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Chief judges warn of 'external pressure' on courts after judicial reform laws take effect
Forty-four chief judges from courts nationwide gathered Thursday in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, to discuss follow-up measures after three judicial reform laws took effect the same day. “There are concerns that the fundamental structure of Korea’s judicial system may change following the passage of the three judicial reform laws,” said Ki Woo-jong, acting minister of the National Court Administration, during the meeting. The three laws include provisions allowing constitutional complaint
March 13, 2026 -
9 caught drugging players, rigging screen golf machines in betting scam
Nine people have been caught in a screen golf betting scam after secretly drugging victims’ drinks and manipulating game machines, earning about 74 million won ($50,000), authorities said Thursday. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said the suspects were referred to prosecutors in February, with two detained on charges of fraud and violations of the Narcotics Control Act. Police said the group used insomnia medication to impair victims during golf betting games at indoor screen golf venues. T
March 12, 2026 -
Leaving a teaching job in Korea? Here's what foreign instructors need to know
When a private English academy in South Korea abruptly terminated a 30-year-old American instructor’s contract, her first thoughts were about her visa and pay. “I remember going blank, thinking about what was going to happen to my visa, and whether I would be able to receive my severance pay,” said the instructor, who asked to remain anonymous. Her concerns are shared by many foreign national teachers working in South Korea. As of 2024, 13,443 instructors were residing in the country under the E
March 12, 2026 -
Justice Ministry to crack down on illegal foreign delivery riders
The Ministry of Justice said Monday it will launch a two-month crackdown on foreign nationals working illegally as food delivery drivers, citing a rise in unauthorized employment. The ministry designated March and April as intensive enforcement months, saying some international students have recently begun working as delivery drivers using borrowed or falsified Korean identities, raising concerns that local job opportunities are being affected. Major delivery platforms such as Baedal Minjok, Bae
March 9, 2026 -
Justice Ministry launches task force to protect migrant rights
The Ministry of Justice said Monday it has set up an Immigrants Rights Protection Task Force under the Korea Immigration Service to prevent human rights violations and strengthen remedies for foreign residents in South Korea. The ministry said responsibility for protecting foreign residents’ rights had previously been dispersed across multiple departments. The new task force is intended to provide a more systematic and coordinated response. According to the ministry, the team will conduct on-sit
March 9, 2026 -
Self-appraisal penalties, stricter rules for CEO reappointment
Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Act on Appraisal and Certified Appraisers Proposed by Rep. Moon Jin-seog (Democratic Party of Korea) Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Act on Corporate Governance of Financial Companies Proposed by Rep. Kim Hyun-jung (Democratic Party of Korea) Pending Bill: Special Act on the Construction Safety Proposed by Rep. Moon Jin-seog (Democratic Party of Korea) Promulgated Bill: Occupational Safety and Health Act Competent Authority: Ministry of Employment
March 9, 2026 -
Korea moves to ban deepfake use in education superintendent elections
South Korea is moving to ban the use of deepfake content in the upcoming regional education superintendent elections slated for June 3, 2026. According to the National Assembly’s legislation information system, a bill to amend the Act on Local Education Autonomy passed the Education Committee’s bill review subcommittee on Feb. 26. The bill seeks to apply deepfake regulations under the Public Official Election Act to local superintendent elections, and was first introduced by Rep. Kim Moon-soo of
March 8, 2026 -
Man indicted for forging $4m in bank checks to lure women
A man aged 33 was indicted in detention for forging bank checks worth up to 5.9 billion won ($4.05 million) to flaunt his wealth and lure women, authorities said Friday. The Anyang branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office in Gyeonggi Province indicted the man Tuesday on charges of forging 5,974 bank checks worth 1 million won each. According to the police, the suspect had the papers printed at a printing shop in August 2021, claiming they were props for a YouTube video. The counterfeit c
March 6, 2026 -
Korea opens high-skilled visa pathway to tech professors
The Ministry of Justice on Tuesday announced a set of immigration policy overhauls to be implemented by 2030, including expanded visa quotas for skilled workers and extended visas for "high-performing" seasonal migrant workers. The ministry said it had formulated the “2030 Immigration Policy Future Strategy” in response to falling birth rates and an aging population, as well as rapid changes in industrial and technological environments. "Immigration policy must be repositioned as a mid- to long-
March 3, 2026 -
Personal data breach compensations, measures to facilitate collective relief
Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Personal Information Protection Act Proposed by Rep. Kim Yong-man (Democratic Party of Korea) Proposed Bill: Class Action Act Proposed by Rep. Yong Hye-in (Basic Income Party) Pending Bill: Partial Amendment to the Commercial Act Proposed by Rep. Oh Gi-hyoung (Democratic Party of Korea) Promulgated Bill: Act on the Promotion of Mutually Beneficial Cooperation Between Large Enterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises Competent Authority: Ministry of SMEs a
March 2, 2026 -
Legal lingo: Court interpreters help foreign defendants navigate Korean justice system
Court interpreter Han Woo-suk still remembers walking into a courtroom in 2025 to interpret for a Thai woman accused of smuggling drugs into South Korea. “I have interpreted in many drug cases involving Thai nationals, and most of the defendants were undocumented immigrants,” Han said. “But this woman was married to a Korean citizen and had a child diagnosed with developmental disabilities.” According to Han, the woman insisted she had no intention of breaking the law. She had imported and sold
March 2, 2026 -
AI mockery of independence activist fuels public anger
A generative AI video circulating on TikTok has sparked public backlash for allegedly defaming independence activist Yu Gwan-sun, but police said Friday that no formal investigation has been opened. Police told local media that they were aware of the video but have not begun a preliminary inquiry, an initial review conducted to determine whether a formal investigation is warranted. The video posted on Feb. 22 depicts Yu showing affection to the Japanese flag and being propelled into space after
Feb. 27, 2026 -
When do weapon attacks happen most in Seoul?
Tuesday afternoons emerged as the most common setting for weapon-related crimes in Seoul last year, with middle-aged and older men accounting for the majority of suspects, according to data released Thursday by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Crimes involving sharp weapons rose to 307 cases in 2025, the agency said, based on an analysis aimed at shaping more targeted prevention measures. The review covered offenses ranging from carrying knives in public to wielding and stabbing. Tuesday re
Feb. 26, 2026 -
Korea stops issuing visas to minors for work-residency schemes
The Ministry of Justice said Wednesday that it decided in October 2025 to stop issuing visas to international students participating in employment-residency programs before the age of 19. The ministry said it had consulted with education authorities and related institutions from May 2025 before finalizing the decision in October and notifying local education offices. The ministry added that it suspended the program after previous policies allowing minors to enter the country under employment-lin
Feb. 26, 2026 -
Special counsel appeals life sentence for ex-president Yoon over insurrection conviction
A special counsel team said Wednesday it has appealed a court's recent life sentence for former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his insurrection conviction. The special counsel, led by Cho Eun-suk, said the appeal was filed due to "factual errors, legal misunderstandings and inappropriate sentencing." Last week, a Seoul court sentenced Yoon to life in prison for leading an insurrection when he briefly imposed martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. The court said Yoon sought to paralyze the National Assembly
Feb. 25, 2026