South Korea's statistics agency has fined companies for not responding to its surveys in a move to encourage public participation in government efforts to collect key policy-related data, agency officials said Monday.Statistics Korea fined four manufacturers a combined 400,000-500,000 won ($460) each late last year for not responding to its surveys on the mining and manufacturing industries, according to the officials.The penalties were the first of their kind. They also came amid the falling re

Woori Finance Holdings Co. is set to end Monday the preliminary bidding for its regional bank units, its officials said, as part of the privatization process to sell the No. 1 state-funded banking group. The Korea Deposit Insurance Corp. (KDIC), the state-run debt clearer that holds the controlling stake in Woori Finance, will close the preliminary bidding for Kyongnam Bank and Kwangju Bank later Monday as planned, according to KDIC officials. The bidding is the first part of the government's th

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel recorded yet another start-to-finish win at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday to further extend his lead in the Formula One championship.The German was in a class of his own under the Marina Bay lights, winning by a massive 32.6 seconds over Fernando Alonso and boosting his championship lead on the Ferrari driver from 53 points to 60 with six races remaining.“We are in a very good position. To be honest I am not looking at the championship too much,” Vettel said

The White House is under pressure to ramp up counterterrorism action against al-Shabab in Somalia following the al-Qaida-linked group's deadly attack on an upscale Kenyan shopping mall that has killed and injured dozens, including Americans.Republican lawmakers Sunday said the attack showed al-Qaida is growing in size and strength, belying the Obama administration's claims that it has grown weaker.“They're not on the decline,” said Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, the ranking Republican on the Homel

Kenyan's military said late Sunday it had rescued “most” of the remaining hostages held by al-Qaida-linked militants in an upscale Nairobi mall after launching a major operation to end a two-day standoff that had already killed 68 people. The military assault, which began shortly before sundown, came as two helicopters circled the mall, with one skimming very close to the roof. A loud explosion rang out, far larger than any previous grenade blast or gunfire volley. Kenyan police said on Twitter

Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives triumphed in Germany's election Sunday and appeared likely to end up close to an absolute majority. While Merkel was headed for a third term, her center-right coalition partners faced ejection from parliament for the first time in post-World War II history.Depending on which parties end up in parliament, Merkel could find herself leading a “grand coalition” government with the left-leaning Social Democrats or _ less likely _ with the environmentalist Gree

Authors of a controversial history textbook expressed their will Tuesday to revise content accused of ideological bias, but countered claims that it glorifies Japanese colonialism and South Korea's former dictatorships.The history textbook, authored by conservative historians, passed an education ministry screening in May along with seven other textbooks for use at high schools starting the 2014 academic year.However, opposition lawmakers, liberal historians and civic activists have claimed that

An internal inspection into the nation's embattled top prosecutor, who offered to quit over allegations of having an illegitimate son, is expected to kick off sometime next month, legal sources said Tuesday.Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Friday ordered the ministry to "reveal the truth" about a media report that Prosecutor General Chae Dong-wook fathered a son through an extramarital affair in 2002.Minutes after the order, Chae tendered his resignation, saying that while he denies the allegat

South Korean stocks declined 0.39 percent Tuesday dented by large-cap tech losses, while investors keep a wary eye ahead of a crucial U.S. monetary meeting and a long holiday in Seoul, analysts said. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed down 7.79 points to 2,005.58. Trading volume was light at 256.6 million shares worth 4.19 trillion won (US$3.86 billion), but gainers outstripped losers 422 to 377. The main bourse snapped its gains from the previous session, moving in l

일본 후쿠시마(福島) 제1원전 운영사인 도쿄전력은 16일 태풍이 상륙했을 때 원전 저장탱크 보(洑)에서 총1천130t의 물을 방출했다고 17일 발표했다.도쿄전력은 이날 임시 기자회견을 갖고 18호 태풍 `마니'의 영향으로 원전 저장 탱크들을 에워싼 누수방지용 보가 불어난 빗물로 넘칠 것으로 우려됨에 따라 방사성 물질 농도를 확인한 후 모두 7곳의 보 밸브 등을 열어 배수를 실시했다고 밝혔다.도쿄전력은 방출된 물의 방사성 물질 농도는 `스트론튬 90' 등 베타선을 방출하 는 물질이 리터당 최대 24베크렐로 법정기준인 30베크렐 미만이었다고 설명했다.배출된 물이 바다로 어느 정도 흘러들어갔는지에 대해서는 "바다로 이어지는 배 수구가 아니라 탱크 주위 지면에 방출했기 때문에 판단하기 어렵다"고 밝혔다.도교전력은 고인 물의 방사성 농도가 법정기준에 가깝거나 넘어선 곳에  대해서 서는 가설 펌프로 물을 퍼올려 탱크에 담았다고 말했다.<관련 영문 기사>Typhoon hits Japan as F

Parliamentary gridlock is likely to be prolonged after President Park Geun-hye and opposition leader Kim Han-gil failed Monday to narrow differences over sensitive issues involving the National Intelligence Service and the embattled prosecution chief.Park issued a strong warning on Tuesday toward the opposition party over its continued street protests and boycott of the parliament. “The opposition party will face the people’s resistance if it sticks to fighting outside the National Assembly and

내란음모 등 사건을 수사 중인 국가정보 원은 17일 오전 통합진보당 홍성규 대변인 등 진보인사 5명의 자택 등을 대상으로 압수수색을 벌이고 있다.대상자는 홍 대변인과 김석용 안산 상록갑 지역위원장, 김양현 평택을 지역위원 장, 윤용배 당 대외협력위원, 최진선 화성을 지역부위원장 등이다.압수수색은 이날 오전 6시 40분부터 5명의 자택과 사무실 2곳 등 7곳에서 동 시다발적으로 진행됐다.일부 대상자는 차량과 신체도 압수수색 범위에 포함된 것으로 확인됐다.국정원은 추가 압수수색 대상자들에 대해서도 이석기 의원 등과 같은 내란음모 및 국가보안법 위반 혐의를 적용했다.이들은 모두 이 의원 등의 구속영장이나 국정원이 확보한 것으로 알려진 녹취록에 등장하는 인물인 것으로 알려졌다.진보당 관계자는 "추가 압수수색 대상자들은 모두 녹취록 등에 등장하는 인물들로, 국정원이 녹취록외 다른 증거를 확보하지 못했다는 사실을 방증하는 것"이라고 주장했다.오전 9시 30분께 압수수색이 진행되고 있는 화성시

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Hyun Oh-seok on Tuesday mentioned the possibility that the government may later change their current position not to increase the tax burden on the wealthy.Though Hyun clarified that tax hikes were not being pushed by policymakers at the present stage and should be a last resort, his remarks appear to be somewhat different from their strong denial over a feasible hike for the rich.Hyun reiterated ― as a policy to provide the underprivileged with state f

 박근혜 대통령은 17일 "야당에서 장외투 쟁을 고집하면서 민생을 외면한다면 국민적 저항에 부딪힐 것"이라며 "그리고 그 책 임 또한 야당이 져야할 것"이라고 말했다.박 대통령은 이날 청와대에서 국무회의를 주재하면서 "저도 야당 대표로 활동했고 어려운 당을 일으켜 세운 적도 있지만 당의 목적을 위해 국민을 희생시키는 일은 하지 않았다"며 이같이 경고했다.또 전날 3자회담 결렬을 의식한 듯 "정치가 국민을 위해 최선을 다하고 상생의 정치로 미래로 나아가기를 바랐는데 안타까운 마음"이라며 "야당이 정기국회가 시작 됐는데도 장외투쟁을 계속하면서 민생법안 심의를 거부한다면 그것은 결코 국민을 위한 정치가 아닐 것"이라고 지적했다.박 대통령은 "국가정보원 문제로 또다시 장기간 장외투쟁을 하는 것이 과연 야당이 주장하는 것처럼 국민을 위하는, 또는 국민이 원하는 민의인지 동의할 수 없다 "며 "국회에서 선진화법을 제정하고 그것을 극단적으로 활용해 민생의 발목을 잡아서는 결코 안될 것"이라고 강

미국 하버드대 의대 출신 의사를 사칭, 여성으로부터 거액을 뜯어낸 중졸 무직 남성이 경찰에 붙잡혔다.서울지방경찰청 국제범죄수사대는 학력ㆍ직업을 속이고 만난 여성으로부터 5000만원을 뜯어낸 혐의(사기)로 A(31) 씨를 검거했다고 17일 밝혔다.경찰에 따르면 A 씨는 2011년 5월부터 2년여간 하버드대 의대를 졸업한 국내 대학병원 성형외과 전문의로 행세하며 피해여성 B 씨에게 접근해 생활비 등 5000만원을 가로채고 캠코더 등 금품을 훔친 혐의를 받고 있다.A 씨는 2007년부터 미니홈피, 미국 유학생 친목모임 사이트 등에 거짓으로 자신을 소개하는 영문의 글을 작성해 올리며 의사 등과 친분을 쌓았고, 미니홈피 지인의 소개로 피해자 B 씨를 소개 받았다.그는 국내 재벌가 3세들과의 친분이 있는 것처럼 행세하고 “미국 시민권자이니 결혼 후 미국으로 가자”며 B 씨를 속여 친척 결혼식 축의금 등 명목으로 돈을 뜯어냈다.하지만 경찰에 따르면 A 씨는 중학교를 졸업한 ‘백수’였을 뿐 미국은

The spy agency on Tuesday raided the homes and offices of five people affiliated with the far-left opposition party of Rep. Lee Seok-ki, who has been accused of plotting to overthrow the government.The National Intelligence Service simultaneously launched the seizure at 6:40 a.m. of the homes of United Progressive Party spokesman Hong Sung-kyu; Pyeongtaek city regional chairman Kim Yang-hyun; Ansan’s Sangrok regional chairman Kim Seok-yong; Hwaseong labor rights center chief Choi Jin-sun; and Ji

A former vice minister for trade and energy was named the new head of the state-run Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) on Tuesday.Cho Seok, the former vice minister of trade, industry and energy, was named the new president of the country's sole nuclear power plant operator, the company said in a press release.Cho, 56, will replace Kim Kyun-seop, who stepped down in June over a corruption scandal, in which substandard parts had been supplied under fake quality certificates in and around 20

Citibank Korea has vowed to take the lead in protecting the natural environment in Seoul as part of its social contribution activities. The local branch of the U.S.-based bank has carried out multiple environment-related social contribution activities since its establishment. The bank won the Seoul City award for its voluntary work for the environment in 2010. The bank’s most recent cooperative pact with Seoul City regarding the environment was signed on May 22. Seoul City, which has likewise be

South Korean stocks opened lower Tuesday ahead of a golden week amid lingering jitters over the U.S. Federal Reserve's next policy meeting, analysts said. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) slid 11.24 points, or 0.56 percent, to 2,002.13 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics sank 1.2 percent, with No. 1 carmaker Hyundai Motor sliding nearly 1 percent. Analysts predicted the Seoul bourse won't see an upward move as investors will likely ret

President Park Geun-hye has appointed a former ruling party lawmaker as her new secretary for political affairs, an official said Tuesday.Joo Kwang-deok, 53, a former prosecutor and a member of the previous National Assembly, began his new job on Monday, the official said on condition of anonymity.Joo succeeded Kim Seon-dong, who left the post in a reshuffle of the top office late last month.His immediate boss is senior political affairs secretary Park Joon-woo, a former career diplomat who serv