-
S. Korea to foster AI talent across all stages of life
After South Korea scrapped its ambitious plan to introduce artificial intelligence-powered digital textbooks, the government is taking another step to cement its standing as a global AI leader — this time, by investing 1.4 trillion won ($960 million) to nurture AI talent from elementary school to postgraduate researchers. The Education Ministry on Monday announced its first-ever national blueprint titled “AI Talent Development Plan for All,” aimed at strengthening AI capabilities throughout a pe
Nov. 10, 2025 -
NK hackers hijack Google, KakaoTalk accounts to control phones: report
North Korean state-sponsored hackers hijacked Google accounts to remotely control and wipe smartphones and tablets held by individuals in South Korea, then exploited their KakaoTalk messenger as a channel to spread malware to their contacts, a report said Monday. The attack marks the first confirmed case of a North Korean state-sponsored hacking group compromising Google accounts to gain remote control over smart devices, according to South Korean cybersecurity firm Genians. The attack was ident
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Lee’s approval rating rises for 2nd week after APEC: poll
President Lee Jae Myung’s approval rating rose for a second consecutive week to 56.7 percent following the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit held Oct. 31-Nov. 1, according to a survey released Monday. The poll, conducted by local pollster Realmeter from Nov. 3-7, showed Lee’s rating climbed 3.7 percentage points to 56.7 percent. The survey was conducted among 2,528 respondents aged 18 and older nationwide. Negative assessments of Lee stood at 38.7 percent, down 4.6 percentage points from
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Prime minister voices objection to high-rise near Jongmyo Shrine
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has expressed opposition to building a high-rise commercial complex near Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site in central Seoul. In a Facebook post Monday, Kim wrote, “Jongmyo is in distress. After the unimaginable and reckless behavior of Kim Keon Hee was revealed, now the Seoul city government says it will allow high-rise development right in front of it,” referring to the capital city's decision to ease height restrictions in the area. The former first lady
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Former PM Han backs IPU candidate Jun Sang-soo’s global vision
Former Prime Minister Han Seung-soo met this week with Jun Sang-soo, a candidate for secretary-general of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and former deputy secretary-general of South Korea’s National Assembly. During the meeting, Han presented Jun with his English-language speech collection, titled "Here for Global Good," and offered words of encouragement, according to Jun's office. Drawing on his experience as president of the UN General Assembly and South Korea’s ambassador to US, Han urged tha
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Korea Post to pause deliveries in deep freeze
The state-run Korea Post announced Monday that it will temporarily suspend deliveries during periods of severe cold or heavy snowfall to protect its workers. The policy will remain in effect through the end of February. “Amid cold waves and snowstorms, we will make every effort to ensure that our employees can work safely,” said Kwak Byung-jin, acting head of Korea Post. Customers will be notified in advance if mail is delayed when postal workers pause deliveries or take shelter due to extreme c
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Monk loses lawsuit against temple over 14 years of alleged unpaid wages
The Seoul Northern District Court recently ruled against a Buddhist monk who filed a wage claim lawsuit against his former employer, a temple he worked at for nearly 14 years under a verbal agreement. The court dismissed the claim, citing a lack of evidence that a formal employment relationship existed. The plaintiff claimed that the temple owed him 685 million won ($471,400) in unpaid wages and severance package for 13 years and nine months of service. In 2010, he made an agreement with the lat
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Taxi driver sentenced to jail for extorting drunk passengers with fake vomit scheme
A taxi driver in Seoul was sentenced to prison for extorting 150 million won ($103,156) from 160 intoxicated passengers after smearing a mixture resembling vomit on them after they fell asleep. The Seoul Northern District Court sentenced the taxi driver to four years and six months in prison on Friday, on the charges of extortion, attempted extortion and false accusation. The 68-year-old had previously served one year for similar crimes. According to the verdict, once victims fell asleep in his
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Lee's chief of staff to visit UAE this week
Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates to discuss cooperation with South Korea in the field of defense later this week, according to the presidential office Monday. Kang will meet with high-ranking UAE officials, the presidential office said, but the itinerary of his trip has yet to be disclosed. Kang previously traveled to Poland, Romania and Norway in October, as South Korea's defense industry seeks more contracts abroad in line with President
Nov. 10, 2025 -
S. Korea to send special envoy to Angola for 50th independence anniv.
South Korea is sending a special envoy to Angola this week to attend celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the country's independence, the foreign ministry said Monday. Kim Dong-chan, a retired diplomat and former ambassador to Angola, will take part in the commemorative event Tuesday, the ministry said in a statement. During his visit, Kim will deliver a personal letter from Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to Angolan President Joao Lourenco. South Korea and Angola have strengthened economic co
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Fishing boat capsizes in southwestern waters; 9 people aboard: authorities
A fishing boat carrying nine people capsized off the southwestern coast Monday, officials said. The boat was located near the island of Eocheong, Gunsan, and identified as Chinese-flagged. (Yonhap)
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Marine chief to discuss military exchanges, cooperation in Australia this week
Marine Corps Commandant Ju Il-suk will visit Australia this week to discuss ways to expand military exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, his office said Monday. During the six-day visit, Ju will hold talks with Lt. Gen. Simon Stuart, chief of the Australian Army, to sign an agreement on advancing ties between their landing forces, according to the Marine Corps. He will also meet other senior officials to discuss ways to expand combined training and attend a bilateral security dia
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Middle school bomb threat turns out to be hoax
A Gangwon Province middle school was received a bomb threat Sunday, which police dispatched to the site found to have been a hoax. According to the Gangwon Provincial Office of Education on Monday, Seoul police on Sunday evening notified the Pyeongchang Police Station that an anonymous threat had been made against a school in the city. The author of the online post claimed to have planted explosives inside the school, and threatened to kill the students. Police searched the school and found no e
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Search for missing in boiler tower collapse enters 5th day
The search for two missing workers entered its fifth day Monday after a boiler tower collapsed at a thermal power plant in the southeastern city of Ulsan. A total of seven workers were initially trapped at the plant of the Ulsan branch of Korea East-West Power Co., a state-run utility company, on Thursday. Three bodies have been recovered, while four people are still trapped, including two who are presumed dead. Firefighting authorities said drones were sent inside the debris overnight to aid in
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Ruling party, govt. reach consensus on 2035 greenhouse gas reduction at 53-61%
The government and the ruling Democratic Party on Sunday reached a consensus on setting the nation's greenhouse gas emission reduction goal for 2035 at between 53 percent and 61 percent. "The two sides reached a general agreement on the national target for greenhouse gas emission reduction, taking into account opinions from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Constitutional Court' ruling, potential burdens on future generations and industrial conditions," DP spokesperson Park Soo-
Nov. 9, 2025