The Pantone Color Institute, which has declared a Color of the Year since 2000, has chosen "Mocha Mousse" for 2025 -- a shade that evokes a sense of comfort and warmth. The institute explained that the hue for the year ahead is "an evocative soft brown that transports our senses into the pleasure and deliciousness it inspires" that could create a comfortable environment for those wanting respite from life's daily demands. The Pantone Color Institute is a US-based consu

Culture Dec. 11, 2024

The 19th edition of the Craft Trend Fair will kick off Thursday at Coex in southern Seoul, shedding light on "everyday luxury," from luxury goods crafted by artisans to items of everyday use. The four-day event, which will be held under the theme "Extraordinary Objects that Shine in My Life," is organized by Kang Jae-young, the artistic director of the 2023 Cheongju Craft Biennale. Some 280 exhibitors, including international and overseas galleries and related craft institu

Culture Dec. 10, 2024

First lady Kim Keon Hee narrowly avoided a special counsel investigation on Saturday as a revote on a bill to launch a probe into allegations against her fell just two votes short of passing in the National Assembly. In a vote of 198-102, the bill to appoint a special counsel narrowly failed to win the required two-thirds majority in the 300-member parliament. The revote took place before a separate motion to impeach Yoon, which also got scrapped due to a lack of quorum. While the rejection spar

Politics Dec. 8, 2024

Special investigation units to probe President Yoon Suk Yeol's sudden declaration of martial law that lasted six hours and threw the country into chaos are being formed as he faces an impeachment vote Saturday at 7 p.m. The prosecution's investigation team will be led by Park Se-hyun, chief prosecutor of Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, according to officials. The day before, Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung ordered prosecutors to open their own investigation and assigned the case

Politics Dec. 6, 2024

Amid growing calls for President Yoon Suk Yeol to be suspended, the emergency medical professors at Seoul National University and Seoul National University Hospital on Friday were set to hold a press conference at the school at 2 p.m. to urge Yoon's impeachment. This marks the first action among the medical circles calling for the unpopular president's impeachment. "Dear South Korean citizens, are you not afraid that the martial law declaration grants the president the power to wi

Social Affairs Dec. 6, 2024

The opposition-controlled National Assembly on Thursday voted to impeach the chief of the state auditor and three top prosecutors over issues related to the relocation of the presidential office and scandals surrounding first lady Kim Keon Hee. The motion was against Board of Audit and Inspection Chair Choe Jae-hae, Lee Chang-soo, chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, and two of Lee's deputies -- Cho Sang-won and Choi Jae-hun. The motions passed over 188-4 votes against Ch

Politics Dec. 5, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration spilled over into the health care sector on Thursday, facing harsh criticism from the medical community and the nation's top health and welfare official. Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong, who attended the Cabinet Meeting just before the martial law announcement was made late Tuesday, said during the National Assembly's health and welfare committee meeting on Thursday that he "does not agree with the martial law decl

Social Affairs Dec. 5, 2024

The six-hour standoff that tossed the South Korean democracy into turmoil on Tuesday echoed images of the powerful authoritarian rule during the 1970s and 80s, leading many people to revisit the times of suppression through the use of coercion and brutality. This also gave a familiar reminder of the dark chapter of the country's history where the military arrested protesting activists and banned political activity, and media -- across all mediums -- censored. "As a person who experienc

Politics Dec. 4, 2024

Cho Kuk, leader of the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, said early Wednesday that he believed President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law was "illegal," adding that it goes against the law and is a move that warrants the president's removal from office. "If President Yoon Suk Yeol does not comply with the National Assembly's resolution (to lift the emergency martial law), that would be considered both illegal and a criminal act," Rep. Cho told

Politics Dec. 4, 2024

Under the decree issued by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su that went into effect as of 11 p.m. on Tuesday, all medical professionals must resume their duties within 48 hours Those affected include striking intern and resident doctors opposing the government's quota hike in medical school admissions or those who have walked out of their medical roles. The decree came nearly an hour after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday. Medical professionals who fail to comply

Politics Dec. 4, 2024

In an emergency statement, the minor opposition Justice Party blasted Yoon's declaration of martial law, claiming that it breaches Article 77 of the country's Constitution. "President Yoon Suk Yeol must immediately withdraw the declaration of martial law. If not, the public will hold the president responsible for violating the Constitutional order. The Justice Party will never tolerate any actions that violate the Constitution," Kwon Young-guk, chief of the Justice Party, sai

Politics Dec. 3, 2024

South Korea saw a rise in smokers and obesity rates last year, according to the National Health and Nutrition Survey on Tuesday. According to the report, 32.4 percent and 6.3 percent of men and women, respectively, were smoking cigarettes, with a particular increase in women in their 20s and 50-something men. The figures were each a 2.4 percent and 1.3 percent increase from 2022. If e-cigarettes are included, the percentage of adults using tobacco products, went up to 38.9 percent for men, a 2

Social Affairs Dec. 3, 2024

South Korea is mulling introducing tougher health warnings on alcohol container labels to raise awareness on alcohol-related risks, according to officials on Tuesday. The move comes after Rep. Nam In-soon of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, also a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, suggested updating the warning labels to make them more effective in delivering the risks of alcohol consumption. Amid calls for stronger warning labels, the Health Mi

Social Affairs Dec. 3, 2024

South Korea reported a series of fire-related accidents in residential buildings on Monday that resulted in several casualties. A butane gas explosion on the 15th floor of an apartment building in Daegu at around 8:59 a.m. caused a fire and some 30 residents either evacuated on their own or were rescued, according to the Daegu Fire Department. Several residents reportedly experienced difficulties breathing, eye pain and headaches after the fire, according to local reports. Following the fire, au

Social Affairs Dec. 2, 2024

South Korea's retail giant Lotte Group recently requested an investigation from Seoul Gangnam Police Station into rumors about the company's financial instability that have circulated online since late last month, according to legal professionals on Monday. The decision comes after rumors that the company will declare a moratorium in early December due to a liquidity crisis spread online after two YouTube channels alleged that the group was facing challenges in mid-November. Lotte ha

Social Affairs Dec. 2, 2024