'Not a single shot fired': World reactions to Korean martial law drama

The six-hour high-stakes political drama that unfolded in Seoul from Tuesday to Wednesday left onlookers worldwide scrambling for answers. On X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, reactions poured in. For many, the sequence of events seemed dizzying. One viral post by user @MyLordBebo, titled “Summary of the crazy events in South Korea,” garnered over 945,000 views, accompanied by a video of armed soldiers clashing with lawmakers in the National Assembly. In response to this p

Dec. 4, 2024

Supreme Court to examine legality of martial law declaration

Chief Justice of the South Korean Supreme Court Cho Hee-dae told reporters on Wednesday that the Supreme Court will review the procedures that were followed in President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law late Tuesday, affirming that the judiciary will “steadfastly fulfill its role during challenging times.” “The judiciary will ensure its role as the ultimate protector of the citizens’ rights and freedoms, and will work to alleviate any concerns about judicia

Dec. 4, 2024

What political bigwigs had to say about martial law drama

Here are what some of South Korea’s prominent political figures had to say about Tuesday night’s martial law drama initiated by President Yoon Suk Yeol and ended by the National Assembly, controlled by Yoon's political foes. Han Dong-hoon, chair of the ruling People Power Party - "(Yoon) should immediately sack the minister of national defense, and hold liable anyone who is responsible." * The defense minister was identified as the key person who advised Yoon

Dec. 4, 2024

Yoon Suk Yeol postpones meeting on drug control

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday postponed his plan to attend a meeting to review drug control measures, according to the presidential office, hours after he agreed to the parliament's request to revoke martial law. "The meeting to assess the current status of drug control measures, originally set to take place at the presidential office, has been rescheduled," an official said.

Dec. 4, 2024

[Graphic News] 60% of job seekers in S. Korea ‘passive’: survey

A recent survey by the Federation of Korean Industries reveals that six out of ten job seekers in South Korea are classified as “passive job seekers” with low expectations for employment. The 2024 University Student Employment Perception Survey, conducted among 2,938 students and graduates from four-year universities nationwide, found that 1,235 respondents were preparing for employment. Of these, 60.5 percent were categorized as passive job seekers. Passive job-seeking behavior wa

Dec. 4, 2024

Full text of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol agreeing to lift martial law

Below is a full, unofficial translation of President Yoon Suk Yeol's statement issued on Wednesday, announcing that the declaration of emergency martial law is lifted. Last night at 11 p.m., I declared a state of emergency martial law with a determined will to save the nation, in response to anti-state forces that were paralyzing the essential functions of the state and undermining the liberal democratic constitutional order. However, just a moment ago, the National Assembly requested t

Dec. 4, 2024

Schools to operate normally despite martial law declaration: ministry

Following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of emergency martial law on Dec. 3, the Ministry of Education has officially confirmed that schools will operate as usual on Wednesday. In a statement issued late this evening, a Ministry of Education spokesperson clarified, “Despite the declaration of martial law, there are currently no directives or restrictions that would necessitate school closures. Classes will proceed as scheduled tomorrow.” This announcement comes amid a wa

Dec. 4, 2024

[From the Scene] Rush to get to National Assembly in first hours of martial law

In the hours after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared in South Korea at around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, chaos ensued west of Yeouido in central Seoul as lawmakers, aides and reporters rushed to get to the National Assembly. Soon after Yoon announced he would impose martial law, police squads began surrounding the gates of the legislature. At this point, people could enter at checkpoints if they presented their passes. Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Kim Byung-kee, running up flights of stairs, could be

Dec. 4, 2024

Seoul police agency issues level B emergency following martial law

Following South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of an emergency martial law late Tuesday, the Korean National Police Agency issued a level B emergency for all police officials, effective as of 1 a.m., Wednesday. A Level B Emergency is a part of the police’s emergency response system, activated during escalating public security crises or other emergencies. When this level is declared, police officials and leading commanders must remain within their command locations and m

Dec. 3, 2024

S. Korea reports 2 additional avian influenza cases at regional farms

South Korea has confirmed two more cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza at regional farms, bringing the season's total to seven, according to the government Tuesday. Authorities said the cases were reported at a duck farm in Gangjin in South Jeolla Province, 410 kilometers south of Seoul, and a chicken farm in Sejong, 113 kilometers south of Seoul. The farm owners reported an unusual increase in livestock deaths the previous day, prompting quarantine authorities to conduct detailed

Dec. 3, 2024

Shooting sensation Kim Ye-ji named among BBC's 100 women of 2024

SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- Kim Ye-ji, an Olympic shooting silver medalist who went viral during the Paris Summer Games, has been included on the BBC's list of the 100 most influential and inspirational women this year. The British broadcaster announced its annual list of remarkable women Tuesday under the theme of "resilience" this year, which also included fellow South Korean Park Soo-bin, founder of Stair Crusher Club, a project on wheelchair accessibility. "Charisma and s

Dec. 3, 2024

Ex-PPP lawmaker, political broker indicted in election nomination scandal probe

CHANGWON -- Kim Young-sun, a former five-term lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party, was indicted by prosecutors Tuesday, along with Myung Tae-kyun, a political broker at the center of a growing election nomination scandal involving the ruling party. The Changwon District Prosecutors' Office said Kim and Myung were indicted and detained on charges of violating the Political Funds Act in the past. Prosecutors allege that Kim offered Myung 80.7 million won ($57,540) between August 2022

Dec. 3, 2024

4 dead, 4 injured as truck crashes into rental car in Jeju

JEJU -- Four people died and four others were injured after a truck crashed into a rental car on the southern resort island of Jeju on Tuesday, police said. The accident occurred at 3:58 p.m. in Jeju's Seogwipo, as the 1-ton truck and the rental minivan collided on a two-lane road. Four of the six passengers in the minivan were transported to a nearby hospital in cardiac arrest but died. Two others in the minivan and two riding in the truck sustained minor and serious injuries. Some of the

Dec. 3, 2024

Seoul mayor to file charges against power broker Myung Tae-kyun, news outlets

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said Tuesday that he plans to take legal action against self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun and other related individuals over allegations regarding their involvement in influencing public opinion polls during the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election. “I will begin resolute legal action against the fraudulent group that undermines the fairness of elections and threatens democracy, as well as deceitful forces that amplify and distort the truth,” Oh said, durin

Dec. 3, 2024

Online secondhand market scams on the rise

The rise in transactions on secondhand market apps in South Korea, such as Karrot and Joonggonara, has led to a sharp increase in fraud cases, police data showed on Tuesday. According to data from the National Police Agency released by Rep. Yang-Bu-nam of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, 81,252 cases of secondhand transaction fraud were reported between January and October. With an average of 8,000 reported cases per month, the total is expected to approach 100,000 by year’s

Dec. 3, 2024

Boy with rare brain disease dies, after delay in finding ER

A 16-year-old suffering from a brain hemorrhage stemming from a rare medical condition has died, after his surgery was delayed due to trouble finding an emergency room with the proper medical staff. Local broadcaster YTN reported Tuesday that the boy passed away recently, one week after he was hospitalized on Nov. 15. The boy had what is known as moyamoya disease, a chronic and progressive condition of the arteries in the brain which can lead to narrowing of blood vessels that can eventually cau

Dec. 3, 2024

[Herald Interview] Why Hong Kong's foreign domestic worker policy shouldn't be model for Korea

While the 98 Filipina caregivers in Seoul city’s pilot program are protected under South Korea’s Labor Standards Act, Act on the Employment Improvement of Domestic Workers and statutory minimum wage, some government officials have been talking about making the project more like Hong Kong’s foreign domestic helper scheme. Some have said Korea should follow Hong Kong’s model and exclude foreign domestic workers from the minimum wage. Foreign caregivers here could be hired t

Dec. 3, 2024

AI textbook in classrooms: Timely, or too early?

SEJONG -- Starting in March next year, classrooms across South Korea will see a new digital transformation. Instead of opening up textbooks, third, fourth, and seventh graders, along with first-year high school students, will turn on their digital devices to participate in class. On Monday, the Ministry of Education unveiled 76 government-certified artificial intelligence-based digital textbooks, showcasing their capabilities through a demonstration to reporters. If successfully implemented, Sou

Dec. 3, 2024

KBS show sanctioned for mocking short, overweight, bald men

A KBS2 variety show was penalized by South Korea’s media regulator for comments mocking obese and bald men. The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) said Monday that it has imposed legal sanctions at a "caution" level to the show "Boss in the Mirror" for an episode that aired on July 2, after hearing statements from the program’s representatives. Under the KCSC's disciplinary actions, "caution" is the fourth highest of the seven-tier sys

Dec. 3, 2024

State health insurance to fully subsidize C-sections

The state-run health insurance will fully subsidize the cost of Caesarean sections starting next year, the South Korean government said Tuesday. The revision of the Enforcement Decree of the National Health Insurance Act on full-coverage of the C-sections has been passed at the Cabinet meeting, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. At present the state insurance covers 95 percent of C-section costs, compared to 100 percent of natural births. With the final process of the legislation c

Dec. 3, 2024