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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.

South Korea resumes JSA tours

Seen above is the iconic Foot Bridge where President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un strolled during their first summit last year. YonhapTours to iconic Foot Bridge available to citizens By Lee Min-hyungTours to the south side of the Joint Security Area (JSA) resumed, Wednesday, allowing civilians to visit symbolic places in the inter-Korean border area on foot.The Ministry of National Defense said the decision came as part of efforts to revive dialogue with North Korea in commemoration of the first anniversary of the April 27 Panmunjeom Declaration.The tours had been suspended since last October due to “disarmament” activities at the JSA.The resumption of the tours enables visitors to see the iconic Foot Bridge where President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un strolled during their first summit in April last year.The two leaders had a one-on-one private conversation on the blue-painted bridge. The symbolic moment gained attention here and abroad, raising hopes for inter-Korean reconciliation.Visitors to the JSA will also be able to tour the

May 1, 2019By Lee Min-hyung
South Korea resumes JSA tours

Petitioners demanding LKP disbandment top 1.5 million

Seen above is a screep capture of an online petition demanding the disbandment of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party. Over 1.55 million people participated in the petition as of 4 p.m. Wednesday. Screen capture from Cheong Wa Dae's webpageBy Lee Min-hyungMore than 1.5 million people have signed an online petition demanding the disbandment of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP).The LKP claims the number was probably fabricated by the “leftists,” so it does not take it seriously.This is the first time since President Moon Jae-in took office in May 2017 that such a record-setting number of people have signed an online request on the Cheong Wa Dae website.As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, over 1.55 million participated in the petition, denouncing the LKP for getting in the way of every policy drive pushed by the Moon Jae-in administration.The petition was posted on Apr. 22, accusing the opposition party of obstructing the government's plan to fast-track reform bills. The bills include electoral reform and the establishment of a new investigative authority focused on corr

May 1, 2019By Lee Min-hyung
Petitioners demanding LKP disbandment top 1.5 million
  • PHOTOS Opposition takes it to Cheong Wa Dae

Labor Day rallies held nationwide, ILO conventions at issue

Seoul City Hall square is packed with protesters from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions to commemorate the national Labor Day and International Labor Day, Wednesday. YonhapTens of thousands of South Korean workers marked Labor Day with a rally in central Seoul on Wednesday, urging the government to adopt major international regulations on promoting labor rights.Commemorating International Workers' Day simultaneously, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KTCU), an umbrella labor union, said it's urgent for the country to ratify key conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO). But business lobby groups here have claimed it's premature to do so, citing the need to revise related domestic legislation first."(We) can no longer delay or take a step back in ratifying the fundamental ILO conventions and achieving victory in basic labor rights," KCTU Chairman Kim Myung-hwan said in a statement.South Korea became a member of the ILO in 1991. It has since ratified more than two dozen ILO conventions, including four of the eight core ones: two on discrimination and two

May 1, 2019
Labor Day rallies held nationwide, ILO conventions at issue

Former KT chief arrested over involvement in hiring scandal

Former chairman of KT Lee Suk-chae, left, arrives at the Seoul Southern District Court, Tuesday, for a questioning on suspicion of involvement in a hiring scandal at the telecom company. YonhapLee Suk-chae, former chairman of KT, was arrested Tuesday over his suspected involvement in a hiring scandal at the telecom giant. The Seoul Southern District Court issued an arrest warrant for the 74-year-old Lee after holding a hearing Tuesday to review the legality of pretrial detention for him.The court said the arrest warrant was issued due to concerns of destruction of evidence. Lee, who served as KT chairman from 2009 to 2013, is suspected of being involved in nine cases of hiring irregularities at KT in 2012.He is accused of giving instructions to provide preferential treatment to nine job applicants with ties to powerful figures, including the daughter of Rep. Kim Sung-tae, a former floor leader of the main opposition Liberty Korea Korea.Prosecutors charged Lee with obstruction of business in connection with the alleged hiring irregularities.Lee, who also served as the information and

Apr 30, 2019
Former KT chief arrested over involvement in hiring scandal

Transport ministry officials disciplined for improper favors from airlines

By Kang Seung-wooThirty officials from the transport ministry have been disciplined for receiving inappropriate favors from airlines, including free use of lounges and free seat upgrades, the ministry said, Tuesday.According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, it conducted an audit of its officials in the second half of last year to see if they were involved in any type of corrupt activities, including violation of the anti-graft law, or so-called Kim Young-ran Act.The inspection found 31 officials receiving special treatment, 30 of which have been forwarded to the disciplinary committee to receive reprimands, warnings or salary cuts. The remaining official has already retired and is therefore not subject to punishment, the ministry said.A closer look reveals 22 officials from regional aviation offices used airport lounges free of charge or had their seats upgraded during their overseas business trips between 2015 and 2018. Three out of the 15 who had free use of the lounge used the special treatment habitually, so one of them is facing disciplinary action by the M

Apr 30, 2019By Kang Seung-woo
Transport ministry officials disciplined for improper favors from airlines

Over 1 million sign petition demanding LKP disbandment

  Main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) floor leader Rep. Na Kyung-won, front row fourth from left, and other party members protest against fast-tracking political reform bills from the floor in front of the door to the special committee on political reform meeting early Tuesday. The special committee on judiciary reform put the judiciary reform bills on the fast track late Monday night. YonhapBy Jung Da-minMore than one million people have signed an online petition on the Cheong Wa Dae website calling for the disbandment of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP). The petition, which began on April 22, accused the LKP of blocking the procedures of fast tracking reform bills regarding electoral reform and establishing a new investigative body against corruption. Four parties, including the main ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), the Bareunmirae Party (BMP), the Party for Democracy and Peace (PDP) and the Justice Party (JP), have supported the bills.The bills were put on the fast track to a National Assembly vote after being approved through two special parlia

Apr 30, 2019
Over 1 million sign petition demanding LKP disbandment
  • Tussle over fast-tracking reform bills
  • Four parties put reform bills on fast track
  • 52% of voters support fast-tracking of reform bills: poll

PM begins 11-day trip to Kuwait, Ecuador, Colombia

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon waves at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday, before leaving for Kuwait, as part of his 11-day-long trip to Middle Eastern and Latin American countries. YonhapBy Lee Min-hyungPrime Minister Lee Nak-yon kicked off on Tuesday his 11-day overseas trip to Kuwait, Ecuador and Colombia, Tuesday, which is centered on strengthening economic ties with the countries.Dozens of leaders from Korea's private and public enterprises and state-run associations will accompany Lee to seek business opportunities. Major participating companies include Hyundai Engineering & Construction (E&C), GS Engineering & Construction and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).As the first stop of the trip, Lee will visit Kuwait for four days until Friday. He will take part in an opening ceremony for the Sheik Jaber Causeway, a 48.6-kilometer-long bridge across Kuwait Bay. Hyundai E&C and GS E&C had joined the project.Lee will then meet with officials from the country to seek opportunities for more Korean construction companies there. His tr

Apr 30, 2019By Lee Min-hyung
PM begins 11-day trip to Kuwait, Ecuador, Colombia

Four parties put reform bills on fast track

Lawmakers and members of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) and the Bareunmirae Party try to get into a room where the special committee on judicial reform is holding a meeting to put reform bills on the fast track at the National Assembly, Monday. YonhapMore than 1 million sign petition calling for LKP disbandmentBy Park Ji-wonFour parties led by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) managed to get a series of reform bills fast-tracked for early National Assembly voting, Tuesday, despite strong opposition from the Liberty Korea Party (LKP).Two special parliamentary committees ― chaired by liberals ― held extraordinary meetings to approve the fast-tracking of the bills that will increase the number of proportional representation seats in the Assembly, establish a special investigative body to look into corruption allegations against high-ranking officials and their families, and expand the independent investigative rights of the police.The LKP, which has claimed the bills are aimed at extending “liberal rule,” vowed to boycott parliamentary sessions and ho

Apr 30, 2019By Park Ji-won
Four parties put reform bills on fast track
  • Over 1 million sign petition demanding LKP disbandment
  • PHOTOS Opposition takes it to Cheong Wa Dae
  • 52% of voters support fast-tracking of reform bills: poll

Parliamentary panels fast-track key reform bills

Rep. Sim Sang-jeung, head of the special parliamentary panel on political reform, knocks the gavel at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday, after parties agreed to fast-track an electoral reform bill. YonhapTwo parliamentary panels fast-tracked key reform bills, including a proposal to overhaul the election system on Tuesday, despite strong objections from the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP).The ruling Democratic Party (DP) and three minor parties agreed last week to a package deal to fast-track four reform bills without the participation of the conservative LKP.The deal centers on the adoption of a new proportional representation system; the establishment of a unit to investigate alleged corruption by high-ranking government and pubic officials; and enhancing the police's authority to conduct probes.The agreement was reached as the DP and two other parties accepted the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party (BP)'s offer to fast-track two bills on the investigative unit, including a separate bill proposed by the BP.The special parliamentary committees on judiciary and politi

Apr 30, 2019
Parliamentary panels fast-track key reform bills

Rights watchdog call for public servants' political rights

Members of the Korea Teachers and Education Workers Union hold a candlelit protest at Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul to commemorate victims of the Sewol ferry tragedy in this May 2014 photo. / Korea Times fileBy Kim RahnThe National Human Rights Commission of Korea has recommended a revision to the law on public servants, concluding it is a violation of human rights to ban public servants and teachers from political expression, joining political parties and participating in election campaigns.The recommendation follows a petition filed in April last year by the Korea Teachers and Education Workers Union, which called for a halt to the legal proceedings against teachers who took part in a 2014 joint statement criticizing the government over the sinking of the Sewol ferry. The group also claimed the law should be changed to guarantee teachers' basic political rights.“Considering the Constitution, international conventions and precedents, there is no doubt that public servants and teachers hold basic political rights as citizens,” the commission said in a press release, Mo

Apr 29, 2019By Kim Rahn
Rights watchdog call for public servants' political rights
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