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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean court on Monday acquitted Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong of financial crimes involving a contentious merger between Samsung affiliates in 2015 that tightened his grip over South Korea’s biggest company. The court said the prosecution failed to sufficiently prove the merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries was unlawfully conducted with an aim to strengthen Lee’s control over Samsung Electronics. Lee had denied wrongdoing in the current case, describing the 2015 merger as “normal business activity.”Lee, 56, did not answer questions from reporters as left the court. Lee Jae-yong served 18 months in prison after being convicted in 2017 over separate bribery charges related to the 2015 deal. Some shareholders had opposed the 2015 merger, saying that it unfairly benefited the Lee family while hurting minority shareholders.

Persons: Lee Jae, Lee, ” Lee, Jin Kim, Lee Kun, Park, Yoon Suk, tycoons, Kim Tong, hyung Organizations: Samsung, Korea’s, Seoul Central, Cheil Industries, Samsung Electronics, Prosecutors, South, National Pension Service Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Seoul, Ukraine

Last week, Chinese stocks capped their worst week in five years. On Friday, Big Tech stocks once again carried Wall Street to a record, even though the majority of stocks fell due to renewed worries about risks of a hot economy. The Big Tech stocks, which are two of Wall Street’s most influential, also vaulted the Nasdaq composite up by 1.7%. But the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has less of an emphasis on tech, rose by a more modest 0.3% to 38.654.42. They’re both members of a small group of Big Tech stocks known as the “Magnificent Seven” responsible for the majority of Wall Street’s run to a record.

Persons: Donald Trump, Hang Seng, Australia’s, it’s, Stocks, Jerome Powell, They’re Organizations: China Securities Regulatory Commission, Nikkei, Big Tech, Meta, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Charter Communications, New York Mercantile Exchange, Brent, U.S Locations: HONG KONG, Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, U.S, China, Hong, Asia

☆ Asian Cup: Son Heung-min’s dazzling extra-time free kick seals South Korea’s dramatic passage to semifinals
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A dazzling extra-time free kick from talisman and captain Son Heung-min sealed a dramatic victory for South Korea in the Asian Cup quarterfinals against Australia, continuing its habit of nervy, sensational finishes in this tournament. And against Australia, South Korea was trailing 1-0 almost four minutes into stoppage time. “The most important thing is we get the result,” Son said afterwards, per the Asian Cup website. Son's goal sealed South Korea's place in the Asian Cup semifinals. Xia Bohan/VCG/Getty Images“It was another drama,” said South Korea manager Jürgen Klinsmann, according to the Asian Cup wesbite.

Persons: Son Heung, Cho Gue, Son, Hwang Hee, Matty Ryan, ” Son, Craig Goodwin, Jo Hyeon, Connor Metcalfe, Goodwin, Nathaniel Atkinson, Jo, Graham Arnold, Aidan O’Neill, Xia Bohan, ”, Jürgen Klinsmann, “ I’m, Jordan Organizations: CNN, South, Australia, Warriors, Tottenham, Kyodo, Socceroos, Taegeuk Locations: South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said it tested cruise missiles outfitted with new “super-large” warheads as well as a new type of anti-aircraft missile, extending a streak in weapons demonstrations that has rival South Korea worried. The report Saturday by North Korean state media came a day after South Korea’s military said it detected the North launching multiple cruise missiles into waters off its western coast. North Korean photos of the test showed a low-flying cruise missile striking a target built on a coastal shore, and another projectile soaring into the air after being launched from ground. In announcing the development of larger warheads for cruise missiles, North Korea could be trying to emphasize that these missiles are intended to be armed with nuclear weapons. Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesCruise missiles are among a growing collection of North Korean weapons designed to overwhelm regional missile defenses.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim Organizations: North, Korean Central News Agency, Analysts, Friday's Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, North Korea, North Korean, Korean, United States, Russia, Japan, Guam, Nampho, U.S

lydia polgreenSure, but a few things — one thing that was elided in a lot of the discourse about men falling behind really, really, really under emphasized or just ignored the racial component of it. I just don’t — I don’t —ross douthatYeah, there were like five. That’s a really, really, really big shift. Are women going to pay a disproportionate price for childbearing in terms of their economic potential? But I think — Ross wrote a column about just how freaking weird the bizarre conspiracy theories about Taylor and Travis are.

Persons: ross douthat, polgreen, polgreen Oh, — ross douthat, Carlos Lozada, lydia polgreen I’m, Carlos Lazada, ross, michelle cottle, Lozada, lydia polgreen, Jimmy Carter, — ross, Jimmy Carter lusted, michelle cottle Oh, Jimmy, I’m Michelle Cottle, ross douthat I’m Ross Douthat, Lydia Polgreen, lydia polgreen Hoo, Carlos, Gen, topsy turvy, Ronald Reagan, Ross, Bill Clinton, Michelle, — michelle cottle, there’s, John Burn, Murdoch, Lydia, it’s, —, Taylor Swift, I’m, It’s, Roe, Let’s, Let’s —, That’s, I’ve, Andrew Tates, who’s, you’re, We’re, Don’t, we’ve, ” I’m, Trump, — Trump, michelle cottle It’s, Brett Kavanaugh, they’re, let’s, don’t, he’s, ross douthat It’s, michelle cottle Let’s, michelle cottle That’s, couldn’t, Jesus, that’s, michelle cottle We’ve, Taylor, — michelle cottle Travis Kelce, lydia polgreen Travis, — Ross, Travis, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rush Limbaugh’s feminazis, lydia polgreen Feminazis, michelle cottle There’s, michelle cottle You’re, michelle cottle I’ll, lydia polgreen —, we’re, — michelle cottle Partypalooza, sleepovers, — michelle cottle Ah, lydia polgreen Congrats Organizations: New York, Goldwater Republicans, Bill Clinton Democrats, Democrat, Republicans, Confederation, YouTube, Trump, Public Religion Research Institute, South Korea —, Pinterest Locations: American, US, Germany, United Kingdom, South Korea, Poland, Mars, United States, America, France, Korea, Northeast Asia, Africa, Mozambique, Saharan Africa, Europe, New York City, Manhattan

☆ Opinion: Kim Jong Un wants the world to take his threat seriously
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The world once again is trying to parse the stance of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. After North Korea was defeated, the fighting stopped with a 1953 armistice but a peace agreement was never reached. Kim has certainly been signaling that something fundamental has shifted and he clearly wants the world to take his threats seriously. For decades the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea or DPRK, has had two explicit goals. The warning about North Korea cannot be ignored, and the US, South Korea and Japan should update their planning.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Kim Jong, Kim, Donald Trump, Kim “, ”, Robert Carlin, Siegfried Hecker, Carlin, Hecker, North, Kim Il Sung, Yoon Suk Yeol, ” Carlin, Kim bluster, Trump, Biden, Vladimir Putin, what’s Kim, It’s, he’s, Putin Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Frida Ghitis CNN, West, Democratic People’s, South, Ukraine, Korean, Politico Locations: Korean, Frida Ghitis CNN North Korea, Ukraine, North Korea, South Korea, North, Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, DPRK, Seoul, United States, Korea, Russia, East Asia, Japan, China, Moscow, Pyongyang

☆ Asian Cup: South Korea beat Saudi Arabia in dramatic penalty shootout to advance to the quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —South Korea was on the verge of being eliminated from the AFC Asian Cup after going 1-0 down against Saudi Arabia, but managed to turn things around with a late equalizer from Cho Gue-sung followed by a decisive 4-2 penalty shootout win. Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty ImagesSouth Korea managed to grow into the game and began to rain chances down on the opposition goal late on. Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar was called into action to deny Hwang In-beom and Seol Young-woo as the game ticked towards the final whistle. Hassan Tambakti of Saudi Arabia and South Korea captain Son Heung-Min battle for the ball. Robert Cianflone/Getty ImagesSouth Korea keeper Jo Hyeon-woo played hero in the shootout, saving Saudi Arabia’s final two spot-kicks before Wolves’ Hwang fired his deciding penalty into top corner, punching South Korea’s ticket to the quarterfinals.

Persons: Cho Gue, Roberto Mancini, Saleh Al, Ali Lajami, Salem, Abdullah Radif, slotting, Radif, Giuseppe Cacace, Ahmed Al, Kassar, Hwang, Seol Young, Cho, Hwang Hee, Hassan Tambakti, Son Heung, Robert Cianflone, Jo Hyeon, Wolves ’ Hwang, Jürgen, ”, “, Klinsmann Organizations: CNN, AFC Asian, Manchester City, Green Falcons, Getty, Warriors, Saudi, Wolves, South, US men’s, “, Australia –, Tottenham Hotspur Locations: South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Italy, AFP, Korea, Saudi, Indonesia, ” South Korea

HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stocks were mixed Wednesday as markets awaited a decision on interest rates by the Federal Reserve, while China reported manufacturing contracted in January for a fourth straight month. South Korea’s Kospi shed 0.1% to 2,497.09 after Samsung Electronics reported reported an annual 34% decline in operating profit for the last quarter. Its revenue fell short of Wall Street’s estimates, and it also gave a forecast for full-year revenue in 2024 that was weaker than expected. Treasury yields were also mixed in the bond market following reports that showed the economy remains stronger than expected. The Federal Reserve began its latest policy meeting on interest rates Tuesday, but virtually no one expects it to cut rates this time.

Persons: Seng, India’s Sensex Organizations: Federal Reserve, Nikkei, Samsung Electronics, PMI, Reserve Bank, Dow Jones Industrial, Nasdaq, Whirlpool, General Motors, Treasury, Traders, New York Mercantile Exchange, Brent, U.S Locations: HONG KONG, China, Shanghai, U.S

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Wednesday it conducted a test-firing of long-range cruise missiles with an aim to sharpen its counterattack and strategic strike capabilities, in its latest display of weapons threatening South Korea and Japan. The event extended a provocative streak in weapons testing as North Korea continues to raise pressure on the United States and its Asian allies amid a prolonged freeze in diplomacy. North Korea in recent years has been expanding its lineup of cruise missiles, which are designed to be fired from both land and naval assets. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesSince 2021, North Korea has conducted at least 11 rounds of tests of what it described as long-range cruise missiles fired from both land and sea. The North’s two previous tests of cruise missiles on Jan. 24 and Jan. 28 were of a new weapon called Pulhwasal-3-31, which is designed to be fired from submarines.

Persons: Kim Jong Un, Kim Organizations: North, Korean Central News Agency Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, North Korea, Korea, Japan, North Korean, United States, Guam, Russia

☆ Nelly Korda rallies to sudden-death hometown victory at LPGA Drive On Championship
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Nelly Korda pulled off a stunning late rally to clinch a dramatic hometown victory at the LPGA Drive On Championship in Florida on Sunday, edging Lydia Ko in a playoff to prolong the New Zealander’s wait to join the LPGA Hall of Fame. “The amount of support I received this week was unbelievable,” Korda told reporters. Good ol’ Nelly fashion making it dramatic.”Ko and Korda embrace after a dramatic battle. Steve Nesius/APVictory marks Korda’s ninth title on the LPGA Tour, and her first since she defended her Pelican Women’s Championship crown in November 2022. The $262,500 winner’s purse sees her cross the $9 million mark for LPGA Tour career earnings.

Persons: CNN — Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, Korda’s, parred, Ko, Korda, ” Korda, “ I’m, Nelly, ” Ko, Steve Nesius, Jessica Korda, Jessica, ’ ” Korda, ”, old’s, “ Organizations: CNN, LPGA Hall of Fame, Bradenton, LPGA Tour, Hilton, LPGA, Hall of Fame, of Fame Locations: Florida

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s military detected North Korea firing multiple cruise missiles into the sea off its western coast Tuesday in its third round of tests of such weapons this month. The launches came amid heighted tensions in the region, where the pace of both North Korea's weapons demonstrations and the United States' combined military exercises with allies South Korea and Japan have intensified in a tit-for-tat. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the South Korean and U.S. militaries were analyzing the launches. It didn’t immediately provide specific flight details, including the number of missiles fired and how far they flew. The launches follow tests on Jan. 24 and Jan. 28 of what North Korea has described as a new cruise missile developed for submarine launches.

Organizations: South, Korea’s, Chiefs, Staff, Korean Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Korea, United States, Japan, U.S, Guam

☆ For New Moms in Seoul, 3 Weeks of Pampering and Sleep at a Joriwon
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Lauretta Charlton | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Four mothers sat quietly in the nursing room around midnight, breastfeeding their newborn babies. As one mother nodded off, her eyelids heavy after giving birth less than two weeks earlier, a nurse came in and whisked her baby away. Sleep is just one of the luxuries provided by South Korea’s postpartum care centers. The country may have the world’s lowest birthrate, but it is also home to perhaps some of its best postpartum care. At centers like St. Park, a small, boutique postpartum center, or joriwon, in Seoul, new moms are pampered for a few weeks after giving birth and treated to hotel-like accommodations.

Locations: St, Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s military said Sunday that North Korea fired several cruise missiles that flew over waters near a major military shipyard on the country’s eastern coast, extending a streak in weapons tests that are worsening tensions with the United States, South Korea and Japan. The launches followed a separate round of North Korean cruise missile tests last week and a Jan. 14 test-firing of the country’s first solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile. North Korea’s cruise missiles supplement the country’s huge lineup of ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to reach the U.S. mainland. While North Korean cruise missile activities aren’t directly banned under U.N. sanctions, experts say those weapons potentially pose a serious threat to South Korea and Japan. Since 2021, North Korea has conducted at least 10 rounds of tests of what it described as long-range cruise missiles fired from both land and sea.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim Organizations: South Korea’s, Chiefs, Staff, U.S Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Korea, United States, Japan, Guam, South, Sinpo, North Korea

☆ South Korea’s government asks people not to eat fried toothpicks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

A health warning from South Korea’s food ministry has urged people not to eat fried toothpicks made of starch in a shape resembling curly fries, after the practice went viral in social media posts. Video clips showing people consuming the deep-fried starch toothpicks with seasoning such as powdered cheese have racked up thousands of likes and shares on TikTok and Instagram. “Please do not eat (them).”Videos of the toothpicks, a sanitary product, being fried in oil and eaten were going viral, it added. Often used in restaurants in South Korea, they can also be used to pick up finger foods. “It’s very crispy,” one TikTok user said in a video, while crunching up fried toothpicks.

Persons: toothpicks, “ Organizations: Ministry of Food and Drug Locations: TikTok, South Korea

Thursday on Wall Street, the S&P 500 added 0.4% to 4,894.16 and set a record for a fifth straight day. IBM helped lead the market with a gain of 9.5% after it reported a better profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The electric-vehicle maker reported earnings and revenue that fell short of forecasts and warned of lower sales growth this year. Such a resilient economy should drive profits for companies, which are one of the main inputs that set stock prices. On the losing end of Wall Street, Humana tumbled 11.7% after the insurer reported worse results for the end of 2023 than expected.

Persons: ” Robert Carnell, Seng, Tesla, ”, Jamie Cox Organizations: TOKYO, Nikkei, Bank of Japan, ING, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, IBM, U.S ., Federal Reserve, Harris Financial, Treasury, . American Airlines, Humana, New York Mercantile Exchange, Brent Locations: U.S, Asia, Pacific, Shanghai, Australia, Wall

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, could take some form of lethal military action against South Korea in the coming months after having shifted to a policy of open hostility, U.S. officials say. The officials have assessed that Mr. Kim’s recent harder line is part of a pattern of provocations, but that his declarations have been more aggressive than previous statements and should be taken seriously. While the officials added that they did not see an imminent risk of a full-scale war on the Korean Peninsula, Mr. Kim could carry out strikes in a way that he thinks would avoid rapid escalation. They pointed to North Korea’s shelling of a South Korean island in 2010 as an example. The two sides exchanged artillery fire, resulting in the reported deaths of troops on both sides as well as civilians in the South, but both militaries soon stopped.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim Organizations: South Locations: South Korea, Korean

The Espoo, Finland-based company reported net profit of 568 million euros ($619 million) for the October-to-December quarter, down from 929 million euros in the same period a year earlier. Nokia is one of the world’s main suppliers of 5G, the latest generation of broadband technology, along with Sweden’s Ericsson, China’s Huawei and South Korea’s Samsung. Nokia's net income attributable to shareholders came in at 558 million euros in the fourth quarter, down from 931 million euros the previous year. Nokia’s sales also fell 23%, to 5.7 billion euros from 7.5 billion euros. “Looking ahead, we expect the challenging environment of 2023 to continue during the first half of 2024, particularly in the first quarter,” he said.

Persons: China’s, Pekka Lundmark, ” Organizations: HELSINKI, Nokia, 5G, Sweden’s Ericsson, China’s Huawei, South, Samsung, eBay Locations: Espoo, Finland

☆ North Korean teens punished for watching South Korean dramas in rare footage, research group claims
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Yoonjung Seo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —A South Korean research group has released rare footage that it claims shows North Korean teenagers sentenced to hard labor for watching and distributing K-dramas – which are banned in the hermit nation. SAND INSTITUTE NEWSLETTER/ReutersThe Seoul-based South and North Development Institute (SAND Institute), which works with North Korean defectors, obtained the recording and distributed it to media outlets. Meanwhile, living standards are far higher in South Korea, which has become one of world’s top economies. “You can see how wary the North Korean regime is about spreading and watching Korean dramas. For instance, South Korean women often use the term “oppa” for their romantic partners – it’s now forbidden in the North.

Persons: “, Kim, Choi Kyong, ” Choi, – it’s Organizations: South Korea CNN, North Development, North, Korea’s National Intelligence Service, CNN, South, NIS Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Korean, North Korea, China, South, South Korean, Pyongyang, North Korean

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia’s top diplomat accused the United States, South Korea and Japan on Wednesday of preparing for war with North Korea. The Russian minister said the U.S., South Korea and Japan have also been talking about developing their cooperation. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesLast week, the three countries conducted combined naval exercises involving an American aircraft carrier in their latest show of strength against nuclear-armed North Korea. Lavrov compared Kim’s recent announcement that North Korea would not reunify with South Korea to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement saying there will be no Palestinian state after the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. “It’s terrible when, instead of unity, we have trends which divide us,” the Russian minister said.

Persons: — Russia’s, Sergey Lavrov, “, ”, Lavrov, North Korea's Kim, Kim Jong, Vladimir Putin’s, Kim, Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu’s Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, DPRK, Democratic People’s, Kremlin, Israeli, West, United Arab Locations: United States, South Korea, Japan, North Korea, Pyongyang, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, U.S, North, Seoul, Ukraine, Russia, Washington, Tokyo, Russia’s Far, Korea, Israel, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Thursday it conducted its first flight test of a new cruise missile, as it expands its military capabilities in the face of deepening tensions with the United States and neighbors. North Korea’s cruise missiles are among its growing arsenal of weapons aimed at overwhelming missile defenses in South Korea and Japan. Since 2021, North Korea has conducted at least 10 rounds of tests of what it described as long-range cruise missiles fired from both land and sea. There are concerns that Kim could dial up pressure in an election year in the United States and South Korea. He accused South Korea of acting as “top-class stooges” of the Americans and repeated a threat that he would use his nukes to annihilate the South if provoked.

Persons: Kim, KCNA Organizations: Chiefs, Staff, Korean Central News Agency, The Associated Press, South, Analysts Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, North Korea, United States, Japan, Guam, North, South, Pyongyang, Korea, Washington, Asia, asia

☆ North Korea claims to test underwater nuclear-capable drone after US, South Korea and Japan show off naval might
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Brad Lendon | Gawon Bae | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korea on Friday claimed it had successfully tested an underwater nuclear weapons system earlier this week in response to naval drills by the United States, South Korea and Japan. North Korean state media on Friday did not show evidence for the success of the latest test, but warned the US, South Korea and Japan of the “catastrophic consequences” of their actions. Warships from South Korea, the US and Japan perform a trilateral exercise in the waters south of Jeju between January 15 and 17, 2024. South Korea's Defence MinistryAnalysts say it all points to an even more intractable North Korea. “If North Korea’s artillery fire near the inter-Korean maritime border was just part of routine training, it would be less concerning.

Persons: ”, Carl Vinson, KCNA, Kim Jong Un, Kim, Kim Jong, Kim ramped, Staff Kim Myung, Leif, Eric Easley, Easley Organizations: South Korea CNN, Korea Central News Agency, JS Hyūga, Korea’s, Chiefs, Staff, Warships, Korea's Defence, US Navy, Fleet, People’s Assembly, CNN Relations, South Korean Joint Chiefs, Korea's Defence Ministry Analysts, Ehwa University Locations: Seoul, South Korea, North Korea, United States, Japan, Korean, Pyongyang, Jeju, U.S, Republic of Korea, Korea, KCNA, North, “ Pyongyang

LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) — Sam Burns shot the best round of his life with “RTR” shaved into the side of his head. Burns fired a career-low 61 on Friday to take a one-shot lead over Michael Kim and a two-shot lead on Dunlap at The American Express. While Burns was at 17-under 127 after his second straight impressive round, Dunlap and South Korea’s K.H. Burns shot 62 at the BMW Championship last season and at the Byron Nelson in 2021. He used that familiarity with the American Express courses to shoot 65-63 in the first two rounds, including six birdies on the back nine of the Nicklaus course Friday.

Persons: — Sam Burns, ”, Justin Thomas, Nick Dunlap, Burns, sizzling, Michael Kim, Dunlap, K.H, Lee, Tiger Woods, ” Dunlap, “ I've, Phil Mickelson, “ It’s, ” Burns, didn’t, Byron Nelson, Nicklaus, Thomas, gleeful, “, Nick, Saban’s, ” Kim, Kim, Alex Noren, Zach Johnson, Bob Hope, David Duval, Adam Hadwin, ___ Organizations: LSU, The American Express, Dunlap, Tiger, U.S . Amateur, U.S . Junior, PGA, BMW, La Quinta, Louisiana, Southern California's, American Express, Nicklaus, Palmer, La Quinta Country, Hadwin Locations: QUINTA, Calif, Alabama, Coachella, Dunlap, Tucson , Arizona, Nos, La, Louisiana, Palm Springs, San Diego, Sweden

☆ South Korea says number of North Korean defectors nearly triples in 2023, including ‘elite’ diplomats
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Gawon Bae | Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —The number of North Korean defectors entering South Korea nearly tripled in 2023 compared to the previous two years, authorities said Thursday – including a higher number of youth and members of the North Korean elite. North Korea slammed its already tight borders shut in 2020, plunging the hermit nation into even greater isolation. Only 63 defectors entered South Korea in 2021, and 67 in 2022, according to government data. China, a close ally of Pyongyang, doesn’t consider North Korean defectors to be refugees, instead seeing them as illegal economic migrants. Once back in North Korea, defectors face possible torture, sexual violence, hard labor, imprisonment in political or re-education camps, or even execution by the North Korean state, according to activists.

Persons: ”, Kim, –, Kim Jong Un Organizations: South Korea CNN, North Korean, Korea’s Unification Ministry, Ministry, North, South, North Koreans, doesn’t Locations: Seoul, South Korea, North Korea, China, Russia, Pyongyang, North Korea’s, Laos, Myanmar, South Korean, Thailand, North, Korea, North Korean

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Friday it had tested a purported underwater nuclear attack drone in response to a combined naval exercise between South Korea and the United States and Japan this week, as it continues to blame its rivals for raising tensions in the region. The alleged drone test came days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared he would scrap his country’s long-standing goal of a peaceful unification with South Korea and that his country would rewrite its constitution to define South Korea as its most hostile foreign adversary. North Korea’s alleged nuclear attack drone, which the North first tested last year, is among a broad range of weapon systems demonstrated in recent years as Kim expands his arsenal of nuclear-capable weapons. South Korea's military has insisted the North has exaggerated the capabilities of the drone, which is supposedly designed to carry out strikes on enemy vessels and ports. The North’s military said it conducted the test in the country’s eastern waters in response to the U.S., South Korean, and Japanese naval drills, which wrapped up its three-day run Wednesday in waters south of Jeju island.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim, “, ” Organizations: North, South, North’s Defense Ministry Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, North Korea, United States, Japan, U.S, South, Jeju, DPRK

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — South Korea called on the divided U.N. Security Council on Thursday “to break the silence” over North Korea’s escalating missile tests and threats. South Korea is serving a two-year term on the council. In a message clearly aimed at the United States and South Korea, Zhang expressed hope that while attention is mainly on North Korea, “other countries are also responsible to avoid further escalation.”France’s U.N. And he called it “a shame” that Russia is violating Security Council resolutions by “buying military stuff that they use in Ukraine" from North Korea. South Korea’s Hwang said all 15 members of the Council are worried that North Korea’s rhetoric and actions are “getting more and more serious.”But how to break the council’s silence and inaction?

Persons: “, Hwang Joonkook, —, Kim Jong, Kim, Robert Wood, ”, U.N, Zhang Jun, Zhang, France’s U.N, Nicolas De Riviere, ” De Riviere, Korea’s Hwang, Hwang Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, Security, U.N, North, South Locations: South Korea, Korea, China, Russia, U.S, North Korea, South, America, “, United States, Ukraine

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