Over 80 billion won raised for wildfire victims as donations continue to pour in SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) - After a spate of massive wildfires that devastated the southern part of the country late last month, over 80 billion won has been donated to support recovery efforts. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, the total donations collected through various charity organizations reached about 84.12 billion won (US$61 million) as of Thursday. The blazes that began in Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province, on March 21 and Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province the following day rapidly spread to nearby provinces, including parts of North Jeolla Province and North Chungcheong Province. The weeklong fires ravaged over 48,000 hectares of land and forest, leaving 31 dead, eight seriously injured, and 36 with minor injuries. Around 7,000 buildings and facilities were damaged including over 4,000 houses, 2,000 agricultural structures, and some 32 national heritage sites. More than 3,200 displaced people have been staying at some 122 temporary shelters. Efforts to contain the blazes are still underway, as lingering flames may spread or reignite. 2025-04-03 16:08:32

Yoon not to attend Constitutional Court's impeachment ruling SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the Constitutional Court of Korea's verdict in his impeachment trial, his legal representatives said on Thursday. The court earlier announced that it will deliver its ruling on Yoon's impeachment over his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law at 11 a.m. on Friday. "The president has decided not to be present for the ruling," Yoon's legal representatives said in a statement, citing security concerns as massive rallies by both his supporters and opponents have been held in front of the court and nearby areas. Police have stepped up security measures to prepare potential clashes or disturbances from protesters on both sides by mobilizing some 14,000 security forces and other personnel. Barricades and fences, along with rows of police buses, have been set up within a 150-meter radius of the court in central Seoul. Security has also been tightened at key locations including the National Assembly building, the presidential office in Yongsan, his official residence in Hannam-dong, foreign embassies, and media outlets. Many commuters may experience disruptions on their way to work due to traffic restrictions at several subway stations including Anguk Station, where the court is located, as well as nearby bus stops. Meanwhile, Yoon is expected to watch the ruling, which will be televised live nationwide, from his official residence, while his legal team will attend on his behalf. A decision to uphold Yoon's impeachment would require at least six votes in favor from the court's eight-seat bench, resulting in his immediate ouster from office and a snap presidential election within 60 days, which could take place in early June. But if more than three justices dismiss or reject his impeachment, Yoon will be reinstated and immediately return to his post. 2025-04-03 15:48:50

Japanese Encephalitis alert issued SEOUL, April 1 (AJP) - With a forecasted long summer amid unseasonably hot spring weather in some southern regions, a nationwide alert for Japanese encephalitis has been issued as mosquito activity is expected to rise. The alert came after the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) found that samples of the specific species of mosquitos transmitting the disease were detected for the first time this year in Jeju and South Jeolla Province last week. Japanese encephalitis is spread by Culex mosquitoes and causes fever, headache, and paralysis, mostly affecting children between the ages of three and 15. In some cases, it can develop to severe brain inflammation, with a mortality rate of 20 to 30 percent. "Prevention is crucial, as there is no specific treatment available yet for Japanese encephalitis," a KDCA official said. As a preventive measure, it is advised to avoid outdoor activities at night between April and October, wear long, light-colored clothing, use mosquito repellent, and stay away from strongly scented products. The vaccine for the disease is available free of charge for children aged 12 months to 12 years. 2025-04-01 11:13:59

Kim Soo-hyun denies allegations, files defamation charges against Kim Sae-ron's family SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - Actor Kim Soo-hyun denied accusations that he dated late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor, holding a press event on Monday to address the claims. This is the actor's first public appearance since the family of the late actress accused him of maintaining a six-year relationship with her, which reportedly began when she was underage. The allegations were made last month via a quasi-news YouTube channel. In a tearful statement, Kim clarified, “I dated Kim Sae-ron for about a year after she came of age. I never had a relationship with her when she was a minor,” adding, “I cannot apologize for something I did not do.” But Kim apologized for previously denying the relationship when the actress shared a photo of them together on Instagram about a year ago. He acknowledged, “I understand why you would criticize my choice at that time, which is why I understand why you might not believe me now.” At the end of the press event, Kim's lawyer announced that the actor has filed criminal defamation charges against the actress’s family and the YouTube channel. Kim has also filed a civil lawsuit seeking 12 billion won (US $8.17 million) in damages for reputational harm. The actor has lost several major brand endorsements since the accusations surfaced, and his upcoming show on the Disney Plus channel has been indefinitely postponed. The event concluded without a Q&A session, as Kim's lawyer said that the scandal is now under criminal investigation. 2025-03-31 17:49:01

Police to grant one-month amnesty for surrendering illegal weapons SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - Police will offer a one-month amnesty for individuals to surrender illegal weapons without facing penalties, the National Police Agency said on Monday. The initiative, set to run through April, will allow people to turn in unlicensed firearms, explosives, and other restricted weapons without criminal or administrative consequences. Weapons eligible for surrender include unlicensed or revoked firearms, explosives, swords, stun guns, sprayers, and crossbows. Individuals seeking to retain surrendered weapons may apply for a permit under the Firearms and Explosives Control Act, a regulation that subjects those wishing to own arms to a background check. Weapons can be turned in at police stations, precincts, police boxes, or designated military units. After the amnesty ends, individuals caught manufacturing, selling, or possessing illegal weapons face prison terms of three to 15 years or fines ranging from 30 million to 100 million won (U.S. 22,000–74,000 dollars). Those unable to surrender weapons during the designated period due to extenuating circumstances should contact local authorities to arrange submission, the police said. Authorities are distributing multilingual posters in English, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Russian to encourage participation among foreigners. The annual amnesty program that ran last September resulted in the surrender of 66,458 items, including 481 firearms and 63,930 rounds of ammunition. In South Korea, which remains technically at war with North Korea, civilian ownership of firearms is nearly impossible -- even for hunting or sport shooting. Those seeking permission must undergo extensive background and psychological evaluations. Approved firearms are kept at local police stations and must be checked and inspected by police officers each time they are used for authorized purposes. 2025-03-31 15:33:10

Online commenter acquitted in defamation case filed by Han Ye-seul SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - A South Korean internet user fined for posting malicious comments about actress Han Ye-seul was acquitted on appeal. The Seoul Central District Court on Sunday overturned the original ruling against the defendant who had been charged with defamation after commenting on an article about Han’s husband in July 2021. The article involved allegations that he had worked at an adult entertainment venue as a high-end escort before tying the knot with the actress. The comment in question read: "This is why there is no hope for troublemakers. Act your age. What are you doing at 40?" In the initial trial, the court imposed a fine of 300,000 won ($220), ruling that the comment specifically targeted Han, who was 40 years old at the time, and contained derogatory language that damaged her social reputation. However, the appeals court reached a different conclusion, stating that while the defendant's comment was inappropriate, it appeared to criticize the broader entertainment industry rather than personally attacking Han. "In reality, various rumors about famous entertainers frequently circulate online," the appeals court stated in its ruling. "Although the defendant's comment was clearly inappropriate, the expressions used cannot definitively be characterized as malicious enough to constitute a punishable offense." The prosecution did not appeal to the Supreme Court, making the acquittal final. Under South Korean law, defamation charges can only be pursued when the victim files a direct complaint, as it is classified as a crime requiring the victim's initiative. 2025-03-31 11:04:17

Police launch special unit to combat online drug trafficking SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - Police launched a new specialized unit on Monday dedicated to tackling the surge in drug trafficking through digital platforms, consolidating resources previously spread across 17 provincial departments. The "Online Drug Investigation Team" will target illegal transactions conducted through dark web marketplaces, encrypted messaging services like Telegram, and unregulated virtual asset exchanges that have become primary channels for drug distribution. Unlike traditional enforcement measures, the new unit will employ a targeted approach focused on specific distribution networks, aiming to disrupt the online trafficking ecosystem by severing critical links in the digital supply chain. The initiative responds to government data showing drug offenders in South Korea have increased by over 87 percent compared to five years ago, with a notable rise in cases involving synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and ecstasy. South Korea reported 898 cases of drug offenses in January 2020, a number that increased to 1687 in the same month this year. Young people aged 10 to 30, who are heavily engaged in digital commerce, have been particularly vulnerable to online drug trafficking, with an increase of 154.94 percent from 233 cases five years ago to 594 cases this year, according to the Prosecution Service. The unit will implement specialized training for officers in advanced cyber tracking techniques and deploy virtual asset tracking technology to seize criminal proceeds from online drug sales. Authorities also plan to strengthen international cooperation with global law enforcement agencies to address the cross-border nature of digital drug trafficking. According to a 2023 United Nations report, approximately 30 percent of global drug trafficking now occurs through online channels. 2025-03-31 10:39:47

Kim Soo-hyun to address scandal involving late actress Kim Sae-ron in press event SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - Actor Kim Soo-hyun will hold a press event on Monday afternoon in Seoul to address a series of recent accusations. His agency announced Sunday night that Kim’s legal representative will also be present to issue a statement. However, “Aside from the official statement from Kim, there will be no Q&A session.” The bereaved family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron recently claimed through a quasi-news YouTube channel that the actor had been in a relationship with her for six years, starting when she was 15. They also released photos purportedly taken during that period, along with text messages exchanged between the two. Under current South Korean law, individuals over the age of 19 are prohibited from engaging in sexual relationships with anyone under 16. However, at the time of the alleged relationship between the two Kim’s, the legal threshold prohibited physical intimacy only between an adult over 19 and a minor under 13. While the actor’s reported conduct may not have been unlawful under the law at the time, it remains a subject of public scrutiny given prevailing social and cultural norms in the country. Initially, the actor’s agency denied any romantic involvement between the two. However, after the actress’ family released pictures of them together, Kim revised his statement, saying, “The dating relationship lasted from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after the actress had become an adult, over the age of 19.” In response, the late actress’ family expressed anger and released text messages allegedly exchanged between the two Kim’s when the actress was 14 and 16 years old. They also claimed the actress had preserved multiple cell phones and laptops used to communicate with Kim, suggesting that there is more evidence to back up their accusations against the actor. As conflicting accounts continue to fly from both sides, the entertainment and advertising industries are distancing themselves from the actor. Several brands that had hired him as a model have terminated contracts or replaced his image. A variety show featuring him has decided to edit out his scenes entirely, and the release of the highly anticipated drama “Knockoff,” originally slated for the first half of this year, has been postponed indefinitely. 2025-03-31 09:20:33

K-pop audition show featuring kids scrapped amid controversy SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - Cable channel MBN on Friday eventually decided to cancel its upcoming audition show featuring young K-pop wannabes amid mounting controversy. "Under Fifteen," which was supposed to air next Monday, features some 59 contestants under the age of 15 from over 70 countries, competing for a chance to become K-pop's next big stars. But it has come under fire over concerns about the appropriateness of young kids appearing on the show, shortly after its racy teaser showing contestants in skimpy outfits and heavy makeup was released earlier this month. Their profile photos in promotional images also included personal details along with barcodes, resembling the labeling of manufactured items, which eventually led to the last-minute cancellation. The show's producers held a press event earlier this week in an attempt to salvage the program, but to no avail, as the criticism continued to escalate even further. Growing concerns for minors also come as a separate scandal involving actor Kim Soo-hyun sweeps the country. Kim is accused of dating the late actress Kim Sae-ron for six years, starting when she was a minor. 2025-03-28 17:24:55

Firefighters battle worst-ever wildfires as death toll rises to 28 SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - With massive wildfires ravaging the southeastern part of the country for a week, the death toll continues to rise, leaving at least 28 people dead and dozens more injured as of Friday. Nearly 40,000 residents have been forced to evacuate as around 48,000 hectares of land and forests have been burned, making it the worst wildfire ever. The fires also decimated around 3,500 houses and other buildings, turning them into ashes, while affecting villages and towns with historically significant structures and ancient temples. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, the blazes, which first broke out in Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province last Friday, have rapidly spread to nearby areas such as Hadong and Gimhae, as well as to other provinces including Andong, Cheongsong, Uiseong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok in North Gyeongsang Province, Muju in North Jeolla Province, and Okcheon in North Chungcheong Province, fueled by strong winds and dry weather amid unseasonal early-summer heat. Authorities have managed to extinguish the flames in several areas, including Muju, Gimhae, and Okcheon, but they are still struggling to fully contain the fires, despite deploying around 6,900 firefighters along with dozens of helicopters and other all available emergency resources. A sprinkle of rain the previous day provided some much-needed relief, helping to dampen fire-stricken areas, but concerns remain over strong gusts that could reignite embers and spread the flames further. 2025-03-28 11:25:48