Ruling, opposition parties heading for showdownThe ruling Grand National Party on Wednesday moved to ratify a free trade agreement with the U.S. on its own, submitting the bill for a committee-level vote, despite strong resistance from opposition members. Rep. Nam Kyung-pil, chair of the parliament’s foreign affairs and trade committee and GNP lawmaker, used his authority to put the bill to the table, as opposition members physically obstructed the committee’s session to prevent the deal’s ratif

The public’s approval rate for the ruling Grand National Party has fallen steadily over the past four years, recently hitting its lowest level ever, according to some local public polls.The rate as of Monday was 27.3 percent, a crash from the record high 57.4 percent scored in December 2008, showed a recent survey conducted by Munhwa Ilbo.The rates first took a downturn in the first half of 2008, after the party’s sweeping victory in the general election, and fell visibly, affected by the global

Local analysts optimistic that referendum on bailout unlikely to happen in GreeceKorea’s stock market ended slightly lower on Wednesday, erasing earlier losses sparked by the heightened concern that a Greek referendum might derail Europe’s rescue plan. The benchmark KOSPI index closed down 11.62 points, or 0.61 percent, to 1,898.01. The tech-packed junior KOSDAQ eked out a gain of 1.13 points, or 0.23 percent, to end at 483.49.The Korean won opened at 1,131 won in a reflection of shaky sentiment

A group of scientists in a government-led project have found four new types of toxic microorganism in the waters off Jeju Island. They say their appearance could be evidence of the long-term rise in ocean temperatures here.Two of them produce palytoxin, one of the deadliest toxins known to humans, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs said Wednesday. One gram of palytoxin can kill about 170 million mice.The team led by Lee Won-ho of Kunsan National University and Jeong Hae Jin of Seoul National Unive

President Lee Myung-bak and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed during their summit talks Wednesday in St. Petersburg to closely cooperate to pipe Siberian natural gas to South Korea via North Korea. “The two leaders agreed that if carried out successfully, the project to import Russian natural gas will bring economic benefits for all three countries,” Lee’s office said in a press release.Korea and Russia reached a tentative agreement to start building a pipeline through North Korea in 2013

Foreigners snapped up around 2.63 trillion won ($2.33 billion) worth of South Korean equities and debts in October amid softening concerns over a global financial meltdown, data showed Wednesday.Overseas investors picked up a net 1.04 trillion won of equities, raising their share holdings to 367.87 trillion won as of October, compared with 339.1 trillion won in the previous month, according to the data by the Financial Supervisory Service.The October rebound halted their two-month selling streak

A new labor umbrella group submitted documents to register with the Labor Ministry on Wednesday, officials at the ministry and the labor group said. “The ministry will review its constitution and other papers for any violation of labor rules. The new group will be given the green light within three days, if no problems are found,” a ministry official said.The Korea Trade Unions Confederation was launched in a ceremony in Daejeon on Tuesday, becoming the nation’s third umbrella group to represent

The state military recruitment agency is offering counseling on conscription procedures for overseas Korean men during the annual World Korean Business Convention in Busan this week, officials said Wednesday. The Military Manpower Administration is running a booth in BEXCO in the southeastern port city until Friday to introduce a system under which those with foreign permanent residency can apply to join the armed services here.Presently around 110,000 overseas Korean men qualify for military se

ALBANY, New York (AP) ― When Billy Joel sang about “a bottle of white, a bottle of red” 40 years ago, the Long Island native probably wasn’t in a New York state of mind.But the wine universe is growing and changing, and today New York regularly tangles with Washington state in a two-coast tussle to maintain the No. 2 spot in behind California for domestic wine production.And it’s not just about quantity. The Empire State is getting a reputation as a quality maker of Long Island white, Hudson Val

NEW YORK (AP) ― Offer. Wanted. Taken.With those three words, Deron Beal of Tucson, Arizona, helped move the yard sale online, only with no money changing hands.Beal is the founder of The Freecycle Network, or Freecycle.org. It’s a grassroots gifting network that ― thanks to the sour economy and a growing commitment to the environment ― has transformed into a global movement of millions offering, wanting and taking all manner of stuff.Staffed by volunteer moderators and loosely overseen by Beal,

WASHINGTON (AP) ― U.S. manufacturing growth slowed slightly in October, hampered by weaker demand for exports and slower production at factories.But companies ordered more goods and factories slashed their stockpiles, trends that suggest activity could rebound in coming months.The Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday that its manufacturing index dropped to 50.8, down from 51.6 in September. Any reading above 50 indicates expansion.Measures of production and new export orders fell. A gaug

Hite Jinro Co., South Korea’s No. 1 beer and soju producer, said Wednesday that its exports will reach a new record high in 2011 thanks to strong overseas demand.In the first nine months of this year, exports surged 30.3 percent to reach $107.15 million, surpassing the previous record of $107.08 million shipped out for the whole of last year, the company said.Sales of soju, a Korean distilled beverage made from rice and other starches, hit $41.78 million with beer sales topping $54.89 million at

Quick makeup services allure budget-conscious women to get more for the money Dropping by a salon to get a touchup on your makeup and hair before brunch is no longer a luxury reserved for celebrities and the well-off. Makeup salons offering quick and reasonably priced makeup and hair services are emerging to attract beauty-conscious women who are reluctant to spend time and money on more up-market services. Park Dong-mi, a 31-year-old office worker, dropped by blowblush, a hair and makeup salon