Police chief says Yoon ordered control of 10 locations before martial law

Korean National Police Agency Commissioner Cho Ji-ho confessed that he was told by President Yoon Suk Yeol in person to send personnel to 10 locations three hours before the declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, according to the police's special investigation team. During the police investigation, Cho testified that he was told to come into a presidential safe house and was handed a one-page document by Yoon. The document, according to Cho, listed key locations that would require police per

PoliticsDec. 12, 2024

Yoon’s martial law defense fans impeachment calls from his party

After President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his declaration of martial law in another shocking address to the nation Thursday, his onetime “wingman” and the leader of the ruling party, Han Dong-hoon, called for the president to be impeached and expelled from the party. Following Yoon’s televised announcement at 10:23 p.m. on Dec. 3, Han immediately came out and said he and his party would block the enactment of martial law. He also said the president needed to be stopped from wieldi

PoliticsDec. 12, 2024

Kospi gains as Yoon’s impeachment looms

South Korea's financial markets experienced brief volatility on Thursday following President Yoon Suk Yeol's refusal to step down, but quickly regained stability, closing higher for a third straight day, signaling potential for a steady recovery. The day began with the benchmark Kospi opening 14.12 points higher at 2,456.63. Early gains followed a two-day rally -- the first consecutive upswing on the Kospi since Yoon's short-lived martial law declaration last Tuesday, which sent s

EconomyDec. 12, 2024

Cho Kuk sentenced 2 years, loses seat, shot at presidency

The Supreme Court on Thursday finalized a two-year prison term for Cho Kuk, leader of the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, on charges including academic fraud involving his children and illegal interference with a government inspection. The 59-year-old, once considered a strong contender for the opposition bloc’s next presidential candidate and an emerging liberal figure in South Korean politics, immediately lost his parliamentary seat and will be barred from running for public off

PoliticsDec. 12, 2024

Foreign spies and compromised election system: Yoon seeks to rally the right

Chinese spies, a compromised election system, and monstrous opposition parties intent on destroying the nation -- these themes form the lens through which President Yoon Suk Yeol views South Korea's problems, or at least the ones he portrayed in his national address Thursday morning. Political observers and opposition politicians said it was a tactic designed to rally support and appeal to ultraright voters. During his 29-minute address, Yoon declared that he would to “fight till the

PoliticsDec. 12, 2024

N. Korea reports S. Korean unrest to bolster internal solidarity: Seoul

North Korea's continued media coverage of South Korea's political turmoil likely reflects a calculated effort to bolster domestic support of the Kim Jong-un regime by exposing its citizens to such reports, the Unification Ministry in Seoul said Thursday. North Korean state media, catering to domestic audiences, resumed detailed coverage on Wednesday of the political upheaval sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s abrupt and short-lived martial law decree on Dec. 3. This followed a

PoliticsDec. 12, 2024

Hyundai Motor, Google bolster ties on in-car navigation

Hyundai Motor Group said Thursday it will expand its business collaboration with Google to upgrade its vehicles’ navigation and infotainment features. Under the partnership, Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles will integrate Google Maps Platform’s Places application programming interface, or API, to improve the accuracy of navigation systems in Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles. The enhanced navigation will provide detailed information such as business hours, contact details, ratings

MobilityDec. 12, 2024

Kia’s Chinese joint venture turns first profit in 7 years

Kia’s Chinese joint venture turned a profit in the third quarter of this year, ending a seven-year run of losses thanks to a surge in sales and exports, sources said Thursday. Yueda Kia, where Kia and China’s Yueda Group hold 50 percent shares each, logged 3.2 trillion won ($2.3 billion) in sales in the July-September period, a 60.4 percent jump from the second quarter. The company achieved a profit of 17.2 billion won, a significant turnaround from the previous quarter’s 4.4 b

MobilityDec. 12, 2024

[Herald Interview] Indie band Daybreak marks 17th anniversary, continues evolution

The 17-year veteran band Daybreak has returned with a new album that captures the past, present, and future of the band, infused with their enduring passion. The band's 3rd mini album, “Semicolon,” is its first album since their 2016 full-length 4th album, “With.” In the interim, the band had been active through collaborations with other artists and the release of singles. The title “Semicolon” reflects the punctuation mark’s role in adding to a sen

K-popDec. 12, 2024

Deaf trio Big Ocean to hold first solo concert next year

Big Ocean, the world's first idol group composed of members with hearing impairments, is set to hold its first solo concert. The trio -- Chanyeon, Hyunjin and Jiseok -- announced via the group's official social media channels that they will hold the first solo concert under the banner of “Follow” on March 9, 2025, at the Toyota City Cultural Hall in Nagoya, Japan. “Follow” is also the name of Big Ocean’s first mini album. The group is preparing not only to

PerformanceDec. 12, 2024

SK Bioscience approved for Japanese encephalitis vaccine trial in Australia

SK Bioscience announced Thursday that it has received approval from Australia’s Human Research Ethics Committee to start Phase 1/2 clinical trials for GBP560, an mRNA-based vaccine candidate targeting Japanese encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease that can cause severe neurological complications. The vaccine is part of the 100 Days Mission, an initiative by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations seeking to enable the world to produce a vaccine within 100 days of the outbreak

IndustryDec. 12, 2024

Daewoong launches joint research for monthly anti-obesity drug

Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced Thursday that it has partnered with TionLab Therapeutics, Daehan New Pharm and Dalim Biotech to jointly develop a long-acting obesity treatment with a four-week injection interval. The semaglutide-based drug is designed to enhance drug release and durability. Daewoong and its partners will collaborate on non-clinical and clinical trials, drug development, and the regulatory approval processes. Daewoong will integrate TionLab Therapeutics’ long-acting drug

IndustryDec. 12, 2024

Global Biz Forum discusses perspectives on how to spread happiness, navigate challenges

Sean, best known as one half of hip-hop duo Jinusean, as well as Lee Hee-bum, minister of commerce, industry and energy from 2003 to 2006 and currently the chair of Booyoung Group, shared their perspectives on navigating global and local challenges at the Global Business Forum on Wednesday. The GBF, organized by The Korea Herald, serves as a platform for experts from various fields, including business leaders, diplomats and public figures. The forum convenes weekly to foster insightful discussio

CultureDec. 12, 2024

Korean 'coffee mix' enjoys rare uptick in sales

Before the Americano became a staple of Korean coffee culture, instant coffee defined the daily caffeine ritual in South Korea. Known here as "coffee mix," these single-serve sachets containing a blend of coffee granules, creamer and sugar, offer an affordable caffeine fix at home and in the workplace. After a decade of decline, these budget-friendly coffee products are seeing a surge in popularity among locals and foreign visitors. Dongsuh Foods, a Korean food and beverage manufacture

IndustryDec. 12, 2024

Army chief suspended after being named suspect

Four-star Army Gen. Park An-su, who was appointed to lead the martial law command during the Dec. 3 martial law declaration, has been suspended from his position as Army Chief of Staff, the Defense Ministry announced Thursday. Gen. Go Chang-jun, a four-star general currently leading the Army 2nd Operations Command, has been appointed acting Army Chief of Staff. The spokesperson explained that Go was chosen for his extensive knowledge of ground operations. Park’s suspension brings the total

DefenseDec. 12, 2024

Yoon’s delegation of his power to PM could violate Constitution: Supreme Court

South Korea’s Supreme Court views that President Yoon Suk Yeol delegating his constitutional power to prime minister or other Cabinet members may violate the Constitution, according to the statement obtained by the main opposition party lawmaker. According to the response from the Supreme Court obtained by Rep. Back Hye-ryeon of the Democratic Party of Korea, the country’s highest judicial instance saw “delegating powers to the prime minister or others in a way that only nomina

Social AffairsDec. 12, 2024

Prosecution summons health minister in martial law probe

The prosecution said Thursday that it summoned Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong for questioning about the circumstances in which an emergency Cabinet meeting was convened just before President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, and about what Cabinet ministers discussed in the meeting. The health minister was the first among the 11 members who were present at the meeting to be summoned by the prosecution. The prosecution sought to establish when Cho became aware of issues related to the emergency

Social AffairsDec. 12, 2024

Pro-Yoon lawmaker elected as PPP floor leader

A pro-Yoon Suk Yeol figure, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, was elected as the new floor leader of the People Power Party on Thursday. Assuming the role, the five-term lawmaker said he plans to convene a general meeting of party lawmakers to "collect opinions" following President Yoon's latest address Thursday morning, where he defended his decision to declare martial law last week. The party's stance at the time of Rep. Kweon's election was to go against the impeachment bill. &q

PoliticsDec. 12, 2024

[Breaking] Supreme court sentences Cho Kuk to 2 years in prison

Cho Kuk, the leader of the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, was sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court on Thursday on charges including fabrication of official documents and interference in a state audit of a high-ranking Busan city official. The two-year prison term will cause the 59-year-old to immediately lose his seat in the National Assembly along with his eligibility to run for public office. The Supreme Court's sentencing proceeded as scheduled after the top co

PoliticsDec. 12, 2024

Ruling party leader says impeachment against Yoon now only solution

Ruling People Power Party Chair Han Dong-hoon said Thursday that it "has been confirmed" that President Yoon Suk Yeol is not willing to participate in the party's plan for his orderly resignation, and stressed that impeachment is the "only valid way" to stop him from exercising his powers as president. Han's remarks, made at a press briefing, follow Yoon's public address on Saturday, in which he said he would hand over the rest of his term and the fate of his p

PoliticsDec. 12, 2024