Wildfire quickly spreads to about 21,000 acres as thousands evacuate

More than 6,000 people have evacuated their homes as firefighters battle a massive wildfire in eastern coastal areas Saturday. The fire burned an estimated 21,179 acres (8,571 hectares) of woodland in Uljin, about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and its neighboring city of Samcheok as of 1 p.m., according to forest and firefighting authorities. That is more than double the size of woodland reported to have been affected the previous day. The blaze began on Friday morning on a road near a m

March 5, 2022

New COVID-19 cases over 250,000 for 2nd day; deaths at all-time high

South Korea's daily COVID-19 cases stayed above 250,000 for the second consecutive day Saturday, and the daily death count reached another high amid the fast spread of the omicron variant. The country reported 254,327 new COVID-19 infections, including 254,250 local cases, raising the total caseload to 4,212,652, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The daily tally went down slightly from the previous day's 266,853, when the figure hit a record high two days after dail

March 5, 2022

Firefighters battling wildfire in eastern coastal county of Uljin

ULJIN -- A wildfire broke out in the eastern coastal county of Uljin on Friday, prompting authorities to issue a natural disaster alert while trying to make sure the blaze does not pose a threat to a nuclear power plant in the area, officials said. The blaze started on a road near a mountain in the North Gyeongsang Province county, about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, at 11:17 a.m. and has been spreading towards the peak of the mountain, according to the Korea Forest Service (KFS). An evacua

March 4, 2022

Memorial event for Battle of Gapyeong to be held April 22

Gapyeong, a county of Gyeonggi Province that surrounds Seoul, plans to hold a memorial ceremony commemorating a Korean War (1950-53) battle next month, together with four Commonwealth countries, the county office said Friday. The ceremony slated for April 22 in Gapyeong, 60 kilometers east of Seoul, will be jointly organized with the embassies of Britain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia to honor their fallen soldiers in the Battle of Gapyeong, the office said. It said Gapyeong County head Kim

March 4, 2022

Military reports 1,225 more COVID-19 cases

The military on Friday reported 1,225 additional COVID-19 cases to set a new daily record, raising the total caseload among its domestic personnel to 22,916. The new cases included 766 from the Army, 170 from the Air Force, 110 from the Navy, 90 from units under the direct control of the defense ministry and 80 from the Marine Corps. There were also eight cases from the ministry and one from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Currently, 5,481 military personnel are under treatment. (Yonhap)

March 4, 2022

About 2,000 small merchants file damage suit over COVID-19 biz restrictions

About 2,000 restaurant owners and other small merchants sued the government Friday for a total of more than 161 billion won ($133 million) won in damages for losses incurred due to anti-COVID-19 business restrictions before a compensation law was enacted. The association of small businesses representing the businessmen filed the suit with the Seoul Administrative Court, demanding compensation for losses incurred from April 2020 until the so-called pandemic damage compensation law was introduced

March 4, 2022

S. Korea prepares separate voting areas, hospital polling stations amid soaring COVID-19 cases

Separate voting booths were set up for those infected with COVID-19, including 10 special polling stations at big hospitals, as early voting got under way for next week's presidential election amid soaring virus cases. This year's election takes place as the wave of the omicron variant has been spreading rapidly in South Korea, pushing the country's daily virus cases to record highs. Friday's tally reached an all-time high of 266,853 cases. Amid concerns that the virus situation could deprive th

March 4, 2022

S. Korea eases social distancing rules as daily cases hit fresh high of 266,853

The South Korean government announced Friday that it has decided to push back the curfew on cafes and restaurants by one hour to 11 p.m. while keeping the private gathering size limit at six. Interior Minister Jeon Hae-cheol announced it during a COVID-19 response meeting on Friday. Jeon explained that the decision was made largely to help business owners and small merchants, who have been suffering from financial distress during the pandemic. The government’s decision came amid the c

March 4, 2022

Moon expresses condolences over death of Nexon founder

President Moon Jae-in has offered condolences over the death of the founder of gaming giant Nexon Co., Kim Jung-ju, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday. Moon sent a message of condolences on Thursday to the bereaved family of Kim, who died late last month at the age of 54, according to presidential spokesperson Park Kyung-mee. Moon hailed Kim for playing a leading role in South Korea's gaming industry to make inroads into global markets, Park said. Moon also praised Kim's efforts to establish an integrate

March 4, 2022

Troops begin casting early votes for next week's presidential election

South Korea's enlisted troops began casting votes for next week's presidential election as the two-day advance voting opened Friday at 3,552 polling stations across the nation. Troops from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps have been encouraged to cast their ballots at polling stations near their bases during the early voting period, as they can only vote in their legal residential districts on the Election Day that falls on Wednesday. Earlier this week, the defense ministry sent out to

March 4, 2022

S. Korea to conduct domestic performance test for advanced radar

South Korea will begin a domestic performance test on a homegrown radar system this month as part of the country's major fighter development project, the state arms procurement agency said Friday. The military plans to kick off the test program in mid-March for the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to be installed on the KF-21 jet currently under development. It is set to run through April next year. Following an overseas test last year, the program is designed to identify and red

March 4, 2022

Daily infections tops 260,000 for 1st time amid omicron's spread

South Korea's daily coronavirus cases exceeded 260,000 for the first time Friday as the highly transmissible omicron variant rages across the country. The country reported 266,853 new coronavirus infections, including 266,771 local cases, raising the total caseload to 3,691,488 according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Daily infections jumped from 198,803 cases Thursday. The daily caseload surpassed 200,000 for the first time Wednesday, a day after the government sus

March 4, 2022

Govt. to check cybersecurity vulnerabilities of local defense firms

South Korea's state arms procurement agency plans to check potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities of all local defense firms starting in May, its officials said Friday, in the wake of continued hacking incidents targeting them. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) will conduct the security assessment on 85 companies from May through the end of this year with a budget of 2.64 billion won ($2.18 million), the officials said. The DAPA plans to open a bid on Monday to select a comp

March 4, 2022

Govt. to push back COVID-19 curfew on restaurants, cafes to 11 p.m.

The government will push back the anti-COVID-19 business curfew on cafes, restaurants and other multiuse facilities by an hour to 11 p.m. starting Saturday, Interior Minister Jeon Hae-cheol said. Despite soaring infections, the government decided to extend the operating hours for 12 kinds of multiuse facilities in an effort to help small businesses suffering from prolonged anti-virus restrictions, Jeon said during a COVID-19 response meeting. The new curfew will be effective until March 20, an

March 4, 2022

Midnight street racing crash kills 2; police nab 3 others involved

Three members of an online sports car club are arrested on Wednesday and are facing charges of reckless driving in a street racing crash that killed two other club members. The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency said it is investigating the three people, including a 29-year-old driver, on charges of violating the Road Traffic Act, primarily for driving at excessive speeds. According to the police, four vehicles drove in a row at very high speeds on a road in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Provin

March 3, 2022

S. Korea’s daily COVID-19 infections fell below 200,000

South Korea on Thursday reported 128 COVID-19 deaths, the highest daily tally since the pandemic began, while the daily caseload hovered near the 200,000 mark. According to health authorities, the number of daily cases reported during the 24 hours of Wednesday came to 198,803. The total caseload thus came to 3,691,488, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The figure was down from that of the previous day, when it reached the highest figure of 219,241. The country&rs

March 3, 2022

[Subway Stories] Apgujeong is making a comeback 　

The following is part of Seoul Subway Stories, a newly launched Korea Herald series exploring the subway stations and surrounding areas across the city. – Ed.  For the past 40 years, Apgujeong, the Beverly Hills of Seoul, has seen the rise and fall of its commercial corridors that have been leading trends in high fashion, fine dining and even plastic surgery in the country. Changes in consumer behavior caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic is giving fresh impetus to the dist

March 3, 2022

Moon to preside over NSC meeting

President Moon Jae-in will preside over a National Security Council meeting Thursday to discuss long-term security threats, Cheong Wa Dae said, amid expectations the session would focus on the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Thursday's meeting was aimed at discussing security challenges between 2021 and 2030, but Russian attacks in Ukraine and their geopolitical ramifications are likely to top the agenda. South Korea said it will ban exports of strategic items to Russia and join inter

March 3, 2022

Samsung heir cleared of tax evasion allegations

Samsung Group heir Lee Jae-yong has been cleared of allegations that he evaded taxes through the establishment of a paper company in the British Virgin Islands, according to police Thursday. The financial crime unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said it decided not to file tax evasion and other charges against the Samsung Electronics Co. vice chairman in a case launched after the Youth Justice Party filed a criminal complaint last year. The party filed the complaint after Lee was purpo

March 3, 2022

Daily infections fall below 200,000 amid omicron's spread

South Korea's daily coronavirus cases fell below 200,000 Thursday, with health authorities staying on alert over the spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant. The country reported 198,803 new coronavirus infections, including 198,749 local cases, raising the total caseload to 3,691,488 according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Daily infections surpassed 200,000 for the first time Wednesday, a day after the government suspended the enforcement of the vaccine

March 3, 2022