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  As economic turmoil mounts, acting president faces pressure to resolve political crisis SEOUL, January 6 (AJP) - Calls for Acting President Choi Sang-mok to play a more active role in resolving South Korea's political crisis are growing louder, as the country faces increasing economic turmoil triggered by the Dec. 3 martial law declaration. Economists and political analysts alike argue that swift action is necessary to end the deadlock and reduce uncertainty that is wreaking havoc on financial markets. At the heart of the political crisis is the stalled executio January 6, 2025
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  North Korea fires suspected hypersonic ballistic missile ahead of Trump's inauguration SEOUL, January 6 (AJP) -- North Korea fired a suspected hypersonic ballistic missile into the East Sea on Monday, just two weeks before Donald Trump's inauguration as U.S. president. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the military detected the projectile around noon. The ballistic missile, launched from the Pyongyang area, flew about 1,100 kilometers before landing in the waters. While the missile was initially believed to use an engine typically found in in January 6, 2025
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  Police pursue top presidential security officials for blocking Yoon's detention SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) - Police have again called for two senior officials from the Presidential Security Service (PSS) to appear for questioning over their alleged role in obstructing the detention of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol. Park Chong-jun, head of the PSS, and Deputy Kim Seong-hoon are under suspicion for obstructing the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) in its attempt to arrest Yoon, Jan. 3. The CIO was attempting to execute a warrant January 5, 2025
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  Defending President Yoon's martial law may lead to criminal charges SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) - A heated debate has erupted online over whether defending South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol over his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law could lead to criminal charges. Some argue that endorsing Yoon’s conduct could itself be punishable, while others assert that such claims infringe upon the freedom of political expression guaranteed by the Constitution. At the heart of the discussion is the potential application of sedition charges for those wh January 5, 2025
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  Mystery shrouds children spotted with North Korean leader's sister SEOUL, January 3 (AJP) - The National Intelligence Service (NIS) is currently investigating whether two children recently spotted with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Yo-jong could be her kids, the spy agency here said on Friday. Speculation arose shortly after North Korea's state television aired footage of Yo-jong walking alongside a boy and a girl after attending an event for the New Year's celebrations in Pyongyang earlier this week. The NIS said it is lo January 3, 2025
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  South Korea to make largest-ever presence at CES SEOUL, January 03 (AJP) - South Korean companies are set to make their largest-ever appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) next week, unveiling their latest advancements in artificial intelligence, smart home technology and other innovations. With 1,031 companies participating, South Korea will have the third-largest national presence at the event, following the United States (1,509) and China (1,339). The world's largest electronics trade show will be held in Las January 3, 2025
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  Investigators fail to arrest Yoon after hours-long standoff SEOUL, January 3 (AJP) - Investigators left President Yoon Suk Yeol's official residence in Yongsan, Seoul empty-handed on Friday after failing to arrest him. Their attempt to arrest the embattled president came several days after the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) obtained an arrest warrant for Yoon earlier this week, following his repeated refusal to respond to summons. A team of 30 investigators left their office in Gwacheon, Gy January 3, 2025
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  South Korea sees first birth rate increase in 9 years SEOUL, January 3 (AJP) - South Korea recorded its first increase in registered births in nine years in 2024, signaling a potential turning point for a country grappling with one of the world's lowest fertility rates. The Ministry of Interior and Safety reported Friday that the number of registered births totaled 242,334 in 2024, a 3.1 percent increase from the previous year. Male births outnumbered female births, with 123,923 boys and 118,411 girls registered. Despite the January 3, 2025
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  Korea reports worst flu outbreak in 8 years SEOUL, January 3 (AJP) -- South Korea is experiencing its most severe influenza outbreak in eight years, with cases more than doubling during the final week of 2024, health authorities said Friday. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said the number of suspected flu patients reached 73.9 per 1,000 outpatients between Dec. 22 and 28, a 136 percent increase from 31.3 the previous week. It marks the highest level since 2016, when the rate peaked at 86.2 per 1,00 January 3, 2025
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  Korean folk games go viral after 'Squid Game 2' release on Netflix SEOUL, January 3 (AJP) - Some traditional Korean folk games are garnering global attention following their appearance in the latest season of Netflix's Squid Game released last week. "Gonggi," a traditional marble game showcased in the show's second season, has become a viral sensation across social media platforms, with the term trending in global search rankings. Content creators are putting modern spins on the age-old pastime, with some using dice instead of January 3, 2025