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Putin thanks North Korea for military deployment: KCNA
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed gratitude for North Korea’s military support in Russia’s war against Ukraine, North Korean state media reported Tuesday. In a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency, Putin praised the deployment of North Korean forces to Russia’s Kursk region, describing it as consistent with international law and the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed between the two countries in June last year. “The dispatch fully conforms to internatio
April 29, 2025 -
Seoul subway fares to increase to 1,550 won starting June 28
The base fare for a subway ride in the Seoul area with a transportation card is scheduled to increase by 150 won ($0.10) to 1,550 won starting June 28, meaning a round-trip fare will exceed 3,000 won for the first time. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Tuesday that the hike was confirmed by the local governments of Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, and Korea Railroad Corp. on April 24. The subway fee adjustment marks the first fare hike in 18 months since the city increased the ba
April 29, 2025 -
Our Ocean Conference kicks off in S. Korea
A major global maritime conference kicked off in South Korea's southeastern port city of Busan on Tuesday to provide a platform for international discussions on the sustainable future of the ocean. The 10th Our Ocean Conference set sail under the theme "Our Ocean, Our Action" for a two-day run at BEXCO, about 325 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Some 2,300 officials, including government delegates from 100 countries and the leaders of international institutions and nongovernmental organizations, h
April 29, 2025 -
Military to inspect Air Force over lax discipline following pilot error-caused accidents
The military will conduct an inspection of the Air Force over its operational discipline and readiness posture this week, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday, following an accidental bombing of a civilian town and a mistaken release of gun pods from an aircraft. The on-site inspection will begin later in the day, the JCS said in a notice to reporters, without providing further details. A JCS official said the inspection of Air Force fighter wings is set to run through Friday and may be extend
April 29, 2025 -
People Power Party set to shortlist two contenders for presidential primary
The People Power Party on Tuesday was set to shortlist two contenders for the party's candidate for the June presidential election, as the party is expected to make the final pick later this week. Four contenders -- former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo, People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo -- are competing to win the nomination for the June 3 election, which will determine the successor of ousted President Yo
April 29, 2025 -
In photos: Firefighters battle overnight to contain Daegu wildfire, now over 92% under control
A wildfire that broke out in Daegu on Monday was about 92 percent contained as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, local authorities said. No casualties have thus far been reported. The Korea Forest Service said firefighting crews worked through the night, deploying 53 helicopters, to bring the main blaze under control. A total of 1,551 personnel and over 400 pieces of equipment were mobilized for the effort. As the fire spread rapidly amid shifting winds on Monday night and early Tuesday, about 6,500 residents
April 29, 2025 -
'School was hard, I exploded' says high schooler responsible for stabbing rampage
A high school student who carried out a stabbing attack that injured seven people on Monday told police he committed the crime out of frustration over difficulties at school. "School life was difficult. I was holding it down, and I exploded," the 17-year-old suspect told investigators, according to officials at Heungdeok Police Station in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. Authorities said Tuesday they are seeking an arrest warrant for the student on charges of attempted murder. Investigators
April 29, 2025 -
Wildfire in Daegu 92% contained: authorities
The containment rate of a wildfire in the southeastern city of Daegu that has spread for two days has risen to 92 percent, officials said Tuesday, as firefighters made all-out efforts to put out the main blaze. About 50 helicopters and 1,500 personnel were mobilized to contain the blaze that broke out Monday on Mount Hamji in northern Daegu, some 230 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Lim Ha-soo, a senior official at the Korea Forest Service, told reporters that it aims to extinguish the main blaze
April 29, 2025 -
N. Korea's military delegation heads to Russia after confirmation of troop dispatch to fight Ukraine
North Korea's military delegation has left for Russia to attend an international event, the North's state media reported Tuesday, a day after Pyongyang confirmed for the first time that it has deployed troops to Russia to fight Ukraine in Kursk. Led by Pak Young-il, deputy director of the General Political Bureau of the North's Korean People's Army, the delegation departed Pyongyang the previous day to attend an international anti-fascism event in Russia, the North's Korean Central News Agency (
April 29, 2025 -
FM Cho extends condolences over deadly vehicle attack at Vancouver festival
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on Monday expressed deep condolences over a deadly vehicle attack during a cultural festival in Vancouver over the weekend that left multiple casualties. "My deepest condolences to those affected by the tragic incident at the Lapu-Lapu festival. We stand in solidarity with the people of Canada and the Filipino Community in Vancouver," Cho said in a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The attack occurred on Saturday (local time) during the Lap
April 28, 2025 -
1,200 residents evacuated from Daegu wildfire
After South Korea battled the worst wildfire in its history in March, another wildfire in the southeastern city of Daegu spread fast Monday, forcing some 1,200 residents to evacuate. Authorities stated that the fire broke out at approximately 2 p.m. in Hamjisan, a mountain in the city’s central region. Forest authorities initially issued a Level 1 wildfire response, deploying 19 helicopters, 38 pieces of firefighting equipment and 165 firefighters. Thirty minutes later, the response was raised t
April 28, 2025 -
Human rights body not to attend LGBTQ+ festival, breaking 8-year streak
The National Human Rights Commission said Monday it will not attend this year's Seoul Queer Culture Festival, deciding to boycott invitation of both the largest LGBTQ+ festival in the country and the anti-homosexual rally on the same day. Organizers of the festival and the demonstration held by the Holy Korea — a Christian group opposing public display of same-sex relations — both invited the NHRC to their respective events in Seoul on June 14, according to the commission. The invitation sent by
April 28, 2025 -
Refusing surgery on HIV patient is discrimination
Refusing to conduct surgery based on a person's HIV status is an infringement on one's right to equality, the National Human Rights Commission said Monday. Recently, a petition was filed with the NHRC by a person who was turned down after trying to book surgery for cervical and spinal stenosis at a Seoul-based hospital. According to the hospital, its medical staff had decided that the patient's conditions did not require surgery, and recommended treatment at another hospital since none of the st
April 28, 2025 -
NK formalizes troop deployment, signals deeper alliance with Russia
North Korea’s first official acknowledgment of its troop deployment to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, following around six months of silence, on Monday comes at a timely moment domestically to frame its participation in a more favorable light, as Russia claims momentum on the battlefield has shifted in Moscow’s favor ahead of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Observers in Seoul view that Pyongyang’s announcement is externally aimed at securing reciprocal commitments — effectivel
April 28, 2025 -
Fire in Daegu spreads toward villages
A fire on a mountain in Daegu began spreading toward nearby villages Monday, triggering the second-highest firefighting response. The blaze began around 2 p.m. on Mount Hamji in the city some 230 kilometers southeast of Seoul, prompting forest authorities to issue a Level 1 wildfire response involving 19 helicopters, 38 pieces of equipment and 165 personnel. The response level was later raised to Level 2 on a three-tier scale as strong winds fanned the flames. No casualties have been reported so
April 28, 2025