Prime minister calls for Suneung safety measures

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo called for extra crowd safety measures after the national college entrance examination, or Suneung, which will take place on Thursday. “Suneung will involve some 500,000 people across the nation," Han said at a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held Monday. "Related authorities should do their best regarding COVID-19 disinfection so test takers can take the exam in a safe environment." Han also mentioned the import

Nov. 14, 2022

Fire service union accuses interior minister of Itaewon negligence

A union of fire department workers filed a complaint against Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, alleging he failed to perform his duties regarding the crowd surge in Itaewon that has taken the lives of at least 158 people. The union filed a complaint against Lee on Monday on charges including dereliction of duty and professional negligence resulting in death to the special investigation division set up by the National Police Agency to look into the tragedy. "The special investigation divisio

Nov. 14, 2022

Prosecutors demand three years prison for former YG chief

Prosecutors have asked for three years in prison for Yang Hyun-suk, the founder and former chief of K-pop powerhouse YG Entertainment, who is on trial for allegedly trying to block an investigation into a drug scandal involving a rapper under his company. The trial began at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Monday. The prosecution criticized Yang for failing to show remorse or admit to the crime. The former CEO has been indicted for allegedly threatening and

Nov. 14, 2022

Dispute over Assembly probe into Itaewon disaster worsens

The ruling and main opposition parties remain at loggerheads over the Itaewon tragedy, with the two sides refusing to give way in discussions over a parliamentary investigation. On Monday, ruling People Power Party Floor Leader Rep. Joo Ho-young and Democratic Party of Korea Floor Leader Rep. Park Hong-keun met with National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo to discuss the issue, but parted ways after only confirming their differences. Park urged the ruling party to participate in the parliamentary i

Nov. 14, 2022

Firefighters sue interior minister over Halloween crowd crush

Unionized firefighters filed a complaint against Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min on Monday for alleged negligence in connection with the crowd crush in Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood. Lee, who is in charge of public safety, has come under public criticism for the lack of proper crowd management and response to the crowd surge in the popular nightlife district of Itaewon on Oct. 29 that killed at least 158 people. Firefighters, affiliated with the Korean Government Employees Union, h

Nov. 14, 2022

S. Korea's new COVID-19 cases hit 9-week high for Mon. count

South Korea's new COVID-19 cases hit the highest Monday tally in nine weeks amid concerns of the virus' resurgence in the winter. The country reported 23,765 new COVID-19 infections, including 54 cases from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 26,217,994, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said. Monday's tally is up from 18,665 the previous week and the highest of all Mondays since 36,917 counted on Sept. 12. South Korea's COVID-19 outbreaks have been on the

Nov. 14, 2022

Death toll from Halloween crowd crush rises to 158

The death toll from the crowd crush in Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood rose by one to 158, authorities said Monday. The additional victim is a South Korean woman in her 20s, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters said. A total of 132 South Koreans and 26 foreign nationals were killed during the crowd surge in the popular nightlife district of Itaewon on Oct. 29. Funeral procedures for 130 South Koreans have been completed and the bodies of 24 foreign nationals have been s

Nov. 14, 2022

Itaewon probe widens scope

After zeroing in on police leadership, the special investigation team set up by the National Police Agency to look into the causes behind the Itaewon tragedy that took the lives of at least 157 people, is now looking into the response of related authorities. The division said Sunday it will bring in officials from the Yongsan-gu Office and Seoul Metro to testify to how they responded to the tragedy. The team deems that the Yongsan-gu Office failed its duty for disaster control as a local gover

Nov. 13, 2022

New COVID-19 cases above 50,000 for 3rd day amid resurgence woes

South Korea's new coronavirus cases stayed above 50,000 for the third consecutive day Saturday amid concerns of a possible resurgence in the winter. The country reported 54,328 new COVID-19 infections, including 58 from overseas, bringing the total to 26,145,764, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. The latest tally is up from 40,903 a week ago and 37,312 two weeks ago, according to the authorities. The country added 46 deaths from COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 2

Nov. 12, 2022

Death toll from Halloween crowd crush rises to 157

The death toll from the crowd crush in Seoul‘s Itaewon neighborhood increased by one to 157, authorities said Friday. The additional victim is a soldier who was pronounced brain dead and donated his organs. A total of 131 South Koreans and 26 foreigners were killed during the crowd surge in the popular nightlife district of Itaewon on Oct. 29, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters said. Funeral procedures of 130 South Koreans were completed and the bodies of 23 f

Nov. 11, 2022

Residents living near discharged serial rapist demand eviction

Park Byung-hwa, a serial rapist, was released from prison on Oct. 31 and lives in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. Several restrictions have been added to ease residents' anxiety, but calls for eviction still continue. The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office said Thursday that the court had passed the prosecution's request for additional measures to extend Park Byung-hwa's curfew. The original curfew was from midnight to 6 a.m., and the court’s order added three additional h

Nov. 11, 2022

Foundation launches in honor of ex-president of International Criminal Court

Song Sang-hyun, the former president of the International Criminal Court, said Friday that South Korea should endeavor to expand its efforts to further the implementations of liberal values. At Friday’s symposium commemorating the foundation established in his name -- the Song Sang-hyun Foundation for International Justice, Peace and Human Rights -- Song said that the post-World War II international order of liberal democracy was faced with “new challenges, crises.” “N

Nov. 11, 2022

Itaewon probe team continues to investigate all possibilities amid criticism

The police special investigation team for the Itaewon disaster is still looking into a number of suspicions and rumors, amid criticism that the investigation is heading in the wrong direction, freeing government authorities from responsibility. Kim Dong-wook, spokesperson for the investigation team said on Friday that they have been examining the suspicion surrounding the Yongsan Police Station intelligence team’s report that warned of danger before the disaster. The report, which included

Nov. 11, 2022

Yongsan police officer under special investigation found dead

A Yongsan police officer under investigation in connection to the Itaewon tragedy was found dead Friday. The officer, identified by the surname Jeong, faced allegations that he was involved in deleting a report proposing concerns about safety measures during Halloween period. Jeong, 55, was found dead at his home in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul at 12:45 p.m., Friday. Family members found Jeong and reported it to the police. Jeong reportedly sent a message implying suicide to some colleagues the previous da

Nov. 11, 2022

Court OKs extradition of 'suitcase' murder suspect to New Zealand

A Seoul court on Friday approved the extradition of a woman believed to be the mother of two children whose bodies were found in suitcases in New Zealand in August. The Seoul High Court made the decision, and the woman, known as a South Korean-born New Zealand citizen in her 40s, is said to have consented to her extradition to the South Pacific nation. She was arrested in Ulsan, 307 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in mid-September after local police had tracked her down at the request of New Zeal

Nov. 11, 2022

Mosque project pits villagers against Muslims in Daegu

DAEGU -- A pig’s head sits atop a small chair at a residential dead end. Another is placed on top of a bucket, a few steps away. On a wall hangs a banner that reads: “We strongly oppose the construction of an Islamic mosque.” This tiny corner of Daehyeon-dong in the southern conservative city of Daegu is the site of one of the most acrimonious cultural conflicts in South Korea today. A group of Muslims bought one of the properties here and have set out to build a mosque. Now ne

Nov. 11, 2022

[Photo News] Suneung is a week away

Suneung, the college entrance examination that is held once a year, is now just a week away. Across the country, people of all ages pay attention to the exam that takes place simultaneously everywhere here on the third Thursday of each November, as society puts great importance on college admission. Students go all out to achieve their best score on the test in belief that a good score could change their lives. Their families and friends bustle to help, pray and buy sweets for the students in th

Nov. 10, 2022

‘You will love Gangwon’ Governor beckons tourists

CHUNCHEON, Gangwon Province -- Kim Jin-tae, the new governor of Gangwon Province who has been in office for four months, says he is “more than ready” to welcome tourists back after a long pandemic hiatus in travel. Speaking with The Korea Herald, he said that the province has “no shortage of attractions to enjoy all year round,” including some of the “country’s best mountains” -- Seoraksan and Chiaksan -- along with scenic rivers and beaches. “Y

Nov. 10, 2022

Government promises reforms after Itaewon tragedy

The Korean government has pledged a major reform of police administration and the overall national safety system following the Itaewon Halloween tragedy. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Thursday the reform plans would be released next month. "We will work on a pangovernmental disaster safety management system, major reform of police and crowd management measures by next month," Han said at a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. Han’s pledge co

Nov. 10, 2022

S. Korea's new COVID-19 cases continue on-week growth

South Korea's new COVID-19 cases fell to below 60,000 but showed a marked on-week growth Thursday as the country is at the onset of another virus wave, health authorities said. The country reported 55,365 new COVID-19 infections, including 50 from overseas, bringing the total to 26,037,020, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said. It marked a slight fall from the previous day's 62,472 cases, when the daily count hit about a two-month high. But Thursday's figure was ar

Nov. 10, 2022