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Politics
Moon resumes overtures to Japan, hopes for N.K. leader’s participation in ASEAN summit
Seoul: South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Friday he would “embrace” Japan if it shifts to dialogue to end diplomatic and trade rifts between the two sides, again extending an olive branch to Tokyo. “I’m ready to embrace and cooperate with Japan when it returns to the table for…
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Politics
U.S. flies spy plane over Seoul
Seoul: A U.S. reconnaissance plane flew over Seoul and surrounding regions Thursday, an aviation tracker said, on an apparent mission to collect intelligence regarding North Korea. The plane, believed to be an RC-135V, was detected in the skies above South Korea’s capital city and Gyeonggi Province, Aircraft Spots posted…
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Culture
K-pop stars break out of glossy idol image with musical roles
Seoul: At the height of his K-pop career this week, Hwang Min-hyun, a member of five-piece boy band NU’EST, launched a new show business career which his fans scarcely expected. The 24-year-old Hwang appeared to his fans in his first acting role in the famous musical, “Marie Antoinette,” as…
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Politics
South Korean, Japanese culture ministers seek way out of worsening diplomatic ties
Seoul: The culture ministers of South Korea and Japan discussed bilateral cooperation on the cultural front Thursday in their meeting held amid escalating trade and diplomatic rows between their countries. The meeting between Culture Minister Park Yang-woo and his Japanese counterpart, Masahiko Shibayama, held at a convention center in…
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Society
Kyrgyzstan looks into ways to address fake news, online disinformation
Bishkek: Ways to protect citizens from the negative influence of fake news are being discussed at a dedicated forum in Kyrgyzstan. “Society, falling under the influence of fake news, is changing significantly in the perception of information and there is a trend of growing number of Kyrgyz people who…
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Culture
Even away from music scene for break, BTS makes buzz
Seoul: Off to its first-ever official break in its sensational seven-year career, K-pop super band BTS is away from the public eye, but the presence of its members’ surprise internet feeds and release of a special photo album continues to make the world music scene abuzz with the beloved…
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Business
South Korea unveils record high budget for 2020
Sejong: South Korea on Thursday proposed a record 513.5 trillion-won ($423.7 billion) budget for 2020 to boost its slowing economy beset by a deepening U.S.-China trade row and more recently its own with Japan. The expansionary budget – endorsed by the Cabinet – represents a 9.3 percent hike from 2019…
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Culture
In Sri Lanka, prison turned into a cultural center
Kandy: Once a maximum-security prison over 13 acres making it the second largest in Sri Lanka, Bogambara Prison is being transformed into the Bogambara Cultural Park featuring an open air theater, studio for traditional arts and crafts, a tourist information center and multiple recreational areas. Phase I of the…
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Politics
Vice FM asks U.S. to refrain from public messaging against Seoul’s GSOMIA decision
Seoul: South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Sei-young on Wednesday asked the United States to refrain from public messaging against Seoul’s recent decision to terminate a military information-sharing pact with Japan, a source here said. Cho met with U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris to make the request as Washington…
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Society
In Leyte, Philippines, bikes used to boost school attendance
Tacloban City: Needy students from three high schools in the Philippines have been offered bikes to motivate them to cover the distance from their remote homes to classes. The 115 bikes were donated in Leyte, the archipelago’s seventh largest island, under a project that aims to address school dropout,…
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