The Korea Herald

Lee calls for defense reform amid lingering tensions with N. Korea

Oct 1, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak called Saturday for defense reform to build a stronger military amid lingering tensions with North Korea over its two deadly attacks on the South last year.The North's attacks made it clear that "defense reform is an urgent task that cannot be delayed any longer," Lee said in
Parks clash ahead of Monday showdown

Sept 30, 2011

Rep. Park Young-sun of the main opposition Democratic Party and civil activist Park Won-soon, who are to compete Monday for the liberal bloc’s unified candidacy for Seoul mayor, took part in heated debates on Friday.Both Parks attended the official televised open forum, following Professor Sohn Seok
Parks clash ahead of Monday showdown

Sept 30, 2011

Rep. Park focuses on policy talks, civic activist Park on public pollingRep. Park Young-sun of the main opposition Democratic Party and civil activist Park Won-soon, who are to compete Monday for the liberal bloc’s unified candidacy for Seoul mayor, took part in heated debates on Friday.Both Parks a
Ruling party chief visits joint industrial complex in N. Korea

Sept 30, 2011

South Korea's ruling party chief crossed the border into North Korea to tour a joint inter-Korean industrial complex on Friday, a move seen as an attempt by Seoul to improve strained ties with Pyongyang.Tensions still linger between the two divided Koreas over the North's two deadly attacks on the S
GNP chases civic groups’ support

Sept 29, 2011

Ji Sang-wuk of Liberty Forward Party announces bid for mayoral by-electionIndependent candidate Lee Seog-yeon has officially withdrawn his candidacy in the upcoming Seoul mayoral by-election, but efforts to solidify support around a single conservative candidate continued.“I wish to withdraw my prev
GNP seeks civic groups’ support

Sept 29, 2011

Ji Sang-wuk of Liberty Forward Party announces run for mayorIndependent candidate Lee Seog-yeon has officially abandoned his candidacy in the upcoming Seoul mayoral by-election, but efforts to solidify support around a single conservative candidate continued.“I wish to withdraw my previous pledge to
Civic groups fume at national cemetery burial of coup leaders

Sept 29, 2011

At least five people who took part in a 1979 military coup were found to have been buried at the national cemetery, rekindling a rumpus over who deserves to be laid to rest there.Civic groups in August had opposed the burial of Ahn Hyun-tae, a member of Hanahoe, a group of military officers led by e
Lee bows out of race

Sept 28, 2011

Lawyer Lee Seog-yeon effectively gave up his candidacy in the upcoming Seoul mayoral by-election, Wednesday.“I am inclined to give up my candidacy, though nothing has yet been decided,” Lee told local media. “I will communicate with my supporters on this matter and announce my final stance tomorrow.
Journalist from SBS named Lee’s PR chief

Sept 28, 2011

Choe Guem-nakPresident Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday named SBS TV executive Choe Guem-nak as his top aide for public relations, hours after his predecessor went behind bars on charges of bribery. Hailing from Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province, Choe worked as a reporter at MBC before moving to SBS TV where he
Lee Kuk-chul sued for libel by president’s associates

Sept 28, 2011

Three former and incumbent Cheong Wa Dae officials sued a businessman for libel after he told reporters that he gave them gift certificates through an ex-vice culture minister.Kwak Seung-joon, chief of a presidential advisory council; Park Young-joon, former vice minister of knowledge economy; and L
Ex-presidential aide detained, FSS official faces summons

Sept 28, 2011

Former presidential aide Kim Du-woo was detained early Wednesday on graft charges as part of a prosecutorial inquiry into suspended mutual savings banks. Kim allegedly accepted gift certificates and golf clubs worth 100 million won ($100,000) from an indicted lobbyist named Park Tae-gyu in exchange
Right-wing lawyer drops Seoul mayoral bid

Sept 28, 2011

A right-wing lawyer said Wednesday that he has decided to pull out of the Seoul mayor race due to his lackluster approval rating and conflicts over his campaign vision among supporters.Lee Seog-yeon had been considered as a potential contender against an independent front-runner in the liberal bloc,
Lee appoints SBS official as public relations aide

Sept 27, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak has appointed Choi Geum-rak, head of broadcast support at SBS, top aide for public relations, Yonhap News reported on Tuesday.Born in Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province, Choi graduated from Seoul National University as a trade major, joined broadcaster MBC and worked in editing
GNP chairman Hong to visit Gaeseong

Sept 27, 2011

Chairman of the Grand National Party Hong Joon-pyo will make a one-day visit to the Gaeseong Industrial Complex in North Korea this Friday.Though the Unification Ministry here has not yet announced its stance, Hong’s visit has already been approved by the North Korean government, according to party
Lee orders unsparing probe into aides

Sept 27, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak on Tuesday broke his silence on his aides’ alleged misdeeds by ordering the Justice Ministry to investigate the possible bribery cases thoroughly and quickly.Lee instructed relevant government agencies to devise ways to prevent and deal with such irregularities, prompting the