Articles by Shin Ji-hye
Shin Ji-hye
shinjh@heraldcorp.com-
Impeachment is only solution, political scholars say
A coalition of 573 political scientists called for the immediate reintroduction of an impeachment bill against President Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing him of violating constitutional order and threatening democratic principles. The demand follows a failed vote Saturday stemming from a boycott from Yoon’s ruling party lawmakers. In a public declaration issued on Sunday evening, the scholars condemned Yoon’s declaration of emergency martial law on Dec. 3, labeling it as an insurrection. They
Politics Dec. 9, 2024
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Polarized parliament fails to hold Yoon Suk Yeol responsible
South Korea’s parliament failed to vote on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment on Saturday, with rival political parties sharply divided over what to do with the besieged president. The ruling People Power Party boycotted the opposition-led impeachment motion, choosing to keep the president in office for now. The collective walkout by almost all of the conservative party’s 108 lawmakers contrasted with its participation in another parliamentary vote hours earlier, which eff
Politics Dec. 8, 2024
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Why did martial law troops go to National Election Commission?
The rapid deployment of troops to the National Election Commission in the chaotic first minutes of martial law declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol late Tuesday night has raised suspicions in South Korea. On Thursday, firsthand accounts -- including from individuals directly involved -- emerged, suggesting the deployment had been tied to a conspiracy theory that the April 10 general election had been rigged. The main opposition party had won a landslide victory, securing the majority in the par
Politics Dec. 6, 2024
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Who is Han Dong-hoon? A key player in Korea’s presidential impeachment drama
Ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, once President Yoon Suk Yeol’s staunchest ally, has called for the swift suspension of Yoon’s duties amid ongoing impeachment proceedings. Han’s shift in stance could decisively shape South Korea’s political landscape. At a Supreme Council meeting that captured nationwide attention on Friday morning, Han made a statement, asserting that it is necessary for the president to “promptly cease” performing his duties
Politics Dec. 6, 2024
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Major rally set to call for Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment Saturday in Yeouido
The first major Saturday protest since President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law is set to take place in Yeouido, Seoul, on Saturday. The organizers say that an estimated 200,000 people will take part in the protest. The Group for the Movement to Oust the Yoon Suk Yeol Administration, led primarily by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Korea's largest umbrella labor union, plans to hold a large-scale rally in front of the National Assembly at 3 p.m. At present, the
Politics Dec. 6, 2024
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The six-hour shambles that showed Korean democracy's strength
South Korea's extreme political polarization and acrimony put its democracy to the test when President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday, in an apparent preemptive move to prevent opposition parties from stymieing his presidency with budget cuts and the impeachment of key officials. In such a crisis, democratic institutions demonstrated their resilience, a strength that has safeguarded the country’s young, but vibrant democracy, experts and observers said Wednesday. Po
Politics Dec. 4, 2024
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What you need to know about South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol and political turmoil
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law on Tuesday, marking the first use of such powers since the country ended military rule in the 1980s. Here’s what you need to know about Yoon, his political opponents and the state of Korean politics. Yoon's low support rating Yoon, 63, a conservative leader, has passed the midpoint of his single, five-year term with approval ratings hovering around 25 percent, among the lowest for a South Korean president. His adm
Politics Dec. 4, 2024
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Assembly vote could revoke martial law
President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a state of martial law late Tuesday night. However, it could be short-lived if the National Assembly, controlled by the opposition party, votes to revoke it. As soon as Yoon made the surprise move, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea swiftly mobilized to repeal the measure, although early reports said access to the National Assembly building was physically blocked under the emergency decree. Chairman Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party issued an emerg
Politics Dec. 4, 2024
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Running frenzy has orthopedic clinics smiling
When Yoo Ji-na, a novice runner, visited a local orthopedic clinic for knee pain after completing her first 10-kilometer race, she couldn’t shake the odd feeling of being warmly welcomed by the clinic’s doctor and staff. Even before she had a chance to explain in detail how the pain started and developed, the doctor was already pinpointing the likely cause: "A lack of muscle strength in your thighs and glutes, especially the gluteus medius." He was seeing a growing number
Social Affairs Dec. 3, 2024
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1 in 4 born in early 1970s financially supports parents and children: survey
Koreans born in the early 1970s bear a “triple burden,” juggling financial support for their parents and children while worrying about their own retirement, a survey revealed Thursday. Among those born between 1970 and 1974, seven out of 10 financially support their children, and four out of 10 support their own parents or those of their spouses. One in four supports both generations, spending an average of 1.55 million won ($1,114) per month. They allocate 1.07 million won ($768
Social Affairs Nov. 28, 2024
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Jeju has highest student obesity rate in South Korea: data
One in three students in Jeju Province is either overweight or obese, giving the island the highest student obesity rate among regions in South Korea, data shows. Approximately 33.4 percent of students enrolled in Jeju’s elementary, middle and high schools had a body mass index over 23, the threshold for an overweight classification in South Korea, according to an analysis of student health data from 2022 led by the Education Ministry. This was the highest rate nationwide, compared to th
Social Affairs Nov. 27, 2024
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Jung's paternity reveal exposes where Korea stands on extramarital babies
Actor Jung Woo-sung’s recent admission that he fathered a child with model Moon Ga-bi has reignited conversations in South Korea about societal attitudes toward children born out of wedlock. While Jung pledged to fulfill his responsibilities as a father without pursuing marriage, the public response has been largely critical, highlighting the nation’s deeply conservative stance on non-traditional family structures. Many online users criticized Jung for his decision not to marry Moo
Social Affairs Nov. 26, 2024
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'Giant eye’ watches over plastics talks in Busan
A massive flag depicting a human eye was unveiled near the venue of an international negotiation forum on plastics, which opened in Busan on Monday. Created and hoisted by the international non-profit organization Greenpeace, the "#WeAreWatching" flag aims to deliver a powerful message: global citizens are closely observing the discussions on solutions to end plastic pollution, the group said. Designed in collaboration with Swiss artist Dan Acher, it incorporates portraits of 6,472 ind
Social Affairs Nov. 25, 2024
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Nearly half of pines at Seoraksan face extinction due to global warming: study
Nearly half of the Korean pines, a tree species emblematic of the nation, are at risk of dying at Seoraksan, a recent study revealed Wednesday. The research, conducted by the Korea National Park Service, examined the state of pine forests across five national parks -- Seoraksan, Odaesan, Chiaksan, Taebaeksan and Sobaeksan -- utilizing satellite imagery, aerial photographs and on-site patrol data. The findings revealed significant pine tree dieback, with 480 trees affected in Taebaeksan, 41 in
Social Affairs Nov. 20, 2024
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Doctor eases pain of tattoo regrets
At a gathering of people with striking facial and body tattoos, a middle-aged man wearing fake tattoo sleeves attempts to blend in. That’s Dr. Park Young-soo, filming for his popular YouTube channel at the Korea Tattoo Convention in Seoul, a major event for tattoo artists in South Korea. He’s there to learn about the latest trends and interact with people from the opposite side of his profession -- removing tattoos. Every day, he meets people who regret their tattoos and seek removal
Hashtag Korea Nov. 20, 2024
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