The prosecution is analyzing a recording of a call made to the Ministry of National Defense regarding Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae’s son as criticism continues to come from both the opposition bloc and the public. Choo’s son, identified by the surname Seo, served as a member of the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army from 2016-2018. He underwent knee surgery in June 2017 and went on extended leave. The allegations against Choo center on claims that Seo’s leave wa

Politics Sept. 16, 2020

The US will “positively consider” a new director-level dialogue with South Korea, a local news agency reported Tuesday, citing a US Department of State official. “VFM Choi and Deputy Secretary Biegun agreed that both governments should continue to take steps to strengthen the alliance,” a State Department spokesperson was quoted as saying by a local news agency. The news agency also quoted the spokesperson as saying that US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun agre

Foreign Affairs Sept. 15, 2020

Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling Democratic Party appear set on giving a 20,000 won ($16.90) telecom bill subsidy to all South Koreans despite growing criticism from the opposition bloc and the public. It was decided last week to offer a telecom subsidy for all Koreans over the age of 13 as part of the latest package of measures aimed at easing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the plan immediately met with backlash from the opposition bloc, which accused the Moon Jae-in adminis

Politics Sept. 14, 2020

Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae apologized Sunday over allegations she peddled influence to earn special favors for her son, but denied any wrongdoing. “I feel deeply sorry for causing troubles to the people with issues involving my son,” she said in a Facebook post. But the minister said she has kept her principles strict and has never called “a black thing white.” It has been alleged that Choo’s son was given favorable treatment in having his leave extended dur

Social Affairs Sept. 13, 2020

The government will draw up a 7.8 trillion won ($6.57 billion) supplementary budget bill to shore up the economy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cash subsidies for small businesses are among the items to be covered. The budget, finalized Thursday at an emergency economic meeting presided over by President Moon Jae-in, would fund 3.2 trillion won worth of subsidies for small-business owners affected by the pandemic, and a one-off 20,000 won subsidy for telecommunications bills for all South

Politics Sept. 10, 2020

President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday called for cooperation between ruling and opposition blocs, saying “cooperative politics” is more important than ever as the nation struggles against the COVID-19 pandemic. “There has never been a time when the people wanted cooperative politics between the ruling and opposition parties, agreement among the government, and ruling and opposition parties more than now,” Moon said at a meeting with the leaders of the ruling Democratic Pa

Politics Sept. 9, 2020

The controversy over allegations against Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae’s son continues to grow, with some comparing the situation to last year’s scandal surrounding former Justice Minister Cho Kuk. Choo, a former ruling Democratic Party lawmaker who served five terms in the National Assembly, is accused of using her influence to help her son obtain special favors during his military service. It has been claimed that Choo’s influence as a politician enabled Seo to go on ex

Politics Sept. 8, 2020

The Korean Intern and Resident Association announced Monday that it was ratcheting down collective action, and that its members would return work starting 7 a.m. Tuesday. The group, however, will continue its protests, with members staging one-person demonstrations. The group also warned that it would take stronger action if the government did not offer a response to help medical students who had refused to take the state doctors licensing examination within two weeks. Along with the Korean

Social Affairs Sept. 7, 2020

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday announced that the government will roll out financial policies to support the Korean New Deal program, including a 20 trillion won ($16.8 billion) “New Deal Fund.” Speaking at the first Korean New Deal strategy meeting with financial industry leaders, Moon said that the Korean New Deal is critical to overcoming the economic crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in deciding the economic future of the country. The Korean New Deal is a

Politics Sept. 3, 2020

The main opposition United Future Party will not renegotiate allocation of parliamentary committee chair posts unless the Legislation and Judiciary Committee chair is included, Floor Leader Rep. Joo Ho-young said Wednesday. Speaking in a radio interview, the main opposition floor leader said that while the issue will be discussed with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea’s Floor Leader Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon, his party will not accept changes that do not include the legislation committee.

Politics Sept. 2, 2020

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong was on Tuesday indicted without detention along with 10 other former and current Samsung Group officials in the probe into alleged wrongdoings in merger of group affiliates and account fraud. Lee faces a number of charges including violation of financial investment and audit regulations, and dereliction of duty in the probe into allegations surrounding Samsung C&T’s merger with Cheil Industries, and account fraud revolving around Samsung

Social Affairs Sept. 1, 2020

The number of COVID-19 patients with unclear infection routes is rising, with the authorities failing to identify the source in more than a fifth of cases confirmed in the past two weeks, health authorities said Monday. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the infection route in 22.7 percent of the 4,432 cases confirmed in the two-week period starting Aug. 18 remains unclear. The figure is the highest seen since the authorities began compiling related data in Apr

Social Affairs Aug. 31, 2020

President Moon Jae-in on Monday replaced five secretaries and created a new secretarial post on issues concerning young people, continuing the reshuffle of the presidential secretariat. The six will begin their duties on Tuesday, according to Cheong Wa Dae. Moon named former Democratic Party lawmaker Bae Jae-jeung as his new political affairs secretary, and Chang Yong-seok, researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy, as secretary for security strategy. Noh Kyu-duk, who serv

Politics Aug. 31, 2020

President Moon Jae-in met with leaders of Protestant groups on Thursday, asking for their support in the fight against COVID-19, as churches continue to be linked to infection clusters. But church leaders reiterated that worship services are the essence of faith and cannot be compromised. At the meeting with the representatives of 16 churches and related groups, Moon highlighted in strong words the developments surrounding cluster outbreaks at various churches. “A particular church ha

Social Affairs Aug. 27, 2020

Wonju in Gangwon Province on Tuesday reported 16 new cases of COVID-19, pushing up the tally over the past 10 days to 65. In comparison, Gangwon Province’s accumulated total stood at 149 as of Monday midnight. Gangwon Province, which had been relatively less affected by the pandemic, has seen numbers spike in recent days with cases linked to a gymnastics class in Wonju causing a cascade of infections. In response, the city plans to disclose routes taken by confirmed patients as much a

Social Affairs Aug. 25, 2020