Search and rescue operations for the last missing person were under way for the second day Tuesday after a boat capsized off the southeastern coast, the Coast Guard said. The 29-ton fishing boat carrying eight crew members capsized after colliding with a 456-ton sand barge in waters near Gyeongju, about 270 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Monday, leaving seven crew members dead. Seven people -- three South Koreans and four foreign nationals -- were rescued in a state of cardiac arrest and take

Social Affairs Dec. 10, 2024

A Seoul court is set to decide Tuesday whether to issue an arrest warrant for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun over his role in President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration in what would be the first court judgment on the case. Kim is suspected of having colluded with Yoon to stage an insurrection as Yoon declared emergency martial law last Tuesday, which was rejected by the National Assembly and lifted hours later. The Seoul Central District Court is set to convene a hearing to r

Politics Dec. 10, 2024

Cho Ji-ho, commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, and two other top police officials have been banned from leaving the country in connection with the ongoing police investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law last week, the National Office of Investigation said Tuesday. The NOI said its special investigation team also imposed an overseas travel ban on Kim Bong-sik, chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and Mok Hyun-tae, hea

Politics Dec. 10, 2024

The National Assembly is set to open a plenary session Tuesday to vote on a bill mandating a permanent special counsel to investigate treason charges against President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed bid to impose martial law last week. The bill calls for an investigation into Yoon, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who had been named to lead the martial law command, and other officials involved in imposing martial law. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Counter

Politics Dec. 10, 2024

South Korea's top economic policymaker said Tuesday that the recent volatility in the country's financial and foreign exchange markets is "excessive" given the nation's strong economic fundamentals. On Monday, the Korean won weakened to 1,437 won per US dollar, dropping 17.8 won from the previous session, and reaching its lowest level in over two years. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) also plunged 67.58 points, or 2.78 percent, to close at 2,360.5

Economy Dec. 10, 2024

Seoul shares opened sharply higher Tuesday following a fourth consecutive day of drop caused by political turmoil from President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law declaration last week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 42.17 points, or 1.79 percent, to 2,402.75 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The president faces a criminal investigation in connection with treason and other charges related to his short-lived martial law order last week. Yoon has entrusted the matter

Market Dec. 10, 2024

Netflix's "Squid Game" Season 2 has been nominated for best drama at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, making history as one of the few shows to secure a nomination prior to its release. According to the list of nominees announced by the awards Monday (U.S. time), the Korean survival thriller set for release Dec. 26 was nominated for the Best Television Series - Drama category. It will compete against Peacock's "The Day of the Jackal," Netflix's "The Diplomat,

Film Dec. 10, 2024

The final round of the LPGA Tour qualifying tournament has been suspended due to rain in Alabama, with three South Korean players in position to earn their cards for 2025. The final round of the LPGA Q-Series was halted at 9:30 a.m. Monday (local time) at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Magnolia Grove in Mobile, Alabama, with heavy downpours rendering the course unplayable. Play was officially called off at 1 p.m., and the LPGA said the final round will resume at 8 a.m. Tuesday. The top 25 and

Golf Dec. 10, 2024

Prosecutors said Monday they have requested an arrest warrant for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to investigate his alleged role in President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law last week. The special prosecution investigation team summoned Kim earlier in the day for questioning on treason, abuse of power and other charges, marking the third interrogation since his emergency arrest the previous day. Prosecutors said they are seeking the warrant over concerns that K

Social Affairs Dec. 10, 2024

South Korea's culture minister vowed Monday to make efforts to ensure the safety of travelers to address concerns over the ongoing political turmoil over the botched martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol last week. Culture Minister Yu In-chon said "The government will do its utmost for the safety and convenience of all visitors (to the country)" during the South Korea-Japan tourism business forum held in Seoul. Vice Culture Minister Jang Mi-ran also said South Koreans

Travel Dec. 9, 2024

Civic groups staged another candlelight vigil across the nation Monday to call for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over last week's botched martial law declaration. Thousands of people held rallies in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, while others gathered in major cities to continue their rallies demanding Yoon's ouster from office. Yoon faces growing pressure to step down after he survived a first impeachment vote Saturday, as the opposition has vowed to try again t

Social Affairs Dec. 9, 2024

First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun met with Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koichi Mizushima on Monday to discuss the ongoing situation stemming from the failed bid to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, the foreign ministry said. Kim stressed South Korea's "firm determination to overcome the current difficult situation based on its democratic processes and the rule of law" at the meeting, the foreign ministry said in a message to media. Both sides agreed to communicate clo

Foreign Affairs Dec. 9, 2024

Opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung on Monday defended the soldiers involved in last week's martial law operations, describing them as "blameless" and expressing gratitude over their restraint. Nearly 300 armed troops were deployed to the National Assembly last Tuesday after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, with some troops breaking windows to enter the building. No casualties or injuries were reported during a tense standoff that unfolded over two hours until lawma

Politics Dec. 9, 2024

Police will summon the counterintelligence chief and former interior minister as suspects in a sprawling investigation into the short-lived martial law imposition last week, officials said Monday. The police notified the head of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung, and ex-Interior Minister Lee Sang-min of the plan, according to police officials. The exact date for their appearance has not yet been decided, they added. Yeo was suspended from his duties last week, and fo

Social Affairs Dec. 9, 2024

The top nuclear envoys of South Korea, the United States and Japan vowed close coordination Monday to manage "future situations stably" in the event of any possible provocations by North Korea, Seoul's foreign ministry said. Cho Koo-rae, vice foreign minister for strategy and intelligence, shared the view with Daniel Kritenbrink, the US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs at the State Department; and Hiroyuki Namazu, director general for Asian and Ocean

Foreign Affairs Dec. 9, 2024