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 act

March 31, 2025

INTERVIEW: ISTARI bets on S. Korea in global cyber push

SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - As cybersecurity threats grow more complex and tightly interwoven with economic, political, and technological forces, experts are calling on organizations to rethink their strategies. Among them is Rashmy Chatterjee, CEO of ISTARI — a global cybersecurity firm founded by Singapore's state-owned investment company Temasek in 2020. With operations in the United States, Europe, and Singapore, ISTARI is dedicated to helping enterprises build long-te

March 31, 2025

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 distributio

March 31, 2025

Korea, China, Japan renew push for trilateral FTA amid US tensions

SEOUL, March 31 (AJP) - South Korea, China and Japan have agreed to reinvigorate long-stalled negotiations over a trilateral free trade agreement, seeking closer economic cooperation as global trade uncertainty grows amid escalating tensions with the United States. Commerce ministers from the three countries met in Seoul on Sunday for their first trilateral talks in six years. The meeting concluded with a joint pledge to advance a "comprehensive and high-level" trade pact,

March 31, 2025

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

March 31, 2025

Gov't proposes supplementary budget for disaster relief and economic recovery

SEOUL, March 30 (AJP) - The government on Sunday proposed a supplementary budget of at least 10 trillion won (US$6.8 billion) to shore up the struggling economy, which has been further battered by massive wildfires that have ripped through the southeastern region since last week, amid lingering political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle late last year. During an emergency meeting with key officials, Economy and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mo

March 30, 2025

Man booked for allegedly sparking wildfires in southern region

SEOUL, March 30 (AJP) - Police said on Sunday they have nabbed a man suspected of igniting the massive wildfires that have devastated the southeastern part of the country since last week. The 56-year-old man is accused of sparking the blaze around noon on March 22 during an ancestral rite at his family grave in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province. The flames then rapidly spread to nearby areas including Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok, fueled by strong winds and dry w

March 30, 2025

Pressure mounts on Constitutional Court to rule on Yoon's impeachment

SEOUL, March 30 (AJP) - With the Constitutional Court still wrestling over President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial for more than a month, it remains uncertain when the court will deliver its verdict, as public division and conflict continue to escalate amid the country's prolonged leadership vacuum. Given that at least two days are required for security arrangements and other preparations, the verdict is now expected sometime in April, as the court has yet to set a final

March 30, 2025

South Korea offers $2 million humanitarian aid to quake-hit Myanmar

SEOUL, March 29 (AJP) - The South Korean government has pledged $2 million (approximately 3 billion won) in emergency humanitarian assistance to Myanmar following a powerful earthquake that struck the country on Friday. South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that it hopes the aid "will help efforts to save lives in the affected areas." The ministry added that it "will closely monitor the damage situation and consider additional support if

March 29, 2025

South Korean airlines expand flights to China and Japan for summer season

SEOUL, March 29 (AJP) - South Korean carriers are collectively increasing their flight operations to China and Japan during the 2025 summer schedule period from March 30 to Oct. 25. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and industry sources, airlines will operate 128 routes to these countries, up from 115 last year, as they seek to capitalize on high demand for destinations with relatively lower costs amid high inflation and exchange rates. Korean Air is ex

March 29, 2025