South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Friday celebrated the milestone birth anniversary of its late founder with a mass dance, fireworks and calls for stronger loyalty to his grandson and current leader Kim Jong Un, but there was no word on an expected military parade amid heightened tensions over its nuclear program.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Ri Chun Hi, North Korea’s most famous state TV anchor, has announced major events for decades, including nuclear and missile tests and the death of a leader, with an instantly identifiable, passionate voice.

The anchor, dubbed the “pink lady” abroad for her bright traditional Korean attire, became the topic of official North Korean media herself Thursday after leader Kim Jong Un gave her a luxurious residence and asked her to continue to serve as the voice of his ruling Workers’ Party.

SEOUL, Apr 11 (NNN-YONHAP) – South Korea reported 90,928 new COVID-19 cases as of midnight, compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 15,424,598, the health authorities said today.

The daily caseload was down from 164,481 the previous day, falling below 100,000 in 48 days, due to fewer virus tests over the weekend, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

SEOUL, April 10 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol on Sunday nominated eight ministers for his new government, which is scheduled to be inaugurated on May 10.

Choo Kyung-ho of the main conservative People Power Party was nominated as the minister of economy and finance, who doubles as deputy prime minister for economic affairs.

Lee Jong-sup, former Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) vice chairman, was named as defense minister.

SEOUL, April 8 (Reuters) - Plunging prices for Russian crab have South Koreans flocking to seafood markets and restaurants but some consumers are questioning whether to boycott the imports on concerns the purchases indirectly support Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The dinner-plate sized king crabs from Russia, along with slightly smaller snow crabs and lobsters, were once a pricey delicacy in South Korea, though they have become more popular at supermarkets and online retailers in recent years.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea is demolishing a South Korean-owned hotel at a North Korean resort that was one of the last symbols of inter-Korean engagement, according to Seoul officials who called for the North to stop the “unilateral” destruction.

April 7 (Reuters) - South Korea's president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol said on Thursday strong deterrence was crucial in the face of nuclear and missile threats from North Korea amid a renewed warning by a top U.S. envoy of a potential nuclear test as early as next week.

Yoon, who has pledged to boost defence capability to counter the North's threats, spoke to U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Paul LaCamera during a rare visit to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, the command centre of the 28,500-strong U.S. military stationed in South Korea.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called the South Korean defense minister a “scum-like guy” for talking about preemptive strikes on the North, warning Sunday that the South may face “a serious threat.”

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday announced his intent to name a seasoned former prime minister and economic expert to serve as the country’s No. 2 official under his incoming government.

Yoon’s pick of Han Duck-soo for prime minister is the first major nomination in his government, which is set to be inaugurated on May 10.

SEOUL, Apr 2 (NNN-YONHAP) – South Korea reported 264,171 new COVID-19 cases as of midnight, compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 13,639,915, the health authorities said today.

The daily caseload was down from 280,273 the previous day, hovering below 300,000 for two days, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

The spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant and its subvariant BA.2, drove the recent resurgence, especially in the Seoul metropolitan area.