Popular potential presidential candidate also rules out running for parliamentary seatEntrepreneur-turned-professor Ahn Cheol-soo on Thursday denied speculation that he would create a political party and run in the general election next year.Ahn has yet to confirm whether he will enter politics. But he has received media attention as a formidable potential presidential runner who enjoys popularity among the public disenchanted with established politicians.“There have been rumors about me creatin

BUSAN ― Donor and recipient countries, and representatives from international organizations, civil society and the private sector on Thursday agreed on a new global partnership for better development cooperation.More than 3,000 delegates from 160 countries, international organizations, civic groups and private sector officials attended the three-day Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in the South Korean city, seeking better ways to broaden global partnership in annual development aid.T

The world of official development assistance is changing from superficial input to focusing on output and the strength of the medium used to deliver aid, countries and institutions agreed in Busan on Thursday. As former British Prime Minister Tony Blair stated earlier in the week, the capacity of developing countries needs to be strengthened along with the link with institutions in order for effective sustainable development outcomes.At the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, which end

The government has decided to send peacekeeping troops to South Sudan next year, sources said Thursday. The decision was made in response to requests from the United Nations made on Aug. 8.Although the decision has yet to be approved by the National Assembly, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is in Busan for the High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, thanked the Korean government for deciding to send peacekeeping forces on Wednesday. “Onsite inspections were conducted twice, and it was con

Rise of political novice makes veteran politicians scramble ahead of major electionsAlthough he has yet to officially enter politics, entrepreneur-turned-professor Ahn Cheol-soo has recently drawn more of the political spotlight than any established politician thanks to his wide public backing.Although he on Thursday denied speculation that he would create a new party and run in the parliamentary elections next year, observers said that Ahn still might be seriously considering stepping into real

The following article was contributed by Abdulla Al Romaithi, ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, to mark its 40th National Day, which falls on Dec. 2. ― Ed.With the theme “Spirit of the Union,” the United Arab Emirates celebrates its 40th National Day on Dec. 2, noting the great achievements it has made since the establishment of the federation in 1971 thanks to the policies of our late leader and founding president Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al Nahyan and his fellow members of the Supreme Co

Japan’s industrial production increased more than analysts expected in October as manufacturers boosted output of cars. Factory output increased 2.4 percent from September, rebounding from a 3.3 percent drop, the trade ministry said in Tokyo Wednesday. The median estimate of 28 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News was for output to increase 1.1 percent. Manufacturers are contending with a yen near postwar highs against the dollar that has eroded profits and prompted Toyota Motor Corp. President

Ronald Reagan once quipped that the most terrifying words in the English language are: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” Indeed, well-intended but disorganized, bureaucratic help that does not fully take into account the real needs of a recipient may actually do more harm than good. Providing what the recipient badly needs is the key to helping someone in its truest sense. “Knowledge donations” that we are seeing more often in Korea these days, where professionals and experts share