The ruling bloc’s plan to put up former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan in a by-election next month hit another snag as the woman at the center of several scandals accused him of unethical behavior. Shin Jeong-ah, a disgraced former art professor whose fabrication of her academic record, embezzlement and affair with a high-ranking government official shook the nation in 2007, returned from prison wit

President Lee Myung-bak said Tuesday that Koreans appeared to be wasting water because it is “too cheap.”Lee made the remarks as he met with representatives of the International Water Association to exchange views on sustainable use of water resources and how to successfully host a biennial water congress in Busan in September.They also discussed the latest developments in the global water industr

Hint at resignation from shared growth body may be attempt to distance self from ruling blocFormer Prime Minister Chung Un-chan, sought by the ruling party as a potential candidate for next month’s by-elections, hinted that he would resign from heading an economic policy panel over criticism of his plan for “profit sharing” between conglomerates and their subcontractors.Regarding Knowledge Economy

South Korea's foreign ministry said Friday it will convene an interagency meeting on Saturday to discuss countermeasures after the United Nations authorized military actions to curb Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi.The meeting will also check the economic impact from the unrest in Libya and "strongly urge" some 100 Korean nationals remaining in the turmoil-torn North African country to leave there, an

BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) -- Moammar Gadhafi's forces are bombarding the last rebel-held western city as the international community discusses how to enforce a no-fly zone and protect the Libyan people.   A doctor says at least six people were killed Friday when tanks moved into Misrata and opened fire. He says a hospital and a mosque were shelled.   The doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity beca

The Seoul government said Friday it was reviewing North Korea’s proposal to hold talks on possible volcanic activity at Mount Baekdu amid reports that an eruption was near. The North said in a letter addressed to South’s weather agency Thursday that the two Koreas should discuss conducting joint research, on-site surveys and symposiums on the volcano. “It is our understanding that the North sugges

President reaffirms safety of Korean nuclear power facilitiesPresident Lee Myung-bak on Thursday said that Korea should provide customized assistance to Japan as the neighboring country reels from its worst-ever recorded earthquake and tsunami.“Because we are close, we can send what Japan needs in the shortest period of time,” Lee told ruling Grand National Party chairman Ahn Sang-soo at the begin

Korea sends drinking water, donations to quake-stricken neighborThe South Korean government is expected to provide its biggest-ever overseas disaster relief to Japan as the neighboring country suffers from the worst earthquake and tsunami in its recorded history.Including the aid supplies, the amount of Seoul’s relief for Japan is likely to exceed the $12.5 million provided to quake-stricken Haiti

Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday it plans to ask the U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing to look into what caused the presidential jet to make an unprecedented emergency landing shortly after takeoff Saturday.The Presidential Security Service is examining the maintenance problem that forced the Boeing 747-400 leased from Korean Air to turn back, resulting in a two-hour delay of President Lee Myung-bak’s

Red Cross, businesses send donations, aid supplies to help victimsThe South Korean government said Tuesday that it will provide customized assistance to Japan when the quake-stricken country makes an official request through the Foreign Ministry.Seoul tries to unify the channels for assistance to Japan while the Korean Red Cross and businesses are joining in the donation campaign.“The government w

South Korean relief organizations and broadcasters said Monday that they will collect donations to help the victims of Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami, adding to the global efforts to support the quake-hit country.The move comes after South Korea has pledged to provide as much support as possible for Japan after a magnitude 9.0 quake struck Japan on Friday, unleashing a gigantic tsunami

Lawmaker calls for joint study with N.K. on Mount Baekdu volcanoCheong Wa Dae held meetings Monday to assess the impact of the explosions at a Japanese nuclear plant and to check the safety of Korea’s atomic power facilities, while lawmakers discussed plans to assist the quake-ridden country.A second hydrogen explosion occurred Monday at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, 240 kilometers nort

President Lee Myung-bak said on Monday that Korea will make the utmost efforts to ease concerns over the safety of the nuclear power plants that it builds in the United Arab Emirates.“I am confident that cooperation between the two nations in the construction of nuclear reactors will further solidify bilateral relations,” Lee said at a groundbreaking ceremony for initial works at the proposed nucl

South Korea on Friday filled the post of chief state auditor that had been vacant for more than five months amid political setbacks and the disgraceful exit of a former nominee.President Lee Myung-bak gave a letter of appointment to Yang Kun to lead the Board of Audit and Inspection. Lee earlier emphasized the agency’s role in his “fair society” campaign and drive to fight corruption and moral haz

By Kim So-hyunPlans to launch a special agency to probe crimes committed by prosecutors and judges face a rough ride in the National Assembly amid a vehement backlash from the prosecution and judiciary circles.The judicial reform package passed a six-person parliamentary subcommittee Thursday. It calls for abolishing the controversial central investigation unit at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office t

President Lee Myung-bak departs for the United Arab Emirates Saturday to hold summit talks, attend a nuclear power plant event and visit the South Korean troops deployed in the Middle Eastern country.Upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi Saturday, Lee will head to the eastern town of Al Ain to meet some 130 Korean troops on a two-year mission to help train UAE‘s special forces. The contingent named “Akh,”

The Seoul government is anxious that the escalating scandal involving Korean diplomats and a Chinese woman in Shanghai might damage diplomatic relations with Beijing.Kim Jung-ki, former consul general in Shanghai, returns home Wednesday night in Seoul after being interrogated on the leak of consular files to a Chinese woman. (Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald)Officials here say the government informat

The government is suspected of having kicked leaks of confidential information to a Chinese woman in Shanghai into the long grass, as it learned of her affairs with South Korean diplomats in November.The consulate in Shanghai sent back two officers who allegedly had inappropriate relationships with the woman, Deng Xinming, to Seoul early November citing “personal problems.” The men identified only

Speculation is growing about the Chinese woman who allegedly had inappropriate relationships with at least three former South Korean diplomats in Shanghai and used them to collect confidential government information. Speculation is that Deng Xinming is most likely a broker, although it would be too premature to eliminate the possibility of her being a spy.For years, Deng has made money by fixing b

Three S. Korean diplomats in Shanghai alleged to have given informationSuspicions of an espionage scheme are snowballing as at least three former South Korean diplomats are believed to have leaked confidential government information to a Chinese woman they had affairs with in Shanghai. The data thought to be leaked to the Chinese woman surnamed Deng includes visa records, documents on the Foreign