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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

US Embassy advises citizens in Korea to avoid large gatherings ahead of Yoon's impeachment verdict

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul advised American citizens in Korea on Wednesday to avoid large crowds or demonstrations ahead of the Constitutional Court's verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. The notice came as the top court is set to rule on Yoon's impeachment over his brief imposition of martial law on Dec. 3. "In connection with the Constitutional Court's verdict on the impeachment of President Yoon, U.S. citizens should anticipate large-scale demonstrations and an increased police presence," the embassy said in a posting on X. "Avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place, and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large crowds, gatherings, protests, or rallies," it said. The advisory follows a similar notice issued by the Chinese Embassy in Seoul the previous day, in which it called for its citizens to take caution regarding safety and security. The Chinese Embassy warned of "possible extreme incidents" and advised its people to "keep their distance from" and "not participate in, stay near, or watch" political demonstrations near the court and other areas in Seoul. (Yon

Apr 2, 2025By Yonhap
US Embassy advises citizens in Korea to avoid large gatherings ahead of Yoon's impeachment verdict

Palaces, museums near Constitutional Court to close on impeachment ruling day

Major cultural sites near the Constitutional Court in central Seoul will close on Friday when the court delivers its ruling on the impeachment case against President Yoon Suk Yeol. Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace, Deoksu Palace and Unhyeon Palace — all located in Jongno District — will be closed to the public that day to ensure public safety and protect national heritage, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said. Changdeok Palace and Unhyeon Palace are located within a 1-kilometer radius of the court, while concerns over crowding due to expected rallies prompted the closure of Gyeongbok Palace and Deoksu Palace. Authorities said the closures may be extended depending on how the situation unfolds. Nearby public museums and facilities will also close. The National Folk Museum of Korea, located inside Gyeongbok Palace, and the National Palace Museum of Korea, located on its western side, will both be closed. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art’s Seoul branch, along with the nearby Cheong Wa Dae (former presidential office) and the National Museum of Korean Con

Apr 2, 2025By KTimes
Palaces, museums near Constitutional Court to close on impeachment ruling day

Death toll from wildfires rises to 31

The death toll from Korea's worst-ever wildfires that ravaged the southeastern regions until last week has increased to 31, authorities said Wednesday. The interior ministry said one person who sustained serious injuries from wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province died during treatment, raising the total number of fatalities to 31. Eight others were seriously injured and 36 sustained minor injuries. The wildfires damaged 4,015 houses, 1,914 agricultural and livestock facilities, seven temples and 986 other structures. Roughly 48,000 hectares of woodland in 11 regions were scorched, displacing 3,307 people. As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the total amount of donations toward recovery efforts had reached 76.92 billion won ($52.2 million). (Yonhap)

Apr 2, 2025By Yonhap
Death toll from wildfires rises to 31

Gov't eases rules for establishing foreign schools amid growing international population

As Korea's foreign population grows, the government has eased regulations on establishing and operating foreign schools and kindergartens, paving the way for more educational institutions to open nationwide. The Ministry of Education announced Tuesday that a revised bill on the establishment and operation of foreign schools and kindergartens was reviewed and approved during a Cabinet meeting. The ministry said the regulatory change is intended to enhance the educational environment for children of foreign residents. Currently, 38 foreign schools operate nationwide, with more than half clustered in the Seoul metropolitan area. Seoul alone has 17 foreign schools, followed by six in Gyeonggi Province and two in Incheon. According to data from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Korea’s foreign resident population reached a record 2.46 million in 2023, making up 4.8 percent of the total population — the highest percentage recorded since data collection began in 2006. However, foreign schools have faced land constraints, as they could only be established on property owned by the stat

Apr 2, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
Gov't eases rules for establishing foreign schools amid growing international population

Over 96% of med students return to class after reinstatement deadline

A total of 96.9 percent of students at 40 medical schools across the country have decided to return to class after a government-imposed deadline for reinstatement expired earlier this week, the education ministry said Tuesday. With the exception of Inje University, where only 24.2 percent of students applied to return, more than 90 percent of students at 39 other medical schools had completed their registrations to return as of Monday, the ministry said in a release. Of the 40 medical schools, 35 saw all of their students applying to return, it added. "The government believes the normalization of medical school education has begun with the return of medical students," the ministry said, adding it will hold talks with relevant organizations to discuss enrollment quota. The March 31 deadline was set by the government early this month, when it announced a conditional decision to set the medical school enrollment quota for 2026 at 3,058, which is equivalent to the figure before the government put forward a plan to increase admissions by 2,000 a year ago to address a chronic shortage of docto

Apr 1, 2025By Yonhap
Over 96% of med students return to class after reinstatement deadline

Roads in central Seoul to be closed Friday as court delivers Yoon verdict

Roads near the Constitutional Court in central Seoul will be closed Friday as the court delivers its ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, with massive rallies expected both in support of and against him, police said Tuesday. The Constitutional Court earlier announced that it will deliver its ruling on Yoon's impeachment at 11 a.m. Friday, nearly four months after Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly on charges of violating the Constitution and laws through his brief imposition of martial law on Dec. 3. Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather near the Constitutional Court, as well as in nearby areas, including Sejongdaero, Euljiro and Sajikro, on the day of the ruling, according to the police. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency plans to deploy 810 personnel for traffic control and to minimize public inconvenience, it added. Police advised the public to use public transportation or get updates on the latest traffic information in the event they use their own vehicles. Police have partially closed roads connected to a junction near the Constitutional Court aft

Apr 1, 2025By Yonhap
Roads in central Seoul to be closed Friday as court delivers Yoon verdict
  • Constitutional Court to announce ruling on Yoon's impeachment on Friday

INTERVIEW Danish lawmaker urges Denmark to address adoption scandal after Korean investigation

Katrine Daugaard, a member of Denmark’s Liberal Alliance Party, urged the Danish government to launch an impartial legal investigation into irregularities in past overseas adoptions from Korea, stressing that both the sending and receiving countries must take responsibility for misconduct in adoption practices. "The work and probe results that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has made are super important. This is a call upon the Danish Parliament to investigate Danish authorities and adoption agencies," Daugaard told The Korea Times via email, Tuesday. "I can’t say I was surprised by the results because I have read so many government files and case documents. It is very important for the people in both countries involved that the government takes responsibility for finding out the truth however dark it is," she added. Her remarks follow March 26 announcement by the Korean commission on its initial investigation into overseas adoptions, which found government responsibility for human rights violations in intercountry adoptions from the 1960s to the 1990s. Of the 367 case

Apr 1, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
[INTERVIEW] Danish lawmaker urges Denmark to address adoption scandal after Korean investigation

Major palaces to close Friday amid safety concerns over Yoon verdict

Major palaces in Seoul will be closed Friday as a precautionary measure when the Constitutional Court delivers its verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment over his short-lived martial law bid. For safety reasons, Gyeongbok, Changdeok and Deoksu palaces will all shut down for the day, the Korea Heritage Service said on its website on Tuesday, citing the need to "protect cultural heritage and prevent visitor accidents." With the closures, various cultural events, including the Royal Guards Changing Ceremony at Gyeongbok Palace's Heungnye Gate, have been canceled. The palace's Starlight Tour, originally scheduled for Friday, has been postponed to April 14. The Constitutional Court is located in Bukchon, a historic and tourist-heavy district in central Seoul that has seen major protests in recent months, drawing both supporters and opponents of President Yoon. Other cultural sites in the area, including the Seoul Museum of Craft Art and Unhyeon Royal Residence, will also close for the day. The National Folk Museum of Korea, which is situated inside Gyeongbok Palace, is also expected

Apr 1, 2025By Yonhap
Major palaces to close Friday amid safety concerns over Yoon verdict

PM's economic strategy meeting with biz leaders

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, third from right, poses with Korea's business leaders before attending a meeting on economic security strategy at the prime minister's official residence in Seoul, Tuesday, to work with conglomerates to overcome trade deficits and ramp up measures to mitigate U.S. tariff effects. From left are Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Han, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo. Yonhap

Apr 1, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
PM's economic strategy meeting with biz leaders

Spring festivals cut back nationwide in aftermath of wildfires

Massive wildfires that swept across the southeastern parts of the country have forced local governments to cancel, postpone or scale back spring flower festivals, which typically attract large crowds. Events linked to these festivals, including fireworks displays, have been completely canceled as a safety measure. In North Gyeongsang Province, one of the hardest-hit regions, consecutive festivals are being canceled. Bonghwa County canceled its annual Sansuyu flower festival, originally scheduled for March 29, as well as a cherry blossom festival planned for May 11 to 13. The county also indefinitely postponed a walking tour program that was set for April 12 alongside the cherry blossom festival. Andong, another city impacted by the wildfires, canceled three major spring events. The cancellations highlight the urgent need to prioritize public safety and recovery, as residents who evacuated to shelters continue to face ongoing challenges, including water and power outages and communication failures. In Uiseong County, where the initial wildfire broke out, the Sansuyu Village Festival, orig

Apr 1, 2025By Jung Da-hyun
Spring festivals cut back nationwide in aftermath of wildfires
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