Journalist

Park Heewon
  • 15-hour raid on Unification Church ends without finding key evidence
    15-hour raid on Unification Church ends without finding key evidence SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Police on Tuesday failed to find key evidence after a 15-hour raid on about a dozen locations linked to the powerful Unification Church, also known as the Moonies, over allegations of bribery involving political figures. During the raid, which began at 9 a.m. the previous day and wrapped up after midnight, police searched about 10 locations including the sprawling residence of the church's leader Han Hak-ja in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province as well as other sites and the offices of those linked to the allegations including former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Chun Jae-soo. Chun is under investigation for allegedly receiving 20 million Korean won (about US $14,000) in cash and a luxury watch worth 10 million won in 2018. Police will analyze seized records, phones, and computers, with further questioning of those involved expected based on the findings. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-16 08:53:28
  • Independent prosecutors set to wrap up six-month probe into martial law debacle
    Independent prosecutors set to wrap up six-month probe into martial law debacle SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Independent prosecutors are set to brief on the findings of their investigation on Monday into disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched Dec. 3 martial law debacle last year. Wrapping up their six-month-long probe led by prosecutor Cho Eun-suk, they will explain the details of the investigation that led to charges against 27 individuals including Yoon. Of the 12 arrest warrants requested, five were issued. Prosecutors have also sought an extension of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun's detention, which expires on Christmas next week, with a decision slated for later this week. Cho's team secured Yoon's arrest within three weeks of starting their investigation on charges of insurrection and abuse of power related to the debacle, while former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was also indicted on similar charges. However, arrest warrants for several other officials including former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, were denied. Cho believes Yoon planned his martial law gambit in late 2022 to conceal controversies involving his wife, Kim Keon-hee, who faces multiple allegations including accepting bribes, involvement in a stock manipulation scheme, and a slew of other charges. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-15 09:27:17
  • Driver sentenced to five years in prison for fatal crash in central Seoul
    Driver sentenced to five years in prison for fatal crash in central Seoul SEOUL, December 4 (AJP) - A driver involved in a fatal crash in central Seoul last year was sentenced to five years in prison, as the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the lower court's ruling. The man in his late 60s, identified by his last name Cha, was charged with violating traffic laws after crashing into pedestrians near City Hall in July 2024, killing nine people and injuring five others. Investigations revealed that he had mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake while driving in the wrong direction on a one-way, four-lane street, hitting pedestrians and oncoming vehicles. The initial court sentenced him to seven and a half years in prison, counting each death and injury as a separate crime. The appellate court, however, ruled that the crimes resulted from a single incident and reduced the sentence to five years. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-04 14:26:16
  • Ex-spy chief arrested over alleged involvement in martial law debacle
    Ex-spy chief arrested over alleged involvement in martial law debacle SEOUL, November 12 (AJP) - Cho Tae-yong, a former head of South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), was arrested on charges of allegedly being involved in disgraced ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law debacle last year. The Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for him, citing concerns he could destroy or tamper with evidence. Cho is accused of failing to notify the National Assembly of Yoon's plan to declare martial law, despite being aware of it. Cho faces perjury charges for testifying to the National Assembly and Constitutional Court that he had not seen related documents before the Dec. 3 debacle. But CCTV footage from an emergency meeting with key officials at the presidential office that day showed him pocketing what appeared to be documents related to the debacle. Earlier arrest warrants for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae were denied, but Cho's arrest is expected to give independent investigators probing Yoon's case new momentum. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-12 10:58:34
  • Two rescued, at least seven missing after structure collapse at power plant in Ulsan
    Two rescued, at least seven missing after structure collapse at power plant in Ulsan SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - A large structure collapsed at a thermal power plant in the southeastern city of Ulsan on Thursday, trapping believed to be seven people under the debris, authorities said. The incident occurred at around 2 p.m. at the state-run utility company Korea East-West Power. According to firefighters, two individuals were rescued shortly after the collapse, while search efforts continue for the remaining victims. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse and assessing the extent of the damage. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-06 15:45:01
  • South Korean barbecue chain Myeongryun Jinsagalbi expands across Southeast Asia
    South Korean barbecue chain Myeongryun Jinsagalbi expands across Southeast Asia SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - South Korea’s leading charcoal-grilled rib franchise, Myeongryun Jinsagalbi, said Tuesday it has established a local subsidiary in the Philippines, betting on Southeast Asia to turn “K-barbecue” into a global brand. Through a master franchise agreement, it opened eight restaurants there as of October 2025, including one directly operated outlet. The move reflects a deeper commitment to managing brand quality and adapting to local tastes. On Oct. 16, the first directly operated restaurant opened in the Philippines, marking what the company described as a key milestone in its overseas expansion. In Thailand, Myeongryun Jinsagalbi currently operates six outlets under a master franchise agreement, with two more under construction. The company is also negotiating a joint venture with a major Thai retailer, with final terms expected by the end of October. In Malaysia, the company’s first location inside Kuala Lumpur’s 1Mont Kiara Mall has established a strong foothold, leading to plans to expand into premium residential neighborhoods. The brand has also entered Vietnam, China, Laos, and Indonesia, cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing Korean dining chains in Asia. Myeongryun Jinsagalbi’s strategy centers on local adaptation without sacrificing Korean authenticity. In Thailand, for instance, the company has introduced spicy sauces and localized desserts to appeal to younger diners, while in the Philippines, spacious layouts and self-service bars have made the brand a popular destination for families. Founded in 2017 with its first outlet in Yongin, south of Seoul, Myeongryun Jinsagolbi has expanded rapidly to more than 550 domestic locations. The company plans to open 100 stores across 10 Southeast Asian countries by 2026, with longer-term ambitions to enter the Americas and the Middle East. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-28 10:11:37