Cold snap here to stay despite arrival of spring

SEOUL, February 4 (AJP) - A freezing cold snap will grip the country throughout the week, with morning temperatures plunging below -10 degrees Celsius, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said on Tuesday. The fresh cold spell arrived just a day after Ipchun or the official beginning of spring by the lunar calendar. Early morning temperatures dropped to -10.5 degrees in Seoul and Incheon, -7.7 degrees in Daejeon, -4.9 degrees in Gwangju, -6.1 degrees in Daegu, and -4.4 degr

February 4, 2025

Constitutional Court postpones ruling on dispute over justice appointment

SEOUL, February 3 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea on Monday postponed its ruling on the legality of Acting President Choi Sang-mok's refusal to appoint a justice to fill the court's vacant seat. Just a few hours before the expected ruling, the court abruptly changed its plans, announcing that it would hold a hearing next Monday, with the ruling on the case postponed indefinitely. Many speculate that the move came amid concerns about being seen as rushed or improper

February 3, 2025

Appellate court upholds acquittal of Samsung chief in merger and fraud case

SEOUL, February 3 (AJP) - An appellate court in Seoul on Monday ruled in favor of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, clearing him of charges of breach of trust, accounting fraud, and other financial irregularities. The court found him not guilty of accounting fraud, stock price manipulation, and other allegations related to a complex scheme to pass control of the sprawling conglomerate to him through the 2015 merger of two Samsung affiliates. The Seoul High Court upheld a pr

February 3, 2025

Fire breaks out at National Hangeul Museum in Seoul

SEOUL, February 1 (AJP) - A fire broke out at the National Hangeul Museum in Seoul on Saturday, leaving one firefighter injured, but no damage to artifacts was reported. The blaze started at 8:40 a.m. on the third floor and spread to the fourth floor, firefighters said. It was extinguished seven hours later. At the time of the fire, the museum was closed for renovations, and no visitors were inside. Two construction workers were rescued, and four others were evacuated safely.

February 1, 2025

Acting President again vetoes bill for special probe into Yoon's martial law debacle

SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Friday vetoed a bill proposing independent prosecutors to investigate allegations related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle last month. The bill, revised and proposed again by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) after the previous one was scrapped on Dec. 31 when Choi exercised his veto, was passed by the opposition bloc earlier this month. DP lawmakers and others from minor opposition

January 31, 2025

Two Korean-American teen skaters among victims of plane collision in US

SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - Two Korean-American teen skaters were among the victims of an aircraft crash in the U.S. on Wednesday, according to local news reports. An American Airlines flight from Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, crashed into the Potomac River after colliding midair with an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which had three soldiers aboard while landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia. The nighttime midair collision took the l

January 31, 2025

Defense chiefs from South Korea, US reaffirm alliance in phone call

SEOUL, January 31 (AJP) - South Korea's Acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho spoke with newly appointed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the phone on Friday, according to the Ministry of Defense here. During their first phone call, Kim and Hegseth reaffirmed the "strong and unwavering alliance" between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of further strengthening and expanding the bilateral relations, which have served as a "linchpin" of peace

January 31, 2025

Over 70 percent of separated family members in South Korea die without reunion, government reports

SEOUL, January 30 (AJP) - Over 70 percent of South Koreans who registered for family reunions have died without seeing their loved ones in North Korea, according to government data released Thursday. The Ministry of Unification reported that 97,350 registered separated family members had passed away by the end of last year. Over the past year, 2,959 more passed away, leaving only 36,941 survivors. Of the 134,291 individuals who applied for family reunions, around 72 percent hav

January 30, 2025

'Air Busan crew, passengers saw flames from baggage compartment'

SEOUL, January 29 (AJP) - A fire likely caused by an external battery or electronic device broke out in the baggage compartment of an Air Busan aircraft at Gimhae International Airport, leaving seven people with minor injuries, authorities said Wednesday. The blaze erupted Tuesday night at the tail of the plane as it was preparing for departure to Hong Kong, prompting an emergency evacuation of all 176 passengers and crew members. Passengers aboard the aircraft reported seeing

January 29, 2025

N. Korean leader dismisses US outreach signals in visit to nuclear facility

SEOUL, January 29 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected a nuclear-material production facility and a nuclear weapons institute, underscoring the necessity of bolstering the nation’s nuclear capabilities, according to the North's state media Wednesday. Kim’s visit, which was not dated in the report by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled an interest in reengaging with the North Korean leade

January 29, 2025