A governmental education institute has joined hands with its U.S. counterpart in a program to bring overseas Koreans as volunteer English teachers for students in rural areas here.The National Institute of International Education signed a memorandum of understanding with the Institute of International Education in New York on Friday, officials said. Chung Sang-ki (third from right), director of th

The Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee of the National Assembly passed the long-stalled Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement on Thursday as rival parties compromised to cut taxes for small livestock farms.The agreement will now be forwarded to the plenary session on Friday and, if approved, will take effect this July.During the panel session, government officials reported their preventive measures to sa

Following poor results for the ruling Grand National Party in Wednesday’s by-elections, the party’s leaders resolved Thursday to resign en masse and form an emergency panel next week.“We fully realize our responsibility for the given results and shall accept the people’s message,” said leader Ahn Sang-soo at a senior lawmakers’ meeting early Thursday.“All members of the supreme council have agreed

Ex-governor shakes off public doubts, paves way to presidential paceThe political status of opposition leader Sohn Hak-kyu skyrocketed as he brought a landslide victory to his party by winning in the Bundang-B constituency in Wednesday’s by-elections.He gained ground in his bid for next year’s presidential election, rising as the most powerful runner in the opposition camp. Sohn Hak-kyu (second fr

Winners of the by-elections (from left): Sohn Hak-kyu, Choi Moon-soon and Kim Tae-ho. (Yonhap News)Sohn Hak-kyu, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, paved his way to the presidential race next year by beating his ruling party rival in the Bundang-B constituency in Wednesday’s by-elections.The ballot count started soon after the polls closed at 8 p.m. but Sohn’s lead over Kang Jae-sup,

Floor leader Park Jie-won (left front) and members of the main opposition Democratic Party cheer late on Wednesday as candidate Sohn Hak-kyu takes a lead in the by-election vote in Bundang. Yang Dong-chul/The Korea HeraldThe opposition seems to have made important progress in preparations for next year’s general and presidential elections as its candidates marked a better-than-expected performance

Candidacy of big-name politicians raises electorate participation, officials sayVoters in by-election constituencies headed to nearby polling stations on Wednesday, pulling the turnout rate up to an unprecedented level and reflecting the public’s keen interest in this year’s political races.The general voting rate in 1,353 stations in 38 constituencies nationwide as of 3 p.m. was 28.2 percent, or

The futures of the ruling and opposition parties may hinge on the results of Wednesday’s by-elections, considered a preview of next year’s general and presidential races.The by-elections are relatively minor in size, involving the replacement of three lawmakers, one provincial governor and 34 municipal or district officials. Voters cast ballots Wednesday in 38 constituencies nationwide. (From left

Fiercest battle expected in BundangParties and candidates were in last-minute campaign mode Tuesday, the day before the by-elections that may set the course for next year’s general and presidential elections.A major matter of interest for all is voter turnout.In the past, the higher the turnout, the better the chances for the opposition party.In a survey on residents of by-election constituencies,

With the by-elections taking place on Wednesday, last-minute competition between candidates has turned into a game of mudslinging and legal feuds.The main opposition Democratic Party on Monday accused Ohm Ki-young, the ruling Grand National Party candidate for Gangwon governor, of breaking election law, according to officials.“Ohm violated the public election law by operating an unregistered call

The ruling and opposition camps went all out over the weekend, considered the last possible chance to gain more support before the by-election this Wednesday.Parties especially kept watch for foul play from opponents in the forms of illegal campaigning or slander.Candidates in the Bundang-B constituency, in which the most intense contest is expected between two big names, largely sought the favor

Candidates go head-to-head on TV over illicit publicity in GangwonAmid recent suspicions of illicit campaigning, the Gangwon governor candidates of the ruling and opposition parties clashed in a heated televised debate on the issue late on Saturday night.“Though I have tried my best to keep this by-election clean and fair, I am sorry that some of the overenthusiastic volunteers of our camps have c

Korea citizens will be exempted from face-to-face interviews at U.S. airports upon entering the country from as early as the latter half of this year.The Justice Ministry and the United States Department of Homeland Security have signed a joint declaration to allow citizens of both countries to pass through the automated immigration control desk at airports, ministry officials said Thursday.Korea

Ohm, Choi have much in common in birth place, school, path to politicsThis is the second of a three-part series on the April 27 by-election campaigns in three major electoral districts, Bundang-B, Gimhae-B and Gangwon Province. ― Ed.The northeastern province of Gangwon is the second-largest in the nation, taking up 16.8 percent of the total South Korean territory.Mention the mountainous province a

Measure to ban ex-judges, prosecutors from practicing law in 'cool-off' periodThe National Assembly committee on legal reform will submit this month a bill to revise the Lawyers’ Act to bar former judges and prosecutors from practicing law for a period of time after retiring.“It is urgent to take measures to root out the long-standing practice of offering career favors to former judges and prosecu

The National Assembly and the prosecution are clashing as the latter has officially refused to abolish the controversial Central Investigation Department as requested by the parliamentary legislation reform committee.The parliamentary committee demanded on Monday that the prosecution abolish the CID and submit a revised ordinance by 5 p.m. Tuesday.The prosecutor’s office, however, immediately stru

The clause on parenticide, which places additional criminal penalty on murderers who have killed their parents, is to be deleted from the criminal law.The criminal law revision committee met in the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office on Monday and resolved to rid the criminal law of the special clause, according to the Justice Ministry on Tuesday.Under the present law, those who have murdered their own pa

As the by-election campaigns heat up, public opinion of the candidates is shooting up and down, keeping the parties in suspense to the last minute.In the Bundang-B Constituency where the most fierce battle is expected, Sohn Hak-kyu of the main opposition Democratic Party is putting up a good fight despite the region’s traditional support for the conservative party.In a survey conducted by JoongAng

Cross-party group aims to have free-trade deal ratified during current sessionA dozen junior lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties met Monday and agreed to pass the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement in the National Assembly within the present plenary session.“Parties shall come up with supplementary means to protect the local agriculture industry from the impact of the FTA and do their best to have the agreement passed,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.They also pledged to refrain f

The family members of the deceased former President Syngman Rhee are to make their first official apology to students killed in the April 19 revolution in 1960.Rhee In-soo, the foster son of the late president, will visit the graves Tuesday morning, the 51st anniversary of the revolution, and pay respect to the victims who died under police fire, according to the Syngman Rhee Committee on Sunday.T