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Bolstering protection for minors against digital sex crimes
● Updated law: Act on the Protection of Children and Youth Against Sex Offenses What it does: Allows investigators to launch emergency undercover investigations into suspected digital sex crimes targeting underage victims Took effect: April 17 To combat an increase in digital sex crimes, South Korea has been working in recent years to bolster regulations and punishments by passing several related bills. The latest such law to take effect is an amendment to the Act on the Protection of Children a
April 22, 2025 -
S. Korea not to appeal court ruling on $32m payout to US hedge fund Mason
South Korea has decided not to appeal a Singaporean court's rejection of its lawsuit seeking to annul an investor-state dispute settlement ruling that ordered it to pay compensation to US hedge fund Mason Capital over losses from Samsung's controversial 2015 merger of two units, the Ministry of Justice said Friday. Following the decision, the Korean government will have to pay Mason approximately 86 billion won (about $60.5 million), including interest on delay. The case dates back to September
April 18, 2025 -
Korean Supreme Court justice meets US Supreme Court chief justice in Washington
A judge from South Korea's highest court met with the US Supreme Court's chief justice during his visit to Washington earlier this month, according to his office. Supreme Court Justice Kwon Young-joon paid a courtesy call on Chief Justice John Roberts as he visited the top US court on April 8 and discussed judicial issues concerning their countries, according to the court. During the meeting, Kwon delivered a letter from Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae inviting Roberts to an internationa
April 18, 2025 -
Some law experts praise Yoon Suk Yeol impeachment ruling
In the wake of the Constitutional Court’s decision to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, some legal scholars and practitioners on social media have lauded the verdict read by Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae. Professor Han In-sup of Seoul National University’s School of Law said on Facebook, “Every detail was addressed with precision.” Han added that he respects the justices for their dedication. Attorney Lim Jae-sung, a member of Lawyers for a Democratic Society, echoed that sentiment, cal
April 4, 2025 -
Court set to rule on opposition leader's appeal in election law violation case
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung is set to be sentenced Wednesday in his appellate trial over charges he lied as a presidential candidate during the 2022 election. The Seoul High Court will hold a sentencing hearing at 2 p.m., some four months after a lower court sentenced Lee of the main opposition Democratic Party to one year in prison, suspended for two years, for making false statements in violation of the Public Official Election Act. Lee is considered the presidential front-runner in the ev
March 26, 2025 -
Helping young single parents return to education
● Updated law: Single-parent Family Support Act What it does: Expands state financial support options for single parents aged 24 or younger Took effect: March 4 Single parents aged 24 or younger are now eligible to receive state financial support to pursue more than one diploma upon returning to education. Previously, young single parents could only receive support for one type of diploma or school equivalency examinations or similar programs. They are now eligible to receive support while takin
March 23, 2025 -
Constitutional Court to announce ruling on PM's impeachment next Monday
The Constitutional Court said Thursday it will deliver its ruling on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment next week. The verdict will be announced at 10 a.m. Monday, the court said. (Yonhap)
March 20, 2025 -
Prosecutors demand 1-year sentence for Moon's daughter
Prosecutors on Thursday sought a 1-year prison sentence for the daughter of former President Moon Jae-in on charges of driving under the influence and illegally renting out her properties for short-term accommodation. In the first hearing for Moon Da-hye’s trial at the Seoul Western District Court, prosecutors insisted the court hand down a 1-year sentence, citing the severity of the crimes. Prosecutors pointed out her “high” blood alcohol concentration, which was measured at 0.14 percent at the
March 20, 2025 -
Constitutional Court expected to deliver ruling on Yoon this week
Court under pressure as political turmoil continues to grip the nation The Constitutional Court is expected to deliver its ruling on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol on either Thursday or Friday, legal experts said Monday. As of Monday, the Constitutional Court had heard and deliberated on the case for 93 days since it received the impeachment motion against Yoon passed by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Dec. 14. The deliberation process on Yoon’s case is the lengt
March 17, 2025 -
Two Air Force pilots booked over Pocheon bombing
Two South Korean Air Force jet pilots were booked Thursday, charged with occupational negligence over their accidental bombing of a civilian village last week, the Defense Ministry said. The Defense Ministry recently confirmed pilot error as the main cause of the accident on March 6, in which two KF-16 fighter jets dropped eight MK-82 bombs on a village in Pocheon, located near the inter-Korean border. The pilots failed to drop the bombs on the training range, which was located in the border cit
March 13, 2025 -
Air Force pilots in accidental bombing could face criminal charges: experts
Two KF-16 fighter jet pilots blamed for accidentally dropping bombs on a village in Pocheon last week could face criminal charges, experts said Tuesday. South Korea’s Air Force on Monday reaffirmed pilot error as the cause of the accident that left 31 people injured, including 19 civilians, in the village of Nogok-ri, Idong-myeon, Pocheon, near the inter-Korean border, last week. The Air Force stressed that the pilots failed to follow the mandatory procedure of checking the coordinates of their
March 11, 2025 -
Why did prosecutors agree to release Yoon Suk Yeol?
Prosecutors decided to release suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol from custody on Saturday afternoon despite the organization being heavily divided over the matter, according to a report in Yonhap News, Saturday. The move to comply with the Seoul Central District Court’s decision that ruled in favor of Yoon’s request to cancel his detention, rather than appeal it, is mainly to avoid the risk of being accused as “unconstitutional,” some observers say. “The Constitutional Court in 1993 and 2012 rul
March 9, 2025 -
Enhancing bank services, safety measure for electric cars
The Korea Herald republishes a weekly legislative report by local law firm DR & AJU LLC to provide the latest information on bills approved, proposed, pending and set to be promulgated. -- Ed. Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Insurance Business Act Proposed by Rep. Cha Gyu-geun (Rebuilding Korea Party) ● This amendment mandates that stocks issued by affiliates of an insurance company and held by the company be valued at market prices rather than acquisition costs. It also sets a cap on th
March 4, 2025 -
Constitutional Court's Thursday ruling on 9th justice may affect Yoon's trial
Addition of new judge could increase likelihood of Yoon's impeachment being upheld, but could also delay proceedings The Constitutional Court is set to deliver its ruling Thursday on whether acting President Choi Sang-mok’s move to withhold the appointment of a ninth justice, recommended by the liberal opposition, is in accordance with the Constitution. Observers say there is a higher chance of the court upholding President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment by the National Assembly if opposition-recom
Feb. 26, 2025 -
Korea beefs up safety inspections of EV batteries
● Updated law: Motor Vehicle Management Act What it does: Allows government to manage and track EV batteries to bolster safety Took effect: Feb. 17 Starting Feb. 17, automakers are required to obtain government certification of the safety of batteries used in their electric vehicles. In addition, automakers must assign an identification number to each individual EV battery. The system will allow the government and automakers to manage and track each battery from production to disposal. The syste
Feb. 25, 2025