Kim Yea-ji, South Korea’s first visually impaired lawmaker and a member of the ruling People Power Party, is in the spotlight as one of the only three from her party to participate in the parliamentary vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday. The National Assembly’s motion failed due to a failure to meet the quorum after lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party boycotted the vote. It resurfaced Sunday that Kim sought to enter the parliament building immediately afte

Politics Dec. 8, 2024

The United States called for "full and proper" functioning of democratic processes in South Korea, after the country’s parliament on Saturday failed to vote on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his recent declaration of martial law. Officials from the White House, as cited by Yonhap News Agency, said Washington had closely monitored the Korean National Assembly's opposition-led motion to impeach Yoon, as well as the developments following its failure to get two

Foreign Affairs Dec. 8, 2024

Is the Myers-Briggs personality test still the go-to for dating compatibility? If you ask young Koreans, some say, "Not anymore." The trend is shifting, and they’ve found a better playbook. The playbook, in the language of attachment theory, reads: Avoidant types often ghost, anxious types tend to cling. Secure types strike a balance. As a fresh approach to understanding emotional patterns in relationships, the theory has gained popularity in contemporary dating, especially in

Hashtag Korea Dec. 7, 2024

The declaration of martial law late Tuesday placed all military forces on emergency stand-by, with some special units mobilized to enforce the decree. Korean parents with sons serving on active military duty endured a sleepless night too, overwhelmed with worry about what their children might be experiencing amid the chaos. In an online community of Korean soldiers' parents on Naver, which has around 150,000 members, parents voiced their worries throughout the night, uncertain about what

Social Affairs Dec. 4, 2024

South Korea’s 24-hour convenience stores saw an uptick in sales of essential items during the initial hours of shock following the martial law declaration Tuesday night, local reports said. According to Yonhap News Agency, citing local industry sources, during the one-hour period from 11:00 p.m. Tuesday, when martial law took effect, sales of daily necessities skyrocketed compared to regular days. One convenience store chain, whose name was not disclosed, reported the highest uptick in c

Social Affairs Dec. 4, 2024

In the tense first hours of martial law in South Korea, social media emerged as a lifeline for defiance, with politicians, journalists and ordinary citizens using it to document and disseminate real-time developments. On YouTube, X and Instagram, short clips and videos flowed from the scene as the unexpected event unfolded in the middle of the night. Main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who had rallied his party’s lawmakers to the Assembly, began livestreaming on his YouTube channel at

Politics Dec. 4, 2024

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law Tuesday night, sending shock waves through the nation. Made near at 10:25 p.m., the announcement has left citizens and experts alike scrambling to understand its implications. According to South Korea’s Constitution and the Martial Law Act, emergency martial law can be declared during wartime, in cases of a major national emergency akin to war, or when public order is severely disrupted, rendering administrative and judici

Politics Dec. 3, 2024

Young-hee, the towering motion-sensing doll infamous for her ruthless elimination of half the participants in Netflix's massive hit series "Squid Game," returned to menace the streets of Paris on Sunday. The animatronic doll made a less fearsome appearance this time as her goal was not to shoot players down but to select survivors for an exclusive reward: An invitation to the preview screening of the much-anticipated new season of the show. Netflix France announced Monday that a t

Television Dec. 2, 2024

GIMPO, Gyeonggi Province -- South Koreans can now sip their Starbucks while taking in the rarest of views -- the shadowy realm of a forbidden land, North Korea. At a just-opened store, with seating for around 40 patrons, the glass walls frame panoramic vistas of Kaepung-gun and Songaksan in the North Korean city of Kaesong. It is located within the Jogang Observatory in the South Korean border city of Gimpo, part of the 154-meter-high Aegibong Peace Ecopark. This vantage point lies just 1.4 kilo

Companies Nov. 29, 2024

A heavy snowstorm forced schools in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province to delay classes or close temporarily, as a crippling snowfall paralyzed much of South Korea on Thursday. The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education announced that it had advised approximately 4,700 schools under its jurisdiction — including kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools — to consider delaying class hours or temporarily closing at their discretion. Some schools, such as Munwon Elem

Social Affairs Nov. 28, 2024

Disturbing to kids but amusing to older fans, cherished childhood characters have been reimagined online, far removed from their original innocent portrayals. Elsa from "Frozen" transforms into a drunkard, slurring to her sister Anna that she plans to drink more. Mickey Mouse turns out to be a bald human, hiding a receding hairline beneath a detachable wig with mouse ears. And, Winnie the Pooh, no longer the cute teddy bear, has become a weary drive-thru worker at McDonald's, sl

Hashtag Korea Nov. 27, 2024

As winter's icy grip approaches, Koreans roll up their sleeves to prepare a year’s supply of kimchi to ensure they have enough for the cold months ahead. The fermented dish varies in shape and flavor across the nation, with the distinct regional environment influencing kimchi's ingredients, seasonings and presentation. Take a tour of South Korea’s regional kimchi varieties, each adding its own zing to the traditional dish. Their distinct flavor profiles are guaranteed to

Hashtag Korea Nov. 26, 2024

Starting next month, all newly registered cars seating for five or more passengers will be required to have a fire extinguisher, fire authorities said Sunday. Currently, the mandatory installation of fire extinguishers applies to vehicles that carry seven or more passengers. According to the National Fire Agency, the change aligns with the revision of the Act on Installation and Management of Firefighting Systems, set to take effect in December after a three-year grace period. The mandate does

Social Affairs Nov. 24, 2024

The debate over whether to ban smartphones in the classroom continues to rage worldwide. South Korea is no exception, as it looks to address an epidemic of smartphone addiction among young students. In August, Rep. Cho Jung-hun of the People Power Party proposed a bill to limit smartphone use in schools. In October, the National Human Rights Commission reversed its long-standing position, ruling that schools confiscating students' phones is not a violation of their rights. Proponents view

Hashtag Korea Nov. 19, 2024

Ever considered indulging in a book-reading binge, right in the heart of the city, yet far from its usual hustle and bustle? The answers are scattered across Seoul's foothills: Forest libraries. These retreats are where book-loving spirits wander through pages and gaze beyond the window to a world written in the language of trees, which shift from the lush green of spring and summer to the golden hues of autumn and the pristine white of winter. Here are a few selected libraries across the

Hashtag Korea Nov. 16, 2024