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Politics
N. Korean military chief relieved
North Korea said Monday it had relieved military chief Ri Yong-ho, a key aide to leader Kim Jong-un, of all his posts due to “illness” ― a move likely to significantly impact Pyongyang’s power structure. The news raised eyebrows as Ri, 69, had been among the top of a small…
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Politics
New UPP leader to restore opposition alliance
The newly-elected leader of the left-wing minor opposition Unified Progressive Party (UPP) pledged Sunday to mend ties with the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) in an attempt to field a unified presidential candidate. “Our party will select its own presidential candidate by September and rebuild its temporarily loosened alliance…
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Politics
Foreign Ministry engulfed in sexual harassment case
The Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry has suspended Consul General Lee Dae-hee in Auckland, New Zealand from his post for alleged ethical lapses and sexual harassment, a ministry official said Sunday. Lee was summoned home on June 15 in connection with allegations of engaging in a scuffle with a fellow…
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Politics
Mysterious woman again seen flanking NK leader
A chicly-dressed woman was seen closely flanking North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his visit to a Pyongyang kindergarten in state TV footage shown Sunday, reinforcing speculation she may be the wife of the young leader. The unidentified woman appears to be the same person who caught the attention of…
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5 overseas military units to get expanded tours
Seoul will seek to extend the missions of five overseas-based units including troops in Afghanistan and an anti-piracy one patrolling waters off Somalia, the Ministry of National Defense said Thursday. The request for the extensions, which also includes forces in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Lebanon and Haiti, will be…
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Politics
Release of 4 detainees imminent
Meng Jianzhu, China’s public security minister, is to arrive in Seoul Thursday for a three-day visit, amid speculation that the release of four South Korean detainees in the neighboring country is imminent. This is the first time that a Chinese public security minister has visited South Korea since the two…
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Politics
Foreigners use Kumgangsan Hotel
North Korea is allowing foreign groups to use some South Korea-developed facilities at the Mt. Geumgang resort, the site of a stalled cross-border project, but business remains sparse, a recent visitor there said Thursday. The resort once brought droves of South Koreans to facilities developed under an exclusive deal between…
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Politics
3 nations plan consultation body
South Korea, the United States and Japan will launch a consultation body based in Washington D.C. to facilitate trilateral cooperation, their top diplomats announced Thursday amid persisting concerns over North Korea. The announcement was made by Foreign Minister Kim Sung-whan and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Hillary Clinton and Koichiro…
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DUP seeks to curb chaebol investment
Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) proposed a bill Thursday that includes the reviving of the Regulation on Total Equity Investment. The regulation, which restricts big conglomerates from acquiring shares of other domestic companies, was originally introduced in 1987 to hold back the so-called chaebol from indiscriminately…
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Politics
2007 election funds to be probed
Prsident’s elder brother arrested for taking bribes Prosecutors said Wednesday they are looking into the allegations that Lee Sang-deuk, President Lee Myung-bak’s elder brother, received illegal political funds from businesses to finance his brother’s presidential campaign in 2007. The elder Lee, a former National Assembly vice speaker, was jailed earlier…
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