경향신문

As sentencing date of Yoon’s impeachment trial approaches, violence in Korea reaches dangerous level

As the sentencing date of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment trial approaches, violence in Korea is reaching a dangerous level. Violent incidents against citizens and public authorities have become more frequent on the streets. Religious leaders, who are supposed to be healers of conflict, incite violence, and political leaders are not hesitating to say harsh remarks.Experts worry that Korean society is deteriorating from a state of “psychological civil war” to a state of “civil war o...

2025.03.24 17:48

‘Fateful week’ of landmark rulings begins in Korea

A fateful week that will determine the direction of Korea’s political situation has begun. Starting with the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the impeachment trial of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on March 24, the appeal verdict on Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition party Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), is scheduled to be announced on the 26th. Lee filed an appeal against his conviction related to charges of violating the Public Official Election Act. Some predict that the Constitut...

2025.03.24 17:43

Korea sees highest increase in marriages in 54 years

Marriages increased by nearly 15 percent last year, the highest increase in 54 years. The number of cases also increased by nearly 29,000 in a year, the largest increase in 27 years. The increase is attributed to the growing number of people in their early 30s.According to the “2024 Marriage and Divorce Statistics” released by Statistics Korea on March 20, the number of marriages last year was 222,412, up 28,755 from a year earlier. The increase is the largest in 27 years since 1996 and ...

2025.03.21 17:06

Constitutional Court to deliver decision on Prime Minister Han’s impeachment early next week

The Constitutional Court said that it will deliver a decision on the impeachment trial of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on March 24. When the Constitutional Court began hearing of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment trial, it promised to expedite the process of trial due to the urgency and gravity of the case, but the ruling of the case of Prime Minister Han, who was impeached later than Yoon, will come first. It will be interesting to see if the Constitutional Court will include a judgement...

2025.03.21 17:03

Korea’s ruling and main opposition parties pass pension reform bill for 1st time in 18 years

As the pension reform bill passed the plenary session of the National Assembly on March 20, the "parametric reform" that adjusts figures, such as how much people pay and how much they receive, succeeded for the first time in 18 years. The reform has been met with mixed reviews, with some saying it's “good to see it done before it's too late” and others criticizing it for “neglecting retirement income security.”The core of the reform can be summarized as “pay more, and receive more.” The ...

2025.03.21 16:59

[Editorial] Constitutional Court should keep its promise to judge Yoon’s case quickly and Yoon should accept its decision

Sentencing of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment trial has been delayed without promise. The Constitutional Court still has not set a date for the sentencing on March 19, the 95th day after the National Assembly impeached him. It has already passed the period required for the impeachment trial of former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye (63 days and 91 days, respectively). The Constitutional Court's pledge to judge the case quickly given the gravity of the matter became meaningless....

2025.03.20 17:56

Son Heung-min says, ‘It's important to get off to a good start,’ ahead of World Cup qualifier against Oman

“This is the first international match of the year. It's important to get off to a good start.”This is the mindset of Korean men's national football team captain Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur.Son kept emphasizing the word “first” during a press conference at the Goyang Sports Complex on March 19. “It's my first time meeting fans this year, so I have a huge responsibility,” he said.Korea will face Oman in a 2026 World Cup qualifier at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province, at 8 p.m. ...

2025.03.20 17:51

Samyang Foods surpass 1 trillion won in overseas sales for 1st time last year

Samyang Foods, which has been the biggest performer in the overseas sector thanks to the popularity of its “Buldak” brand, surpassed 1 trillion won in overseas sales for the first time in its history last year.On a consolidated basis, Samyang Foods recorded overseas sales of 1.36 trillion won last year, up 65 percent from the previous year, the company said on March 19.The company’s overseas sales, which were around 90 billion won in 2016, surpassed 300 billion won in 2020 and 600 bill...

2025.03.20 17:48

‘Poet in broadcasting booth’ Song Jae-ik passes away at 83

Former sports broadcaster Song Jae-ik passed away on March 18. He was 83 years old.Song, who said he would “return to being one of the viewers” after his last broadcast at Jamsil Sports Complex five years ago, passed away in the arms of his family after battling cancer.The deceased was a legendary figure who started broadcasting sports with boxing games at MBC in 1970 and transferred to SBS ahead of the Korea-Japan World Cup in 2002 and earned a six-figure salary. He covered six consecutive ...

2025.03.19 17:50

[Editorial] Trainee doctors and medical students should take professors words to heart

Four professors from Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Hospital strongly criticized trainee doctors and medical students who refuse to return to work and school despite the government's withdrawal of its policy to increase medical school admissions next year. In a statement titled “To those who claim that colleagues who return to work and school are no longer colleagues - it's time to decide,” the professors said, "The current way of fighting and goals a...

2025.03.19 17:48