Six more Han River bridges to glow at night from July

Six more bridges straddling the Han River in Seoul will be lit at night from July, adding to the 20 bridges that already have nocturnal lighting features, the city government said Wednesday.  The 26 bridges, including the newly fitted six -- Achasan Bridge, Mapo Bridge, Cheonho Bridge, Dumo Bridge, Seoho Bridge and Noryang Bridge -- will glow from 15 minutes after sunset to midnight during the next three months. There are 29 bridges across the lifeline of Seoul, but the remaining three ha

Social AffairsJune 30, 2021

With top 2 hopefuls on board this week, presidential race picks up pace

The presidential race is picking up pace with one of the two front-runners declaring his bid and another set to follow suit this week, less than nine months before the election. The launch of the top two contenders -- former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl and Gyeonggi Gov. Lee Jae-myung -- is expected to quicken the pace of other hopefuls who are testing the water for their potential bids. On Tuesday, Yoon, who has topped opinion polls for most favored presidential hopefuls since late last

PoliticsJune 30, 2021

3 Air Force members indicted in relation to sexually abused soldier's death

Two Air Force warrant officers and one senior master sergeant were indicted in an investigation into the suicide death of a sexually harassed noncommissioned officer on charges of pressuring the victim to drop her complaint or sexually abusing her previously, officials said Wednesday. One of the warrant officers and the senior master sergeant, both surnamed Noh, were charged with inflicting "secondary harm" on the victim by pressuring her to forgive a colleague of the same rank accuse

DefenseJune 30, 2021

South Korea's parliamentary committee passes resolution demanding removal of Dokdo from Tokyo Olympics map

A South Korean parliamentary committee on Wednesday passed a resolution denouncing Japan's renewed claim to sovereignty of Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo on the Tokyo Olympics website. Dokdo, located in the East Sea, has appeared on the map of the route of the torch relay, posted on the Tokyo Olympics website, in an apparent territorial claim to the South Korean islets by the Japanese government. The National Assembly's culture committee held a plenary session and passed the resolution co

PoliticsJune 30, 2021

[Newsmaker] Jailed ex-president worries about nation in letter

Jailed former President Lee Myung-bak said it was a shame that the country has come to its current state in a letter to a fellow university alumnus, which was disclosed on an alumni website. On the online community of Korea University students and graduates called Kopas, a person who introduced himself as a plastic surgeon and graduate of the university’s medical school said in a post on Tuesday that he wrote to Lee, and Lee wrote back. “It is such a shame that the country has come

PoliticsJune 30, 2021

With distancing set to be eased, daily case count hits two-month high

South Korea’s daily new COVID-19 case count surged to its highest since April as eased social distancing guidelines were set to take effect. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Wednesday reported 794 virus cases confirmed the previous day. Over 80 percent of the new infections were found in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. With the less strict social distancing guidelines set to take effect Thursday, health authorities are closely monitoring daily infection tallies. “

Social AffairsJune 30, 2021

Two-day intl. ocean forum opens in Incheon

INCHEON -- An international ocean forum opened in the western port city of Incheon on Wednesday to seek ways to further promote the maritime industry down the road. The two-day Incheon International Ocean Forum (IIOF) 2021 kicked off at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, 40 kilometers west of Seoul, under the theme of "The World Calls, The Ocean Waves," bringing together maritime industry experts and businessmen from across the world. The forum is hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fishe

Social AffairsJune 30, 2021

Soldier tests positive for COVID-19 after receiving 1st dose of vaccine

An Army soldier tested positive for the new coronavirus though he received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine two weeks ago, the defense ministry said Wednesday. The soldier stationed at an Army base in the southeastern city of Daegu was confirmed to have been infected after coming into contact with a civilian who earlier tested positive, according to the ministry. He received Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine two weeks ago under the ministry's inoculation plan, officials said. So far, the militar

DefenseJune 30, 2021

Immigration to limit period of stay to passport validity period

South Korea’s Ministry of Justice said Wednesday that when foreign nationals get permission to stay in Korea, starting July 1 the period of stay will not exceed the passport validity period. Up to now, foreigners whose passports expired during their stay in Korea could get new passports and report the change to the immigration authorities later. But some faced difficulty when entering or leaving the country, and some were fined for failing to report their new passport information within 1

Social AffairsJune 30, 2021

Climate change expert named ambassador for environment cooperation

Kim Jung-wk, a professor emeritus at Seoul National University, has been named the ambassador for environmental cooperation, the foreign ministry said Wednesday. Kim, known for his expertise in climate change and environmental issues, will be tasked with promoting the government's key climate change policy initiatives, including the goal of going net-zero by 2050 in carbon emission, the ministry said. He will also work to support the country's diplomatic efforts in international cooperation re

Foreign AffairsJune 30, 2021

Congestion alert system to run at beaches amid eased social distancing

South Korea's oceans ministry said Wednesday it will launch a congestion alert system at local beaches this week as more people are expected to travel across the country amid hot weather and eased social distancing guidelines. The country will implement the three-level alert system at local beaches to keep safe distances among visitors Thursday, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. While the system was applied at only 50 beaches last year, the ministry said it has decided to exp

Social AffairsJune 30, 2021

NK state media urges thorough preparation ahead of monsoon season to minimize damage

North Korea's state-run radio called Wednesday for greater efforts to minimize damage from flooding and heavy rains as the country braces for the summer monsoon season that wrought havoc on major farming areas last year. "All sectors in all areas must come up with preemptive measures to cope with the upcoming rainy season to prevent even the slightest damage," the state-run Korean Central Broadcasting Station (KCBS) said. This year's monsoon season is expected to start affecting Nort

North KoreaJune 30, 2021

NK leader says 'grave incident' has happened due to lapses in anti-epidemic efforts

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said a "crucial case" has happened that could threaten the safety of his people and country in nationwide anti-epidemic efforts, state media reported Wednesday, spurring speculation that a coronavirus outbreak could have hit parts of the country. Kim made the remarks as he presided over an extended politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party on Tuesday, accusing senior officials of neglecting their duties in carrying out measures needed to fight the

North KoreaJune 30, 2021

New cases most since late April as capital area braces for sharp upticks

South Korea's daily new virus cases spiked to an over two-month high Wednesday as a series of cluster infections were reported in the wider Seoul area amid jitters over growing COVID-19 variant cases. The country reported 794 more COVID-19 cases, including 759 local infections, raising the total caseload to 156,961, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. The latest figure was up 199 from the previous day. The country added one more death, raising the death toll to 2,018.

Social AffairsJune 30, 2021

11 USFK-affiliated individuals test positive for COVID-19

Nine American service members, a civilian worker for the US Forces Korea (USFK) and a family member tested positive for the new coronavirus, the US military said Wednesday. Seven service members stationed at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, around 70 kilometers south of Seoul, and two service members stationed at Camp Casey in Dongducheon, north of Seoul, tested positive over the past week, according to USFK. A USFK contractor, who works at the K-16 Air Base in Seongnam, south of Seoul, tested pos

DefenseJune 30, 2021

US respects S. Korea's decision to bow out of multinational military drill: Pentagon

WASHINGTON -- The United States fully respects South Korea's decision to skip a multinational naval exercise, a Pentagon spokesman said Tuesday, also adding Seoul's decision does not affect the South Korea-US alliance in any way. "It's a sovereign decision by a nation state. And they're certainly entitled to make that decision and to speak to that decision and we absolutely respect it," the spokesman, John Kirby, said in a press briefing. South Korea earlier said it had been invited

Foreign AffairsJune 30, 2021

Samsung chief to stand trial over allegations of propofol use

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong will face a formal court trial on charges of illegally taking propofol injections, according to sources Tuesday. The Seoul Central District Court has decided to hold a trial on the issue, at the request of the state prosecution service, they added. Early this month, prosecutors indicted the de facto leader of Samsung Group, now in jail for bribery and corruption, on a "summary offense" in connection with his alleged use of propofol, whi

Social AffairsJune 29, 2021

Outgoing USFK commander vows to continue support for alliance

Outgoing US Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Robert Abrams on Tuesday vowed to continue supporting the "ironclad" alliance between South Korea and the United States, describing his time here as a "personal honor and privilege." Abrams made the remarks during an honor guard ceremony hosted by the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Won In-choul ahead of USFK's change of command slated for Friday, according to the military. Expressing gratitude to "28,500 men and wome

DefenseJune 29, 2021

French ambassador to address Generation Equality Forum in Paris

French Ambassador to South Korea Philippe Lefort will address the Generation Equality Forum, which runs June 30 to July 2 in Paris. Organized by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of France and Mexico, the forum is said to be the largest women’s rights conference since the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. On June 28, Lefort invited experts and diplomats to his official residence to celebrate the upcoming forum. Among those in attendance were Gender Equality A

Foreign AffairsJune 29, 2021

Moon pledges full support for shipping supremacy

President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday pledged full support for the nation’s shipping industry to further bolster its competitiveness in the global market and to regain its leadership position by 2030. “Our pride as a top shipper has been recovered,” the president said during the launch event of HMM’s new mega container ship, called HMM Hanul, at Busan’s new port. “The Hanul is the final of the total 20 vessels that completes the strong recovery of the nation&rsqu

PoliticsJune 29, 2021