South Korea - The Korea Times

Moon, Kim may dine together at highest restaurant in Seoul: source

Unnamed tourists on Mount Nam take pictures for scenic views of downtown Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapBy Kim Yoo-chulPresident Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, along with their wives, may dine together at a restaurant on top of Mount Nam in Seoul during Kim's possible visit to South Korea, a source from Cheong Wa Dae said, Tuesday.The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a restaurant inside N Seoul Tower, an iconic landmark, is being considered for the venue of what would be a historic dinner where visitors could see Kim in person.“This is one of various ideas to treat Kim if he visits Seoul this year,” the source told The Korea Times. “The tower on top of Mount Nam is a symbolic place with scenic views of downtown Seoul and the Han River. That will be a great place for Kim.”N Seoul Tower, located on top of Mount Nam, is one of the most iconic and popular attractions in Seoul. It has four observation decks including two restaurants.“It's possible an upper-level restaurant will be chosen as the venue for the dinner, as the restauran

Jan 22, 2019By Kim Yoo-chul

Moon, Kim may dine together at highest restaurant in Seoul: source

Japan's audio file possibly tampered: defense ministry

The captured image shows Japan's P-1 patrol plane, circled, and the South Korean warship Gwanggaeto the Great, below. / Captured from YoutubeBy Kim Bo-eunAudio files disclosed by Japan with regard to a spat over radar use appear to have been tampered with, a defense ministry official said Tuesday, a day after they were released. Japan's defense ministry uploaded two files on its website Monday, claiming these provided evidence that a South Korean warship targeted a Japanese patrol aircraft with a fire control radar, Dec. 20.The official said if files are of raw data, they would contain other sounds.“This is not the case with the files disclosed by Japan, which only contain the information it is seen to have been left with after being tampering with,” the official told reporters.Japan also did not present any other data, including the time of the recording.Japanese officials had offered to present the files during a meeting with their South Korean counterparts in Singapore last week. But South Korean officials said they declined to hear the files, as there was no point if

Jan 22, 2019By Kim Bo-eun

Japan's audio file possibly tampered: defense ministry

DPK preparing for joint March 1 events with North Korea

Rep. Lee Hae-chan, center, the chairman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Rep. Lee Jong-kul, right, the chief of the DPK's new special committee to mark the 100th anniversary of the March 1 Movement and the establishment of Korea's provisional government, and Rep. Chung Dong-young, the leader of the minor Party for Democracy and Peace, shout “Mansae,” a symbolic word that people shouted during the independence movement, at the committee's launch event in the National Assembly, Tuesday. / YonhapBy Park Ji-wonThe ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) launched a special committee, Tuesday, to push for joint ceremonies with North Korea to celebrate the centennial of the March 1 Independence Movement and the establishment of Korea's provisional government in 1919, under the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule.The committee will also push for inter-Korean projects such as studies on civilians resisting Japan, parliamentary exchanges and designing new Korean fonts with North Korea.“We need to prepare for overcoming division,” DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Hae-chan s

Jan 22, 2019By Park Ji-won

DPK preparing for joint March 1 events with North Korea

LKP leadership visits Mokpo

Rep. Na Kyung-won, center, looks around buildings with LKP lawmakers including Rep. Han Sun-kyo in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, Tuesday, as part of an inspection visit to the city to verify the allegation of former Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker Sohn Hye-won who is suspected of benefiting from land speculation there. / YonhapBy Park Ji-wonA group of decision-makers of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) made a surprise visit to Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, Tuesday, in a symbolic move to call for a thorough investigation into property investments connected to former Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker Sohn Hye-won there.Referring to heritage status granted for an old town where Sohn's relatives and aides bought buildings, LKP floor leader Rep. Na Kyung-won said, “Those plans should be carried out for citizens, but it is shameful to see it did not happen so.”“We are here to urge people that those plans should not benefit a specific person or family.”The move came after Sohn quit the ruling party amid growing criticism from the oppositi

Jan 22, 2019By Park Ji-won

Two Koreas, US hold 'constructive' denuke talks in Sweden

A black sedan, presumed to carry a North Korean working-level delegation, leaves after ending a dialogue with its U.S. and South Korean counterparts on the outskirt of Stockholm, Monday (local time in Sweden). / YonhapBy Lee Min-hyungThe two Koreas and the United States ended their working-level dialogue on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Monday (local time in Sweden), amid signs of an optimistic outcome ahead of an upcoming Washington-Pyongyang summit. The secret talks started Saturday near the Swedish capital of Stockholm to fine-tune the agenda and schedule for the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. South Korea also took part as a mediator to push for progress in the stalled nuclear disarmament talks between the two sides.“Constructive talks have been held, covering issues concerning developments on the Korean Peninsula, including confidence building, economic development and long-term engagement,” a spokesman for Sweden's foreign ministry said.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment in detail on the re

Jan 22, 2019By Lee Min-hyung

Two Koreas, US hold 'constructive' denuke talks in Sweden

Ex-special inspector reasserts embezzlement and illegal surveillance by Cheong Wa Dae

Kim Tae-woo, a former inspector at Cheong Wa Dae, loosens his tie before a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Monday where he spoke about allegations involving irregularities at the presidential office. / Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoonBy Kim Jae-heunCheong Wa Dae conducted illegal surveillance of citizens and its officials embezzled money, claimed Kim Tae-woo, a former special inspector from the prosecution deployed at the presidential office. Kim, the central figure in the corruption allegations surrounding Cheong Wa Dae's civil affairs office, held a press conference at the Korea Press Center, Monday, to dispute charges leveled against him, while repeating his claims about the presidential office.Kim, who returned to the prosecution, was recently dismissed from the organization for interfering in an investigation into an acquaintance and leaking classified information he obtained while working at Cheong Wa Dae.“I am standing here today to prove myself innocent and make my position clear. I've never made any inquiries into the investigations of my acquaint

Jan 21, 2019By Kim Jae-heun

Ex-special inspector reasserts embezzlement and illegal surveillance by Cheong Wa Dae

S. Korea playing mediating role in Sweden

By Lee Min-hyungU.S. President Donald TrumpNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-unSouth Korea is again playing a mediating role to bridge the gap between the United States and North Korea, encouraging them to hold a second summit and overcome the ongoing deadlock in denuclearization talks. Seoul needs to stay involved in the Washington-Pyongyang denuclearization dialogue to promote its interests in a string of inter-Korean issues. These include the possible resumption of tourism to the North's Mount Geumgang, which cannot be realized unless international bodies and the U.S., take steps to ease sanctions on the regime.Following a Washington visit by North Korean envoy Kim Yong-chol last week, the U.S. and the North are going ahead with preparations for their much-anticipated second summit slated for late next month.Starting Saturday (local time in Sweden), the U.S. and the North have begun four days of working-level talks to finalize the agenda to be discussed during the second meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.South Korea also dispatched a delega

Jan 21, 2019By Lee Min-hyung

S. Korea playing mediating role in Sweden

LKP leadership race heats up

Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, considered a leading candidate for the leadership post of the country's main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP), speaks during a meeting with party members in Daegu, one of the party's heartland cities, Monday. YonhapBy Kim Yoo-chulCompetition for leadership of the country's main opposition Liberty Party of Korea (LKP) is heating up as major candidates running for the top position are vying for backing from local party members.On Monday, former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, considered the strongest contender for the LKP leadership, attended events held in Busan and Daegu, both LKP strongholds.Former Seoul City Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Hwang's biggest contender, visited nuclear reactor facilities in the southeastern port city of Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, and attended an event to discuss pending economic issues with party members in Busan, the party said.Hwang plans to visit the party's regional offices in South Chungcheong Province, Gyeonggi Province and the Jeolla provinces to garner widespread support in the ongoing race, while Oh is schedu

Jan 21, 2019By Kim Yoo-chul

Reps. Sohn, Park exchange barbs over property investments

By Kim Bo-eunPark Jie-wonSohn Hye-wonThe controversy over a former ruling party lawmaker's alleged property speculation is growing, as it has pitted former supporters against the suspected lawmaker, producing calls for a National Assembly hearing and possibly a special investigation. Rep. Park Jie-won of the minor progressive Party for Democracy and Peace referred to Rep. Sohn Hye-won, Monday, who left the Democratic Party of Korea, Sunday, as an “icon of property speculation,” on a radio show. Park, whose electoral district includes Mokpo, had initially backed Sohn.This came in response to Sohn's remark a day earlier. She stated Park was an “icon of betrayal,” in a press conference in which she announced her departure from the DPK over the allegations. Park said the reason he withdrew his earlier support for Sohn was because of new revelations. He also said Sohn should be investigated by the prosecution.“Sohn told me she bought two buildings; and even when there were reports she purchased nine buildings, I did not think it was property speculation, beca

Jan 21, 2019By Kim Bo-eun

Reps. Sohn, Park exchange barbs over property investments

South Korea is 'not bystander' in nuke talks: Moon

President Moon Jae-in speaks at the start of a weekly meeting with senior presidential secretaries at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. YonhapBy Kim Yoo-chulPresident Moon Jae-in said Monday that South Korea isn't a bystander in the ongoing talks aimed at dismantling North Korea's nuclear program. “We have to make [denuclearization] happen as we are desperate. This is the issue that can determine the destiny of the country and public,” Moon said during a meeting with senior secretaries at Cheong Wa Dae, according to press pool reports.Moon said the results of last week's meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Yong-chol, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's special envoy, were satisfactory.“I've been receiving positive feedback from the United States that last week's meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's chief nuclear negotiator Kim Yong-chol was satisfactory for both sides,” Moon said. “Specifically, President Trump evaluated he saw lots of progress in nuclear disarmament talks and other issues. Working-level discussions are underw