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Man arrested in fatal DUI case involving Japanese mother, daughter victims in Seoul
A man in his 30s was arrested Wednesday for driving under the influence (DUI) and fatally striking a Japanese mother and injuring her daughter in downtown Seoul. The Seoul Central District Court issued a warrant to detain the suspect, surnamed Seo, citing concerns that he may attempt to flee. The suspect is accused of hitting the Japanese victims with his electric vehicle (EV) while driving intoxicated near Dongdaemun Station on Sunday. The 50-something mother was killed in the crash, while the
Nov. 5, 2025 -
Seoul to launch new office to lead AI transition in public sector
The Ministry of Interior and Safety announced Wednesday during a press briefing that it will create a new government bureau dedicated to incorporating artificial intelligence technology into its policies and functions, as part of the ministry’s organizational reshuffle. Tentatively named the “AI Government Bureau,” the newly proposed government office will replace the existing Digital Government Innovation Bureau under the Interior Ministry, which has been responsible for overseeing the South Ko
Nov. 5, 2025 -
Prosecutors clear innocent suspect with mental disabilities, despite police failure to reinvestigate
A prosecution investigation last year cleared person with mental disabilities who was wrongly accused of embezzlement, after police had refused to reinvestigate, according to news reports. A forensic investigation by prosecutors demonstrated he was set up by his business partner, Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office said Tuesday. The suspect had been suspected of embezzling 52 million won ($36,000) in 2022 while running a cellphone store in Seoul with their partner. At the time, police reg
Nov. 5, 2025 -
Ex-President Moon Jae-in to debut as YouTuber with weekly book talks
Former President Moon Jae-in is set to make his debut as a YouTuber later this month, according to his aide. "We are preparing a YouTube program introducing books with former President Moon," said Tak Hyun-min, special professor at Mokpo University and former protocol aide to Moon, during a radio interview with CBS. The livestream will be hosted by Tak, with Moon introducing one or two handpicked books each week. Since his retirement, Moon has been running the Pyeongsan Chaekbang, a bookstore in
Nov. 5, 2025 -
Couple investigated for abandoning baby just 6 hours after birth
Police are investigating two international students for abandoning their newborn baby outside an orphanage, with the mother claiming that they are unable to raise the child as she did not get the approval of her parents in Vietnam. Officials at the Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency said they are investigating the two suspects, both Vietnamese nationals in their 20s, for violating the Child Welfare Act. The mother gave birth to the baby boy at around 7:20 p.m. on Oct. 23 at her home in Yuseong-g
Nov. 5, 2025 -
Kim Keon Hee admits receiving 2 Chanel bags, denies favors
Former first lady Kim Keon Hee publicly acknowledged receiving two Chanel handbags from a figure linked to the Unification Church, but denied accepting a diamond necklace from luxury brand Graff. Her legal representatives said in a statement released Wednesday that she received the two bags, but denied that they were given in exchange for favors or that any collusion with the Unification Church was involved. The statement said Kim “admits to having received two handbag gifts from Jeon Sung-bae,”
Nov. 5, 2025 -
White House official praises K-beauty: 'My skin has never looked better'
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has praised Korean skin care, commenting that her “skin has never looked better” after using Korean skin care products purchased during her visit to the country, local media reported Wednesday. According to the Chosun Ilbo, a local daily, Leavitt, who accompanied US President Donald Trump on a two-day trip for the APEC summit in Gyeongju, said she “loved South Korea and the Korean people” and hopes to return in the future. On Oct. 29, Leavitt made an
Nov. 5, 2025 -
Ex-first lady admits to receiving 2 Chanel bags for first time
Former first lady Kim Keon Hee admitted Wednesday that she received two Chanel bags from a shaman but denied they were in exchange for favors for the Unification Church. In a statement released by her lawyers, Kim, who is under arrest over various corruption and bribery charges, made the admission for the first time while also denying allegations that she received a high-end Graff necklace from the church. "First lady Kim Keon Hee admits that she received bags as gifts from Jeon Seong-bae on two
Nov. 5, 2025 -
Hybe chairman again quizzed over unfair stock trading allegations
Police on Wednesday called in the chairman of K-pop powerhouse Hybe to question him for a third known time over allegations of unfair stock trading in connection with the company's 2020 initial public offering. Bang Si-hyuk, the founder of the entertainment agency, has been questioned over allegations that he misled investors in 2019 by denying plans for an IPO and inducing them to sell their Hybe shares to a special purpose company linked to a private equity fund he was associated with. Bang is
Nov. 5, 2025 -
Lee to skip scheduled luncheon with firefighters due to body aches
President Lee Jae Myung was set to skip a scheduled luncheon with firefighters Wednesday due to body aches, a senior presidential official said. Instead, Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, will host the luncheon on behalf of Lee, the official said. During a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Lee asked for understanding over his hoarse voice, saying he had caught a cold. Lee had recently maintained a packed schedule, traveling to Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit o
Nov. 5, 2025 -
Court set for final hearing on slain fisheries official case
The final court hearing is set to be held Wednesday on the former Moon Jae-in government's alleged cover-up of the 2020 killing of a South Korean fisheries official at North Korea's hands. The hearing will be held at the Seoul Central District Court, wrapping up a trial that began some three years ago with the indictments of five officials of former President Moon's administration, including former National Security Adviser Suh Hoon and former Defense Minister Suh Wook. The fisheries official, L
Nov. 5, 2025 -
Unification Church leader temporarily released from detention for eye surgery
Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, who has been indicted and detained on bribery charges linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's administration, has been temporarily released from jail to receive medical treatment following a court ruling. The Seoul Central District Court decided to suspend her detention Tuesday, allowing her to be released from custody to undergo eye surgery. The suspension will remain effective until 4 p.m. Friday. Han is prohibited from meeting anyone other than medical
Nov. 5, 2025 -
S. Korea to limit quake alerts to areas with strongest tremors
Starting in December, the Korea Meteorological Administration will begin sending earthquake emergency alerts accompanied by loud alarms only to areas where significant tremors expected, the administration announced Tuesday. According to the KMA, when an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.5 to 4.9 occurs in Korea, emergency alerts will only be sent to cities and counties within a 30-kilometer radius of where the earthquake occurred and in places where the maximum forecast intensity level is 3 or hi
Nov. 4, 2025 -
UAE royal delegation takes home a taste of Korea — stir-fried kimchi
From Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s chicken and beer summit to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s K-beauty haul, the recently concluded APEC summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, offered an endless stream of behind-the-scenes stories. But for the United Arab Emirates delegation, one unexpected highlight stood out: stir-fried kimchi. According to officials from Busan’s hotel industry, the UAE royal family and delegation, led by Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al N
Nov. 4, 2025 -
S. Korea seeks to expand partnership in intl. crackdown on scam syndicates: report
The recently launched alliance of South Korea and eight other nations aimed at clamping down on transnational scams is seeking to expand into a group that includes a total of 15 countries and major global investigative bodies, a local media outlet reported Monday. According to the Korean-language Maeil Business Newspaper, the Korean National Police Agency has invited the investigative agencies of 11 countries to the first meeting of the international crackdown operation "Breaking Chains," slated
Nov. 4, 2025