Koreans' smoking habits shift as e-cigarette use rises

SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - Koreans are shifting from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes, contributing to a steady increase in overall smoking rates over the past three years. Alcohol consumption is also rebounding after a pandemic-induced decline, while obesity rates continue to rise despite increased physical activity. A nationwide survey by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) of 230,000 adults at 258 public health centers revealed these significant behavio

December 22, 2024

Police interrogate ex-military intelligence chief over notebook linked to martial law plans

SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - Police are questioning Roh Sang-won, a former military intelligence chief, over his alleged role in planning the Dec. 3 martial law declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol. Roh is accused of collaborating with Moon Sang-ho, the arrested commander of the Military Intelligence Command, to orchestrate the operation. The National Assembly impeached President Yoon on Dec. 14, suspending him from his duties. The motion, passed 204 to 85, cited allegations of rebel

December 22, 2024

Impeachment trial stalled as Yoon refuses to accept court documents

SEOUL, December 22 (AJP) - The impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol has stalled even before its formal proceedings could begin, as Yoon has repeatedly refused to accept legal documents from the Constitutional Court and has not submitted a notice of attorney appointment. The president was suspended from his duties after the impeachment vote passed 204 to 85, citing allegations of rebellion and abuse of power. The impeachment was triggered by Yoon’s sudden declaration

December 22, 2024

Protesters split over Yoon's impeachment in downtown Seoul

SEOUL, December 21 (AJP) - Tens of thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Seoul again on Saturday, holding rival protests either supporting or opposing President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. The fierce protests came a week after a motion to impeach the president over his short-lived declaration of martial law earlier this month was passed at the National Assembly last Saturday. Police estimated that around 15,000 anti-Yoon protesters gathered in and aro

December 21, 2024

S.Korea, U.S. top diplomats agree to hold talks

SEOUL, December 21 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the phone on Saturday. The call took place following South Korea's transition to an acting presidency under Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. During their telephone conversation about arranging an in-person meeting, Blinken expressed strong confidence in South Korea's current interim leadership, calling Han "a capable and respected leader." Blinken reaffirme

December 21, 2024

Investigators to question Yoon on Christmas Day

SEOUL, December 21 (AJP) - Investigators looking into President Yoon Suk Yeol's aborted declaration of martial law earlier this month have issued a fresh summons for him. According to an official from a joint task force under the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), an independent agency established to root out corruption in the government, the request was made on Friday for Yoon to appear for questioning next Wednesday. This is the second summons is

December 21, 2024

Convicted rape victim in 'tongue-biting' case wins retrial after 60 years

SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - Nearly 60 years after being convicted for biting off the tongue of a man who tried to assault her, Choi Mal-ja, now 78, has won the right to a retrial in a case that has long symbolized systemic injustice in South Korea’s legal treatment of sexual violence. At 18 in 1964, Choi resisted an attempted sexual assault by a 21-year-old man, identified only by his surname, Noh. During the struggle, she bit off approximately 1.5 centimeters of his tongue.

December 20, 2024

New USFK chief takes office

SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - South Korea welcomed a new commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) amid political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law debacle earlier this week. General Xavier Brunson, who is replacing General Paul LaCamera, who has held the position since July 2021, took an oath during the change of command ceremony at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, at 2 p.m. "I look forward to working alongside each of you as we b

December 20, 2024

Yoon refuses to accept impeachment trial documents for third time

SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - The presidential office has refused to accept delivery of documents related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial for the third time this week, the Constitutional Court of Korea said on Thursday. These documents are part of the ongoing trial proceedings following his abrupt declaration of martial law earlier in the week. During a briefing, the court's spokesperson Lee Jin explained that the documents were first delivered via Korea Post on

December 20, 2024

Top university leaders to discuss upcoming challenges at forum in Seoul

SEOUL, December 20 (AJP) - South Korea's top university leaders will gather in Seoul next week for a forum to discuss the challenges and tasks the country faces ahead of the new year. Co-organized by English-language news agency AJP and its Korean-language affiliate Aju Business Daily, the University Presidents' Future Forum 2025 will bring together leaders from prestigious universities and other academic institutions including the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Tec

December 20, 2024