Journalist

Hwang Jin Hyun
  • OPINION: Rising drunk-driving incidents spark calls for tougher laws in South Korea
    OPINION: Rising drunk-driving incidents spark calls for tougher laws in South Korea SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - Recent incidents involving drunk driving in South Korea have drawn international attention, particularly after a Japanese tourist died in a crash. This tragedy, along with a similar incident involving a Canadian a week earlier, has highlighted the country's lenient penalties for drunk driving. Despite the 2018 law allowing life sentences for fatal drunk driving cases, actual sentences range from two to eight years, much lower than Japan's 20-year sentences. South Korea, with less than half Japan's population, reports six times more drunk driving accidents, with a recidivism rate over 40 percent. Criticism also targets the lack of penalties for passengers and alcohol providers. Another growing concern is accidents involving elderly drivers. A recent crash in Bucheon caused by an elderly driver killed four people. According to the Korea Road Traffic Authority, accidents involving drivers aged 65 and older rose 36.4 percent from 2020 to last year, with their accident rate increasing from 14.8 percent to 21.6 percent. This issue is not unique to South Korea; Japan reported a record 17 percent of traffic accidents involving elderly drivers in 2022. While aging affects cognitive and motor skills, the effectiveness of driving aptitude tests is questioned. Additionally, lenient sentences for traffic offenses remain problematic, as seen in a case where an elderly driver received a maximum five-year sentence for a fatal wrong-way crash. From 2020 to last year, South Korea recorded 71,279 drunk driving accidents, resulting in 1,004 deaths. Elderly drivers caused 3,678 fatalities, the highest among all age groups. These issues have become serious social problems, creating widespread anxiety about road safety. As South Korea advances globally with its culture and industry, it must also modernize its traffic laws to address these challenges effectively. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI. 2025-11-24 08:41:16
  • K-pop sensation NewJeans signal full-group comeback by returning to ADOR under HYBE
    K-pop sensation NewJeans signal full-group comeback by returning to ADOR under HYBE SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - NewJeans, the breakout K-pop act that shot to global fame upon debut in 2022 but became embroiled in a bitter dispute with its agency last year, is poised for a full-group comeback after members began signaling their return to ADOR, a move that lifts a major litigation burden for the parent manager HYBE ahead of the long-anticipated comeback of K-pop superstar BTS. On Wednesday, members Haerin and Hyein announced that they would return to ADOR, saying they had decided to respect the recent court ruling and rejoin the agency after “thoughtful consideration with their families and discussions with ADOR,” according to a statement posted on X. The remaining members — Minji, Hanni, and Danielle — told a local media outlet that they also intended to return. “One member is currently in Antarctica, which delayed communication, and we have not yet received a response from ADOR, so we are announcing this separately. We look forward to continuing to perform with sincerity,” they said. ADOR responded that it was “verifying the intentions of Minji, Hanni, and Danielle regarding their return.” If all five members rejoin, it would mark 348 days since the group abruptly cut ties with ADOR by unilaterally terminating their contracts on Nov. 29 last year, following a highly publicized fallout involving former ADOR chief and group mentor Min Hee-jin. Last month, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of ADOR, saying the exclusive contracts signed in 2022 remain valid, effectively barring the members from pursuing independent activities or signing with other labels. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-13 07:42:24