Critical COVID-19 cases hit two-month high of 1,007; daily caseload above 200,000 for 5th day

Severe and critical cases of COVID-19 in South Korea hit a two-month high Tuesday as the highly contagious omicron variant continued to spread rapidly across the country and fuel new outbreaks. The country reported 202,721 new COVID-19 infections, including 202,647 local cases, raising the total caseload to 4,869,691, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Severe and critical cases among those hospitalized for COVID-19 increased to a two-month high of 1,007, up 52

Social AffairsMarch 8, 2022

Lee, Yoon to make final campaign rallies in Seoul on eve of election

Ruling party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung and his main opposition rival Yoon Suk-yeol were set to wrap up their hard-fought campaigns with final rallies in Seoul on the eve of the election Tuesday as both sides claimed they would ultimately emerge victorious. The ruling Democratic Party (DP) said the weekend's record turnout of 36.93 percent during the two-day early voting reflected the convergence of Lee's supporters following last week's surprise merger deal between two leading opposit

PoliticsMarch 8, 2022

Military continues mobilizing troops, choppers to contain wildfires

South Korea's military mobilized 1,950 troops and 48 choppers on Tuesday to help contain wildfires in eastern coastal areas for the fifth day. Local authorities have been struggling to put out the blazes that began on Friday in Uljin, 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and spread to other areas. Earlier this week, Defense Minister Suh Wook called for "all-out" efforts to help extinguish the fires during a special meeting of top commanders from all service branches. The cumulative nu

Social AffairsMarch 8, 2022

Moon designates two more wildfire-hit cities as special disaster zones

President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday designated two more wildfire-hit cities in the eastern coastal areas as special disaster zones eligible for the government's financial support in recovery work, relief funds for victims and other benefits. The two eastern cities -- Gangneung and Donghae -- were declared as special disaster zones, presidential spokesperson Park Kyung-mee said in a statement. The move came two days after Moon designated Uljin, 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and its neighboring

Social AffairsMarch 8, 2022

US confirms exclusion of S. Korea from its export controls against Russia

The US government has formally announced the exclusion of South Korea from its expanded export restrictions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, which enhances partner nations' joint efforts to implement strong sanctions against Moscow, Seoul's trade ministry said Tuesday. Last month, the US government announced the Foreign Direct Product Rule (FDPR) for all of Russia, calling on companies to receive a license from the United States for tech-related items using US technology before they can b

Foreign AffairsMarch 8, 2022

Moon says S. Korea lags in gender equality

President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday that his administration has made progress in implementing policies related to gender equality, but South Korea still lags behind other nations in the area. "Compared to the degree of national development, our nation is far behind in the field of gender equality," Moon said in his remarks on International Women's Day. "For women, the glass ceiling is solid. Structures and cultures that hamper gender equality remain everywhere." Moon, whose te

Social AffairsMarch 8, 2022

Pentagon urges N. Korea to stop 'needless' provocation and engage in negotiations

A US Department of Defense spokesperson on Monday called on North Korea to stop its missile launches, calling them "needless provocations." Department Press Secretary John Kirby also urged Pyongyang to engage in dialogue to find a negotiated solution. "These continue to be provocations, needless provocations at that," he said when asked about North Korea's recent missile tests that it claims to have been aimed at developing a reconnaissance satellite. North Korea has staged n

North KoreaMarch 8, 2022

EU delegation to hold talk concert on International Women’s Day

The European Union delegation in Korea will hold “Coffee with Europe,” to advocate for women’s rights and gender equality on International Women’s Day on Tuesday online. Under the theme of “Break the bias,” the concert will be joined by EU ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo-Fernandez, Finland ambassador to Korea Pekka Metso, Portugal ambassador to Korea Susana Vaz Patto, criminal psychologist Prof. Lee Soo-jeong and Sexual Crime Response Center Korea head S

Diplomatic CircuitMarch 7, 2022

Exhibition showcases Indian chapter in Korean War

 The Indian Embassy in Seoul, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the War Memorial of Korea co-hosted a photo exhibition on India’s humanitarian assistance during the Korean War at the War Memorial in Seoul on Thursday. India supported the UN security council resolution and extended humanitarian support by deploying the 60 Para Field Ambulance medical unit commanded by A.G. Rangaraj, an Indian lieutenant colonel, the Indian Embassy said in a press statement Wednesday.

Diplomatic CircuitMarch 7, 2022

Over $3 million raised in S. Korean donations to Ukraine: Kyiv envoy

Ukraine's top envoy to Seoul said Monday his office has raised over $3 million in donations from South Korea to support Ukrainian efforts in the war against Russia. "We will send some of the donated money directly to the National Bank of Ukraine and use some to buy and send food and medicine for our people," Ukrainian Ambassador Dmytro Ponomarenko said as he revealed the amount of donations his embassy received from South Koreans at a forum held at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Foreign AffairsMarch 7, 2022

Chinese FM says N. Korea's security concern not resolved yet, U.S. holds key

The top Chinese diplomat said Monday North Korea's "reasonable" security concern remains unresolved and a resolution to its nuclear issue is up to the United States. "North Korea's reasonable security concerns have not been fundamentally resolved," Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a press conference held on the sidelines of the National People's Congress in Beijing. He said Beijing is taking note of Washington's statement that it has no "hostility" toward Pyong

Foreign AffairsMarch 7, 2022

Seoul to develop insect-inspired microrobots for covert military surveillance

South Korea aims to develop swarm-capable, insectlike microrobots for covert military surveillance and reconnaissance by 2027, the government-run military technology agency announced Monday. The state-led research project is the country’s first move to design and manufacture advanced, miniaturized military spy robots to prepare for future warfare with advanced technologies. The goal of the project is to develop “microrobots that can perform surveillance and reconnaissance mission

DefenseMarch 7, 2022

Candidates rush to last minute canvassing

With the presidential election just around the corner, candidates traveled to regions across the nation, in hopes of wooing voters from rival strongholds, and also to appeal to those who have not yet made their mind up. Lee Jae-myung, the major ruling Democratic Party of Korea candidate, visited Jeju Island on Monday for the first time since his official election campaign kicked off.  “State affairs is not a practice field for an amateur,” Lee said while canvassing near Don

PoliticsMarch 7, 2022

S. Korea reviews aid to Ukraine, but sending weapons ‘not an option’

The South Korean government has been reviewing how to provide humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine, but it does not consider sending lethal weapons as a feasible option, according to South Korea’s Defense Ministry. Ukraine recently made an official request to the South Korean government asking for humanitarian assistance and military supplies to combat Russia’s invasion. “We are currently reviewing possible ways to provide assistance at the government level,” minis

Foreign AffairsMarch 7, 2022

S. Korea’s daily COVID-19 cases continue to stay above 200,000

South Korea‘s daily COVID-19 infections stayed above 200,000 for a fourth straight day, according to the country‘s health authorities on Monday. Although the daily figure‘s growth slowed down over the weekend, the government expects it to rebound this week. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s report on Monday, the country added 210,716 new COVID-19 infections during the 24 hours of Sunday. The total caseload increased to 4,666,977, nearing a gr

Social AffairsMarch 7, 2022

[Newsmaker] Russian war in world's 'breadbasket' threatens food supply

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- The Russian tanks and missiles besieging Ukraine also are threatening the food supply and livelihoods of people in Europe, Africa and Asia who rely on the vast, fertile farmlands of the Black Sea region -- known as the "breadbasket of the world." Ukrainian farmers have been forced to neglect their fields as millions flee, fight or try to stay alive. Ports are shut down that send wheat and other food staples worldwide to be made into bread, noodles and animal fe

Foreign AffairsMarch 7, 2022

Separate voting booths and ballot boxes scrapped for COVID-19 patients

COVID-19 patients and those in quarantine will be allowed to vote after 6 p.m. at the same voting booths and ballot boxes as other voters on Wednesday, the election watchdog said Monday, after facing criticism for its lackluster management of early voting booths and ballot boxes for infected voters over the weekend. The National Election Commission said following an emergency internal meeting held Monday morning that COVID-19 patients and those under quarantine orders will be given between 6 p.

PoliticsMarch 7, 2022

Scandal-ridden spouses remain absent on campaign trail

Wives of the two main presidential have been staying under the radar with the election day just two days away, as they try to avoid stirring up negative sentiments with their scandals. In past elections, the spouses came to play the role of a strategic surrogate for the presidential hopefuls, embarking on campaign visits of their own to woo voters. The wives of the two front-runners, Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power

PoliticsMarch 7, 2022

Ruling party leader attacked by unknown man while campaigning

Rep. Song Young-gil, head of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, received hospital treatment Monday after being struck by an object wielded by an unidentified man while campaigning for the presidential election in the streets of Sinchon in Seoul. The suspect, arrested at the scene and transferred to a nearby police station, was seen wearing a hanbok-like outfit and was reportedly a YouTuber. He hit Song with a blunt weapon covered several times with a black bag,

PoliticsMarch 7, 2022

Seventeen's The 8 tests positive for COVID-19

Seventeen's The 8 tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the group's seventh member to catch the virus, the group's agency said Monday. "The 8 tested negative through a self-test kit Saturday. But he later received a polymerase chain reaction examination, as he experienced a mild cough, which returned a positive result on Monday morning," Pledis Entertainment said. He is now receiving treatment at home without showing special symptoms, it added. Earlier, six members of the group -- Won

Social AffairsMarch 7, 2022