The Korea Herald

Han not to run for Seoul mayor

Sept 13, 2011

Park closer to becoming opposition flag bearer; ruling party still searching for candidateHan Myeong-sook, a former prime minister, said Tuesday that she would not run for Seoul mayor. “I have decided not to run in the Oct. 26 by-election for Seoul mayor,” Han, who was considered one of the stronges
Lee sends message to Obama to commemorate 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks

Sept 10, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak sent a message of comfort to U.S. President Barack Obama on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on Saturday, pledging to work together with the traditional ally to make sure such a tragedy won't happen again."On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terror
Ruling camp plans to expand welfare of low-wage workers

Sept 9, 2011

The government and the ruling party laid out a series of policies to provide unemployment insurance and national pension fees for low-income workers Friday in a bid to appease the working class ahead of Chuseok.The GNP’s plan to raise the salary of irregular workers up to 80 percent of that of regul
Gov't to expand welfare benefits for low-wage workers

Sept 9, 2011

The government and the ruling party agreed Friday to expand welfare benefits for low-wage workers in small workplaces and set guidelines banning discrimination against temporary workers as part of efforts to increase job stability, party officials said.The agreement came at a meeting among the Grand
Lee says gas project may proceed 'faster than expected'

Sept 9, 2011

　President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday said the purported project to pipe Russian gas through North Korea into South Korea could take shape "faster than expected" as it would benefit all three countries.　"A time will come for the three parties -- South and North Korea as well as Russia -- to discuss (
Parties eye current and former P.M.s for mayoral race

Sept 8, 2011

Parties, still shaken by the aftermath of Ahn Cheol-soo dropping his bid to run for Seoul mayor, are racking their brains seeking a competitive candidate for next month’s Seoul mayoral by-election.The ruling Grand National Party and the main opposition Democratic Party turned their eyes to incumbent
Park begins moves for presidential bid

Sept 8, 2011

Park Geun-hye, former chairwoman of the Grand National Party, is decking out for her second presidential bid after she was beaten in opinion polls by a professor who merely hinted at running for Seoul mayor.People close to Park said the four-term lawmaker was scheduled to open an office outside the
Opposition leader calls for change in labor policy

Sept 8, 2011

An opposition leader Thursday called on the government to focus its economic policies on improving working conditions and creating more jobs as part of efforts to move toward a welfare state. “To become a fair welfare state, (the government) should change the policy focus to make a people-centered e
Gov't, ruling party agree to spend 1.5 tln won for tuition support

Sept 8, 2011

The government and the ruling party agreed Thursday to set aside 1.5 trillion won (US$1.3 billion) in next year's budget to help curb soaring college tuitions, party officials said.The agreement came at a meeting among the Grand National Party(GNP) and the finance and education ministries. The money
Ruling, opposition parties in confusion over Seoul mayoral race

Sept 7, 2011

The Grand National Party was divided over who should be their mayoral candidate as opposition parties took a step closer to fielding a unified contender after respected entrepreneur Ahn Cheol-soo declared support for an opposition canidate.In a Gallup poll of some 1,000 Seoul citizens earlier this w
Park Won-soon, lawyer turned leading activist

Sept 7, 2011

The public’s attention has turned to lawyer-turned-civil activist Park Won-soon, as professor. Ahn Cheol-soo declined to run in the upcoming Seoul mayoral by-election, throwing his support behind Park.“Park has long dedicated himself to promoting civil rights in Korea and is sufficiently qualified t
Colombian president to make state visit next week

Sept 7, 2011

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos will visit South Korea next week for summit talks with President Lee Myung-bak on economic cooperation and other issues, the presidential office announced Wednesday.Santos will arrive on Sept. 14 for a three-day state visit that will also include a visit to the
Ahn’s popularity threatens Park’s lead

Sept 7, 2011

Ex-GNP leader loses No. 1 spot in poll on potential presidential candidatesAhn Cheol-soo topped a poll of potential presidential candidates just hours after announcing he would not run for Seoul mayor on Tuesday, causing new unease within the Grand National Party.In a snap poll by local news agency
Survey puts Ahn Cheol-soo ahead of Park Geun-hye as presidential candidate

Sept 7, 2011

Star IT expert and professor Ahn Cheol-soo, who has jolted South Korean politics with his explosive popularity as a potential Seoul mayor, even has more support as a presidential candidate than leading contender Park Geun-hye, a survey showed Wednesday.Ahn, the 49-year-old founder of South Korea's b
Lee agrees to cooperate with Japan's new PM on bilateral relations, N. Korea

Sept 6, 2011

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Japan's new Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda spoke by phone Tuesday and agreed to work closely together in improving relations between the two countries and dealing with North Korea, an official said. During a 15-minute conversation, Lee said t