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  • Environment & Animals

    Korea overhauls heat wave alert system for 1st time in 18 years

    Korea has overhauled its heat wave warning system for the first time in 18 years, introducing a new top-tier alert aimed at providing earlier warnings as increasingly extreme summer temperatures pose greater health risks. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) activated the revised system on Wednesday, replacing the previous two-tier structure with a three-stage framework consisting of a heat wave advisory, heat wave warning and the newly created severe heat wave warning. Under the previous system, a heat wave advisory was issued when the perceived temperature was forecast to remain above 33 degrees Celsius for at least two consecutive days, while a warning required apparent temperatures of 35 degrees or higher for two days. The new highest-level alert, however, can be issued if the perceived temperature is expected to reach 38 degrees or if the actual air temperature reaches 39 degrees for just one day, allowing authorities to respond immediately without waiting for prolonged extreme heat. The KMA said the change reflects the growing threat posed by unprecedented heat waves, whic

    2 MIN READBy Anna J. Park
    Korea overhauls heat wave alert system for 1st time in 18 years
  • Politics

    Government eyes new fund to invest tax windfall from AI-driven chip boom

    2 MIN READBy Yi Whan-woo
    Government eyes new fund to invest tax windfall from AI-driven chip boom
  • South Korea

    Seoul City Hall to open new observatory with panoramic views to public

    2 MIN READBy Anna J. Park
    Seoul City Hall to open new observatory with panoramic views to public
  • South Korea

    S. Korea's yearly working hours fall by 32 hours last year but remain longer than OECD average

    1 MIN READBy Yonhap
    S. Korea's yearly working hours fall by 32 hours last year but remain longer than OECD average
  • South Korea

    Advanced AI uses 136.5 times more electricity than standard chatbots, study warns

    2 MIN READBy Lee Kyung-min
    Advanced AI uses 136.5 times more electricity than standard chatbots, study warns
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Law & Crime

Korea Taxpayers' Association defends Cha Eun-woo amid tax evasion allegations

The Korea Taxpayers' Association (KTA) has issued a statement defending actor Cha Eun-woo amid allegations of tax evasion, arguing that tax avoidance is a legitimate right and that the presumption of innocence must be upheld. On Thursday, the KTA emphasized the legal distinction between avoidance and evasion. It cited U.S. legal precedents that recognize a taxpayer’s right to legally minimize taxes. "Tax avoidance involves using legal loopholes to minimize tax liability. Until a Supreme Court ruling confirms illegality, it cannot be summarily labeled as evasion," the association stated. Responding to criticism over Cha establishing a corporation in his mother’s name, the KTA said incorporation for tax efficiency is not unlawful. "Labeling a business a 'shell company' simply because it lacks physical facilities violates the presumption of innocence," the KTA said. The association cited a previous Supreme Court ruling involving a chicken franchise, which overturned a lower court's conviction after determining the business had substantive operations. The KTA also addressed the issue of al

Jan 31, 2026By Xportsnews
Korea Taxpayers' Association defends Cha Eun-woo amid tax evasion allegations
Society

Insiders expose flaws in Korea's college entrance exam

There is a test that is simultaneously praised as "the world's most perfect multiple-choice exam" and criticized as "the main culprit for ruining classroom instruction." It is the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), known locally as Suneung. Launched in 1993 to move Korean education away from rote learning, the CSAT is now facing growing calls for a major overhaul in the era of artificial intelligence. Critics argue that the 33-year-old exam has completely lost its way after a series of patchwork fixes aimed at addressing excessive academic pressure, entrenched university hierarchies and soaring private education costs. The Hankook Ilbo conducted an in-depth investigation into the crisis triggered by last year’s controversial “Bul-suneung,” or “fire test,” which drew widespread criticism for its extreme difficulty. Based on interviews with twelve key insiders — including former institute presidents and CSAT question writers — the report examines how the long-standing exam must evolve. "The original plan was to hold the exam six times a year. If a student scored over 250

Jan 31, 2026By Hankookilbo
Insiders expose flaws in Korea's college entrance exam
Law & Crime

PM orders task force to probe sexual abuse allegations at group home for disabled

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok ordered Friday to launch a government task force to investigate sexual abuse allegations at a group home for disabled people west of Seoul, amid growing calls from civic groups to uncover the truth behind the suspicions. Police are investigating allegations that the head of the Saekdongwon group home for people with severe disabilities, located in Ganghwa County, Incheon, raped and molested at least four women staying at the facility. The unidentified suspect has been booked and is under investigation on rape and sexual assault charges. Kim instructed officials to form an interagency joint task force to swiftly and thoroughly uncover the truth behind the allegations, his office said. Kim called for authorities to ensure full protection and relief for the victims and to come up with measures to address any blind spots in related policies. The task force, to be led by Kim's office, will comprise officials from the health ministry, the National Police Agency and local governments. Kim called on the police to organize a special investigative team made up of officer

Jan 30, 2026By Yonhap
PM orders task force to probe sexual abuse allegations at group home for disabled
Politics

Special counsel appeals ruling on ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee in corruption case

A special counsel on Friday appealed a court ruling in the corruption case of former first lady Kim Keon Hee that handed down a prison term but found her not guilty on most charges, saying the court misapprehended the facts and that the sentence was too lenient. The appeal comes two days after Kim, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for accepting luxury gifts from the Unification Church in return for business favors. But the Seoul Central District Court acquitted her of charges of involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme and violating the Political Funds Act. The court ordered Kim to forfeit 12.8 million won ($9,000). Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team in charge of the case had requested a 15-year prison term for Kim. It also sought a fine of 2 billion won and 948 million won in forfeiture. "There were serious misapprehensions of the facts and an illegality in the misinterpretations of the law in the court's not-guilty rulings. The sentence on the guilty counts is also unduly lenient," the special counsel team said in a statem

Jan 30, 2026By Yonhap
Special counsel appeals ruling on ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee in corruption case
Health

Why young Koreans are meeting strangers to eat French fries

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. A new meetup trend is spreading among young Koreans and it revolves around one thing: French fries. The gatherings have emerged as the latest social fad, following the brief popularity of “cops and robbers” meetups inspired by the childhood playground game. This time, people of all ages and backgrounds are coming together for a shared love of French fries. In online communities, invitation posts for meetups centered on eating fries are on the rise. On Karrot, a local marketplace and community app, 99 French fry meetup groups have been created, including 11 in Seoul alone. A “fry club” in Mapo District attracted 731 members within just two weeks of its launch, while a Gangnam-based group dedicated to McDonald's fries drew 491 members. While the trend is largely benign, health experts urge moderation. Potatoes are rich in vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber, but that nutritional value diminishes once they are deep-fried, heavily salted and paired with ketchup. High-heat frying and chemical risks When carbohydrate-rich, low-protein plant

Jan 30, 2026By Kormedi.com
Why young Koreans are meeting strangers to eat French fries
Defense

S. Korea, Japan to resume search-and-rescue drills after 9-year hiatus

Korea and Japan agreed Friday to resume joint search-and-rescue exercises for the first time in nine years, marking a symbolic step toward restoring military cooperation as the two countries seek to expand personnel and unit-level exchanges. Speaking at the outset of the talks, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said the meeting should serve as “an opportunity to face the past honestly, assess the present and move toward the future.” He later agreed with his Japanese counterpart to resume the long-suspended drills and to institutionalize annual defense talks. The agreement was reached during talks between Ahn and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo. According to Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, the resumption of maritime search-and-rescue exercises between the Korean Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will be conducted for humanitarian purposes. The drills had been suspended since 2016 amid strained bilateral relations. Both ministers agreed that revitalizing personnel and unit exchanges was essential to building mutual trust between

Jan 30, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji
S. Korea, Japan to resume search-and-rescue drills after 9-year hiatus
South Korea

C-130H transport aircraft makes emergency landing in Okinawa: Air Force

A C-130H transport aircraft made an emergency landing at a naval base in Okinawa due to engine failure while en route to Saudi Arabia to attend an international defense exhibition, the Air Force said Friday. After departing from a naval base in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, the aircraft made the emergency landing at around 11:01 a.m. in Japan as it detected reduced engine output in one of its four turboprop engines, according to the Air Force. No casualties were reported from the incident. Mechanics aboard the aircraft identified the cause of the malfunction, and the plane will depart from Japan at 6 p.m. after replacing the defective components. The incident took place as Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi, held defense ministerial talks in the Japanese port city of Yokosuka earlier in the day.

Jan 30, 2026By Yonhap
C-130H transport aircraft makes emergency landing in Okinawa: Air Force
Politics

Transparency or unrefined messages? President's social media use stirs debate

President Lee Jae Myung, long known for his prolific use of social media, has recently stepped up his online activity, signaling a renewed push to share policy ideas with citizens and engage public debate directly through digital platforms. As of 3 p.m. Friday, Lee already uploaded three posts on X (formerly Twitter) that day alone. He posted twice Thursday and eight times on Wednesday. The topics of the posts vary — the expansion of subsidized menstrual products, interest rates on local government treasury funds, a possible introduction of a sugar levy, warnings against Cambodian criminal syndicates, the delisting of underperforming firms from the stock exchange and the effectiveness of balanced regional development policies. The president’s recent posting patterns mark a clear change from his early days in office last June. After assuming the presidency, Lee initially used social media primarily to share updates on diplomatic efforts, including phone calls and meetings with world leaders. He later turned to longer, reflective posts about Cabinet meetings, overseas trips, and town

Jan 30, 2026By Anna J. Park
Transparency or unrefined messages? President's social media use stirs debate
Law & Crime

New guidelines allow suspending indictments for trivial offenses after 'Choco Pie theft' case

The prosecution said Friday it has established new guidelines to allow prosecutors to suspend indictments for trivial offenses, following last year's high-profile case of a man acquitted of stealing snacks from a company refrigerator. Under the new guidelines, prosecutors may suspend indictments against suspects of minor property offenses if criminal punishment is deemed unnecessary and there is no risk of repeat offenses, according to the Supreme Prosecutors Office. The guidelines, however, only apply to offenses involving theft or embezzlement of consumption goods, such as foodstuffs, and when the losses are trivial. The move comes after an appellate court in November last year acquitted a 41-year-old man accused of stealing a 400-won ($0.28) Choco Pie — a chocolate-covered marshmallow-filled snack — and a 650-won Custard cake from the company in 2024 in a case that drew public outcry. After facing widespread criticism over its indictment of the defendant who had been fined 50,000 won in a lower ruling, the prosecution said it would not appeal the appellate court's verdict.

Jan 30, 2026By Yonhap
New guidelines allow suspending indictments for trivial offenses after 'Choco Pie theft' case
Society

Driverless robotaxis to hit Seoul streets this year in ‘physical AI’ push

Korea’s first fully driverless robotaxis will begin operating on Seoul streets later this year as the city pushes to become a leader in “physical” artificial intelligence (AI) embedded in real-world spaces like roads, buildings and public infrastructure. At this year’s AI Seoul conference at COEX on Friday, Mayor Oh Se-hoon positioned Seoul as a global testbed for AI in the built environment rather than only on screens. He said the city government will use large-scale urban pilots to demonstrate how the technology can be used to improve people’s lives in everyday settings. “Technology should ultimately be directed toward people, and the ‘leading physical AI city’ that Seoul envisions is one where the coldest technology brings about the warmest change,” Oh said. “Seoul is now fully set to begin a journey to become the global hub and benchmark for physical AI.” Oh presented a three-part strategy for that vision. First, starting this October, Korea’s first Level 4 robotaxis will begin operating in Seoul, making it the world's third city to adopt the technology. Leve

Jan 30, 2026By Jung Min-ho
Driverless robotaxis to hit Seoul streets this year in ‘physical AI’ push
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