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Special counsel teams launch investigations into ex-first lady, Marine death
Two special counsel teams launched their investigations Wednesday into corruption allegations surrounding former first lady Kim Keon Hee and the alleged cover-up of an incident involving the 2023 death of a Marine. The teams -- each led by special prosecutors Min Joong-ki and Lee Myeong-hyeon -- marked the launch with signboard-unveiling ceremonies at their offices in central and southern Seoul, respectively. "We will conduct all investigations in a manner that isn't excessive or biased," Min sa
July 2, 2025 -
Special counsel questions ex-PM, industry minister in martial law probe
A special prosecutor investigating former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed bid to impose martial law on Wednesday summoned former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, in a widening probe against then Cabinet members on the night of martial law imposition. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk has been checking whether Yoon abused his power or some Cabinet ministers cooperated with the botched martial law bid on Dec. 3 last year, when the ousted president imposed martial law. Bot
July 2, 2025 -
Ex-President Yoon to appear for special counsel questioning Saturday: lawyers
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol will appear for a special counsel team's second round of questioning over his martial law bid this weekend, his lawyers said Wednesday. Yoon has accepted special counsel Cho Eun-suk's summons to appear at his office at 9 a.m. Saturday after withdrawing an earlier request to change the time to 10 a.m., the lawyers said. "It appears unlikely he will arrive at 9 a.m. sharp, but even if he is 10 to 20 minutes late, he will appear and testify," the lawyers said in a sta
July 2, 2025 -
Outgoing top prosecutor says criminal justice system should be designed under 'farsighted plan'
Outgoing Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung said Wednesday the criminal justice system should be designed under a "farsighted plan" through careful deliberation with all corners of society. Shim made the remark on his final day in office, apparently underscoring his concern about the new Lee Jae Myung administration's push to overhaul the prosecution with a focus on separating its investigative and indictment powers. "I think the criminal justice system should be designed under a farsighted nation
July 2, 2025 -
Prosecution chief resigns amid overhaul
Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung stepped down Tuesday after nine months in office following Sunday's nomination of a new justice minister and the administration's plans for prosecutorial reform. Expressing concerns about the Lee Jae Myung administration's reform plan, Shim said he has decided to "step down from the heavy responsibility as prosecutor general," in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. "Considering the various situations, I have decided that stepping down from the position now wo
July 1, 2025 -
Ex-President Yoon fails to appear for 2nd round of special counsel questioning
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol failed to appear Tuesday for a special counsel's second round of questioning over his martial law bid. Yoon had been asked to appear at Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-suk's office at 9 a.m. to undergo further questioning following the first round Saturday. But Yoon's lawyers repeatedly requested a postponement, citing his health and a scheduled hearing for his criminal trial on insurrection charges. Cho's team partially accepted the request and postponed the date once
July 1, 2025 -
Special counsel team wraps up questioning of ex-President Yoon; plans to summon him again
A special counsel team wrapped up its questioning of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday over insurrection charges tied to his Dec. 3 martial law declaration but plans to summon him again for another round of investigation. The questioning of Yoon ended shortly before 10 p.m., and the former president was reviewing his interrogation record before being allowed to return home, the special counsel team said. Yoon appeared for questioning at the Seoul High Prosecutors Office nearly half a da
June 29, 2025 -
Korea lowers cap on student loan interest rates
● Updated law: Special Act on Income Contingent Loan What it does: Lowers the interest rate cap on income-contingent loans Took effect: June 19 Starting on June 19, the interest rate cap on income-contingent loans will be lowered to reduce the burden of repayment for college graduates. Previously, the interest rate was capped at 120 percent of the average yield of five-year state bonds for the three years preceding each semester. This will be reduced to 110 percent. This is the first reduction i
June 25, 2025 -
Ex-defense minister files quasi-appeal against rejection of recusal request
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Wednesday filed a quasi-appeal against a court decision rejecting his earlier request for the recusal of judges overseeing new indictments against him. The quasi-appeal was filed orally by his lawyers during a hearing at the Seoul Central District Court held to determine whether to grant a new warrant to arrest Kim over his role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid. The court had dismissed the recusal request the previous day. Even if a qua
June 25, 2025 -
Ex-President Yoon attends 8th hearing of insurrection trial
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol attended the eighth hearing of his insurrection trial Monday, but was tight-lipped on a new investigation by independent counsels over his failed martial law bid. Yoon arrived at the Seoul Central District Court around 10 a.m. to attend the eight hearing of his insurrection trial on charges of leading an insurrection and abusing his power through his Dec. 3 imposition of martial law. It was Yoon's first trial after his case was transferred to the special counsel te
June 23, 2025 -
2 Marines,1 civilian accused of killing, injuring dogs with BB guns
Two active-duty Marines and one civilian in their 20s are under investigation for killing one dog and seriously injuring two others with BB guns. The Geoje Police Station said Wednesday that two active-duty soldiers and one civilian — all unnamed males in their 20s — fired hundreds of BB pellets at four dogs that were tied up in a restaurant yard in a small town in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, on June 8. Of the four dogs, one died as a result of the attack, while two sustained serious injur
June 20, 2025 -
Ex-President Yoon yet to appear for police questioning as deadline approaches
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol has yet to appear for police questioning over charges related to his short-lived imposition of martial law as Thursday's deadline approaches. Yoon has already snubbed two previous summonses, and his nonappearance Thursday would mark the third time he has defied a police order to appear for questioning. "It's not that he isn't accepting the appearance order but rather that the requirements for an appearance order should be met," his lawyer, Yun Gap-geun, told Yonhap
June 19, 2025 -
Court grants bail to ex-Defense Minister Kim
A Seoul court on Monday granted bail to former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun who has been detained since late last year on charges of insurrection and abuse of power over his alleged role in the Dec. 3 martial law imposition. The Seoul Central District Court approved the bail after accepting the prosecution's request, despite an objection from Kim's side. Kim was arrested on Dec. 27 for recommending martial law to former President Yoon Suk Yeol and drafting the decree. He is accused of deployin
June 16, 2025 -
Ex-President Yoon attends 7th hearing of insurrection trial
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol attended the seventh hearing of his insurrection trial Monday without responding to questions about separate independent investigations into him and his wife. Yoon arrived at the Seoul Central District Court to be tried on charges of leading an insurrection and abusing his power through his Dec. 3 imposition of martial law. It was his first trial hearing since his successor, President Lee Jae-myung, appointed three independent counsels to investigate charges relate
June 16, 2025 -
Ex-President Yoon snubs 2nd summons for police questioning in martial law probe
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol did not appear for police questioning Thursday morning over charges related to his botched martial law bid, officials said, ignoring their summons for the second time. Yoon has been asked to appear as a suspect on charges of ordering the Presidential Security Service to block the execution of a detention warrant against him in early January. He has also been booked on charges of ordering the PSS to delete records from secure phones used by three military commanders
June 12, 2025