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49 January courthouse rioters found guilty
A Seoul court on Friday found 49 people guilty for their participation in a January courthouse riot related to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, with one of them receiving a five-year prison term. The Seoul Western District Court handed down the sentences to the individuals indicted en masse for their involvement in the riot at the same court building on Jan. 19, prompted by the court's decision to extend Yoon's detention over his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law. The guilty sentences ranged from
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Lee to go on weeklong summer vacation
President Lee Jae Myung’s weeklong summer vacation will start this weekend, during which he will spend his time at the presidential resort on an island located near the southern city of Geoje, his office said Friday. Lee’s official vacation period is from Aug. 4 to 8, but it will start from Saturday. At the historic resort on Jeodo Island, he plans to reflect on the country’s political situation and take time to “recharge by reading books and watching movies,” the presidential office said. Lee p
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Pro-labor, broadcast reform bills to be put to vote next week
Several contentious bills, including one pro-labor bill and three aimed at reducing government influence over public broadcasters, will be put to a vote at the National Assembly next week after a parliamentary standing committee approved them on Friday. The Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, led by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, voted in favor of passing the three broadcasting bills and the pro-labor bill dubbed the “Yellow Envelope Law” during a meeting. All four bills are s
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Is using a sun umbrella linked to racial bias?
Parasols, or sun umbrellas, have long been a summer necessity in several Asian countries. It is easy to spot both men and women holding them over their heads in the streets of South Korea and Japan, to shield against the sunlight and strong UV rays. However, a viral TikTok video claiming that the widespread use of such sunshades in Asia stems from underlying "white supremacy" has stirred controversy and sparked heated debates over whether the issue is about racism or health. In the video, titled
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Middle-schoolers under investigation for assaulting 6th-grader, forcing her to drink alcohol
Three middle school students are being investigated on charges of abuse against a 13-year-old girl, who was allegedly beaten all night and forced to drink alcohol by the older students. Officials at the Chungju Police Station said Thursday they had summoned the three adolescent suspects -- one 14 years old and in her first year of middle school and the other two in their second year -- for questioning over the suspected abuse of the sixth-grader. The 14-year-old girl, who knew the victim, report
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Yoon strongly resists special counsel's attempt to arrest him for questioning
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol has once again evaded efforts by prosecutors to enforce an arrest warrant, prompting the special counsel team to warn that physical force may be used next time. On Friday, the team investigating former First Lady Kim Keon Hee and led by prosecutor Min Joong-ki attempted to detain Yoon at Seoul Detention Center at around 8:30 a.m. They left empty-handed after more than two hours of confrontation. Yoon, who is already in custody following his arrest by a separate spe
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Talks launched to set date for 1st Lee-Trump summit
Seoul and Washington have launched discussions to set a date for a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump, South Korea’s Foreign Minister said Friday. The latest talks follow US President Donald Trump’s remark that his first summit with Lee would take place in the White House “within two weeks,” shared the previous day via Truth Social. "(The two sides) are coordinating to set a date (for the summit)," Cho said during a meeting with South Korean correspondents in Wa
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Lab behind woman's unnecessary mastectomy stripped of state endorsement
Health authorities reportedly decided to suspend the state approval for medical activities of GC Labs for one month, after the institute's blunder led to a cancer misdiagnosis for a woman whose left breast was removed as a result. Local broadcaster MBN News reported that the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Friday decided to cancel the government authorization for the clinical laboratory that conducts medical analyses commissioned by local hospitals. The endorsement allows the institute to be r
Aug. 1, 2025 -
After 3 years and 8.5 million visitors, Cheong Wa Dae closes to public
Three years and two months since opening to the public as a cultural and historical site, Cheong Wa Dae, a symbol of state power and political history, closed Friday to prepare to return to its formal function as the presidential office and residence. The transition will focus primarily on upgrading security systems and facilities. While the exact date of the presidential move-in has not been confirmed, the closure marks the beginning of Cheong Wa Dae’s restoration as the seat of executive power
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Owner of dog kept inside fridge denies abuse, says it was for dog's heart problems
A photo of a small dog inside a fridge at a restaurant sparked disputes over possible animal abuse. The owner of the dog, however, claimed Thursday that the measure was taken to prevent the extreme heat from exacerbating the animal's heart issues. Busan Jungbu Police Station received a report of potential animal abuse at around 8:10 p.m. on Tuesday, saying a dog was being kept inside a glass door refrigerator at a local pizza restaurant. Officials checked the site and said the temperature inside
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Special counsel fails to execute detention warrant for ex-President Yoon
A special counsel team failed to execute a detention warrant for jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday after he repeatedly snubbed summonses. Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team said their attempt to bring in Yoon for questioning from Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang failed due to the former president's "adamant refusal." (Yonhap)
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Senior Seoul official notes possibility of USFK role change due to 'various factors'
WASHINGTON, July 31 (Yonhap) -- A senior South Korean official made a rare mention Thursday of a possible change in the role of the US Forces Korea (USFK), amid speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration may seek to shift the focus of its mission to deterring China rather than countering North Korean threats. The official made the remarks in a meeting with South Korean correspondents in Washington as the Trump administration is seeking to "modernize" the South Korea-US allianc
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Special counsel team begins executing detention warrant for ex-President Yoon
A special counsel team arrived at a prison Friday to execute a detention warrant for jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol after he repeatedly snubbed summonses. Assistant special counsel Moon Hong-ju was joined by a prosecutor and an investigator from special counsel Min Joong-ki's team as he entered Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, just south of the capital, where Yoon has been held since last month. The team will attempt to bring Yoon out of his cell and take him for questioning over allegat
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Ex-interior minister arrested over alleged role in martial law bid
Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was arrested Friday for allegedly conspiring with former President Yoon Suk Yeol in his brief attempt to impose martial law last year. The Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for Lee, citing concerns he may destroy evidence. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team, which is investigating Yoon's martial law attempt, had sought Lee's arrest on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection, abuse of power and perjury. Lee is suspected of aiding
Aug. 1, 2025 -
Top S. Korean, US diplomats reiterate 'resolute' commitment to NK denuclearization
The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States reaffirmed the allies' "resolute" commitment to the "complete" denuclearization of North Korea and the "full" enforcement of sanctions against it during their talks in Washington on Thursday, a State Department spokesperson said. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held their first talks since the launch of the Lee Jae Myung administration last month, as Seoul and Washington face a series of cooperation issues, in
Aug. 1, 2025