South Korea looks to assuage tourists spooked by political chaos

SEOUL: South Korea is urging tourists to continue visiting the East Asian country, as also actively engaging with foreign governments regarding the safety of tour groups following political tensions triggered by a failed martial law attempt. "There is a slight concern that tourist arrivals may decline next year,” Culture Minister Yu In-Chon said in an interview...

Ex-South Korean News Anchor Grabs Soldier’s Gun During Protest Against Martial Law Declaration

Her scuffle was caught on camera. The martial law, which was imposed by South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol yesterday (Dec 3), was lifted after six hours when lawmakers voted to reject it. Yesterday (Dec 3), South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol sent shock waves across the world when he declared the implementation of martial law in the country. Martial...

(Photo gallery) Less than martial: the South Korean political crisis in pictures

SEOUL: Whatever South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol thought of when he suddenly declared martial law on Tuesday (Nov 4), it didn't work. Less than 24 hours later, he has revoked the martial law after lawmakers defied him, and his own position now is in jeopardy. South Koreans hold signs reading "Expulsion of Yoon Suk Yeol" during...

Here’s why crypto prices had a brief flash crash in South Korea

Crypto prices crashed hard in South Korea as the local currency plunged to a record low. Bitcoin btc-0.25%Bitcoin price dropped to 88,197,000 KRW, its lowest level since October 5, before rebounding to 132,000,000 KRW. The cryptocurrency was down by almost 40% from its highest level this year. Other altcoins had a similar price action. Ethereum eth0.57%Ethereum fell to 4,210,630 KRW, its...

South Korea President Yoon declares martial law

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday declared martial law in an unannounced late night address broadcast live on YTN television, claiming he would eradicate "shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces". It is the first time since 1980 that martial law was declared in South Korea. Yonhap news agency cited the military as saying activities...

South Korea star Jung Woo-sung apologises after baby scandal

SEOUL (AFP): One of South Korea's top actors apologised after it was revealed he fathered a child with a woman he is not married to, sparking nationwide scrutiny in a country where births outside marriage are still seen as taboo. Jung Woo-sung, an A-lister in South Korea's competitive film industry since his debut in the 1990s,...

After gastroscopy went wrong, Singaporean lies in vegetative state in S. Korea, waiting to go home

INCHEON, South Korea (The Straits Times/ANN): Former teacher Tong Ming Yan, a Singaporean, and her South Korean husband Jang Jong-seok were looking forward to moving back to Singapore with their two children in June, after having lived in South Korea for two years. They had booked their flight and Ms Tong had made arrangements to return...

South Korean opposition leader leader gets suspended term for election violations, faces ban from presidential run

SEOUL (Bernama-Yonhap): A court on Friday sentenced opposition leader Lee Jae-myung to a suspended one-year prison term for lying during the previous presidential campaign when he was a candidate, a ruling that if upheld will strip him of his parliamentary seat and bar him from running in the next presidential election in 2027. Yonhap news agency...

Korean Street Stall Owner In Seoul Goes Viral For Speaking Fluent Malay With M’sian Tourists

While some Malay tourists lament how there aren’t many Halal food options when they holiday in South Korea, a dragon beard candy street stall owner in Myeongdong, Seoul is making Malay tourists feel a little more welcomed. The stall owner, who goes by @yoonnala879 on TikTok, has gone viral for being very fluent in Malay. In one...

Sexless marriages: Why are they prevalent in South Korea?

SEOUL: Ever since the arrival of her daughter six years ago, the precious little being has become the centre of Park Eun-jeong’s world. It also marked the beginning of a new dynamic in her marriage – a sexless, more companionate relationship with her husband. “(After the baby was born,) we gradually drifted into a sexless relationship....