SEOUL– The following are the major cultural and tourist festivals to be held in South Korea in December. * Seoul Lantern Festival When: Dec. 16-31 Where: Gwanghwamun Square The Seoul Lantern Festival, which has been held every year at Cheonggyecheon, or Cheonggye Stream, in central Seoul, is one of the city’s … Read more
SEOUL– The leader of the ruling People Power Party called Monday for tightening the social safety net in order to cover any blind spots in the wake of recent suicides by financially struggling families. “We need to strengthen the social welfare net and minimize the blind spots. A march of horrible deaths should come … Read more
SEOUL– There is no indication of an imminent nuclear test by North Korea, which commemorates the anniversary this week of declaring the completion of its “state nuclear force,” according to South Korea’s unification ministry Monday. The outside world has been closely monitoring the secretive regime’s move ahead of the anniversary marking the proclamation on … Read more
SEOUL– The head of the Seoul police is expected to be summoned for questioning soon as part of an investigation into the bungled response to the crowd crush in Seoul’s Itaewon neighborhood, police said Monday. Kim Kwang-ho, the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, is highly likely to be switched to a suspect … Read more
SEOUL– South Korean piano prodigy Lim Yunchan said Monday he wanted to deliver Beethoven’s utopia through the composer’s No. 5 Piano Concerto “Emperor” on his first live album in collaboration with Gwangju Symphony Orchestra. The 18-year-old took the stage with the local orchestra, conducted by Hong Suk-won, at Tongyeong Concert Hall in Tongyeong, on … Read more
SEOUL– Police have booked two striking cargo truckers for investigation for allegedly obstructing the operation of a non-striking truck driver, officials said Monday. The two members of the Cargo Truckers Solidarity’s branch in the southeastern port city of Pohang are under suspicions of stopping a 7.5-ton truck driven by a non-unionized driver in the … Read more
SEOUL– The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) pressed President Yoon Suk-yeol on Monday to fire the interior minister to hold him to account over the Itaewon crowd crush as the party mulls impeaching or passing a no-confidence motion against the embattled minister. On Friday, DP floor leader Park Hong-keun gave Yoon until Monday to … Read more
SEOUL– South Korea approved a 5.75 trillion-won (US$4.3 billion) plan Monday to begin mass production of a homegrown light armed helicopter (LAH) in the coming months, the state arms procurement agency said. The Defense Project Promotion Committee endorsed the LAH production plan to run through 2031 as part of efforts to replace the military’s … Read more