Publication of North Korea founder s memoir stirs controversy
Posted : 2021-04-23 15:25
Updated : 2021-04-23 17:14
The cover of With the Century, a memoir of North Korea s founder Kim Il-sung / Courtesy of Minjok Sarangbang
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Controversy is rising over the publication of the memoir of North Korea founder Kim Il-sung here, as it was ruled anti-state material by the Supreme Court back in 2011.
While the eight-volume series With the Century hit bookshelves in South Korea in early April, the Ministry of Unification said it would look into how the books are being sold and whether this violates the National Security Law.
Lawmaker reignites debate on women s military service
Posted : 2021-04-20 16:54
Updated : 2021-04-20 19:17
Men subject to enlistment wait for health checkup at an exam center in Seoul to get their physical grade for military service in this Feb. 17 photo. Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han
By Nam Hyun-woo
Rep. Park Yong-jin of the Democratic Party of Korea speaks during an interview with the Hankook Ilbo, a sister paper of The Korea Times, at the National Assembly in this Sept. 9, 2020 photo. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-keunA decades-long debate on mandatory military service for women has been reignited by Rep. Park Yong-jin of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), a presidential hopeful, who wants to change the current conscription system to encompass men and women who will both serve in the military for a shortened term.
Posted : 2020-12-28 13:57 By Kim Rahn
Dongyang University professor Chung Kyung-sim, wife of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, attends a court hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, Wednesday. The court found her guilty of academic and financial fraud and handed down a four-year jail term. YonhapMore than 400,000 people have called for the impeachment of the judges who handed down a four-year prison term to Dongyang University professor Chung Kyung-sim, wife of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, over academic record forgery and financial fraud, claiming the verdict was politically motivated.
The call is the latest petition on the Cheong Wa Dae website filed regarding contentious issues, over which public opinions are divided politically and ideologically.
Posted : 2020-12-24 16:42
Updated : 2020-12-24 18:14
Chung Kyung-shim, a professor at Dongyang University and wife of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. Chung was detained after being sentenced to four years in prison and fined with 500 million won ($453,992) for forging her daughter s academic records. Yonhap
By Jung Da-min
The prison term handed down to the wife of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, announced after her conviction for multiple criminal acts, is an unfavorable factor for President Moon Jae-in and the ruling party which defended Cho.
The court decision adds to criticism of the Moon government for its ethical lapses, as a number of high-ranking officials have also been embroiled in influence-peddling scandals. The controversy surrounding Cho, in particular, has been so far the biggest considering he was trusted by the President to lead prosecutorial reform and the prosecution s investigation
December 24, 2020 10:15
The wife of fly-by-night justice minister Cho Kuk was sentenced to four years in jail on Wednesday for academic fraud and financial misconduct.
The ruling by the Seoul Central District Court marked the first sentence in the family s trials on charges of shady financial dealings, influence peddling and document forgery. It also slapped her with a W500 million fine and forfeiture of W139 million (US$1=W1,107).
The court found Chung Kyung-shim (58), a professor at Dongyang University, guilty of 11 out of 15 charges related to her daughter s improper college admission and her dubious investment in a private equity fund.
Chung Kyung-shim arrives at the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday.