform would make the police too strong if they were given “unchecked” investigative powers on top of its primary int

May 3, 2019
Prosecution's discontent builds up against judiciary reform bill

LKP leader humiliated in unwelcome visit to Gwangju

Hwang Kyo-ahn, chairman of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, is doused with water on his way to Songjeong railway station while facing fierce opposition from the public in Gwangju, Friday. YonhapBy Lee Min-hyungMain opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) leader Hwang Kyo-ahn began a tour of cities nationwide to rally support for his fight against what he claims to be President Moon Jae-in's “dictatorship,” with a visit to Gwangju, Friday, only to get humiliated by angry citizens there. He had to leave early after a scaled-down rally at Songjeong Station in the southwestern city due to noisy protesters. At one point, he was doused with water thrown by them.He may have chosen the wrong place at the wrong time for the start of his nationwide campaign against Moon. However, some ruling party officials claim that the clash with protesters could have been intended to use regionalism in order to unify conservative forces, given the notoriously ill sentiment toward the LKP among Gwangju residents.“The incumbent administration is trying to take control of state manageme

May 3, 2019By Lee Min-hyung
LKP leader humiliated in unwelcome visit to Gwangju

Justice minister urges prosecution and police to end judicial reform dispute

Justice Minister Park Sang-ki speaks during a ceremony celebrating the completion of a new building of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office in Suwon, Friday. YonhapAmid an escalating conflict between the prosecution and the police over investigative rights reform, the justice minister called on both sides to approach the issue from the "perspective of the people" Friday.Justice Minister Park Sang-ki said now is the time to overhaul the prosecution's investigative practices and rights in accordance with the principle of checks and balances."Both the prosecution and the police should approach the issue of rearranging investigative rights from the people's standpoint," Park said in an address at a ceremony celebrating the opening of the Suwon High Court and the completion of a new building of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office in Suwon, just south of Seoul."Now the times and circumstances have been changing and the people's perspective and consciousness have also changed. The prosecution's investigative practices, as well as its investigative rights, should be readjusted according

May 3, 2019
Justice minister urges prosecution and police to end judicial reform dispute

LKP begins nationwide street rallies

Four lawmakers and a branch chief of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) shave their heads in protest of the other four parties' decision to fast-track reform bills at the National Assembly, Thursday. / YonhapBy Park Ji-wonThe main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) stepped up its protest against the ruling camp, Thursday, after failing to block the National Assembly from fast-tracking reform bills.The party rejected calls from other parties to join efforts to fine-tune details of the reform bills, and launched a special committee to “fight against leftist rule.”Four LKP lawmakers including Rep. Kim Tae-heum, head of the committee, had their heads shaved at the National Assembly, Thursday, to protest the reform bills, accusing President Moon Jae-in and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) of attempting to extend their “dictatorship” and thus destroying democracy. Earlier on Tuesday, LKP lawmaker Park Dae-chul shaved his own head to protest the fast-tracking.“Today, we are going to shave our heads to protest the DPK and its followers who

May 2, 2019By Park Ji-won
LKP begins nationwide street rallies

52% of voters support fast-tracking of reform bills: poll

This infographic shows the results of a poll of 503 adults conducted by Realmeter on April 29, where 51.9 percent said they support the fast tracking of reform bills regarding electoral reform and establishing a new investigative body against corruption. Courtesy of RealmeterBy Jung Da-minMore than half of voters support the fast-tracking of reform bills, a poll showed Thursday.In the poll of 503 adults over 19 conducted by Realmeter on Tuesday, 51.9 percent said they support fast-tracking the reform bills while 37.2 percent said it was the wrong decision.The poll, which has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points with a 95 percent confidence level, was conducted after the reform bills were put on the fast track to a National Assembly vote by two special parliamentary committees late Monday and early Tuesday.The decision came amid strong protests from the main opposition Liberty Korea Party.The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) teamed up with the progressive Justice Party (JP), the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party (BMP), and the Party for Democracy and Peace (

May 2, 2019
52% of voters support fast-tracking of reform bills: poll

North Korea needs 'comprehensive' approach: Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha speaks at a press conference at the ministry's headquarters in Seoul, Thursday. YonhapMultilateral dialogue is prematureBy Lee Min-hyungNorth Korea needs to take a more “comprehensive approach” to advance the stalled denuclearization talks with the United States, South Korea's foreign minister said Thursday.“My view is that the North should expand the scope (of thinking) and look into the issue in a more comprehensive manner,” Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said at a press conference. “The U.S. wants to hold a comprehensive dialogue with the North in such a manner.”Her remark came amid the months-long stalemate between Washington and Pyongyang over the talks on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Following the breakdown of the Hanoi summit in February between leaders from both sides, the countries have failed to narrow their differences in approaches and measures for the peninsula's nuclear disarmament.Despite the ongoing deadlock, the South Korean foreign minister argued that Washington and Pyongyang should d

May 2, 2019By Lee Min-hyung
North Korea needs 'comprehensive' approach: Foreign Minister

President concerned over political turmoil

President Moon Jae-in makes his opening remarks at the start of a luncheon with 13 invited senior opinion leaders at Cheong Wa Dae, Thursday. YonhapBy Kim Yoo-chulPresident Moon Jae-in expressed concerns about the deepening political turmoil over fast-tracked reform bills, Cheong Wa Dae said, Thursday.“I have to say I have lots of concerns and worries about society. My biggest concern is that we are seeing increased hostility among citizens and politicians. I will try my best to endorse different political views according to political parties,” Moon said during a meeting with senior opinion leaders at Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential office said in a press release.“As the President, I'm not in a position to step in on ongoing investigations over the alleged misconduct of former governments. But my personal thoughts are that if anything unconstitutional happened in former governments, then that's an action against the Constitution. It's not an easy thing to make compromises,” Moon told participants.President Moon invited 13 senior opinion leaders including forme

May 2, 2019By Kim Yoo-chul
President concerned over political turmoil

Korea, US to discuss North Korea food aid as leverage

People wait in line in front of a food stand in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang early morning Oct. 11, 2010. Reuters-YonhapBy Kim Yoo-chulU.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun plans to visit South Korea for three days later next week for talks on how to advance nuclear disarmament negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, a Cheong Wa Dae official said Thursday.In his meeting with senior officials Biegun will also discuss resuming a program for humanitarian assistance to the impoverished North.“The presidential office can only confirm that Biegun will visit Seoul soon,” the official said. He added that the special representative will possibly meet with presidential National Security Office (NSO) chief Chung Eui-yong. Biegun's visit comes as President Moon Jae-in is seeking to keep the nuclear disarmament talks on track by asking the U.S. to allow limited sanctions relief on products that affect the everyday lives of North Koreans.“It's highly likely either the foreign ministry or unification ministry will be involved in the process as

May 2, 2019By Kim Yoo-chul
Korea, US to discuss North Korea food aid as leverage

Prosecutor-General Moon Moo-il slams fast-tracking of reform bills

Prosecutor-General Moon Moo-il on Wednesday criticized reform bills that have been fast-tracked in the parliament, saying they fly in the face of democracy.In a statement released by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Moon said these bills, including one aimed at empowering police, "run counter to the democratic principles of checks and balances." Moon added that the process of criminal justice must follow these democratic values."As prosecutor-general, I couldn't help but feel concerned about the ongoing discussions on our criminal justice system at the National Assembly," Moon said. "I hope the National Assembly will hold discussions based on democratic principles and make progress that will further protect our people's basic rights."Moon appears to have taken shots at a bill that would enhance the police's authority to conduct probes and another that would see the establishment of a special investigative unit to look into allegations of corruption by high-ranking officials.It had been generally believed that the prosecution would be opposed to these bills, and Moon's statement Wedne

May 1, 2019
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