Ex-President Yoon allegedly used envoy appointment to shield former defense minister from Marine death probe, indictment shows

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol rushed to appoint former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup as the top envoy to Australia in 2023 to help him evade an investigation into a Marine's death, a special counsel's indictment showed Saturday. The ousted president, already on trial for his botched martial law attempt, was further indicted earlier this week for allegedly helping Lee escape from the widening probe that centered on suspicions of negligence by senior Marine leadership. The indictment, obtained by

Nov. 30, 2025

Natl. Assembly set to vote on arrest motion of lawmaker over alleged role in martial law

The National Assembly was set to vote on an arrest motion Thursday for Rep. Choo Kyung-ho, former floor leader of the People Power Party, over his alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid. A special counsel team earlier filed for an arrest warrant against Choo on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection for allegedly obstructing PPP lawmakers from participating in a parliamentary vote to lift Yoon's martial law decree. Choo has been accused of repeatedly c

Nov. 27, 2025

Ex-PM to deliver closing arguments ahead of first ruling in martial law saga

The first major ruling in the December 2024 martial law scandal is nearing conclusion, with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo set to deliver closing arguments Wednesday in a case widely viewed as a litmus test for related trials, including that of the ousted president. The Seoul Central District Court is expected to issue its verdict in mid- to late January. Han is the earliest among more than 20 defendants linked to the failed martial law plan to reach the final hearing stage, meaning his case

Nov. 25, 2025

Daejang-dong dispute threatens to become political crisis

The decision by the prosecution to drop its appeal in one of Korea’s biggest real estate corruption cases appears to be spiraling into a full-blown political and judicial crisis. What began as a dispute over a single prosecutorial decision has ballooned into accusations of political interference, turmoil within the judicial services and a widening debate over whether the rule of law is being undermined by political power. The chain reaction stems from the prosecution’s unexpected announcement ea

Nov. 18, 2025

Pressure mounts on top prosecutor to resign over land case decision

Acting Prosecutor General Noh Man-seok came under growing pressure to resign on Tuesday over his decision not to appeal a controversial land development corruption case linked to President Lee Jae Myung’s tenure as Seongnam mayor, as internal criticism within the prosecution widened across all ranks. Noh, who also serves as deputy prosecutor general, took a day off Tuesday amid reports that he is “seriously considering” stepping down. Four days earlier, the prosecution sparked a firestorm by dec

Nov. 11, 2025

Justice Minister defends prosecution’s decision not to appeal land corruption case

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho on Monday defended the prosecution’s decision not to appeal the verdict in a land development corruption case, saying the move was “legally sound” and reached after “careful consideration of all circumstances.” The case, one of South Korea’s most politically charged in recent years, centers on a housing development project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Prosecutors had accused five key private developers and former city officials of colluding to divert massive prof

Nov. 10, 2025

Key figures in Seongnam development scandal sentenced to 8-year prison terms

Two key figures in a development corruption scandal linked to President Lee Jae Myung were sentenced to eight-year prison terms each on Friday. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentences to Yoo Dong-gyu, former acting president of Seongnam Development Corp., and Kim Man-bae, major shareholder of asset management firm Hwacheon Daeyu, on charges including breach of duty. The scandal centers on allegations that a small number of unheard-of private asset management companies, includi

Oct. 31, 2025

S. Korea toughens penalties for unpaid wages

● Updated Law: Labor Standards Act What it does: Increases penalties for unpaid wages and expands protections for workers Took effect: Oct. 23 To ensure stable livelihoods for workers, sanctions against employers who fail to pay wages on time have been significantly strengthened. Under the revised law, if an employer intentionally withholds wages for a cumulative total of three months or more within a year, affected workers may now claim up to three times the amount owed as compensation. Previou

Oct. 27, 2025

Arrest warrant sought for ex-justice minister over alleged martial law involvement

A special counsel team has filed for an arrest warrant for a former justice minister over his alleged role in last year's short-lived martial law imposition, officials said Thursday. The special counsel team investigating the martial law turmoil sought the warrant to arrest former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae on charges including involvement in the incident and abuse of power, officials said. On Dec. 3, then President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, but the National Assembly voted to lift

Oct. 9, 2025

Bill dismantling Prosecutor’s Office, reorganizing ministries passes Assembly

South Korea’s National Assembly on Friday approved a bill to dismantle the country’s central prosecutorial body, splitting its powers of investigation and indictment between newly created agencies. The amendment to the Government Organization Act, drafted by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, passed by a vote of 174 to one, with five abstentions. A total of 180 lawmakers participated in the vote. Under the law, the Prosecutor's Office will be formally abolished in September next year after a

Sept. 26, 2025

Ruling party ups stakes in battle with courts with summons for chief justice

Tensions between the judicial branch and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea escalated Wednesday, as the party voted through an unprecedented motion to summon Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-de for a parliamentary hearing. The conservative opposition People Power Party boycotted the vote and condemned the move as a fatal blow to the separation of powers. The renewed controversy also comes as President Lee Jae Myung’s administration advances a broader judicial overhaul focused on splitting th

Sept. 24, 2025

S. Korea raises deposit insurance payout ceiling for first time in 24 years

● Updated law: Depositor Protection Act What it does: Bolsters the protection of depositors from financial risks Took effect: Sept. 1 The maximum deposit insurance payout has doubled to 100 million won ($71,400) starting Sept.1. The figure had been set at 50 million won for 24 years since 2001. Deposit insurance guarantees that if a bank or other deposit-taking institution fails, depositors will still recover their money up to a certain limit. In the past, financial authorities had taken a cauti

Sept. 23, 2025

First step of prosecutor overhaul raises legal questions

The Democratic Party of Korea is expected to pass legislation this week as part of its plans to break up the Prosecutors’ Office, but some legal experts worry the move could violate legislative norms and create confusion in law enforcement. The amendment to the Government Organization Act, scheduled for an Assembly vote Thursday, aims to prepare the ground for dismantling country’s central prosecutorial body by removing all references to the “Prosecutors’ Office." The organizational structure an

Sept. 21, 2025

Ex-President Yoon absent from insurrection trial for 9th straight session

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was absent from his insurrection trial for the ninth consecutive session Monday, as a special counsel team requested the court speed up proceedings by holding four hearings a week. Yoon has been standing trial on charges of leading an insurrection and abusing his power through his botched attempt to impose martial law in December. He has refused to appear at his trial since he was placed in custody for the second time on July 10 on charges related to the martial la

Sept. 15, 2025

S. Korea moves to dismantle prosecution HQ next year in sweeping overhaul

South Korea on Sunday confirmed plans to dissolve the Prosecutors' Office next year, dividing its powers between two new agencies as part of President Lee Jae Myung’s broader agenda for prosecution reform and a sweeping government overhaul. “There have been longstanding concerns over unchecked prosecutorial power and the erosion of fairness. In response, we have decided to abolish the Prosecutors' Office and (divide its authority),” Rep. Han Jeoung-ae, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea’s poli

Sept. 7, 2025