FBI says N. Korea responsible for over $6b crypto theft from Binance

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation said Saturday that North Korea was responsible for the theft of more than $6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, earlier this week. "The FBI is releasing information advising the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was responsible for the theft of more than $6 billion in virtual assets from cryptocurrency exchange Binance, on or about October 29, 2026," the agency said in a cyber alert, referring to North K

2026-11-01 09:20:06:00

Lee visits southeastern province to inspect pilot basic income scheme

President Lee Jae Myung visited a southeastern province Saturday to inspect a government pilot program providing a monthly basic income to residents in depopulated rural towns. Lee shared details of his unannounced trip to North Gyeongsang Province in a social media post, extending greetings to residents in Yeongyang and Cheongsong counties, located in the same province. The Lee government has introduced the basic income scheme to provide local residents with 150,000 won ($112) per month in gift

2026-10-31 15:21:08:00

Ruling party lawmaker issued US visa, days after refusal

Rep. Jin Sung-joon of the ruling Democratic Party said Saturday he has been issued a US visa for a trip to the US Pacific Command, days after he said his application was rejected. Jin, who serves as chairman of the parliamentary defense committee, said in a Facebook post that he received the visa from the US Embassy in Seoul and that it was fortunate the US State Department has issued the official A-2 visa, albeit belatedly. The lawmaker said he will depart Sunday afternoon and hold discussions

2026-10-31 12:20:14:00

Fishing boat catches fire off west coast, all 22 rescued

A fishing boat caught fire off the Yellow Sea island of Yeongheung on Saturday and all 22 people aboard were rescued, with two of them taken to a hospital for inhaling smoke, officials said. The fire broke out on the 9.77-ton charter fishing boat in waters 0.9 nautical mile south of the island at 6:51 a.m. After receiving a distress call from the boat, the Coast Guard sent patrol and rescue boats to the scene, put out the fire and rescued all aboard. Two of them, including the boat's skipper, we

2026-10-31 12:08:24:00

No drug-related violations found in special crackdown on eve of Halloween

Police said Saturday they have found no drug-related violations during a joint crackdown the previous night on nightlife districts in Seoul on the eve of Halloween. Police carried out inspections at eight clubs in nightlife districts in Gangnam, Seocho and Yongsan on Friday night as part of a special drug crackdown that has been under way since August in cooperation with fire and municipality authorities. "Ahead of Halloween, we conducted crackdowns focusing on clubs, entertainment venues, and a

2026-10-31 11:16:08:00

N. Korean hackers blamed for record $6.3b Binance cryptocurrency theft: US firm

North Korean hackers purportedly stole an estimated $6.36 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, in what would be the biggest cryptocurrency theft on record, according to a US blockchain intelligence firm. TRM Labs said Thursday's attack against Binance was most likely carried out by TraderTraitor, a North Korean hacking group, which stole digital assets from Binance across 10 blockchain networks. Most of the funds were taken in about 20 minutes, it

2026-10-31 10:59:15:00

Special counsel asks election watchdog to keep ballot boxes intact for possible review

A special counsel team on Friday asked the National Election Commission (NEC) to keep intact the 420 ballot boxes that drew no objections during its inspection at a Seoul handball arena, saying it may need to examine them again. The boxes had sat in the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in southeastern Seoul since the June 3 local elections. Special counsel Lee Tae-han's team carried them out Thursday after reviewing all 2.47 million ballots cast in the southeastern Songpa Ward. The team has been

2026-10-30 20:38:49:00

Late Canadian Army officer named Korean War hero of Nov.

The veterans ministry on Friday named a late Canadian Army officer as hero of the month for November for his role in leading a key battle to victory during the 1950-53 Korean War. Lt. Col. James Stone, who served as the commander of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, played a critical role in leading the battle in Gapyeong, about 55 kilometers northeast of Seoul, to victory in April 1951. During the battle, which took place at the height of the three-year conflict, t

2026-10-30 17:49:21:00

Prosecutors indict independent lawmaker for alleged sexual harassment

Prosecutors on Friday indicted Rep. Jang Kyung-tae without physical detention over allegations that he sexually harassed a female aide of another lawmaker. Jang, an independent who left the ruling Democratic Party in March over the scandal, is accused of sexually harassing the aide at a restaurant in western Seoul in October 2024, according to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office. The lawmaker also faces charges of partially exposing the aide's identity in violation of the sexual viole

2026-10-30 17:41:23:00

Facing KBO postseason elimination, Tigers move up sluggers in new-look lineup

On the brink of elimination from the South Korean baseball postseason, the Kia Tigers put together a much different lineup Friday than the ones from their earlier games. The Tigers are trailing the Samsung Lions 2-1 in the best-of-five series in the Korea Baseball Organization, having dropped two straight games after winning the first game Monday. The winner of this series will advance to the Korean Series starting next week. Manager Lee Bum-ho moved up his top three sluggers a spot each -- with

2026-10-30 17:36:45:00