Top prosecutor steps down over Daejang-dong fallout, cites concern over 'rushed reform'

Acting Prosecutor General Noh Man-seok voiced strong concerns over the Lee Jae Myung administration’s prosecution reform plans during his resignation speech Friday, warning of potential impacts on the public. “It is frustrating to see continued focus solely on abolishing the prosecution, without adequate discussion or preparation regarding the inconvenience this could cause the public,” Noh said during a ceremony at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in Seoul. Although not explicit, his comments si

Nov. 14, 2025

Cold snap to grip S. Korea early next week; Tuesday morning to be season's coldest

After a warmer-than-usual weekend, South Korea is bracing for a strong cold snap next week, with the season's coldest morning forecast for Tuesday. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on Friday, this weekend will see average or slightly cooler weather, with daytime highs in Seoul and other major cities reaching 14-16 degrees on Sunday. Cooler conditions are expected to set in from Sunday afternoon, as a low-pressure system currently situated in the north moves in toward the Kore

Nov. 14, 2025

Lee signals sweeping overhaul to revive economic growth

President Lee Jae Myung called for structural reforms across key sectors to boost South Korea’s slowing economy, with a particular focus on regulatory and financial reforms, according to the presidential office, Thursday. “The most urgent challenge facing the Republic of Korea today is to reverse the decline in our potential growth rate,” said Lee during Thursday’s meeting, referring to Korea by its official name. “To do that, bold, structural reform is essential.” During a meeting held with sen

Nov. 13, 2025

Truck plows into Bucheon market, killing at least 2

Two people were killed and 18 were injured as of Thursday afternoon after a truck veered off the road and crashed into a traditional market in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, earlier in the morning. According to police and fire authorities, the incident occurred at 10:55 a.m., when a truck driven by a man in his 60s suddenly shot forward and rammed into a restaurant inside the market and nearby stalls. Authorities dispatched around 20 emergency vehicles and 60 personnel to the scene after receiving

Nov. 13, 2025

Power plant collapse renews calls to ban multilayered subcontracting

Eight of the nine workers killed or injured in last week's boiler tower collapse in Ulsan were found to be employed by subcontractors, reigniting outrage over South Korea’s practice of outsourcing dangerous work as the search for two missing workers continues. According to local media reports, the demolition of the tower at the Korea East-West Power Co. site, which was already underway before the deadly collapse, was carried out through multiple layers of subcontracting. The state-run facility h

Nov. 12, 2025

Seoul signs deal with France’s Quandela for quantum tech center

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Wednesday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with French quantum computing firm Quandela to help establish a quantum technology development center in the South Korean capital through a $57 million (80 billion won) investment. According to the city government, Seoul plans to leverage its new partnership to build a quantum industry ecosystem within the city that will “position the city as a global quantum technology hub.” Planned initiatives, i

Nov. 12, 2025

Seoul to bolster response system, sentencing for kidnapping attempts

The South Korean government announced a set of measures on Tuesday to strengthen its response to kidnapping and child luring crimes, including prioritizing police dispatch, strengthening laws and increasing punishments. The plan, jointly released by the Ministry of Interior and Safety, the Korean National Police Agency, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, was announced following a string of recent kidnapping attempts targeting elementary school students. In late Aug

Nov. 11, 2025

Greenhouse gas emissions target set at 53-61% cut from 2018 levels by 2035

A presidential committee approved a state goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 53 percent to 61 percent from the 2018 levels by 2035, slightly higher than the government initially proposed last week. South Korea's new emission target is set to be endorsed by the Cabinet on Tuesday. The goal will then be announced at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, which kicks off on Tuesday, according to the Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green

Nov. 10, 2025

Mass cheating scandal at Yonsei ignites calls for clearer AI rules on campus

Widespread cheating during a midterm exam at Yonsei University has reignited concerns about the lack of rules governing the use of artificial intelligence in higher education. The incident occurred in a third-year online course with around 600 students, taught at Yonsei University in western Seoul. The course included a midterm exam on Oct. 15 that was also conducted online. Students were instructed to record their computer screens, hands and faces throughout the exam to prevent cheating. Despit

Nov. 10, 2025

South Korea to see cold snap before warm temperatures return Wednesday

South Korea can expect a brief spell of cold weather starting Monday before temperatures return to levels similar to previous years, the Korea Meteorological Administration said Sunday. The KMA attributed the drop in temperatures to a high-pressure system expanding toward the West Sea, bringing in cold, northerly winds into the Korean Peninsula. Compared to morning temperatures from Sunday, Monday’s morning temperatures are projected to be 4-8 degrees Celsius lower, with average nationwide low t

Nov. 9, 2025