Pyongyang’s overtures for dialogue with Seoul appear aimed at securing outside assistance to ease its economic travails and escape international isolation resulting from its belligerent behavior, experts here said on Sunday.Some also pointed out that the olive branch seems intended to show the U.S. that it is making due endeavors for the improvement of inter-Korean ties, a condition the U.S. has d

The prosecution is planning to summon two former top police officials early this week as part of its probe into an escalating bribery scandal regarding construction site catering contracts, sources said Sunday.The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office will question former National Police Agency chief Kang Hee-rak as early as Monday on suspicion of receiving some 100 million won ($88,840) in k

Rep. Park Geun-hye, former chairwoman of the ruling Grand National Party, has maintained an overwhelming lead in all recent opinion polls on those hoping to run in the 2012 presidential election.However, observers say it remains to be seen whether Park will continue to remain the favorite in the polls, citing the possibility of her suffering an unexpected setback in the unstable political scene be