Chung Yoo-ra, the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, is under increasing scrutiny in South Korea, with prosecutors and educational authorities widening their probe into allegations that she received preferential treatment from schools, the equestrian league, and corporate sponsors.  Chung, who is currently overseas, is the only child between Choi, President Park Geun-hye’s longtime friend accused of meddling in state affairs, and Jeong Yun-hoe, Park’s former chief of staff. The Ministry of Education sai

Social Affairs Nov. 7, 2016

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in central Seoul on Saturday to demand President Park Geun-hye’s resignation over a spiraling scandal involving her confidante Choi Soon-sil. Tens of thousands of people gathered at Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul, on Saturday to demand President Park Geun-hye step down over the influence-peddling scandal involving her confidante Choi Soon-sil. (Yonhap)Some 200,000 people flocked to Gwanghwamun Square in the evening, according to organizers, sign

Politics Nov. 5, 2016

The prosecution sought an arrest warrant for former presidential aide An Chong-bum on Friday, accelerating its probe to question more of President Park Geun-hye’s close associates involved in the spiraling scandal. Prosecutors charged An, the ex-presidential secretary of policy coordination who is currently under emergency detention, with abuse of power, accusing him of forcing local firms including Lotte Group, SK Group and Posco to contribute money to the Mir and K-Sports foundations. An was a

Social Affairs Nov. 5, 2016

After President Park Geun-hye’s mea culpa Friday, eyes are fixed on the upcoming rally in Seoul on Saturday for any sign of a shift in public sentiment toward the embattled leader. Police predict some 40,000 participants for the second major rally since the Choi Soon-sil scandal surfaced. It is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The rally organizers -- an association of labor unions, student groups and civic organizations -- say nearly 100,000 people could turn

Social Affairs Nov. 4, 2016

A formal arrest warrant has been issued Thursday for Choi Soon-sil, President Park Geun-hye’s longtime confidante, accused of collaborating with a presidential aide to abuse power and attempting to commit fraud. After checking the charges raised against Choi, the court said that it is "necessary" to arrest her. Choi Soon-sil (center) enters a court room to attend a hearing on the court's review on the arrest warrant for her on Thursday. (Yonhap)　Choi, a 60-year-old civilian who has no background

Social Affairs Nov. 3, 2016

Airdre Mattner, an Australian woman who was allegedly drugged, abducted and raped during a night out in Seoul last year, won a months-long fight to bring her offender to justice in what some call a rare victory.One of her offenders, a 37-year-old Nigerian man illegally residing in Korea, was sentenced to two years and six months in jail on charges of quasi indecent act by compulsion and negligent injury, among other offenses, Tuesday. “The evidence sufficiently shows that the defendant sexually

Social Affairs Nov. 3, 2016

Choi Soon-sil, President Park Geun-hye’s longtime confidante suspected of meddling in state affairs and embezzling public funds, was facing formal arrest Thursday as an accessory to abuse of power and attempted fraud, charges that critics say carry only light punishment. Choi, a 60-year-old civilian who has no background in policy and is a daughter of Park’s late mentor Choi Tae-min, appeared in front of the Seoul Central District Court at around 1:50 p.m., an hour prior to the hearing. Choi, wh

Social Affairs Nov. 3, 2016

President Park Geun-hye’s approval rating dipped to a new low of 10.4 percent, a survey showed Tuesday. According to a nationwide poll by local pollster Research View, the disapproval rating for Park hit an all-time high of 81.2 percent, up 14.9 percent from a week earlier, right after the influence-peddling scandal surfaced. Park’s efforts to soothe public anger by making an apology and carrying out a reshuffle of the presidential staff have not had much impact. The latest data corresponds with

Social Affairs Nov. 1, 2016

Supporters of President Park Geun-hye are quickly turning their backs on her amid the snowballing allegations that her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil meddled in state affairs. A latest poll showed that Park’s popularity rating neared the unprecedented 10 percent range, with her popularity notably shrinking even in her traditional strongholds -- North Gyeongsang Province, Daegu and the over-60 age group. But there are still avid fans showing unwavering support for President Park, with many blaming

Social Affairs Nov. 1, 2016

The Ministry of Education said Monday that it had launched a two-week special inspection into allegations that Ewha Womans University gave special treatment to the daughter of President Park Geun-hye’s embattled confidante. The ministry dispatched an on-site inspection team comprising 12 ministry officials to the Seoul-based university. The inspection centers on Chung Yoo-ra, a horseback rider and the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, the woman accused of meddling in state affairs through her ties to P

Social Affairs Oct. 31, 2016

Thousands of people took to the streets in Seoul on Saturday evening, calling for President Park Geun-hye to step down over allegations her longtime friend meddled in state affairs, in the first major anti-government rally since the Choi Soon-sil scandal came to the fore last week.　Breaking away from typical rallies dominated by civic groups and labor unions, Saturday’s protest saw a more diverse crowd, from families and couples to friends and even former supporters of President Park taking part

Social Affairs Oct. 30, 2016

Public outcry continued to grow Thursday, with more university students, professors and civic groups denouncing President Park Geun-hye over the scandal involving her close confidante. While the embattled president has remained silent since her two-minute apology Tuesday, calls are growing for Park to take responsibility for the state crisis, with some even demanding her to step down.Students from a total of 15 universities across the country criticized Park for “destroying democracy and shaking

Social Affairs Oct. 27, 2016

With its mission to nurture talent and cultivate world leaders, Cheongna Dalton School in Incheon has become a top choice for parents seeking an international education for their children. The school was established in 2011 by the late Lee Bong-duk and is located in Incheon Free Economic Zone. It offers students the chance to develop the skills required of future leaders through its pre-school and 12-year educational programs, according to the school. Aerial view of Cheongna Dalton SchoolLee, wh

Social Affairs Oct. 27, 2016