Prosecution files extension for Yoon’s arrest warrant

If granted, arrest warrant will be valid until Feb. 6 The prosecution announced Friday that it filed for an extension of the arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol with the court on Thursday, as authorities continue to investigate the president’s martial law decree made early last December. The announcement comes a day after Yoon’s case was transferred from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, after the CIO failed n

Jan. 24, 2025

Heavy snow, cold temperatures to grip S. Korea over Seollal

Nationwide heavy snow is expected to signal the beginning of the Lunar New Year holiday from Jan. 27, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration on Friday. A low-pressure system is expected to develop near China’s Shandong Province, bringing warm and humid southwesterly winds as well as cold and dry northwesterly winds at its rear. Due to this low-pressure system, precipitation clouds will form in western areas from Jan. 27, before gradually spreading across the country. In coastal are

Jan. 24, 2025

Ultrafine dust to engulf most of South Korea until Thursday

Fine dust levels to return to normal over weekend Most of South Korea was covered by thick, ultrafine dust for the second consecutive day Wednesday, with such conditions forecast to continue until Thursday, according to the National Institute of Environmental Research. The NIER announced that the density of ultrafine dust particles is forecast to remain at “bad” levels nationwide until Thursday, excluding some eastern coastal regions in Gangwon Province and southern parts of Jeju Island. The per

Jan. 22, 2025

Why are more young S. Korean men turning up at pro-Yoon protests?

Hatred, distrust of Democratic Party motivates young men to support Yoon: experts Since the South Korean National Assembly approved the bill to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 14, large-scale protests have erupted across the country, with pro- and anti-Yoon demonstrators calling for either his criminal punishment or his reinstatement as president. Anti-Yoon protests have seen a notable increase in young female participants, while pro-Yoon protests have drawn a large number of men in

Jan. 20, 2025

Authorities vow stern response to violence at court after Yoon's arrest

Judge responsible for issuing Yoon's warrant to be under police protection from Monday morning Law enforcement agencies on Sunday condemned the violent protests at the Seoul Western District Court, the first-ever riot targeting the judiciary in South Korea, vowing to restore order and hold those responsible accountable. Sparked by the formal arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier in the day, the attacks have sent shockwaves through the country. After the court granted a warrant for Yoon’s ext

Jan. 19, 2025

Amid flu alert, Seoul to launch emergency medical system over Seollal

115 medical clinics, 197 affiliated hospitals selected to conduct focused treatment for the flu, other respiratory illnesses The South Korean government and the ruling People Power Party agreed Thursday to designate an emergency medical response period for treating influenza patients and patients with other respiratory diseases over the Lunar New Year holiday, as the number of flu patients soared in recent weeks. The ruling party and representatives from the Ministry of Health and Welfare held a

Jan. 16, 2025

Cries of despair, cheers of hope fill Hannam streets after Yoon’s detention

'Only the beginning': Concerns about S. Korea’s political future still linger despite Yoon’s detention With South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol taken into custody by investigators on Wednesday, mixed voices among protesters for and against Yoon’s detention echoed in front of Yoon’s residence at Hannam-dong in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul. From around 5 a.m., the streets of Hannamdaero began to swell with pro- and anti-Yoon protesters, with one side demanding he be detained and the other chanting h

Jan. 15, 2025

Emergency alerts available in 19 languages from August

Situations requiring emergency response to be shared with local authorities; drones to be deployed for effective safety response The Ministry of Interior and Safety announced Tuesday that alerts sent through the Emergency Ready App will soon be available in 19 languages from August 2025, as part of the ministry’s key policy plans to make emergency information more accessible. The Emergency Ready App is run by the Ministry of Interior and Safety, which provides multilingual support for 36 emergen

Jan. 14, 2025

New head of doctors' group maintains hard-line stance

The new head of South Korea's largest group of doctors kept a hardline stance, despite a recent conciliatory gesture from the government, dampening hopes for renewed dialogue addressing the ongoing and almost yearlong medical crisis. The Korean Medical Association announced that Kim Taek-woo, a surgeon, was appointed as its new leader on Tuesday, following his election on Jan. 8. The KMA leadership had remained vacant since late last year after the impeachment of former head Lim Hyun-taek. The K

Jan. 14, 2025

How to apply for a digital foreign resident ID card

Starting last Friday, foreign national residents in South Korea can apply for digital ID cards through the Mobile IDentification App, available for both iPhone and Android devices. Foreign residents aged 14 and over who own a smartphone under their name can get the mobile ID card. The digital card carries the same legal validity as the physical card and can be used in places such as public institutions, hospitals and convenience stores to verify one’s identity. Here are two ways one can apply fo

Jan. 13, 2025