The US Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. The ruling is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states, although the timing of those laws taking effect varies. Some Republican-led states will ban or severely limit abortion immediately, while other restrictions will take effect later. At least one state, Texas, is waiting until after the Supreme Court issues its formal judgment in the case, which is

JEJU -- Three fishing boats docked at a port on the southern island of Jeju caught fire Thursday, leaving three people seriously injured, firefighting authorities said. The fire started in one boat at Hallim Port at 10:17 a.m. and is believed to have spread to two others, according to the Coast Guard and firefighters. Three people were rescued from the sea reportedly with serious injuries and were transported to a hospital, officials said. Coast Guard rescuers and six patrol ships were battling

The presidential office said Thursday it is paying close attention to the prosecution's investigations into two former spy chiefs accused of mishandling two separate cases involving North Korea. The investigations were launched after the National Intelligence Service on Wednesday filed complaints against its former Directors Park Jie-won and Suh Hoon. Park is accused of deleting intelligence-related reports on North Korea's killing of a South Korean fisheries official at sea in Septemb

South Korea's new coronavirus cases stayed above 18,000 for the third straight day Thursday, as the nation embarks on a summer vacation season amid the eased social distancing restrictions. The country added 18,511 new COVID-19 infections, including 194 from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 18,451,862, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. Thursday's tally is similar to the 18,147 on Tuesday and the 19,371 on Wednesday but nearly doubled from the 9,591 a

Lovebug outbreak leads to onslaught of complaints, but experts advise against excessive use of pesticides

An endangered red fox released by conservation authorities traveled some 200 kilometers south from North Gyeongsang Province to Busan, the Korea National Park Service said. According to the park service under the Ministry of Environment, a male red fox, labeled SKM-2121, is currently living on a hill within the boundaries of Busan, having traveled some 200 kilometers south after being released in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, in December. The fox was born at a research institute under

The parents in the family found dead in a submerged car suffered from depression, police have said. According to police, both of Cho Yu-na’s parents were being treated for depression at a medical center in Gwangju, where the family had resided, from 2020 until recently. “We have received information that Cho’s parents were being treated for depression by the National Health Insurance Corp.,” police said. “It is difficult to reveal details as the investigation i

Nation aims to develop lunar lander by 2031; expand participation in Artemis

Health Minister post remains vacant for almost two months amid ongoing COVID-19

The number of airport bus passengers in Seoul increased by 2.6 times during the past six months, the city government said Wednesday, as the demand for air travel has spiked after the lifting of almost all COVID-19 social distancing restrictions in April. The number of rides performed by foreign tourist taxis has also rebounded and exceeded 5,000 in only three months after they resumed operations in April, the government said. The two modes of public transportation had suspended operations for ab

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard was given an honorary citizenship of Seoul on Wednesday in recognition of his contribution to friendship between Seoul and Mexico City, officials said. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon presented Ebrard with a certificate of honorary citizenship at a ceremony at City Hall. Ebrard, who has been on a visit to South Korea since Sunday, served as mayor of Mexico City from 2006-2012 before becoming the country's top diplomat. In 2010, Oh met with Ebrard during a visi

Test your knowledge of Korea with our weekly quiz on the language, culture, history or anything K-related.  Answer: (a)  Koreans usually eat a bowl of miyeokguk (seaweed soup), typically for breakfast, on their birthday.  ------------------- Like in many cultures, Koreans mark special occasions and events by eating and sharing certain foods. They include Lunar New Year and Chuseok – the two biggest traditional holidays here. Koreans eat a bowl of tteokguk, rice cak

South Korea's new coronavirus cases increased for the second straight day on Wednesday, as the virus spread at a faster pace amid eased social distancing restrictions. The country added 19,371 new COVID-19 infections, including 224 from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 18,433,359, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. Wednesday's tally is up from 6,253 on Monday and 18,147 on Tuesday, and nearly doubled from 10,455 a week ago. The KDCA has said the pace o

As world sizzles under deadly heat domes, officials come up with resourceful ideas to protect the vulnerable

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Park Soon-ae on Tuesday apologized for driving under the influence of alcohol and vowed to reform the country’s education system, as she took office about a month after her nomination. Park, a former professor at Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Public Administration, met with the press at Government Complex Sejong on Tuesday following her inauguration ceremony. Her nomination for the post raised doubts as she was caught