Page 43 - South Korea

North Korea fires unspecified ballistic missile into East Sea: South Korea

North Korea fired an "unspecified ballistic missile," just hours after South Korea conducted a test flight of a solid-fuel space launch vehicle, according to Yonhap News Agency

South Korea conducts test flight of solid-fuel space vehicle successfully

South Korea on Friday successfully conducted a test flight of a solid-fuel space launch vehicle, the defence ministry said, nine months after its first test of the homegrown rocket.

South Korea's unannounced missile launch causes UFO scare in Seoul

South Korea's military confirmed it test-fired a solid-fuelled rocket on Friday after its unannounced launch triggered brief public scare of a suspected UFO appearance or a North Korean missile launch. The Defence Ministry said in a statement that the rocket launch was part of its efforts to build a space-based surveillance capability and bolster its defence posture. It said it didn't notify the general public of the launch in advance because it involved sensitive military security issues. A twisty tendril of vapour in white-to-red ombre could be seen snaking behind a bright white light in parts of South Korea's sky on Friday evening. South Korean social media and internet sites were abuzz with messages by citizens who said they saw a soaring object, rainbow-coloured vapour trail or other mysterious lights. Some also posted photos and videos. What is this? Is this a UFO? I'm scared, said one Twitter user. Another said they suspected it was a North Korean missile launch and worrie

South Korea's consumer price grows 5.1% y-o-y, hits 24-yr high: Govt data

The price of utility services gained 12.6 per cent on-year in 2022, as South Korea, which depends heavily on imports for its energy needs, was hit by soaring global prices of key resources

South Korea to pardon former leader Myung-bak Lee for corruption crimes

The South Korean government of President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday it will grant a special pardon to ex-President Lee Myung-bak, who was sentenced to a 17-year prison term for a range of corruption crimes. The Justice Ministry said in a statement that Lee is among 1,373 convicts who will be pardoned Wednesday. It said it has decided to include some politicians, such as Lee, as part of efforts to promote a national unity. Lee, 81, was released from prison temporarily in June over health concerns. The CEO-turned-conservative hero had been convicted of taking bribes from big businesses including Samsung, embezzling funds from a company that he owned, and other corruption-related crimes before and during his presidency from 2008 to 2013. He was South Korea's first president with a business background and once symbolised the country's economic rise. He began his business career with an entry-level job at Hyundai Group's construction arm in the mid-1960s, before he rose to CEO of 10 ..

South Korea's leader calls for stealth drones to monitor North Korea

South Korea's president on Tuesday called for a stronger air defence and high-tech stealth drones to better monitor North Korea, a day after Seoul accused North Korea of flying five drones across the rivals' tense border for the first time in five years. South Korea's military fired warning shots and scrambled warplanes and attack helicopters in response Monday, but there has been no confirmation that any of the North Korean drones were shot down. That has raised a serious question about South Korea's air defence network at a time when tensions remain high over North Korea's torrid run of missile tests this year. We have a plan to create a military drone unit tasked with monitoring key military facilities in North Korea. But we'll advance the establishment of the drone unit as soon as possible because of yesterday's incident, President Yoon Suk Yeol said during a regular Cabinet Council meeting. We'll also introduce state-of-the art stealth drones and bolster our surveillance ...

Youth suicide rate up in South Korea; Covid-19 remains top reason of death

Youth suicide rate in S Korea increased in 2021 amid the Covid-19 pandemic to remain as their No. 1 cause of death, in yet another sign of a chronic problem that has plagued the country for years

South Korea fires warning shots after drones from North cross border

South Korea says it fired warning shots after North Korean drones violated the South's airspace. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said several unmanned North Korean drones crossed the inter-Korean border and were detected in the South's territory on Monday. It's the first time for North Korean drones to enter South Korean airspace since 2017. Monday's incident came three days after South Korea said North Korea test-launched two short-range ballistic missiles in its latest weapons tests.

South Korea's new Covid-19 cases fall below 30,000 due to fewer tests

The tally on Monday, which tends to be lower due to fewer tests over the weekend, is down by around 1,000 from a week ago

RT-PCR to be mandatory for passengers from 5 countries, says Mandaviya

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said RT-PCR test for the detection of COVID-19 would be made mandatory for passengers from China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand for their travel to India. Any passenger from these countries found symptomatic or testing positive for coronavirus would be quarantined, he said. "Passengers from China, Japan, Singapore and Bangkok (Thailand) are being monitored through the 'Air Suvidha' portal," Mandaviya told reporters. In view of the pandemic situation, passengers of flights from China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Bangkok are required to upload their RT-PCR report in advance. Even after landing in India, they will undergo thermal screening, he said. "We have issued an order for them to be quarantined in the country if found positive or with fever," the minister said. With China and other countries witnessing a surge in Covid cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday cautioned against complacency, called for

S Korea's National Assembly passes 2023 budget, cuts corporate tax

It marks the first time in three years that the budget was decreased by the parliament

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles, says Seoul military

It added the two missiles were launched into the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan

North Korea fires ballistic missiles after drills by US-South Korea

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters on Friday, its latest weapons demonstration that came days after US and South Korean warplanes conducted joint drills that North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal. North Korea has conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests this year in what some experts call an attempt to bolster its weapons capability and pressure its rivals to make concessions such as sanctions relief in future negotiations. Recently, the North also claimed to have performed major tests needed to acquire its first spy satellite and a more mobile intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the US mainland. South Korea's military detected the two missile launches from North Korea's capital region at around 4:32 pm on Friday. Japan said it also confirmed at least one missile launch by North Korea. It wasn't immediately clear exactly what kinds of missiles North Korea fired. South Korea's military said the missiles ...

North Korea fires ballistic missile days after US-South Korea joint drills

South Korea says North Korea has fired a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launch was made on Friday but gave no further details like what type of weapon North Korea fired and how far it flew. The launch was three days after the US flew nuclear-capable bombers and advanced stealth jets near the Korean Peninsula for joint training with South Korean warplanes. North Korea typically views such military exercises by the US and South Korea as an invasion rehearsal.

Kerala sounds alert, asks districts to step up surveillance on Covid-19

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that a general alert has been issued in the state due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in some countries such as China, Japan, South Korea and US

South Korea, US mulling live-fire drills to mark 70th yr of alliance

South Korea and the US are considering staging their first large-scale combined live-fire demonstration in six years in 2023 to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their alliance

Hyundai becomes 3rd largest carmaker, set to overtake Toyota, Volkswagen

While Toyota Motor Corp. and Volkswagen AG vie each year for pole position atop the global automobile industry, Hyundai has quietly slipped in behind them, surpassing General Motors Co., Nissan Motor

Number of immigrants in S Korea down 2% in 2022 amid Covid pandemic

Among foreign nationals, those from China, including ethnic Koreans, accounted for 46.8 per cent, trailed by Vietnam with 13 per cent

South Korea to extend fuel tax cut for 4 more months amid high prices

South Korea on Monday announced its decision to extend the fuel tax cut for four more months amid the high energy prices, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance

S Korea's sea level rises nearly 10 cm over 33 yrs due to climate change

The sea level rose 15.4 cm over the past 62 years, or 2.49 mm per year