Yoon vetoes bill for special probe into young Marine's death

Bipartisan tensions are poised to reignite over the bill for a special investigation into allegations of government interference surrounding a young Marine's death last July, as it heads back to the National Assembly after a presidential veto. President Yoon Suk Yeol blocked the bill Tuesday, rejecting the opposition parties' calls for an independent counsel's investigation of the alleged influence-peddling case, his Chief of Staff Chung Jin-suk told reporters. It became the 10th

PoliticsMay 21, 2024

Police probe NK hacking S. Korean military officials’ emails

The police have recently launched an investigation into the hacking of personal emails belonging to high-ranking military officials, which is believed to have been orchestrated by North Korean hacking groups. The Defense Ministry confirmed Tuesday that a joint investigation into the email hacking had been conducted by the police and the military police. Additionally, the ministry has set up a dedicated task force to address the matter. Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyu clarified that the comprom

Social AffairsMay 21, 2024

Six newborn puppies thrown away in garbage bag

A local animal protection group said Tuesday it has requested a police investigation into a possible case of animal abuse after six newborn puppies were found at a beach, apparently thrown away by the owner. According to the Taean Dongmul Boho Hyeophoi (Taean Animal Protection Society), the animals were found inside a garbage bag thrown away along a beach in Taean-gun in South Chungcheong Province. Trash such as empty bottles of soju and beer cans were also found inside the bag. Some of the pupp

Social AffairsMay 21, 2024

1 dead, 1 wounded in grenade explosion during Army boot camp training

A hand grenade explosion killed one recruit and severely wounded a noncommissioned officer during a training session held at an Army boot camp in the administrative city of Sejong, officials said Tuesday. “Around 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday, an accident involving a hand grenade explosion occurred during grenade throwing training at (the Army's 32nd Infantry Division) in South Chungcheong Province,” the Republic of Korea Army said in a statement released via text message to reporters. &

DefenseMay 21, 2024

Govt. mulls conditional driver's licenses for those 65 and up

Having a driver's license for those aged 65 and over could be made conditional, as the South Korean government is reviewing measures to decrease the number of traffic accidents in the country. According to the measures announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korean National Police Agency to reduce traffic fatalities, introducing a conditional license for senior citizens is under consideration. Under the measures, senior drivers will have different driving per

Social AffairsMay 21, 2024

SNU alums nabbed for digital sex crimes

Two alums of Seoul National University, the country’s top-ranked university, have been arrested for digital sex crimes in a Telegram group chat, reigniting public outrage following the notorious “Nth Room” scandal disclosed in 2019. The Cybercrime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced Tuesday that they had arrested a 40-something man, identified only by his surname, Park, and a 31-year-old man surnamed Kang, for illegally producing and distributin

Social AffairsMay 21, 2024

High-ranking military officials' e-mail hacked, possibly by N. Korea

South Korean police on Tuesday said they were investigating a hacking attack on the personal email accounts of high-ranking military officials, with North Korea the likely suspect. The Cyber Investigation Bureau of the National Police Agency recently found that the email accounts of several military generals and officials of the Defense Ministry have been hacked. Officials declined to reveal the number or specific posts of the victims, but it has been reported that vice minister-level officials

North KoreaMay 21, 2024

Marine Corps commander again grilled over alleged interference in soldier's death inquiry

The anti-corruption investigation office again questioned Marine Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. Kim Kye-hwan as a power abuse suspect Tuesday over allegations of external pressure placed on the military investigation into last year's death of a young Marine. Kim appeared at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, at 9:20 a.m., while remaining tight-lipped when asked several questions by reporters. Kim, who was already grilled by the CIO for 15

Social AffairsMay 21, 2024

Cabinet passes motion requesting parliamentary reconsideration of special probe bill over Marine's death

The Cabinet again passed a motion Tuesday demanding the National Assembly reconsider a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the military's response to a Marine's death, the second time it did so in less than two months. The bill calls for the appointment of a special counsel to look into allegations the presidential office and the defense ministry inappropriately interfered in the military's investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was killed during a

PoliticsMay 21, 2024

Commission set for 1st session to determine 2025 minimum wage

The tripartite commission of labor, management and the public launched the process Tuesday to determine next year's minimum wage, with the nation focused on whether it will exceed 10,000 won ($7.35) per hour for the first time. The 27-member Minimum Wage Commission, with nine representatives from each of the three sides, convened its inaugural meeting this year in the central city of Sejong to review the 2025 hourly minimum wage. At Tuesday's session, the commission elected Lee In-je,

Social AffairsMay 21, 2024

S. Korea, US to hold 2nd round of talks on defense cost sharing

South Korea and the United States began a new round of negotiations Tuesday on sharing the costs for stationing American troops here. The three-day talks through Thursday are aimed at determining how much Seoul should shoulder for the upkeep of the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea, starting in 2026. The talks were led by Lee Tae-woo, South Korea's chief negotiator from the foreign ministry, and his US counterpart, Linda Specht from the State Department. The first round of the talks took place

DefenseMay 21, 2024

[Graphic News] Surge in sales of ultra-high-priced imported cars

Sales of ultra-high-priced imported cars over 150 million won ($110,750) have steadily increased this year, in contrast to imported cars priced between 50 million won and 70 million won, whose sales decreased in April compared to the previous month. According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association, the number of newly registered imported cars priced over 150 million won increased from 1,171 units in January to 1,497 units in February, to 1,918 units in March, and to 2,292

Social AffairsMay 21, 2024

South Korea bans viral North Korea propaganda video praising Kim

South Korea's media regulator said on Monday it was banning access to a North Korean propaganda music video that it said idolised and glorified leader Kim Jong Un as a "friendly father" and "great leader." South Korea's National Security Act blocks access to the North's government websites and media to restrict exposure to the efforts by Kim's autocratic regime to "praise, incite or propagate" its activities. The two Koreas are still technically

North KoreaMay 20, 2024

S. Korea expresses condolences over death of Iranian president

The South Korean government expressed condolences on Monday over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the other passengers involved in a helicopter crash. "The government expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families and the people of Iran for the loss of the Iranian president and his entourage in the helicopter crash that occurred on May 19," read a statement issued under the name of South Korea's Foreign Ministry spokesperson. "(The gov

Foreign AffairsMay 20, 2024

AI Seoul Summit to discuss ways to make AI equitable in Global South

The AI Seoul Summit may serve as a platform to discuss ways to make artificial intelligence technology equitable in marginalized countries in the so-called "Global South," according to the presidential office on Monday. From the perspective of AI's inclusivity -- one of the three pillars of the global AI governance suggested in the upcoming event along with safety and innovation -- developed countries taking part in the AI Seoul Summit are to discuss AI's expansion in the Global South,

PoliticsMay 20, 2024

'K-Respect Day' to promote cultural understanding, combat hate speech

The Sunfull Foundation will inaugurate "K-Respect Day" on Thursday, aiming to foster respect and understanding among people of diverse cultural backgrounds. "Korea is a multicultural country with 2.5 million foreigners. Despite their contributions, they still face prejudice and discrimination. This ceremony will promote understanding and respect for people from different cultures,” explained Min Byoung-chul, founder and chairman of the Sunfull Foundation. The ceremony will

Social AffairsMay 20, 2024

Seoul bans bee-toxic pesticides in parks, roadside trees

In a move to protect bees and promote a healthier urban environment, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Monday a ban on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in parks and on roadside trees. While the correlation between neonicotinoid pesticides and bee deaths is still under investigation, the Seoul Metropolitan Government cited the potential risks to the environment for its decision to switch to less harmful alternatives. “We will minimize the use of chemical pesticides and expand e

Social AffairsMay 20, 2024

Minister urges med schools to get on schedule with expansion plans

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho urged medical universities in South Korea Monday to swiftly adopt the government revision of the academic plan for 2025, which would finalize the remaining procedures to augment the medical enrollment quota. At an online briefing held with the presidents of 40 medical schools nationwide, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed that "revising the university regulations due to the government's decision to increase the medical admission

Social AffairsMay 20, 2024

[Contribution] Warming the Pacific, desalting the Indian Ocean: Korea's strategic dive into the Indo-Pacific

By Special Representative for Indo-Pacific Chung Kee-yong The Indian and Pacific Oceans meet in a vast region near Australia, not with a sharp boundary but with their waters gradually merging over thousands of kilometers. Due to its larger size and proximity to the Arctic, the Pacific Ocean is typically cooler than the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean, in turn, boasts slightly higher salinity levels, likely a result of both higher evaporation rates and limited freshwater influx. This expansive Ind

Foreign AffairsMay 20, 2024

Seoul rolls out W250b package in bid to lure foreign talent

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Monday its plans to invest 250.6 billion won ($184.8 million) over five years to attract foreign talent and businesses and to help them adjust to the city. The plan, announced in a press briefing, comes amid an increase in the overall number of foreign nationals residing in the city. According to the city government, there are around 440,000 residents of foreign nationality, accounting for 4.7 percent of the city’s total population. The city&rsqu

Social AffairsMay 20, 2024