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Society
Korea pursues ‘hallyu’ initiatives
30 language institutes will be set up around world every year As part of efforts to boost the staying power of “hallyu” or the Korean wave, the government plans to set up language institutes around the world — 30 or more every year. Plus, the current Romanization system, already 10…
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Politics
President makes historic visit to Myanmar
The leaders of South Korea and Myanmar agreed to strengthen bilateral ties Monday, amid signs that the Southeast Asian country seeks democratic and economic reform. During a summit with President Thein Sein, President Lee Myung-bak noted positive progress made in bilateral relations over the past months and that a new…
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Politics
Mubarak Faking Bad Health at Court Appearances
Egypt’s former leader Hosni Mubarak has been exaggerating the extent of his medical problems at recent court appearances on charges of complicity in the killings of hundreds of protesters during the popular uprising that ousted him from power, Egyptian media said on Monday. “He sits in his chair and watches…
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Society
Power struggle hits Jogye Order
The largest Buddhist order, Jogye, is in turmoil following last week’s release of a video clip showing eight monks gambling with hundreds of millions of won at a hotel room in late April. Jogye Order President Ven. Jaseung is under growing pressure to resign amid rumors that his opponents are…
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Leftist party splitting up
The strife-ridden Unified Progressive Party (UPP) seemed to be on course for a break-up Monday after moderates passed a proposal to make Rep. Kang Ki-kab as the leftist party’s emergency leader. The decision came in a vote of 536-9 during an online meeting of the party’s highest decision making central…
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New NK badge elevates power of late Kim
A new badge spotted in North Korea featuring late leader Kim Jong-il alongside his father Kim Il-sung is garnering attention as it appears to hoist the son to a similar level as the worshipped country founder. Websites following movements in the North have recently posted photographs of the new badges…
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Society
Real face of adoption shames 8th Adoption Day
On May 11, 2006, National Adoption Day was established to achieve a healthy adoption culture and to encourage domestic adoptions. However, real change seems to have been slow. Even now, adoptees are still exposed to illegal trades or violence. Lately, an unidentified person uploaded a posting that she said she…
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Column
Nepali plane crash claims 15 dead and six injured
KATHMANDU, Nepal–Thirteen passengers and two crew members died Monday morning when a Dornier 9N AIG-D228 plane of Agni Air crashed in Jomsom Airport in western mountains of Nepal. The ill-fated plane was flying to Jomsom from tourist city Pokhara taking 16 Indian pilgrims, two Danish tourists and three crew members.…
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West Asia
“We’ll Never Leave Our Homes Again”
Palestinians hold candles during a rally marking the al-Nakba Day in the West Bank city of Ramallah, May 14, 2012. Palestinians will mark the al-Nakba Day on May 15 when thousands of Palestinians were forced to leave their homes during the Arab-Israeli war in 1948. <Xinhua/Chen Xu> news@theasian.asia
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East Asia
Kim Yong-nam’s Visit To Indonesia
Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of North Korea’s parliament, is currently on his first reported trip overseas since late leader Kim Jong Il’s death. The weeklong journey comes on the heels of new U.N. sanctions imposed on North Korea for launching a long-range rocket in April in defiance of…
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