Hangeul Romanization needs fixing
Experts shun it, users confused, government sits on hands The current Romanization system for Hangeul (Korean script) has been in use for more than 10 years, but people still find it confusing. Moreover, Hangeul experts shun it and prefer using an older system. Although the government knows this, it refutes calls to fix the system, […]
Seoul won’t buy F-35s without discount
DAPA expects Lockheed deal to overshoot FX budget The state-run arms procurement agency announced Wednesday that it will not purchase Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightening II Joint Striker Fighters, if the Pentagon cannot come up with an enticing price-tag. “If the negotiation price exceeds our target price, it will be difficult for us to carry out […]
Speculation mounts over NCsoft
CEO Kim’s stake sale may have negative effect on new game Game developer NCsoft is attracting unwanted attention after a recent below market price sale of shares in the company by its chief executive evoked much speculation, while a press conference to trail its forthcoming new game is less than a week away. NCsoft is […]
Questions linger over Lee’s involvement
Key questions remained answered Wednesday, even after the prosecution concluded its investigation into illegal surveillance operations by indicting five figures, including former presidential aides for their involvement, among them, former vice knowledge economy minister Park Young-joon. Was President Lee Myung-bak aware of the illicit activities of his aides before prosecutors brought them to justice? Did […]
Colleges in turmoil over election of presidents
State-run colleges are in a whirlwind of internal conflict over the government’s move to scrap the direct election system that chooses the institution’s presidents. Changing the way presidents are picked at state schools is the centerpiece of Education Minister Lee Ju-ho’s college restructuring plan. Professors are resisting the move, alleging that it will endanger academic […]
Park Chu-young “I will do my military duty”
Arsenal forward Park Chu-young broke his silence Wednesday and clarified the position on the controversial delaying of his mandatory military service at a press conference at the Korea Football Association in Seoul. He did not, however, give a specific time frame as to when he would complete his national service. “Since I started playing in […]
Samsung hopes China will help soften crisis
Samsung Electronics is preparing to make China the new center of its activities, hoping that a strengthened position in the world’s fastest-growing economy will provide a cushion to absorb business rockiness in shell-shocked nations in the West. To explore new business opportunities Choi Gee-sung, the former Samsung Electronics CEO who was recently promoted to overall […]
Korea prohibits trade of online game items
Korea has decided to ban trade for commercial game items from the second half of this year as a measure aimed at encouraging students to not waste time. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced that it is planning to halt all virtual item trades with a new law, to be announced sometime […]
‘We can turn China into blessing’
China is a blessing to Korea rather than a curse, a China expert said Wednesday. “I think it is a blessing to have a country like this next to us,” said Seok Tong-youn, 58, secretary-general of the state-run Northeast Asian History Foundation (NAHF). “China is turning from being the world’s factory to becoming the world’s […]
‘Don’t blame FTA for Korean cars’ popularity in EU’
Korea’s auto trade group refuted Wednesday European carmakers’ allegation that the free trade agreement (FTA) between Korea and the European Union solely contributed to a sharp rise in Korean car sales in Europe. The Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) said the allegation is “misleading” on the positive effects of FTA and provides a “biased and […]
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Trump, Kim, and the Three P’s of Summit Diplomacy: 
