• Politics

    Roh confidant rises from humble origins

    Moon Jae-In, former presidential chief of staff to the late President Roh Moo-hyun, is a novice in politics. The 59-year-old entered politics by winning the April 11 parliamentary election in Busan. The first-term lawmaker may lack political experience, but he has a deep insight into running the country as he…

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  • Politics

    Moon Jae-in wins DUP presidential ticket

    DUP candidate to grapple with Prof. Ahn over unified bid for Dec. 19 poll Rep. Moon Jae-in of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) won the party’s presidential primary to become its candidate for the Dec. 19 election, Sunday. “I will return your support with a victory in December,”…

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  • Politics

    Presidential aide bets against Ahn’s bid

    Was it wishful thinking or a conclusion made on the basis of facts? A Cheong Wa Dae official voiced a pessimistic view, Thursday, on the prospects of Ahn Cheol-soo running in the presidential race. This came amid campaign watchers being divided over whether he will declare a bid to become…

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  • Politics

    DUP’s inconvenient truth

    “Why now?” A campaign strategist working for Rep. Moon Jae-in of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) expressed annoyance about the timing of the announcement from Ahn Cheol-soo’s political camp, that he will soon make his decision on whether to make a bid for the presidency. Asking for anonymity…

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  • Politics

    5,000 citizens in Saenuri’s home turf sign up for Moon

    Nearly 5,000 citizens living in the southeastern city of Daegu, home turf of the ruling Saenuri Party, signed a document showing their intention to support Rep. Moon Jae-in of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) for president. “It is quite rare for so many citizens living in the city…

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  • Politics

    Korea needs to beat Japan’s Dokdo PR blitz

    Korea needs to beat Japan’s moves to promote its claims on Dokdo islets overseas, experts said Tuesday. They pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade should map out a strategy to systematically weaken Tokyo’s attempts to encroach on Korea’s territorial sovereignty. “If it comes to a public…

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  • Seoul shows flexibility on NK aid

    Seoul has not ruled out rice or other sensitive item as it consults over how to aid to flood-stricken North Korea, an official said Tuesday. The North on Monday accepted the Lee Myung-bak government’s proposal to hold talks on the matter, and asked it to specify the quantity and type…

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  • Politics

    China extends influence to N. Korea’s Chongjin Port

    China-North Korea economic ties have taken another step forward, with reports emerging this week that a Chinese firm landed a deal to lease piers at Chongjin Port in the North. Analysts say the move bolsters Beijing’s efforts to stabilize its impoverished neighbor while expanding its own access to the East…

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  • Politics

    N. Korean news broadcast takes on global look

    North Korea is tinkering with its television news broadcasts to create a modern feel in line with the style of new leader Kim Jong-un, analysts said Monday. Over the weekend, the state network Korean Central Television (KCTV) featured new backdrops behind its anchors including a rotating image of the Earth…

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  • Politics

    Rep. Park refers to father’s famous quote

    Rep. Park Geun-hye, the presidential candidate of the ruling Saenuri Party, said Monday that historians will judge the dark days of her late father’s rule, refraining from commenting on his controversial legacy. “My father used to say ‘spit on my grave’ when he mentioned Yusin (referring to the political repression…

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