Articles by 김소현
김소현
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Communist allies seek strategic interests
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s recent visit to China indicated that the two countries’ communist alliance remains intact, but that it may be shifting toward a relationship based more on strategic and economic interests.The varying tones of state-run media reports from Pyongyang and Beijing on Kim’s summit meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao last week suggested that the two allies may not b
North Korea June 1, 2011
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N.K. action may thwart summit chances
Lee faces criticism for secret move to set up meeting with Kim Jong-ilPyongyang’s official media announcement on Wednesday that Seoul proposed holding three rounds of summit meetings between their leaders have dashed prospects for a summit between President Lee Myung-bak and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and prolonged the inter-Korean stalemate.The Lee administration was also likely to face crit
North Korea June 1, 2011
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Rival parties on collision course over bank scandal
Both sides say the other should take responsibility for savings bank problemsThe presidential office and opposition lawmakers are accusing each other of being associated with a corruption scandal involving savings banks that has led to the arrest of a former top state auditor for bribery.A senior Cheong Wa Dae official on Tuesday went on a counteroffensive against Park Jie-won, former floor leader
Politics May 31, 2011
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Lee to meet Park on Friday
Meeting comes as GNP is embroiled in leadership crisisPresident Lee Myung-bak will meet with the ruling party’s factional leader and strongest presidential hopeful Rep. Park Geun-hye this Friday, Lee’s aide said Tuesday, 10 months after their previous meeting in August last year.During the luncheon meeting with Lee, the former chairwoman of the Grand National Party will discuss the outcome of her
Politics May 31, 2011
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Lee may change presidential aides in June
Chief of staff Yim will likely stay to prepare for inter-Korean summit: observersPresident Lee Myung-bak is expected to replace some of his secretaries in early June as new minister nominees take office and oust several top aides if necessary after the Grand National Party’s national convention on July 4.The National Assembly wrapped up confirmation hearings for the five new minister nominees last
Politics May 30, 2011
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Korea, U.S. begin Agent Orange probe
U.S. tested highly toxic defoliants in 5 countries including Korea in 1960sSouth Korean and U.S. officials on Friday began collecting groundwater samples near a U.S. army base in the south, a day after agreeing on a joint probe into the alleged burial of the toxic defoliant Agent Orange by American troops about three decades ago.The investigation began after former U.S. soldiers told a U.S. televi
Social Affairs May 27, 2011
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Savings bank scandal becomes hot political issue
Ruling party hints at parliamentary probeState prosecutors found that President Lee Myung-bak’s confidant and former state auditor Eun Jin-soo violated the law to take part in auditing savings banks last year as they investigated Eun’s alleged involvement in a snowballing savings bank corruption scandal.Eun stepped down as commissioner of the Board of Audit and Inspection Thursday after the prosec
Politics May 27, 2011
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President may pay state visit to Japan this fall
Seoul and Tokyo are discussing whether President Lee Myung-bak should accept his Japanese counterpart’s invitation for a state visit this fall, Lee’s spokesperson said Thursday.Prime Minister Nato Kan extended the invitation during his summit talks with Lee held Sunday in Tokyo on the sidelines of the annual Korea-Japan-China summit.“President Lee said Seoul’s foreign ministry will hold working-le
Politics May 26, 2011
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Expert calls for pragmatic N.K. policy
U.S. analyst expects herald interview N.K. ‘apology,’ easing of Seoul’s sanctions in near futureNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s seventh official visit to China is once again drawing attention to whether the reclusive state will forge a major economic partnership with its main ally and provider of aid.In addition to revisiting China’s underdeveloped northeastern provinces last week, Kim traveled
Politics May 24, 2011
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Lee meets envoy from the Vatican
President Lee Myung-bak on Tuesday met with a senior Vatican official in charge of promoting dialogue with other religions and expressed his respect for such efforts, the presidential office said.French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue at the Vatican, arrived in Seoul on Monday for a five-day trip that includes a visit to the headquarters
Politics May 24, 2011
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Seoul tightens rules on cash flow to North Korea
South Koreans who wish to send money to their families in North Korea will be required to get government approval in advance under a revised law, Seoul’s Unification Ministry said Monday.All remittances between the South and North, including investments or aid to the North from an overseas corporation set up by a South Korean citizen, will require government approval, according to the revised law
Politics May 23, 2011
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Korea, Japan, China agree on nuke safety
Wen says Beijing invited N.K. leader to witness economic developmentLeaders of South Korea, Japan and China agreed Sunday to set up an early notification system for nuclear accidents during an annual tripartite summit in Tokyo which took place as North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was visiting China.Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao told President Lee Myung-bak that “Beijing invited Kim to give the N
Politics May 22, 2011
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N. Korean leader expected to meet China’s president
Kim Jong-il, Hu Jintao will discuss economic cooperation, denuclearization efforts: expertsNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-il was expected to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday to discuss bilateral economic cooperation as well as denuclearization efforts.The special train carrying Kim entered the Chinese border town of Tumen early Friday, passed through Shenyang Saturday evening and was
North Korea May 22, 2011
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Lee hosts dinner for parliamentary leaders
President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday hosted a dinner for the participants in the two-day G20 Seoul Speakers Consultation at the presidential office.About 110 people invited to the event at Cheong Wa Dae included parliamentary speakers and delegates from the G20 states, National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae, vice speakers Chung Eui-hwa, Hong Jae-hyung, Grand National Party floor leader Hwang Woo-ye
Politics May 19, 2011
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G20 speakers urge anti-terrorism cooperation
International coordination to fight terrorism was on top of the agenda at the meeting of parliamentary representatives from the Group of 20 major economies in Seoul Thursday.Assembly speakers and delegates from 26 countries gathered for the two-day G20 Seoul Speakers’ Consultation to seek parliamentary solutions to global issues such as terrorism and natural disasters.Sixteen of the participants w
Politics May 19, 2011
