South Korea has introduced breathing sensors in a new military prison to help prevent suicides, an informed source said Tuesday, in the first installation of such equipment at a local correctional facility. The military installed the domestically developed sensor in about 50 cells, including solitary confinement rooms, at the prison in Icheon, 80 kilometers south of Seoul. It is to officially open next month. The sensors are designed to monitor inmates' breathing in real time and programmed

　Total art investments into small shares of blue-chip paintings in South Korea amounted to nearly 100 billion won ($78.5 million) over the past 3 1/2 years, industry data showed. 　Four local online art investment platforms, including industry leader ArtnGuide, allow consumers to invest in iconic artworks by buying small ownership stakes, attracting small-sum investors interested in diversifying their investment portfolios to the field that had been previously only available to the wealthy. 　A

South Korea's Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul has attended a virtual session of a US-led forum on support for war-torn Ukraine, his ministry said Tuesday. Hosted by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Monday's session of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group involved officials from some 40 countries. Participants discussed the situation in Ukraine and joint efforts to aid the nation, according to the ministry. Shin strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an "act

President Yoon Suk-yeol has ranked among US magazine Time's 100 most influential people of 2022, its website showed Tuesday. Yoon, who was inaugurated two weeks ago, was chosen in the category of leaders. He was introduced as a "a former prosecutor with little foreign policy experience" who is "determined to take on the challenge" of North Korea's nuclear weapons program. "On the campaign trail, Yoon, of the conservative People Power Party, called for a tougher

North Korea reported over 134,510 new suspected COVID-19 cases Tuesday, with the total number of fever cases reaching nearly 3 million. More than 134,510 people showed indications of fever, with no additional deaths reported, over a 24-hour period until 6 p.m. the previous day, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, citing data from the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters. The daily number of fever cases has remained below 200,000 for the third consecutive day afte

Health minister nominee Chung Ho-young withdrew Monday amid controversy over his children's school admissions and other issues. The former chief of Kyungpook National University Hospital has been under pressure to step down from both the ruling and opposition parties. "I will serve as a nest egg for the success of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and the cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties," he said in a statement. Chung was nominated in April to head the healt

Some said that “travel has seven benefits” but when traveling to Korea, these benefits are magnified. The reason for this is that South Korea is one of the richest cultures in far East Asia and its people are some of the most exemplary when it comes to dedication and productivity. As a society, South Korea has a collective ambition of developing and enhancing technology. The first thing a visitor will notice after getting off the plane is how Koreans love order. No matter where you

At his first major diplomatic event, president gets called out for his male-heavy Cabinet

Seoul will push for “more detailed and substantive” measures to strengthen US extended deterrence

Korea will share experiences and cooperate in all fields covered by IPEF, Yoon says

President Yoon Suk-yeol’s first regular Cabinet meeting on Thursday to go without two ministers due to delayed appointment of health and education ministers

The postponement of the deposit refund scheme for single-use plastic has appeased owners of small businesses for the time being, but concerns remain. On Friday, the Ministry of Environment announced that it will postpone the launch of the new deposit system for single-use cups until Dec. 1. The new scheme was set to kick off on June 10, requiring franchise cafes, bakeries and fast-food franchises with more than 100 branches to charge a 300 won ($0.24) deposit per single-use cup to customers.

South Korea eyes to become “rule maker,” likely seek to lower trade dependence on China

Over 126,000 foreign nationals, 80 percent Chinese, eligible to vote in June 1 elections

Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter scheduled to be launched in August