The prosecution said Wednesday it had formed a special team tasked with investigating allegations that an incumbent prosecutor received kickbacks from a businessman in exchange for influence peddling in court proceedings. According to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the special inspection team -- consisting of four prosecutors and 10 investigators -- will look into bribery allegations involving senior prosecutor Kim Hyung-joon. “In regard to the case, the special inspection team will thoroughly

Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae on Tuesday offered a public apology over an incumbent senior judge who was arrested last week on suspicions of taking bribes from a scandal-ridden businessman.　“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize on behalf of the judiciary for causing concern to the people. I promise to take stern measures following what comes to light,” Yang said during an opening speech at an emergency meeting of local court chiefs. 　Yang Sung-tae, chief justi

South Korea’s conservative Saenuri Party on Monday tried to appease the progressive-leaning southwestern Honam region, claiming the party is open to establishing closer political ties. “I would like to make an apology to (the Honam people) for any wrongdoing by the party, as well as its predecessors, for discrimination and hurting the dignity of the people of the region, both intentionally and inadvertently,” Lee Jung-hyun, who heads the Saenuri, said during a parliamentary speech. Rep. Lee Jung

The woman the world came to know as Mother Teresa of Calcutta was called a lot of things in her lifetime.She was the “Saint of the Gutters” and an “Angel of Mercy.” But also a “religious imperialist” and, in the words of British author Christopher Hitchens, “a fanatic, a fundamentalist and a fraud.”For all the eloquence of her critics, she was always far more revered than reviled.The celebrated nun was proclaimed a saint on Sunday. Pope Francis presided over a solemn canonization mass in the pre

BERLIN -- Two South Korean electronics giants are set to square off traditional players in Europe’s premium sector at an annual trade show in the German capital, with Chinese competitors also set to make a fierce move to enter the mass consumer electronics market in the region. Armed with high-end lineups, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics will each hold big events at the IFA that kicks off Friday for a six-day run.For LG, the IFA is a debut stage for its high-end brand SIGNATURE, the compa

Google is preparing to expand a San Francisco carpooling program in a move that could that could set up a showdown with its one-time ally, the popular ride-hailing service Uber.The plans will build upon a test service that Google's navigation app Waze launched three months ago in the San Francisco Bay Area. The program allows anyone using the Waze app to offer a ride to a limited pool of people trying to get to work or home.Now, only people working at six companies, including Google, Wal-Mart St

In a session less electric than expected, Brazil’s suspended president proclaimed her innocence at her impeachment trial Monday, branding her vice president a "usurper," calling the drive to oust her a "coup" and warning senators that history will judge them harshly if they oust a democratically elected leader on false charges.  Suspended Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff gestures during her testimony in her impeachment trial at the national congress in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday. (AFP-Yonhap)Dil

A historic midnight cease-fire on Sunday is set to end a 52-year-old war between the Colombian state and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels.Hundreds of thousands of Colombians have died since 1964 as rebel armies and gangs battled in the jungles in what is considered Latin America's last major civil armed conflict. FARC rebel leader Rodrigo Londono, better known as Timochenko talks to the press in Havana,Cuba, Sunday. (AP-Yonhap)FARC on Sunday issued the order for its fighters to

The People’s Party’s former chairman Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo on Sunday strongly indicated a second presidential bid, vowing to change politics, the lives of the people and the administration with “reasonable reform.”Speaking at a press conference after hiking up Mudeungsan in Gwangju, Ahn said, “I would like to revisit Mudeungsan next winter when it will be covered by propitious snow. I would like to once again meet the morning of Mudeungsan that spells an end to the outdated era to open a new one.” 

Death of Lotte’s No. 2 man jeopardizes group, prosecution’s probe

Working in public relations in South Korea has often been favored by college graduates, particularly among women concerned about the male-centered hierarchy of the corporate world.In such positions, English fluency and well-rounded communication skills are required, as the primary job function is dealing with clients and the press. Over a short period, a few figures have built up the reputation of PR professionals, portraying a general image of them being vibrant, career-seeking women. News Comm

The prosecution has commenced investigation into Park Geun-ryoung, the estranged sister of President Park Geun-hye, upon a report by Lee Seok-su, a special inspector under the presidential office, reports said Tuesday.Lee filed the report on July 21 against the younger Park and her unidentified acquaintance. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office is looking into the case.Park Geun-ryoung (Yonhap)Park Geun-ryoung, 62, is suspected of exaggerating her influence, borrowing 100 million won a

After a two-day record-breaking rally, Samsung Electronics shares on Monday took a breather, closing 0.6 percent lower than the previous session. As soon as the Seoul market opened, Samsung Electronics shot to another intraday high of 1,692,000 won, but lost all of its gains on heavy foreign profit-taking. After choppy trading, it settled at 1,665,000 won at close. Local stock analysts seem mixed on the future direction of the market bellwether stock, which alone accounts for nearly 20 percent o

BEIRUT (AP) -- Syrian opposition activists have released haunting footage showing a young boy rescued from the rubble in the aftermath of a devastating airstrike in Aleppo.The image of the stunned and weary looking boy, sitting in an orange chair inside an ambulance covered in dust and with blood on his face, encapsulates the horrors inflicted on the war-ravaged northern city and is being widely shared on social media. 5-year-old Omran Daqneesh sits in an ambulance after being pulled out of a bu

NEW YORK (AFP) - Donald Trump on Wednesday shook up his campaign team for a second time in just two months, fending off suggestions that his presidential run is in crisis as polls show Hillary Clinton cruising toward victory.The Republican White House nominee, who is tanking in swing states, hired a news executive from a virulently anti-Clinton website as his campaign chief executive and promoted a leading Republican strategist to campaign manager.Stephen Bannon is executive chairman of Breitbar