Most Popular
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Signs point to N. Korean troops in Russia-Ukraine combat zone
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[Exclusive] Korean adoptee sisters meet for the first time in 39 years
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Rose's 'Apt.' redefines K-pop's global appeal
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Two years on, thousands mourn Itaewon tragedy, calling for accountability
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[Herald Interview] Love for K-drama, food defines 'Secret Ingredient'
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Hanwha, HD Hyundai vie for Poland’s $2.7b submarine program
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First lady’s controversies to top agenda at meeting of party leaders
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[Photo News] Rallying against LGBTQ+
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4 in 10 young South Koreans take up 'irregular' jobs: data
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SM founder Lee Soo-man is back with A2O Entertainment
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Virus cancels famous winter festival in Gangwon Province
South Korea’s Gangwon Province usually attracts millions of visitors during the winter season each year with its various winter festivals under the theme of ice fishing and sledding. This winter, however, is not the same, as the prolonged coronavirus pandemic has canceled most of the northeastern province’s famous winter festivals, including the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival. The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, established in 2003 and featuring trout ice fishing, had brought
Social AffairsJan. 5, 2021
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[Newsmaker] Gyms reopen in defiance of coronavirus restrictions
A growing number of gym owners have reopened their businesses this week in defiance of the government's coronavirus restrictions, claiming the rules are unfair and putting their livelihoods at stake. Indoor gyms in the capital area are subject to an assembly ban under Level 2.5 social distancing measures, which were recently extended by two weeks until Jan. 17. In announcing the extension, however, the government allowed ballet and taekwondo schools to hold classes of up to nine people, sparkin
Social AffairsJan. 5, 2021
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Another soldier tests positive for coronavirus
A soldier based on the southwestern Jin Island has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the defense ministry said Tuesday. The enlistee was confirmed to have contracted the virus in a test conducted before his return from holiday, according to the ministry. The latest case brought the total number of COVID-19 patients among the military members to 509. Nationwide, South Korea added 715 additional coronavirus cases Tuesday, raising the total caseload to 64,979. (Yonhap)
Social AffairsJan. 5, 2021
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Govt. aims for over 60% virus vaccination, herd immunity formation before fall: PM
South Korea is pushing to move up the schedule in bringing in new coronavirus vaccines in a bid to get over half of the population inoculated before fall, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun has said. "The government's program is to complete the formation of herd immunity by inoculating 60-70 percent of the population (with vaccines) before autumn comes," Chung said Monday on a debate program on MBC TV. "Should the plan come through, South Korea will be one of the fastest countries to
PoliticsJan. 5, 2021
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[Graphic News] South Korean population falls for 1st time on record-low births
South Korea’s population fell year-on-year for the first time in 2020, census data showed, with a record low number of births being surpassed by deaths. According to the latest census figures released by the Ministry of Interior and Safety, Korea had 51,829,023 people as of Dec. 31, 2020, down 20,838 from the end of 2019. The population had increased in each of the previous 10 years, though the growth rate had fallen steadily - from 1.49 percent in 2010 to just 0.05 percent by 201
NationalJan. 5, 2021
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COVID-19 deaths reach over 1,000, marks fast growth in past month: PM
The number of deaths from the new coronavirus surpassed the 1,000 mark in South Korea, with the third wave of the pandemic having accelerated the growth of new fatalities in the past month. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said the country reported 28 additional deaths from COVID-19, bringing the total fatalities to 1,007. Of the accumulated deaths, 295 were reported in Gyeonggi Province surrounding Seoul, followed by 204 in Seoul and 203 in the central city of Daejeon, t
Social AffairsJan. 5, 2021
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Virus curve appears to be slowly flattening; cluster infections, variant cases still worrisome
The third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea appears to be slowing down with the help of tough restrictions ahead of the holiday season, but concerns remain over continued cluster infections at virus-prone facilities and a more transmissible virus variant, health authorities said Tuesday. The country added 715 more COVID-19 cases, including 672 local infections, raising the total caseload to 64,979, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Tuesday's daily
Social AffairsJan. 5, 2021
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N. Korea shows no sign of 'major provocation' for now: USFK chief
WASHINGTON -- North Korea is not showing any signs of preparation to stage a major provocation at least for now, the chief of US Forces Korea (USFK) said Monday. "I say that we are not seeing any indicators that suggest that there would be a major provocation. But that's today. That could change next week," Gen. Robert Abrams said when asked if North Korea may stage a military provocation before or after the Jan. 20 inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden. Many experts beli
North KoreaJan. 5, 2021
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US urges 'immediate release' of Korean tanker from Iran
WASHINGTON -- The US State Department on Monday called on Iran to immediately release a South Korea-flagged tanker it detained. The State Department argued Iran's detention of the South Korean tanker may be part of an attempt to force the international community to remove its sanctions on the country. "The United States is tracking reports that the Iranian regime has detained a Republic of Korea-flagged tanker," a department spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency, referring to South Ko
Foreign AffairsJan. 5, 2021
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Moon calls for better protection of young adoptees amid public fury over death of abused child
President Moon Jae-in called Monday for better protection of young adoptees and stronger oversight of adoption procedures, amid public outrage over a fatal child abuse case. Citizens voiced anger online and offline over the case involving a 16-month-old adoptee who died in October, allegedly after having been abused by her adoptive mother. The case resurfaced recently after a local broadcaster reported on the case. "Make all efforts to ensure the post-adoption management of adopted childr
Social AffairsJan. 4, 2021
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FM Kang calls for early high-level exchanges with incoming Biden govt. to cement alliance
Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha called Monday for early high-level exchanges with the incoming US administration of Joe Biden to cement the bilateral alliance, and for continued global cooperation in fostering lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. Kang made the remarks in a New Year's address, as Seoul seeks to revive stalled nuclear diplomacy with North Korea through closer cooperation with the Biden administration, set to be launched later this month, and other regional partners. "On t
Diplomatic CircuitJan. 4, 2021
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Ex-employees of Kumho Asiana, antitrust watchdog under probe on bribery charges
A former executive of Kumho Asiana Group and a former employee of the nation's antitrust watchdog are under prosecution's probe for allegedly conspiring to delete documents unfavorable to the company, judicial sources said Monday. According to the sources, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office has arrested a former employee of the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), surnamed Song, on the charge of receiving kickbacks, and a former executive of the nation's 20th-largest business group,
Social AffairsJan. 4, 2021
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Moon requests parliamentary hearing on nominee to lead anti-corruption probe body
President Moon Jae-in has signed a formal request for the National Assembly to hold a confirmation hearing on his pick to become the inaugural chief of a high-profile corruption investigation agency, Cheong Wa Dae said Monday. Moon sealed the document and then his office sent it to the parliament, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok. The president nominated Kim Jin-wook, a former judge, as head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on Wednesday.
PoliticsJan. 4, 2021
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Public fury grows as some politicians flout COVID-19 rules
Public fury is growing in South Korea over elected officials flouting safety guidance and practices as the country grapples with a record number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Hwang Un-ha on Dec. 26 dined out at a restaurant in Daejeon in the company of five people in apparent violation of social distancing orders. Among those at the get-together was the former mayor of Daejeon, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 a few days later. As a result of the
Social AffairsJan. 4, 2021
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S. Korea to invest W1.5tr in startups in 2021
South Korea will invest 1.5 trillion won ($1.4 billion) in helping startups this year. It increased by 66.2 billion won on-year to record the largest amount ever, according to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. The ministry said in a press release Monday that the budget related to startups has been on the steady increase as it is important to creating jobs and nurturing companies that specialize in contactless technology. Fifteen ministries plan to support 1.4 trillion won for 90 projects,
Social AffairsJan. 4, 2021
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Court ruling on ‘comfort women’ cases imminent
A South Korean court is set to rule on two lawsuits filed against the Japanese government by Korean women who were forced to work in Japan’s military brothels during World War II, with the decision likely to impact the already fragile state of bilateral relations. The Seoul Central District Court is set to decide Friday on a case filed against the Japanese government by 12 plaintiffs -- Korean victims and victims’ bereaved family members -- demanding 100 million won ($92,50
Foreign AffairsJan. 4, 2021
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Korea unveils new low-carbon bullet train
President Moon Jae-in started the year stressing a goal of reaching carbon neutrality during the unveiling of the nation’s new low-carbon, high-speed train -- the KTX-Eum -- in Wonju, Gangwon Province, Monday. “This year will mark the first year of the nation’s adoption of low-carbon, eco-friendly trains,” Moon said, calling trains key to the government’s push for sustainable growth with innovation, under the “Korean New Deal.” “Ultimately, Ko
PoliticsJan. 4, 2021
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Licensed private detectives get green light in Korea
Licensed private detectives can do business in South Korea beginning Wednesday, following the recent revision of the Credit Information Use and Protection Act. The National Police Agency announced Monday that it had inspected the country’s private detective agencies over the past year and provided on-site guidance so they can operate as part of a regulated system. Previously, the police said, 12 companies were issuing 14 different private certificates. The police had ordered corrective
Social AffairsJan. 4, 2021
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[Newsmaker] Death of 16-month-old causes public outcry
The death of a 16-month-old girl has caused public outrage in South Korea. The girl reportedly died from violent child abuse that took place over nine months by her adoptive parents. When the girl died in the emergency room at a hospital in western Seoul on Oct. 13, she had fractures across her body and her organs had suffered severe damage, including extensive damage to the pancreas and internal bleeding. The adoptive parents are set to face trial on Jan. 13. The prosecution has indi
Social AffairsJan. 4, 2021
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23 new virus cases reported in USFK, total exceeds 500
Seventeen American service members and six others affiliated with the US Forces Korea (USFK) tested positive for the new coronavirus upon arrival in South Korea from the United States, the US military said Monday. The latest cases among the USFK-affiliated population rose to 509, most of whom have tested positive upon arrival in South Korea from the US. Of the newly reported cases, eight service members and one dependent arrived at Osan Air Base in the city of Pyeongtaek, some 70 kilometers so
DefenseJan. 4, 2021