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US, North Korea need to make substantive progress The historic meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jongun at the inter-Korean border, Sunday, has provided fresh momentum for their countries' denuclearization talks. They agreed to resume working-level negotiations in a few weeks, a major turnaround in the stalled dialogue over North Korea's n..

A diplomatic row between Korea and Japan has developed into a trade conflict as Tokyo imposed restrictions Monday on exports to Seoul of high-tech materials and chemicals used in semiconductor and smartphone production. In response, the Korean government expressed regret, saying the move violated World Trade Organization rules. Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Sung Yunmo..

Trump-Kim DMZ meeting raises hope for peace U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jongun made history in a meeting at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the world's last symbol of the Cold War, Sunday. Their meeting, though quick and brief, marked the first time for the leaders of the Cold War foes to get together at the DMZ, following the Korean War ending with a..

State utility should reflect on mishap, redouble safety steps The abrupt abnormal heat output at the Hanbit 1 reactor last month was found to be due to human error, as initially thought. The state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) changed the method of measuring control rods' capability for the first time in 14 years, and committed mistakes in calculating the reactor's he..

Can Xi-Kim summit revive US-N. Korea talks? Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up his two-day visit to North Korea, Friday. His visit drew keen attention from the international community because it came amid the stalled denuclearization talks between Pyongyang and Washington as well as the escalating U.S.-China trade war. Xi's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jongun raise..

Ambitious strategy will get nowhere without action plans The government unveiled a comprehensive strategy to innovate the nation's lagging services industries Wednesday. The five-year plan calls for drastically increasing financial and tax support and lifting regulations to nurture four promising services sectors ― tourism, health, logistics and content. To turn the vision i..

It goes against public sentiment to promote Cho Kuk President Moon Jaein is reportedly considering a reshuffle next month to replace some ministers who are expected to run in the general election in April 2020. It also remains to be seen whether some of the ministers that have been with Moon since the very beginning of his presidency, such as Foreign Minister Kang Kyungwha, wi..

Inspection needs to help private universities raise transparency The Ministry of Education has begun conducting a general inspection of 16 major private universities over widespread allegations that they might have engaged in serious irregularities. This inspection is part of President Moon Jaein's efforts to eradicate embezzlement and accounting fraud at certain schools. The ..

Parents angry over transition of school status President Moon Jaein's pledge to abolish elite private high schools is facing an intense backlash from the education community, including parents and students. The pledge was controversial from the beginning of Moon's presidency as it invited criticism that it infringed upon the rights of schools to offer a quality curriculum and ..

Liberty Korea Party (LKP) Chairman Hwang Kyoahn has shown a lack of sensitivity toward some of the biggest social issues, such as youth unemployment and treatment of foreigners. During a June 22 event, Hwang addressed the extreme difficulties faced by young Koreans in getting jobs. As an example of a successful job applicant, he mentioned his son, saying that he was able to ge..