Lawmaker suggests high medical school tuition costs pose obstacles for students from deprived backgrounds

The Malaysian Embassy in Seoul celebrated the country's 67th National Day Monday, commemorating Malaysia's independence from British Colonial rule in 1957. Celebrating the day, which falls on August 31, Malaysian Ambassador to South Korea Mohd Zamruni Khalid emphasized that the country, surrounded by unprecedented political uncertainties, has remained steadfast and resilient in its quest to move forward. "Over the years, Malaysia has shown that it can overcome the odds. ... Today,

Next year's budget for a state-run call center for victims of digital crimes has been cut by nearly 20 percent, while the country sees a rise in such crimes, government data showed Tuesday. The Korea Communications Commission's 2025 budget for protection of internet users -- which is used to operate the Online Damage 365 Center for victims of digital crimes -- has been revealed to be 921 million won ($690,000), according to KCC data submitted to Rep. Hwang Jung-a of the main oppositi

A woman in her 20s is under investigation over allegations of releasing digitally produced pornographic images of her former boyfriend, in the first reported deepfake case involving a male victim in Korea. According to local media reports on Tuesday, Busan Metropolitan Police is investigating the suspect for allegedly releasing fake pornographic videos and images of the male victim, also in his 20s. She is also accused of other crimes such as sharing the victim's nude photos on social med

3 top diplomats pledge efforts for lasting trilateral cooperation despite leadership changes

A driver suspected of driving under the influence by a YouTuber died in a car accident during a livestreamed car chase, police said Tuesday. According to Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station, at 3:50 a.m. on Sunday in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, a male driver in his 30s crashed his sport utility vehicle into a parked truck during what appeared to be a high-speed chase initiated by a YouTuber known for exposing drunk drivers. The YouTuber, whose channel has over 70,000 subscribers, mostly posts videos of ca

The civic group behind a civilian patrol unit of dog owners said Tuesday said it was recruiting new members as it plans to expand its operations nationwide. The non-government Clear City (City Without Abandoned Dogs) said it had started receiving applications to join the Dog Patrol Program, which previously had operated only in Seoul, Busan, Incheon and other cities in Gyeonggi Province with the cooperation of the respective regional governments. First launched in 2022 in Seoul, the program invi

Opposition chief Rep. Lee Jae-myung planning postelection trip to the US

The prosecution's independent investigation review committee held a meeting to deliberate on whether a Korean American pastor should be indicted for gifting a luxury bag and other expensive items to first lady Kim Keon Hee. The panel, comprising outside experts, convened behind closed doors to review whether pastor Choi Jae-young should be indicted on charges of violating the anti-graft law, defamation, and others related to the scandal. The Korean American pastor gifted a Dior handbag wort

Google and Microsoft’s Bing are steadily gaining traction in the South Korean web search market, with their combined market share surpassing 40 percent, according to data from Internet Trend. As of Aug. 9, Naver retained the top position with a 54.73 percent share, followed by Google at 37.2 percent and Bing at 3.6 percent. Bing recently overtook local portal Daum, which was at 3.33 percent, continuing its downward trend. Google and Bing together now command 40.8 percent of the market, m

The presidential office said Monday that President Yoon Suk Yeol's possible solo meeting with ruling People Power Party (PPP) chief Han Dong-hoon needs a separate consultation, after Han requested it on the occasion of Yoon's dinner meeting with the PPP leadership this week. Yoon will hold a dinner meeting with Han and other PPP leaders Tuesday to discuss the government's medical reform plan. Separately from the group dinner, Han requested a solo meeting with Yoon on the same day.

Three recently passed bills, including one targeting first lady Kim Keon Hee, violate the Constitution, the presidential office said Monday, suggesting they will be vetoed by President Yoon Suk Yeol. The bills were unilaterally passed by the main opposition Democratic Party on Thursday despite fierce objections from the ruling People Power Party. One calls for an independent probe into Kim's stock manipulation allegations, as well as her receipt of a luxury bag and her alleged interference

Ji Seong-ho, the governor of North Hamgyong Province, is on a trip to Washington to discuss President Yoon Suk Yeol’s “doctrine” on Korean reunification with US government officials, senators and think tanks. The North Korean defector and former lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party told The Korea Herald on Monday that over his trip he is scheduled to meet with Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty; Amb. Julie Turner, special envoy on North Korean human rights; and shadow Sen. Paul

The National Assembly’s Gender Equality and Family Committee approved a bill to strengthen punishment against deepfake sex crimes and victim support Monday, with the aim of passing it during a plenary session on Thursday. During Monday’s committee meeting, representatives of both the ruling and opposition party approved amendments to the Juvenile Protection Act and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Victims Protection Act. According to the amendments made to the Juvenile Protection A

A 58-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of his girlfriend 16 years ago, after her remains were discovered during construction work. Geoje Police and the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency said Monday they had arrested the man on suspicion of killing his live-in girlfriend in 2008. The man is accused of fatally striking the victim, who was in her 30s at the time, with a blunt object during an argument on Oct. 10 that year, at their residence in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. The sus