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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GWACHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials said Friday that it has withdrawn from the presidential residence due to safety concerns, explaining its staff was outnumbered by Presidential Security Service personnel.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 -
Funerals held for five more plane crash victims
Funerals for five more victims of the fatal Jeju Air plane crash were held in the southwestern city of Gwangju and nearby areas on Friday, after the first four of the 179 victims killed in Sunday's disaster were laid to rest in services the previous day. Grieving bereaved families expressed their gratitude to the five victims, as their coffins were borne out from funeral parlors in Gwangju and Yeosu and Damyang, both in the southwestern province of South Jeolla, Friday morning. So far, the bodie
Jan. 3, 2025 -
Acting president calls for swift investigation into Jeju Air crash
Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Friday directed authorities to expedite the investigation into the Jeju Air plane crash that claimed 179 lives. South Korean authorities, in cooperation with a US investigative team that includes officials from the US National Transportation Safety Board, are working to determine the cause of the Jeju Air crash, which took place Sunday at Muan International Airport, located some 290 kilometers southwest of Seoul. "In relation to the NTSB's analysis, the Ministry
Jan. 3, 2025 -
Constitutional Court calls for completion of full 9-member bench
The Constitutional Court of Korea on Thursday continued to call for a completion of a full bench at the nine-seat court, for a swift proceeding of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial and other pending cases. The court’s vice press officer Cheon Jae-hyun said that the court views that a vacancy at the court is still “unresolved.” On Monday, acting President Choi Sang-mok deferred the appointment of Ma Eun-hyeok, one of two justice candidates nominated by the main opposition party, due to
Jan. 2, 2025 -
How much did concrete mound contribute to Muan disaster?
The tragic Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province has prompted scrutiny of airport safety standards, with aviation experts pointing to a concrete embankment placed near the end of the runway as a potential key factor in the disaster that claimed 179 lives. Investigators are also questioning whether landing from the opposite direction might have mitigated the impact. The crash occurred when a Boeing 737-800 was attempting an emergency belly landing after the landing
Jan. 2, 2025 -
Standoff as CIO moves to detain Yoon
As a joint investigative team led by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials moved to detain President Yoon Suk Yeol, tensions flared Tuesday between his supporters, his detractors, police and the Presidential Security Service outside his residence on Thursday. With Yoon's written message delivered to demonstrators earlier in the day via a live broadcast on YouTube stating he is watching their efforts to support him, the pro-Yoon rally grew stronger. Some people lied on th
Jan. 2, 2025 -
Dentists in Gwangju offer free dental services to mourn colleague in tragic plane crash
Spontaneous movement honors local dentist who was among 179 victims of worst aviation accident in Korea Some dentists in Gwangju are offering free dental services to honor a respected colleague who tragically lost his life in the Jeju Air crash that occurred Dec. 29 at Muan International Airport, in nearby South Jeolla Province. According to the Gwangju Dental Association, many dentists began providing free care on Monday, just a day after the accident. “It seems the dentists are continuing the
Jan. 2, 2025