[Newsmaker] Ex-governor’s sexual assault trial: former aides testify in favor of now-disgraced politician

The latest sexual assault trial session of former South Chungcheong Provincial Gov. An Hee-jung, accused of raping his secretary, was filled with testimonies in favor of the now-disgraced politician.One after another, the witnesses testified that An and the plaintiff had a “seemingly equal” working relationship, and that it was unlikely for An to have abused his professional authority to sexually exploit her.Among those who testified at Wednesday’s trial session were An’s former driver whose las

Social AffairsJuly 12, 2018

[Newsmaker] Two of ex-leader Park's 'doorknob trio' get prison terms for taking NIS money

A Seoul court on Thursday handed down prison terms of 18 months to 2 1/2 years for two of the closest aides to former President Park Geun-hye and suspended the sentence for another on charges they took illicit funds from the spy agency and delivered them to Park. The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Lee Jae-man, former presidential secretary for general affairs, to 18 months in prison and Ahn Bong-geun, Park's former secretary for public relations, to 2 1/2 years. Jeong Ho-seong, another e

PoliticsJuly 12, 2018

[Newsmaker] Body of suspect in YouTuber sex abuse case found: police

The body of a man who apparently committed suicide amid a probe into alleged sexual abuse of a YouTube celebrity has been found in a river east of Seoul, police said Thursday. A search has been underway since Monday for the 42-year-old man who worked at a local photography studio, after police received a report earlier that day from a witness saying he saw a person jump into the Bukhan River northwest of Seoul. (Yonhap)The man, whose identity was not disclosed, was under police investigation ove

Social AffairsJuly 12, 2018

[Newsmaker] Yemeni asylum seekers on Jeju to get results in two weeks

Yemini asylum seekers who have arrived on Jeju Island this year will start receiving the results of their refugee status applications in two weeks’ time.Amid much public debate over how to deal with the sudden increase of refugees from the Arab state, the Jeju immigration office began reviewing applications from 486 Yemeni asylum seekers late last month. Seven immigration officers are screening between 12 and 18 applications per day, and the first results are expected in the third week of this m

Social AffairsJuly 11, 2018

[Newsmaker] Conscientious objector released on bail

The Supreme Court said Wednesday it has allowed a man detained for refusing the mandatory military service for religious beliefs to walk free on bail, the first such case following the latest Constitutional Court ruling that partially upheld the right to object to the mandate. The court granted the bail last Friday for the 23-year-old defendant, identified by his surname Kim, it said in a statement. Kim was being held pending an appellate decision on the charge of disobeying the state order to s

Social AffairsJuly 11, 2018

[Newsmaker] Some North Korean restaurant workers ‘victims’ of defection scam: UN official

The UN special rapporteur on human rights in North Korea on Tuesday called on the South Korean government to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the defection of North Korean restaurant workers in 2016, saying some of the workers were “victims” of a scam. 　The government should hold accountable those responsible for what he said could constitute a “crime” and allow the workers to decide whether to remain in South Korea or return to North Korea, Tomas Ojea Quintana said at a pre

North KoreaJuly 10, 2018

[Newsmaker] Police forward Korean Air chief's wife's case to prosecution

Police have wrapped up their investigation into the wife of Korean Air Lines Co.'s chief on assault allegations and sent the case to the prosecution suggesting she be indicted, officials said Tuesday. Lee Myung-hee, wife of Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Yang-ho, has been under investigation since late April on suspicion that she routinely assaulted and bullied employees at Hanjin affiliates and others under her influence for years. (Yonhap)She allegedly hurled a pair of pruning shears at a security

Social AffairsJuly 10, 2018

[Newsmaker] JTBC's possible Pyongyang bureau to face obstacles

With representatives of South Korean broadcaster JTBC beginning their trip to North Korea on Monday to discuss possible establishment of a Pyongyang bureau, speculations are rampant on how both sides will reach a consensus, with the existing gap on the role of the media. Last week, the South’s Ministry of Unification approved JTBC’s application to send an eight-person team to North Korea from Monday to Thursday to discuss cooperation on the media sector and the possible launch of a Pyongyang bur

North KoreaJuly 9, 2018

[Newsmaker] Kim Sei-young shatters LPGA scoring records, wins by 9 shots

South Korea's Kim Sei-young has claimed her seventh career LPGA title with a 72-hole scoring record on the tour. Kim won the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic by nine strokes over Spain's Carlota Ciganda at Thornberry Creek at Oneida in Oneida, Wisconsin, on Sunday (local time). She fired a 7-under 65 in the final round for a four-day total of 31-under 257. Kim broke the 72-hole scoring mark on the LPGA Tour that was previously held by her and Annika Sorenstam. Kim had a four-day score of 27-under a

GolfJuly 9, 2018

[Newsmaker] Shares of Asiana, Korean Air dive on owner family misconduct

The summer vacation season is traditionally a boon for the airline industry. But South Korea’s major airline companies are far from cruising, as their stocks have been plunging along with their brand power due to personal and business irregularities allegedly committed by the owner families.　Asiana Airlines, one of Korea’s two major air carriers run by the Kumho Asiana Group, has seen its shares plummet since the recent “no-meal” fiasco erupted, jeopardizing the firm’s standing and igniting prot

IndustryJuly 8, 2018

[Newsmaker] Duterte vows to resign if anybody can prove God exists

The Philippine president, who recently sparked outrage for calling God stupid, has courted new controversy in his largely Roman Catholic country by saying he will resign if anybody can prove that God exists.President Rodrigo Duterte, who has had a thorny relationship with the church, questioned anew in a speech late Friday some of the basic tenets of the Catholic faith, including the concept of original sin, which he said taints even innocent infants and can only be removed through baptism in a

World NewsJuly 7, 2018

[Newsmaker] Prosecutors seek 5-year jail term for chef Lee Chan-oh over drug use

Prosecutors on Friday sought a five-year jail sentence for celebrity chef Lee Chan-oh on trial for the possession and use of drugs, according to the Seoul Central District Court. During the trial, the prosecution cited more concrete evidence from hair testing, which confirmed Lee’s history of drug use. Famous for his expertise in French cuisine, the chef made headlines when he was indicted without detention on May 10 for inhaling hashish -- a drug made from cannabis -- in October last year. The

Social AffairsJuly 6, 2018

[Newsmaker] Police: Missing girl was likely murdered by her father's friend

GANGJIN, Jeolla Province -- Police said Friday the teenage girl found on a mountain days after she went missing was probably killed by her father's friend, whom she was going to meet for a job on the day she was seen last. Announcing its preliminary outcome of its investigation, the Gangjin Police Station said the 51-year-old man, surnamed Kim, has become a suspect in the murder case. But police won't be seeking charges against Kim since he died shortly after the girl went missing. The 16-year-o

Social AffairsJuly 6, 2018

[Newsmaker] Basketball kicks off inter-Korean sports exchange

The inter-Korean basketball event held in Pyongyang is fueling hopes for further sports exchanges between the two Koreas. Basketball was chosen as the first inter-Korean sporting event since the April 27 summit due to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s love of the sport.  South Korean and North Korean basketball players during Wednesday`s match. YonhapFollowing the summit, Cheong Wa Dae revealed that Kim suggested beginning inter-Korean sporting events with basketball rather than soccer during th

North KoreaJuly 5, 2018

[Newsmaker] Kumho chairman under siege over ‘no-meal’ fiasco, alleged profiteering

The chairman of Kumho Asiana Group, which owns the nation’s second-largest air carrier, apologized Wednesday for causing public concern amid escalating controversy over operating passenger flights without meals and a questionable deal behind it.Offering an official apology, Chairman Park Sam-koo said he was sorry for causing concern and that he feels “grave responsibility” for causing customer inconvenience.Kumho Asiana Chairman Park Sam-koo seen at a press conference held at the group's head of

IndustryJuly 4, 2018

[Newsmaker] 9 in 10 public firms adopt flexible hours before new workweek system

Nearly 9 in 10 public institutions in Korea have already introduced flexible working hours well before the country's introduction of a new workweek system, government data showed Wednesday.The new workweek system went into effect this month, requiring both private and public companies with 300 or more employees to reduce the maximum working hours to 52 hours per week from 68 hours. (Yonhap)According to state portal All Public Information in One,88.9 percent of 361 state-run institutions, or 321,

Social AffairsJuly 4, 2018

[Newsmaker] US forces in S. Korea given breathing space to explore future roles

More than six decades ago when its headquarters was ensconced in central Seoul, the US Forces Korea faced the grim reality of a war-ravaged South Korea gripped by fears of communist expansion at the height of the Cold War.At present, however, the once impoverished ally is anything but weak. It boasts a well-equipped military, vibrant democracy and extensive diplomatic networks, not to mention economic wealth, on which the USFK relies for the upkeep of its 28,500 troops.Such a transformation, cou

DefenseJuly 3, 2018

[Newsmaker] Constitutional Court’s ruling on alternative service prompts debates over homosexuality in military

　With the Constitutional Court for the first time urging the military to allow alternative service for conscientious objectors, the focus is now on whether the court would overturn its previous rulings that ban homosexuality in the military. 　According to legal experts and human right activists, Incheon district court has filed a motion with the Constitutional Court for a ruling on whether the current military criminal law violates the constitutional right to protecting sexual minorities.  　The

DefenseJuly 2, 2018

[Newsmaker] Moon stresses importance of cutting working hours

President Moon Jae-in on Monday stressed the need to reduce working hours, saying it is a means to improve the quality of life and create jobs. Revised regulations limiting working hours to 52 hours per week -- 40 regular hours with 12 hours of possible overtime -- came into effect Sunday. President Moon Jae-in speaks at the weekly meeting with top aides at Cheong Wa Dae on Monday. Yonhap“(The) working-hour reduction began yesterday. It will be an important opportunity in moving on from an overw

Social AffairsJuly 2, 2018

[Newsmaker] Yemeni asylum seekers taken into custody after fight over washing dishes

Two Yemeni asylum seekers have been taken into custody on the southern island of Jeju for using violence against each other in a fight over washing dishes, police said Monday.The two, who are aged 36 and 37 and work as crewmen, allegedly brandished weapons or punched each other Sunday afternoon after quarreling over washing dishes in the crewmen's quarters they live in, police said.Police said they're questioning the two and will decide how to deal with them after consultations with immigration

Social AffairsJuly 2, 2018