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Driver sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison over fatal truck crash at Bucheon market

The driver of a truck that crashed into a crowd of people at a traditional market last year was sentenced to a prison term Monday. The 67-year-old driver was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison on charges of killing four people in the crash that occurred Nov. 13 in Bucheon, just west of Seoul. The accident had left 18 other people injured. An investigation has revealed that the man had mistakenly shifted the gear to "drive" and stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake while trying to stop the truck that was already in motion as he earlier exited the vehicle with its gear left in "reverse." "Multiple lives have been lost due to the accident," the Bucheon branch of the Incheon District Court said in its ruling. "However, the defendant admits his wrongdoing and has reached a settlement with the bereaved families of three out of the four deceased victims, who subsequently do not wish for his punishment," it added. The driver was said to be suffering from a cerebrovascular disorder, but a medical evaluation has found the condition had no direct relation to the accident.

Jun 8, 2026By Yonhap

Driver sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison over fatal truck crash at Bucheon market

Ex-President Yoon questioned over messages to justify failed imposition of martial law

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was questioned by a special counsel team Saturday on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of rights in connection with messages allegedly used to justify his declaration of martial law. Yoon, currently detained at Seoul Detention Center, underwent questioning at the special counsel's office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, for about six hours from around 9:50 a.m. It marked his first appearance before the team since its launch on Feb. 25. He is alleged to have directed the foreign ministry and the National Security Office (NSO) to send messages to allies, including the United States, portraying his martial law declaration as legitimate. The messages reportedly framed the measures as necessary to safeguard democracy and counter pro-North Korean forces. The NSO was believed to have delivered Yoon's message to the National Intelligence Service the day after the martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024, where it was translated into English and briefed to a CIA official, according to the team. Investigators are said to have focused on Yoon's intention behind

Jun 6, 2026By Yonhap

Ex-President Yoon questioned over messages to justify failed imposition of martial law

Kim Soo-hyun's agency welcomes detention of YouTuber accused of AI manipulation

Actor Kim Soo-hyun's agency thanked fans and law enforcement Friday after police referred Kim Se-ui, operator of the YouTube channel HoverLab, also known as Garosero Institute, to prosecutors while he remained in custody. Gold Medalist released an official statement detailing the investigation results regarding multiple criminal complaints filed against the YouTuber. The agency noted that police recommended charges against Kim Se-ui, including defamation by spreading false information, attempted coercion and intimidation, as well as violations of anti-stalking and sexual crime laws. "Despite not being directly involved in the incident, we deeply thank those who consistently spoke out and those who worked hard by directly covering the story on behalf of Kim Soo-hyun, who was waiting for due process," the agency said. The company also praised authorities for uncovering the truth based strictly on evidence and ordering the suspect's detention. The agency addressed the actor's followers at the close of its statement. "Above all, we sincerely thank the fans who have cheered and stood by Kim So

Jun 5, 2026By Hankookilbo

Kim Soo-hyun's agency welcomes detention of YouTuber accused of AI manipulation

Investigators question Shincheonji sect leader over suspicious ties to opposition party

Investigators on Thursday questioned the founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a nonmainstream religious sect, over suspicions he forced church members to join the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) ahead of elections in 2021 and 2024. Lee Man-hee appeared at the office of a prosecution-police task force to undergo questioning for the first time over allegations of violating the Political Parties Act. The task force is charged with investigating allegedly corrupt ties between political and religious groups, and has secured lists of names of church followers and PPP members through raids on their respective headquarters since January. Lee did not answer questions from reporters as he entered the office. He is suspected of forcing church followers to join the PPP as dues-paying members with the intention of swaying the outcome of the presidential primary in 2021 and the general election primaries in 2024. The task force believes more than 50,000 followers joined the party as a result between 2021 and 2023. Investigators are expected to focus on whether the forced party membership

Jun 4, 2026By Yonhap

Investigators question Shincheonji sect leader over suspicious ties to opposition party

Police identify over 4,000 election law suspects in local election crackdown

Police have identified more than 4,000 people suspected of violating the election law since February in connection with the June 3 local elections, officials said Thursday. A total of 2,549 election law violation cases, involving 4,191 people, were detected across the nation since Feb. 3 when preliminary candidate registrations for the local elections began, according to the National Office of Investigation. Of the total suspects, 265 have been sent to the prosecution, while 3,394 were undergoing investigation. Police decided to drop cases for the remaining 532. By the type of crime, the spread of false information topped the list with 1,365 suspects, accounting 32.5 percent of the total, followed by acceptance of money or valuables at 25 percent and damage to campaign banners or posters at 7.4 percent. Police also identified 210 suspects who committed violence against candidates or campaign workers, placing six of them under arrest. Police said they plan to operate an intensive investigation period into election-related cases through Oct. 2, while strengthening monitoring of post-electio

Jun 4, 2026By Yonhap

Police identify over 4,000 election law suspects in local election crackdown

Court denies suspension of exit ban against US scholar under probe for defaming Lee

A Seoul court on Thursday rejected a request for a suspension of an exit ban against Morse Tan, a Korean American scholar accused of defaming President Lee Jae Myung, legal sources said. The Seoul Administrative Court rejected Tan's request to suspend the exit ban, which the justice ministry imposed earlier this week, saying that a potential suspension could have a serious impact on the public interest, according to the sources. Tan is suspected of having defamed Lee by spreading false information about him, claiming during a Washington event last year that Lee had been involved in a murder case during his youth, and that he was sent to a juvenile detention center. The U.S. scholar, affiliated with the U.S.-based Liberty University, is also known for making claims of election fraud in Korea, including his earlier argument that the last presidential election here was rigged. The police investigation into Tan over the defamation allegations had been complicated as he had been in the United States. But he entered Korea last Thursday ahead of the June 3 local elections, saying he would monit

Jun 4, 2026By Yonhap

Court denies suspension of exit ban against US scholar under probe for defaming Lee

Stalked from behind bars: A female reporter’s yearslong fight for safety

“The perpetrator’s lawyer said he had read your petition and even praised it, saying, ‘You really can write. I guess that’s what I’d expect from a journalist.’” Gwak Ah-ram, 47, said chills ran down her spine when she heard those words from her lawyer. The perpetrator was a stalker who had harassed Gwak for years — a man whose name she did not even know at first. Gwak had sued him in 2021, and a year later, she was preparing for an appeals trial when her lawyer casually delivered the comment. At first came disbelief. She had written the petition to the court out of desperation, her hands shaking as she asked for severe punishment. But how had the accused’s lawyer been able to read it? In an interview near Gwanghwamun, Gwak recounted the terrifying experience she went through in 2022. Shortly after the conversation with her lawyer, she received a letter from the stalker, who was serving his sentence after the first trial. It included parts of what she had written in her petition to the court, along with curses and expressions of hatred. Gwak said she first turned to the c

Jun 3, 2026By Hankookilbo

Stalked from behind bars: A female reporter’s yearslong fight for safety

Singer Psy referred to prosecution over alleged medical law violation

Singer-rapper Psy has been referred to prosecutors on suspicions of receiving prescription psychotropic drugs through third parties, police said Tuesday. The singer, whose real name is Park Jae-sang, is accused of having his manager and other third parties collect the psychotropic drugs Xanax and Stilnox after getting prescriptions through non-face-to-face treatment at a university hospital in Seoul between 2022 and 2025. The Seoul Seodaemun Police Station said it referred a total of six people, including Psy, his manager and the doctor who prescribed the drugs, to the prosecution Friday on suspicions of violating the medical law. Under the current law, only the patient who has seen a doctor can receive prescription drugs. Violations are punishable by a prison term of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won ($6,590). Xanax and Stilnox are psychotropic drugs used to treat sleep disorders, anxiety disorders and depression. Due to their high risk of dependence and addiction, face-to-face examinations and prescriptions are required. "The police investigation into the violation of the

Jun 2, 2026By Yonhap

Singer Psy referred to prosecution over alleged medical law violation

Police seek exit ban on Morse Tan over defamation allegations

Police on Monday applied to the Ministry of Justice for an exit ban on Morse Tan, a Korean American professor and former U.S. ambassador at large for global criminal justice under the first Trump administration, amid an ongoing investigation into defamation charges tied to false claims he made about President Lee Jae Myung. Tan, also known by his Korean name Dan Hyun-myung, returned to Korea on Thursday, citing intentions to personally monitor and verify the June 3 local elections for irregularities. Officers traveled to Incheon International Airport on the day of his arrival, formally notifying him to appear for questioning the following day. Tan declined to comply, submitting a written statement explaining his rejection of the summons and filing a separate request to have the assigned investigating officers replaced. Police determined that his refusal to cooperate, combined with the circumstances of his visit, indicated a credible risk that he might attempt to leave the country before the investigation concludes. Park Jeong-bo, head of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, addressed the ma

Jun 1, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min

Police seek exit ban on Morse Tan over defamation allegations

Ex-President Yoon made preparations for martial law since late 2023: special counsel

A special counsel team has determined former President Yoon Suk Yeol had prepared to declare martial law since late 2023, about a year before his failed bid in December 2024, officials said Monday. Assistant special counsel Kim Ji-mi said in a briefing that the team has determined that Yoon had made preparations for martial law since November 2023 after questioning former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Kim Myung-soo. The now-retired admiral is said to have told the team last month that Yoon asked him whether he would do anything he would order when they met on Nov. 29, 2023. Yoon allegedly flew into a rage when he said he would follow them if they were just orders. The team, led by special counsel Kwon Chang-young, has left open the possibility that Yoon's alleged remarks may have been part of preliminary efforts to recruit top military officials for his martial law bid. Kwon's team earlier said Yoon appeared to be preparing for martial law since the first half of 2024, citing the outcome of its questioning of a military counterintelligence official. Meanwhile, a separate special counsel t

Jun 1, 2026By Yonhap

Law & Crime

Law & Crime

Driver sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison over fatal truck crash at Bucheon market

Ex-President Yoon questioned over messages to justify failed imposition of martial law

Kim Soo-hyun's agency welcomes detention of YouTuber accused of AI manipulation

Investigators question Shincheonji sect leader over suspicious ties to opposition party

Police identify over 4,000 election law suspects in local election crackdown

Court denies suspension of exit ban against US scholar under probe for defaming Lee

Stalked from behind bars: A female reporter’s yearslong fight for safety

Singer Psy referred to prosecution over alleged medical law violation

Police seek exit ban on Morse Tan over defamation allegations

Ex-President Yoon made preparations for martial law since late 2023: special counsel

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