N. Korea, Russia court softer image: From animal diplomacy to tourism

North Korea and Russia concluded a ministerial meeting in Pyongyang aimed at expanding cooperation in the trade, economic, scientific and technological sectors on Wednesday, at a critical moment when global attention is focused on what Pyongyang might gain in return for dispatching troops to support Russia's war efforts in Ukraine. The Unification Ministry in Seoul on Thursday noted that neither Pyongyang nor Moscow revealed core agreements in the economic and trade sectors -- areas that co

Foreign AffairsNov. 21, 2024

Oman celebrates 54th National Day

MUSCAT, Oman -- The Sultanate of Oman will celebrate its 54th glorious National Day on Nov. 18, marking milestone accomplishments in different areas. The citizens of Oman and various state institutions have rendered an indispensable contribution to the continuous achievements in the path of the comprehensive development during the renewed renaissance of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, who has outlined a wise and sound vision that leads to progress and prosperity in all fields. His Majesty&

Foreign AffairsNov. 21, 2024

Seoul to host winter festival from Dec. 13

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday that it will host a large-scale, city-wide winter festival next month, accompanied by media art and radiant sculptures decorating the city. Also known as Seoul Winter Festa, the city government combined several winter-themed events into one large-scale festival for the first time in 2023. According to the city government, the event saw around 7.4 million visitors. This year’s event will kick off on Dec. 13 and run until Jan. 5 at six location

Social AffairsNov. 21, 2024

Anti-foreign spying bill awaits final vote

Bipartisan momentum is building at the National Assembly for the passage of a set of bills that would expand existing espionage laws to punish spies working for foreign countries other than North Korea. The anti-foreign espionage bill, which failed to pass in a vote last year, is ripe for passage this time, lawmakers of the two main parties say. Under the existing laws, South Korea only recognizes spying by North Korea as a punishable crime. The broadened espionage bill passed the legislative co

PoliticsNov. 21, 2024

Concerns rise over unchecked prescriptions of Wegovy

Concerns are rising over Wegovy being available at pharmacies without proper prescription, as some people are grappling with side effects. Wegovy is a popular weight-loss drug known to be used by celebrities like Elon Musk and Rebel Wilson. Recently, users of the weight-loss injection have taken to social media to share their reviews of Wegovy, with many of them experiencing headaches, itching and skin rashes due to allergic reactions, as well as stomach issues. "The most unpleasant side ef

Social AffairsNov. 21, 2024

Nationwide rail disruptions feared as union plans strike from Dec. 5

Concerns over possible nationwide rail disruption grew as unionized workers announced Thursday that they would go on an indefinite general strike on Dec. 5 to demand a wage increase and a bigger workforce. If implemented, the strike is expected to affect the operations of high-speed KTX and other regular train services nationwide, as well as subway services in the capital area, including the operation of Subway Line Nos. 1, 3 and 4 and the Suin-Bundang line. The Korean Railway Workers' Unio

Social AffairsNov. 21, 2024

Sejong Univ. ranks 11th globally in hospitality, tourism management

Sejong University's hospitality and tourism management program secured 11th place globally in the 2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities by subject, released by Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Graduate School of Education. Domestically, the university has maintained its top spot in hospitality and management for five consecutive years since 2020. Considered one of the world’s top three university rankings alongside QS and Times Higher Education rankings, the ARWU subject ra

Social AffairsNov. 21, 2024

Distress over NK loudspeakers compromising border residents' health: province

Disruptive noises from North Korean loudspeakers have caused residents near the inter-Korean border to suffer for months, with some complaining that their health has been compromised, according to local governments on Thursday. Data from a recent mental health assessment in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, has shown that 28 percent of the assessed residents are experiencing significant mental health concerns. Conducted by the city’s mental health welfare center from Aug. 8 to 14, it assessed 102

Social AffairsNov. 21, 2024

DC Inside bans minors from depression forum

A local online forum platform that been embroiled in series of crimes involving minors, has imposed a ban on underage users from writing in a forum about depression. DC Inside said Wednesday that underage users have been restricted from writing posts or replies on its "Depression Gallery," as part of the protection policy focused on minors recommended by the Korea Communications Commission. Investigative authorities and operators of the website will monitor the posts and replies on the

Social AffairsNov. 21, 2024

Main opposition pushes to ease, not postpone, tax on crypto gains

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea is planning to pass a bill that raises the threshold for a planned tax on virtual asset-related gains, up to 50 million won ($35,800) from the previously planned 2.5 million won, sources said Thursday. The original scheme for crypto tax gains would have taxed crypto-related income of over 2.5 million won per year starting January 2022, but it has been pushed back twice to January 2025. Main opposition Rep. Jin Sung-joon said the party would carry out

PoliticsNov. 21, 2024

Yoo Joon-sang inaugurated as head of Korea UN Volunteer Corps

Yoo Joon-sang officially took office as the seventh president of the Korea UN Volunteer Corps on Tuesday, highlighting his vision to foster a culture of sharing and volunteering, aligned with the UN’s peace, development and human rights principles. During his inaugural speech at a ceremony held at the Crest 72 Glass Hall in Jung-gu, central Seoul, Yoo outlined three key priorities: strengthening international cooperation, increasing participation and communication among youth and promoting

Social AffairsNov. 21, 2024

YouTuber gets life sentence for murder, 'thanks' court after verdict

A 56-year-old YouTuber who killed another YouTuber was sentenced to a lifetime in prison on Wednesday, after which he shouted "thank you" for unexplained reasons. Busan District Court found the defendant surnamed Hong guilty of retaliatory murder, rejecting his claims that he had never intended to kill the victim. The court pointed out that it was a planned crime, and that the defendant stabbed the victim 12 times to inflict critical wounds. South Korea's Criminal Act stipulates

Social AffairsNov. 21, 2024

Vietnamese teen investigated for abandoning newborn

South Korean police said Thursday a recently born girl was found inside the bathroom of an underground shopping district, and that the mother is under investigation for abandoning the baby. The child was found inside a bag placed in the bathroom of the shopping district in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, at around 5 p.m. Wednesday. The child was in good health, and still had the umbilical cord attached. The child was taken to a nearby hospital for medical care. Police used surveillance footage to

Social AffairsNov. 21, 2024

Court decides against live broadcast of opposition leader's sentencing hearing

A local court on Thursday decided against broadcasting live opposition leader Lee Jae-myung's upcoming sentencing hearing for allegedly suborning perjury. The Seoul Central District Court said it decided against broadcasting the sentencing scheduled for next Monday after considering the "legal benefits." Lee of the main opposition Democratic Party is set to be sentenced on charges of suborning a secretary of a former Seongnam mayor to make false court testimony in his favor in a 2

PoliticsNov. 21, 2024

US House passes N. Korean human rights reauthorization act

The US House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill Wednesday to reauthorize and update the 2004 North Korean Human Rights Act aimed at promoting rights and freedom in the reclusive state. The House endorsed the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act in a 335-37 vote, raising hopes of filling the legal void left by the expiry of the reauthorization act in 2022. First adopted in 2004, the North Korean Human Rights Act is periodically updated and reauthorized. The House bill has been s

Foreign AffairsNov. 21, 2024

N. Korea, Russia sign protocol on expanding economic cooperation

North Korea and Russia have signed a protocol on expanding cooperation following their committee meeting on economy, science, and technology in Pyongyang, the North's state media reported Thursday. The two sides signed the agreement Wednesday after holding the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science, and Technology the previous day, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Yun Jong-ho, the external economic relations minister of

North KoreaNov. 21, 2024

Yoon returns home from APEC, G20 summits

President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in Seoul on Thursday from an eight-day trip to Peru and Brazil where he sought to expand global solidarity against the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Yoon attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima and then traveled to Rio de Janeiro to join the Group of 20 summit. In Lima, Yoon met with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to reaffirm their commitments to trilateral security cooperati

Foreign AffairsNov. 21, 2024