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Child rapist faces return to prison after serving 12 years
Prosecutors on Wednesday asked for a two-year prison term for convicted child rapist Cho Doo-soon after he allegedly violated court-imposed restrictions by leaving his home multiple times during school dismissal hours. “The defendant has repeatedly violated court-issued restrictions and committed another violation even while awaiting judgment after being indicted,” a prosecutor said. “Strong punishment is required to protect the public and uphold the effectiveness of the law.” The prosecution al
Dec. 24, 2025 -
Are Korea's special counsels becoming the norm?
South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party of Korea is preparing to launch a second wave of special counsel investigations, despite concerns over rising costs, effectiveness and the strain on the criminal justice system — and even rare open dissent from within the party itself. The party seeks to follow up on three high-profile special counsel probes — into the 2024 emergency martial law incident, allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee, and the death of a Marine corporal — arguing that
Dec. 23, 2025 -
Professors took students’ exams to avoid department shutdown
Three professors and a teaching assistant in Gwangju were fined for taking exams on behalf of their students in an attempt to prevent their department from being abolished, the Gwangju District Court said Monday. The four were fined between 1.5 million won and 6 million won ($1,000 to $4,000) after being found guilty of obstructing academic operations and aiding and abetting the obstruction of business. The defendants had directly recruited students to fill their department’s enrollment quota, a
Dec. 23, 2025 -
South Korea expands ethical oversight of animal testing in national R&D
● Updated Law: Enforcement Decree of the Animal Protection Act What it does: Broadens ethical oversight of animal testing in national research projects Took effect: Dec. 3 South Korea has expanded ethical requirements for animal testing conducted as part of national research and development projects, bringing a wider range of institutions under regulatory oversight. Under the revised decree, companies governed by the Commercial Act, small and medium-sized enterprises, and nonprofit organizations
Dec. 23, 2025 -
Court set to hold arrest extension hearing for ex-President Yoon
A court hearing is set to be held Tuesday on whether to extend the arrest of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed imposition of martial law. The Seoul Central District Court is scheduled to hold the hearing at 2:30 p.m. to determine whether Yoon should be held further on charges of aiding the enemy and power abuse in connection with his alleged drone deployment to North Korea in October last year. Yoon, who has been held in custody since July on charges of obstructing justice by blocki
Dec. 23, 2025 -
As prisons overflow, Korea moves to expand parole
South Korea will increase the number of inmates released on parole from next year as part of efforts to ease chronic overcrowding in correctional facilities, the Ministry of Justice said Sunday. The ministry said it plans to parole about 1,340 inmates a month in 2026, a 30 percent increase from this year, adding that it will actively push ahead with broader application of parole. Officials stressed that the measure would be implemented with public safety as a priority, with parole expansion focu
Dec. 22, 2025 -
Personal data breach surcharge, mandatory cyber disaster insurance
Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Proposed by Rep. Park Beom-kye (Democratic Party of Korea) Proposed Bill: Cyber Disaster Insurance Act Proposed by Rep. Park Jeong-hun (People Power Party) Pending Bill: Special Act on Strengthening Competitiveness and Promoting Innovative Growth in the Semiconductor Industry Proposed by Rep. Lee Chul-gyu (People Power Party) Promulgated Bill: Rules on Occupational Safety and Health Standards Competent Authority: Ministr
Dec. 22, 2025 -
Naturalization denied to Bangladeshi man over criminal record
A South Korean court has upheld the Justice Ministry’s decision to deny naturalization to a Bangladeshi national who applied for citizenship, ruling that he failed to meet the statutory requirement of “good conduct.” In a ruling announced Sunday, the Seoul Administrative Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Bangladeshi national seeking to overturn the ministry’s rejection of his naturalization application. The plaintiff had initially applied for simplified naturalization based on marriage to a S
Dec. 21, 2025 -
Top court removes police chief over Yoon’s martial law decree
South Korea’s Constitutional Court unanimously ruled Wednesday to remove National Police Agency Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho from office, nearly a year after the National Assembly impeached him over his role in enforcing a police blockade of parliament during former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law decree. The ruling marks the first time a national police commissioner general has been ousted through impeachment, the court said. In its decision, the court said Cho carried out the president
Dec. 18, 2025 -
Supreme Court to set up special panel for insurrection, foreign aggression cases
South Korea’s Supreme Court said Wednesday it will establish internal court rules to create a dedicated trial panel for nationally important cases, including charges of insurrection, foreign aggression and military rebellion. According to the court, the rules will allow for the designation of a specialized panel focused exclusively on cases involving crimes of insurrection and crimes against the state under criminal law, as well as rebellion charges under military criminal law. The court said th
Dec. 18, 2025 -
Justice Ministry maintains 24-hour monitoring of child rapist after public disclosure ends
The Ministry of Justice said Wednesday it is maintaining round-the-clock supervision of convicted child sex offender Cho Doo-soon after the expiration of his personal information disclosure period earlier this month. “Even after the end of Cho Doo-soon’s personal information disclosure period, he is being managed without gaps through 24-hour location tracking and one-on-one supervision by a dedicated probation officer,” the ministry said in a statement. He is not permitted to leave his residence
Dec. 18, 2025 -
Ex-military commander recants testimony on Yoon's alleged order to arrest lawmakers
A former commander of the Capital Defense Command on Monday recanted his earlier testimony that former President Yoon Suk Yeol had ordered him to "drag out" lawmakers from the National Assembly during a failed attempt to impose martial law last December, officials said. Lee Jin-woo, who is suspected of having played a key role in Yoon's imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, made the reversal while testifying as a witness at a hearing on charges of insurrection against the former president.
Dec. 15, 2025 -
Belift Lab sues NewJeans fan group, citing defamation of Illit
Belift Lab, a K-pop subsidiary label under Hybe, has filed a lawsuit against NewJeans fan group Team Bunnies for allegedly defaming its girl group Illit. In a complaint submitted Monday to the Seoul Western District Court, Belift Lab said the operator of Team Bunnies had persistently spread false claims accusing Illit of plagiarizing NewJeans, causing reputational and financial harm. The label is seeking 100 million won ($68,000) in damages. Belift Lab also took issue with Team Bunnies’ alleged
Dec. 15, 2025 -
Special counsel for Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection probe to wrap up
The special counsel team investigating suspicions of insurrection linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law decree is set to conclude on Monday, with Special Counsel Cho Eun-seok’s briefing slated to present the team’s findings. Cho is scheduled to appear before the media at 10 a.m. on Monday to disclose the results of the investigation, including when and why then-President Yoon first decided to declare martial law. The special counsel was formally launched on June 18, 2025,
Dec. 14, 2025 -
Ex-defense minister faces added charge of leaking confidential info in connection with martial law
A special counsel team investigating former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid additionally indicted former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Saturday on charges of leaking military secrets. Kim is accused of conspiring with Moon Sang-ho, former commander of the Defense Intelligence Command, and two other military officers to hand over the personal information of more than 40 DIC personnel to former DIC commander Noh Sang-won, according to the team. The special counsel team believe
Dec. 14, 2025