First verdict in impeached ex-president's martial law case set for next month

SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Disgraced former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who faces several charges related to his botched martial law debacle, will receive his first verdict next month. The Seoul Central District Court said on Tuesday it intends to deliver its ruling on January 16 on whether Yoon obstructed the law enforcement by blocking investigators and other officials who attempted to detain him in relation to the debacle. The court cited a law requiring the first ruling to be mad

December 16, 2025

South Korea, US hold consultative talks to coordinate North Korea policy

SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Officials from South Korea and the U.S. on Tuesday held talks to coordinate policies toward North Korea. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the consultative meeting among relevant ministries and agencies, led by Jeong Yeon-doo, head of the ministry's office of diplomatic strategy, was held in Seoul, with acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim in attendance. Defense and security officials from both countries also attended, discu

December 16, 2025

Top security adviser heads to Washington to discuss implementation of bilateral agreements

SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lak on Tuesday left for Washington for working-level talks with U.S. officials this week. His trip comes after South Korea and the U.S. released a comprehensive joint fact sheet last month detailing agreements on bilateral trade and security. Wi is also expected to discuss measures for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. Just before his departure from Incheon International Airport, Wi said, "I will disc

December 16, 2025

Korea's nominee to head media regulator approves of Australia-like SNS ban for minors

SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) -South Korea’s nominee to head the new government authority responsible for policy and oversight of legacy and online contents providers said Tuesday the regulator would consider Australia-style protections for minors on social media and take action against illegal practices by Coupang and other platform operators following fact-finding investigations. Kim Jong-cheol, a constitutional law professor at Yonsei University, made the remarks during his

December 16, 2025

An Se-young named world's top badminton player for third straight year

SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Badminton player An Se-young has been named this year's top player by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). The world No. 1 in women's singles received the award at the BWF's annual gala dinner in Hangzhou, China on Monday, beating competitors such as Wang Zhiyi and Chen Yufei of China, and Japan's Akane Yamaguchi. With the award, An became the first female player to win it three years in a row, having first received the honor in 2023

December 16, 2025

15-hour raid on Unification Church ends without finding key evidence

SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Police on Tuesday failed to find key evidence after a 15-hour raid on about a dozen locations linked to the powerful Unification Church, also known as the Moonies, over allegations of bribery involving political figures. During the raid, which began at 9 a.m. the previous day and wrapped up after midnight, police searched about 10 locations including the sprawling residence of the church's leader Han Hak-ja in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province as well as o

December 16, 2025

Ex-military intelligence chief sentenced to two years in prison over martial law involvement

SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Noh Sang-won, former chief of South Korea's military intelligence unit, was sentenced to two years in prison on Monday for privacy violations and other charges related to disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle last year. The Seoul Central District Court found Noh guilty of gathering personnel information as well as accepting bribes. He was also fined 24.9 million Korean won (US$17,000). It was the first verdict

December 15, 2025

FM offers condolences to victims of shooting rampage in Sydney

SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun expressed condolences to the victims and their families of a shooting rampage in Sydney, Australia over the weekend. "I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach," Cho wrote on X on Monday, adding, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families, and the people of Australia." Cho stressed that terrorism is an "inhumane, anti-civilization cr

December 15, 2025

Lee, Laotian president agree to strengthen bilateral partnership

SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung met with visiting Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith in Seoul on Monday. During their summit at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, the two leaders agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive partnership, as the two countries mark 30 years of diplomatic relations. "Trade and investment have grown remarkably since 1995, with bilateral trade increasing 20-fold," Lee said, adding that mu

December 15, 2025

Korean Air chief donates 100 million won to athletes ahead of Winter Olympics

SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Hanjin Group chairman and Korean Air president Cho Won-tae on Monday donated 100 Korean million (about US$70,000) to support athletes preparing for the upcoming Winter Olympics in northern Italy in February next year. Cho, who currently serves as Vice President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, toured key facilities at a national team training center in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, encouraging athletes including short-track speed skat

December 15, 2025