Seoul

Rising onion prices, doctors’ strike and more: The worries of South Korean voters ahead of polls

Voters in South Korea are driven by a number of problems as they head to the polls on Wednesday to choose a new 300-member parliament. Soaring green onion prices, doctors' strikes, politician's allegedly sexist jab at female candidates are some of them

What is Seoul’s new law to protect upcoming K-pop stars?

Seoul has passed an ordinance to shield the physical and mental health of young K-pop trainees, especially from forced weight loss or plastic surgery. Many K-pop idols, including TWICE’s Momo, have earlier recalled harrowing tales of the strict rules they had to follow as trainees

South Korea scrambles fighter jets as Russian, Chinese warplanes approach air space

The Russian and Chinese aircraft were spotted in South Korea’s Air Defence Identification Zone on Thursday. The planes flew above waters between South Korea and Japan and were in the general vicinity of an island claimed by Seoul and Tokyo

0.13%, that’s the ‘dissent’ North Korea is okay with in its elections

This month’s election marks the first time North Korea has referred to dissenting votes in local polls since the 1960s. Held every four years, the latest regional election was also the first polls since North Korea revised its election law in August to allow multiple candidates

North Korea’s Kim receives photos taken by spy satellite of White House, Pentagon: Reports

Last week, North Korea had successfully launched its first reconnaissance satellite, which it has said was designed to monitor US and South Korean military movements. The photos were the latest in a series of images of major target regions sent by the satellite, including Seoul and US military bases

North Korea has sent missiles, ammunition and shells to Russia to support war in Ukraine, says Seoul

North Korea has been pushing to expand cooperation with Russia and China in the face of security tensions with the United States and pandemic-caused domestic hardships. In an apparent sign of its economic troubles, the country is moving to close some of its overseas diplomatic missions

Two South Korean police officers stabbed outside presidential compound

The 77-year-old assailant, identified by his surname Park, began yelling in front of the compound and stabbed the officers as they tried to subdue him

K-pop star Suga becomes 3rd BTS member to begin military service in South Korea

In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea

Why Gen Z tourists are flocking to South Korea to learn what clothes, make-up suit their skin tone

South Korea is reportedly seeing a surge in young international tourists seeking personal colour analysts. This boom can be attributed to a craze on TikTok and the increase in the popularity of K-dramas during COVID-19 among foreigners

Russia says US-South Korea nuclear pact could destabilise region

The United States on Wednesday promised to give South Korea more insight into its nuclear planning, while Seoul promised not to seek nuclear weapons itself in an agreement both sides said was aimed against North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal