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  • North Korean Agent Receives 5-Year Sentence for Espionage Involving Defectors and Military Personnel
    North Korean Agent Receives 5-Year Sentence for Espionage Involving Defectors and Military Personnel A 43-year-old man has been sentenced to five years in prison for collecting information on North Korean defectors and active military personnel under the direction of a North Korean agent.On September 5, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 21, led by Judge Jo Soon-pyo, sentenced the man, identified as A, to five years in prison and five years of disqualification from holding public office for charges related to espionage under the National Security Law.A, who operated a cryptocurrency investment company, received instructions from a North Korean agent via Telegram in May and June 2021 to gather personal information and activities of defectors with anti-North Korean sentiments. During this period, he received approximately 660 million won (about $600,000) in cryptocurrency from the agent under the pretext of operational funds for his investment business.He approached the head of a defector organization, expressing his intention to provide support, and facilitated the creation of a cryptocurrency wallet, which he then shared with the North Korean agent. The agent sent about 1 million won (approximately $900) in Bitcoin as a donation, which A used to obtain photos and videos related to the defector organization's activities, including the distribution of anti-North Korean leaflets.A also contacted a North Korean defector YouTuber, expressing his interest in North Korean human rights issues via email to obtain a phone number. In July 2021, he received further instructions from the North Korean agent to verify the identities of seven active-duty officers, including their names, affiliations, units, and resident registration numbers.He accessed the social media accounts of one officer, identified as Captain C, to obtain uniform and facial photos. Additionally, he hired a private investigator, asking them to follow C under the pretext of wanting to know about C's daughter's relationship, and received Bitcoin worth 2.5 million won (about $2,250) for this information. The investigator reported back with details about C's unit, residence, and schedule.In August and September of the same year, A attempted to contact another officer via Telegram, offering money in exchange for information about military organizations, but was rejected.The court stated, "If the collected information were to fall into North Korean hands, it could be used to track defectors or retaliate against their families remaining in North Korea," emphasizing the value of the information that needed protection. The court also noted the severity of A's actions, having received a large sum of cryptocurrency and acted on the agent's orders.Previously, A had been separately indicted for approaching an active-duty officer and leaking military secrets under the same agent's direction, resulting in a four-year prison sentence and a four-year disqualification from public office confirmed by the Supreme Court in December of last year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 20:28:00
  • Lottery Winner Reflects on Hardworking Wife After Major Win
    Lottery Winner Reflects on Hardworking Wife After Major Win "I thought of my hardworking wife, and I immediately called her to share the news of the first prize win."As interest grows in the Donghaeng Lottery's 1240th draw, the story of a winner from the 227th Pension Lottery 720+, who won one first prize and four second prizes, is gaining attention.In a post on the Donghaeng Lottery winners' bulletin board, the winner shared, "I buy lottery tickets two to three times a week. As usual, I stopped by my regular lottery retailer to purchase both the Lotto and pension lottery tickets."He recalled, "After arriving at work on Friday morning, I checked the winning numbers online to see if I had won the pension lottery, and I found out I had won the first prize."He added, "I thought of my hardworking wife, and I immediately called her to share the news of the first prize win. She was so surprised and happy, and we are grateful for the pension income it will provide for our future."When asked about his usual lottery purchases, the winner, who bought his tickets at a retailer in Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, said, "I usually buy Lotto, pension lottery, and Spitto lottery tickets."Regarding his plans for the winnings, he stated, "I plan to pay off loans and use the rest for living expenses."Meanwhile, the winning numbers for the 1240th Lotto draw will be available for viewing after 8:35 PM today.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 20:28:00
  • Kumho Art Museum to Close After 38 Years, Ending Art Operations in July 2027
    Kumho Art Museum to Close After 38 Years, Ending Art Operations in July 2027 1989 marked the opening of the Kumho Art Museum, originally known as Kumho Gallery, which will cease operations in July 2027 after 38 years. According to a report by Yonhap News on September 5, the Kumho Cultural Foundation announced that it will fully terminate its art operations, including the Kumho Art Museum, by July 2027. The foundation plans to carry out scheduled exhibitions and programs without disruption until July of next year, followed by a gradual implementation of related procedures. Even after the conclusion of its art operations, the preservation and management of its collection and archives will remain a top priority in accordance with its charter. The foundation intends to continue supporting musicians through initiatives such as the Kumho Young Artists Concert, Kumho Instrument Bank, Kumho Soloists, and Kumho Management School, focusing on the developmental stages of artists. The Kumho Art Museum was established in 1989 in Gwanhun-dong, Seoul, as part of the Kumho Group's cultural activities. It has hosted significant exhibitions, including 'Joan Miró,' 'Figurative Art of the 1980s,' and 'The Development of Korean Modernism.' Since 2008, it has consistently organized exhibitions in design and architecture, expanding its focus within the visual arts.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 20:12:00
  • Search Continues for Six Missing After TNS Catcher Capsizing Off Busan
    Search Continues for Six Missing After TNS Catcher Capsizing Off Busan Busan's coast guard has launched a fourth night of search operations for six missing individuals following the capsizing of the tugboat TNS Catcher. According to Yonhap News Agency, the Busan Maritime Police announced that nighttime search efforts began at 7 p.m. on September 5. Despite a wave warning being in effect, six vessels over 1,000 tons have been deployed for the nighttime search. The coast guard plans to focus its efforts on a search area measuring 65 kilometers by 31 kilometers. Due to worsening weather conditions, underwater searches have not yet been conducted. Currently, waves in the area are reported to be 2 to 2.5 meters high, with northeast winds blowing at speeds of 12 to 14 meters per second. During the daytime search on the same day, authorities did not locate any missing persons or debris. They also inspected the hull of the container ship M, which was docked at the port, but found no unusual signs. The TNS Catcher capsized on September 2 while towing the M ship approximately 9 kilometers east of Oryukdo. Of the eight crew members on board, one was rescued, while another was found unconscious and later pronounced dead. The remaining six crew members have yet to be located, prompting the coast guard to continue its search efforts.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 20:08:00
  • Professional Baseball Player Accused of Sexual Assault Denies Allegations
    Professional Baseball Player Accused of Sexual Assault Denies Allegations A professional baseball player in his 30s, affiliated with a team in the metropolitan area, has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman, but he denies the allegations.According to News1, the woman, identified as A, filed a complaint against player B for attempted rape and injury last year while he was active with the metropolitan team.A claims that she was assaulted after going to B's hotel room and was forced into non-consensual sexual intercourse, resulting in physical injuries and ongoing psychological trauma.However, after reviewing the circumstances and related evidence, police determined that it was difficult to substantiate the charges against B and decided not to pursue the case.Key evidence in the police's decision included hotel CCTV footage and KakaoTalk messages exchanged between the two. A's departure from the hotel room was captured on CCTV, and a comprehensive review of the events surrounding the incident led to the conclusion that the allegations could not be upheld.A has contested the police's decision, filing an objection in March, and the case has since been referred to the prosecution.B's representatives maintain that he is innocent. B's attorney stated, "B feels very wronged by this complaint and denies any act of violence against A, as well as any allegations of sexual assault."The police confirmed that a complaint had been filed but reiterated that the decision not to pursue the case was based on a lack of evidence to support the charges.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 19:52:00
  • Park Min-cheol Leaves Kim & Chang After 18 Years
    Park Min-cheol Leaves Kim & Chang After 18 Years Park Min-cheol, a lawyer known for his appearances on JTBC's 'Divorce Counseling Camp,' has left Kim & Chang after 18 years. In a recent video titled 'I Have Left Kim & Chang' on his YouTube channel 'Park Min-cheol's Crazy,' he shared, 'After commuting to Gwanghwamun for 22 years and working at Kim & Chang for 18 years, I will no longer be coming here in the mornings.'He expressed the emotional weight of his departure, stating, 'I have experienced many separations in life, but leaving Kim & Chang feels like parting with a significant portion of my life, not just one person.' He paused as he reflected on leaving his TMT team.During a farewell party organized by his junior colleagues, one lawyer remarked, 'There are over 1,400 Korean lawyers at Kim & Chang, but there will never be another like Park Min-cheol. While Kim & Chang is not known for its warmth, working with him was always enjoyable, and he took great care of his juniors.'In the video, Park also greeted the building's staff and the cafeteria workers, saying, 'Honestly, the thing I will miss most about leaving the company is not commuting to Gwanghwamun.'He explained his decision to become independent, saying, 'I wanted to stand next to people, not just beside corporations. I have reached a point where I can no longer accept following others' orders and instructions.'Park mentioned that he received offers from several law firms but decided to pursue his own path. He plans to continue his broadcasting activities after becoming independent.'I feel lucky in my broadcasting career,' he said, adding, 'As I was preparing to start my practice, I got the opportunity to appear on 'You Quiz on the Block,' which helped raise my profile. I aim to succeed on YouTube and become a king in that space.'Park gained recognition for providing legal advice to couples facing divorce crises on 'Divorce Counseling Camp.' He has continued his broadcasting career with appearances on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block,' SBS's 'Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 - You Are My Destiny,' and 'My Little Old Boy.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 19:16:00
  • Korean rescuers pull Chinese worker alive from Nepal tunnel
    Korean rescuers pull Chinese worker alive from Nepal tunnel SEOUL, September 05 (AJP) -A Chinese worker was pulled alive from a hydropower tunnel in Nepal on Saturday, 10 days after catastrophic floods swept through the Himalayas, in the first successful live rescue involving South Korea's 44-member disaster relief team dispatched to the disaster zone. The rescue carries particular significance for Seoul because the man was found at the Upper Trishuli-1, or UT-1, hydropower project in Rasuwa District, where nine South Korean workers remain missing. A joint team of Nepali military personnel and South Korean disaster experts found the Chinese national alive inside a 225-meter tunnel at the project, according to the Nepal Army and the prime minister's office. The man, identified by local media as Luhaitao, walked out of the tunnel with assistance from rescuers before being evacuated by helicopter for a medical assessment. The Korea Disaster Relief Team, or KDRT, also confirmed its participation in the operation, saying the survivor was rescued from a tunnel near the weir dam at the UT-1 site. The rescue marked the ninth survivor saved by KDRT in overseas disaster operations since the system was established. The team rescued eight people following the devastating earthquake in Türkiye in 2023. The operation demonstrated that people could still be found alive in tunnels at the very hydropower complex where the missing Koreans had been working when the Aug. 26 floods struck. The nine — six employees of Doosan Enerbility and three from state-run Korea South-East Power — have been unaccounted for since the torrent of water, mud, ice and debris swept through the Trishuli River valley. Search operations around the UT-1 site have repeatedly been hampered by damaged roads, difficult mountain terrain, heavy debris, poor weather and restrictions imposed by Nepali authorities over safety concerns. Rescue authorities believe hundreds of workers may remain trapped in tunnels at hydropower projects across the disaster zone, making underground searches an increasingly important part of the wider operation. About 900 workers remain missing from hydropower projects, with roughly 500 believed to have been trapped in tunnels, according to Nepali authorities. The Aug. 26 floods, believed to have been triggered by a massive collapse of rock and glacial ice in the Himalayan highlands, have killed more than 1,300 people and left more than 5,000 missing in one of Nepal's worst natural disasters. South Korea's involvement in the rescue operation has expanded in stages since the disaster. Seoul first sent small government rapid-response teams to Nepal to focus on locating the missing Koreans, conducting helicopter, drone and ground searches as access permitted. The government also announced $1 million in humanitarian assistance and later added emergency relief supplies, including tens of thousands of thermal blankets. A larger step came after the Nepali government, which had initially limited the involvement of overseas search-and-rescue teams, formally requested specialized assistance from South Korea. Seoul decided on Sept. 1 to dispatch the 44-member KDRT, comprising three Foreign Ministry officials, four Korea International Cooperation Agency personnel and 37 National Fire Agency rescuers. The team departed aboard a South Korean Air Force KC-330 transport aircraft shortly after midnight on Sept. 2 and arrived in Kathmandu later that morning. It brought five search-and-rescue dogs as well as high-resolution drones, audio and visual equipment for detecting trapped survivors, thermal imaging equipment, water pumps and other specialized rescue gear. The deployment placed South Korea among a relatively small group of foreign countries granted an operational role in Nepal's search-and-rescue effort as Kathmandu began seeking specialized international assistance to reach tunnels and other areas inaccessible to conventional teams. KDRT was established under South Korea's Overseas Emergency Relief Act enacted in 2007 to provide search and rescue, medical assistance and disaster relief following major emergencies abroad. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is also visiting Nepal from Saturday through Monday and is expected to seek continued cooperation from Nepali authorities for the search, meet families of the missing workers and visit the Korean relief team on the ground. AJP Takeaways: - A joint Nepali-Korean team rescued a Chinese worker alive from the Upper Trishuli-1 hydropower project 10 days after the floods. - Nine South Korean workers remain missing at the same project, making the rescue the strongest sign yet that survival may still be possible. - South Korea has deployed a 44-member KDRT, joining a small group of foreign rescue teams allowed to operate in Nepal. 2026-09-05 19:12:21
  • President Lee: 2.9 Million Credit Scores Improved, Expanding Path to Recovery
    President Lee: 2.9 Million Credit Scores Improved, Expanding Path to Recovery 이재명 대통령이 정부의 신용회복 지원 정책을 통해 연체자의 재기를 돕겠다는 의지를 밝혔다. 이 대통령은 5일 엑스(X·옛 트위터)에 올린 글에서 “292만8000명의 신용점수가 올랐고 11만6000명은 은행 대출을, 3만8000명은 신용카드를 새롭게 이용할 수 있게 됐다”며 “한 번의 어려움에 주저앉지 않고 다시 일어설 수 있도록 재기의 길을 넓혀가겠다”고 말했다. 이 대통령은 이 같은 변화가 ‘성실상환자 신용회복 지원’ 정책의 결과라고 설명했다. 어려운 상황에서도 빚을 성실하게 갚아온 이들이 다시 일하고 장사를 시작하는 등 일상을 회복할 수 있도록 마련된 제도라는 것이다. 이어 “질병이나 사고처럼 예상치 못한 어려움으로 빚을 제때 갚지 못할 수도 있지만 한 번의 연체가 평생의 발목을 잡아서는 안 된다”며 “성실히 땀 흘려 노력하면 누구에게나 다시 희망이 생기는 사회를 만들어 가겠다”고 강조했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 19:04:00
  • Seoul Fireworks Festival Causes Non-Stop Subway Pass at Yeoinaru Station
    Seoul Fireworks Festival Causes Non-Stop Subway Pass at Yeoinaru Station 5th evening, as crowds gathered for the World Fireworks Festival at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul, subway Line 5 trains bypassed Yeoinaru Station without stopping. According to Yonhap News, Seoul Metro announced that starting at 6:11 PM, trains on both directions of Line 5 were passing through Yeoinaru Station without stopping. The agency plans to maintain this non-stop service until 10 PM, monitoring the situation until the crowds disperse. Police have also deployed additional personnel around Yeoinaru Station to manage the large influx of people.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 19:00:00
  • 3-Year-Old Dies During Nap at Cheongju Daycare; Police Investigate
    3-Year-Old Dies During Nap at Cheongju Daycare; Police Investigate A 3-year-old boy died unexpectedly while napping at a daycare in Cheongju, South Korea.According to police and fire authorities, a report was received around 2:52 p.m. on September 4, stating that a child was not breathing at a daycare in the Seowon District of Cheongju.The daycare teacher checked on the boy, identified as A, after he did not wake up after nap time. A was found lying face down on the floor and was unresponsive.A was transported to a hospital in cardiac arrest but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.He had been napping since around 1 p.m. after having lunch and reportedly had no known health issues. There were also no signs of trauma or abuse.Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding A's death and have requested an autopsy from the National Forensic Service to determine the exact cause. They are also analyzing the daycare's internal CCTV footage.Under the Infant and Toddler Care Act and related safety management standards, daycare teachers are required to continuously monitor children during nap time. If the investigation finds that the teacher neglected this duty or delayed emergency measures after noticing any signs of distress, charges of negligent homicide may be applied.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-05 18:40:20