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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.

Speaker in no rush to hold parliamentary talks with NK

National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang speaks during a press conference held to mark the New Year at the National Assembly, Thursday. / YonhapBy Park Ji-wonNational Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang said the Assembly is not in a rush to hold a parliamentary meeting with North Korea in order not to hamper inter-Korean relations.“I'm clearly saying I will be in no rush to hold the summit,” Moon told reporters during a press conference to mark the New Year at the National Assembly, Thursday.“It is because there is a possibility that the parliamentary talk between the two Koreas can interfere in improving inter-Korean relations.”His remarks came after he pledged to hold the inter-Korean meeting to boost exchanges between the two countries. The two Koreas have been discussing holding the summit for decades, but the move never materialized. However, following a reconciliatory mood on the Korean Peninsula, expectations were high over holding the event.When asked about the possibility of holding the summit early this year, Moon said “(South Korean officials) said

Jan 3, 2019By Park Ji-won
Speaker in no rush to hold parliamentary talks with NK

'NK envoy in Italy disappeared in November'

The North Korean embassy in Rome. / Captured from Google MapsBy Kim Bo-eunNorth Korea's acting ambassador to Italy disappeared in early November, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed, Thursday.The NIS reported to the National Assembly's intelligence committee about a media report that North Korean diplomat Jo Song-gil, who was based in Rome, made a request to the Italian government for protection to defect to “a Western country.”“The couple left their official residence and went into hiding early last November,” Rep. Kim Min-ki of the committee told reporters after the meeting with NIS officials.According to the NIS, Jo's term was supposed to end at the end of November 2018, but he left his official residence early November.It said Jo began his diplomatic mission at the North Korean embassy in Rome in May 2015. The agency also confirmed that four people including Jo worked at the embassy.However, the NIS said it could not confirm whether the Italian government is protecting Jo and his wife, or whether Jo's children were with the couple. It added i

Jan 3, 2019By Kim Bo-eun
'NK envoy in Italy disappeared in November'
  • North Korea replaced its top diplomat in Rome in late November

NK leader's nuclear energy remark triggers questions

Satellite imagery of North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear testing site on Feb. 11, 2018. / 38 North websiteBy Kim Bo-eunQuestions are being raised about North Korea's development of nuclear power for energy purposes, after its leader made a reference during his New Year address.Kim Jong-un mentioned nuclear energy, along with others including tidal, wind and hydroelectric power, as a means to boost the country's electricity supply.Regarding the remark, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said “there is a need to focus on what this would mean in denuclearization talks.” The remarks came during an interview with local broadcaster KBS.Cho referred to a joint statement issued in September 2005 by six nations that were members of North Korea's denuclearization talks.“There is a part that guarantees North Korea's peaceful use of nuclear energy according to progress on the nuclear issue,” he said. “It is (the South Korean government's) stance that we should discuss the issue of the North's nuclear power generation or peaceful use of nukes after progress is made on d

Jan 2, 2019By Kim Bo-eun
NK leader's nuclear energy remark triggers questions

No change in NK stance of holding onto nukes: Thae Yong-ho

Former North Korean diplomat Thae Yong-ho speaks during a debate session on prospects of affairs on the Korean Peninsula at the National Assembly, Wednesday. YonhapBy Kim Bo-eunThe North Korean leader's stance remains the same in that the regime will keep its nuclear program, former North Korean diplomat Thae Yong-ho said about Kim Jong-un's New Year address.“Reading the context of this year's address, we can tell there has not been the slightest change in Kim's stance of keeping hold of nuclear weapons,” he said at a debate session on prospects of affairs on the Korean Peninsula, hosted by the main opposition Liberty Korea Party's (LKP) Oh Se-hoon, Wednesday.Kim stated in his address a day earlier that it is the stance of the regime to work toward complete denuclearization.Based on the North Korean leader elaborating on the state's ambitions to build its economy, hopes were raised that Pyongyang would make the decision to discard its nuclear program to get sanctions lifted this year.However, Thae said “As a North Korean diplomat, I do not think there is a possibili

Jan 2, 2019By Kim Bo-eun
No change in NK stance of holding onto nukes: Thae Yong-ho
  • US-North Korea talks may gain fresh momentum

Ruling party to launch body to mark March 1 movement with NK

Rep. Lee Hae-chan, center, the head of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly, Wednesday. / YonhapBy Park Ji-wonThe ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) will set up a special committee to come up with measures to hold a joint event with the North in March and prepare for 2020 general election and the 2022 presidential election.The DPK will launch the committee tentatively called the “New Centennial Committee for the Korean Peninsula” to push for holding a joint event with the North to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement and the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai in 1919 during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule as well as coming up with measures to win the upcoming elections to stay in power, party insiders said Wednesday.“The DPK leadership group shared ideas to establish the direction of 2019 and came up with the idea to form the committee. It will focus on holding a joint ceremonial event with the North and discussing peace and pr

Jan 2, 2019By Park Ji-won
Ruling party to launch body to mark March 1 movement with NK

Moon seeks to boost economic vitality

President Moon Jae-in delivers his New Year speech in a special meeting with top business leaders at the Seoul headquarters of the Korea Federation of Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. YonhapBy Kim Yoo-chulPresident Moon Jae-in said Wednesday he will take measures to boost the economy but keep his signature “income-led” growth policy alive despite ongoing controversies regarding its effectiveness.“Past business growth models which have been effective in terms of chasing developed economies have reached a limit,” Moon said in a New Year's meeting with top business leaders at the Seoul headquarters of the Korea Federation of Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). “How we live together is the issue that needs to be addressed properly.” Stressing the need to implement new industrial policies that haven't been seen before, Moon said his economic team will prioritize efforts to attain a balance between exports and local demand to transition from being an export-reliant economy.“Upcoming new industrial pol

Jan 2, 2019By Kim Yoo-chul
Moon seeks to boost economic vitality

US-North Korea talks may gain fresh momentum

Trump welcomes Kim Jong-un's offer for summit By Lee Min-hyungU.S. President Donald TrumpU.S. President Donald Trump has welcomed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's willingness to hold the second Washington-Pyongyang summit, renewing hopes for a possible breakthrough in their stalled denuclearization dialogue.This was in response to Kim's New Year address on Tuesday when he said he is “ready to meet with Trump again anytime.” This has raised expectations for the two to meet in the near future and sign a big deal to break the ongoing deadlock in the denuclearization talks.“I also look forward to meeting with Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential,” Trump tweeted Tuesday (local time).In recent months, Pyongyang and Washington have expressed their firm determination to have their second leadership meeting at the earliest possible date. Calls have grown for an urgent need to hold the summit, as the two countries have failed to make outstanding progress in negotiations over the specific timeline and methods of the North's d

Jan 2, 2019By Lee Min-hyung
US-North Korea talks may gain fresh momentum
  • No change in NK stance of holding onto nukes: Thae Yong-ho
  • Trump says he's ready to meet again with North Korean leader

Traffic laws to tighten in New Year

School buses are parked on a side road in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on July 31, last year. The image is not relevent to the story. / Korea Times photo by Park Joo-heeBy Kim Jae-heunStarting 2019, the nation's drivers will face stricter regulations, highlighted by the police's plan to get tougher on drunk-driving.Elderly drivers or those 75 years old or older will have to renew their driver's licenses every three ― not five ― years, effective Jan. 1, 2019. In the wake of public outcry, including President Moon Jae-in's own comments, for drunk driving that had been handled leniently despite its fatalities, police decided to lower the legal blood alcohol content limit to 0.03 percent from 0.05 percent. It is scheduled to take effect from June 25, 2019.The punishment for driving while inebriated becomes harsher, as well. The new law lists that drunk drivers can be imprisoned for from two years to five years and fined from 10 million won ($8,950) to 20 million won if they are caught more than twice. The current law imposes a maximum 10 million won or puts drivers in jail for less than three ye

Jan 2, 2019By Kim Jae-heun
Traffic laws to tighten in New Year

Wealth inequality passed down to future generations

By Kim Jae-heunChildhood poverty leads to lower chances of receiving a good education and finding a good job, resulting eventually in another round of poverty in adulthood. Contrary to this, children from affluent families have better chances of gaining a quality education with private tutoring, followed by decent jobs with high salaries and wealth in adulthood.A 34-year-old man surnamed Park lived in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, for six years until he returned recently to his hometown in the countryside of Mokpo, South Jeolla Province.It was his dream to open a Japanese-style bar in a metropolis and he strived to achieve it by working day and night at several restaurants as a part-timer. However, the reality was far more challenging than he had expected.“Making a living as a part-timer in cities like Anyang is almost impossible, especially if you are not a highly educated person. There are barely regular jobs for high school graduates like me except serving at bars or doing night shifts at convenience stores,” Park said during an interview with The Korea Times last week.Pa

Jan 2, 2019By Kim Jae-heun
Wealth inequality passed down to future generations

Moon insists difficulties 'necessary' for much-needed change

The Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, and first lady Kim Jung-sook, attend a meeting with Korea's top business leaders at the Korea Federation of SMEs headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. YonhapPresident Moon Jae-in offered an apparent apology on Wednesday over economic difficulties believed to have been caused by his reform drive but said such difficulties had been expected as part of the change necessary to ensure the future of the country and its economy."We are well aware of the fact that development can be sustained and happiness in our daily lives can be ensured when each and every one of our entire population enjoys the benefits of economic growth," the president said in a special meeting with top business leaders to mark the start of the new year."But that requires changing the foundation and framework of our economic policy. It cannot but take time and stir up debates," the president said during the meeting at the Seoul headquarters of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The meeting was attended by some 300 government officials and top

Jan 2, 2019
Moon insists difficulties 'necessary' for much-needed change
  • President Moon visits National Cemetery to start New Year
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