A group of adults in their 20s and 30s have been arrested for purchasing cigarettes for teenagers for a commission. In South Korea, teenagers cannot purchase cigarettes under the Youth Protection Act, and the standard for teenagers under the Act is under the international age of 19. According to Jeju police, three suspects -- two in their 30s and one in his 20s -- have been referred to the prosecution. The three have no prior relationship and were caught committing the crime individually. They w

Social Affairs Nov. 30, 2023

A man in his 30s has been arrested for lighting fire to a piece of paper placed between the toes of a sleeping co-worker, as well as for filming and sharing about the action on social media, local news media reported Wednesday. The incident occurred on Oct. 12, when the suspect, who works at a bar located in Sangmu-Jigu in Gwangju, put a piece of tissue between his co-workers toes and lit it on fire. He then filmed the scene while sharing the video on his social media account, as well as in the

Social Affairs Nov. 30, 2023

The website of the National Health Insurance Service warned of a "dangerous" level of risk of heat-related illnesses Tuesday, just as the country is going through a cold snap, adding fuel to public anger over a series of breakdowns in online government services in recent weeks here. The warning, which appeared on the NHIS homepage and alarm service page, came on the heels of four major breakdowns that hit South Korea's administrative service networks over the course of a week star

Social Affairs Nov. 29, 2023

A video showing a quarrel between a female student and a male teacher has sparked online controversy. The video shows a female student, believed to be a high schooler, arguing loudly in the hallway with a middle-aged male teacher. The quarrel between the two begins when the teacher loudly instructs the student to go inside the classroom. The student argues back, saying “Why are you yelling at me? Don’t you think I’m a precious daughter of our family?” The teacher looked f

Social Affairs Nov. 22, 2023

A South Korean golf club has caused controversy online for its policy of restricting services for those driving Japanese cars. The club, located in North Jeolla Province, prohibits parking of Japan-made cars at the club's parking lot, according to a notice posted on an online community on Nov. 11. Staff at the club will not load and unload golf clubs for those arriving in Japanese cars, it added. Toyota, Lexus, Infiniti, Subaru and Isuzu cars are among those listed as banned in the notice.

Social Affairs Nov. 20, 2023

Kyuhyun of boy band Super Junior has been injured after attempting to restrain a woman wielding a knife in the backstage of a musical. According to his agency Antenna on Monday, Kyuhyun was wounded while trying to stop a woman in her 30s who broke into the dressing room of “Ben-Hur” in Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, western Seoul, and wielded a weapon against the actors at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Police reportedly arrested the woman on charges of special intimidation. Police believe that Kyuhyun

Social Affairs Nov. 20, 2023

Everland's popular panda, Fubao, has been banned from going out after trying to escape. It was reported that giant panda Fubao has recently attempted to escape twice from her outdoor enclosure at Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park, located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Following the attempts, the panda was confined inside for the time being. The latest case occurred on Monday. Fubao went outside and climbed over a transparent fence, according to the theme park. Then she knocke

Social Affairs Nov. 16, 2023

A 27-year-old man has been arrested after he cut off the gas supply hose in his office-tel residence, causing a gas leak that affected 28 units in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. According to the police, the man severed the gas hose supplying gas to his kitchen at around 2 a.m. on Friday, causing a leak that affected numerous units in the building. The police responded to the scene following reports of the smell of gas from other residents in the building, and evacuated about 20 residents. During ques

Social Affairs Nov. 14, 2023

A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for beating his wife to death, local media reported Monday. According to reports, a 36-year-old man was found guilty of illegal confinement, death resulting from bodily injury and coercion. He was also ordered to 40 hours in a child abuse treatment program and a two-year employment restriction for child-related institutions on charges of emotional abuse by confining his wife with a leash in front of his 4-year-old son. The husband was on trial for

Social Affairs Nov. 13, 2023

Park Bom, formerly of disbanded 2NE1, is returning with a new single, “I,” for the first time in a year and eight months since her last single, “Flower.” A teaser for the song's music video has been uploaded on her agency’s official YouTube channel Wednesday. According to D-Nation Entertainment on Thursday, Park's upcoming single will be released at 6 p.m. on Nov. 22 via various streaming sites. The title “I” reportedly expresses Park’s o

K-pop Nov. 9, 2023

Plans to have J-Hope of BTS host a military cooking competition have been canceled on orders of the defense minister. Speaking at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik confirmed that he canceled the plans to have J-Hope host the International Military Cooking Competition. "I think that it is only right that (a person) carries out the military duties just like any other soldier, regardless of being BTS," Shin said. According to Shin, plans to have J

Social Affairs Nov. 7, 2023

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Tuesday that it will distribute a portable SOS emergency bell called “Zikimi” as part of a campaign to relieve citizen’s anxiety caused by a series of violent crimes. Each emergency bell set contains a safety alarm and will be given first to 10,000 victims of crimes such as sexual and domestic violence, as well as stalking. Once the bell is activated, it sends out a warning alert that can call for help around the area and an emergency

Social Affairs Nov. 7, 2023

A man in his 20s has been fined 7 million won ($5,200) for abusing and assaulting junior soldiers during military service. According to Incheon District Court on Tuesday, the 24-year-old was found guilty of abusing and assaulting soldiers while he was on his compulsory military service last year. The man is reported to have punched two soldiers five times on Sept. 10, 2022. The incident occurred at an army camp in Gyeonggi Province when two soldiers refused to say "Long live Kim Jong-un, Lo

Social Affairs Oct. 24, 2023

A 64-year-old Buddhist monk has been given an 18-month prison term for assaulting a woman after she refused his sexual advances, according to the Cheongju District Court on Monday. Charges against the monk included assault, fraud and intimidation. The monk is reported to have assaulted a 52-year old woman at a house in Gamgok-myeon, Eumseong-gun, North Chungcheong Province, on Feb. 9, 2022. He allegedly demanded sex, and when she refused his request, the monk slapped her across the face and assa

Social Affairs Oct. 24, 2023

A middle school student who kidnapped and raped a woman in an elementary school playground has been handed over to the prosecution. Nonsan Police Station in South Chungcheong Province announced Wednesday that a 15-year-old middle school student had been taken into custody and that they had asked prosecutors to charge him with robbery and rape, bodily injury resulting from robbery and larceny. Police also sought charges for traffic offenses and additional crimes related to the sexual assault. The

Social Affairs Oct. 18, 2023