South Korea is a de facto abolitionist state – or is it? SEOUL, October 07 (AJP) - Fifty-two people remain on death row, growing old under sentences the state has left unfulfilled for nearly three decades. Their average age is 58.7. Among them are serial killers Yoo Young-chul and Kang Ho-soon, who killed 20 and 10 people, respectively. As the World Day Against the Death Penalty approaches on Oct. 10, South Korea remains caught between its long suspension of executions and a public largely unwilling to abandon them. A September surve October 7, 2026

South Korea's Nuri rocket delivers 15 satellites to orbit SEOUL, October 07 (AJP) - South Korea's homegrown Nuri rocket successfully carried 15 satellites into orbit Wednesday, completing its fifth flight and extending a run of successful launches that has become central to the country's effort to build an independent space industry. The three-stage rocket lifted off from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, about 400 kilometers south of Seoul, at 12:25 p.m. and completed its flight roughly 20 minutes later. It successfully separ October 7, 2026

South Korea ups depopulation zones to 92 as Seoul's pull grows SEOUL, October 07 (AJP) -South Korea has added three localities to its list of depopulation zones, bringing the total to 92 as the country struggles with a shrinking population and the growing concentration of people and jobs around Seoul. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said Wednesday that the newly designated areas are Geumjeong District in the southeastern port city of Busan; Dongducheon, north of Seoul; and Tongyeong, a coastal city in South Gyeongsang Province. The October 7, 2026

South Korea's Nuri rocket faces precision test in fifth launch SEOUL, October 07 (AJP) - South Korea’s homegrown Nuri rocket is set to lift off at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday on its fifth flight, carrying 15 satellites in what officials say will be one of the launch vehicle’s most technically demanding missions yet. The Korea AeroSpace Administration, or KASA, confirmed the launch time Wednesday morning after reviewing the rocket’s technical condition, weather, space weather and possible collision risks with satellites and space debr October 7, 2026

Yeungnam professor wins 2 Springer Nature editor awards SEOUL, October 06 (AJP) - A Yeungnam University professor who edits an international journal on research methods has won both of Springer Nature's 2026 Editor of Distinction Awards. The academic publisher gives the honors to editors who rank among its most active and fastest at handling submitted papers. According to Springer Nature's award criteria, the Editorial Contribution Award goes to editors in the top 20 percent for the number of manuscripts sent to peer review. Th October 6, 2026

Seoul weighs overhaul of military service benefits for elite athletes, artists SEOUL, October 06 (AJP) - South Korea's Defense Ministry said Tuesday it is considering reducing or abolishing the special alternative military service system for elite athletes and artists, citing concerns over fairness and the country's shrinking pool of military personnel. The ministry said possible changes to the arts and sports personnel program will be included in discussions for its broader defense reform plan. "We plan to pursue measures, including the reduct October 6, 2026

Animal encounters persist at Korean zoos despite tighter rules SEOUL, October 06 (AJP) - Nearly eight in 10 privately operated zoos in South Korea are still allowing visitors to feed, touch or otherwise interact with animals under an educational exemption to restrictions intended to curb stressful animal encounters, government data showed Tuesday. Of the country’s 91 private zoos, 70 had submitted educational plans allowing them to operate programs involving their animals as of September, according to data the Ministry of Climate, Energ October 6, 2026

'The Assassin(s)' reopens an old fault line in Korea's history SEOUL, October 04 (AJP) -For an octogenarian South Korean like Kim Yoo-jeong, who lived through the Korean War and the country’s rags-to-riches transformation under President Park Chung-hee, the controversy surrounding The Assassin(s) cuts close to the bone. “It’s despicable that a film implies the president plotted an assassination that ended up killing the first lady,” she fumed. “What will young people think about our history?” Some took th October 4, 2026

From Tom Kim to BTS, Korea debates military exemptions SEOUL, October 04 (AJP) - South Korean golfer Tom Kim won an Asian Games gold medal in Japan on Saturday, earning not only a place atop the podium but also one of the most consequential benefits available to an elite South Korean athlete — relief from active-duty military service. His case has again put a uniquely Korean question under the spotlight. Why can one medal dramatically alter a young man’s military obligations, while some of the country’s most globa October 4, 2026

AI-linked cyberattacks spread across South Korean finance SEOUL, October 04 (AJP) - South Korean financial authorities will convene an emergency meeting with industry leaders Sunday after a wave of suspected AI-assisted cyberattacks spread from major banks to savings banks and finance companies, exposing personal data and raising fears that more breaches may have yet to be detected. Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon is scheduled to chair the meeting at 2 p.m., with Financial Supervisory Service officials, financial indu October 4, 2026