US adds South Korea in bottom category of sensitive countries list

SEOUL, March 15 (AJP) - The U.S. government officially confirmed Friday that it added South Korea to its “Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List (SCL)” in early January. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said Friday that South Korea was placed in the lowest category on the list, labeled as an “Other Designated Country,” during the final days of the Biden administration. The list includes countries subject to additional oversight due to concerns re

March 15, 2025

Over half of South Koreans trust Constitutional Court, poll shows

SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - Over half of South Koreans trust the Constitutional Court of Korea, a recent poll suggest. The survey results released on Friday could provide some insight amid an intense split over President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle last year, as the final verdict in his impeachment trial looms. Pollster Gallup Korea surveyed about 1,001 adults nationwide early this week and found that 53 percent of respondents expressed belief in the Constitutiona

March 14, 2025

Police to deploy 20,000 officers, enforce no-fly zone on impeachment ruling day

SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - Police will implement its highest emergency alert level on the day of the Constitutional Court’s ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, deploying 337 riot police units and about 20,000 officers nationwide. The court’s decision follows Yoon’s declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, a move that escalated political tensions across the country. While the exact date of the ruling has not yet been announced, legal experts pre

March 14, 2025

Air Busan fire likely caused by power bank short circuit, forensic report finds

SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - A fire that broke out aboard Air Busan flight BX391 at Gimhae International Airport on Jan 28 was likely triggered by a short circuit inside a portable battery pack, also known as a power bank, according to an investigation by the National Forensic Service (NFS). The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport said Friday that forensic analysis revealed multiple traces of melted materia

March 14, 2025

Trump signals willingness to reengage with North Korea

SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed his intention to reengage with North Korea, referring to its leader as a "nuclear power" once again. Speaking at the White House during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said, "I have a great relationship with Kim Jong-un and we'll see what happens, but certainly, he's a nuclear power." Kim "has a lot of nuclear weapons, by the way, a lot, and others do

March 14, 2025

Acting President vetoes opposition-led bill for probe into election irregularities

SEOUL, March 14 (AJP) - Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Friday vetoed a contentious opposition-backed bill that seeks to launch an independent investigation into alleged election-related irregularities and other illicit activities. The bill, passed by the Democratic Party-controlled parliament in late February, calls for a probe into allegations that Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed political broker, received a bribe from former ruling party lawmaker Kim Young-sun in exchange for

March 14, 2025

South Korea to see dementia patients surpass 1 million amid aging crisis

SEOUL, March 13 (AJP) - The number of dementia patients in South Korea will surpass one million, the health ministry reported Thursday, raising awareness of the need to prepare a comprehensive elderly care system to ease financial and manpower burdens on younger generations. South Korea is one of the world's most rapidly aging societies, with about 20 percent of its population aged 65 and older. Coupled with the country's total fertility rate of 0.75 and an average life

March 13, 2025

[UPDATE] Constitutional court dismisses impeachment of chief state auditor and prosecutors

SEOUL, March 13 (AJP) -The Constitutional Court unanimously dismissed the impeachment motions against Chief State Auditor Choe Jae-hae and three prosecutors on Thursday, allowing them to return to their posts immediately. The court ruled that the impeachment charges lacked sufficient legal grounds, rejecting the National Assembly’s case against Choe, Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office chief Lee Chang-soo, and senior prosecutors Cho Sang-won and Choi Jae-hun. C

March 13, 2025

Constitutional Court wrestles with decision on Yoon's impeachment trial

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea has yet to set a date for the final verdict in President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial over his botched martial law debacle last year. The court has reportedly been holding deliberation sessions almost every day since Yoon's hearings concluded late last month. In the meantime, the court gave prior notice that it will deliver rulings on Thursday for a series of pending impeachment cases including Choi Jae-hae, h

March 12, 2025

Mugshot of teacher accused in brutal stabbing of young girl unveiled

SEOUL, March 12 (AJP) - The identity and personal details of a 48-year-old teacher accused of fatally stabbing a young girl last month were unveiled on Wednesday. Police in Daejeon said they decided to disclose the mugshot of Myung Jae-wan online for about a month after reviewing the case the previous day, given the heinous nature of the crime. Under South Korean law, police can disclose personal information only when there is clear evidence linking a suspect to a crime or if the

March 12, 2025