The declaration of emergency martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol has left citizens grappling with disbelief, fear and anger. The unprecedented move, announced late Tuesday night, has plunged the nation into a state of uncertainty, evoking painful memories of some of South Korea’s authoritarian past and sparking concerns about the future of the country’s democracy. As the news spread early Wednesday morning, commuters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, gathered in the bustling City Hall area to

Politics Dec. 4, 2024

Main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung issued a stern warning to those who comply with the President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law orders. Lee harshly criticized President Yoon’s decision to declare martial law, calling it “illegal and unconstitutional, with no practical prerequisites to justify such an extreme measure.” He further addressed the military and police, stating, “From this moment on, the president’s orders stemming from the illegal martial law declarat

Politics Dec. 4, 2024

Following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of emergency martial law on Dec. 3, the Ministry of Education has officially confirmed that schools will operate as usual on Wednesday. In a statement issued late this evening, a Ministry of Education spokesperson clarified, “Despite the declaration of martial law, there are currently no directives or restrictions that would necessitate school closures. Classes will proceed as scheduled tomorrow.” This announcement comes amid a wa

Social Affairs Dec. 4, 2024

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law Tuesday night, sending shock waves through the nation. Made near at 10:25 p.m., the announcement has left citizens and experts alike scrambling to understand its implications. According to South Korea’s Constitution and the Martial Law Act, emergency martial law can be declared during wartime, in cases of a major national emergency akin to war, or when public order is severely disrupted, rendering administrative and judici

Politics Dec. 3, 2024

SEJONG -- Starting in March next year, classrooms across South Korea will see a new digital transformation. Instead of opening up textbooks, third, fourth, and seventh graders, along with first-year high school students, will turn on their digital devices to participate in class. On Monday, the Ministry of Education unveiled 76 government-certified artificial intelligence-based digital textbooks, showcasing their capabilities through a demonstration to reporters. If successfully implemented, Sou

Social Affairs Dec. 3, 2024

The Ministry of Education said Monday that it regretted the suspension of operations by the medical standoff consultation body, adding that the government is open to talks for the school year 2026, not 2025. Koo Yeon-hee, a ministry spokesperson, made the remarks at a briefing at the Sejong Complex, responding to the medical community's decision to cease the council on Sunday. The ministry also reiterated its stance on keeping the increased quota and noted that the 2025 quota for medical sc

Politics Dec. 2, 2024

A severe decline in birthrate pushing Korea to the verge of becoming super-aged society, the number of elderly inmates in correctional facilities is also increasing rapidly, with 1 in 6 inmates aged 60 years or older. According to the Ministry of Justice's corrections statistics on Monday, the the number of inmates aged 60 and above surged from 2,350 in 2013 to 6,504 in 2023, and now makes up 17.1 percent of the total prison population. This demographic shift leaves behind significant chall

Social Affairs Dec. 2, 2024

A consultative body involving the ruling People Power Party, the government, and representatives from the medical community suspended its activities after just 20 days of operation. The group was established to find a resolution to the prolonged standoff over health care reform, including contentious plans to increase medical school quotas. The decision to pause discussions indefinitely was announced Sunday, following the body’s fourth plenary meeting. “The medical community has cons

Politics Dec. 1, 2024

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has declined Seoul’s request to expand the E-9 visa program to allow foreign bus drivers on local community routes. The ministry stated that the proposal is incompatible with current laws and will be treated as a long-term issue requiring further consideration. According to the Enforcement Decree of the Immigration Control Act, the E-9 visa program excludes professional occupations that require qualifications or experience. Bus driving, classified as a

Social Affairs Dec. 1, 2024

Mentioning actor Jung Woo-sung and model Moon Ga-bi having a child while not marrying each other, People Power Party Rep. Na Kyung-won proposed introducing a policy similar to France’s "Pacte Civil de Solidarite" to offer legal protection for children born to unmarried parents. The PACS, a form of civil union in France, provides legal status to unmarried couples --both same-sex and opposite-sex -- granting some of the rights of marriage. Citing recent statistics, she wrote on Fac

Social Affairs Dec. 1, 2024

South Koreans with higher education, income and no children are more likely to perceive themselves as healthier than their peers, according to the Korea Health Promotion Institute’s recent survey. The survey of 2000 adults aged 19-70, found that 39.4 percent of respondents with a university degree or higher considered themselves healthier than others their age, compared to 29.5 percent of those with a high school diploma or less. Similarly, 38.5 percent of economically active respondents r

Social Affairs Dec. 1, 2024

Serbian Ambassador to South Korea Nemanja Grbic highlighted Serbia’s future opportunities and its growing role as a regional hub for innovation and investment during a session of the Global Business Forum on Wednesday. Addressing an audience of business leaders, Grbic emphasized Serbia's transition from an agriculture-dominated economy to a leader in information and communication technologies, with ICT exports now surpassing agricultural goods. Grbic also underscored the robust econom

Social Affairs Nov. 28, 2024

The Ministry of Education approved Yonsei University's plan to conduct an additional essay test for natural sciences applicants after the original exam -- part of the 2025 admissions cycle -- was marred by a leaked question. The decision aims to resolve ongoing legal disputes over the leak and stabilize the university’s admissions process. The additional test, scheduled for December 8, comes in response to a court ruling that suspended the results of the original exam after proctors a

Politics Nov. 27, 2024

Citizens will be able to issue a mobile ID card, allowing them to conveniently verify their identity using their smartphones without the need for a physical card. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that starting Dec. 27, citizens aged 17 or older who already hold a national ID card can apply for a mobile resident registration card, a digital initiative for the first time in 56 years since the system was in place. Citizens will have two options to apply for a mobile ID card. The fi

Social Affairs Nov. 27, 2024

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Tuesday refuted allegations that he received help during the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election from Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker at the center of a growing political scandal. With a background in public opinion polling, Myung Tae-kyun has claimed he supported Oh's victory by providing polling data and strategic advice. Speaking at a press briefing at City Hall on Tuesday, Oh denied ever commissioning polls from Myung or receiving any related data. Th

Politics Nov. 26, 2024