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Fatal shooting sparks alarm over DIY firearms
A deadly domestic shooting in Songdo, Incheon, has reignited alarm in South Korea over the lack of regulation on homemade firearms and the ease of access to online content that teaches users how to build them. On Sunday, a 63-year-old man was arrested on charges of murder after allegedly shooting his son with a homemade shotgun filled with metal pellets at their residence in Songdo, Incheon. The victim, a 33-year-old man, was rushed to the hospital but did not survive his injuries. Police offici
July 22, 2025 -
From drone flights to Marine’s death, special probes turn sights on military
South Korea’s military leadership — including the former defense minister and senior commanders — has emerged as a central focus in two of the three special counsel investigations currently underway. The twin probes focus on alleged illegal drone operations over Pyongyang — tied to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s suspected attempt to manufacture a justification for declaring martial law — and the 2023 death of a young Marine, in which Yoon is accused of abusing his power to obstruct the initial
July 22, 2025 -
Heroes save lives amid deadly floods
South Korea was shaken last week by heavy rain that took at least 19 lives, but the tragedy was also accompanied by tales of heroic deeds of people risking their own lives to save others. Cheongdo in North Gyeongsang Province was hit hard by the downpour that resulted in submerged cars, flooded roads and landslides. When the rain was at its heaviest on Thursday, two teachers from Cheongdo High School jumped into a flooding stream to rescue a man in his 60s. Park Je-gyu and Kim Dong-han were help
July 22, 2025 -
Koreans less satisfied with domestic travel than overseas, citing high prices
South Koreans are generally less satisfied with domestic tourism than they are with traveling overseas, according to a survey, with the top reason being high prices at local tourist spots. The Federation of Korean Industries on Tuesday announced the results of a survey it conducted on consumer satisfaction with domestic and overseas travel, which showed that local tourism received an average score of 8.3 out of 10. This was lower than the 8.7 points given to trips outside of the country. The sur
July 22, 2025 -
Suspects arrested for 'anti-affair' app distribution
Three people were arrested on suspicion of developing and selling a mobile application that monitors texts, calls and locations, which they promoted as an "anti-affair" app in online communities for troubled couples. According to Busan police, the suspects are facing charges of wiretapping and distributing a malicious app that was developed and sold via their website between January of 2019 and December of 2024. The website marketed the app for the protection of children, claiming it would help
July 22, 2025 -
All of President Lee's criminal trials now suspended
All five criminal trials against South Korean President Lee Jae-myung have now been put on hold, following the suspension of proceedings in his case concerning alleged illegal remittances to North Korea — the last remaining active case. The Suwon District Court on Tuesday announced the postponement of the trial, which involves President Lee, former Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young, and Kim Seong-tae, former chairman of the underwear conglomerate Ssangbangwool Group. "The defendant c
July 22, 2025 -
Socially connected seniors better prepared for death: report
Senior citizens with more people to reach out to for help were more prepared for their death compared to their more isolated peers, a recent study showed Tuesday. Researchers from Eulji University's department of health care management compiled a "social support index" of 9,955 senior citizens. It assigned seniors a score of 0 to 3 based on how many people they had who could help them in times of need. The lowest group of 1 or under accounted for 14.4 percent of respondents, while the middle gro
July 22, 2025 -
Officals warn of rise in fake 'Made in Korea' labels
A record wave of low-cost clothing from China is pouring into South Korea, and much of it is being illegally disguised as Korean-made. Last year, South Korea imported more Chinese apparel than ever before. According to the Korea Customs Service, the country brought in $4.83 billion worth of clothing from China, up 50 percent from 2020. With the rise in volume, the authorities are seeing a surge in a deceptive practice known in Korea as "label switching." Imported garments arrive with tags that s
July 22, 2025 -
Ex-PM Han booked for alleged perjury over martial law attempt
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been booked on charges of giving false testimony regarding details of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law, legal sources said Tuesday. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team recently booked the former prime minister after suspecting he lied during testimony to the Constitutional Court and the National Assembly, according to the sources. In his testimonies, Han claimed he was not aware of the existence of Yoon's martial law decl
July 22, 2025 -
Trio sent to prosecutors for illegally selling BTS' flight information
Three people, including an employee at a foreign airline, were referred to the prosecution for illegally obtaining and selling the flight information of celebrities, including BTS, industry sources said Tuesday. The foreign airline employee is suspected of illegally obtaining the flight information of BTS members and other major celebrities and handing it over to accomplices, who then sold it through direct messages or open chat rooms on social media platforms. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agen
July 22, 2025 -
Extreme rain events in South Korea quadrupled in the past decade, data shows
As South Korea faces its most extreme summer rainfall season in decades, new data shows dangerous downpours are no longer rare. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, there were 31 instances in the summer of 2024 where rainfall exceeded 80 millimeters in a single hour. That is nearly four times the number recorded in 2015, when just 8 such events occurred. While the yearly totals have fluctuated over the past decade, the KMA reports a clear overall increase. The agency also noted
July 22, 2025 -
Lee calls for swift designation of flood-hit areas as special disaster zones
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday instructed government officials to swiftly designate flood-stricken regions as special disaster zones to bolster rescue and recovery efforts, and provide support to affected residents, his office said. Lee made the call during a visit to Sancheong County, located about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, where 10 people have been confirmed dead, four remain missing and two others were seriously injured after a record downpour in the area. Torrential rains have tr
July 21, 2025 -
Newly adopted dog shaved and returned to shelter
A 2-year-old dog that had been abandoned by his original owner was deserted once again when his new owner returned the dog just hours later, claiming he did not get along with other dogs. Kuno's story was shared by Gangneung Animal Shelter in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. The abandoned dog had been in their care until he was adopted by a new family on Saturday at around 1:30 p.m. However, Kona's new owners brought him back just seven hours later saying, "We cannot raise him with the other dogs."
July 21, 2025 -
Extreme heat, tropical nights follow heavy downpours
As record-breaking downpours have now subsided, Korea is expected to see a new round of weather extremes due to sweltering heat. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, this summer is expected to be longer and hotter than average, with extreme shifts between heatwaves and localized rain showers continuing throughout the season. As of Monday, heat wave advisories and warnings were reissued across the nation, as apparent temperatures were expected to exceed 33 degrees Celsius and 35
July 21, 2025 -
Seoul cracks down on misuse of land, starting with foreign buyers
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Monday that it has taken administrative action against three foreign nationals who failed to use real estate acquired in land transaction permit zones in accordance with their approved purposes. According to the city government, the violations were discovered in late June as part of a broader inspection campaign of 8,000 properties launched by the city government and its district offices to inspect land use compliance. The initiative focused on 99 fore
July 21, 2025