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Childbirths in Korea rebound for 1st time in nearly a decade in 2024
South Korea in 2024 saw 242,334 babies born, marking the first increase in the annual figure since 2015, as the country struggles to improve its plummeting birth rate that is among the worst in the world. The official figure for childbirths rose by 7,295 from 235,039 in 2023, a 3.1 percent increase, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The country also saw 360,757 deaths in the year, resulting in the overall population shrinking for a fifth straight year since 2020. South Korea'
Jan. 4, 2025 -
Removal of independence fighter's bust sparks controversy
Education authorities in North Chungcheong Province recently became subject to criticism after deciding to remove from a new school the bust of Sin Hong-sik, a Christian pastor who was among the 33 people who signed Korea's declaration of independence from Japan on March 1, 1919. It was belatedly reported that Chungcheongbukdo Office of Education had demolished the bust that was standing on the former grounds of the since-relocated Gaduk Middle School in Gadeok-myeon, Cheongju, North Chungcheong
Jan. 4, 2025 -
S. Korean hiker who went missing on Bali's Mt. Agung found dead
A South Korean man who went missing while hiking on Mount Agung on Indonesia's Bali island on New Year's day has been found dead, according to officials Friday. The remains of the 31-year-old male, whose identity was withheld, were discovered at the bottom of a ravine on the volcanic mountain in Bali on Thursday, according to the South Korean consulate on the island. The man embarked on a solo climb of Mount Agung on Wednesday but lost contact the following day. It was reported that he had been
Jan. 3, 2025 -
Over 300 evacuated from Bundang building fire; no serious injuries reported
A fire broke out at a store building in Bundang, south of Seoul, on Friday, prompting over 300 people within the facility to evacuate, according to authorities. No serious injuries were reported. The fire began at 4:37 p.m. at an eight-story building in Yatap-dong in the Bundang district of the city of Seongnam. The blaze was fully extinguished in about an hour. The blaze is believed to have started in the kitchen of a restaurant located on the first floor of the building and spread through the
Jan. 3, 2025 -
Yoon’s impeachment trial to formally begin Jan. 14
Yoon’s lawyers, National Assembly lock horns at 2nd preparatory hearing The Constitutional Court of Korea said Friday that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial is formally set to begin on Jan. 14. Yoon is legally required to attend the trial. During the court’s second preparatory hearing on Friday, Justice Lee Mi-seon, one of two lead judges examining the evidence and arguments, said the court had scheduled the first and second formal hearing dates for Jan. 14 and 16. The second date was
Jan. 3, 2025 -
Fire breaks out in Bundang building, 40 rescued
A fire broke out in a multipurpose commercial building in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province, Friday afternoon, leaving 12 people injured who were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, according to fire authorities. The injuries, primarily caused by smoke inhalation, were mostly classified as minor, they said. There were 70 to 80 people who sought refuge atop the building on the rooftop. They were to be guided to the ground floor once the smoke clears sufficiently, fire authorities said. Meanwh
Jan. 3, 2025 -
CIO suspends warrant execution amid standoff with Yoon's security
Presidential Security Service chief, others, summoned as suspects on Saturday over suspicions of obstructing warrant execution GWACHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials said Friday that it has withdrawn from the presidential residence due to safety concerns, explaining its staff was outnumbered by Presidential Security Service personnel. "We were able to approach almost 200 meters away from the presidential residence, but approximately 200 Pres
Jan. 3, 2025 -
South Korea sees largest influenza outbreak since 2016
Influenza cases surge among youths South Korea is experiencing its largest influenza outbreak since 2016, with cases rising sharply particularly among teenagers. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Friday, the influenza-like illness rate -- referring to the number of suspected flu cases per 1,000 outpatient visits at 300 monitored clinics nationwide -- reached 73.9 from Dec. 22 to 28 last year. This marks a staggering 136 percent increase from the previous week’s rate
Jan. 3, 2025 -
Court to hold meeting of 8-member justices on Monday
Court holds Yoon’s second preparatory hearing Friday The Constitutional Court of Korea said Friday that it would hold a regular meeting on Monday, the first since becoming an eight-member system. The court’s press officer Cheon Jae-hyun told reporters that acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae would convene a judges’ meeting Monday, where they are expected to share updates on several pending cases, including the impeachment trials of President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Discuss
Jan. 3, 2025 -
Ripped, crumpled aircraft manual found at crash site
Several pages torn from a printed operations manual for the Boeing 737-800 were discovered at the site of the deadly Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, according to local news reports Friday. On Dec. 29, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 from Bangkok crashed into the airport's outer wall while attempting a belly landing, leading to the deaths of 179 of the 181 people on board. The aircraft manual, or "Quick Reference Handbook," is a thick guide spanning over 2,000 pag
Jan. 3, 2025 -
Police continue raids in Muan plane crash probe
South Korean police continued search efforts into a second day, conducting a raid at Muan International Airport’s offices in South Jeolla Province, as part of the investigation into the Jeju Air crash that claimed 179 lives. With the raid now exceeding 24 hours, the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency’s special investigation unit focused on securing operational documents related to the flight, including communication logs, maintenance records on the aircraft and details about the controversial loca
Jan. 3, 2025 -
Government reviews flight safety measures; special inspection of B737-800s extended
The South Korean government held an emergency safety meeting with the chief executive officers of 11 local airlines Friday, with plans to conduct a special safety inspection of flights following the recent deadly Jeju Air crash. CEOs of Jeju Air, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and other airlines participated in the meeting hosted by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, where enhanced safety measures established after the tragedy were reviewed. The government plans to hold f
Jan. 3, 2025 -
Virginia state flag hung in Gwangju as mayor labels President Yoon Suk Yeol a ‘tyrant’
The city of Gwangju on Friday hung the flag of the US state of Virginia outside City Hall, in apparent defiance to President Yoon Suk Yeol and in support for his arrest on insurrection and power abuse charges. The flag, which was apparently sent by the governor of Virginia, bears the Latin phrase "Sic semper tyrannis," which means ""thus always to tyrants," which is the state's motto. The state was among the 13 original British colonies in North America, and is where Patrick Henry famously said,
Jan. 3, 2025 -
CIO suspends warrant execution against Yoon, citing safety issue over standoff
The execution of the arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended on Friday afternoon, due to an ongoing standoff that has made it practically impossible to proceed with the operation, according to authorities. Authorities involved in the joint investigation, including the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, had initially moved to carry out the warrant that had been approved by the court. However, after five hours of tension, it was determined that the escalat
Jan. 3, 2025 -
Bereaved families of Jeju Air crash plead for extension of joint memorials
Families of those who died in the deadly Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 crash urged the government to extend operation of the joint memorials, at least in the Jeolla region where most of the victims were from. Park Han-shin, the representative for the bereaved families' group, said he requested that operation of memorials in the Gwangju and South Jeolla Provinces be extended until Feb. 15, which is when 49-day Buddhist funeral services for the victims would have been completed. "Even if (the government
Jan. 3, 2025