There will be no more police water cannons and bus barricades at street rallies, a ranking police officer said Friday, signaling a dramatic shift in the police’s treatment of protestors after millions-strong demonstrations expelled a sitting president from power. “From now on, we plan to make it a principle not to dispatch police forces, water cannons and bus barricades,” said Lee Dae-hyung, a human rights protection officer from the National Police Agency during a forum on human rights and poli

Social Affairs May 26, 2017

Ewha Womans University has elected its new president through its first-ever direct vote of all students, faculty members and administrative staff, ending months of allegations and internal turmoil that were tied to the scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye.  Kim Hei-sook, new president of Ewha Womans University. (Yonhap)Philosophy professor Kim Hei-sook was formally appointed Friday by the board of directors as the new president, the Seoul-based school said. She received 57.3 percent

Social Affairs May 26, 2017

Allegations surfaced Friday that former President Park Geun-hye spent 3 billion won ($2.7 million) of state funds while she was impeached by the parliament and suspended from duty. “I learned that 3 billion won in special activity expenses was used when former President Park Geun-hye was suspended,” said Rep. Lee Yong-ho of the centrist People’s Party in the party‘s emergency meeting.”“The public have a right to know how and where Cheong Wa Dae used these special activity expenses.” (Yonhap)Form

Politics May 26, 2017

Following the military court‘s conviction Wednesday of a gay soldier for having sex, many expatriates living in South Korea reacted with a mixture of shock, disappointment and anger toward what they said was a violation of basic human rights. “These men are serving their country and their country repays them with prison?” said Amanda Melgarejo Bastos, a 28-year-old English teacher from the United States. “Seeing how racism and sexism are big issues here, I can’t say I am surprised, but I am stil

Social Affairs May 25, 2017

With President Moon Jae-in now in office, an association of civic groups that were at the forefront of the movement to remove the former president from power formally declared its disbandment Wednesday.“We declare disbandment because we completed our mission and role to oust former President Park Geun-hye,” said the civic groups at a press briefing held in central Seoul. Named “The Action for Park Geun-hye’s Ouster,” the association of 1,500 civic organizations led massive street protests after

Social Affairs May 24, 2017

More South Koreans joined a lawsuit against the governments of Seoul and Beijing, seeking compensation over mental distress they suffered due to fine dust in the country. The class action suit, filed in April with seven plaintiffs including Choi Yeol, president of the Korea Green Foundation, now has a total of 88 plaintiffs, each demanding 3 million won ($2,660) in compensation from both governments.Murky air covers buildings and the cityscape in Seoul as the worst fine dust sweeps across the na

Social Affairs May 24, 2017

As a judge announced the opening of a trial hearing, former President Park Geun-hye stepped inside a courtroom in a navy suit with her prison number 503 attached to her jacket. Amid a barrage of camera flashes and with some 150 spectators looking on, Park entered the courtroom No. 417, where two of South Korea’s former presidents had also stood trial. The chief judge Kim Se-yun of the three-justice panel addressed her as “the accused Park Geun-hye” and asked her what her occupation is. She feebl

Social Affairs May 23, 2017

Former President Park Geun-hye appeared in public for the first time in 53 days on Tuesday to stand trial on charges, including bribery and abuse of power, which brought an end to her presidency in March. Park, who has remained in detention since her arrest in late March, arrived at 9:10 a.m. at the Seoul Central District Court, wearing her own clothes, not a prison uniform, and with her signature hairstyle.  (Yonhap)As formal proceedings for her trial begins Tuesday, her attendance in hearings

Social Affairs May 23, 2017

President Moon Jae-in on Friday named a reformist prosecutor as the new chief of Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, giving a boost to sweeping reforms of the nation’s most powerful law enforcement agency.The presidential office said that Moon had appointed Yoon Seok-yeol, who played a key role in the investigation into the corruption scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye and her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil, to head the nation’s biggest prosecutors’ body.Yoon Seok-yeol (

Social Affairs May 19, 2017

T-shirts describing South Korea’s new President Moon Jae-in as the leader of North Korea are for sale on Amazon, the world’s largest online marketplace, drawing angry responses from South Koreans.The apparel adorned with the slogan “Vote Moon Jae-in President North Korea **2017**,” has been listed by an unidentified seller at $15.99 apiece. They come in various sizes and five different colors.  (Captured from Amazon)In the description, however, the seller correctly portrays Moon as the president

Social Affairs May 17, 2017

Outgoing chief prosecutor Kim Soo-nam called for self-reflection and self-reformation in his farewell message Monday, as a major overhaul looms for the nation’s powerful law enforcement agency. “I am leaving, but the prosecution has a grave task to restore the public trust. At the core of restoring public trust are principles, self-control and integrity,” said Prosecutor-General Kim during his retirement ceremony at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in Seoul.Outgoing chief prosecutor Kim Soo-nam (

Social Affairs May 15, 2017

President Moon Jae-in picked special envoys to the United States, China, Japan and Russia, a source said Sunday, as he strives to build closer ties with the four major powers amid persistent military threats from a provocative North Korea.The source said that Moon picked Hong Seok-hyun, a former chairman and CEO of the JoongAng Media Network, and former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan as special envoys to the US and China, respectively. This combined file photo shows Hong Seok-hyun (L), a former cha

Diplomatic Circuit May 14, 2017