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No. of deepfake sex videos up for review exceeds last year's figure in 8 months
The number of deepfake sex crime videos pending review by a South Korean media regulator has surpassed 17,000 as of August this year, already surpassing last year's total, data showed Saturday. The state-run Korea Communications Standards Commission has received 17,378 cases of sex crime videos using deepfake technology for review from January to August, according to data submitted to Rep. Lee Yeon-hee of the ruling Democratic Party. This represents a nearly 9.9 percent increase from last year's
Oct. 17, 2026 -
Ruling party lawmaker accuses USFK chief of violating S. Korea's territorial sovereignty
Rep. Kim Byung-joo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea on Saturday accused the commander of US Forces Korea of infringing on South Korea's territorial sovereignty over recent remarks concerning the Military Demarcation Line. Kim, a retired four-star Army general and member of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, called on Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of 28,500 strong USFK and the United Nations Command, to withdraw the remarks and apologize. "His remarks directly deny the te
Oct. 17, 2026 -
Seoul mayor calls for responsible pet ownership
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Saturday called for greater responsibility among pet owners as the city opened a two-day animal welfare festival at Yeouido Hangang Park. "More people are enjoying happy lives with companion animals, but there is also a darker side," Oh said at the opening ceremony, referring to challenges surrounding abandoned animals. He urged pet owners to regard their animals as family members for life and take responsibility for them until the end. He made the remarks during a thir
Oct. 17, 2026 -
More than 1.5 million flock to see Busan's famous shark
More than 1.5 million people are expected to have visited Busan's North Port waterfront park by Saturday to catch a glimpse of "Bukang-i," a shark that has remained in an artificial canal for a month. The figure is equivalent to nearly half of Busan's population of about 3.23 million. According to local authorities, cumulative visitors stood at 1.496 million as of Friday, including some 32,000 that day. Another 2,150 people had arrived by 9 a.m. Saturday, putting the total on course to surpass 1
Oct. 17, 2026 -
Man acquitted over post calling May 18 uprising a 'riot'
A man in his 40s who called the May 18 Democratic Uprising a "riot" in an online post was acquitted on appeal, with the court ruling that the remark amounted to a personal opinion rather than the spread of false information. The Daegu District Court's appellate division on Friday overturned a lower court ruling that fined the 45-year-old man 1 million won ($700) for violating a law banning the dissemination of false information about the 1980 pro-democracy uprising. The man was indicted over a M
Oct. 17, 2026 -
Golfing in Pyongyang
A golf event for amateur players was held in Pyongyang this week, the latest in a series of North Korean state media reports highlighting leisure and recreational activities in the country. The autumn golf competition took place at the Pyongyang Golf Course from Tuesday through Thursday, according to the Korean Central News Agency. More than 40 male and female golf enthusiasts participated in individual events divided by gender and age, as well as a mixed doubles competition. The report is part
Oct. 17, 2026 -
S. Korea, US hold first 2+2 meeting of finance, monetary
South Korea and the United States held their first "two-plus-two" meeting of finance and monetary policymakers on the sidelines of a Group of 20 (G20) ministerial gathering to strengthen coordination in responding to external uncertainties, the finance ministry said. Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il and Bank of Korea (BOK) Gov. Shin Hyun-song met with US Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh and US Deputy Treasury Secretary Francis Brooke in Bangkok on Friday, where the G20 finance ministers' meeting
Oct. 17, 2026 -
Trump touts Hyundai's $560-mln Georgia investment pledge at campaign rally
US President Donald Trump on Friday highlighted South Korean automotive parts maker Hyundai Transys Inc.'s plan to invest nearly $560 million in Georgia during a campaign rally in the state, as he promoted his economic agenda ahead of the midterm elections. "Hyundai just announced it will invest $560 million to expand its factories in West Point, Georgia," Trump said during the rally in Dalton, Georgia, apparently referring to Hyundai Transys, an automotive parts-making affiliate of South Korea'
Oct. 17, 2026 -
US senator hails Hanwha's role in revitalizing American shipbuilding industry
A US senator highlighted on Friday South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group's growing role in revitalizing the American shipbuilding industry, saying its investment in a Philadelphia shipyard is already creating jobs and transferring advanced manufacturing technologies to the United States. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) made the remarks during a discussion hosted by the Hudson Institute in Washington, following his recent visit to South Korea, where he toured one of Hanwha's shipyards and observed it
Oct. 17, 2026 -
US envoy highlights role of S. Korean investment in creating American jobs
US Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel has highlighted the role of South Korean investment in strengthening the US economy and creating American jobs, expressing hope for expanded economic cooperation between the two countries. Steel made the remarks in a post on X after attending a plenary meeting of the US-Korea and Korea-US Business Council, hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries on Thursday. "Korean investment continues to strengthen the US economy, support American jobs and deep
Oct. 17, 2026 -
N. Korea conducts underwater test of new precision-guided torpedo using AI: KCNA
SEOUL, Oct. 17 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Saturday it has conducted an underwater test of a new precision-guided torpedo weapon system, noting that the test heralds a "significant" change in the North's naval capabilities. North Korea test-fired the Zam-2.0 super-speed precision-guided torpedo weapon system Thursday to confirm the successful technical upgrade of the weapon, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It did not disclose further details of the weapon. Key national defen
Oct. 17, 2026 -
Dwaeji-bulbaek, Korean diner-style pork
Quickly stir-fried over high heat to bring out a smoky, chargrilled flavor, Korean pork bulgogi is a classic homemade dish that never disappoints. The soy sauce-based marinade, infused with ginger and garlic, gives the pork a rich, savory flavor without any unpleasant odor. The natural sweetness of onions and green onions makes it the perfect dish to enjoy with a bowl of rice. Serve it with shredded green onions for extra crunch and freshness, and lightly char the pork with a kitchen torch for a
Oct. 17, 2026 -
Police identify suspect in Incheon knife attack
South Korean police on Friday revealed the identity of the assailant in Incheon who seriously injured eight people in a knife attack on Tuesday. The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency disclosed the suspect’s name, age and photos on its website, identifying him as Choi Chung-rak, 59. The information will remain public until Nov. 16. The move comes after a seven-member police review panel unanimously approved the disclosure, citing the brutality of the attack, the serious harm it caused and suffic
Oct. 16, 2026 -
A tough day on the golf course: Choi maintains lead after two rounds of LPGA Shanghai
SHANGHAI (AP) — Choi Hye-jin overcame difficult scoring conditions Friday to shoot a 2-over 74 but still maintained a two-stroke lead after two rounds of the LPGA Shanghai tournament. Choi, seeking her first win on the LPGA Tour to add to her 12 victories in her native South Korea, had a two-round total of 6-under 138. Choi led by three strokes after the first round. “Actually, my body is not in perfect condition but I am still on the lead,” Choi said. "I’m really looking forward on the weekend.
Oct. 16, 2026 -
Seoul keeps fuel price caps unchanged amid Mideast tensions
The South Korean government on Friday kept its price caps on fuel products unchanged for a fourth consecutive period amid elevated international oil prices and continued tensions in the Middle East, the industry ministry said. The maximum prices at which local refiners can supply gasoline, diesel and kerosene to gas stations will remain unchanged at 1,784 won ($1.30), 1,773 won and 1,380 won per liter, respectively, for the four weeks starting Saturday, according to the Ministry of Trade, Indust
Oct. 16, 2026