Page 4 - Seoul

S Korea in shock, grief as 153 die in Halloween stampede due to crowd surge

Concerned relatives raced to hospitals in search of their loved ones on Sunday as South Korea mourned the deaths of at least 151 people, mostly in their teens and 20s, who got trapped and crushed after a huge Halloween party crowd surged into a narrow alley in a nightlife district in Seoul. Witnesses said the crowd surge in the Itaewon area on Saturday night caused a hell-like chaos as people fell on each other like dominos. Some people were bleeding from their noses and mouths while being given CPR, witnesses said, while others clad in Halloween costumes continued to sing and dance nearby, possibly without knowing the severity of the situation. I still can't believe what has happened. It was like a hell, said Kim Mi Sung, an official at a non-profit organisation that promotes tourism in Itaewon. Kim said she performed CPR on 10 people who were unconscious and nine of them were declared dead on the spot. Kim said the 10 were mostly women wearing witch outfits and other Halloween .

World leaders express sadness after Halloween stampede kills 151 in Seoul

World leaders expressed sadness and condolences after at least 151 people were killed in a crowd surge Saturday night in Seoul, South Korea. The tragedy occurred in Seoul's Itaewon district during Halloween festivities when a huge crowd surged into a narrow downhill alley. At least 82 others were injured in the South Korea's deadliest accident in years. US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden sent their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. We grieve with the people of the Republic of Korea and wish for a quick recovery to all those who were injured, said President Biden in a tweet. The United States stands with the Republic of Korea during this tragic time. Similarly, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the news from Seoul as horrific on Twitter. All our thoughts are with those currently responding and all South Koreans at this very distressing time, Sunak wrote. Itaewon's international character was shaped by its proximity to a US military garri

59 dead, over 150 injured after Halloween crowd surge in Seoul: Official

At least 59 people were killed and 150 more were injured after being crushed by a large crowd pushing forward on a narrow street during Halloween festivities in the capital Seoul, South Korean officials said. Choi Seong-beom, chief of Seoul's Yongsan fire department, said the death toll could grow as emergency workers were continuing to transport the injured to hospitals across Seoul following the stampede in the leisure district of Itaewon Saturday night. Choi said 13 of the dead have been sent to hospitals while the bodies of the remaining 46 were still on the streets. Officials say it was believed that people were crushed to death after a large crowd began pushing forward in a narrow alley near Hamilton Hotel, a major party spot in Seoul.

China's legislator to meet S Korea leaders for talks on Seoul-Beijing ties

China's top legislator was set to meet South Korean leaders including new President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on Friday, as Yoon's push to buttress a military alliance with Washington has caused concerns that it could hamper Seoul's ties with Beijing. Li Zhanshu, third in the Chinese Communist Party hierarchy and one of President Xi Jinping's closest confidants, is the highest-level Chinese official to visit South Korea since his predecessor came here in 2015. Li's trip is seen as part of Beijing's efforts to boost ties with neighboring countries ahead of a Communist Party congress next month that will likely grant Xi a third five-year term as leader. Li's visit is also crucial for Yoon's government as it wants to assure Beijing that its push to reinforce the U.S. alliance and participations in US-led regional initiatives won's target China, its biggest trading partner. Li, chairman of the standing committee of China's National People's Congress, heads a 66-member Chinese delegation to

Samsung initiates work on $15 bn next-gen chip at R&D complex

Samsung Electronics on Friday held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new semiconductor research and development (R&D) complex here, in a move to bolster its global leadership in cutting-edge chip technology.

N Korea claims disputed victory over coronavirus, blames spread on Seoul

North Korea blamed the country's Covid-19 outbreak on leaflets flown from across the border from South Korea, while warning of deadly retaliation

Rains in South Korea turn Seoul's roads into rivers, leave 7 dead

Heavy rains drenched South Korea's capital region, turning the streets of Seoul's affluent Gangnam district into a river, leaving submerged vehicles and overwhelming public transport systems.

Samsung has substantial upside potential on sound fundamentals: Report

Investor sentiment has been unduly negative toward Samsung Electronics in light of the company's strong performance and solid earnings forecast, a chief analyst at a local research firm has said

Antony Blinken to visit Seoul amid concerns over N Korea nuclear test

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will visit South Korea next week amid growing concerns that North Korea may soon conduct a nuclear test

S Korea shortlists 5 names among 30,000 entries for new presidential office

The shortlisted names are The People's House, Itaewon-ro 22, The People's Government Office, Mineum Government Office and Bareunnuri

South Korea's next leader Yeol faces escalating North's nuclear threat

North Korea has a history of trying to rattle new govts in Seoul and Washington to gain leverage in future negotiations. But if Kim orders a nuclear test, Yoon would be left with very limited options

Most citizens in Seoul wear masks despite the ease of Covid rules

Masks are no longer mandatory in outdoor places, except when people attend gatherings of 50 or more or sports and cultural events with potentially larger crowds

Senior White House official in Seoul to discuss Yoon-Biden summit

The summit is set to become the earliest-ever to take place following a South Korean President's inauguration

North demolishing hotel that was symbol of inter-Korean engagement

North Korea is demolishing a South Korean-owned hotel at a North Korean resort that was one of the last symbols of inter-Korean engagement, according to Seoul officials

'Pyongyang will not fire a single bullet toward Seoul', says Kim Yo-jong

Kim Yo-jong again took issue with the South Korean defense chief's talk in public last week of his troops' "preemptive strike" capabilities, boasting repeatedly about Pyongyang's nuclear combat force

UNSC planning session after N Korea's latest missile launch: Seoul

The UN Security Council (UNSC) has planned to convene a session in response to North Korea's latest projectile launch, a South Korean government official said on Monday

N Korea unresponsive to Seoul's message about weekend border-crossing

North Korea remains unresponsive after South Korea sent a message about an unidentified person having crossed the eastern inter-Korean border over the weekend, Seoul's Defence Ministry said

Seoul urges N Korea to start new year by opening door for dialogue

South Korea's Unification Ministry urged North Korea to start the new year with a step for dialogue and cooperation

Coronavirus cases in drop below 200 after govt imposes new rules in Seoul

The number of patients in serious or critical condition with active COVID-19 increased to 154, compared to 14 on Aug. 14

South Korea unveils aggressive spending plans for growth amid Covid19

The finance ministry said total spending will increase 8.5% to record 555.8 trillion won ($468.30 billion) next year