South Korea Society & Public Affairs

In-depth coverage of South Korean society, including demographics, labor, education, housing, and social issues.

Supreme Court Acquits Church Elder of Inducing False Sexual Abuse Accusations

South Korea's Supreme Court acquitted a church elder of inducing three sisters to file false sexual abuse charges against their father, ruling that deliberate intent to implant false memories was not ...

Published 2026.02.04. 06:00:05 | By Kim Sung-tae

Repeat DUI Offender Caught Driving Without License 45 Times After Pledging to Stop

A repeat DUI offender in Seoul was indicted after prosecutors discovered he drove without a license 45 times over four months, despite pledging to sto...

Published 2026.02.04. 06:00:05 | By Shin Seo-hee

Seoul District Chief Challenges Bus Semi-Public System Amid 600 Billion Won Annual Losses

Seoul Seongdong District Chief Jeong Won-oh calls for fundamental reform of Seoul's bus semi-public system, citing 600 billion won annual losses and p...

Published 2026.02.04. 06:00:05 | By Park Chang-kyu

Long Lines at Consulates as Chinese Tourists Seek Korean Visas Amid 'Korea-Japan Order'

** Chinese visa applications for South Korea surged 34% ahead of Lunar New Year, with tourist visas up 45%, as visa-free policies and Korean Wave cult...

Published 2026.02.04. 04:01:05 | By Kim Do-yeon

Police Officers Indicted for Beating Chinese Detainee, Attempting Cover-Up

Two South Korean police officers indicted for assaulting a Chinese detainee multiple times and attempting to cover up the abuse by exploiting his undo...

Published 2026.02.04. 02:00:05 | By Lim Hye-rin

Woman Rescued After 18 Hours Trapped in Drainage Tunnel

A woman in her 20s was rescued after spending 18 hours trapped in a drainage tunnel in Ansan, South Korea. She survived the winter cold due to the tun...

Published 2026.02.04. 01:05:05 | By Hyun Su-ah

Father Sues Government Over Loan Regulations Blocking Home Purchase

A newlywed father filed a 20 million won lawsuit against the Korean government, claiming loan regulations implemented in June blocked him from complet...

Published 2026.02.04. 24:18:29 | By Kim Sung-tae

Police Summon Lawmaker Kang for Second Questioning Over 100M Won Bribery Allegations

Independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo faced second police questioning over allegations she received 100 million won from former Seoul councilor Kim Kyung....

Published 2026.02.04. 24:12:04 | By Hwang Dong-geon

Former Edison Motors Chairman Sentenced to 3 Years for SsangYong Stock Manipulation

Former Edison Motors Chairman Kang Young-kwon received a three-year prison sentence for manipulating Edison EV stock prices through false SsangYong Mo...

Published 2026.02.04. 24:10:12 | By Chung Yu-na

All Third Graders to Receive 500,000 Won After-School Vouchers Starting This Year

South Korea's Ministry of Education will provide 500,000 won after-school vouchers to all third graders starting 2025, expanding support beyond Neulbo...

Published 2026.02.04. 24:09:20 | By Shin Seo-hee

Employment and Industrial Accident Funds Post Record 5 Trillion Won Returns on Stock Market Rally

Korea's employment and industrial accident funds achieved record investment returns of 5.26 trillion won in 2024, up 88% year-on-year, driven by the K...

Published 2026.02.03. 21:35:48 | By Yang Jong-gon

Police Conclude 11-Hour Questioning of Lawmaker Kang, Weigh Arrest Warrant

Police completed an 11-hour interrogation of independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo over bribery allegations and are considering an arrest warrant, though ...

Published 2026.02.03. 21:10:05 | By Chae Min-seok

Starbucks Korea Recalls 390,000 Promotional Humidifiers Over Fire Risk

Starbucks Korea recalls all 393,548 humidifiers given as promotional gifts after a fire incident, offering 30,000 won compensation. KATS advises immed...

Published 2026.02.03. 21:08:50 | By Hyun Su-ah

Kim Yong-hyun's Defense Attorney Lee Ha-sang Detained for 15-Day Contempt Order

Defense attorney Lee Ha-sang was detained at Seoul Detention Center after a 15-day contempt order was executed for causing a courtroom disturbance dur...

Published 2026.02.03. 20:35:19 | By Chae Min-seok

Ex-Edison Motors Chairman Gets 3 Years in Prison for Stock Manipulation in SsangYong Takeover

** Former Edison Motors Chairman Kang Young-kwon sentenced to 3 years for stock manipulation in SsangYong Motor takeover, defrauding investors of 162....

Published 2026.02.03. 20:30:35 | By Chung Yu-na

Pohang Pivots From Steel to AI Hub With Data Center Groundbreaking

Pohang launches major AI transformation with 40MW data center groundbreaking, steel industry AI hub, and Asia-Pacific AI Center bid, leveraging Korea'...

Published 2026.02.03. 19:58:12 | By Son Sung-rak

Gangdong District to Build Childcare Hub in Godeok-dong, Launches Design Competition

Seoul's Gangdong District launches design competition for a 455-square-meter childcare facility in Godeok-dong, with 2.56 billion won construction bud...

Published 2026.02.03. 19:56:39 | By Park Chang-kyu

Gwanak District Launches Gwanak S-Valley Integrated Platform

Seoul's Gwanak District launches Gwanak S-Valley Integrated Platform to provide consolidated support information for startups and venture companies, f...

Published 2026.02.03. 19:56:27 | By Park Chang-kyu

Miryang's Stay-and-Play Tourism Push Stalls Over Accommodation Shortage

** Miryang's plan to become a stay-and-play tourism destination faces setbacks as Sunshine Theme Park accommodation facilities remain unbuilt despite ...

Published 2026.02.03. 19:55:43 | By Park Jong-wan

Incheon Triples Agriculture Budget, Opens Canadian Export Route

Incheon city establishes new Food Industry Division, triples eco-friendly agriculture budget, and opens three permanent sales outlets in Toronto to ex...

Published 2026.02.03. 19:55:11 | By Ahn Jae-kyun