Latest news with #GyeonggiProvince
NHK
20-07-2025
- Climate
- NHK
Torrential rain in South Korea leaves 14 dead
The death toll from heavy rainfall in South Korea has risen to 14. Twelve people are still missing. Authorities are continuing search and rescue efforts. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety released the figures as of 10 a.m. on Sunday. It says the tally covered the five-day period from Wednesday. Torrential rain swept across much of South Korea over the past several days, causing damage primarily in mountainous areas in the country's south and north. South Korean media reported that Sancheong in South Gyeongsang Province saw about 800 millimeters of rain over a 5-day period starting Wednesday. The reports said the downpours triggered flooding and landslides, with eight people confirmed dead and six others missing as of Sunday morning. They also said the disaster forced more than 2,000 people to evacuate from their homes. Reports from Gapyeong in Gyeonggi Province say two people have been killed and four others are missing after heavy rainfall destroyed houses and swept away a vehicle.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jimin & Jung Kook Complete Military Service as BTS Reunion Nears: Exclusive Photos
YEONCHEON, South Korea — Jimin and Jung Kook of BTS were officially discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service on Wednesday (June 11), marking a major step forward in the group's long-awaited reunion. With their discharge, six of the seven BTS members have now completed their service obligations, with only SUGA currently fulfilling his alternative service as a social worker. His discharge is expected later this month. More from Billboard BTS' RM and V Discharged Following South Korean Military Service Cloonee Postpones L.A. Shows Amid ICE Raids: 'I Will Not Throw a Party Whilst the Latino People Who Have Supported Me in This City Are Hurting' Leon Thomas' 'Mutt' Snatches Third Radio Crown of 2025 On Tuesday morning, fans and media began gathering near Yeoncheon Public Stadium in Gyeonggi Province to welcome the two stars. Jimin and Jung Kook appeared with bright smiles, offering brief greetings and expressing their sincere gratitude to supporters who had waited for their return. 'Thank you to the fans and reporters who came to see us,' Jimin said. 'It's been a long time, from the pandemic to military service. Now that we're back, we'll work hard to show you what we've prepared.' 'There were a lot of unforgettable moments,' Jung Kook added. 'Thanks to everyone who served with us and supported us along the way.' Jimin also hinted at what's to come: 'Now that I'm discharged, I think it's time we continue drawing the picture we had in mind. We'll prepare well and share it with you soon.' He concluded: 'Military life wasn't easy, but I'm grateful for the memories. If you see a soldier on the street, a warm gesture can mean a lot.' The two enlisted together in late 2023, completing basic training at the same boot camp before being assigned to separate units. Jimin served with the military band under the 5th Infantry Division, while Jung Kook completed his service with the Baekma Division. During their time in uniform, both BTS members continued to make waves in the music world. Jimin made history as the first Korean solo artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with his single 'Like Crazy' from the album FACE, while Jung Kook's solo debut GOLDEN peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and earned international acclaim across global charts. BTS has been on hiatus from group activities since 2023 as members fulfilled their enlistment obligations but with Jin and j-hope, as well as RM and V as of Tuesday and now Jimin and Jung Kook discharged, the group's full return is right around the corner, only awaiting SUGA's return. Their highly anticipated first public reunion is set at the upcoming 2025 BTS FESTA, taking place June 13-14 at KINTEX in Goyang, South Korea. The event promises to be a powerful homecoming celebration for fans worldwide and the start of BTS' next chapter. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Telegraph
03-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
New South Korean president promises closer ties with Kim Jong-un
South Korea has elected a Left-wing president who has promised to strengthen ties with Kim Jong-un's regime in the North. Lee Jae-myung, from the Left-leaning Democratic Party, won the snap vote on Tuesday, defeating Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party. The election came after months of chaos following former president Yoon Suk Yeol's decision to impose martial law on the country in December 2024. While Mr Lee's rags-to-riches story – rising from a factory worker to become president – has appealed to some in the country, many in South Korea see him as a divisive figure plagued by scandals, including with North Korea. Mr Lee campaigned on promises of greater dialogue with the North, while Mr Kim remained critical of engagement and instead vowed to use nuclear weapons to counter Pyongyang if needed. To engage with North Korea, Mr Lee said he would seek to restart communication via a hotline, which was previously used between the two countries before Pyongyang stopped responding in 2023. A new report from the United States Department of Defense found that North Korea had reached its 'strongest strategic position' in decades, making South Korea's approach all the more critical. However, Mr Lee's position is clouded by allegations that he has facilitated the transfer of funds to North Korea. South Korean prosecutors allege that between 2019 and 2020, while he was governor of Gyeonggi Province, he directed the Ssangbangwool Group, a large South Korean conglomerate known for manufacturing undergarments, to transfer US$8 million (£5.9 million) to North Korea. This comprised $5 million intended for a smart farm project and $3 million to facilitate a prospective visit by Mr Lee to Pyongyang. His former deputy governor was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison for his role in the scheme, though Mr Lee has rejected any wrongdoing. Mr Kim claimed that the money 'is now feeding the Kim family' in North Korea, referring to the dynasty that has ruled the isolated country since 1948. Beyond his ties to the North, Mr Lee also faces controversy in relation to a number of criminal cases, which in 2024 even put his life at risk. While speaking to journalists at an airport in the city of Busan, he was stabbed in the neck by a man who was pretending to ask for an autograph. Since the incident, he has only ever campaigned behind bulletproof glass, wearing a bulletproof vest and protected by body guards. Mr Kim mocked Mr Lee's alleged paranoia while on the campaign trail, calling him a coward and claiming that he should be 'in jail where it's the safest if he's so scared'. Mr Lee is facing five criminal trials, three of which were put on hold until after the election. The most high profile of the cases involves allegations that Mr Lee made false statements during his last presidential campaign in 2022 when he denied knowing Kim Moon-ki, a key figure in a prominent land development scandal. It was later revealed that Mr Lee had taken an overseas business trip with Kim Moon-Ki, which prosecutors claim amounted to the offence of publicly announcing false facts. In November 2024, he was convicted under the Public Official Election Act and given a one-year suspended prison sentence. He was cleared of the charges in March by an appeals court, but the ruling was overturned by South Korea's Supreme Court. A final verdict has yet to come in, though previous reports said that if the conviction were to stand he would have been unseated as a lawmaker and barred from running in the presidential election. Mr Lee was also indicted in 2023 on corruption charges in a $1 billion property development scandal during his time as mayor of Seongnam, a city about an hour south of Seoul. He allegedly colluded with private property developers to bring in hundreds of millions of pounds from the project, while costing the city 490 million won (£260,000). He was also accused of receiving or demanding around 18 billion won in bribes for a professional football club that was strapped for cash. Without Mr Yoon's declaration of martial law in December, it is unlikely that Lee would have become president. But pitted against Mr Kim, who refused to distance himself from the impeached former president, the door was opened for Lee to win. Dr Edward Howell, a North Korea specialist at the University of Oxford, told The Telegraph that Pyongyang would likely be pleased at the election result. 'I think what we might see with regard to inter-Korean ties is a much less hawkish approach in terms of sanctions, a much more pro-dialogue and pro-engagement approach. 'If you're North Korea, this shift in South Korean policy will be welcomed. The question now is if Lee Jae-myung offers an olive branch, will North Korea respond?' He added that the new president 'does not prioritise deterring North Korea' and this is 'really problematic at a time of heightened threat from North Korea'.
Malay Mail
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
BTS Festa returns — now fans are dreaming of seven-member comeback after two-year hiatus, as military service ends this month
SEOUL, June 3 — BTS fans are currently looking forward to the K-pop boy group's long-awaited reunion as all seven members are set to complete their mandatory military service by the end of this month. This would pave the way for a possible group comeback after nearly two years, and a new album since Map of the Soul: 7 that was released back in 2020. This comes as BTS Festa 2025 — an annual celebration of BTS' debut on June 13 — has been announced as taking place at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. At least six of the seven members would finish their service by then — prompting fans to get buzzed over the possibility of surprise appearances, or special events involving the full group. Korea Herald reported that members RM and V are scheduled to be discharged on June 10, followed by Jimin and Jungkook the next day. Meanwhile Suga, who is serving his alternative duty as a social service worker, is expected to finish on June 21. This concludes the enlistment period that began in December 2022. Member Jin, who was the first to enlist, has already completed his service and resumed individual activities along with J-Hope. The paper also cited industry insiders saying that a full-group comeback may now come as early as the end of this year, or in the first half of 2026. Jin most recently released the single 'Don't Say You Love Me', with a music video filmed at National Gallery Singapore, in collaboration with Singapore Tourism Board. His 'RunSeokjin Ep. Tour' will begin later this month. Meanwhile, J-Hope just released the 'Mona Lisa' single, and is currently on his 'Hope on the Stage' world tour.
Malay Mail
03-06-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Lee Jae-myung leads as South Koreans brace for life after Yoon Suk Yeol
SEOUL, June 3 — Candidates running in South Korea's snap presidential election made a last push for votes on Monday, the eve of a poll triggered by ex-leader Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration. South Koreans are desperate to draw a line under six months of political turmoil sparked by Yoon's brief suspension of civilian rule in December, for which he was impeached and removed from office. All major polls put liberal Lee Jae-myung well ahead in the presidential race, with the latest Gallup survey showing 49 per cent of respondents viewed him as the best candidate. Conservative Kim Moon-soo, from the People Power Party (PPP) — Yoon's former party — trailed Lee on 35 per cent. Both candidates have framed the campaign as a fight for the soul of the nation. Lee spent much of his final day of campaigning in his old stomping grounds of Gyeonggi Province — where he previously served as governor and built much of his support base. He then headed to Seoul's Yeouido, to hold his final rally at the site where people gathered to demand disgraced president Yoon be impeached after he attempted to suspend civilian rule in December. By Monday evening, thousands of Lee's supporters had gathered, waving blue balloons, as K-pop music blasted and vendors sold glo-sticks emblazoned with Lee's beaming face. 'I expect him to win soundly tomorrow. I'm sure he will govern with care for the underprivileged and provide fair and equal opportunities for all,' said Jeong Hea-sun, a 59-year-old factory worker. Conservative Kim began his final campaign push from the southernmost tip of the country, Jeju Island, before making his way north and wrapping up in Seoul's hip Gangnam district where he is set to meet with young voters. Late controversy Dominating the headlines of the last day of campaigning are allegations the Democratic Party fabricated an endorsement of Lee by veteran Singapore-based investor Jim Rogers. The Democratic Party said on Friday that Rogers described Lee as 'a leader who can open a new chapter of peace, prosperity, and global leadership'. But local media quoted him as telling them he had 'not endorsed anyone in Korea ever', saying 'Mr Lee is making things up'. Rogers did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. Despite the controversy, experts say Lee remains the strong favourite to win. 'The presidential race has effectively become a contest between Lee Jae-myung and those rallying against him,' Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women's University, told AFP. 'The most recent polls show that Lee has consistently maintained a lead near or just below the majority threshold,' she added. South Korea has entered a so-called 'dark campaign period' — meaning the results of public opinion polls are barred from being disclosed although pollsters are still conducting surveys. More than a third of voters have already cast their ballots, taking advantage of two days of early voting last week, according to the National Election Commission. The winner of the June 3 election takes office the following day on a single five-year term, with no transition period. — AFP
