Senior aides visit Yoon in detention center

Verdict in Yoon's first trial expected as soon as late July President Yoon Suk Yeol’s chief of staff, Chung Jin-suk, and other senior aides from the presidential office visited Yoon at the Seoul Detention Center on Friday. Five senior aides met with Yoon at a designated place inside the detention center from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., the presidential office said Friday. A senior official from the presidential office said that "the President is in good health and maintaining a composed demeanor. He

Jan. 31, 2025

Yoon becomes first sitting president to be indicted

Yoon to remain detained, stand trial on charge of insurrection South Korean prosecutors indicted President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday over charge of insurrection, after Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung convened a meeting with senior prosecutors on the same day. Prosecutors said they indicted Yoon as "concerns about destruction of evidence remain unresolved." With the arrest warrant set to expire on Monday, the prosecution had to choose between releasing President Yoon or indicting him with arrest t

Jan. 26, 2025

Yongsan: Melting pot of coffee culture

The central district of Yongsan has become a rising star in Seoul’s coffee scene. A melting pot of cultures due to the large expat population in the Itaewon neighborhood and the U.S. military base that existed in the area for decades, Yongsan has a diverse coffee scene, with international coffee chains and independent cafes offering a range of styles from around the world. Here’s a guide to The Korea Herald’s pick of cafes in Yongsan. Dotori 25-6 Hangang-daero 52-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Open dail

Jan. 24, 2025

Yoon: Martial law didn't fail, but ended 'sooner than expected'

Ex-defense minister testifies in Yoon's trial that he advised Yoon to declare martial law, drafted decree, reviewed by Yoon Suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol testified during his impeachment trial on Thursday, defending his Dec. 3 martial law declaration by stating it did not fail but ended “sooner than expected,” arguing that the imposition of military rule was intended to "appeal to the public for strict oversight and criticism" of the parliament. "It wasn’t a failed martial law; I thought it

Jan. 23, 2025

Seoul Mayor open to presidential run

Oh Se-hoon suggests constitutional reform to establish mutual checks between legislature, Cabinet Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Wednesday emphasized the necessity of political and economic reforms, while adopting a cautious stance on a potential run in the event of an early presidential election. During a press conference held at Seoul City Hall, the 64-year-old mayor addressed questions about his possible candidacy, saying that “it is too early to provide a definitive answer at this time.” “No one

Jan. 22, 2025

Yoon denies issuing order to drag lawmakers out of parliament

Sitting president appears in public for 1st time in 48 days, since Dec. 3 martial law attempt President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared before the Constitutional Court of Korea on Tuesday for his impeachment trial and denied that he had issued the order# to drag out lawmakers from the parliament on the night he declared martial law on Dec. 3. Defending himself against a National Assembly-approved bill seeking his removal over the martial law declaration, Yoon refuted that he intended to obstruct the parl

Jan. 21, 2025

Seoul court mob challenges Korea’s rule of law

Mob attack marks first major incident of unauthorized entry and violence at Korean court since 1990s Sunday's violent incursion at a Seoul court that approved an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, left an estimated 83 injured and 87 arrested. It was the first time in 35 years that a crowd stormed and vandalized court property. Though individuals have occasionally attempted personal attacks on judges out of resentment over rulings, Sunday’s attack involved physical confrontations and the

Jan. 20, 2025

First lady Kim Keon Hee's health declining: reports

Opposition parties call for investigation into first Lady Following South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s arrest on Wednesday, first lady Kim Keon Hee, who remains alone at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, has been suffering from deteriorating health, media reports said Friday. Citing officials from the presidential office, local media reported Friday that those who met Kim have expressed concerns about her health, describing her as “looking worryingly emaciated.” Those close t

Jan. 17, 2025

Has flu become stronger? Truth about influenza

With the South Korean health authorities continuing to emphasize the importance of vaccination, especially with a higher risk of infection during the Lunar New Year holiday which begins on Jan. 25, concerns are growing over handling the flu epidemic that just reached its peak. According to Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency data, the recent flu outbreak saw the highest level of infected patients since 2016. The agency’s hospitalization surveillance data from 220 sample hospitals showed

Jan. 17, 2025

Court adds 3 more hearings, selects witnesses

Yoon’s lawyers, Assembly wrangle over legitimacy of martial law decree during 2nd hearing The Constitutional Court of Korea on Thursday added three more hearings to President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial related to his Dec. 3 martial law attempt, and announced the selected witnesses. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is currently behind bars charged with engaging in an alleged insurrection attempt, will be examined as a witness on Feb. 6 at 2 p.m., justices said during the second h

Jan. 16, 2025