National

  • Russia retakes Ukrainian-occupied territory with support from North Korean troops
    Russia 'retakes Ukrainian-occupied territory with support from North Korean troops' SEOUL, March 9 (AJP) - Russia has reclaimed two-thirds of its northwestern Kursk territory, which was lost to Ukrainian forces last summer, as "battlefield advances" were made with the help of North Korean forces, the New York Times reported on Saturday. "Russian and North Korean soldiers have retaken about two-thirds of the land lost in the summer - but at a horrendous cost, with at least 4,000 troops killed in combat," the daily said. "As the battles dr March 9, 2025
  • Rifts deepen as impeachment verdict looms after Yoons release
    Rifts deepen as impeachment verdict looms after Yoon's release SEOUL, March 9 (AJP) - With President Yoon Suk Yeol's release from detention on Saturday, attention now turns to its possible impacts on the final verdict in his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court of Korea over his botched martial law debacle last year. Yoon returned to his official residence in Hannam-dong after some 52 days of detention at a remand prison in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province, as prosecutors decided not to appeal a court's order the previous day to cance March 9, 2025
  • Impeached South Korean president released from detention after court ruling
    Impeached South Korean president released from detention after court ruling SEOUL, March 08 (AJP) - Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from the Seoul Detention Center on Saturday, 52 days after being detained on charges of inciting an insurrection related to his failed attempt to impose martial law in December. Yoon's release came after a court ruled on Friday that he could stand trial without physical detention. The court approved Yoon's release request after determining that his Jan. 26 indictment, which extended his detention, had com March 8, 2025
  • Prosecutors divided over President Yoons release order after court decision
    Prosecutors divided over President Yoon's release order after court decision SEOUL, March 08 (AJP) - South Korea's prosecution leadership and the special investigation team are at odds over whether to comply with a court decision to cancel President Yoon Suk Yeol's detention, sources said Saturday. The Supreme Prosecutors' Office leadership has instructed the investigation team to issue orders for Yoon's release following the court's decision, according to legal sources. However, the Special Investigation Headquarters for Martial Law, March 8, 2025
  • Court orders Yoons release from detention
    Court orders Yoon's release from detention SEOUL, March 7 (AJP) - A court on Friday ruled in favor of President Yoon Suk Yeol's request to cancel his arrest over his botched martial law debacle last December. The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon's indictment to be "invalid," as it was made after his detention period had expired. Given differing views over whether detention periods should be calculated in days or hours, the court further explained that there were additional grounds for canceling h March 7, 2025
  • Poland hopes for swift weapons procurement from South Korea
    Poland hopes for swift weapons procurement from South Korea SEOUL, March 7 (AJP) - Polish President Andrzej Duda on Thursday expressed his hope for the swift shipment of weapons as part of its massive arms deal with South Korea. In a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul in Warsaw, Duda "expressed his hope for swift progress" in finalizing the second-phrase purchase deal of K2 battle tanks to facilitate local production, the Foreign Ministry here said in a press release, quoting his as saying. Speaking later at March 7, 2025
  • Military vows support for victims after live-fire drill mishap
    Military vows support for victims after live-fire drill mishap SEOUL, March 7 (AJP) - Military authorities on Thursday vowed support for the victims of an accidental bombing in Pocheon, north of Seoul the previous day, pledging to come up with measures to prevent similar incidents. Fighter jets accidentally dropped eight bombs outside a training range during a live-fire drill in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, injuring 15 people including villagers and soldiers and also destroying five homes along with several other buildings and structures. Ini March 7, 2025
  • Why many South Korean women are exposed to unwanted pregnancies and STIs
    Why many South Korean women are exposed to unwanted pregnancies and STIs SEOUL, March 7 (AJP) - Despite a growing awareness of sexual health in South Korea, contraception remains largely a woman's responsibility, leaving many women vulnerable to unwanted pregnancies and exposing them to the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In a country still steeped in Confucian traditions and values, many men often refuse to use condoms in their intimate relationships, leaving their female partners to often bear much of the blame for not p March 7, 2025
  • OECD warns South Koreas population could halve in six decades
    OECD warns South Korea's population could 'halve in six decades' SEOUL, March 6 (AJP) - With one of the world's lowest birth rates, South Korea's population could shrink by half within the next six decades, according to a forecast by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In report titled "Korea's Unborn Future" released on Wednesday, the Paris-based organization said the country "where fertility has imploded to unprecedented lows" is expected to see its population "halve ov March 6, 2025
  • 15 injured as fighter jets accidentally drop bombs on village during live-fire drill
    15 injured as fighter jets accidentally drop bombs on village during live-fire drill SEOUL, March 6 (AJP) - Bombs from two Air Force fighter jets fell during a live-fire drill in Pocheon, north of Seoul on Thursday, leaving at least 15 people injured. According to military authorities, the accident occurred at around 10 a.m. when the KF-16 fighter jets taking part in the drill accidentally dropped eight bombs outside a training range in Pochoen, Gyeonggi Province, injuring 15 villagers and destroying several buildings in the surrounding area. The explosion caused March 6, 2025