The Korea Herald

Ahn may run for Seoul mayor

Sept 2, 2011

Ahn Cheol-soo, a venture entrepreneur-turned-professor revered by many young Koreans, said Friday that he was considering running for Seoul mayor as an independent candidate in next month’s by-elections. Ahn Cheol-soo“I have not yet made up my mind,” Ahn told reporters in Seoul, denying a news
GNP chief hints at good news on inter-Korean ties

Sept 2, 2011

The two Koreas may announce a new agreement as they inch toward better ties after months-long tensions, the leader of Seoul’s ruling party said Friday.The agreement “may be disclosed as early as” the Sep. 11-13 Chuseok holiday, Grand National Party chairman Hong Joon-pyo told reporters without elabo
Ahn mulling run for Seoul mayor

Sept 2, 2011

Ahn Cheol-soo, a venture entrepreneur-turned professor revered by many young Koreans, said Friday that he was considering running for Seoul mayor as an independent candidate in next month’s by-elections. (Yonhap News)“I have not yet made up my mind,” Ahn told reporters in Seoul, denying a news repor
Gov't to expand benefits for high school graduates

Sept 2, 2011

The government said Friday it will expand benefits for those who have only graduated from high school as they serve in the military or seek employment in an effort to break discrimination against those without college diplomas and to promote the perception that merits matter more than academic backg
Rival parties agree to handle FTA with U.S. in same pace with U.S. Congress

Sept 1, 2011

Rival parties agreed Thursday to begin the ratification process for the long-pending free trade agreement with the United States in the same pace with the U.S. Congress, officials said.The last-minute compromise averted a feared clash between the rival parties. Opposition lawmakers had hinted at the
Parliament under fire over vote on Kang

Sept 1, 2011

GNP’s ‘sexist’ lawmaker survives closed-door expulsion voteNational Assembly lawmakers have come under fire for holding a rare closed-door vote and saving a lawmaker who made controversial remarks about women from expulsion.Independent Rep. Kang Yong-seok, who was kicked out of the Grand National Pa
Law on board to support philanthropic donors

Sept 1, 2011

The ruling Grand National Party plans to honor philanthropists and give credits for their contribution to society by supporting them in later life. According to a bill submitted by Rep. Kim Young-sun, the government will list those who have donated more than 3 billion won ($2.7 million) to charity a
Lee seeks chaebol support on shared growth

Aug 31, 2011

In meeting with business leaders, president stresses conglomerates’ social responsibilityPresident Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday drummed up support from chiefs of the nation’s largest businesses for his new socioeconomic vision to reduce disparities.In a meeting with the heads of 26 conglomerates, Lee
Disgraced lawmaker dodges expulsion

Aug 31, 2011

A lawmaker who made sexist remarks dodged expulsion on Wednesday as the parliamentary ethics committee’s motion failed to meet the required quorum in the National Assembly on Wednesday.Only 111 out of the 297 lawmakers agreed to the bill, while 198 or two-thirds were required.Rep. Kang Yong-seok thu
Former speaker Kim won’t seek sixth term

Aug 31, 2011

Former parliamentary speaker Kim Hyeong-o of the Grand National Party announced that he will not enter candidacy in next year’s 19th general election.“I hope to contribute to the restoration of public trust on the party by remaining humble and low in the next parliamentary term,” Kim told reporters
Parties clash in session on U.S. FTA ratification

Aug 31, 2011

Parties once again clashed over the ratification of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement bill during the parliamentary foreign affairs committee meeting on Wednesday, the last day of the August provisional session.The meeting was scheduled to end in the early afternoon but was extended due to the unc
Lawmaker accused of sexist remarks survives expulsion vote

Aug 31, 2011

A South Korean lawmaker accused of making sexist remarks retained his seat as a motion to oust him was voted down in the National Assembly on Wednesday, sparking criticism that legislators are too soft on wrongdoings committed by fellow lawmakers. Rep. Kang Yong-seokRep. Kang Yong-seok, 42, came und
Profiles of minister designates

Aug 30, 2011

Yu Woo-ikUnification MinisterYu Woo-ik, 61, former ambassador to China, mapped out several of President Lee Myung-bak’s major policies. He was the first chief of staff under the Lee administration in 2008. Yu is said to have designed the grand canal plan, which later became the controversial four-ri
Yu Woo-ik named unification minister

Aug 30, 2011

By Kim So-hyunPresident Lee Myung-bak on Tuesday named his first chief-of-staff and architect of the controversial “Grand Canal” pledge Yu Woo-ik as the new unification minister, confirming what had been expected ever since Yu left his 16-month service as ambassador to China four months ago.Lee also
Lee names confidant as unification minister designate

Aug 30, 2011

Bureaucrat, historian named successors to ministers with parliamentary seatsPresident Lee Myung-bak on Tuesday named his first chief-of-staff and architect of the controversial “Grand Canal” pledge Yu Woo-ik as the new unification minister, confirming what had been expected ever since Yu left his 16