What's going on in South Korean politics now?

South Korea’s parliament voted Friday to impeach acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had been filling in for President Yoon Suk Yeol since he was impeached on Dec. 14. This is the latest development in an unprecedented political crisis that has unfolded in South Korea this month, stemming from the now-suspended Yoon’s botched attempt to invoke military rule on Dec. 3. Here’s what you need to know to catch up with what’s going on in South Korean politics. • South Korean politics

Dec. 27, 2024

100 Food Challenge: A guide to conquering Korean cuisine

Korean food is taking the world by storm, but where do you begin? This guide will help you explore the delicious depths of Korean cuisine, one dish at a time, from beginner-friendly staples to dishes that will challenge even the most seasoned cooks. Grab your chopsticks and get ready to embark on a delicious adventure!

Dec. 20, 2024

Parliament set to vote on Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment at 4 p.m.

South Korea’s legislature is set to vote on whether to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol at 4 p.m. today, following his controversial decision to impose martial law last week. The opposition parties, united in this effort, currently hold 192 of the 200 votes needed for impeachment. Additionally, seven lawmakers from Yoon’s ruling People Power Party have said they will back the impeachment, bringing the number of lawmakers publicly in support of the motion just one shy of the total re

Dec. 14, 2024

Member of Yoon Seok Yeol's party pledges to vote to impeach unless removal plan presented

Rep. Kim Sang-wook of the ruling People Power Party said on Sunday that he will vote in favor of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment unless a clear roadmap for his removal from office is presented. He was one of three PPP lawmakers who cast a ballot during Saturday’s botched vote on the opposition-led motion to initiate Yoon’s impeachment over his imposition of martial law on Tuesday. After the vote, which put him in the media spotlight, Rep. Kim revealed that he voted agains

Dec. 8, 2024

Speaker Woo Won-shik proposes bipartisan talks on Yoon Suk Yeol’s fate

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik on Sunday voiced his opposition against the proposed joint exercise of presidential authority by the prime minister and the ruling party. "The president's authority comes from the people, and any process to strip it or delegate it must follow the Constitution and the principle of popular sovereignty,” he stressed. He was referring to the stability plan presented earlier Sunday by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party ch

Dec. 8, 2024

[Breaking] Prosecution names President Yoon Suk Yeol as suspect

The Special Prosecutor’s Office said Sunday that President Yoon Suk Yeol is now a suspect facing potential charges of insurrection and abuse of power. Park Se-hyun, head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office who leads the prosecution’s investigation into last week’s martial law turmoil, confirmed the news during a press briefing. “We have received numerous complaints against President Yoon Suk Yeol, and we are conducting investigations accordingly. Procedurally, it is

Dec. 8, 2024

What unfolded on Tuesday night in Seoul: A timeline

President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law at 10:23 p.m.; shortly after 1 a.m., parliament voted to lift it. South Korea witnessed one of its most dramatic political events in recent years from late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, when President Yoon Suk Yeol suddenly declared emergency martial law, citing "anti-state forces plotting rebellion." The crisis lasted over six hours, with the first 157 minutes being the most tense, as lawmakers gathered at the National Assembl

Dec. 4, 2024

Roof collapses at Anyang wholesale market due to snow, 1 injured

A roof collapsed at a major agricultural and fishery wholesale market in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday afternoon, following the heavy snowfall. One person sustained minor injuries. According to the Anyang Fire Department, the ceiling of the fruit and vegetable section at the Pyeongchon Agricultural and Fishery Wholesale Market collapsed inward at 12:06 p.m. The market had suspended operations since 9 a.m. due to concerns over a potential collapse due to the major snowfall. Some merchants w

Nov. 28, 2024

Seoul's first snowfall could hit hard, warns weather agency

With most parts of South Korea expected to experience the season's first snowfall on Wednesday, the weather agency announced Tuesday that the snowfall could trigger heavy snow warnings in some areas. The Korea Meteorological Administration said snow will fall intermittently Wednesday morning, with heavy snowfall of 1 to 3 centimeters per hour when it intensifies. Intense bursts of snow could occur during the morning rush hour in Seoul and central regions, it added. Heavy snow warnings hav

Nov. 26, 2024