President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday signed off on a proposal to dismiss the chief of the broadcasting watchdog accused of involvement in score manipulation against a right-wing cable channel in the process of renewing its broadcasting license in 2020, the presidential office said. Han Sang-hyuk, chairman of the state Korea Communications Commission (KCC), was indicted earlier this month on charges of prodding senior KCC officials to give low scores to TV Chosun during its license renewal evaluati

The Seoul Metropolitan Police’s anti-corruption unit raided Korean broadcaster MBC on Tuesday as part of a probe into the alleged leaking of Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon’s personal information involving one of its journalists. The police said the raid of the MBC headquarters in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, was reportedly to search through the reporter’s department to seize evidence. They also raided the home of the MBC reporter in the morning and confiscated the phone and car of t

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Tuesday requested a team of experts to transparently and comprehensively present the outcome of their inspection of Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant. The 21-member team, headed by Nuclear Safety and Security Commission Chairperson Yoo Guk-hee, returned home Friday after completing their six-day trip to Japan that included the on-site inspection of the plant ahead of its controversial release of contaminated water into the ocean scheduled for this

The National Assembly was set to hold a revote Tuesday on the nursing act vetoed by President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month amid expectations it is unlikely to win the necessary two-thirds support. Yoon exercised his veto power against the bill railroaded by the main opposition Democratic Party, saying the legislation causes too much tension among medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses and nursing assistants. The Democratic Party put the bill to a revote, but it is highly likely to be

President Yoon Suk Yeol and the leaders of a group of Pacific island nations agreed Monday to expand cooperation in diverse areas, including the response to the climate crisis and economic development. The leaders reached the agreement during an inaugural summit held between South Korea and Pacific island nations in Seoul, according to a summary of a joint statement provided by Yoon's office. The two-day summit is being held through Tuesday under the theme "Navigating towards Co-Prospe

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday met with leaders of five Pacific island countries in the first such summit hosted in Seoul by the South Korean president to discuss ways to boost regional security and partnership in resource development. The Sunday leg of the Korea-Pacific Islands Summit was attended by President Taneti Maamau of Kiribati, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni of Tonga, Prime Minister Kausea Natano of Tuvalu, Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau of Vanuatu and Prime Minister James Marape o

All six National Election Commission officials embroiled in suspicions of hiring favors for their children did not declare their relations with the hired children in violation of an ethics code, according to a ruling party lawmaker. The NEC has come under hiring favor suspicions following revelations that children of senior officials joined the agency by applying for experienced positions. The NEC's secretary-general and his deputy resigned last week, though they claimed their children were

President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating has risen to 40 percent in a Realmeter survey due in large part to positive public assessments of his handling of foreign affairs and national security issues. In the survey conducted last week of 2,504 people, Yoon's approval rating rose 1 percentage point from a week earlier, while his disapproval rating fell 1.2 percentage point to 56.7 percent during the same period. It is the first time in 12 weeks that his rating has reached the 40 percen

President Yoon Suk Yeol and his adopted Labrador retriever appeared Sunday on a TV show featuring scenes of the dog adjusting to his new home at the presidential office. The retired service dog, named Saeromi, was adopted by Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee on Christmas Eve last year, becoming the first couple's 11th pet. Yoon introduced himself as "the father" to Saeromi as he appeared with Kim on the local broadcaster SBS, saying that he had wanted to adopt a guide dog since h

President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to hold a series of bilateral summits with the leaders of five Pacific island nations in Seoul on Sunday, his office said. Yoon will hold talks with Kiribati's President Taneti Maamau at his office at 3 p.m., followed by Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni and Prime Minister Kausea Natano of Tuvalu. He will also hold summits with Vanuatu's Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau and Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea, according to Yoon's offic

President Yoon Suk Yeol will host a two-day summit with Pacific island nations starting Monday, marking the first such meeting to take place, according to the presidential office Thursday. Yoon and the leaders, or senior officials representing them in their absence, from the Pacific Islands Forum, an 18-member regional bloc meant to enhance cooperation, will discuss ties as the Korean leader looks to expand the country’s presence in the region. Participants will hold talks on the first day

South Korea will soon begin requiring its public servants to disclose any ownership of digital assets in the same way they do traditional financial assets. The National Assembly convened a plenary session Thursday and passed an amendment to the laws on public service ethics to include cryptocurrencies in their financial disclosures. Under the public service ethics laws, lawmakers and high-ranking public servants such as Cabinet members must regularly disclose their assets and investments. The am

The resumption of trilateral meetings among Korea, the US and Japan shines a bright light on the path for the country’s future, said Kim Gi-hyeon, chairman of the ruling People Power Party, on Wednesday at the Shilla Seoul during a forum held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance and the foundation of The Korea Herald and Herald Business. Speaking at the “Alliance Plus,” a special forum hosted by Herald Corp., Kim also said that cutting-edge technologies

The next phase of the South Korea-US alliance will extend beyond security and national defense, with advanced technologies and shared values forming the foundation of the partnership, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said on Wednesday at the Shilla Seoul during a forum held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Korea-US alliance and the foundation of The Korea Herald and Herald Business. Han, describing the Korea-US alliance as the most successful alliance in history, said the April sum

Seoul will vigorously support strengthening the South Korea-US relationship, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said Wednesday during a forum held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the two allies' bilateral ties and the foundation of The Korea Herald and Herald Business. Speaking at the forum titled "The ROK-US Alliance Plus," hosted by Herald Corp., Oh said that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s visit to the US last month solidified the comprehensive and future-oriented nature of the Korea-