The Korean Coast Guard’s West regional headquarters in Mokpo said Thursday that it would take legal action and seek arrest warrants for 11 Chinese crewmen and fishermen for obstruction of justice.The Coast Guard officials investigated the incident involving illegal fishing by the Chinese crewmen in Korea’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the West Sea, and found that they used weapons, such as axes and saws, and violence against the Korean marine police.The latest clash claimed one life of a Chinese f

Five crew members of a sunken Malaysian cargo vessel died Thursday after a Korea Coast Guard boat, which had rescued them, capsized in seas off Jeju Island.The Coast Guard dispatched its boat to save 15 crewmen of the 5,000-ton vessel from sinking off the southern island. The rescue boat carrying them and four coast guard officers was heading back to its base when it capsized due to strong tides. The Coast Guard immediately dispatched a helicopter and a patrol ship but the accident claimed five

The Global Green Growth Institute, a Korea-initiated nonprofit organization to promote environmentally friendly development, was officially transformed into an international agency on Thursday, 28 months after its launch.The agency met the requirement as an international body, which is the ratification of at least three countries, as Kiribati’s approval on Sept. 18 took effect following Denmark and Guyana.With 18 member countries the GGGI is the first international organization founded under the

Seaman who died wielded saw against Korean maritime policeRelations between South Korea and China are taking a turn for the worst following the death of a Chinese fisherman during a raid by the South Korean Coast Guard in the West Sea on Tuesday. The Chinese government expressed “serious concern” over the incident on Wednesday. The Chinese Foreign Ministry demanded a thorough investigation and “concrete measures to prevent violent law enforcement and similar incidents from happening again,” its

Korean scientists reported a breakthrough technology that can more efficiently and safely reprogram adult cells to an embryo-like state, where they can grow into organs. The two research teams led by professor Park Se-pill at Jeju National University Stem Cell Research Center and Mirae Biotech succeeded in generating induced pluripotent stem cells using non-viral vectors of nanoparticles and liposomal magnetofection. Non-viral vectors usually consist of DNA that can be delivered to a target cell

Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin on Monday apologized and pledged to discipline commanders responsible for the failure to detect a North Korea solider crossing the border.Kim said in a press briefing that the ministry admitted its failure to keep its military units on security alert at all times on the front-line and a proper reporting system in the chain of command.“We sincerely apologize to the public for failing to inform of the incident truthfully, and causing confusion,” Kim said. The ministry

Korea researchers said they have identified a gene that produces neurotoxic components in Alzheimer’s disease, in a step forward to finding a cure for the degenerative brain disease. The state-run Korea National Institute of Health said on Monday that a team led by Dr. Koh Young-ho at its biomedical science division found small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) 1 protein.The team found in lab testing with mice that SUMO1 integrates with BACE1, a key enzyme which accelerates the production and de

Hunger situation in North Korea this year worsened from the 1990s despite considerable amount of international aid to the communist nation, a Washington-based food institute showed Saturday.The 2012 Global Hunger Index published by the International Food Policy Research Institute said hunger remains a serious problem worldwide, with alarming levels in some countries.North Korea’s hunger situation was at the “serious level,” the report said, with its GHI standing at 19 points, higher than that of

Hong Sa-duk, a close aide to ruling party presidential candidate Park Geun-hye, confessed that he received illegal political funds from a businessman, during a recent questioning, prosecution sources said Saturday. Hong, a former co-chairman of Park’s primary campaign team and former six-term lawmaker, was summoned by prosecutors on Friday on suspicion of receiving kickbacks from the businessman, surnamed Jin, who is based in the southeastern region.During questioning on Friday, Hong said he rec

Senior officials and business leaders of major African countries will gather in South Korea this week to discuss cooperation and joint business opportunities, the foreign ministry said Saturday. South Korea and the African Union will jointly hold the Korea Africa Economic Cooperation Conference in Seoul from Oct. 15-18, bringing 150 ministers and heads of 18 African nations and international organizations, the ministry said.“Africa is the last growth engine of the world economy, which has unlimi

Mexico expects the Global Green Growth Institute, a Korea-initiated multinational organization, to play a crucial role in facilitating international exchanges of technology, expertise and funds for environment-friendly development. Latin America’s second-largest economy has set comprehensive plans to cut carbon emissions, boost energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy resources. “To reach these objectives, Mexico will need international cooperation and funds,” Mexico’s Minister

Lawmakers of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee visited South Korea’s 22nd Infantry Division on Friday in Goseong, Gwangwon Province, to toughen their inspection on the military base.The 22nd Division had been held responsible for lax border security on Oct. 2, when a North Korean solider jumped over three fences on the demarcation line and crossed over to the South without being spotted.Lawmakers criticized the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the parliamentary inspection on the inc

The Joint Chiefs of Staff came under mounting criticism Thursday over lax security on the border with North Korea following the defection of a soldier from the communist state.The military is also being reproved for maintaining a poor reporting system in the chain of command, further raising concern over South Korea’s military communication channels.The JCS said that the military unit guarding the demarcation line that took in the North Korean solider did not falsely report the situation to or t

South Korea and the U.S. are moving to boost their missile defense as a key deterrent against nuclear-armed North Korea.Various sources told local media that the two allies have drawn up a strategic plan that aims to target and intercept the North’s nuclear facilities, underground bunkers and missiles.Officials from the two sides are expected to discuss the matter at the bilateral Security Consultative Meeting, scheduled to be held in the U.S. later this month.The plan calls for launching a stri

The Joint Chiefs of Staff has been criticized for loosely guarding the military demarcation line and allowing a North Korean soldier to freely cross over to the South.At a parliamentary inspection on the incumbent administration, lawmakers of the National Assembly’s national defense committee lashed out at JCS Chairman Jung Seung-jo for lax security at the border.The Ministry of National Defense said last Saturday that a North Korean solider defected to the South by crossing the MDL after killin

Government designates area a disaster zoneThe government on Monday designated the area in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province hit by an acid leak a disaster zone amid criticism over its belated response to the incident.Experts said it may take more than five years for the town to fully recover its agricultural land and crops, which are the main source of income and food for residents in the area.The tardy response of the government and miscalculation by the state-run scientific institute is being bl

Korea’s Defense Ministry has its soldiers use aging and out-of-date materials for chemical and biological warfare exercises, raising concerns over their health and drill practicality.Citing a report submitted to the National Assembly’s national defense committee, lawmakers said that the ministry had only disposed of 44,367 materials out of 165,600 between 2008 and 2011. The rest, including 29-year-old mask filters and 13-year-old emergency personal decontaminants, are still being used. Soldiers

South Korea will consider launching a preemptive strike against North Korea should it detect signs that the communist state will use its nuclear weaponry during wartime, said Jung Seung-jo, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Speaking to the National Assembly’s national defense committee on Monday, Jung said that the new missile guidelines agreed between Korea and the U.S. will give the country more “flexibility” in countering threats from the North.He added that he is satisfied with the outco

Public anger is growing over perceived government nonchalance in the face of an acid leak almost two weeks ago in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province.The accident at a factory owned by Hube Korea, a local manufacturer of hydrofluoric acid used for the production of displays, has claimed five lives. More than 2,000 residents have also suffered from the effects of the acid on their skin, eyes and respiratory system, while some 300 local residents have opted to temporarily relocate.Despite growing call

An opposition lawmaker has lashed out at some senior diplomats for allowing their sons to dodge military service.Citing a report submitted to the foreign affairs, trade and unification committee of the National Assembly, lawmaker Yoo In-tae from the Democratic United Party said that sons of several diplomats have been found to either indefinitely or completely put off their national duty by living overseas for a long period of time, or by giving up their Korean citizenship.He noted, for example,