Gov't pledges emergency aid for regions hit by torrential rains SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - About 2.1 billion South Korean won (about US$1.4 million) in emergency disaster relief funds will be provided to regions affected by torrential rain earlier this week, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said on Friday. According to the ministry, six regions affected by heavy downpours that began Wednesday are eligible for the support including Daejeon, Sejong, Gyeonggi Province, North Chungcheong Province, South Chungcheong Province and North Gyeo July 10, 2026

Prosecutors seek 13 years in prison for Moonies leader over bribery allegations SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - Prosecutors on Friday sought a 13-year prison term for Han Hak-ja, leader of the powerful Unification Church, better known as the Moonies, over multiple allegations including bribery involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee. Han, the widow of the church's founder Moon Sun-myung, is suspected of bribing Kim with a luxury bag and jewelry, in return for favors for the church in 2022. She is also accused of colluding with an ex-cult follower the sam July 10, 2026

Teen's killing tests South Korea's family exemption law SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - A serving police officer destroyed evidence in his own son's murder case, and under South Korean law he cannot be prosecuted for it. That fact, uncovered during the investigation into the killing of a high school girl in the southern city of Gwangju in May, has pushed South Korea into a national debate over a decades-old provision of its Criminal Act that shields relatives from punishment when they hide offenders or destroy evidence on their behalf. P July 10, 2026

Monsoon downpours leave one missing, force 700 people to evacuate nationwide SEOUL, July 10 (AJP) - Torrential monsoon rains that battered South Korea's central region and other parts of the country over the last two days left one person missing and damaged more than 4,000 facilities, government authorities said on Friday. Fire officials and other emergency workers have been searching for a man in his 70s who was swept away by floodwaters while crossing a stream in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province the previous day. Landslides were also reported in s July 10, 2026

Korea's top court upholds ex-president's 7-year prison term SEOUL, July 9 (AJP) - Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to seven years in prison after the Supreme Court on Thursday found him guilty of obstructing investigators' attempt to arrest him following his botched martial law debacle in December 2024. Thursday's ruling marks the first final verdict among the eight separate trials Yoon is facing over his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law. It came after a lower court sentenced Yoon to five years in prison in January, b July 9, 2026

Torrential monsoon rain batters Seoul and much of Korea SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) -Torrential monsoon rains battered Seoul and central South Korea on Thursday, suspending Han River ferry services, triggering flood and landslide alerts, forcing evacuations and flooding roads and homes across the country. Seoul suspended operations at five Han River Bus piers from the first departure at 11 a.m. after heavy rain warnings were issued across the capital. Services were halted at Jamsil, Ttukseom, Seoul Forest, Oksu and Apgujeong piers, while the July 9, 2026

South Korea sees fewer foreign workers as Viet Nam overtakes China in arrivals SEOUL, July 9 (AJP) - A slowdown in the construction and manufacturing sectors reduced the number of foreign workers, particularly E-9 visa holders, for the second consecutive year, while arrivals from Viet Nam surpassed those from China for the first time. According to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Wednesday, about 428,000 foreigners entered South Korea for long-term stays of more than 90 days last year, down 23,000 from a year earlier, while abo July 9, 2026

Foreign language press association marks 11 years in Seoul SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - South Korea's foreign-language newspapers marked 11 years of working under a single banner on Thursday, with their association pledging to expand international exchanges and prepare member outlets for an era reshaped by artificial intelligence. The Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea held its 11th anniversary ceremony at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul, drawing guests including Chinese Ambassador Dai Bing, Reform Party floor leader C July 9, 2026

ABC launch forum puts spotlight on Korea's AI ecosystem SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - Aju Media Group's new AI-focused business channel ABC held the AI Ecosystem Innovation Forum in Seoul on Thursday, bringing together government officials, technology executives and industry experts to discuss South Korea's next steps in artificial intelligence. The forum, held at The Plaza Seoul, followed the official launch of ABC, or AI Business Channel, a day earlier as Aju Media Group expands into television broadcasting with a channel dedicated to July 9, 2026

Thousands brave monsoon rain to oppose military academy merger SEOUL, July 08 (AJP) - Monsoon rain did not stop about 2,000 gathering outside South Korea's National Assembly on Wednesday to oppose the government's plan to merge the country's elite military academies and relocate the Korea Military Academy from Seoul. The rally, held on the steps of the main National Assembly building, was organized by opposition lawmakers Han Ki-ho and Lim Jong-deuk, together with alumni associations of the Army, Navy and Air Force academies, cadet July 8, 2026