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Rival parties reach agreement on tax reform plan for dividend income
The ruling and opposition parties agreed Friday on a tax reform plan to create a new bracket for dividend income subject to separate taxation, adding a top-tier category for amounts exceeding 5 billion won (US$3.4 million) that will be taxed at a maximum tax rate of 30 percent. Financial income is currently taxed at 15.4 percent for amounts up to 20 million won per year, while income above that threshold is subject to comprehensive taxation, with rates reaching up to 49.5 percent. Under the agre
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Army official demoted after reevaluation over martial law involvement
A senior Army official has been demoted over his involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid last year, sources said Friday, facing a stronger disciplinary measure following a reevaluation. The decision came after Prime Minister Kim Min-seok ordered the withdrawal of an earlier 10-day disciplinary measure against Brig. Gen. Kim Sang-hwan, the chief of the Army's legal affairs office, calling for a tougher punishment. The defense ministry said it reconvened a disciplina
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Lee urges spy agency to remain faithful to original role
President Lee Jae Myung on Friday urged the National Intelligence Service to faithfully carry out its original duties, expressing regret that the spy agency had been misused for political purposes in past administrations, the presidential office said. Lee made the remarks during his first visit to the NIS since taking office in June. It also marks his first visit to a government agency for a policy briefing, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung told reporters. "It is regrettable that the vast
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Court revokes approval of change in largest shareholder in YTN TV
A court on Friday ruled in favor of employees of all-news TV channel YTN over an approval by the broadcasting regulator that changed the broadcaster's biggest shareholder. In February last year, the then Korea Communications Commission, which was abolished and reorganized as the Korea Media and Communications Commission, decided to approve the application by Eugene ENT Co. to become the largest shareholder of YTN. The Seoul Administrative Court ruled that the regulator's decision was illegitimat
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Law school professor nominated as head of new media regulator
President Lee Jae Myung on Friday nominated a law school professor at Yonsei University as the inaugural chief of the country's refurbished media regulator, the Korea Media and Communications Commission. Kim Jong-cheol, a professor at Yonsei Law School, has been tapped to lead the media regulator, previously known as the Korea Communications Commission, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. Kim previous served as a deputy chair of a presidential advisory committee on constitutiona
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Koreans in Cambodia urge Seoul to ease travel alerts amid economic toll
The Korean Association in Cambodia has called on South Korea’s Foreign Ministry to loosen its travel advisories, saying the tightened alerts are choking local livelihoods and causing "economic damage" to the Korean community. The association on Thursday delivered an official letter to the Foreign Ministry in Seoul making the request, backed by signatures from 844 Korean residents, the group's head Chung Myung-gyu told The Korea Herald on Friday. The South Korean government raised the travel advi
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Five-month probe into Marine’s death ends with 33 indictments
Korea’s special counsel wrapped up its 150-day probe into the death of a young Marine on Friday, indicting 33 people, including former President Yoon Suk Yeol, for allegedly obstructing the investigation and abusing their authority to shield senior military officials. Announcing the conclusion of the investigation during a press briefing, the team stated that its work centered on “determining the extent of pressure from those in power” — such as the presidential office and military leadership —
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Prosecutors seek fines for DP lawmakers over 2019 fast-track clash
Prosecutors on Friday sought fines for former and sitting lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea over their involvement in a 2019 physical clash at the National Assembly during deliberations on fast-tracked reform bills. During the final hearing at the Seoul Southern District Court, prosecutors requested a fine of 4 million won ($2,700) for fourth-term lawmaker Rep. Park Beom-kye, and 3 million won for three-term lawmaker Rep. Park Joo-min on charges including joint assault under the
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Could PM Kim Min-seok’s next move be Seoul mayor or DP leader?
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok’s increasingly political public schedule is fueling speculation that he may seek the Seoul mayorship or a leadership post within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. The discussion intensified in recent weeks as his public schedule took on a broader political nature. After representing the government at last month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Kim embarked on a series of high-visibility activities, including visits to Gwangju, Daejeon, Sejong and Incheo
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Robot serves K-food at Camp Walker, first on USFK base
The US Army's 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command opened its first autonomous dining facility in South Korea on Nov. 12. A pilot showcase was held Friday at "Market 19," the Camp Walker dining facility in Daegu. During the event, the facility held a demonstration in celebration of Thanksgiving, serving three special dishes including turkey. Each menu item was priced at around $7.50. Base officials said that on regular days, Market 19 offers eight to nine options, including Korean dishes such
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Self-harm, suicide levels in young women worrying: report
Preventing self-harm and suicides among young women is an urgent national priority, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Thursday. According to the agency’s Injury Factbook, which analyzes in-depth data from ER patients with “injuries” at 23 hospitals, cases of intentional self-harm in young women were significantly high. “Injury” is defined as a health problem caused by external factors such as accidents, natural disasters, self-harm, suicide and violence. The analysis found tha
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Roh Moo-hyun receives highest post-presidency approval, Yook Suk Yeol lowest: survey
Former President Roh Moo-hyun received the highest retrospective approval rating among South Korea’s past presidents, while former President Yoon Suk Yeol ranked lowest, a poll showed Friday. In the Gallup Korea survey, 68 percent of respondents said Roh “did many good things as president.” He was followed by former Presidents Park Chung-hee (62 percent), Kim Dae-jung (60 percent), Kim Young-sam (42 percent), Lee Myung-bak (35 percent) and Moon Jae-in (33 percent). Yoon topped the list of leader
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Ex-intelligence chief charged with covering up Yoon's martial law attempt
South Korea’s special counsel indicted former National Intelligence Service chief Cho Tae-yong on Friday, alleging he helped conceal former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to impose martial law by abusing spy agency resources, violating political neutrality rules and overlooking plans to arrest political opponents. Cho, who was arrested on Nov. 12, was charged and sent to trial in custody on counts including dereliction of duty, violations of the National Intelligence Service Act, perjury, des
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Digital crime overtakes other gang-related violence in Korea for first time, police say
For the first time, members of South Korean gangs are being arrested more for online scams than crimes such as assault or extortion as organized crime rapidly migrates to cyberspace. According to figures released by the Korean National Police Agency this week, 2,363 organized crime members were arrested in 2024. Among those, 56.3 percent — 1,330 individuals — were tied to digital crimes such as voice phishing, romance scams and illegal online gambling. The data was obtained by Rep. Suh Bum-soo o
Nov. 28, 2025 -
Alliance modernzation aims at wider Indo-Pacific deterrence, says US envoy
The modernization of the South Korea–US alliance is aimed at strengthening deterrence not only on the Korean Peninsula but across the broader Indo-Pacific region, Acting US Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim said Friday. Kim said the alliance’s role on the security front has evolved beyond the Peninsula, noting that regional challenges require the two countries to evaluate threats jointly and respond with a wider deterrence posture. "First and foremost, addressing the common challenges on the K
Nov. 28, 2025