Being the first in something always draws attention. Such was the case for Yoon Eun-key, who became the first non-bureaucrat to take the helm of the Central Officials Training Institute eight months ago.The former corporate consultant, lecturer, radio host and university president has held a dozen job titles, but had never served in the public sector before.“With my experience in corporate educati

South Korea appreciates the outcome of the U.S.-China summit, an official said Thursday, after the high-stakes meeting called for inter-Korean dialogue as an "essential step" in reducing tensions and expressed "concern" about North Korea's uranium enrichment program.U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao held a summit in Washington on Wednesday (U.S. time) that touched on a wi

   WASHINGTON  -- The United States and China Wednesday called on North Korea to stop provocations and abide by its denuclearization pledge.U.S. President Obama (right) and Chinese President Hu Jintao attend a joint news conference at the White House after summit talks on Wednesday. (AP-Yonhap)   Speaking at a joint press conference at the White House withChinese President Hu Jintao, U.S. Presiden

South Korea has recently begun consultations with the U.S. over whether to revise their long-standing missile agreement and allow Seoul to develop longer-range ballistic missiles in order to better safeguard itself, according to a government source.The move comes as North Korea continues to develop nuclear programs and long-range missiles that pose a threat not only to its southern neighbor, but a

A group of reformist lawmakers in the ruling Grand National Party on Wednesday submitted a revision bill to curb the National Assembly speaker’s authority in calling for a vote on bills at his own discretion. The bill aiming to prevent the dominant party’s unilateral propulsion of parliamentary proceedings is expected to face opposition from the ruling camp, which has been criticized for passing several controversial bills by taking advantage of the system.Rep. Jungwook Hong submitted the bill o

Choi Joong-kyung pledges to stabilize commodity prices, create jobsWhile defending himself against ethical suspicions at a parliamentary hearing Tuesday, President Lee Myung-bak’s economy minister-nominee pledged to focus on stabilizing commodity prices and creating more jobs once parliament approves his appointment. Choi Joong-kyung, who formerly served as senior presidential secretary for econom

ROME _ Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi had sex with a significant number of prostitutes, Milan prosecutors alleged Monday in documents seeking authorization to search some of his properties.The prosecutors are leading a probe aimed at determining if the 74-year-old media mogul paid for sex with a 17-year-old Moroccan girl nicknamed Ruby who attended parties at one of his villas last year. Prosti

A U.S. diplomatic cable provided to WikiLeaks suggested that North Korea likely received payment for weapons sales to Iran via a Seoul-based branch of an Iranian bank blacklisted for aiding Iran’s nuclear weapons programs.According to the cable dated March 24, 2008, which was released on Sunday by the Norwegian daily Aftenposten, “Hong Kong Electronics,” an Iranian-based enterprise, wired a total

Culture minister-nominee grilled over alleged tax evasion, real estatePresident Lee Myung-bak’s culture minister-nominee pledged to end the cultural gap between social classes while being grilled by parliament over ethical issues on Monday. “I will push for policies that help integrate society,” said minister-designate Choung Byoung-gug during his parliamentary confirmation hearing. “I pledge to m

By Shin Hae-inA 4,500-ton South Korean destroyer was proceeding toward a Korean commercial vessel apparently hijacked by the Somali pirates Sunday, as the Seoul government remained firm against holding direct negotiations or paying ransom for the 21 crew members.The 11,500-ton Samho Jewelry freighter, carrying eight South Koreans, is believed to have been seized Saturday in the waters between Oman