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Police disclose identity, mug shots of suspect in murder of woman
Police on Thursday released the identity and mug shots of a man arrested on charges of murder and abandoning the body of a woman who had been missing for weeks before being found dead. The mug shots of Kim Young-woo, 54, were made public by the Chungbuk Provincial Police and will be posted on the agency's website for 30 days. Kim is accused of fatally stabbing the 50-something victim, a former girlfriend, over 10 times on Oct. 14 and abandoning her body the next day at a waste disposal facility
Dec. 4, 2025 -
Seoul official stresses Korea's efforts for uranium enrichment, reprocessing rights unrelated to proliferation
A senior South Korean diplomat has told US think tank officials that Seoul's efforts to secure rights to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes have nothing to do with nuclear proliferation, the foreign ministry said Wednesday. First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo made the remarks during his visit to Washington this week, underscoring Seoul's "firm" will to abide by international nonproliferation norms related to civil nuclear energy cooperation, it said. Rele
Dec. 4, 2025 -
US puts on Federal Register 15% tariff on S. Korean autos retroactive to Nov. 1
US President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday posted on the Federal Register a notice implementing certain tariff elements of a South Korea-US trade deal, including a reduced duty rate of 15 percent on Korean autos retroactive to Nov. 1. The Department of Commerce and the Office of the US Trade Representative posted the document to implement tariff-related elements of the Korea-US Strategic Trade and Investment Deal ahead of its official publication date set for Thursday. The notice ca
Dec. 4, 2025 -
New Indian envoy to S. Korea, Herald vow to deepen diplomacy
Newly appointed Indian Ambassador to South Korea Gourangalal Das and The Korea Herald pledged to deepen ties between their countries on Wednesday. “Future cooperation can expand through various formats — articles, films, music and more,” said Das during a courtesy meeting held at Herald Corp. headquarters in Seoul. India is now “one of the youngest and fastest-changing nations in the world,” the ambassador said, emphasizing the need to enhance Korea’s understanding of contemporary India. India-S
Dec. 4, 2025 -
US gov't puts S. Korea-US tariff deal on Federal Register
US President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday posted on the Federal Register a notice on the implementation of a South Korea-US trade and investment deal, including a reduced tariff rate of 15 percent on Korean autos retroactive to Nov. 1. The Office of the US Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce posted the document to implement certain tariff-related elements of the US-Korea Strategic Trade and Investment Deal ahead of its official publication date set for Thursday. The
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Assembly committee passes bill on special insurrection tribunal
A parliamentary committee on Wednesday passed a bill calling for the creation of a dedicated special tribunal to handle insurrection cases stemming from former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed imposition of martial law. The bill passed the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee -- the final committee to handle a bill before it is sent to a plenary parliamentary session -- amid a boycott by the main opposition People Power Party. The ruling Democratic Party has been pushing to es
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Lee, IOC chief highlight sports' role in improving inter-Korean ties
President Lee Jae Myung met with International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry on Wednesday and discussed the role of sports in improving inter-Korean relations, his office said. The two met at the presidential office during Coventry's visit to South Korea to attend a world anti-doping conference in the southeastern city of Busan. Lee asked the IOC chief for her interest and support for the development of South Korean sports, saying he hopes to be able to "see the Olympic flag" in th
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Lee says Trump proposed 5:5 partnership for uranium enrichment project
President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that US President Donald Trump proposed the two countries form a 5:5 partnership to achieve South Korea's aim of enriching uranium and reprocessing spent nuclear fuel on its soil. Lee disclosed what he said was Trump's proposal at a recent summit meeting during a press conference with the foreign press that marked one year since former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed imposition of martial law. "In the end, we agreed to partner," Lee said, adding that Trump
Dec. 3, 2025 -
JCS chief stresses military readiness during commanders' meeting
South Korea's top military officer held a meeting with key field commanders Wednesday and called for "overwhelming" capabilities to respond to any threats amid advancing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea, officials said. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung presided over the meeting, which involved some 170 key officials and commanders, to assess the security environment and discuss ways to build a firm military readiness for potential conflict. Jin noted that North Korea
Dec. 3, 2025 -
15-year prison term sought for former first lady
A special counsel on Wednesday sought a 15-year prison sentence and a 2 billion won ($1.36 million) fine for former first lady Kim Keon Hee, accusing her of offenses ranging from stock manipulation to bribery and unauthorized interference in state affairs. Prosecutors, led by special counsel Min Joong-ki, asked the court to impose 11 years for alleged violations of the Capital Markets Act and bribery-for-mediation provisions under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. They req
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Thousands brave bitter cold to mark 1st anniversary of Yoon’s martial law
Thousands packed the street in front of the National Assembly on Wednesday, braving biting winds and subzero temperatures in Seoul to mark the first anniversary of then-President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law decree. Silver thermal blankets snapped in the wind. Protesters wrapped themselves in wool scarves with only their eyes peeking out, yet kept their pickets raised, chanting “End the insurrection!” into the frigid air. Just meters away, rows of police officers in neon jackets and riot gear sto
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Lee says he ‘lacks info’ on S. Koreans held in North Korea
President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday said he lacks specific information on South Korean nationals detained in North Korea — a remark that raised questions about his administration’s willingness to address the issue. During a press conference with foreign media, Lee was asked whether his government plans to pursue the release of South Koreans held in the North, Lee avoided giving a direct answer. Instead, he turned to Wi Sung-lac, head of the presidential National Security Office, asking him to r
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Victims to get real-time location of stalkers
The National Assembly has passed a revision to a law that will enable stalking victims to view the exact real-time location of their stalker, government officials said Wednesday. The revision of the Act on Electronic Monitoring will share the exact location of a stalker if they get too close to their victim, according to the Ministry of Justice. The current policy notifies the victim when the convicted stalker is nearby, but only via text messages indicating distance, such as: “The perpetrator i
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Lee vows active role as 'pacemaker' in NK-US dialogue
President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed South Korea’s willingness to play a proactive "pacemaker" role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and North Korea, despite current deadlock in inter-Korean relations. Speaking to reporters, Lee acknowledged that all communication channels with the North are severed, leaving Seoul limited to taking unilateral goodwill measures, such as halting propaganda broadcasts and minimizing military activities. Lee emphasized that the US—as the legal party
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Korea and Japan should handle disputes, cooperation separately: Lee
South Korea and Japan have a number of contested, and unresolved issues but the two sides need to compartmentalize matters in developing bilateral ties, President Lee Jae Myung said at Wednesday’s press conference with foreign media. Saying that the two countries are inseparably connected economically and historically, Lee said that areas that discord must not influence fields that need cooperation. Q. There have been some reports suggesting that you may soon visit Japan. However, there have als
Dec. 3, 2025