The leaders of South Korea and Turkmenistan agreed Monday to reinforce economic ties in energy, finance, policy and infrastructure to take their economic partnership to the next level.At the summit in Seoul, President Park Geun-hye and visiting President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation in energy development, financial support, policy infrastructure and public transport. Under the agreement, the two countries are expected to expand supp

The government is considering requiring universities to collect plans of trips organized by students in advance as part of efforts to enhance safety measures.“We are reviewing a measure to mandate that college field trips should be notified to the college authorities in advance,” said an official from the Ministry of Education on Sunday. “The point of the measure is to ensure safety by sharing field trip plans with the college authorities,” said the official. “We are coordinating with colleges o

South Korean lawmakers on Friday released a statement condemning Japan’s latest attempt to lay claim over Korean territory and play down its colonial atrocities.The lawmakers from the Special Committee on Distortion of History in Northeast Asia adopted a resolution denouncing the Japanese government’s approval of controversial textbooks, which describe the Seoul-controlled islets Dokdo as a part of Japanese territory and that the southern region of the Korean Peninsula was ruled by Japan from th

Sung Wan-jong, former chairman of Keangnam Enterprise Ltd., denied Wednesday allegations he engaged in irregularities related to former President Lee Myung-bak’s overseas resources development projects. Sung also denied at a news conference that he was one of the so-called “MB men,” referring to businessmen and politicians closely associated with the former president.“I never abused my authority as a public servant,” Sung said. “Contrary to media reports, I am not one of the ‘MB men.’ How could

More than a 100 journalists from all over the world will gather in South Korea next week to attend the third World Journalist Conference and discuss Korea’s reunification and freedom of the press.The Journalist Association of Korea said Wednesday it will host the event from April 12 through 18 in major cities including Seoul, Daegu and Busan. Titled “the 70th Anniversary of National Division: Think about Unification on the Korean Peninsula,” the conference will consist of two main sessions: “Thi

Seoul City is gearing up to demonstrate its innovative and ambitious green policies to mark the opening of a global environment conference to highlight the city’s commitment to fighting climate change. The city has announced it would employ an environmentally friendly transportation system and enforce the use of green products during the International Council for Local Environment Initiative World Congress 2015, themed “Sustainable Solution for an Urban Future.” The conference will run from Apri

Main opposition party leader Rep. Moon Jae-in upped the ante against his rival party Monday, saying he would attend the hearing for an investigation into an overseas resource development project, and demanded former president Lee Myung-bak join him. “The Saenuri Party insisted that the former president Lee would attend the hearing as long as I joined him. Fair enough. I will attend the hearing, and you should join me,” said Moon from the New Politics Alliance for Democracy. The ruling party, how

Safety accidents at schools in Korea became more frequent last year despite reinforced efforts to protect children following the Sewol ferry sinking last April that claimed 246 students’ lives, statistics showed Sunday.According to the Ministry of Education, 116,527 accidents occurred at schools in 2014, a 10.9 percent increase from 2013. By school type, middle schools saw the most accidents at 39,101, followed by elementary schools (37,075), high schools (31,941), kindergartens (7,602) and spec

The government is considering expanding the length of military training for college students in the reserves as part of efforts to beef up Korea’s military readiness and make the system fairer.“The Defense Ministry is trying to see if there is a way for college students to join mobilized training for reservists, given that they are not required to attend the training,” an official said Friday.If the plan is implemented, college students who have completed their mandatory military service will be

The Korean government will begin offering compensation to victims of last year’s Sewol ferry sinking disaster from this month, as the nation continues to deal with disputes over the mishandling of the disaster.The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced Tuesday that it has finalized the scope of compensation for bereaved families and 157 survivors and will start receiving requests for compensation. The move comes nearly one year after the ferry sank on April 16. More than 300 people died in t

More than 60 percent women in their 20s in Seoul consume alcohol more than once a month. Of those, 1 in 10 were classed as binge drinkers, according to the statistics released by Seoul Metropolitan Government.Alcohol consumption among women in their 20s increased to 64.8 percent in 2013, a 9.6 percentage point increase from 2008 and the biggest increase among age and gender groups. Of those, 1 in 10 indulge in binge drinking, defined as drinking more than five glasses of Soju, a popular Korean l

A smoking ban in public areas will be enforced from April following a three-month grace period. It comes amid lingering public debate over a need to improve public health against individuals’ right to smoke.The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on March 31 that it would start penalizing those who smoke in public spaces such as restaurants, Internet cafes, coffee shops and other public areas. Violators will be fined up to 100,000 won ($90), while the owners of establishments who tolerate s

Former opposition party leader Chung Dong-young announced Monday he would run in one of the by-elections on April 29, complicating to the race for the Gwanak constituency seat in Seoul.Chung, 61, who is planning to found a new political party, tentatively named People’s Union held a news conference to announce his bid for the National Assembly seat.“I decided to do my utmost to provide a better place for the have-nots. Working along with them, I will emerge victorious in this election,” Chung to

Two of Korea’s quartet idol group 2AM are leaving its management agency, JYP Entertainment, but the split won’t affect the group’s future activities, the agency said Thursday. Seulong and Jinwoon have decided not to renew their contract with JYP while their teammate Jo Kwon chose to remain. The fourth member, Changmin, is currently mulling his course of action, as he has four months left until his contract expires, said the agency. Seulong signed with Sidus HQ, another local talent management co

There is good news for local film lovers who are feeling increasingly frustrated by the lack of diversity in Korea’s booming cinema industry.The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced plans to create a film center, which will be the city’s equivalent to New York’s Film Forum, by 2018. Tentatively named “Cinematheque,” the envisioned film center will be constructed on a site currently used as a public parking lot in Chungmuro, a district in central Seoul known as the birthplace of the country’s

Four grandpas from “Grandpas over Flowers” are set to captivate viewers as the tvN’s hit reality show returns with mesmerizing Greek scenery and entertaining travel episodes. In the new season, which premieres Friday, their grumpy, young top actor-turned-travel guide Lee Seo-jin gets a helping hand from first-generation hallyu goddess Choi Ji-woo.“Choi has two strengths. One is superb cooking skills. The other is her affability,” Lee said at a press conference held in Seoul on Tuesday.  “Through

Korean singer-turned-actor Yim Si-wan has been confirmed as the male lead in an upcoming movie “Thinking of Brother (working title),” directed by popular Korean director Lee Han known for his feel-good movies such as “Punch,” the movie producer said on Thursday.  Yim Si-wan. (Yonhap)The star of tvN series “Misaeng (Incomplete Life)” will play the role of Han sang-ryul, a military officer who commands his unit with excellent leadership while suppressing agony inflicted by the war. Set in the mids

Koren idol group 2PM member Hwang Chan-sung has landed the male lead role in an upcoming Japanese film called “Wasureyuki,” Hwang’s agency said Wednesday. Hwang will play the role of Yoon Tae-oh, a young veterinarian who falls in love with his old friend Miyuki, played by Ono Ito, a 19-year-old up-and-coming Japanese actress.  The film, directed by 41-year-old Korean Han Sang-hee, is based on a Japanese best-selling comic book, with over 700 million copies sold. It deals with a love story betwee

South Korea and Britain discussed measures to boost business ties when their industry ministries held a joint economic committee in Seoul on Tuesday.During the one-day Joint Economic and Trade Committee session, the two sides agreed to establish a joint degree course on offshore plants at their designated universities, according to officials. The participants also sought measures to enforce the agreements between the two countries made during President Park Geun-hye’s visit to the U.K. in 2013,

Hyundai Engineering & Construction, one of Korea’s largest builders, will reinforce its presence in the Middle East with an aim to expand into new markets, the company said.The move came as the company attempted to diversify its business portfolio in the Middle East while launching new businesses in emerging markets such as Europe, Africa and South America, according to a company statement. “We are committed to expanding the share of overseas business while continuously pushing for diversifying