A South Korean court Thursday rejected an arrest warrant for Samsung Group’s heir apparent Lee Jae-yong over a corruption scandal that led to President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment. 　 "It is hard to acknowledge the reason, necessity and appropriateness for the arrest at the current stage (of the investigation)" the Seoul Central District Court said, citing lack of evidence and key issues that are still debated as the reasons for the rejection. 　Following the court's decision, the 48-year-old tyco

National Jan. 19, 2017

Samsung Group’s de facto leader Lee Jae-yong is possibly at the lowest point of his life as he nervously waits for a court’s decision on his arrest warrant. 　The heir apparent of the nation’s largest conglomerate has been placed behind bars until the court decides on his and his company’s fate, most likely by early Thursday morning. 　Lee Jae-yong (Yonhap)But his brief stay at a detention facility in south of Seoul might be a taste of what is yet to come, as he faces charges --- bribery, embezzle

Social Affairs Jan. 18, 2017

North Korean criticized the international community on Tuesday for its double standard toward the country's development of intercontinental ballistic missile.North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in his New Year's Day address that the country has entered the final stage of preparations to test fire an ICBM, an apparent warning that the reclusive country is perfecting the capability to hit the continental United States with nukes.(Yonhap)"Acting by the double-dealing standard unilaterally set by t

North Korea Jan. 17, 2017

South Korea said Tuesday that it will take a firm stance against China's recent hostile movements against its businesses in apparent retaliation for welcoming a US-owned missile system."We will continue to object to the Chinese measures," Vice Trade Minister Woo Tae-hee said at a task force meeting to discuss pending trade issues between South Korea and China.His comments came as Beijing is heightening non-tariff barriers against South Korea as the Seoul government decided to deploy the US-led m

Diplomatic Circuit Jan. 17, 2017

Seoul’s education office said Monday that it would cancel the high school credentials of Chung Yoo-ra, the daughter of President Park Geun-hye’s confidante Choi Soon-sil, over revelations the school gave her special treatment in attendance and grading. After an inspection into Sunhwa Art School and Chungdam High School, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said it would ask the prosecution to launch an investigation into Chung, her mother and 10 faculty members involved in the scandal.Chun

Social Affairs Dec. 5, 2016

Around 1.6 million South Koreans rallied near the presidential office north of Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul to demand the ouster of scandal-ridden President Park Geun-hye on Saturday.  Here are some of the photos featuring one of the biggest, but most peaceful protests in the country.A protester wears a chicken costume to make fun of President Park while marching towards the presidential office. (Bak Se-hwan/The Korea Herald)At 3 p.m., protesters gather at Gwanghwamun Square before marchi

Social Affairs Dec. 3, 2016

Tens of thousands of South Koreans took to the streets of central Seoul on Saturday in their sixth consecutive weekend rally to demand the President Park Geun-hye’s resignation over an influence-peddling and corruption scandal.As of 8 p.m. up to 1.5 million protesters, according to rally organizers, packed main boulevards connecting City Hall and Gwanghwamun Square to Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul for a candlelight vigil aimed at ramping up pressure on Park to immediately step down.Up to 900

Social Affairs Dec. 3, 2016

Tens of thousands of South Koreans took to the streets of central Seoul on Saturday in its sixth consecutive rally to demand the scandal-hit President Park Geun-hye’s resignation over an influence-peddling and corruption scandal. As of 4 p.m., up to 500,000 protestors packed main boulevards in central Seoul, according to rally organizers, and began to march toward the presidential office along three main routes to ramp up pressure on Park to step down.This is the sixth week of major protests aga

Social Affairs Dec. 3, 2016

South Korea's opposition parties on Sunday urged the Saenuri Party to join ties for the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye on her influence-peddling scandal, adding the ruling party should respond to the weekly rally that allegedly gathered more than a million a day earlier.On Saturday, organizers claimed a record 1.5 million people joined the fifth consecutive weekly rally held in central Seoul, demanding Park step down from her office amid allegations that her confidante Choi Soon-sil exer

Politics Nov. 27, 2016

A key figure in the influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her confidante was indicted Sunday on charges ranging from an abuse of authority to embezzlement.Prosecutors said Cha Eun-taek, former commercial and music video director, will now stand trial for allegedly using his connection with Choi Soon-sil, a long-time friend of Park's at the center of the scandal, to pocket profits. Cha Eun-taek (Yonhap)According to prosecutors, Cha apparently used his network to coerce

Social Affairs Nov. 27, 2016