The Korea Times

Man seeks retrial as Hwaseong serial killer claims 'copycat' murder

National Police Agency Commissioner General Min Gap-ryong answers questions about the Hwaseong serial murder cases during a parliamentary audit at the National Police Agency in central Seoul, Oct. 4. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoA man who spent nearly 20 years in prison for raping and killing a teenage girl is seeking a retrial to be exonerated after the notorious Hwaseong serial killer claimed responsibility for what was believed to be a “copycat'' murder.Lawyer Park Joon-young said Wednesday he will represent the man, 52, surnamed Yoon.“For Yoon, this is a heaven-sent opportunity (to prove his innocence). I won't waste it,” Park wrote on Facebook. “I will form a team of lawyers and, once completed, reveal their names.”The development comes after Lee Chun-jae, 56, the prime suspect in at least nine murders between September 1986 and April 1991, claimed responsibility for the Sept. 16, 1988 so-called “copycat” murder ― 30 years after Yoon was convicted of killing the girl, 13, surnamed Park.Speaking to Channel A, a local broadcaster, Yoon claimed poli

Oct 10, 2019By Jung Min-ho

Man seeks retrial as Hwaseong serial killer claims 'copycat' murder

Society

Typhoon Hagibis unlikely to affect Korea directly

Hagibis is one of the most powerful typhoons of the year. Courtesy of Korea Meteorological AgencyBy Jung Min-hoTyphoon Hagibis in the Pacific Ocean is unlikely to affect Korea directly, the weather agency said Thursday.According to the Korea Meteorological Agency (KMA), as of 3 a.m., the typhoon's center was roughly 1,080 kilometers off Guam and moving north-northeast at 15 kph.With heavy rain and powerful winds, the storm is expected to pass along Japan's east coast on Saturday and Sunday. It could also affect the Rugby World Cup, which is being held in the country.With fastest sustained winds of 55 mps (198 kph), Hagibis is one of the most powerful typhoons of the year.The KMA warned that heavy rain and strong winds may hit southern and eastern Korea over the weekend.

Oct 10, 2019By Jung Min-ho

Typhoon Hagibis unlikely to affect Korea directly

Photo News

PHOTOS Massive rally held against justice minister

Hundreds of thousands of people hold a protest to demand the resignation of Justice Minister Cho Kuk at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Oct 9, 2019By Jung Min-ho

Massive rally held against justice minister [PHOTOS]

Photo News

PHOTOS Happy Hangeul Day

A woman participates in a hangeul writing competition at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Wednesday, Oct. 9 (Hangeul Day). Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulKorea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Oct 9, 2019By Jung Min-ho

PM highlights inter-Korean dictionary project on Hangeul Day

Companies

'Germany's hidden champions can help Korea overcome Japan's export curbs'

Kim Hyo-joon, right, chairman of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and BMW Korea, Industry Minister Sung Yun-mo, center, and Korea International Trade Association Chairman Kim Young-ju pose at COEX in southern Seoul, Tuesday, after signing a memorandum of understanding to strengthen partnerships between Korean and German companies. Courtesy of Korea International Trade AssociationBy Jung Min-hoStrengthening partnerships with Germany's “hidden champions” ― small but highly successful companies in their fields ― could greatly help Korea overcome Japan's export curbs, the leader of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) said Tuesday.“Many Germany companies either have the materials Korea urgently needs or are capable of developing them in a short period time,” Kim Hyo-joon, chairman of the KGCCI and BMW Korea, said during a speech at a seminar on partnerships between the two countries' businesses.“Korean and German companies are mutually complementary and, by working together, can create great synergy.”His comment

Oct 8, 2019By Jung Min-ho

'Germany's hidden champions can help Korea overcome Japan's export curbs'

Society

Typhoon Hagibis creeps closer to Korea

Another typhoon may affect the Korean Peninsula. Courtesy of Korea Meteorological AgencyBy Jung Min-hoTyphoon Hagibis, which is rapidly gaining strength, may affect Korea next week ― just a week after Typhoon Mitag hit the country.According to the Korea Meteorological Agency (KMA), as of 9 a.m. Monday, Hagibis was 550 kilometers east-northeast of Guam and moving west-northwest at 27 kph.It has a central pressure of 975 hectopascals, with a maximum wind speed of 37 meters per second and a wind radius of 350 kilometers.Hagibis “is still developing fast and likely to become the most powerful typhoon of the year,” said KMA meteorologist Yoon Ki-han.Hagibis is expected to pass across high-temperature ocean water before its maximum speed reaches 53 meters per second later this week.It is premature to say Hagibis will directly affect the Korean Peninsula. Yoon said its path will become clear by Friday.

Oct 7, 2019By Jung Min-ho

Society

13 killed, two missing after Typhoon Mitag lashes Korea

A car is buried in a pile of sand and stones at Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, Thursday, after Typhoon Mitag struck the area. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoAt least 13 people have been killed and 11 injured after Typhoon Mitag slammed Korea with heavy rain and powerful winds.The Ministry of Public Administration and Security said Sunday 13 people were confirmed dead, two missing and 11 injured after the typhoon passed through the southern region between Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon.Some victims were found underneath collapsed buildings and others drowned in Busan and other cities in North Gyeongsang and Gangwon provinces.Police were still searching for two people ― a man in his 60s and a woman in her 80s ― after they went missing in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday.Thousands of houses and other buildings were damaged. About 1,400 people are sheltering in town centers, churches or other places after their homes were flooded.The ministry said it has allocated more than 5.2 billion won ($4.35 million) in aid.

Oct 7, 2019By Jung Min-ho

13 killed, two missing after Typhoon Mitag lashes Korea

Korea on alert as another typhoon approaches

Travel & Food

South Korea has third most powerful passport

South Korean passport holders can travel freely to 188 countries and territories. GettyimagesbankBy Jung Min-hoSouth Korea has the world's third most powerful passport, according to the latest study by law firm Henley & Partners.The 2019 Henley Passport Index, which ranks countries based on their freedom of access to other countries, shows that South Korean passport holders ― along with German and Finnish passport holders ― can travel freely to 188 jurisdictions around the world without a prior visa.Only Singaporean and Japanese passports offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more destinations (190).Passports of Denmark, Italy and Luxembourg are tied for sixth (187).Afghanistan (25) is ranked at the bottom of the spectrum, with Iraq (27), Syria (29) and Somalia (31) just ahead.Top1. Singapore, Japan (190)2. South Korea, Germany, Finland (188)3. Italy, Denmark, Luxembourg (187)4. France, Spain, Sweden (186)5. Austria, Netherlands, Portugal (185)Bottom1. Afghanistan (25)2. Iraq (27)3. Syria (29)4. Somalia, Pakistan (31)5. Yemen (33)

Oct 7, 2019By Jung Min-ho