• Parties to fight under same rules

    Rival camps still face criticism over breaking campaign promises The two rival parties have managed to avoid competing in the June 4 local elections with two conflicting sets of nomination standards, following a decision by the opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) to maintain the practice of the party…

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  • `Drones belonged to N. Korea’

    The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Friday it was certain that three recently crashed spy drones belonged to North Korea. The ministry plans to create a team composed of international experts to confirm this. “We have a lot of evidence, which makes us quite sure that the unmanned aerial…

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  • Foreign companies hunting Korean talent

    AMCHAM president says Korean employees are No. 1 in the world Global technology majors such as Microsoft, Intel and International Business Machine (IBM) are pitching up to hire Korean graduates. “Korean employees are No. 1 in the world,” Microsoft Korea Country Manager James Kim said at a student session held…

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  • BOK raises growth outlook to 4%

    New governor indicates rate hike in offing The country’s top central banker Thursday hinted at raising the key interest rate to rein in growing inflationary pressure resulting from economic recovery. “We will consider price stability, economic growth and other factors in shaping our monetary policy,” Bank of Korea (BOK) Governor…

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  • Enjoying traditional and modern Incheon

    A friend who has been to Incheon told me that it was a fascinating city. She said we could travel through time along the Gwandong modern architecture street or experience “Little China” in China Town. She talked about Shinpo Dakgangjeong, a restaurant that serves “dakgangjeong,” a sweet and spicy fried…

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  • Silence is not necessarily golden: a message to Korean reporters

    U.S. President Barack Obama offered a chance for Korean reporters to comment or to ask questions at the G20 Seoul conference in 2010. The Seoul conference was an opportunity to boost the morale of the Korean people and burnish the image of Korea to the world. I don’t know the…

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  • Korea must legislate plain language act

    Last week, spokespersons of government agencies agreed to use plain language in their documents and statements, with the help of the National Institute of the Korean Language. On Hangeul Day (Korean Alphabet Day) on Oct. 9, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) will award government agencies that use…

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  • East Asia

    Girls’ Generation in crisis

    Scandals reveal management loophole, cracks in unity Is Girls’ Generation in crisis? Will it disband in the near future? Eight years have passed since the nine-member K-pop girl group burst onto the domestic music scene. During that time, it has grown up as undisputed K-pop kingpin adored by scores of…

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  • East Asia

    NK chooses stability over change

    North Korea apparently chose stability of its leadership and policies over change in its latest leadership reshuffle, experts said Thursday. During the first session of the newly formed Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA), Wednesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was re-elected as head of the North’s powerful National Defense Commission. Kim…

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  • Flea markets booming

    If you find old clothes, toys or small home appliances during your spring cleaning, don’t throw them away. Take them to a flea market. Flea markets are gaining popularity in Korea, with several new ones popping up across the country in the last few years. They include the Songdo Good…

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