Disability rights group ends 5-year rush-hour subway protests in Seoul

A disability rights group in Seoul ended nearly five years of rush-hour subway protests Monday after reaching an agreement with Democratic Party of Korea members of the Seoul Metropolitan Council. At a joint news conference held at the city council at 11:30 a.m., Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination and the majority party announced the agreement, under which the party pledged to pass ordinances guaranteeing the rights of people with disabilities to mobility and employment. The group has

2026-08-24 15:11:36:00

Jeju missing-person case widens into national test of police system

What began as allegations that a police officer had falsely closed a missing-person case on Jeju Island has grown into a broader test of Korea’s system for handling disappearances, prompting nationwide reviews and a presidential call for police reform. A body believed to be that of 37-year-old Jang Mi-ran, who had been missing for more than three months, was found Monday at a palm farm in Hallim-eup, Jeju Island, 104 days after she was reported missing. The case took on added significance after

2026-08-24 14:15:48:00

Foreign nationals’ use of pension back payment system draws scrutiny

South Korea is reviewing pension rules for foreign nationals after cases emerged of people qualifying for old-age benefits after contributing for as little as one month and later making years of back payments. Critics argue that some foreign subscribers may be taking advantage of a system designed to help people facing financial difficulties who are unable to make regular contributions. Others, however, say singling out foreign subscribers could be discriminatory because the same system is also

2026-08-21 18:00:23:00

Seoul extends approval requirement for foreign homebuyers

South Korea will extend by one year a rule requiring foreign nationals to obtain government approval before buying homes in Seoul and much of the surrounding capital region, as authorities seek to curb speculative purchases and rising housing prices. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Thursday that foreign-buyer land transaction permit zones, first designated last August, will remain in effect from Aug. 26 through Aug. 25, 2027. The restrictions cover all of Seoul and 23 cit

2026-08-21 14:02:40:00

Japanese influencer slammed for racist eye gesture mocking Ateez’s San

A Japanese influencer with more than 2 million followers on Instagram has come under fire online for making a racist eye gesture mocking Ateez member San’s performance at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Local media reported Friday that the influencer, who goes by the name Gamix, uploaded a video Thursday recreating the K-pop singer’s dance performance to the song “Bad.” In the video, Gamix wore an Atletico Madrid shirt similar to the one San wore when he participated in a ceremonial kickoff before a ma

2026-08-21 13:45:07:00

Say 'Ah' for two seconds, AI can detect aspiration risk

Sometimes, food or drink can accidentally go down the wrong pipe, triggering sudden coughing that can leave the person embarrassed and those around them concerned. Some people, however, are more prone to such episodes than others. Seoul National University Bundang Hospital said Thursday that it has developed a method to identify people at risk of aspiration by having them say "Ah" for two seconds after eating. A research team led by Ryu Ju-seok, a professor of rehabilitation medicine at the hosp

2026-08-20 17:26:52:00

Korea considers hacking sites to stop illegal sexual content

South Korea is considering allowing investigators, under warrant, to hack websites that distribute illegal sexual content to collect evidence and delete illegal data. As many such sites are based overseas and beyond the government's direct jurisdiction, it also plans to step up international and domestic cooperation, shifting its focus from removing individual pieces of illegal content to targeting the website operation. The measures are part of a government-wide action plan announced Thursday t

2026-08-20 15:12:51:00

Employer errors should not cost foreign workers their legal status: rights watchdog

When a foreign worker loses legal status because an employer fails to complete required procedures, the Ministry of Employment and Labor should give the worker another opportunity to obtain work authorization, South Korea’s Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission said Thursday. The opinion came in a case involving a foreign worker whose application to extend his E-9 nonprofessional work visa was denied after his employer failed to obtain the required approval for continued employment. The wo

2026-08-20 13:00:18:00

Heavy rains raise threat of drifting landmines near North Korean border

Heavy rain across the Korean Peninsula has prompted authorities in areas bordering North Korea to warn residents and visitors of landmines that may have been washed downstream, particularly along rivers and other waterways. Paju, Gyeonggi Province, said Tuesday that it produced safety materials warning of the risk of washed-away landmines near the Imjin River at the request of local military units, as part of a safety campaign for residents and visitors in the border area. A total of 24,000 flye

2026-08-19 17:50:39:00

Korea makes parental leave easier to use in a pinch

South Korea will officially introduce short-term parental leave of one or two weeks from Thursday, aimed at helping parents cope with sudden or short-term gaps in childcare. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the new system will take effect Thursday as revised enforcement decrees under the Equal Employment Opportunity and Work-Family Balance Assistance Act and the Employment Insurance Act come into force. Under Korean law, workers can take parental leave to care for children aged

2026-08-19 15:01:54:00