South Korea

South Korean court sentences ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee to jail for bribery by Unification Church

The court cleared Kim, the wife of ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted from office last year, of charges of stock price manipulation and violating the Political Funds Act.

South Korea's former first lady Kim Keon Hee, wife of impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol, arrives at a court to attend a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors at the Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea August 12, 2025.
South Korean special envoy Lee Hae-chan attends talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (not pictured) at the foreign ministry in Beijing, China, May 18, 2017.

South Korea’s ex-PM Lee Hae-chan dies of heart attack during official visit to Vietnam

US President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, US, April 7, 2025.

Israel’s strategic pivot: Why Netanyahu is ready to end American military aid - opinion

Firefighters work at the scene of a fire at Guryong village, the last shantytown in the Gangnam district, in Seoul, South Korea, January 16, 2026.

Hundreds of firefighters tackle blaze in deprived area of South Korea's Gangnam district


Democracy, liberty, and states of emergency: Five lessons from South Korea - opinion

In South Korea, the combination of broad and determined public involvement with functioning institutions that are still democratic seems to be effective and successful at keeping democracy afloat. 

SOUTH KOREAN President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers an address to the nation from the Presidential Office in Seoul last Thursday.

Finding her way home: A Jewish-Korean immigrant's experience in paving a future in Israel

Tamar Shoshan, a new immigrant and future lone soldier, embodies the qualities of patience and perseverance through her journey from New York to Israel.

 TAMAR’S RECONNECTION with her Jewish identity came unexpectedly when a friend introduced her to Tzofim North America (the Israeli Scouts) in ninth grade. Here, she is pictured with the local Tzofim leadership team.

South Korean president faces impeachment calls after martial law debacle

The main opposition Democratic Party called for Yoon, who has been in office since 2022, to resign or face impeachment.

 SOUTH KOREAN President Yoon Suk Yeol attends the Korea-Pacific Islands Summit in Seoul, last week.

South Korean researchers: kimchi cuts fat, boosts gut health

Study participants who ate kimchi experienced a 2.6% reduction in body fat over three months.

 Cuts fat. Kimchi.

106-million years ago, this tiny dino-predator ran faster than any animal living today

Researchers found Dromaeosauriformipes rarus used feathered arms to achieve lift, suggesting early evolution of flapping flight.

 Cast of microraptor.

Heavy smokers may need 25 years for heart disease risk to match that of non-smokers after quitting

Study reveals ex-smokers with over eight pack-years have similar heart attack risk as current smokers.

 Smoker.

Intruder breaks into Seoul Israeli Embassy, causes property damage - report

There were no subsequent reports of anyone wounded from the incident. However, the report noted, at the time, that the intruder had not been found.

 WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 4, 2019: EMBASSY OF ISRAEL - sign at building entrance (illustrative)

North Korean troops in Russia readying for combat in Ukraine war, S.Korea says

South Korea will respond to the North's activities with all available means, it added, without elaborating on what actions it might take.

 Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un attend a state reception in Pyongyang, North Korea June 19, 2024.

North Korea set to blow up cross-border roads with South amid drone row, Seoul says

The South Korean military spokesperson warned that North Korea was making preparations to blow up the border as soon as Monday.

 A balloon believed to have been sent by North Korea, carrying various objects including what appeared to be trash and excrement, is seen over a rice field at Cheorwon, South Korea, May 29, 2024.

First Israel studies center opens in South Korea amid anti-Israel protests

Pro-Palestinians protestors unsuccessfully appealed to the heads of the university to sever all ties with Israel, starting with dismantling this new learning center