NK defector dies in accident 1 year after daring escape to South Korea

A North Korean defector who escaped the communist state with eight other members of his family last year has died, a fellow defector said through his YouTube channel Thursday. Kim Yi-hyeok, who made headlines in May 2023 with the dramatic escape, died in a sea diving accident on Wednesday, another defector, Lee Cheol-eun, said on an online community. "The tragic news of Kim Yi-hyeok, who left repressive North Korea and only had happy days to live in democratic South Korea, breaks my heart

Social AffairsDec. 6, 2024

Rights group claims proof of 2nd martial law declaration

South Korean rights group the Center for Military Human Rights Korea revealed Friday that it has obtained proof that President Yoon Suk Yeol is preparing to impose martial law again in the near future. South Korea's Army commanders were ordered to stand by for an emergency call-up as the Army imposed a temporary ban on leave until Sunday, according to the military human rights group, without disclosing the names of the commanders that it suspects had received such instructions. This indicat

PoliticsDec. 6, 2024

Last-minute agreement averts Seoul subway strike

The operator of the Seoul subway system reached a last-minute deal in wage negotiations with unionized workers early Friday, avoiding an all-out strike that was slated to begin the same day. Seoul Metro inked the deal with all three of its labor unions, which took the 2.5 percent wage increase based on the government guidelines. The two parties also compromised on the state-run company's plans to reduce staff, with Seoul Metro pledging to hire some 630 new employees instead of the initially

Social AffairsDec. 6, 2024

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

PoliticsDec. 6, 2024

Prosecution forms special probe unit for Yoon's martial law

The prosecution said Friday it had formed a special investigation unit to probe President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration. The unit will be led by Park Se-hyun, chief prosecutor of Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, the office said. The police, meanwhile, said they had assigned some 120 investigators to probe the case, separately from the prosecution.

PoliticsDec. 6, 2024

1st open support of Yoon impeachment from ruling party lawmaker

Rep. Cho Kyung-tae became the first from the ruling People Power Party to back removing President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, after Han Dong-hoon, the party chair, spoke in support of impeachment earlier Friday. The six-time lawmaker told reporters on this day Yoon declaring martial law was “unconstitutional and illegal,” and that the impeachment bill against the president should be put to vote as soon as possible. Han said Yoon “needs to be stopped from exercising his president

PoliticsDec. 6, 2024

DP considering accusing ruling party floor leader of treason

The main opposition Democratic Party said it was considering accusing ruling party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho of treason, accusing him of attempting to obstruct the Assembly's resolution to lift martial law on Wednesday.

PoliticsDec. 6, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating plummets to 13%: Gallup Korea

President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating plummeted to 13 percent after his short-lived martial law declaration, down by 6 percentage points from a week before, a poll by Gallup Korea showed Friday. Within a week, the approval rating during the period between Wednesday and Thursday fell by 3 percentage points from 16 percent as of Tuesday, according to a poll of 1,001 respondents. Some 80 percent of respondents disapproved of Yoon after his speech declaring martial law. This figure hit an a

PoliticsDec. 6, 2024

N. Korea to hold parliamentary session next month to discuss constitutional amendment: KCNA

North Korea will hold a key session of its rubber-stamp parliament next month to discuss a range of issues, including a constitutional amendment, the North's state media reported Friday. The standing committee of the Supreme People's Assembly held its 34th plenary meeting the previous day at the Mansudae Assembly Hall and decided to convene the 12th session of the 14th assembly on Jan. 22, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The KCNA said that the upcoming session will address

North KoreaDec. 6, 2024

Yoon needs to be stopped from exercising power as president: ruling party head

Ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon said Friday morning President Yoon Suk Yeol should no longer be allowed to exercise his presidential powers. Han called an emergency meeting of People Power Party leadership that day, and said he has damning evidence Yoon mobilized troops in a bid to arrest politicians over the hours martial law was still in effect. “I learned last night the president ordered the defense counterintelligence commander (Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung) to arrest major political leader

PoliticsDec. 6, 2024

State Dept. says S. Korea-US alliance 'transcends any particular president'

The South Korea-US alliance "transcends any particular president," a State Department spokesperson said Thursday, as the National Assembly is moving to vote on an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law imposition. Principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel made the remarks, voicing expectation that the impeachment process will proceed in line with South Korea's Constitution. "This relationship, this alliance, this partnership that

Foreign AffairsDec. 6, 2024

Austin has 'no plans' to travel to S. Korea after martial law episode: US official

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has "no plans" to visit South Korea "at this time," an official said Thursday, following a report that he scrapped a plan to travel to the Asian country in the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition. The move came amid concerns that despite Washington's renewed commitment to the "rock-solid" alliance, a period of uncertainty in South Korea could affect coordination between the allies over

Foreign AffairsDec. 6, 2024

South Korea says 'necessary communication' taking place with US after Campbell remarks

South Korea and the United States are "in communication at all levels" as needed, a foreign ministry official said Thursday, after a senior US diplomat's comment on South Korea's martial law turmoil drew attention for its critical tone. US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said Wednesday (US time) that President Yoon Suk Yeol "badly misjudged" when he declared martial law late Tuesday and ended it hours later following a parliamentary vote. Speaking at a forum

PoliticsDec. 5, 2024

Some train, subway lines disrupted amid railway workers' strike

Some train and subway lines across South Korea experienced delays and cancellations Thursday after unionized workers of the national railway operator launched an indefinite general strike. Subway Lines 1, 3 and 4 in the capital area, as well as high-speed KTX trains and regular trains, were being delayed or canceled as workers of the Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) began a strike to demand better pay and additional hiring, the first such walkout since September 2023. At Seoul Station, passengers w

Social AffairsDec. 5, 2024

6 Constitutional Court justices sufficient to carry out trial, says acting chief

Acting Constitutional Court President Moon Hyung-bae said the current "six-member system" is sufficient to begin an impeachment trial on President Yoon Suk Yeol over his controversial martial law decree, but would need "further discussions" to hand down a final verdict. "I do not believe that three more judges (need to be appointed) for the trial to kickoff," Moon told reporters as he entered the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Thursday. His comments, h

PoliticsDec. 5, 2024

Seoul’s diplomacy, security rocked by political turmoil

South Korea's diplomatic and security activities have been thrown into disarray following President Yoon Suk Yeol's abrupt and fleeting declaration of martial law, which has prompted the cancellation of visits by foreign delegations. The paralysis in South Korea's foreign and defense affairs is poised to intensify with the resignation of now-former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Wednesday, formally accepted by Yoon the following day, and the voluntary departure of Foreign Minis

Foreign AffairsDec. 5, 2024

Army chief claims he learned of martial law from Yoon’s TV address

South Korean Army chief of staff told lawmakers Thursday he did not know of President Yoon Suk Yeol's plan to impose martial law before the president's televised address to the nation late Tuesday. Gen. Park An-su was named martial law commander in the military decree that came shortly after the president’s announcement. Park said he realized he would be assuming the role of martial law commander at the meeting of key commanders that followed. “The defense minister said at

PoliticsDec. 5, 2024

In Yoon's martial law speech, a window into his troubling worldview

When South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol shocked the world Tuesday night with an unexpected declaration of martial law — the first the country has seen since achieving full democracy in 1987 — his choice of words offered a revealing glimpse into his worldview. An analysis of key terms from his televised speech suggests a leader who increasingly views politics through an extremist lens and with a siege mentality, experts say. 'Legislative dictatorship' (ipbeob dokjae) &qu

PoliticsDec. 5, 2024

How Yoon’s fate could unfold under 4 scenarios

The opposition’s move to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol has gained momentum, since his surprise declaration of martial law late Tuesday. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea has accused him of committing a crime similar to treason or insurrection, which is grounds for impeachment. The Constitution protects presidents from civil lawsuits and criminal charges unless they are convicted of treason. Here are the three possible scenarios that could unfold following the opposition-led A

PoliticsDec. 5, 2024

Former defense minister banned from leaving country amid treason allegations

Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a key figure behind South Korea’s six-hour martial law chaos, is barred from leaving the country as state prosecutors, acting on a treason accusation raised by politicians, prepare for an investigation. According to legal sources, a division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, led by Chief Prosecutor Lee Chan-gyu, has been assigned to investigate President Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, regarding Yoo

DefenseDec. 5, 2024