Author: Seoul Reporter

A man in his 20s received a two-year suspended sentence after superimposing a female internet streamer’s face onto explicit videos and sharing them with 20 recipients.Court Ruling on Deepfake ViolationThe Cheongju District Court imposed the penalty on the defendant, identified as A, for breaching laws against sexual violence crimes involving deepfake content. The ruling, delivered by the 5th Criminal Division, mandates two years of probation following eight months of house arrest.Details of the OffenseThe incidents began in July 2023 at a motel in Cheongju’s Heungdeok-gu district, Chungcheongbuk-do province. A engaged in sexual activity with internet broadcaster B, capturing footage via…

A man in his 50s faces a two-year suspended sentence after stealing 502 gift certificates designated for firefighters from a department store display in Busan.Details of the TheftThe theft occurred over three occasions between October and November last year. The suspect reached into an acrylic sculpture on the store’s 10th floor, extracting the certificates from the neck area. These items, valued at 29 million won, were exhibited inside the sculpture but had already been slated for disposal, rendering them unusable.Court Ruling and Prior RecordBusan District Court Judge Shim Hak-sik imposed a one-year prison term, suspended for two years. The ruling…

South Korea’s Democratic Party pledges close collaboration with the government to safeguard national interests following the US Supreme Court’s ruling that President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs violate the law.Democratic Party Emphasizes National PrioritiesPark Soo-hyun, the party’s chief spokesperson, issued a statement affirming that the Democratic Party respects the government’s approach. Officials plan to thoroughly assess the Supreme Court decision and the US administration’s stance before advancing measures that best align with South Korea’s interests.”There is no divide between ruling and opposition parties when protecting the competitiveness of our businesses and industries,” Park stated. “The National Assembly and government must unite…

A 33-year-old man surnamed Kim received a non-prosecution decision from Cheongju Sangdang Police Station on February 2 regarding his fraud complaint against his former company president, identified as Mr. A. The police cited insufficient evidence as the reason, sparking controversy given Mr. A’s prior conviction for a similar offense.Background of the Direct Sales CompanyThe company in question, a direct sales firm established in 2016, has a history of internal disputes. Kim joined later and developed a close relationship with Mr. A, who introduced him to fellow employees for recommendations and built trust through personal connections.Encouraged to invest heavily, Kim contributed…

The US Supreme Court has halted President Donald Trump’s executive order on reciprocal tariffs, determining exceeds presidential authory under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).Court Rules Against Broad Tariff ExpansionOn February 20 (local time), the court issued a ruling blocking the order, which imposed a 10% tariff on all imports alongside country-specific reciprocal duties. Officials clarified that while IEEPA grants the president certain powers, does not authorize arbrary tariff imposions deviating from s original intent.The measures remain in effect pending appeal, as legal experts note the decision directs the issue back to Congress for oversight.Whe House Plans Alternative TariffsThe…

Park Mi-Sun became emotional while watching an old YouTube video capturing her vibrant days before starting breast cancer treatment.Heartfelt SNS PostOn December 20, Park Mi-Sun shared a touching update on her social media, reflecting on footage from her channel ‘I’m Park Mi-Sun.’ “I watched the YouTube video from before the surgery~~. Seeing that pretty hair and the long locks made me think, ‘Was that really me?’ It hit me hard, haha. I want to relive it~~ Uploaded to ‘I’m Park Mi-Sun’~~,” she wrote, conveying deep sentiment.Vivid Memories from the GatheringThe popular video features joyful moments from a fan gathering prior…

A South Korean dog owner faces prison time after his unleashed Greyhound collided with an electric bicycle, leading to the rider’s death on a popular bike path.Incident Details EmergeOn May 24, 2024, a resident of Jinan walked his two-year-old Greyhound along the Jungnangcheon bike path in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province. Without securing a leash or taking safety precautions, the dog bolted toward a passing electric bicycle ridden by a man in his 50s.The collision caused the cyclist to fall and suffer a severe head injury. He was rushed to an intensive care unit but succumbed to his injuries. The victim, a…

In Milan, Italy, on February 20, 2026, 18-year-old Korean snowboarder Yu Seung-eun secured a bronze medal in the women’s big air event at the Snowboard World Cup. The young athlete, born in 2008, held a lively press conference afterward, flashing her medal and striking poses for photos while engaging warmly with reporters. Trailblazing Achievements Yu Seung-eun marked a historic moment as the first Korean woman to claim an Olympic spot in freestyle big air. Her bronze came after excelling in prior competitions. On February 10, she triumphed at the Livigno Snow Park big air, earning selection for the 2026 Milan-Cortina…

Hanwha Eagles reliever Lee Min-woo, 33, expresses regret over a quiet start to the season but shows promising signs during spring training in Okinawa.From 64 Games to No AppearancesLee Min-woo debuted with the KIA Tigers as a first-round pick in the 2015 Shin In Draft before transferring to Hanwha in April 2022. Last year, he excelled in 64 games with two wins, one loss, one save, and 10 holds, posting a 3.76 ERA. This season, however, he has yet to pitch even a single inning, fueling anxiety amid limited opportunities and fewer selection calls.Spring Camp TurnaroundDuring spring training, Lee steps…

South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party plans to introduce amendments to three key judicial bills on the 24th during a National Assembly plenary session. These include revisions to the Judge Quota Act, Supreme Court Organization Act, and a bill establishing a court administrative office. Key Proposed Changes The amendments target an expansion of Supreme Court justices from 14 to 26 positions. Officials cite ongoing judge transfers as justification for broadening the quota and enhancing recruitment flexibility. This move aligns with a personnel policy emphasizing expertise in criminal trials for central roles. Under current frameworks, Korea maintains a fixed judge quota…