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Aid groups, broadcasters to raise funds for Japan quake victims

PoliticsMar 14, 2011

South Korean relief organizations and broadcasters said Monday that they will collect donations to help the victims of Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami, adding to the global efforts to support the quake-hit country.The move comes after South Korea has pledged to provide as much support as possible for Japan after a magnitude 9.0 quake struck Japan on Friday, unleashing a gigantic tsunami
Seoul gauges impact of Fukushima nuclear plant blasts

PoliticsMar 14, 2011

Lawmaker calls for joint study with N.K. on Mount Baekdu volcanoCheong Wa Dae held meetings Monday to assess the impact of the explosions at a Japanese nuclear plant and to check the safety of Korea’s atomic power facilities, while lawmakers discussed plans to assist the quake-ridden country.A second hydrogen explosion occurred Monday at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, 240 kilometers nort
Lee sees start of building of UAE reactor

PoliticsMar 14, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak said on Monday that Korea will make the utmost efforts to ease concerns over the safety of the nuclear power plants that it builds in the United Arab Emirates.“I am confident that cooperation between the two nations in the construction of nuclear reactors will further solidify bilateral relations,” Lee said at a groundbreaking ceremony for initial works at the proposed nucl
Top state auditor Yang takes office

PoliticsMar 11, 2011

South Korea on Friday filled the post of chief state auditor that had been vacant for more than five months amid political setbacks and the disgraceful exit of a former nominee.President Lee Myung-bak gave a letter of appointment to Yang Kun to lead the Board of Audit and Inspection. Lee earlier emphasized the agency’s role in his “fair society” campaign and drive to fight corruption and moral haz
Judicial reform plan faces uphill battle

PoliticsMar 11, 2011

By Kim So-hyunPlans to launch a special agency to probe crimes committed by prosecutors and judges face a rough ride in the National Assembly amid a vehement backlash from the prosecution and judiciary circles.The judicial reform package passed a six-person parliamentary subcommittee Thursday. It calls for abolishing the controversial central investigation unit at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office t
Lee bound for UAE Saturday

PoliticsMar 11, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak departs for the United Arab Emirates Saturday to hold summit talks, attend a nuclear power plant event and visit the South Korean troops deployed in the Middle Eastern country.Upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi Saturday, Lee will head to the eastern town of Al Ain to meet some 130 Korean troops on a two-year mission to help train UAE‘s special forces. The contingent named “Akh,”
Seoul wary of scandal’s impact

Social affairsMar 11, 2011

The Seoul government is anxious that the escalating scandal involving Korean diplomats and a Chinese woman in Shanghai might damage diplomatic relations with Beijing.Kim Jung-ki, former consul general in Shanghai, returns home Wednesday night in Seoul after being interrogated on the leak of consular files to a Chinese woman. (Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald)Officials here say the government informat
Cover-up suspected in consuls’ scandal

Social affairsMar 9, 2011

The government is suspected of having kicked leaks of confidential information to a Chinese woman in Shanghai into the long grass, as it learned of her affairs with South Korean diplomats in November.The consulate in Shanghai sent back two officers who allegedly had inappropriate relationships with the woman, Deng Xinming, to Seoul early November citing “personal problems.” The men identified only
Chinese Woman at center of scandal

Social affairsMar 9, 2011

Speculation is growing about the Chinese woman who allegedly had inappropriate relationships with at least three former South Korean diplomats in Shanghai and used them to collect confidential government information. Speculation is that Deng Xinming is most likely a broker, although it would be too premature to eliminate the possibility of her being a spy.For years, Deng has made money by fixing b
State secrets believed leaked to Chinese mistress

Social affairsMar 8, 2011

Three S. Korean diplomats in Shanghai alleged to have given informationSuspicions of an espionage scheme are snowballing as at least three former South Korean diplomats are believed to have leaked confidential government information to a Chinese woman they had affairs with in Shanghai. The data thought to be leaked to the Chinese woman surnamed Deng includes visa records, documents on the Foreign
Lee may veto bill on political funds, aide says

PoliticsMar 7, 2011

Lawmakers of rival parties are working in unison for legislation to help each other avoid charges related to political funds, drawing criticism from the public, prosecution and presidential office.An aide to President Lee Myung-bak said Lee may veto the revised bill that practically legalizes political donations for legislative lobbying purposes. “It would be an ex post facto legislation to offer
‘N.K. tightens info control amid Mideast unrest’

PoliticsMar 4, 2011

South Korea’s intelligence chief said Friday that North Korea was tightening control of information to keep its people from being influenced by the pro-democracy protests in the Middle East. “North Korea is strengthening its ideological training through media statements, fearing domestic spread of the news” that uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia overthrew dictatorships and spread to Libya, Won Sei-ho
Lee stresses respect for others in congregation with Protestants

PoliticsMar 3, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak said Thursday that he wished the South Korean church could help bring the country together, without mentioning its latest fury over a bill on Islamic bonds. “I hope the Korean church can untie the knots of social conflict and serve as a bridge for national integration,” Lee said during the national prayer breakfast in southern Seoul.“I believe an attitude of understanding a
Lee to visit UAE for nuclear plant event

PoliticsMar 2, 2011

President Lee Myung-bak will pay an official visit to the United Arab Emirates next Saturday at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Lee’s office said Wednesday.During his three-day visit, Lee is scheduled to visit the South Korean troops deployed in the UAE, hold summit talks with Sheikh Khalifa and attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the atomic power plant a Sou
Daewoo Shipbuilding wins 1.2 tln won drill ship orders

IndustryMar 2, 2011

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., South Korea's No. 2 shipbuilder, said Wednesday that it has won a 1.2 trillion won ($1.06 billion) order to build two drill ships.Under the deal with Aker Drilling of Norway, Daewoo Shipbuilding will deliver the vessels, used to explore for oil and gas wells in deep waters, by 2013, the company said in a statement.Daewoo Shipbuilding said it has an opt