No need for Indonesia to import rice in 2012
The Indonesian government does not need to import rice this year as the domestic supply is forecast to be sufficient to meet the country’s rice stockpile target to counter possible impact of global weather phenomenon, Agriculture Minister Suswono Arsyaf said here Friday. Suswono said that bumper rice harvests in the vast archipelago country this year […]
Lee urges prompt action from Japan on ‘comfort women’
President Lee Myung-bak renewed his appeal to Japan to resolve long-running grievances over its wartime sexual enslavement of Korean women, describing it as an urgent humanitarian matter Thursday. Lee emphasized that the comfort women issue is becoming increasingly urgent as most victims, who “have lived with painful scars in their hearts for their entire […]
Korean tax office to gain access to Swiss bank accounts
The National Tax Service (NTS) said Thursday that it will be able to gain access to Swiss bank accounts held by Korean citizens, which it expects will help detect illegal slush funds and prevent overseas tax evasion. The tax office said the National Assembly ratified a revised treaty with Switzerland earlier this week that permits […]
Security all set for Seoul nuke summit
Officials in charge of security for the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit rappel down a building at the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae Monday as they demonstrate various responses to possible contingencies. Thunderous bangs are heard and yellowish toxic smoke starts billowing from a terrace on the second floor of the presidential office Cheong […]
WB says extreme poverty population declines, more efforts needed
The World Bank said Wednesday that the extreme poverty population in every region of the developing world declined by 13 million between 2005 and 2008, but more efforts are needed to fight against it. The Washington-based institution said in a report about 1.29 billion people lived below 1.25 U.S. dollars a day in 2008, equivalent […]
Annan sees “one mediation process” key to ending Syrian crisis
Kofi Annan, the UN and the Arab League (AL)’s joint special envoy for Syria, said Wednesday that an one and only mediation process accepted by all parties concerned is crucial for the success in the efforts to end the current crisis in Syria. “If we are going to succeed, it is extremely important that […]
N. Korea agrees to halt nuke program
North Korea announced Wednesday that it will temporarily halt its uranium enrichment program and put a moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests in exchange for food aid and a guarantee of continued negotiations with the United States. “The DPRK, upon request by the U.S. and with a view to maintaining a positive atmosphere for […]
Naver: online chaebol?
American Internet giant eBay has been controlling Korea’s electronic commerce markets through its affiliates Auction and Gmarket, but it remains to be seen whether local search king Naver could give it a run for its money. Search giant looks to launch open market service Naver, Korea’s near omnipresent portal accounting for over 70 percent of […]
Winners of Manhae Prize announced
The Society for the Promotion and Practice of Manhae’s Thoughts announced Thursday (Mar. 1) the winners of the Manhae Prize given in three different categories. A total of seven winners, two in the peace category, three in social service and two in literature, were chosen from among some 50 candidates across the world.The winners in peace category were […]
Thai mom gets 41-year jail term for prostituting underage daughter
A criminal court sentenced a woman to 41 years in jail for prostituting three girls including her own daughter to an English expat man on several occasions between 2008 to August 2010, local media reported on Wednesday. According to the report, Tim Wongsiri, 50, forced two girls, who were under 15, and her own […]
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