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Podcast: The anti-adultery law, NK nuke tests, and Bandai targets SK game market

Today on The Korea Times Podcast: The Constitutional Court strikes down Korea’s anti-adultery law and North Korea’s nuclear test might be coming in October. Plus Bandai unveils new games and Lotte has the best chef in the world. Anti-adultery law passes into historyIn a decisive seven-to-two vote, the nine-member Constitutional Court ruled Thursday that Article 241 of the Criminal Code which makes adultery a crime was no longer valid. The ruling took effect immediately. "Punishing people for committing adultery infringes on people's sexual self-determination and the freedom for privacy. So the clause is unconstitutional," the court said in the landmark ruling. NK nuclear test likely in OctoberNorth Korea is likely to conduct its fourth nuclear test in October to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the Workers' Party, according to analysts Thursday. "The ability to place a nuclear weapon on a missile will be a banner event for the North Korean leadership," said An Chan-il, head of the World Institute for North Korea Studies. "The Kim Jong-un regim

Feb 27, 2015

Podcast: The anti-adultery law, NK nuke tests, and Bandai targets SK game market

Podcast: "Self-righteous" Park, The anti-graft bill and SK beats Viber in court

Today on The Korea Times Podcast: Can the President change what people say is a “self-righteous" style while rival parties argue over an anti-graft bill? Plus SK Telecom wins a far reaching patent case and the new PM vows to get tough on incompetent bureaucrats.Can Park change 'self-righteous' governing style?With President Park Geun-hye about to start the third year of her presidency on Wednesday there is still a lingering question: can she finally change her style of governance? In order to repair her reputation, Park recently showed some intent to change, but there is skepticism over her drastic transition.Anti-graft bill at standstillA sweeping anti-corruption bill is at a standstill in the parliament because of opposing views held by the rival parties. There is speculation that deliberation over the bill is unlikely to occur this month despite an earlier move to deal with it in a National Assembly plenary session.SK Telecom wins patent suit against ViberSK Telecom Co., South Korea's No. 1 mobile carrier, won a patent lawsuit against global mobile messenger Viber, a court r

Feb 25, 2015

Podcast: "Self-righteous" Park, The anti-graft bill and SK beats Viber in court

Podcast: City investigates new sinkhole, FTA to be signed, and PM's pledge for inter-Korean ties

Today on The Korea Times Podcast: Seoul officials investigate why two people fell through a sidewalk and South Korea and China look to ink their FTA this week. Plus New Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo promises to improve inter-Korean relations and Kim Jong-un gets an invite to the Asian-African Conference.City to investigate sidewalk collapseSeoul city officials are investigating why a sidewalk near a construction site collapsed, with two people to falling into a three-meter hole close to Yongsan station on Friday. According to the Yongsan Fire Department, the sinkhole appeared next to where Daewoo Constructions is building a 39-storey, two building apartment block. Korea, China expected to initial free trade deal this weekSouth Korea and China look to finalize their free trade agreement this week, officials in Seoul said Sunday, raising chances of the deal, hailed as the biggest and the most promising for South Korea, being enacted within the year. The two countries announced on Nov. 10 that they concluded negotiations for an FTA that began back 2012. Most of what was agreed, especi

Feb 24, 2015

Podcast: City investigates new sinkhole, FTA to be signed, and PM's pledge for inter-Korean ties

NK human rights, late-payers' penalties, and working baby-boomers

Today on The Korea Times Podcast: The United States urges North Korea to take concrete steps to improve its human rights record and late-paying employers face stiffer fines. Plus baby-boomers increasingly seek part-time employment and research into family difficulties.U.S. urges N. Korea to accept U.N. recommendations on human rightsThe United States urged North Korea on Wednesday to take steps to improve its human rights record in accordance with recommendations in a landmark U.N. report on the situation. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the U.N. Commission of Inquiry report reflects the international community's "consensus view that the human rights situation in North Korea is among the world's worst.”Late-paying employers face bigger finesEmployers who delay paying their workers face hefty new penalties. The Ministry of Employment and Labor said Tuesday that employers must now pay twice the worker's wage if it is delayed more than four months. Previously, the penalty was only 50 percent of the owed payment.Baby boom part-timers increaseThose born between 1955

Feb 22, 2015

NK human rights, late-payers' penalties, and working baby-boomers

Podcast: Park Reshuffles Cabinet, Lotte World Safety Issues, Taxes Soar, and Late Night Drag Racing

Today on The Korea Times Podcast: Park gets a new Prime Minister and completes her cabinet reshuffle and more safety problems at the second Lotte World are uncovered. Plus taxes for Korea's middle class are set to soar and some Koreans are putting the pedal to the metal.New PM and Completes Cabinet ReshuffleOn Monday, the National Assembly endorsed Prime Minister nominee Lee Wan-koo, a vote which occurred along party lines. He officially assumed the role on Tuesday, but that wasn't the only change at the uppermost levels of Seoul's government. President Park Geun-hye also replaced three ministers and one ministerial-level official in a cabinet reshuffle.Big glass door falls at Lotte World MallA glass entrance door at the Lotte World Mall in southern Seoul fell and almost hit a passerby Sunday, the mall’s safety management committee announced Monday. The incident was the latest in a series of safety lapses that have recently occurred at the mall located inside the 2nd Lotte World.Taxes on middle class soar in 2014Ordinary taxes paid by middle-income earners increased 6.3 times m

Feb 18, 2015

Podcast: Park Reshuffles Cabinet, Lotte World Safety Issues, Taxes Soar, and Late Night Drag Racing

Looming PM Vote, CO2 kills one man, and Judge Blasted For Online Comments

Today on The Korea Times Podcast: A man dies from CO2 poisoning in a hotel and we could see a public poll over President Park’s controversial PM nominee. Plus a Suwon Judge is blasted for posting messages online and North Korea cancels the Arirang Mass Games.Man dies of inhaling carbon dioxide, six injured at Gyeongju HotelA gas leak in an underground boiler room at a hotel in North Gyeongsang province left one person dead and six injured. Carbon dioxide leaked through the fire extinguishing system at Kolon Hotel in Madong, Gyeongju, Saturday afternoon. Approximately 60 guests staying at the hotel escaped the building, and officials are investigating what caused the fire alarm to go off.Moon proposes poll on PM nomineeRep. Moon Jae-in, chairman of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), proposed Friday a public opinion survey to decide whether prime minister nominee Lee Wan-koo is suitable for the job.Online surveys conducted by The Korea Times on Wednesday and Thursday showed that more than two thirds of readers were opposed to Lee's appointment, while

Feb 16, 2015

Looming PM Vote, CO2 kills one man, and Judge Blasted For Online Comments

Podcast: One-year sentence for 'Nut Rage', gym collapse in Seoul, and Park urged to visit Moscow

Today on The Korea Times Podcast: Cho Hyun-ah, the nut rage heiress is found guilty and President Park’s pick for PM will get a vote. Plus 11 were rescued from a collapsed Seoul gym and lawmakers urge the President to take a trip to Moscow.Ex-Korean Air VP gets 1-year jail term over 'nut rage'A Seoul court sentenced Cho Hyun-ah, former vice president of Korea Airlines Co. to one year in prison Thursday for obstructing aviation safety by ordering a taxiing plane to return to the gate over in-flight service in December - an event that’s become known as “nut rage.”Parties agree on PM nominee voteThe ruling and opposition parties tentatively agreed Thursday to vote on the confirmation of Prime Minister-nominee Lee Wan-koo at a plenary session of the National Assembly, Monday.11 rescued from gym collapseAll eleven workers buried under debris from a collapsed roof were rescued at the construction site of a Seoul gymnasium. The accident occurred at around 5:05 p.m. when part of the roof of the gym collapsed. Two Daejeon-based companies ¬ Art Construction and Sunr

Feb 13, 2015

Podcast: One-year sentence for 'Nut Rage', gym collapse in Seoul, and Park urged to visit Moscow

Podcast: PM nominee, Park on tax hike, and eating disorders

Today on The Korea Times Podcast: President Park's Prime Minister nominee gets grilled during confirmation hearings while she opposes tax hiking measures to fund welfare projects. Plus Korea’s young women struggle with eating disorders and schools are about to start with no new students.PM nominee on defensive Prime Minister nominee Lee Wan-koo defended himself against allegations of moral lapses, Monday, taking an apologetic tone during a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly. Avoiding military service was just one of many allegations put forward against the former floor leader of the ruling Saenuri Party.Park voices opposition to tax hike President Park Geun-hye voiced opposition to raising taxes to fund welfare spending, a move that could set her on a collision course with the main opposition party. Park has been under fire for sticking to her key campaign pledge to deliver better welfare without raising taxes. The policy has drawn criticism, even from her ruling party, that it is impossible to provide welfare without raising taxes.Eating disorders mainly p

Feb 11, 2015

Podcast: PM nominee, Park on tax hike, and eating disorders

Podcast: Park's cabinet reshuffle, NK anti-ship rocket, and bird flu in Seoul

Today on The Korea Times Podcast: President Park is poised to perform her Cabinet reshuffle while North Korea test fires a so-called ultra-precision anti-ship rocket. Plus the President plans to bolster cyber-security  and bird flu makes its way to Seoul.Park poised to reshuffle CabinetIt appears as if President Park Geun-hye will carry out a small-scale Cabinet shakeup possibly next week, after parliament approves her prime minister nominee, a presidential official said Sunday. The planned Cabinet shake-up is expected to include the maritime minister, although the number of ministers to be replaced remains unknown.North Korea successfully test-fires 'ultra-precision anti-ship rocket'According to North Korean state media, the DPRK has developed a new "ultra-precision anti-ship rocket" that will be deployed soon at its naval units following a recent successful test-firing. "The ultra-precision anti-ship rocket blasted off from a rocket boat. The intelligent rocket precisely sought, tracked and hit the 'enemy' ship after taking a safe flight," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)

Feb 9, 2015

Podcast: Park's cabinet reshuffle, NK anti-ship rocket, and bird flu in Seoul

Podcast: NK on dialogue, FTC against foreign firms, and the working elderly

Today on The Korea Times Podcast: North Korea says no to talks with the US and Korea's Fair Trade Commission allegedly shows biased against foreign companies. Plus 40% of Korea's elderly could still be working in 2050 and the opposition party looks to reform the nation's constitution.N. Korea says it won't talk with 'gangster-like' U.S.North Korea's National Defense Commission stressed Pyongyang is not interested in talks with Washington, which it claims is bent on bringing down the communist regime."Now that the gangster-like U.S. imperialists' military strategy towards the DPRK is inching close to the stage of igniting a war of aggression, the just counteraction of the army and people of the DPRK will be focused on inflicting the bitterest disasters upon the United States of America," it said in a English-language statement.It also strongly criticized President Barack Obama for introducing a set of additional sanctions on Pyongyang and stating the isolated nation is doomed to collapse.FTC vindictive against foreign firmsThe Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is accused of being biased and

Feb 8, 2015

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