Parent, teacher get reduced sentences in high-profile exam theft case

A South Korean appeals court on Friday reduced the prison sentences of a parent and a contract teacher convicted of repeatedly stealing high school exam papers in a scheme that allowed the child to maintain the top academic ranking at her school. The Daegu District Court sentenced the parent, identified only by the surname A, to three years and four months in prison, down from four years and six months handed down in the first trial. The teacher, identified as B, received four years and four mon

2026-05-29 21:05:32:00

Foreign-owned homes top 108,000; Chinese nationals hold more than half

Foreigners owned more than 108,000 homes in South Korea at the end of 2025, with Chinese nationals accounting for more than half of all foreign-owned properties, government data showed Friday. According to statistics released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, foreign nationals owned 108,231 homes in Korea as of Dec. 31, 2025, up 8 percent from 100,216 last year. Foreign-owned homes accounted for 0.55 percent of the country's 19.65 million housing units. Chinese nationals own

2026-05-29 15:23:44:00

Superstar wolf Neukgu healthy as zoo nears reopening

Nearly two months after a wolf escaped from Daejeon O-World and triggered a nationwide search, the zoo and amusement park could open next week if it passes a safety inspection slated for Thursday. The zoo’s biggest attraction is expected to be Neukgu, the wolf that escaped from the park on April 8 and was recaptured nine days later amid nationwide attention. According to Daejeon Urban Corp., the municipal operator of O-World, the animal is healthy and “more active than before." “Rather than appe

2026-05-28 16:52:59:00

Former AOA member Kwon Min-a says court ruling brings closure in sexual assault case

Former AOA member Kwon Min-a said Monday that a recent court ruling in her sexual assault case had brought her a sense of closure, 18 years after she was assaulted at age 14. In a social media post, Kwon said the appeals court recognized the rape allegation against her perpetrator, describing the outcome as meaningful despite legal limits on punishment due to the expired statute of limitations. According to the singer, the court, while acknowledging the rape charge, did not accept the charge of

2026-05-20 13:45:28:00

‘Father of Mexican Taekwondo’ Moon Dai-won dies at 83

Grand Master Moon Dai-won, widely regarded as the “Father of Mexican Taekwondo,” died Saturday at his home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He was 83. According to reports from Mexican media and Korean news outlets, Moon had reportedly lived with chronic lung illness. Born in Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province, in 1943, Moon first arrived in Mexico in 1968 and opened the "Moo Duk Kwan" Taekwondo school in Mexico City the following year, becoming the first Korean master to systematically intr

2026-05-19 15:32:09:00

Exploring makgeolli with 'Culinary Class Wars' contestant Yun Jumo

Inside The Westin Josun Seoul's ballroom, conversation flowed easily between hotel staff and returning guests, many of whom greeted one another less like strangers passing through and more like familiar faces returning to a favorite gathering place. “We have a lot of regulars,” one hotel manager said with a smile. “They come visit often, so it inspires us to hold these kinds of events.” That sense of familiarity has quietly become part of the hotel’s identity. Over the past few years, the hotel

2026-05-09 16:00:00:00

Yellow dust keeps air quality ‘bad’ across South Korea

South Korea is experiencing poor air quality nationwide Wednesday due to lingering yellow dust from Tuesday. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, residual dust carried by strong winds remains in place, though no further inflow is expected. Authorities advise older adults and individuals with respiratory conditions to take precautions, such as wearing protective masks outdoors. Average daily fine dust concentrations will remain high nationwide throughout Wednesday, with especiall

2026-04-22 13:20:40:00

Skipping spring, straight into early summer as heat pushes to 28-29 degrees this weekend

South Korea is expected to feel more like early summer than mid-spring this weekend, with daytime temperatures climbing to 29 degrees Celsius in Seoul and other inland regions. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, daytime highs are forecast to reach up to 28 C on Saturday, rising even higher to 29 C on Sunday, well into T-shirt weather. Clear skies are expected in Seoul, while Jeju Island and southern regions are likely to see rain starting Friday. Despite the warm afternoons, m

2026-04-16 19:30:00:00

Hospitals ordered to pay W400m for ER refusals in death of 4-year-old

Two hospitals that refused to accept a critically ill 4-year-old patient have been ordered by a South Korean court on Thursday to pay a combined 400 million won ($272,000) in damages to the child’s family. The Busan District Court’s Western Branch ruled that the hospitals were responsible for 70 percent of the total damages claimed by the bereaved family of the late Kim Dong-hee, according to the Korea Alliance of Patients Organization. Kim underwent a tonsillectomy at a university hospital in Y

2026-04-16 17:09:11:00

Box office hit ‘Salmokji’ turns spooky reservoir into daredevil draw

A deserted reservoir in Yesan, South Chungcheong Province, is emerging as an unlikely tourist draw following the box office success “Salmokji,” and the rural county hopes to capitalize on this rare spotlight while managing safety risks. According to the Korean Film Council, the horror film released on April 8 surpassed 810,000 cumulative admissions as of Wednesday morning, topping the box office. This marks the fastest pace among films released in 2026, and it has already passed its break-even p

2026-04-15 21:00:00:00