South Korea - The Korea Times

7-year-old girl suspected of dropping dumbbell that critically injured woman

The dumbbell that seriously injured a woman is marked as evidence during a police probe on May 19. / Courtesy of SBSBy Oh Young-jin A girl, 7, is suspected of dropping a dumbbell from her high-rise apartment that seriously injured a woman, 50, in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. The woman, who lives in the apartment complex, suffered broken bones in her shoulder and cracked ribs when the 1.5 kilogram dumbbell hit her on May 19.The girl's family told police the dumbbell belonged to them and was stored in the girl's room. But the girl denied throwing it.Even if she proves to be responsible, she cannot be punished because she is a minor. But the injured woman may seek civil damages.Three years ago, a boy, 9, threw a brick from his apartment that killed a man working on a cat house in a flower bed next to the building.

May 22, 2018

7-year-old girl suspected of dropping dumbbell that critically injured woman

Police guns just for show

/ YonhapStrict law leaves Korean police helpless against violenceBy Jung Min-hoIn some parts of the world, police are often criticized for excessive use of force. Here, it is the opposite: they are frequently blamed for their reluctance to use force.On May 1, seven people assaulted a man, 31, in Gwangju for taking a taxi they had hailed first. They repeatedly punched him ― and even poked a twig into one of his eyes. He eventually lost the sight of the eye.Video footage of armed police helplessly watching him being assaulted on the street sparked massive public outrage. Many people wondered why they did not use their guns and batons.Korean law allows police to use weapons to protect citizens and themselves. But in practice, police rarely take advantage of the law, even when threats are imminent.“Many police officers have faced lawsuits as a result of using weapons,” HMP Law lawyer Eom Yoon-ryung told The Korea Times. “Although it is rare that police end up being convicted for using weapons, some lose money after a civil suit or face disciplinary measures.”Under

May 22, 2018

Police step up probe into molested Youtuber's case

Yang recounts her experience of being coerced and molested in a nude photo shoot. / Screenshot of the YouTube videoBy Lee Suh-yoonThe police are stepping up their investigation into a photo studio that allegedly coerced young women into posing nude for photos and sexually assaulted them in the process.Police officers searched the studio and the manager's residence and car, according to Mapo Police Station, Sunday. Police also put a temporary travel ban on the two alleged perpetrators sued by the victims. Last Wednesday, YouTuber Yang Ye-won posted a video on her channel Beagle Couple, tearfully recounting her experience of being harassed into posing nude while doing a part-time model gig in a studio near Hapjeong Station, Seoul, three years ago. The photos were later uploaded to multiple porn sites earlier this month.Yang said she decided to share her story to prevent further exploitation by such studios. Yang's video has gained over 4.4 million views.A day after the YouTuber's allegations, her acquaintance Lee So-yoon and 18-year-old minor Yoo Ye-rim came forward with similar allega

May 21, 2018

Police step up probe into molested Youtuber's case

Mandate on opinion-rigging scandal finalized

By Lee Kyung-min A mandate on a special counsel team has taken shape, following the passage of the bill governing the investigation of an online opinion-rigging scandal, masterminded by an influential blogger known by the username Druking. The man, 49, said he used an automated software macro to increase the number of “likes” or “dislikes” for online comments to help then-candidate Moon Jae-in in the lead-up to last May's presidential election. The blogger said Rep. Kim Kyoung-soo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), a key aide to President Moon and the central figure in the scandal, failed to provide a “due quid pro quo” after having him and his online community orchestrate months-long online campaigns to boost Moon's popularity. The man asked one of his team members to be “awarded” with a post to a consulate in Japan, a demand Kim dismissed. Kim, who plans to run for the South Gyeongsang Province governorship in the upcoming June 13 local elections, has flatly denied the allegation, calling the claim “preposterous.&rdq

May 21, 2018

Korean Air chief's wife to be summoned

By Kang Seung-wooLee Myung-heeThe wife of Korean Air Chairman Cho Yang-ho will be questioned by police next week over allegations of her physical and verbal violence against employees.According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Monday, it will summon Lee Myung-hee, the director of the nonprofit Ilwoo Foundation, to appear on May 28 at 10 a.m. for questioning. For the Cho family, Lee's summons is more bitter fallout from the “water rage” incident, in which Cho and Lee's youngest daughter Hyun-min threw water in the face of an ad agency executive during a business meeting in March. Cho, a former marketing executive of Korean Air, has been referred to the prosecution on a charge of obstruction of business. Since the tantrum case came to light last month, a series of claims that Cho family members hazed and abused their employees have been arising, leading Lee to face police investigators. Lee, 69, is involved in allegations that she verbally insulted and physically assaulted construction workers in 2014, during remodeling of the hotels owned by Hanjin Group. Cho also

May 21, 2018

Korean Air chief's wife to be quizzed over alleged abuse on May 28

Lee Myung-heePolice will call in the wife of Korean Air Chairman Cho Yang-ho for questioning next week over allegations that she used verbal and physical violence against construction workers, company employees and others, officials said Monday.Lee Myung-hee, 69, will be the third member of the family to face police questioning over alleged mistreatment of company staff and others under their influence after her two daughters were accused of similar misconduct, including the popular "nut rage" incident involving her eldest daughter.The second daughter is facing allegations she threw a cup of water at an advertising firm executive.Police plan to question Lee on May 28 over allegations that she physically and verbally abused construction workers at a hotel construction site in Incheon, west of Seoul, in 2014. Video footage showed a woman resembling Lee pushing one of the construction workers and throwing documents carried by another.Since the footage was made public, more victims of Lee's abuse have come forward, including former and incumbent employees of the family's Hanjin Group as

May 21, 2018

Korean Air chief's wife to be quizzed over alleged abuse on May 28

Lee Myung-bak to attend hearing Wednesday

By Lee Kyung-minFormer President Lee Myung-bak will attend a hearing of his corruption trial, facing a wide range of charges including bribery totaling 11 billion won ($10.5 million) and embezzlement in 35 billion won. Seoul Central District Court will hold the first official hearing at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Lee, according to his defense attorneys, is expected to deliver his opinion on the charges at the beginning of the hearing. Unlike three prior pre-trial court hearings, which Lee had no obligation to appear, failure to attend Wednesday's proceeding will hold him in contempt, or the judges could continue the trial following a determination that Lee has waived his right to self-defense. The prosecution and the defense will each give their 40-minute opening arguments, followed by an evidence review including written documents and witness testimony. In what is expected to be at least a six-hour proceeding, the presiding judge will hear opinions from both on the charges specified in the indictment documents. At least two hearings will be held a week, possibly up to three, at the discretio

May 20, 2018

12,000 women demand 'fair investigation' for all spy-cam cases

More than 12,000 protesters urge police to investigate fairly all crimes involving spy cams near the Hyehwa Station in Seoul, Saturday. / YonhapBy Jung Da-min, Jung Min-hoMore than 12,000 people, mostly young women, gathered in Seoul, Saturday, to call on police to investigate fairly all crimes involving spy cams, claiming that police tended to “speed up” when the victims were men.Wearing red as a symbolic color of their fury, the protesters chanted, “Women are also citizens of Korea,” in the largest women's rights rally in recent memory.Earlier this month, a female model was arrested for allegedly photographing a male colleague naked without his knowledge while he was posing for university art students and uploading it online.After the alleged incident was revealed, police immediately began investigating and arrested the suspect within less than a week.Many women were surprised by the speed of the process. They complained that police had never responded to female victims of such crimes, such as “revenge porn,” in the same way. They said a simple G

May 20, 2018

12,000 women demand 'fair investigation' for all spy-cam cases

22,000 women demand police chief step down

Arrest warrant requested for lawmaker over casino scandal

Rep. Kweon Seong-dong / YonhapProsecutors said Saturday they have sought an arrest warrant for a prosecutor-turned-opposition lawmaker over his alleged involvement in a hiring scandal at a state-run casino.Kweon Seong-dong of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party is accused of pressuring local casino operator Kangwon Land Co. in November 2013 to hire his former aide.Kweon -- the chairman of the parliamentary judiciary committee -- was not immediately available for comment.Prosecutors have also sought a warrant to arrest another opposition lawmaker Yeom Dong-yeol for allegedly asking the casino operator to hire dozens of applicants.Their arrests are subject to parliamentary consent as lawmakers in South Korea are immune from detention while the National Assembly is in session. (Yonhap)

May 19, 2018

Arrest warrant requested for lawmaker over casino scandal

K-pop diva Suzy stands behind sexually harassed YouTuber

K-pop star Suzy / Korea Times fileBy Jung Da-minActress and singer Suzy on Thursday defended her support for a sexually harassed YouTuber, saying it was done out of human decency rather than feminism. Some criticized her for using her star power indiscreetly, after she posted on Instagram in support of a related petition on Cheong Wa Dae's website, drawing more than 100,000 signatures in less than 24 hours after she signed it.The petition had garnered more than 140,000 signatures as of Friday afternoon. The petition started on Thursday, a day after YouTuber Yang Ye-won uploaded a video accusing a photo studio of forcing her to take sexually humiliating photos in front of strange men.“Some pointed out that my support was rash, considering my influence,” Suzy said in another Instagram post. “I supported it not because she was a woman, but out of basic human decency.”

May 18, 2018

Law & Crime

Law & Crime

7-year-old girl suspected of dropping dumbbell that critically injured woman

Police guns just for show

Police step up probe into molested Youtuber's case

Mandate on opinion-rigging scandal finalized

Korean Air chief's wife to be summoned

Korean Air chief's wife to be quizzed over alleged abuse on May 28

Lee Myung-bak to attend hearing Wednesday

12,000 women demand 'fair investigation' for all spy-cam cases

Arrest warrant requested for lawmaker over casino scandal

K-pop diva Suzy stands behind sexually harassed YouTuber

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