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Top 10 News Stories of 2011

The death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and the Arab Spring which has fuelled protests in Arab countries were chosen as the top national and foreign news stories of 2011 respectively, according to The Korea Times annual poll of editors. Here are 2011's top 10 stories in order:

1. Death of N. Korean leader Kim Jong-il

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's death: North Korea's iron-fisted ruler Kim Jong-il died of a heart attack on Dec. 17, according to North Korean media. The 69-year-old dictator had a stroke in 2008 and suffered from diabetes and heart disease. His third son Jong-un, aged in his late 20s, has taken the helm of the impoverished communist state.

2. Ahn Cheol-soo emerges as strong presidential contender

Ahn Cheol-soo emerges as strong presidential contender: Doctor-turned-IT mogul Ahn Cheol-soo emerged as a strong presidential contender, defeating all major political figures in polls, including interim GNP leader Park Geun-hye.

3. South Korea-US FTA ratified

Korea-US FTA ratified: The free trade agreement (FTA) between Korea and the United States, KORUS FTA, is finally ratified by the parliaments of both countries. It took a boycott by the opposition parties and a deep-running division in society to pass it in Korea.

4. National Election Commission hacking scandal

NEC hacking scandal: Police found that a 27-year-old aide to Rep. Choi Gu-sik of the governing Grand National Party masterminded a cyber attack on Dec. 9 that paralyzed the website of the National Election Commission (NEC) and that of an opposition candidate on election day.

5. Change of Seoul mayor

Change of Seoul mayor: Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon quit midway through his term after an insufficient number of residents turned up at polling stations in a referendum on free school lunch programs on Aug. 24. His resignation led to the election of independent candidate Park Won-soon.

6. Foot-and-mouth disease epidemic

Foot-and-mouth disease epidemic: It was an unseemly sight to see hundreds of thousands of pigs and cattle slaughtered with some of them buried alive at the peak of the foot and mouth epidemic.

7. Campaign to cut university tuition

Campaign to cut university tuition: Students and civic group members took to the streets, demanding President Lee Myung-bak fulfill his campaign promise to cut university tuition by half. The tuition reduction became a political issue, drawing support from the public. Many students were arrested for violent demonstrations.

8. Savings banks go bankrupt

Savings banks busted: Despite regulators' assurances, savings banks toppled one after another. Thousands of customers saw some of their deposits unprotected and distrust in the government is running high.

9. PyeongChang to host 2018 Winter Olympics

PyeongChang to host 2018 Winter Olympics: The country cheered in triumph at midnight on July 7 (KST) when International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge opened the envelope and awkwardly read the name of PyeongChang as the winning host city for the 2018 Winter Games.

10. K-pop develops worldwide following

K-pop develops worldwide following: This year, K-pop stars pioneered new fans with their catchy songs and dance moves, particularly in Europe.

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