The top security officials of South Korea and Poland on Wednesday expressed concerns over growing military ties between North Korea and Russia and agreed to expand their nations' security and defense industry cooperation in response, the presidential office said. National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik held a meeting with his Polish counterpart, Jacek Siewiera, ahead of a summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Polish President Andrzej Duda on Thursday. The two officials disc

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Wednesday the government will collaborate with the National Assembly to promptly enact a law supporting the artificial intelligence industry. Han underscored the importance of the proposed AI Act, which aims to establish a legal framework promoting the AI industry while ensuring the safe use of the technology. "(The government) will closely communicate with the National Assembly to promptly pass the AI Act," Han said during a conference in Seoul. "

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has once again called for enhancing the country's war deterrence, including the readiness of its nuclear capabilities, in response to what he described as growing nuclear threats from the United States, state media said Wednesday. Kim made the remarks during his inspection of "strategic missile bases," the Korean Central News Agency said in an English-language dispatch. The report did not specify the location or the date of the inspection. "As

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un slammed South Korea and Ukraine on Tuesday for what she claimed was a military provocation against Pyongyang, likening the two countries to "bad dogs bred by the US." The statement by Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the central committee of the ruling Workers' Party, came days after South Korea's spy agency said the North was sending troops to fight alongside Russia in the war in Ukraine. "A military provoca

Efforts needed for SE Asians to feel Korea is 'close friend, mutually helpful partner': ASEAN-Korea Center head

Three employees of subsidiaries of Hybe, parent company of the agency representing K-pop superstars BTS, denied insider trading during the first hearing of their trial on Tuesday, claiming they were unaware that BTS member Jin's enlistment is considered "material, non-public information." The Seoul Southern District Court held its first hearing for the three defendants, who include a former employee of BigHit Music, a former employee of Belift Lab and a current employee of Source

Over 10,000 foreign nationals are receiving South Korea's Old-age Pension, the main benefit provision of the country's national pension system, a figure that has continuously increased since 2019, data showed Monday. Subscribers to the mandatory pension become eligible for benefits when they fulfill two conditions: They must have paid premiums for at least 10 years and reached the pension age, which is currently 63 for the Old-age Pension, and 58 for a reduced Early Old-age Pension. Ac

Police on Tuesday requested an arrest warrant for the head of an obstetrics hospital and the doctor who performed an abortion on a 36-week fetus, facing murder charges. The Seoul Metropolitan Agency said it has sought warrants to detain the head of the hospital where the abortion took place and the surgeon who operated on a woman in her 20s. The Seoul Central District Court are to review the police request on Wednesday. The case became known in June when a woman posted a video on YouTube, purpor

International World in Korea, a civic group promoting multiculturalism and diversity, held an award ceremony in Seoul on Saturday to honor several Koreans and foreign nationals for their contributions to Korean society and their efforts in promoting international exchange. The National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee Chairman’s Awards were presented to Chukhlantseva Mariia, Berdibekova Aiperi and Idil Ayral; the Seoul Metropolitan Council Chairman's Awards went to I

Yoon tells Han that first lady Kim would further limit her role

Achim Steiner underscores Korea’s role as vital partner in addressing pressing global crises, climate change, AI and digital transition

North Korea dismisses troop deployment “rumors”

Top diplomats issue separate joint statement solely to condemn 'reported' deployment of N. Korean troops

Government data showed Tuesday that of all the South Korean workers in the month of September, the largest portion of them were age 60 and over. According to Statistics Korea and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the country had 6.75 million workers in the 60-and-over age group as of September. The figured marked an all-time high for workers in this age group, with an increase of 272,000 compared to the previous month. September also marked the first time ever that the number of workers aged 60

With Halloween and other festivities fast approaching, the government announced on Tuesday that it will strengthen its crowd safety measures for areas expecting large gatherings. During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min stated that the ministry will implement a series of intensive crowd management measures in 27 areas expecting large gatherings for eight days from Oct. 25. The ministry’s crowd control measures come two years after South Korea’s deadliest cr