WASHINGTON -- A state department spokesperson called on China and Russia on Monday to hold North Korea accountable for its missile launches in violation of UN Security Council sanctions, insisting failure to do so will not be in their interest. The call from state department press secretary Ned Price came after Moscow and Beijing blocked US-led efforts to punish North Korea for its recent provocations that included the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, along with more than a doze

　The number of households in the capital city of Seoul is expected to gradually decrease starting in 2030, data showed, as more people move to other areas in search of affordable housing. 　According to the estimate by Statistics Korea, the number of households in Seoul, which came to 3.95 million in 2020, is expected to grow through 2029 and reach a peak of 4.12 million. 　Starting in 2030, however, the number is expected to lose ground, eventually reaching 3.79 million in 2050, it added. 　Th

The National Assembly on Monday grilled high-ranking officials over their handling of the Itaewon crowd crush as the country tries to get to the bottom of a tragedy that has left at least 156 people dead. At the parliamentary grilling, the police and the fire authorities came under fire as details of their tardy response emerged. The police station in Yongsan, the district where Itaewon is located, failed to dispatch its teams in time despite getting 11 calls starting from nearly four hours p

Lawmakers at the National Assembly proposed revising a domestic violence law to allow the punishment of stalking crimes committed by family members. Independent Rep. Yang Jeong-sook and other 10 lawmakers on Thursday purposed a revision to the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Crimes of Domestic Violence to extend the scope of punishing stalking crimes, Yang’s office announced Monday. The current domestic violence law has only regulated limited scope of stalking crimes, suc

Former President Moon Jae-in has notified the South Korean government of his intent to return the dogs that were gifted to him by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un back to the state. Moon on Saturday relayed his decision to the Ministry of Interior and Safety that he wishes to return a pair of dogs and their puppy that he was taking care of since May, according to local reports on Monday. Of the three dogs, a pair, Gomi and Songang, were given to the former president by the North Korean leader dur

S.Korean Air Force cancels live-fire contest to maintain full readiness against N.Korean provocations

Although the national mourning period for the Itaewon disaster ended on Saturday, many people are left traumatized by direct and indirect exposure to tragic scenes. Experts and mental health associations asked hospitals to prioritize the treatment of patients suffering from the disaster. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Sunday, the Korean Association of Psychiatric Practitioners recently sent a text message to its members saying, "We ask for prompt therapeutic intervention

Seoul police chief apologizes for 'insufficient response'

Yoon strongly criticizes police and hints at major revamping of police

Guenego Limamou was on 10-day visit of Korea, planning fusion French-Korean restaurant back home

North Korea reveals it carried out military operations last week, vows 'merciless' response to joint drills by the South, US

Min Byoung-chul, an endowed chair professor at Chung-Ang University and a multicultural educator, will hold an author event in Seoul on Wednesday. In the lecture, Min will talk about his recent book “Land of Squid Game,” which highlights some deep-rooted aspects of Korea’s unique culture and traditional games. The first 100 participants will receive a copy of the book for free. A live chat with the author is limited to 50 guests on a first come, first served basis. The event

South Korea's new coronavirus cases fell below 20,000 on Monday due to fewer tests over the weekend amid growing concerns that daily infections could spike to as high as 200,000 during the winter. The country reported 18,671 new COVID-19 infections, including 60 from overseas, bringing the total to 25,856,910, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. The figure fell from the previous day's 36,675 cases, but it was up from 14,242 cases two weeks ago and from 8,974 fo

President Yoon Suk-yeol apologized to the nation Monday for the deadly Itaewon crowd crush, saying he will ensure a thorough investigation into the tragedy and hold those responsible to account. Yoon issued the apology during a meeting held to review crowd control and other safety regulations in the wake of the tragedy that killed 156 people on Oct. 29. "I dare not compare myself to the parents who lost their sons and daughters, but as the president who should protect the people's lives and

　Stalking and dating violence have steadily increased over the past few years, yet the number of police officers in charge of such crimes has remained unchanged, police data showed. 　According to the National Police Agency data submitted to Rep. Yong Hye-in of the Basic Income Party, 3,621 cases of stalking crimes were reported in 2021, sharply up from 897 in 2018, 1,938 in 2019 and 1,444 in 2020. 　Noticeably, 4,992 stalking crimes were reported until August of this year alone, the data showe