[Graphic News] Number of NK defectors entering S. Korea nearly triples in 2023

The number of North Korean defectors who arrived in South Korea came to 196 last year amid a rise in defections by North Korean diplomats and trade officials, government data showed. The defections by 32 men and 164 women raised the total number of the North’s defectors in South Korea to 34,078, according to the data from Seoul’s Unification Ministry in charge of inter-Korean affairs. The figure represented a hike from 2021 and 2022, when the number of North Korean defectors entering

North KoreaFeb. 1, 2024

Earthquake hits waters off Jeju Island but no damage

A 3.8 magnitude earthquake struck waters off the southern island of Jeju on Wednesday but there were no immediate reports of damage. The quake occurred at 5:36 p.m. in waters about 62 kilometers northeast of Ieodo, a submerged rock south of Jeju Island, some 450 km south of Seoul, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The epicenter was at a depth of 13 km. The quake is the strongest to occur on the Korean Peninsula and its surrounding waters since a 4.0-magnitude quake in t

Social AffairsJan. 31, 2024

Unification minister slams NK war rhetoric backers as 'anti-state'

Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho on Wednesday condemned some liberal South Koreans supportive of North Korea's war rhetoric for having an "anti-state" mindset that could undermine the foundation of the South. The minister made the remark at the start of a screening session of "Beyond Utopia," a US documentary film depicting North Korean defectors' desperate escape from their home country. Citing a news report that some liberal experts said during a forum at the Nati

North KoreaJan. 31, 2024

Drunk driver who crippled soccer player appeals 4-year jail term

A drunk driver who hit a 25-year-old South Korean soccer player and inflicted injury that forced his retirement appealed his sentence of four years in prison, Jeju District Court said Wednesday. According to the court, the 36-year-old defendant filed for appeal on Tuesday, despite the sentence being lower than the five-year jail term requested by the prosecution. It is yet unclear what his reasons for the appeal were. The defendant, while driving under the influence, struck another vehicle carry

Social AffairsJan. 31, 2024

[Hello India] India marks 75th Republic Day, envisions future with Korea

The Indian Embassy in Seoul marked its 75th Republic Day, envisioning a future-oriented partnership with South Korea on Friday. The day commemorates the adoption of India's constitution in 1949, declaring India a "sovereign socialist secular democratic republic" that upholds the principles of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity for all citizens. Recalling India’s Buddhist linkages with Korea, the country's role in the Korean War and today, the two countries'

Foreign AffairsJan. 31, 2024

US F-16 fighter crashes near base in South Korea

An F-16 Fighting Falcon belonging to the 8th Fighter Wing at the US air base in Gunsan, a port city in western South Korea, crashed at around 8:41 a.m. Wednesday. The crash happened during a routine training and the pilot was recovered after ejecting safely, according to Kunsan Air Base. “We are very thankful to the Republic of Korea rescue forces and all of our teammates who made the swift recovery of our pilot possible,” Col. Matthew C. Gaetke, 8th FW commander, said in a release.

DefenseJan. 31, 2024

Business leaders demand deferral of workplace safety act

Hundreds of businessmen running small and medium-sized companies around the country held a rally at the National Assembly on Wednesday, urging parliament to pass a revision bill to defer the enforcement of a workplace safety act. Participants in the rally were mainly from 17 business community groups, including the Korea Federation of SMEs, the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, and the Korea Food Service Industry Association, according to organizers. Two thousand officials from small and med

Social AffairsJan. 31, 2024

South Korea to sharpen message to NK: envoy

South Korea aims to convey a more specific message to the North Korean leadership this year, emphasizing that provocations will only strengthen the South's alignment with the United States and Japan, the country's Ambassador to the United States Cho Hyun-dong said Tuesday. "North Korea has been persistently conducting unprecedented threats and provocations against us," he said. "We will never be swayed or (give in) to North Korea's provocations and threats. Instead,

Foreign AffairsJan. 31, 2024

Opposition leader blames Yoon for struggling economy, low birth rate

Main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol and his policies, labeling them as the main contributing factors to the country's struggling economy and low birth rate. While expressing confidence of prevailing in the upcoming general election in April, Lee also called for the restoration of the inter-Korean hotline, which was cut off by North Korea since Yoon took office in May 2022. Reconnecting the hotline would help avoid further risks of war, Lee sa

PoliticsJan. 31, 2024

Yoon warns of NK election meddling

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday said that South Korean armed forces should brace themselves for any potential interference by North Korea in the general election, which is less than three months away. Yoon told an audience of some 170 people that the North Korean regime might intensify cyber warfare or spread misinformation in hopes of meddling in April's election, posing challenges to Seoul's democracy. "North Korea has constantly sought to instigate freedom and democracy in

PoliticsJan. 31, 2024

Turkmenistan envoy, Korea Herald CEO discuss media cooperation

Turkmenistan Ambassador to South Korea B. Durdyev and Choi Jin-young, the CEO of The Korea Herald, discussed ways of enhancing media cooperation through content during their meeting in Seoul on Tuesday. As part of the bilateral cooperation, the two sides discussed beefing up bilateral cooperation by publishing content about the domestic and foreign policies of Turkmenistan, as well as exchanging news and information on both countries’ current events and achievements. During the meeting, th

Foreign AffairsJan. 31, 2024

Sillim stabbing rampage suspect sentenced to life at first trial

Cho Sun, a 34-year-old who carried out a stabbing rampage near Seoul's Sillim Station, killing one person and injuring three others, was sentenced to life imprisonment at the first trial on Wednesday. “To make sure Cho reflects on his misdeeds and to maintain social safety and order, the court decided to sentence Cho with the heaviest punishment following the death penalty,” said Seoul Central District Court in its ruling. The court also ordered Cho to wear a GPS-equipped electr

Social AffairsJan. 31, 2024

Lawyer who lost teen death case says her mistakes 'will make the world remember the girl's death'

A South Korean lawyer, whose repeated failures to attend hearings lost the case of a death caused by school bullying, did not show up at her own court hearing Tuesday. A statement she submitted to the court said she hadn't shown up so that "the world wouldn't forget the victim's death." Lawyer Kwon Gyeong-ae is currently on trial for damages filed by the bereaved family of a bullying victim. The victim's family said that Kwon's absence in court caused them to l

Social AffairsJan. 31, 2024

Older man's death sparks concerns over abuse at nursing homes

The death of a man in his 70s at a nursing home in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, in October has reignited concern over increasing incidents of abuse against older people at care facilities. The man's family on Wednesday pressed charges against the head of the facility where he was staying, accusing one of the nursing home's employees of abuse. The bereaved family members claim that the nursing home violated the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act through the alleged abuse of the p

Social AffairsJan. 31, 2024

Alopecia expert recommends washing hair less to lose less

Kwon Oh-sang, a dermatology professor at Seoul National University, who specializes in hair and scalp diseases such as alopecia, advised against washing one's hair daily for individuals in their 40s and up, citing its potential to accelerate hair loss. “Generally the scalp tends to become dry after one's 40s, making it advisable to wash hair three to four times a week,” he said during an interview with a local media outlet on Tuesday. Hair loss is a prevalent issue in Korea

Social AffairsJan. 31, 2024

Make-your-own fake news sites spark concern

Websites allowing the user to easily make and distribute fake news are sparking controversy in South Korea, just as the government plans countermeasures against the spread of false information using modern technology. The websites are generally run anonymously and enable users to make fake breaking news in a template designed to make the information look convincing. Users can copy the link to the fake post and send it to anyone. The sites usually add a disclaimer specifying the information to

Social AffairsJan. 31, 2024

Bolton warns Trump could seek 'reckless' deal on NK nuclear program if reelected

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton warned in a new edition of his memoir Tuesday that former President Donald Trump, if reelected, could attempt to reach a "reckless" deal on North Korea's nuclear program that would alienate South Korea. Bolton, who served as national security advisor under Trump from 2018-2019, made the prediction in the new foreword of his book, "The Room Where It Happened," as Trump is expected to face President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 pr

Foreign AffairsJan. 31, 2024

N. Korea says it conducted launch of 'Hwasal-2' strategic cruise missile

North Korea said Wednesday it conducted a drill to launch the Hwasal-2 strategic cruise missile the previous day to check its rapid counterattack posture and improve its strategic striking capability. The launch in the Yellow Sea had "no adverse effect on the security of a neighboring country," the Korean Central News Agency said without giving further details, including how many missiles were launched and how far they flew. South Korea had said Tuesday the North fired several cruise m

North KoreaJan. 31, 2024

[Graphic News] GTX lines expansion

The South Korean government has unveiled plans to achieve 30-minute commutes within the capital region by GTX or Great Train Express. The GTX-A line connecting Suseo Station in Seoul’s Gangnam-gu with Dongtan Station in Hwaseong, 45 kilometers south of the capital, is scheduled to open in March, while the GTX-B line linking Incheon, west of Seoul, to Namyangju, east of Seoul, will begin construction in March. The line will enter service in 2030. The GTX-C line that passes through Uijeongbu

Social AffairsJan. 31, 2024

FM Cho discusses alliance, N. Korea issues with top US envoy

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with the top US envoy to Seoul on Tuesday to discuss ways of boosting the bilateral alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japan amid growing threats from North Korea. In his talks with Ambassador Philip Goldberg, Cho stressed that the South Korea-US alliance has stepped up to an unprecedented level since the allies marked their 70th anniversary last year and proposed they continue to advance the alliance, the foreign ministry said in a press relea

Foreign AffairsJan. 30, 2024