Most Popular
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Korea enters full election mode
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Seoul bus drivers go on general strike, cause morning rush hour delays
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Immigrant woman stabbed to death by Korean husband
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Official campaigning kicks off for April 10 elections
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Lee Jong-sup resigns as envoy to Australia
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Yellow dust engulfs S. Korea, advisory alert issued
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S. Korea to boost support for single-parent families
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Court upholds jail term for man who attempted to murder ex-girlfriend
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Kia EV9 wins world car of year
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Korea misses out on global bond index boost
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[News Focus] A year after Halloween crowd crush, legislation remains stalled
In the aftermath of the deadly crowd crush in Itaewon, Seoul, in October 2022, lawmakers here have raced to introduce new bills to prevent a recurrence of the disaster. A slew of problems surfaced in the wake of the unprecedented human crush that killed 159 people in the heart of South Korea's capital. For example, Korea had no legal basis to assign responsibility for safety during a large gathering that does not have a specific host. Moreover, there was no automated external defibrillator in th
Oct. 25, 2023
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Koreans taking unproven growth medicines: report
The effects or safety of the substances sold in South Korea as “growth medicine” have not been verified through proper clinical testing, a report by a main opposition lawmaker claimed Wednesday. There are 24 different drugs that are being marketed as helping boost growth in Korea, according to Rep. Kim Young-joo of the Democratic Party. An analysis of the data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the National Health Insurance Service, and the Health Insurance Review & Asses
Oct. 25, 2023
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Korean women live longer but suffer more diseases than men
Korean women live longer than men on average, but women suffer from more diseases in their lifetimes than men, data showed Wednesday. According to data released by the Korea National Institute of Health, Korean women had a life expectancy of 86.6 years, while men had a life expectancy of 80.6 years, as of last year. As long as records have been kept practically anywhere, women have lived longer than men. Also, for almost every major cause of death, men are more likely to die sooner than women, t
Oct. 25, 2023
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Retailers skip Halloween promotions this year
Halloween marketing has all but disappeared in South Korea after last year’s crowd crush disaster that occurred in a small alley in Itaewon, central Seoul. Most large retailers have canceled or minimized their Halloween events, and those that are continuing to sell Halloween goods face a mixed reaction. According to retail industry insiders, the industry is minimizing sales of Halloween-themed products this year, with the event still seen as associated with last year's tragedy that le
Oct. 25, 2023
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Halloween partygoers plan for safe night out in much more subdued tone
It’s that time of the year again for a 25-year-old officer worker surnamed Na to revel in the whimsical joy of Halloween traditions like dressing up and getting together with friends. She plans to go to Itaewon during the weekend to grab a drink and later stay the night with her friend at an accommodation facility in the area -- hoping there won’t be a repeat of the Itaewon crowd crush that took the lives of 159 people on Oct. 29 last year. Although a somber atmosphere lingers in par
Oct. 25, 2023
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Over 7,000 counseling sessions offered over Itaewon tragedy: data
The national mental health center for disaster victims provided over 7,000 counseling sessions over last year's tragic Itaewon disaster, data showed Tuesday. The National Center for Disaster and Trauma conducted 7,141 counseling sessions over the past year after the Itaewon crowd crush that took 159 lives on Oct. 29, 2022, according to data sourced from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and disclosed by Rep. In Jae-keun of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. In the period from
Oct. 25, 2023
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22 busking stages set up at Han River parks
The city of Seoul has established 22 busking zones at parks along the Han River, where street singers can perform year-round free of charge, city officials said Wednesday. The project aims to centralize busking performances at Han River parks, transforming them into popular busking destinations. Under the project, each of Seoul's 11 Han River parks has at least one busking stage established, while busier parks, such as Yeouido and Ttukseom Han River parks, have two or more stages. Among the
Oct. 25, 2023
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S. Korea to complete LSD vaccinations by early Nov.: ministry
South Korea's agricultural ministry said Wednesday it plans to complete the vaccination of cattle against lumpy skin disease (LSD) by early next month, as it strives to contain the nationwide spread of the disease. The announcement came as confirmed LSD cases in cattle rose to 29 as of Wednesday morning, with health authorities expecting additional confirmed cases in the coming weeks. "Considering the three weeks needed to develop protective antibodies against the disease, if the natio
Oct. 25, 2023
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500 bird strikes reported in past 5 years: data
A total of 500 aircraft incidents involving bird collisions have been reported in airports across South Korea over the past five years, according to data Wednesday. According to the data unveiled by Rep. Heo Jong-sik of the main opposition Democratic Party, the total number of aircraft bird strike cases during takeoff and landing totaled 500 since 2019. The lawmaker cited the data submitted by airport authorities. Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul and Gimhae International Airport in B
Oct. 25, 2023
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[Graphic News] Cancer, heart disease among major causes of death in 2022
Cancer and heart diseases were among the major causes of death for South Koreans in 2022, data showed, with the total number of deaths hitting a new record. Last year, the total number of deaths reported in the country came to 372,939, up 17.4 percent from a year earlier, according to Statistics Korea. It was the highest figure since the agency began compiling such data in 1983. The agency said 727.6 deaths were reported per 100,000 South Koreans last year. Cancer was the major cause of death, t
Oct. 25, 2023
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Crowd crush victims forced to cope alone
Bereaved families and surviving victims of last year’s deadly crowd crush in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul say they have been left to deal with their pain on their own, as governmental resources were either unavailable or insufficient. Among the 159 people who died after overcrowding reached catastrophic levels in Itaewon on Oct. 29, 2022, was Choi Joung-joo’s daughter Yu-jin. “My wife wanted to get therapy after our daughter passed, so she made a call to our district offic
Oct. 24, 2023
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[From the Scene] Don't remember Itaewon alley as place of death, victims' families say
On a Saturday night in October, dozens of people were lined up outside the Waikiki Beach Pub in the narrow alley behind the Hamilton Hotel, in Itaewon, Seoul. “We should have arrived before 8:30 p.m.," one said. "There are always lines around 8:30 p.m. these days during the weekend. I heard that we need to wait more than 30 minutes to enter." It was not the only packed bar on Itaewon World Food Street, the center of Itaewon nightlife. Most bars along the street were full of
Oct. 24, 2023
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Man fined for assaulting soldiers who refused to praise Kim Jong-un, Putin
A man in his 20s has been fined 7 million won ($5,200) for abusing and assaulting junior soldiers during military service. According to Incheon District Court on Tuesday, the 24-year-old was found guilty of abusing and assaulting soldiers while he was on his compulsory military service last year. The man is reported to have punched two soldiers five times on Sept. 10, 2022. The incident occurred at an army camp in Gyeonggi Province when two soldiers refused to say "Long live Kim Jong-un, Lo
Oct. 24, 2023
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Ex-Taekwang chief's home searched over alleged embezzlement
Police searched former Taekwang Group Chairman Lee Ho-jin’s home and the company’s affiliated companies over allegations against Lee of embezzlement and breach of trust on Tuesday. Investigators from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency searched Lee’s home, as well as Taekwang Group's office in the Heungkuk Life Insurance Building in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, and Taekwang Country Club in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to secure evidence regarding Lee’s suspected crime.
Oct. 24, 2023
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ASEAN-Korea Centre to release video on career mentoring for ASEAN students
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Korea Centre will release a video centered on career mentoring for ASEAN students residing in South Korea on Thursday. As part of their “Hey ASEAN” series, the video aims to help students from ASEAN member countries in Korea explore career opportunities and prepare for employment. Both students and mentors will be featured in the video to answer questions regarding the recruitment process and work life in Korea. The video will be released on
Oct. 24, 2023
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Seoul introduces own version of 'Jessica's Law' to stem child sexual abuse
The Ministry of Justice on Tuesday announced plans to deprive convicted child sex offenders of their rights to choose where to live after they are released from jail. The Justice Ministry will propose a new bill aimed at restricting the civil rights of convicted child sex offenders at a Cabinet meeting, following a legislative notice to collect public opinions beginning from Thursday. The government is looking to designate specific areas where those sentenced to 10 years or more for child sexual
Oct. 24, 2023
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Korean delicacy of live octopus leads to choking death of 82-year-old
Sannakji -- octopus seasoned with salt and sesame oil and served while still squirming – is among South Korea's most notorious delicacies. The local dish shot to global infamy thanks to an iconic scene from 2004's "Oldboy," where Choi Min-sik's character devours a whole wriggling octopus alive at a sushi bar. Numerous videos on YouTube show fearless foreign tourists trying sannakji in Korea’s local fish markets, highlighting the cuisine’s enduring cult
Oct. 24, 2023
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Monk sentenced to 18 months for assaulting woman who refused sex
A 64-year-old Buddhist monk has been given an 18-month prison term for assaulting a woman after she refused his sexual advances, according to the Cheongju District Court on Monday. Charges against the monk included assault, fraud and intimidation. The monk is reported to have assaulted a 52-year old woman at a house in Gamgok-myeon, Eumseong-gun, North Chungcheong Province, on Feb. 9, 2022. He allegedly demanded sex, and when she refused his request, the monk slapped her across the face and assa
Oct. 24, 2023
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Drugs smuggled in through Incheon Airport surge since pandemic: lawmaker
The amount of drugs smuggled into South Korea through the country's main gateway has increased since international travel resumed after the pandemic, an opposition lawmaker said Tuesday. The amount of narcotics smuggled into South Korea through Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, rose from 129,362 grams in 2020 to 538,241 grams in 2022, Rep. Maeng Sung-kyu of the main opposition Democratic Party said, citing data from the Korea Customs Service. From January to July this year, 311,
Oct. 24, 2023
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Gender ministry to discipline 123 parents for not paying child support
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said Tuesday it has ordered disciplinary measures for 123 parents who failed to pay child support after divorcing their spouses. A review committee under the ministry ordered the identity disclosure of 12 people on the ministry's website, banned 71 others from leaving the country and suspended the driver's licenses of 40 people. The number of people under disciplinary measures has been on the rise since the ministry began issuing disciplinary
Oct. 24, 2023