Remains of Korean War soldier identified 12 years after excavation

South Korea has identified the remains of a soldier killed in the 1950-53 Korean War through DNA analysis, 12 years after they were recovered from a former battle site, the defense ministry said Thursday. The identification of the remains of Pfc. Son Joong-chul was possible as his 73-year-old son, Son Tae-gyu, registered his DNA sample with the government in 2019, according to the ministry. The late Son's remains were excavated in the southeastern city of Pohang in 2009. The identification mar

Social AffairsFeb. 18, 2021

US review of N. Korea policy will address cyber threats: Price

The ongoing review of US policy toward North Korea will also take into account cyber threats posed by the country, a spokesperson for the US State Department said Wednesday. Ned Price said the US is well aware of "disruptive cyber attacks" committed by the North. "Of course, most frequently we speak of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile program, but, of course, it's malicious cyber activity is something we are carefully evaluating and looking at as well," the press

North KoreaFeb. 18, 2021

US indicts 3 N. Korean hackers in attempted theft of $1.3b

The United States has indicted three North Korean hackers on charges of criminal cyber activities aimed at stealing $1.3 billion, the Department of Justice said Wednesday. The indictment filed in the US District Court in Los Angeles identified the three North Korean suspects as Jon Chang-hyok (31), Kim Il (27) and Park Jin-hyock (36). They were "members of units of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, a military intelligence agency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which

North KoreaFeb. 18, 2021

Arrest warrant issued for SK Networks chairman over alleged slush fund

An arrest warrant was granted on Wednesday for Choi Shin-won, the chairman of SK Networks Co., a general trading company, on suspicion of setting up a slush fund. Choi is facing charges of embezzlement and breach of trust related to the alleged illicit fund, which has been under investigation by the anti-corruption unit of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office. "There are convincing reasons to suspect the suspect committed the crimes, and there are also concerns that he can destr

Social AffairsFeb. 17, 2021

Seoul National University doctor tests positive for COVID-19

A doctor at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) tested positive for the new coronavirus Wednesday, hospital officials said. The pediatric anesthesiologist working at its children's hospital took the coronavirus test after a family member was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Wednesday morning. SNUH is one of the nation's top general hospitals. So far, 20 hospital workers and four patients have been confirmed to have been in contact with the physician, and all of them wore masks, officials s

Social AffairsFeb. 17, 2021

Korea’s fourth, possibly worst wave yet of COVID-19 is advancing fast

COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in South Korea after a brief respite from the winter resurgence, and experts warn that the country may be heading toward what may be its largest wave yet of the pandemic -- and sooner than anticipated. Just two days after social distancing regulations were eased, the number of daily cases rose to 621 on Wednesday, the highest since mid-January in the immediate aftermath of Korea’s third wave of COVID-19, which sickened over 35,000 and

Social AffairsFeb. 17, 2021

Suwon sets example in policies against COVID-19

The population of Suwon City is 1.23 million, the largest among Gyeonggi Province’s 31 cities and counties, but its number of confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people is third from last. The achievement was thanks to the dedication of citizens, health center employees, public officials and medical workers, who followed the quarantine rules despite the inconvenience and economic losses. Suwon City took rapid countermeasures whenever there was an outbreak of the new coronavirus. In wh

Social AffairsFeb. 17, 2021

Suwon mayor fights for local government power

Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young’s “Special City Operation” was a success. Yeom’s quest to make Suwon a designated “special city” began when he was the first of 226 local government leaders to be elected as the supreme council member of the ruling Democratic Party last year. As a supreme council member, it placed Yeom in a position to reflect the small voices of local governments across the country, and they were attentively listened to by Korea’s political

Social AffairsFeb. 17, 2021

Stellar rise of NK leader’s close aide

Jo Yong-won, newly appointed secretary of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party in North Korea, was in the spotlight during the latest key party meeting, which ended last week. 　 The 64-year-old strongly rebuked senior officials -- some of whom are older than him -- for their “passiveness and self-protectionism” in setting policy goals, and warned that the party will not tolerate those who neglect their duties, according to the party’s official newspaper Ro

North KoreaFeb. 17, 2021

International school teacher recognized as Educator of the Year

Four faculty members at Korea International School were recognized for their efforts and their dedication to the school district and community, the school announced Wednesday. The Korea Overseas Council of Schools this month named design teacher Jeremy Jacobsen Educator of the Year. Three other KIS faculty members were nominated for the award, KIS said. KORCOS is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization of educators from overseas currently located in Korea. For this year’s awards

Social AffairsFeb. 17, 2021

Cheong Wa Dae, White House open new hotline to communicate on economy, global issues

Top South Korean and US presidential aides had phone discussions Wednesday on strengthening partnerships on the economy, trade and global issues, Cheong Wa Dae said. During the 35-minute talks with Kim Sang-jo, President Moon Jae-in's chief of staff for policy, Brian Deese, top economic adviser for President Joe Biden, took note of South Korea's anti-coronavirus fight and efforts for economic recovery, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok. Deese, director of the White House Natio

PoliticsFeb. 17, 2021

[Newsmaker] Another North Korean makes it to South unnoticed

A North Korean who was taken into custody Tuesday is believed to have swum across the eastern maritime border, the military said Wednesday. The military failed to capture him until it spotted him walking along the road on the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas. The man, who was captured after a six-hour chase on Tuesday morning, reportedly wore a wet suit and flippers, which the military found on the eastern shore in the northernmost region of Gangwon Province.

DefenseFeb. 17, 2021

[News Focus] Will four-day workweek become a reality?

A four-day workweek is emerging as a hot-button campaign issue as Seoul mayoral candidates promise a compressed work schedule ahead of the April by-elections, with debate ensuing as to whether the pledge is realistic and economically viable for South Korea and its capital. Former SMEs Minister Park Young-sun said in a meeting earlier this month that she wants to introduce a 4.5-day workweek for Seoul citizens if she wins the Seoul mayor seat in the coming months. Park has so far been picked as

PoliticsFeb. 17, 2021

[Animals in Korea (2)] Pro bono lawyers sue on behalf of animals in peril

In a country where news reports about animal cruelty and abandonment never stop, a group of pro bono lawyers is working to protect animals by filing suits on their behalf. Among their clients are mountain goats in danger of losing their habitat, and dogs dying in pain at meat farms. Park Joo-yeon is one of 15 lawyers engaged in animal protection activities for the civic group People for Non-Human Rights. PNR was founded in 2017 by lawyers seeking to use their collective voice to improve the l

Social AffairsFeb. 17, 2021

Broker arrested in refugee application fraud involving 80 Pakistanis

A foreign national has been arrested for helping about 80 Pakistanis submit asylum applications to South Korean authorities using forged documents, the immigration office in this southern port city said Wednesday. The Busan Immigration Office said it has referred the foreign refugee broker, whose identity was withheld, to the prosecution to be indicted on charges of violating the Immigration Control Act. The broker is accused of taking about 1 million won ($900) from each of the false asylum s

Social AffairsFeb. 17, 2021

Top diplomats of S. Korea, Canada hold phone talks on bilateral ties

Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong spoke by phone with his Canadian counterpart, Marc Garneau, on Wednesday and discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations, the foreign ministry said. During the talks, the ministers agreed to closely work together in tackling global challenges like the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change as "responsible middle powers and strategic partners that share the values of democracy and free trade," the ministry said. The two sides also agr

North KoreaFeb. 17, 2021

N. Korea expands missile facilities, but no unusual signs at nuclear sites: defense ministry

North Korea has been expanding missile development facilities, but has shown no unusual signs at its demolished nuclear testing site or its long-suspended plutonium-producing reactor, the defense ministry said Wednesday. The assessment was made in a report the ministry presented to the National Assembly's defense committee for a policy briefing session. "No special movement has been spotted since May 24, 2018, when the North demolished the Punggyeri nuclear test site. The 5-megawatt nucle

North KoreaFeb. 17, 2021

New Japanese envoy stresses trilateral cooperation with US

New Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koichi Aiboshi has stressed the importance of trilateral cooperation between the two countries and the United States for regional stability, according to its embassy on Wednesday. "Japan and South Korea are mutually important neighbors, whose people share a deep interest in each other's politics, economy, society and culture," Aiboshi said in his first message posted on the embassy's website since his arrival in Seoul on Friday. "To keep th

Foreign AffairsFeb. 17, 2021

Over 110 workers from Namyangju factory infected with COVID-19

More than 110 workers at a factory east of Seoul have tested positive for the new coronavirus, officials said Wednesday, becoming the latest in a recent string of mass infections at industrial workplaces. According to the municipal officials of Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, as many as 114 employees from a single plastic manufacturing plant in the city's Jingwan General Industrial Complex, about 40 kilometers from Seoul, have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The newest cluster of factory worker in

Social AffairsFeb. 17, 2021

Nation once again gripped by cold weather amid subzero temps

Cold weather once again gripped the country Wednesday, with temperatures dipping into the double digits below zero in Seoul and several other areas. The capital city posted a morning low of minus 10.2 C, while the surrounding cities of Incheon and Suwon saw the mercury drop to minus 9.6 C and minus 9.5 C, respectively, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The weather authorities issued a cold wave advisory for most parts of Gangwon Province in the northeast, one of the c

Social AffairsFeb. 17, 2021