OPINION: South Korea at crossroads after president is impeached – here's what will happen next

SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - South Korea's National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 14. The vote marks the third time a president has been impeached in the country's constitutional history. Out of 300 assembly members, 204 voted in favor of the motion, 85 voted against, three abstained, and eight votes were declared invalid. This outcome indicates that at least 12 votes in favor came from Yoon's conservative ruling People Power

December 18, 2024

National Assembly impeachment panel to form legal team of up to 20 members

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - The National Assembly impeachment panel, tasked with acting as "prosecutors" in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial, announced Tuesday it will form a legal team of up to 20 members. On Dec. 3, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Yoon declared emergency martial law, citing the need to eliminate "pro-North Korean forces and anti-government activities" to protect South Korea’s constitutional order. Following the declaration,

December 17, 2024

Defense ministry provides psychological support for soldiers deployed under martial law

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - The Ministry of Defense announced Tuesday it is offering psychological support programs for soldiers deployed as martial law forces to government facilities, including the National Assembly, on Dec. 3. "We respect the wishes of the soldiers deployed under martial law by providing a support system for psychological assessments and counseling. For those undergoing counseling, we are paying close attention and providing continuous support," the mini

December 17, 2024

Philippine Embassy celebrates 75 Years of friendship with Korea through its weaving culture

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) -The Embassy of the Philippines in the Republic of Korea kicked off a special exhibition celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines. The opening ceremony held in Insadong, a cultural hub in central Seoul, attracted dozens of distinguished guests. The exhibition showcases various woven textiles from across the Philippines, highlighting the rich history of the country’s weaving culture. Featuring

December 17, 2024

President Yoon to defend himself at public impeachment hearing

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol will "firmly and confidently" defend his position during the public hearing for his impeachment trial, his legal representative said Tuesday. Yoon faces accusations of rebellion and abuse of power after being suspended from office on Dec. 14 when the National Assembly passed an impeachment bill with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, three invalid votes, and eight abstentions. The vote for the impeachment motion was spar

December 17, 2024

Korean firms' growth slows amid sluggish demand for chips in PCs, smartphones

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - South Korean companies' growth slowed in the third quarter as weak demand for regular semiconductors used in PCs and smartphones and a downturn in the petrochemical sector hit the manufacturing industry. According to data released by the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, combined sales of 23,137 companies subject to external audits rose 4.3 percent year-on-year in the July-September period. While growth increased from 1.2 percent in the first quarter to 5.3

December 17, 2024

IKEA cancels plans to build major logistics center near Seoul

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - IKEA Korea has decided to cancel its plans to build Asia's largest integrated logistics center in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul. According to a regulatory filing on Tuesday, the company has abandoned its plans to build a logistics hub in the Poseung district of the city. The company will also sell the land, which spans 102,000 square meters and is valued at about 55.5 billion won ($38.6 million). IKEA Korea explained the decision was due to changes in

December 17, 2024

First lady earns 'Lady Macbeth' tag amid South Korea's marital law turmoil

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - British daily The Times has put its focus on first lady Kim Keon Hee over the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. In an article on Monday headlined "South Koreans blame president's 'Lady Macbeth' for martial law," the daily wrote, "Critics suggest made his disastrous decision in part to protect his wife..... from investigation and potential prosecution." The tag may refer to the ambitious wife in Macbeth, one o

December 17, 2024

Number of foreign workers in South Korea tops 1 million for first time

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - The number of foreign workers in South Korea surpassed 1 million for the first time this year, with many concentrated in mining and manufacturing jobs, according to government data released Tuesday. The Statistics Korea report showed that as of May, the resident foreign population aged 15 and older totaled 1.561 million, a 9.1 percent increase from a year earlier. Among them, 1.01 million were employed, up 9.4 percent year-on-year. The steady rise in fo

December 17, 2024

U.S. confirms North Korean casualties in Russia for first time

SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Several U.S. officials have confirmed North Korean casualties for the first time since their deployment to Russia. "We do believe that they have suffered some significant losses, killed and wounded, but it's difficult for me to put an actual number on it. I would say, certainly in the realm of dozens, several dozens," said the White House's national security adviser John Kirby on Monday. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller als

December 17, 2024