ALL - THE AsiaN

Korea, China will start FTA talks

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced the start of free trade agreement (FTA) talks with China, the nation’s largest trading partner, Wednesday. “Beginning the negotiations is a historical step for both nations,” said Trade Minister Bark Tae-ho during a joint press conference with China’s Commerce Minister Chen Deming…

Business

Why is Google popular with workers?

Jobseekers here used to pick a company that offered high salaries and generous benefits even if they had to work through the night and come to the office on weekends. But these days, they are increasingly putting greater priority on other aspects of their careers. Many job hunters look to…

Left-wing minor party apologizes for election irregularities

A left-wing minor party leader issued a public apology Thursday for suspected vote rigging and other irregularities in the party’s selection of candidates for last month’s parliamentary elections. Lee Jung-hee, one of four co-leaders of the Unified Progressive Party (UPP), said in a meeting with party officials she “would assume…

Business

‘Future of economy hinges on women’

Softening growth rates, collapsing consumer spending and a workforce aging dog years have been fueling apocalyptic talk about the future of Korea’s economy. So why amid the growing alarm over the unraveling of the Korean success model does the country permit itself to dramatically underutilize its highly-educated women, asks the…

West Asia