Police said Wednesday that they requested the Transport Ministry to designate a temporary "no-fly zone” over the Constitutional Court premises to prevent potential terrorist threats on the day that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s verdict is delivered. Though the exact date for the announcement of Yoon's verdict remained unclear as of Wednesday, police said they asked the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to set a no-fly zone within a 1.85 kilometer radius of the court building from Thursd

Constitutional Court decides to deliver rulings on other impeachments first The Constitutional Court of Korea announced Tuesday that it will deliver the verdicts in the impeachment trials of the chief state auditor and three prosecutors on Thursday, amid speculation that its ruling on suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment could move to next week. The court told reporters that its verdicts in four separate impeachment trials ― those of Board of Audit and Inspection Chair Choi Jae-hae an

Suspended president to refrain from ‘political activity’ while ‘humbly’ awaiting court verdict: presidential office The Constitutional Court of Korea, currently deliberating suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial after seven weeks of hearings, faced a fresh challenge following Yoon’s sudden release from detention on Saturday, with some raising concerns over a possible delay in the court announcing its ruling. It had been anticipated that Yoon’s impeachment verdict would be out thi

Despite making strides toward gender equality, women still remain underrepresented in leadership positions in most countries, particularly in diplomacy and politics. In marking International Women’s Day, The Korea Herald presents a special feature exploring the persistent gender gap through the voices of female ambassadors serving in Seoul. Their experiences, drawn from diverse cultural and political backgrounds, shed light on both the progress made and the challenges that remain in advancing wo

The Constitutional Court of Korea, which concluded the hearings of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial on Feb. 25, is likely to release its verdict as early as next week. According to news reports, the court is planning to continue justices’ deliberations on Yoon’s impeachment case Wednesday and Friday this week. Speculation is growing that the court's ruling on Yoon's case could also be announced on a Friday, as the rulings on the two previous presidential impeachments ― forme

'Korea Growth Again' aims for 5% real growth rate via reforms Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has unveiled the regulatory reform slogan "KOGA" — "Korea Growth Again" — presenting it as both his governance philosophy and national vision, in an implicit signal of his presidential ambitions. During a city government-led forum Tuesday, Oh brought up the KOGA concept, suggesting fundamental systemic changes to the country. "(KOGA) is not just about individual policies; it's about a unified philosophy and dire

President Yoon Suk Yeol’s close confidant and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun wrote from prison, calling for three Constitutional Court justices to be punished, in a letter that was revealed in front of Yoon supporters at a rally Saturday. Kim’s choice of words quickly became the focus of attention: The word literally translates as "punish," but carries harsher implications. The same expression was used in the martial law declaration’s Decree No. 1. The detained ex-Minister's handwritten l

Fabrizio Ferrari, widely recognized here as a friendly Italian chef who is fluent in Korean, has successfully transitioned from a Michelin-starred restaurateur in Italy to a culinary educator and content creator in Korea. Known as Fabri, he brings his rich culinary expertise to his roles as a professor, YouTuber and chef-owner of Fabri Kitchen, located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Fabri's culinary journey began in 2003 in Lecco, Italy, where he took over the family business at Al Porticciolo 84,

Picture book fest at Seoul Forest library Throughout Dec. 15, Seoul Forest will turn into a magical winter haven with its "Picture Book Library in the Woods" festival. Held at the Seoul Forest Community Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the event offers enchanting exhibitions, live music and interactive activities, creating a cozy and festive experience for all ages. The event features performances involving storytelling with music, such as "I love you today as well," and a pict

“Moana 2” (US) Opened Nov. 27 Fantasy/Adventure Directed by Dana Ledoux Miller, Jason Hand, David Derrick Jr. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana (Auli'i Cravalho) embarks on a journey to the far seas of Oceania into dangerous, long-lost adventures unlike anything she has never faced. “Wicked” (US) Opened Nov. 20 Musical/Fantasy Directed by Jon M. Chu Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a green-skinned outcast with extraordinary magical abi

Women in Film Korea announced Wednesday that actor Ra Mi-ran of the comedy flick “Citizen of a Kind” and series “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born,” has been named this year’s recipient of the Film Artist of the Year award. Ra, known for her versatile and transformative performances, has been recognized for her outstanding contribution to Korean cinema, the association said. In her latest film “Citizen of a Kind,” she plays Deok-hee, an ordinary citizen fig

Director Shin Yeon-sik’s sports comedy “One Win” differs from many other sports films that lean heavily into dramatic, tear-jerking moments. The movie sets itself apart by avoiding melodrama, instead filling the narrative with humor and relatable passion as it tells the story of an underdog women’s volleyball team in South Korea. It is also the first film in the country to center on women’s volleyball. Director Shin takes a fun, light-hearted approach to the story o

The 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards kick off Friday with new MCs, honoring hit films released in theaters or on streaming platforms between October 2023 and October 2024. The award ceremony takes place at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul. Across 18 categories, 20 films, 10 directors and 30 actors have been nominated to compete for the prestigious accolades. One of the most anticipated competitions this year is between “Exhuma,” directed by Jang Jae-hyun, and “12.12: The Day,” dire

“Wicked” (US) Opened Nov. 20 Musical/Fantasy Directed by Jon M. Chu Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a green-skinned outcast with extraordinary magical abilities, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), a popular and ambitious young woman, form a complex and transformative friendship as they navigate the challenges of their world. “Hidden Face” (South Korea) Opened Nov. 20 Thriller Directed by Kim Dae-woo Orchestra conductor Seong-jin (Song Seung-heon) notices that his fiancee Su-yeon (Cho

“Harbin,” which has been confirmed for a Christmas release, is poised to redefine Korean cinema by reimagining the legendary historical figure Ahn Jung-geun with world-class visuals and sound. While Korean films revisiting the period of Japanese colonization and the independence movement are nothing new, “Harbin” takes a fresh approach. Instead of portraying Ahn Jung-geun solely as a martyr and activist, the film reimagines him as a military leader commanding the Korean I