Citizens chase down jewelry thief, identify culprits

Multiple people in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, aided in bringing jewelry thieves to justice, according to local police, chasing one thief on foot and also identifying him and his accomplice. The National Police Agency on Friday posted a video of their recent arrest, in which two men who stole gold jewelry with an estimated value of 35.7 million won ($25,800) were arrested. In the video posted on the NPA's official YouTube page, a customer apparently took a gold necklace while pretending t

Social AffairsOct. 28, 2024

Incheon Airport scraps 'celebrity' security lanes amid favoritism dispute

Incheon International Airport Corporation said Sunday it is retracting a much-disputed plan to provide designated security lanes for celebrities in order to prevent overcrowding by onlookers, after a backlash from the general public and lawmakers against preferential treatment for famous people. Officials at South Korea's main gateway said the airport will not be implementing the plan to permit celebrities to use security lanes such as those for flight crews, diplomats and disabled passen

Social AffairsOct. 28, 2024

South Korean ID card to get redesign

South Korea’s resident identification card is due to get a fresh look. On Monday, the government announced a nationwide design competition to revamp the card, which was last redesigned in 1999. The competition, which will run from Nov. 18-28, will involve both professional designers and the general public. "Through this competition, we aim to actively solicit public input and incorporate expert ideas to create a new ID card design that represents South Korea," the Ministry of the

Social AffairsOct. 28, 2024

[Bills in Focus] Aircraft tariffs exemption, national pension reform

Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Customs Act Proposed by Rep. Park Soo-young (People Power Party) ● Proposed by Rep. Park, this bill aims to extend tariff exemptions on imported aircraft parts until the end of 2029 to alleviate costs in aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, which rely heavily on global supply chains. Under the current law, import tariffs on aircraft parts are fully exempt until the end of this year. Starting next year, the exemption rate is set to decrease by 20 percent

PoliticsOct. 28, 2024

'1 million' Christians join anti-LGBTQ+ marriage rally

As many as 1.1 million Christians in South Korea participated in a mass rally in Seoul on Sunday to oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage and legislation of an antidiscrimination ordinance that has been floating around for over a decade. One of the largest religious gatherings in the country's history occurred across the country's capital in Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Station and Yeouido, with organizers claiming some 1.1 million participants, while police have estim

Social AffairsOct. 28, 2024

Russia sending 'mercenaries' from N. Korea to frontline in trucks with civilian license plates: Ukraine

Russia is using civilian-plated trucks to transport "mercenaries" from North Korea to frontline areas, Ukraine's military intelligence service reported, amid concerns that North Korean troops might join combat in Russia's war on Ukraine. On Sunday, Russian police reportedly stopped a truck with civilian license plates carrying North Korean military personnel on the Kursk-Voronezh highway, noting that the driver lacked a combat order, according to Ukraine's Defense Intell

Foreign AffairsOct. 28, 2024

[Graphic News] Majority of postpartum centers in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province

More than half of South Korea’s postpartum care centers are concentrated in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. The cost of these services has surged, with the highest prices reaching up to 17 million won ($12,600) in areas like Gangnam, Seoul. The price gap between regions has widened significantly, with Gangnam’s costs being more than ten times higher than in other areas. In Korea, new mothers typically spend around two weeks at a care center receiving medical attention and nutrition to

Social AffairsOct. 28, 2024

Ticketing system error disrupts bus terminals across nation

A massive ticketing delay occurred at bus terminals across the nation Sunday due to malfunctioning of the T-money ticketing system, causing inconvenience for travelers. At 1:06 p.m., the system error occurred at the T-money smart ticketing network and lasted for about two hours, according to T-money, the operator of smart transportation cards. The malfunctioning caused halts in online ticketing at around 140 bus terminals across the nation, including the Seoul Express Bus Terminal in southern Se

Social AffairsOct. 27, 2024

Yoon's office reviews economic impact of Israel's attack on Iran, safety of S. Koreans in Middle East

SEOUL, Oct. 27-- South Korea's presidential office on Sunday held a meeting to discuss the economic impact of Israel's recent attack on Iran, and measures to protect and evacuate its nationals in the Middle East in the event of an emergency. Early Saturday, Israel's military conducted strikes against various targets in Iran, including missile manufacturing facilities, in response to Iran's missile attack earlier this month, according to foreign media reports. The office of

PoliticsOct. 27, 2024

[Photo News] Rallying against LGBTQ+

A large crowd attends a rally organized by an ad hoc committee comprising the Communion of Churches in Korea and Protestant groups at Seoul Plaza on Sunday afternoon. The rally, which was against antidiscrimination legislation and the legalization of same-sex marriage, also convened at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Station and Yeouido. The organizers claim "over a million" participated in the rally across all locations while the police estimate was 120,000. (Yonhap)

Social AffairsOct. 27, 2024

First lady’s controversies to top agenda at meeting of party leaders

Controversies surrounding first lady Kim Keon Hee are likely to top the agenda at the upcoming second meeting between the leaders of the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party, observers said Sunday. People Power Party Chair Han Dong-hoon and Democratic Party Rep. Lee Jae-myung recently agreed to hold a second round of talks, following up on their first official meeting in early September. The date for the second meeting, however, is yet to be announced. The agreeme

PoliticsOct. 27, 2024

Govt. plans to unveil road map to tackle low birth rate, aging population

The Yoon Suk Yeol administration plans to unveil a population strategy road map next year, coinciding with the launch of a new ministry dedicated to addressing South Korea’s declining birth rate and rapidly aging population, the presidential office announced Sunday. You Hye-mi, senior presidential secretary for low birth rate issues, underscored the initiative, noting that "with the establishment of the ministry of population strategy and planning, defining the ministry’s vision

PoliticsOct. 27, 2024

K-Respect campaign launches in US

The “K-Respect” campaign, launched by Seoul-based civic group Sunfull Foundation to promote respect for all cultures, has reached the United States, bringing Korean and US leaders together at two recent events. The first event, held at the Northern Illinois University in DeKalb on Oct. 18, saw the US university’s faculty members, officials and alums gather to mark the campaign’s first declaration in the US. Joan Phillips-Hernandez, dean of the NIU's College of Busi

Social AffairsOct. 27, 2024

4 in 10 young South Koreans take up 'irregular' jobs: data

Young South Koreans entering the workforce increasingly find themselves taking on "irregular" jobs -- positions that fall outside traditional full-time employment, the latest government data shows. Four out of 10 workers aged 15-29, primarily first-time, entry-level job seekers, now hold irregular positions, marking the highest level since the government began tracking these statistics in 2003, Statistics Korea reported Sunday. Irregular employment encompasses a broad category of nonst

Social AffairsOct. 27, 2024

Signs point to N. Korean troops in Russia-Ukraine combat zone

Growing indications suggest that North Korean troops are on the brink of deployment to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine, as North Korean soldiers have reportedly arrived in Russia's Kursk region, where Russian and Ukrainian forces have been battling for control of key strategic border location. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that Russia is expected to deploy the first contingent of North Korean soldiers to combat zones as early as Sunday and Monday, based on an

Foreign AffairsOct. 27, 2024

Two years on, thousands mourn Itaewon tragedy, calling for accountability

Thousands of people, including grieving families, gathered Saturday at Seoul Plaza to commemorate the second anniversary of the Itaewon crowd crush, a tragedy that claimed 159 lives -- most of them young adults -- during Halloween celebrations on October 29, 2022. Organized by the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Committee and estimated to have drawn around 5,000 participants, the ceremony began at 6:34 p.m., the exact time of the first emergency call from Itaewon that night, hours befor

Social AffairsOct. 27, 2024

Lee Jae-myung's push to bring junior doctors to talks falls short

Despite the main opposition’s bid to break the medical impasse, Saturday’s closed-door meeting between the Democratic Party of Korea leader and the junior doctors’ representative failed to secure key stakeholders' backing for a proposed four-way consultative body. The bipartisan consultative body, designed to bring together the Yoon administration, ruling and main opposition parties, and the medical community, has been touted as a possible tool for resolving the continue

Social AffairsOct. 27, 2024

4 middle schoolers booked for producing deepfake porn of classmates

Four middle school students in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, have been booked by the police for producing, possessing and distributing deepfake pornography, according to Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Agency. Police officials confirmed on Saturday that two of the four individuals are suspected of using photos of their female classmates to create sexually explicit deepfake content since November 2023. The two students are additionally charged with possession of the deepfakes and sharing them wi

Social AffairsOct. 27, 2024

Korean War memorial installed at Georgia museum to honor troops' sacrifices, cherish alliance

A new Korean War memorial opened at a high-profile museum in Georgia earlier this week to commemorate allied troops' sacrifices and their spirit that underpins the evolving alliance between South Korea and the United States, Seoul officials said Saturday. The National Infantry Museum Foundation hosted a dedication ceremony for the Korean War Memorial at the museum in Columbus on Thursday, with the attendance of some 200 people, including veterans of the 1950-53 conflict and their families

Diplomatic CircuitOct. 27, 2024

[Exclusive] Korean adoptee sisters meet for the first time in 39 years

Incheon Airport witnessed a heartfelt reunion on Friday afternoon as Darragh Hannan and Jee Won Ha, sisters separated at birth and raised worlds apart, met face-to-face for the first time. The two, adopted as infants—Hannan in the US and Ha in Belgium—recently discovered their full sibling connection through a MyHeritage DNA test, sparking this life-changing encounter. Hannan, adopted in Minnesota shortly after her birth in 1986, grew up in a loving and supportive home. Ha, on the

Social AffairsOct. 26, 2024