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A video showing the abuse of a migrant worker in South Korea prompts President Lee Jae Myung to demand better protection measures.

South Korea to Address Migrant Workers' Human Rights Abuse

A disturbing video shows a Sri Lankan worker mistreated in a South Korean factory. President Lee calls for urgent action, ensuring migrants' rights protection.

South Korea Probes Forklift Abuse of Migrant

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung criticized a video of a Sri Lankan worker mistreated at a factory. An investigation is underway to ensure better conditions for migrant workers.

South Korea's president has directed officials to seek measures to prevent the mistreatment of migrant workers following public outrage over a video showing a Sri Lankan worker being transported by a forklift while bound at a South Korean factory.
&ldquo;After watching the video, I couldn't believe my eyes,&rdquo; President Lee Jae Myung expressed in a Facebook post on Thursday. &ldquo;That was an intolerable violation and clear human rights abuses of a minority person.&rdquo; During a subsequent Cabinet Council meeting, Lee reiterated his condemnation of the abuse and voiced concerns regarding South Korea's international reputation. He instructed government ministries to assess the human rights situation facing migrant workers and other minorities and to develop pragmatic steps to prevent such violations.
South Korean human rights activists released the video on Wednesday. The footage, filmed at a brick factory in the southwestern city of Naju in late February, was captured and provided by a fellow Sri Lankan worker.
The video depicts a forklift operator, identified as South Korean, lifting another worker bound with plastic wraps and tied to bricks. As the forklift maneuvers him around the factory yard, laughter from another individual is audible.
The 31-year-old victim, who arrived in South Korea in November, endured this abuse for approximately five minutes as a punishment by the South Korean forklift operator, dissatisfied with the victim's brick wrapping skills, according to Mun Gil Ju, a local activist involved in releasing the video.
Naju city officials stated that the factory head mentioned the event was organized as a prank. However, Mun emphasized that &ldquo;bounding a person with plastic wraps&rdquo; should not be trivialized as a prank.
The company employs about 24 workers, including seven from East Timor and Sri Lanka, in addition to South Koreans. According to Naju officials, the Sri Lankan victim continues to work at the factory.
The Labour Ministry announced on Thursday that it will launch an investigation into the factory and review whether foreign workers have been subjected to beating, bullying, and delayed wages.
Many migrant workers, predominantly from Southeast Asia and China, engage in low-paying or hazardous jobs at factories, farms, and other sites, where activists report frequent discrimination and mistreatment. (AP)
&nbsp;
(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
&nbsp;

South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung pledges dialogue with North Korea and warns of threats from global protectionism, as markets react positively to his victory.

South Korea's new leader vows to 'heal wounds' with nuclear-armed North

South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung pledges dialogue with North Korea and warns of threats from global protectionism, as markets react positively to his victory.

South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung vowed to reach out to the nuclear-armed North and "heal wounds" as he took office Wednesday, after winning snap elections triggered by his predecessor's disastrous martial law declaration.
South Korea's new centre-left leader also warned that "rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring" posed an existential threat to Asia's export-dependent fourth-largest economy, which has been buffeted by the global trade chaos sparked by US President Donald Trump.
Lee scored a thumping victory over conservative Kim Moon-soo, of disgraced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol's former party, in snap elections, with his term beginning immediately after the vote tally was certified early Wednesday.
Lee secured 49.4 percent of the vote, far ahead of the 41.2 percent for Kim -- who conceded, having been hampered by party infighting and a third-party candidate splitting the right-wing vote.
Lee spoke to South Korea's top military commander and formally assumed operational control of the country's armed forces Wednesday, urging them to maintain "readiness" in case of Pyongyang provocations -- but said in his first comments that he was ready to talk.
"We will heal the wounds of division and war and establish a future of peace and prosperity," he said.
"No matter how costly, peace is better than war."
He said the country would "deter North Korean nuclear and military provocations while opening communication channels and pursuing dialogue and cooperation to build peace on the Korean Peninsula".
Lee took office just hours before the United States was set to slap tariffs of 50 percent on South Korea's crucial steel and aluminium exports.
"The rapid changes in the global order such as rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring pose a threat to our very survival," Lee said.
Markets reacted favourably to the election, with the benchmark KOSPI and the won rising Wednesday.
 - 'Significant departure' -
Lee's comments on North Korea are a "significant departure" from those of his hawkish predecessor Yoon, as he did not immediately attach preconditions to dialogue with Pyongyang, said Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
It signals "his desire to resolve disagreements through talks", Hong told AFP.
"While it remains to be seen how Pyongyang will respond, it is notable that Lee has clearly indicated a different approach to North Korea," he added.
Lee held a modest inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly -- where Yoon deployed armed troops on the night he attempted to suspend civilian rule.
Just a few hundred guests attended, in contrast to the large outdoor events held after regularly scheduled elections, which often attract tens of thousands.
He will later head to the presidential office to begin naming key cabinet members, with the focus on who is tapped to serve as presidential chief of staff, prime minister and director of the National Intelligence Service.
The day is expected to end with a flurry of congratulatory phone calls from world leaders, with Trump likely to be the first on the line.
Trump's top diplomat, Marco Rubio, was swift to offer his own congratulations and voice hope for working with Lee, who previously has sought greater distance from the United States.
Washington's alliance with Seoul was "ironclad", the US secretary of state said in a statement, citing "shared values and deep economic ties".
Lee comes to power with his party already holding a parliamentary majority -- secure for the next three years -- meaning he is likely to be able to get his legislative agenda done.

A South Korean Navy P-3 patrol aircraft crashed near Pohang military base. Eyewitnesses report smoke, with firefighters dispatched to the scene. Details on causes and crew conditions are pending.

South Korea Navy plane with four people on board crashes in mountains

A South Korean Navy P-3 aircraft crashed near Pohang, causing significant concern. Emergency responders are tackling a resultant fire, and official details on the accident's cause and crew status remain undisclosed.

A South Korean Navy P-3 plane crashed by Pohang, seen with smoke plumes. Firefighters battle ensuing fires. Details on causes and crew conditions remain pending.

A South Korean navy patrol plane, with four people on board, crashed near a military base in the southern city of Pohang, according to reports. Eyewitnesses reported spotting a large plume of smoke rising from the mountains at the crash site.
The South Korean navy has confirmed that it was a P-3 aircraft that crashed on Thursday afternoon. The crash took place at 1:50 pm local time, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.
Emergency workers are currently battling a fire at the crash site, suspected to have been caused by the impact of the plane hitting the ground. The navy is yet to determine the cause of the accident and confirm the number of casualties.
 This accident comes months after a Jeju Air passenger plane crashed in South Korea, killing all 175 passengers on board and four of six crew members.
The Jeju Air 089590.KS jet belly-landed at Muan International Airport and crashed into an embankment, going up in flames. It was one of the worst aviation disasters in the country's history.

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested after his controversial martial law attempt, ending a dramatic standoff with authorities.

South Korean President Yoon arrested over failed martial law bid

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested after his controversial martial law attempt, ending a dramatic standoff with authorities.

Impeached South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday over his failed martial law bid, ending a weeks-long standoff with authorities and becoming the first president to be detained in the nation's history.
Yoon, who faces charges of insurrection over his short-lived effort to impose martial law last month, said he would comply with investigators to avoid "bloodshed".
A former prosecutor who led the conservative People Power Party (PPP) to election victory in 2022, Yoon could face the death penalty or life in jail if he is found guilty of insurrection.
He had sought to evade arrest for weeks by remaining in his residential compound, protected by members of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) who had remained loyal to him.
His guards had installed barbed wire and barricades at the residence, turning it into what the opposition called a "fortress".
Yoon, who had vowed to "fight to the end", managed to thwart a first arrest attempt on January 3 following a tense hours-long impasse between the guards and anti-graft investigators working with police.
But before dawn on Wednesday, hundreds of police officers and investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office again surrounded the residence, some scaling perimeter walls and hiking up back trails to reach the main building.
After a standoff of about five hours, authorities announced Yoon had been arrested and the impeached leader released a pre-recorded video message.
"I decided to respond to the Corruption Investigation Office," Yoon said in the message, adding that he did not accept the legality of the investigation but was complying "to prevent any unfortunate bloodshed".
Yoon left his residence in a convoy and was taken to the offices of the Corruption Investigation Office.
Investigators began questioning Yoon shortly after his arrest, Yonhap reported.
AFP reporters earlier witnessed brief scuffles at the gate of the residence, where Yoon's die-hard supporters had been camped out to protect him, as authorities first moved on the compound.
His supporters were heard chanting "illegal warrant!" while waving glow sticks and South Korean and American flags. Some laid on the ground outside the residential compound's main gate.
&nbsp;
- Defiant -
Yoon shocked the nation late on December 3 when he declared martial law, claiming he needed to safeguard South Korea "from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements".
He deployed troops to parliament but lawmakers defied them and voted against martial law. Yoon revoked martial law after just six hours.
Yoon can be held for up to 48 hours following his arrest. Investigators would need to apply for another arrest warrant to keep him in custody.
Yoon's legal team had repeatedly decried the warrant as illegal.
His ruling party also said Wednesday's arrest was unlawful.
"History will inevitably record the fact that the CIO and the police executed an unjust and illegal warrant," PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong told a party meeting, apologising to Yoon's supporters.
In a parallel probe, the Constitutional Court on Tuesday launched a trial to rule on parliament's impeachment of Yoon.
If the court endorses the impeachment, Yoon will finally lose the presidency and fresh elections will have to be held within 60 days.
The trial was adjourned on Tuesday after only a very brief hearing as Yoon declined to attend. The next hearing is set for Thursday, although the proceedings could last for months.
South Korea's opposition Democratic Party celebrated Yoon's detention, with floor leader Park Chan-dae telling a party meeting it was "the first step" to restoring constitutional and legal order after weeks of turmoil.
The country's parliament speaker echoed those sentiments.
"Now that the chaotic situation has ended, we should concentrate our efforts on stabilising state affairs and restoring people's livelihoods," Woo Won-shik said.

South Korean investigators have called off their attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol after a standoff with his security team.

South Korean investigators call off arrest attempt on President Yoon Suk Yeol

Yoon, who has already been suspended from duty by lawmakers, would become the first sitting president in South Korean history to be arrested if the warrant is carried out.

South Korean investigators called off their attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence Friday over a failed martial law bid, citing safety concerns after a standoff with his security team.
Yoon, who has already been suspended from duty by lawmakers, would become the first sitting president in South Korean history to be arrested if the warrant is carried out.
The president, who issued a bungled declaration on December 3 that shook the vibrant East Asian democracy and briefly lurched it back to the dark days of military rule, faces imprisonment or, at worst, the death penalty.
"Regarding the execution of the arrest warrant today, it was determined that the execution was effectively impossible due to the ongoing standoff," the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO), which is probing Yoon over his martial law decree, said in a statement.
"Concern for the safety of personnel on-site led to the decision to halt" the arrest attempt, the statement said of the confrontation with Yoon's presidential security service and its military unit.
The deadline for the warrant is Monday, leaving it in limbo with just a few days remaining and Yoon defiant, vowing earlier this week to "fight" authorities seeking to question him.
CIO investigators including senior prosecutor Lee Dae-hwan were earlier let through heavy security barricades to enter the residence to attempt to execute their warrant to detain Yoon.
But soldiers under the Presidential Security Service at one point engaged in a "confrontation with the CIO at the presidential residence," an official with Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff told AFP.
Before the execution of the court-approved warrant was called off, Yoon's security detail told AFP they had been "in negotiation" with the CIO investigators who sought to access the president.
Yoon's security service -- which still protects Yoon as the country's sitting head of state -- has previously blocked attempted police raids of the presidential office.
The president himself has ignored three rounds of summons from investigators, prompting them to seek the warrant.
Yoon's legal team -- who raced to the residence and AFP saw allowed inside -- decried the attempt to execute the arrest warrant, vowing to take further legal action against the move.
"The execution of a warrant that is illegal and invalid is indeed not lawful," Yoon's lawyer Yoon Kap-keun said.
On Friday, prosecutors also indicted two top military officials including one who was briefly named martial law commander during last month's fiasco, on charges of insurrection, Yonhap reported. Both were already in detention.
Dozens of police buses and hundreds of uniformed police lined the street outside the compound in central Seoul, AFP reporters saw.
About 2,700 police and 135 police buses were deployed to the area to prevent clashes, Yonhap reported, after Yoon's supporters faced off with anti-Yoon demonstrators Thursday.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
- All-night prayers -
South Korean media reported that CIO officials wanted to arrest Yoon and take him to their office in Gwacheon near Seoul for questioning.
After that, he could have been held for up to 48 hours on the existing warrant. Investigators need to apply for another arrest warrant to keep him in custody.
After staging chaotic protests Thursday, a handful of Yoon's die-hard supporters, which include far-right YouTube personalities and evangelical Christian preachers, had camped outside his compound in the bitter cold -- some holding all-night prayer sessions.
They called early Friday for the arrest of opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and chanted "Illegal warrant is invalid" as police and media gathered outside the residence.
Pro-Yoon protester Rhee Kang-san told AFP many were "rooting for the president" to survive the arrest attempt.
Lee Hye-sook, a 57-year-old Yoon supporter, said protesters were trying to stop opposition figures from "attempting to transform our country into a socialist state, similar to North Korea".
Yoon has doubled down on claims the opposition was in league with South Korea's communist enemies.
Yoon's legal team had already moved to try and block the arrest warrant at the constitutional court, calling it "unlawful".
But the head of the CIO, Oh Dong-woon, has warned that anyone trying to block authorities from arresting Yoon could themselves face prosecution.
South Korean officials have previously failed to execute similar arrest warrants for lawmakers -- in 2000 and 2004 -- due to party members and supporters blocking police for the seven days the warrants were valid.
Yoon also faces a separate Constitutional Court hearing which will confirm or reject his impeachment by parliament.
In rare comments about the South's politics, North Korean state media on Friday said Seoul was in "political chaos" over attempts to arrest Yoon.

A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law declaration, intensifying the country's political crisis. 

South Korea Issues Arrest Warrant for Impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

The conservative leader faces criminal charges of insurrection, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for impeached, suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, investigators said Tuesday, over his short-lived bid to impose martial law on the country.
Yoon briefly suspended civilian rule this month, plunging South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades.
He was stripped of his presidential duties by parliament over the action, but a constitutional court ruling is pending on whether to confirm the impeachment.
"The arrest warrant and search warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, requested by the Joint Investigation Headquarters, were issued this morning," the Joint Investigation Headquarters said in a statement.
The conservative leader faces criminal charges of insurrection, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Investigators probing Yoon over his declaration of martial law requested the warrant Monday after the suspended president failed to report for questioning a third time.
"The reason for the warrant is that there is a concern that the individual may refuse to comply with summons without justifiable reasons, and there is sufficient probable cause to suspect the commission of a crime," a Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) official told reporters at a briefing on Tuesday.
"The warrant is valid until January 6," the official said, adding that Yoon could be held at a police station or the Seoul detention center.
Yoon's lawyer called the arrest warrant for the impeached president "illegal and invalid", saying investigators lacked the authority to probe the president.
"The arrest warrant and search and seizure warrant issued at the request of an agency without investigative authority are illegal and invalid," a statement sent to AFP by lawyer Yoon Kab-keun said.
&nbsp;
- Arrest? -
Even though the warrant has been issued, it is unclear whether investigators and police will be able to execute it.
The Presidential Security Service has previously refused to comply with three search warrants.
It said Tuesday that "security measures regarding the execution of the warrant will be carried out in accordance with lawful procedures," in a statement to local media.
But lawyer Yun Bok-nam, president of Lawyers for a Democratic Society, told AFP that while there was a legal basis for rejecting a search warrant "there's no such provision for arrest warrants".
"I expect the (arrest) process will proceed smoothly," he said, adding that warrants were typically valid seven days and had to be executed within that time frame.
Police were deployed early Tuesday outside Yoon's residence in central Seoul, in a likely bid to head off scuffles.
Yoon's supporters and protesters calling for his removal have both staked out his residence, with local media running images of altercations between the two camps overnight.
"Up to 3,000 people will move to protest against the unfair and unvalid arrest warrant," said an official from the largest protest group supporting Yoon.
Local media reported than an imminent arrest or search of the presidential residence was unlikely, as investigators would seek to coordinate with the presidential security service.
Technically, anyone obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant could be arrested.
&nbsp;
- Joint probe -
Yoon is being investigated by prosecutors as well as a joint team comprising police, defence ministry, and anti-corruption officials.
A 10-page prosecutors' report seen by AFP stated that Yoon authorised the military to fire weapons if needed to enter parliament during his failed martial law bid.
Yoon's lawyer had previously dismissed the prosecutors' report, telling AFP it was "a one-sided account that neither corresponds to objective circumstances nor common sense".
Yoon declared martial law in an unannounced televised address on December 3, saying it was aimed at eliminating "anti-state elements".
Lawmakers rushed to parliament within minutes of the declaration to vote it down.
At the same time, heavily armed troops stormed the building, scaling fences, smashing windows and landing by helicopter.
According to the prosecution indictment report, Yoon told the chief of the capital defence command, Lee Jin-woo, that military forces could shoot if necessary to enter the National Assembly.
The report also said there was evidence that Yoon had been discussing declaring martial law with senior military officials as early as March.
South Korea's political turmoil deepened late last week when Yoon's replacement, Han Duck-soo, was also impeached by parliament for failing to sign through bills for investigations into Yoon.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has taken over as the new acting president, and found himself thrust immediately into a disaster with the Jeju Air plane crash Sunday that claimed 179 lives.

A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 from Bangkok to Muan, South Korea, crashed during a belly landing after a suspected bird strike, claiming 179 lives.

What we know about the Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea

South Korea's aviation industry has a solid safety record and the crash was the first fatal accident for Jeju Air.

A Jeju Air plane flying from Bangkok to South Korea with 181 people on board crashed on landing Sunday, killing 179 with just two people plucked alive from the wreckage.
Here's what we know so far.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
- What happened? -
A Boeing 737-800 aircraft belonging to low-cost carrier Jeju Air, flying from Bangkok to Muan airport, was warned of a bird strike by the control tower, officials said, during its first attempt at landing shortly after 9:00 am (0000 GMT).
Minutes later, the pilot issued a "mayday" warning and tried to land again. Video showed the plane, its landing gear still retracted, attempting a belly landing.
Dramatic video shows the plane skidding along the runway with smoke trailing behind until it slams into a wall at the end and bursts into flames.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
- &nbsp;Two survivors, rest killed -
All 175 passengers and four of the six crew members onboard were killed.
The passengers, aged three to 78, were all Korean apart from two Thais, authorities said.
Rescue workers plucked two survivors -- flight attendants aged 25 and 33 -- from the wreckage.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
- What caused the accident? -
Investigations have been launched, but officials are focusing on a possible bird strike and poor weather.
"It really has to be a series of catastrophic events that led to such a high loss of life," aviation consultant Philip Butterworth-Hayes told AFP.
"Crash protection systems on board are extremely robust," he said, describing the disaster as "the most serious incident I've seen" in recent years.
When asked whether the runway might be too short, one official said this was likely not a factor.
"The runway is 2,800 metres long," or 9,200 feet, "and similar-sized aircraft have been operating on it without issues," the official said.
Both black boxes -- the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder -- have been recovered, deputy transport minister Joo Jong-wan said.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
- What is a bird strike? -
A bird strike -- a collision between a bird and an aircraft in flight -- can be hazardous to aircraft. Jets can lose power if birds are sucked into their air intakes, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN agency.
Bird strikes have caused a number of fatal accidents globally.
"We're looking at substantial birds hitting an engine, and that is, as we know, very rare," said Butterworth-Hayes.
He mentioned the famous "Miracle on the Hudson" incident in 2009, when a US Airways Airbus A320 was forced to ditch in New York's Hudson River after a bird strike damaged both of its engines. All aboard managed to escape.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
- Rescue operation -
Hundreds of firefighters and other emergency responders, including military, were deployed to the Muan airport area, with the country's acting president designating the site a special disaster zone.
Family members, many crying in despair, waited on the airport's first floor.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
- Government response -
The accident occurred with South Korea in the throes of a political crisis that began when then-president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on December 3, days before being impeached.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok, on his third day in office, convened an emergency meeting with cabinet members Sunday and visited the crash scene.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
- Aviation safety record -
South Korea's aviation industry has a solid safety record and the crash was the first fatal accident for Jeju Air.
On August 12, 2007, strong winds caused a Jeju Air-operated Bombardier Q400 carrying 74 passengers to veer off the runway at another southern airport, Busan-Gimhae. A dozen people were injured.
Before Sunday, the deadliest plane crash on South Korean soil took place on April 15, 2002, when an Air China Boeing 767 traveling from Beijing hit a hill near Busan-Gimhae, resulting in 129 deaths.
The most recent fatal crash of a South Korean airline happened in San Francisco, California on July 6, 2013. Asiana Airlines' Boeing 777 aircraft missed its landing, leaving three dead and 182 hurt.
The deadliest disaster to hit a South Korean airline goes back to September 1, 1983, when a Soviet fighter jet shot down a Boeing 747, which Moscow claimed was mistaken for a spy plane.
All 23 crew and 246 passengers aboard the Korean Air flight -- a New York-to-Seoul flight via Anchorage, Alaska -- were killed.

South Korea’s acting president, Han Duck-soo, was impeached amid ongoing political instability sparked by his refusal to approve key judicial appointments, leading to significant economic and political uncertainty.

South Korean lawmakers impeach acting President Han Duck-soo

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will step in as acting president in Han's place. Choi had pleaded with the opposition lawmakers not to go ahead with the motion.

South Korean lawmakers impeached the acting president on Friday, as the country struggles to shake off political turmoil sparked by his predecessor's martial law declaration that shocked the world.
Han Duck-soo took over as acting president from President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was suspended following a parliamentary vote over his move to impose martial law on December 3.
However, opposition MPs demanded Han, who is also prime minister, be removed from office as well, arguing that he had refused demands to complete Yoon's impeachment process and to bring him to justice.
"I announce that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment motion has passed. Out of the 192 lawmakers who voted, 192 voted to impeach," said National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik.
Counting for the impeachment was delayed as ruling People's Power Party (PPP) lawmakers protested in parliament after Woo said only a simple majority was needed in the 300-member parliament to proceed with the impeachment.
PPP lawmakers began chanting angrily and many rushed towards Woo, demanding that he resign. They did not take part in the vote.
It became the second impeachment of a South Korean head of state in just two weeks, adding to the turmoil of the country's dynamic political landscape.
It was also South Korea's first impeachment of an acting president.
PPP leader Kweon Seong-dong said after the vote that Han "must continue to lead state affairs without yielding to the opposition's passage of the impeachment motion".
However, Han said in a statement after the vote that he "respects the parliament's decision" and would wait for the Constitutional Court's subsequent decision whether to uphold it.
The opposition said in its impeachment motion that Han was "intentionally avoiding the special investigation to probe those involved in the insurrection and has clearly stated his intention to reject the appointments of three Constitutional Court judges".
Such actions, it said, were "in violation of a public official's duty to uphold the law... and serve the public".
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will step in as acting president in Han's place.
Choi had pleaded with the opposition lawmakers not to go ahead with the motion.
"An impeachment motion against the acting authority is no different from an impeachment motion against the entire cabinet," he told a news conference with other cabinet members earlier on Friday.
"Our economy and people's livelihoods, which are walking on thin ice in a national emergency, cannot bear the expansion of political uncertainty surrounding the acting authority," he said.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
- 'True colours' -
At the heart of the current row is the composition of the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to uphold parliament's decision to impeach Yoon and now Han.
The court is currently short of three judges. While it can go ahead with its six members on the bench, a single dissenting vote would reinstate Yoon.
The opposition wanted Han to approve three more nominees to fill the nine-member bench, which he had refused to do, leaving both sides in deadlock.
Han's refusal to formally appoint the three judges "revealed his true colours", said Democratic Party lawmaker Jo Seoung-lae.
The refusal "is a direct challenge to the Constitution and the law", said Jo. They sought to impeach Han to "restore constitutional order and stabilise state affairs".
Han had said he wanted his PPP and the opposition to reach a compromise on the nominees.
"The consistent principle embedded in our constitution and laws is to refrain from exercising significant exclusive presidential powers, including the appointment of constitutional institutions," Han argued.
"A consensus between the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly, representing the people, must first be reached," the 75-year-old career bureaucrat said.
The Constitutional Court held its first preliminary hearing on the validity of Yoon's impeachment on Friday despite the latest controversy.
Yoon's legal team said they would attend a preparatory hearing of the court's impeachment trial at 2:00 pm (0500 GMT).
The South Korean won plummeted to 1480.2 per US dollar on Friday morning, marking its lowest level in nearly 16 years.
The won earlier plunged to a two-year low against the dollar after the declaration of martial law as investors, already concerned about the state of Asia's number-four economy, shunned the currency.
Police said on Friday that they had begun a raid on a presidential safe house and were collecting footage from nearby security cameras as part of the martial law probe.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed on Thursday to fight "until the very last minute" in a defiant address defending his shock decision to declare martial law.

South Korea President Yoon Defends Martial Law

Yoon, staring down an impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday, vowed to "fight with the people until the very last minute".

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed on Thursday to fight "until the very last minute" in a defiant address defending his shock decision to declare martial law and deploy troops to the country's parliament last week.
The South Korean leader is barred from foreign travel as part of a probe into his inner circle over the dramatic events of December 3-4 that stunned Seoul's allies and threw the country into some of its deepest political turmoil in years.
Yoon, staring down an impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday, vowed to "fight with the people until the very last minute".
He went on the attack against the opposition, accusing it of pushing the country into a "national crisis".
"The National Assembly, dominated by the large opposition party, has become a monster that destroys the constitutional order of liberal democracy," Yoon said in his televised address.
Yoon also doubled down on his justification of declaring martial law, which he had said was taken to safeguard South Korea "from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements".
"I apologise again to the people who must have been surprised and anxious due to the martial law," he added.
"Please trust me."
Saturday's impeachment vote will take place at around 5:00 pm (0800 GMT).
PPP leader Han Dong-hoon urged party members on Thursday to attend the meeting and vote "according to their conviction and conscience".
"President Yoon Suk Yeol is no longer able to fulfil his duties as president, and I think that has become clearer and clearer," he said.
The opposition formally submitted a second impeachment motion against Yoon on Thursday, following last week's failed attempt to remove him from office after ruling party lawmakers largely boycotted the vote.
The bloc needs eight MPs from the ruling party to vote in favour of the impeachment, and several ruling lawmakers have indicated their intention to do so in the next vote, scheduled for Saturday.
To impeach Yoon, two-thirds of the parliament must vote in favour.
Police meanwhile attempted another raid on Yoon's presidential office compound, Yonhap news agency reported, a day after a similar attempt was blocked by security guards.
The main opposition Democratic Party has said it would file legal complaints for insurrection against the president's staff and security if they continued to obstruct law enforcement.
Yonhap said Thursday's raid focused on the headquarters of the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, which reportedly agreed to cooperate with the investigation.
&nbsp;
- 'I want to witness history' -
South Korea's capital has been rocked by daily protests since last week, with thousands gathering to demand Yoon's resignation.
Kim Jae-hee, 34, told AFP she would be hitting the streets on Saturday to protest for Yoon's impeachment.
"I want to witness history," she said. "I also know a lot of friends who are doing the same."
And members of Yoon's inner circle have come under intense scrutiny for their alleged role in last week's martial law declaration.
Police said on Thursday they had raided the headquarters of the military's capital defence command, which was deployed during the martial law declaration.
Former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is accused of urging Yoon to impose martial law, tried to kill himself in prison on Tuesday, authorities said.
Kim was first detained on Sunday and later formally arrested on charges of "engaging in critical duties during an insurrection" and "abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights".
The former interior minister and the general in charge of the martial law operation are also barred from foreign travel.
The PPP has said that, pending Yoon's resignation, he has agreed to hand power to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and party chief Han.
In North Korea, AFP footage showed students scrolling through photos of anti-Yoon protests posted on the website of ruling party daily the Rodong Sinmun.
Pyongyang's state media -- which has long hurled insults against Yoon -- has described the South as being in "chaos" following his decision to impose martial law.

South Korean police said Wednesday that they raided President Yoon Sook Yeol's office, as the investigation into his declaration of martial law gathers pace.

South Korea Police Raid President's Office

South Korean police said Wednesday that they raided President Yoon Sook Yeol's office, as the investigation into his declaration of martial law gathers pace.

South Korean police said Wednesday that they raided President Yoon Sook Yeol's office, as the investigation into his declaration of martial law gathers pace.
"The Special Investigation Team has conducted a raid on the presidential office, the National Police Agency, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and the National Assembly Security Service," the unit stated in a message sent to AFP.
Yoon is already under a travel ban as part of an "insurrection" probe into his inner circle after his short-lived suspension of civilian rule on December 3.
Former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun was formally arrested late Tuesday on charges of "engaging in critical duties during an insurrection" and "abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights".
On Wednesday, Yonhap reported that Kim had attempted to kill himself shortly before the arrest.
A spokesperson for the Seoul Central District Court told AFP earlier in the day that Kim had been arrested amid concerns that evidence might be destroyed.
Kim said through his lawyers that "all responsibility for this situation lies solely with me" and that subordinates were "merely following my orders and fulfilling their assigned duties".
Kim, who was detained Sunday, has been slapped with a travel ban along with the former interior minister and the general in charge of the martial law operation.
The operation saw troops and helicopters sent to parliament in an apparent -- but failed -- attempt to prevent lawmakers from voting down Yoon's martial law declaration.
Cho Ji-ho, commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, and Kim Bong-sik, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, were also arrested early Wednesday, police said.
&nbsp;
- 'Fascist dictatorship' -
North Korean state media Wednesday made its first comments on what it called "chaos" in the South.
"The shocking incident of the puppet Yoon Suk Yeol, who is facing impeachment and a governance crisis, suddenly declaring a martial law decree and unhesitatingly wielding the guns and knives of its fascist dictatorship wrought chaos across South Korea," a commentary said.
Yoon had said his declaration of martial law was intended, in part, to safeguard South Korea "from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements plundering people's freedom and happiness".
Relations between the two Koreas have been at one of their lowest points in years, with the North launching a flurry of ballistic missiles in violation of UN sanctions.
Former defence minister Kim had been accused by opposition lawmakers of calling for strikes on sites from which North Korea was launching trash-carrying balloons, an order reportedly refused by his subordinates.
He also allegedly ordered drones sent to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang in an apparent attempt to provoke a conflict as a pretext for declaring martial law.
&nbsp;
- Task force -
Yoon survived an impeachment motion in parliament on Saturday even as tens of thousands of South Koreans braved freezing temperatures outside to demand his ouster.
Further smaller protests have continued every evening since with polls showing record-low public support for Yoon.
A special task force within Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) on Tuesday proposed a plan for the president to resign in February or March, followed by fresh elections in April or May.
But the proposal has not yet been adopted by the party as a whole.
Even if it is approved, the roadmap is unlikely to head off another attempt by the opposition to impeach Yoon on Saturday.
The motion only needs eight members of Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) to secure the necessary two-thirds majority.
Last week, two PPP lawmakers -- Ahn Cheol-soo and Kim Yea-ji -- voted in favour, and two more said Tuesday they would support the motion this time.

Yoon has apologised for last week's martial law declaration that triggered a political crisis and pledged to leave his fate to his People Power Party (PPP) but has not resigned.

South Korea’s ruling party discusses Yoon’s resignation in Feb before snap election

Yoon has apologised for last week's martial law declaration that triggered a political crisis and pledged to leave his fate to his People Power Party (PPP) but has not resigned.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol&rsquo;s ruling party said on Tuesday that it was discussing Yoon&rsquo;s potential resignation as early as in February over the ongoing turmoil over his martial law attempt, and holding a snap election in April or May.
Yoon has apologised for last week's martial law declaration that triggered a political crisis and pledged to leave his fate to his People Power Party (PPP) but has not resigned.
He is now the subject of criminal investigations over insurrection charges, was banned from leaving the country, and faces a second impeachment vote planned for Saturday.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's ruling party said on Tuesday that it was discussing Yoon's potential resignation as early as February after his botched martial law attempt, and holding a snap election in April or May.
Yoon has apologised for last week's martial law declaration that triggered a political crisis and pledged to leave his fate to his People Power Party (PPP) but has not resigned.
He is now the subject of criminal investigations over insurrection charges, was banned from leaving the country, and faces a second impeachment vote planned for Saturday.
Lee Yang-soo, who chairs a PPP task force launched on Monday to map out Yoon's eventual and "orderly" departure, said his team proposed the idea of having Yoon resign in February or March and holding an election two months later.
South Korea's constitution requires an election within 60 days of his departure if Yoon leaves office before his single five-year term ends in May 2027.
"We've not yet reached a conclusion partywide and will have another meeting with all our members of parliament in the afternoon to discuss that plan," Lee told reporters.
The idea came three days after PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said the president would be excluded from foreign and other state affairs, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would oversee the government.
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) criticised the announcement, saying it is unconstitutional and Yoon must be impeached or resign and face legal prosecution. It plans to table another impeachment bill on Saturday after last week's first vote failed due to the PPP's boycott.
When asked about the PPP's proposal, DP leader Lee Jae-myung told reporters that he was unsure if the public will accept the idea of "keeping such a serious criminal in office until then."
A DP spokesperson also issued a statement dismissing the plan as "absurd," saying the PPP has no authority to craft any roadmap for Yoon's departure and the only available option is to impeach him.
Kim Seon-taek, a professor at Korea University's law school, said the president can delegate authority to the prime minister. Chang Young-soo, another professor from the same school, echoed Kim's view but said there is debate on whether the prime minister has authority to act as head of state on diplomatic matters.
Growing dissent
There is growing dissent within the ruling camp, after only two of the 108 PPP lawmakers said they participated and voted for the impeachment motion last week.
The bill requires support from two-thirds of the single-chamber, 300-seat assembly to pass, which means at least eight would have to join the opposition.
On Tuesday, Kim Sang-wook became the third PPP lawmaker to openly declare support for the motion after opposing it in the first vote.
Another member Bae Hyun-jin also criticised last week's boycott and vowed to join on Saturday, while Cho Kyoung-tae said he would also vote if Yoon does not resign before then, but did not say on which side.
Kim, speaking at a news conference, said other PPP members are likely to join him, adding: "I think there's a sufficient number to pass impeachment."
Investigations
In a rare sign of bipartisan support, the parliament passed a bill on Tuesday to appoint a special counsel to probe the martial law case amid concerns about intensifying rivalry among various agencies that have launched their own investigations.
Yoon, his former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, former interior minister Lee Sang-min and several military and police officials face charges of insurrection and abuse of power.
A Seoul court held a hearing on Tuesday for an arrest warrant that prosecutors requested for Kim. He did not show up but issued a statement through his lawyer saying that all responsibilities for the crisis "lie solely with me."
Police also asked for 11 cabinet ministers, who attended a late-night meeting which Yoon convened shortly before declaring martial law on Dec. 4, to appear for questioning, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Under the new law, purchasing, saving, or watching such material can lead to up to three years in jail or a fine of 30 million won, approximately $22,600.

South Korea passes bill to criminalise watching, possessing sexually explicit deepfakes

Under the new law, purchasing, saving, or watching such material can lead to up to three years in jail or a fine of 30 million won, approximately $22,600.

In a groundbreaking move, South Korea's lawmakers have passed a bill making it illegal to possess or watch sexually explicit deepfake images and videos. This comes after widespread outrage over Telegram group chats creating and sharing illegal deepfakes, prompting calls for tougher punishment. Under the new law, purchasing, saving, or watching such material can lead to up to three years in jail or a fine of 30 million won, approximately $22,600. Currently, making explicit deepfakes carries a five-year prison sentence or a 50 million won fine. The new law increases the maximum sentence to seven years. South Korean police have handled over 800 deepfake sex crime cases this year alone, with most victims and offenders being teenagers. The bill now awaits President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval.

After France, South Korea Initiates Probe Into Telegram For Online Sex Crimes Like 'Deepfake Porn'

After France, South Korea Initiates Probe Into Telegram For Online Sex Crimes Like 'Deepfake Porn'

Over 100 people were working in the factory when workers heard a series of explosions from the second floor, where lithium-ion batteries are inspected and packaged.

20 people killed in South Korean battery plant explosion 

Over 100 people were working in the factory when workers heard a series of explosions from the second floor, where lithium-ion batteries are inspected and packaged.

Around 20 bodies have been found at a South Korean lithium battery factory after a massive blaze on Monday, the Yonhap news agency said, with firefighters saying they were still searching the building.
Over 100 people were working in the factory when workers heard a series of explosions from the second floor, where lithium-ion batteries are inspected and packaged, firefighter Kim Jin-young told media.
Some 78 people were confirmed safe but many more were still missing, with Yonhap saying that "about 20 bodies (were) found" at the site, after rescue workers finally managed to get inside.
Kim told media that they had managed to put out the largest fire at the factory and were pulling bodies out of the charred building.
"A rescue team has gone inside and is carrying out search and rescue operations," he said.
Images shared by Yonhap after the fire broke out showed huge plumes of billowing grey smoke rising into the sky above the factory, with orange flames inside the building. Dozens of fire engines were seen outside.
The vast factory had an estimated 35,000 battery cells on the second floor in storage, with more batteries stored in other areas.
Lithium batteries burn hot and fast, and are difficult to control with conventional fire extinguishing methods.
"Due to fears of additional explosions, it was difficult to enter," Kim said.
"As it is a lithium battery manufacturer, we determined that spraying water will not extinguish the fire, so we are currently using dry sand," he added.
The lithium battery plant is owned by Aricell, a South Korean primary battery manufacturer. It is located in Hwaseong city, just south of the capital Seoul.
Lithium batteries are used in everything from laptops to electric vehicles -- but can be highly explosive, with airlines, for example, imposing strict regulations on checking devices containing them.
<h2>'Mobilise all personnel' </h2>
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol issued emergency instructions to authorities, telling them to "mobilise all available personnel and equipment to focus on searching for and rescuing people," his office said.
The president also warned authorities that they should "ensure the safety of firefighters considering the rapid spread of fire".
Firefighting and rescue efforts were ongoing, and the cause of the fire was unknown.
Authorities in Hwaseong sent out a series of alerts to residents warning them to stay inside.
"There is a lot of smoke due to factory fires. Please pay attention to safety, such as refraining from going out," one alert sent by text message said.
"Factory fire. Please detour to surrounding roads and nearby citizens please close windows," another one read.
South Korea is a major producer of batteries, including those used in electric vehicles.
Its battery makers supply EV makers around the world, including Tesla.
South Korea is also one of the world's largest producers of high-end semiconductors, and the government has invested heavily in key technologies including displays and batteries.

To combat loneliness, South Koreans have found a new partner for the bad days - a stone. Here are more details about this new trend!

Feeling lonely? South Koreans are keeping stones as pets to deal with living alone. Deets here

To combat loneliness, South Koreans have found a new partner for the bad days - a stone. Here are more details about this new trend!

The more closely connected we are via the internet, the more we feel disconnected from our near and dear ones. Big cities may have all the facilities like better connectivity and great lighting, but it is also a hotbed for loneliness.&nbsp;
To combat loneliness, South Koreans have found a new partner for the bad days - a stone. Wondering what we are talking about? Read on!
<h3>South Koreans keep stones as pets</h3>
Pet rocks or stones are more affordable compared to traditional pets and are being preferred by South Koreans to combat loneliness. The Strait Times spoke to many individuals who have their own pet rock. Speaking to the media outlet, a 29-year-old woman said, "I purchased a pet stone for the first time during the pandemic. I just wanted to have something by my side while I was working remotely. It provided me a sense of companionship."
People who have pet stones tend to personify them and even put pictures of their stone pets like netizens do with animals. People also give the stones nicknames, prepare beds where they can rest, provide clothes and decorate them!
<h3>What are the benefits of having a rock as a pet?</h3>
According to a report, there are many benefits of pet rocks. They provide a sense of calm and tranquillity. The tactile sensation of holding a smooth stone, coupled with the rhythmic process of painting or decorating it, can be deeply grounding and meditative. This gives a break from stressful life.
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Singer Ryeowook of South Korean boyband 'Super Junior' has shared that he will be getting married to Ari of TAHITI in May. 

Ryeowook of 'Super Junior' announces marriage with former girl group member Ari of TAHITI  

Singer Ryeowook and Ari made their relationship public in September 2020. Ari debuted as a member of girl group TAHITI in 2012, however, the group announced disbandment in 2018.  

Singer Ryeowook of South Korean boyband 'Super Junior' has shared that he will be getting married to Ari of TAHITI in May.&nbsp;

South Korea&rsquo;s boyband &lsquo;Super Junior&rsquo; member Ryeowook surprised fans with some good news. The singer announced that he will be getting married to his longtime girlfriend, Ari, in May. Here are all the details of his announcement. &nbsp;
<h2>Ryeowook&rsquo;s handwritten letter for fans&nbsp;</h2>
Taking to Instagram, Ryeowook shared the exciting news with his fans on March 29. The singer dedicated a heart-felt handwritten letter to his fans also known as E.L.Fs which stands for Ever Lasting Friends. He wrote, &ldquo;As you all know, I have been seeing someone. After spending much time with this person, I naturally began to feel that I wanted to form a family with her. It was by no means a sudden decision, and after much thinking and deliberation with the company and my members, I have decided to hold a wedding ceremony this spring, at the end of May.&rdquo; &nbsp;
The singer, well aware of the fact that some fans take such announcements to heart, also added, &ldquo;I am always thankful for E.L.Fs who supported me despite my shortcomings and imperfections, but on the other hand, I do feel apologetic when I think about how some of you may be surprised by this news. &nbsp;
<h2>Ryeowook and Ari relationship &nbsp;</h2>
Singer Ryeowook and Ari made their relationship public in September 2020. Ari debuted as a member of girl group TAHITI in 2012, however, the group announced disbandment in 2018. &nbsp;
<h2>About Ryeowook&nbsp;</h2>
Ryeowook is one of the main singers of the 13 members of the boyband &lsquo;Super Junior&rsquo;. The group is managed by S.M. Entertainment. &lsquo;Super Junior&rsquo; was the best-selling K-pop artist for four years in a row and has been ruling the hearts with their catchy music. &nbsp;
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The bill would make slaughtering, breeding and sales of dog meat for human consumption illegal from 2027, after a three-year grace period. Violating the law will be punishable by 2-3 years in prison.

Bill to ban production and sales of dog meat passed in South Korea

The bill would make slaughtering, breeding and sales of dog meat for human consumption illegal from 2027, after a three-year grace period. Violating the law will be punishable by 2-3 years in prison.

South Korea's parliament on Tuesday passed a landmark ban on production and sales of dog meat, as public calls for a prohibition have grown sharply over concerns about animal rights and the country's international image.
Some angry dog farmers said they plan to challenge the bill's constitutionality and hold protest rallies, a sign of continued heated debate over the ban.
After a three-year grace period, the bill would make slaughtering, breeding and sales of dog meat for human consumption illegal from 2027 and punishable by 2-3 years in prison. It doesn't provide any penalties for eating dog meat.
Dog meat consumption, a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula, is neither explicitly banned nor legalised in South Korea. It has long been viewed as a source of stamina on hot summer days. Recent surveys show more than half of South Koreans want dog meat banned and a majority no longer eat it. But one in every three South Koreans still opposes a ban even though they don't consume it.
The National Assembly passed the bill by a 208-0 vote. It will become law after being endorsed by the Cabinet Council and signed by President Yoon Suk Yeol, considered formalities since his government supports the ban.
&ldquo;This law is aimed at contributing to realizing the values of animal rights, which pursue respect for life and a harmonious co-existence between humans and animals,&rdquo; the legislation says.
The bill offers assistance to dog farmers and others in the industry in shutting down their businesses and shifting to alternatives. Details are to be worked out among government officials, farmers, experts and animal rights activists.
Dozens of animal rights activists gathered at the National Assembly to celebrate the bill's passage. They carried large photos of dogs, chanted slogans and held placards reading &ldquo;Dog meat-free Korea is coming.&rdquo; Humane Society International called the legislation's passage &ldquo;history in the making.&rdquo; &ldquo;I never thought I would see in my lifetime a ban on the cruel dog meat industry in South Korea, but this historic win for animals is testament to the passion and determination of our animal protection movement,&rdquo; said JungAh Chae, executive director of HSI's Korea office.
Dogs are also eaten in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, North Korea and in some African countries. But South Korea's dog meat industry has drawn more attention because of the country's reputation as a cultural and economic powerhouse. It's also the only nation with industrial-scale dog farms. Most farms in South Korea raise about 500 dogs, but one visited by The Associated Press in July had about 7,000.
Farmers were extremely upset by the bill's passage.
&ldquo;This is a clear case of state violence as they are infringing on our freedom to choose our occupation. We can't just sit by idly,&rdquo; said Son Won Hak, a farmer and former leader of a farmers' association.
Son said dog farmers will file a petition with the Constitutional Court of Korea and hold demonstrations. He said farmers will meet on Wednesday to discuss other steps.
There is no reliable official data on the exact size of South Korea's dog meat industry. Activists and farmers say hundreds of thousands of dogs are slaughtered for meat each year.
The anti-dog meat campaign received a huge boost from the country's first lady, Kim Keon Hee, who has repeatedly expressed her support for a prohibition. She has become the subject of withering criticism and crude insults during demonstrations by farmers.
The legislation doesn't clearly specify how dog farmers and others in the industry will be supported. Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said Tuesday the government will try to formulate reasonable assistance programs for them.
Ju Yeongbong, an official of the farmers' association, said most farmers are in their 60-80s and hope to continue their businesses until older people, their main customers, die. But Ju said the legislation would &ldquo;strip them of their right to live&rdquo; because it would likely end up only offering assistance for dismantling their facilities and for transitions, without compensation for giving up their dogs.
Son said many elderly dog farmers are willing to close their farms if proper financial compensation is provided because of the extremely negative public view of their jobs.
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Cheon JinKyung, head of Korea Animal Rights Advocates in Seoul, accused farmers of demanding unrealistically high compensation. She said compensation based on the number of dogs owned by farmers won't be accepted, but acknowledged that payments would likely be a major issue.
Ordinary citizens were split over the ban.
&ldquo;Dogs are different from cows, chickens and pigs," said Kim Myung-ae, a 58-year-old Seoul resident. "Why would you still eat dogs when they are now seen more as family-like pets than food?&rdquo; Another Seoul resident, Jeong Yoon Hee, disagreed, saying whether to eat dog meat is a matter of a personal choice and dietary culture. &ldquo;Dogs are dogs, not humans,&rdquo; she said.

South Korean leader Lee Jae-myung has been admitted to the hospital after being stabbed in the neck in public

Moment South Korean leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed

South Korean leader Lee Jae-myung has been admitted to the hospital after being stabbed in the neck in public

South Korean opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed in the neck on Tuesday while talking to reporters in the port city of Busan.
Lee was walking in a crowd of journalists after visiting the site of a new airport when a man in front of him lunged and struck him in the neck, footage on South Korean television channels showed.
The 59-year-old was seen collapsing to the ground as people rushed to aid him. One man was seen pressing a handkerchief on Lee's neck.
He was "walking to his car while talking to reporters when the attacker asked for his autograph before striking him in the neck with what looked like a knife", a witness told local broadcaster YTN.
Emergency responders were seen carrying Lee into an ambulance.
Yonhap news agency said he was bleeding but conscious as he was taken to hospital.
TV footage showed police officials wrestling the attacker to the ground. He was seen wearing a hat with Lee's name on it.
Yonhap said the assailant has been arrested.
Chief of the Democratic Party, Lee lost to conservative Yoon Suk Yeol in a tight presidential race in 2022.
Yoon expressed "deep concern over the safety of Lee Jae-myung upon hearing of the attack", his spokeswoman Kim Soo-kyung said.
"Yoon emphasised our society should never tolerate this kind of act of violence under any circumstances."
A former child factory worker who suffered an industrial accident as a teenage school drop-out, Lee rose to political stardom partly by playing up his rags-to-riches tale.
Recent polls have indicated that Lee remains a strong contender for president.
But his bid for the top office has been overshadowed by a string of scandals.
Lee avoided arrest in September when a court dismissed a request from the prosecution for him to be taken into custody pending trial on various corruption charges.
He still faces trial on charges of bribery in connection with a firm that is suspected of illicitly transferring $8 million to North Korea.
Lee is also accused of breaching his duties, allegedly resulting in a loss of 20 billion won ($15 million) for a company owned by Seongnam city during his term as its mayor.

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of South Korea's opposition party was stabbed in the neck. 

South Korean opposition leader stabbed in neck: reports

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of South Korea's opposition party was stabbed in the neck.&nbsp;

South Korean opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung was attacked on Tuesday while talking to reporters in the port city of Busan, Yonhap news agency reported.
Lee was stabbed in his neck, Yonhap said, and images aired on South Korean television channels showed Lee on the ground as someone pressed a handkerchief on his neck.
TV footage showed a man lunging at Lee and striking him in the neck with an object. Lee is then seen collapsing as people rush to aid him.
Lee was conscious as he was taken to hospital, and the unidentified assailant was arrested at the scene, Yonhap added.
Chief of the Democratic Party, Lee lost to conservative Yoon Suk Yeol in a tight presidential race last year.
A former child factory worker who suffered an industrial accident as a teenage school drop-out, Lee rose to political stardom partly by playing up his rags-to-riches tale.
But his bid for the top office has been overshadowed by a string of scandals.

South Korea launches first spy satellite days after North Korea does the same

Seoul's reconnaissance satellite, carried by one of Elon Musk's SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets, lifted off from the Vandenberg US Space Force Base in California days after North Korea placed its first&nbsp; spy satellite in orbit last month.

A SpaceX rocket on Friday launched South Korea's first military spy satellite, intensifying a space race on the peninsula after Pyongyang launched its own first military eye in the sky last week.
Seoul's reconnaissance satellite, carried by one of Elon Musk's SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets, lifted off from the Vandenberg US Space Force Base in California at 10:19 am local time (GMT 1819 GMT).
The rocket was emblazoned with the word "KOREA."
The Yonhap news agency reported that the satellite reached orbit soon after and that communication was successfully established with ground control.
Citing South Korea's defense ministry, Yonhap reported that "the satellite was placed in orbit approximately four minutes after launch at 10:19 am, and succeeded in communicating with a ground station at 11:37 am, which means it is operating normally."
Reaching orbit would mean that South Korea has acquired its first domestically built spy satellite to monitor nuclear-armed North Korea.
Seoul plans to launch four additional spy satellites by the end of 2025 to bolster its reconnaissance capacity over the North.
Set to orbit between 400 and 600 kilometers (250 to 370 miles) above Earth, Seoul's satellite is capable of detecting an object as small as 30 centimeters (11.8 inches), according to Yonhap.
"Considering resolution and its capacity for Earth observation... our satellite technology ranks in the top five globally," the defense ministry official said, as quoted by Yonhap.
The launch comes less than two weeks after Pyongyang had successfully put its own spy satellite into orbit.
"Until now, South Korea has relied heavily on US-run spy satellites" when it comes to monitoring the North, Choi Gi-il, professor of military studies at Sangji University, told AFP.
While the South has "succeeded in the launch of a military communications satellite, it has taken much longer for a reconnaissance satellite due to higher technological hurdles," he said.
Following the North's successful launch of its own spy satellite, Choi said, "the South Korean government needs to demonstrate it can also pull this off."
Experts have said putting a working reconnaissance satellite into orbit would improve North Korea's intelligence-gathering capabilities, particularly over South Korea, and provide crucial data in any military conflict.
Since last week's launch, the North has claimed its new eye in the sky has already provided images of major US and South Korean military sites -- as well as photos of the Italian capital Rome.
It has not yet disclosed any of the satellite imagery it claims to possess.
The North's launch of "Malligyong-1" was Pyongyang's third attempt at putting such a satellite in orbit, after two failures in May and August.
Seoul has said the North received technical help from Moscow, in return for supplying weapons for use in Russia's war with Ukraine.

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