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Working long hours at night doubles health risks: study
Shift work, nighttime work, and longer working hours could be more than twice as harmful on one's physical and mental health compared to those with regular working conditions, a study by a government-affiliated think-tank showed Thursday. The recent report by the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute researched the detrimental effects of what it called "irregular labor conditions," and found that those working in shifts, long hours and at night are 129 percent more likely to develop
Aug. 2, 2025 -
Enjoy the silence while you can: Experts warn mosquitoes could still surge
If you live in South Korea, this year's summer might have felt strangely quiet. The familiar high-pitched buzz of mosquitoes, long considered a seasonal nuisance, has been noticeably absent. But experts say the reprieve may not last, with a possible resurgence of mosquitoes looming as the season transitions into autumn. This year’s extreme weather, marked by an unusually early and prolonged heat wave, a shortened monsoon season, and bursts of torrential rain, has disrupted the mosquito life cycl
Aug. 2, 2025 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Woman kills brother with disabilities, after violence from the victim
A 54-year-old woman who killed her brother with disabilities was convicted of murder on Wednesday, although the court addressed the fact that the defendant acted out of fear of being subject to another outburst of violence from the victim. The Cheonan branch of the Daejeon District Court sentenced the defendant to 12 years in prison for the Jan. 16 murder of her younger brother, who was paralyzed from the waist down. The defendant had been living with her brother since he became paralyzed due to
July 31, 2025 -
Seoul downplays US claim it will take 90% of Korean investment fund profits
South Korea’s presidential office on Thursday sought to downplay remarks by US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick that “90 percent of the profits” from Korea’s investment into the US will go to the American people, saying it understood the figure as part of a “reinvestment concept.” Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that the US and Korea have established a “full and complete” trade deal, saying that Korea pledges to invest $350 billion into sectors “owned and controlled by the Unite
July 31, 2025 -
Woman convicted for threatening 11-year-old who bullied her son
A woman was sentenced to a fine of 3 million won ($2,154), suspended for a year, for threatening an 11-year-old boy in retaliation for bullying her son. According to the Incheon District Court on Thursday, the 44-year-old mother was found guilty of child abuse for causing emotional harm to the victim at an elementary school. At around 2:57 p.m. on Oct. 25, 2023, the defendant called out to the victim in the street, cursing and telling him, "You better not run into me again." She also demanded th
July 31, 2025 -
DP embraces new tariff deal, PPP expresses reservation
The Democratic Party of Korea on Thursday welcomed the country’s trade deal to set a 15 percent tariff with the United States in exchange for $450 billion of South Korean investment in the US and the purchase of American liquefied natural gas and other energy products. Rep. Kim Byung-kee, the floor leader of the ruling party, thanked President Lee Jae Myung and the government for “meaningful results” that meet people's expectations, adding that he would like to extend his gratitude to those in t
July 31, 2025 -
Bone fragment found belongs to Jirisan park ranger who went missing during floods
A bone fragment discovered in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province, has been confirmed to belong to a park ranger who went missing in Jirisan National Park earlier this month during heavy rains, local police said Thursday. According to Hadong Police, the remains were found on July 25 near Uisin Valley in Hwagae-myeon, where a climber reported what appeared to be a piece of human bone. The National Forensic Service later confirmed that the fragment belonged to a staff member of the Jirisan office of
July 31, 2025