Global food prices are going through the roof, threatening to push the world into a war over food. Earlier this month, the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization said world food prices hit their highest level ever recorded in January and were set to keep rising in the months to come. It is a strong signal that a severe global food crisis is imminent or under way. According to the FAO, its food pr

A suicide bombing at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport last month has reminded Russians, and the world, of the country’s continuing vulnerability to terrorist attacks. As in the past, the Russian authorities blamed Islamic extremists for the violence and promised retaliation. That reaction is certain to intensify the cycle of violence that has left a bloody trail of victims in its wake. Islamic extremis

The government has hinted at a delay in launching a greenhouse gas emission trading system. A government bill put on public notice last November set the start date on Jan. 1, 2013. The Presidential Committee on Green Growth reported to President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday it would make the bill more flexible regarding the timing of implementation and allocation of emissions permits before submittin

The court appears to be exercising greater caution in issuing arrest warrants now than before, making it more difficult for prosecutors to detain criminal suspects for an inquiry. That may be a source of frustration or even anger for prosecutors. But it should be welcomed from the viewpoint of human rights protection.On Jan. 13, a Seoul district court turned down a request from a prosecutor for an

On Thursday, the main opposition Democratic Party convened a general meeting of its lawmakers to adopt free child care and halved college tuition fees as part of its platform. The party’s leadership expected the lawmakers to endorse their plans without objection, since they have already approved the proposals for free school meals and free health care.But the DP leaders faced an unexpected backlas

The Fair Trade Commission has launched an investigation to see whether domestic oil refiners are engaged in price-fixing or other unfair trade practices. The commission’s move follows President Lee Myung-bak’s instruction on Thursday to check whether domestic gasoline prices are reasonable.Lee made the instruction during a briefing on anti-inflation measures by a pan-government task force. He was

The nation is set to make a change in its accounting method from cash to accrual this year. One of its consequences is a rise in the measurement of national debt.The government has yet to announce by what margin the new accounting method would readjust upward the debt, which was posted at 359.6 trillion won at the end of last year. But the opposition Democratic Party has already come up with a new

Last week, a South Korean government agency provided statistical data regarding North Korea, some of which have great security implications. Among them were figures indicating North Korea’s rapidly expanding reliance on China for its external trade.According to a report from Statistics Korea, North Korea’s volume of external trade was at a miniscule $5,093 million in 2009. It was nowhere near that

North Korea has called for an end to confrontation with the South, urging inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation. In a joint New Year editorial issued on Saturday, the North Korean press said, “Confrontation between north and south should be defused as early as possible.” The editorial, considered Pyongyang’s New Year policy statement, also said, “Active efforts should be made to create an atmosphe

The Seoul Metropolitan Council has committed a serious violation of law in passing the capital city’s 2011 budget bill. No matter what the reason may have been, the council cannot avoid criticism for its undemocratic practice.The council, which is under the control of the main opposition Democratic Party, approved the municipal budget of 20.6 trillion won during a session held in the small hours o