Korea

Shadows of Gwangju: South Korea Confronts Echoes from Its Past Amid New Martial Law Crisis

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Seoul, South Korea – South Korea is currently grappling with a civil rights debate fueled by the government’s enactment of martial law. This crisis not only challenges the democratic norms of the nation but also eerily echoes the harrowing event of the May 1980 Gwangju uprising, a dark chapter in South Korean history that saw hundreds killed by government forces during a pro-democracy protest. Nearly four decades ago, Gwangju citizens stood against an authoritarian regime, demanding democracy and human rights, only to face brutal suppression. The current imposition has dredged up these painful memories for … Read more

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Declares Martial Law Amid Tensions, Promises Strong Stance Against North Korea and Focus on U.S. Relations

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Seoul, South Korea — Since taking office in 2022, President Yoon Suk Yeol, a member of the conservative People Power Party, has steered South Korea with policies notably divergent from his predecessors. Yoon, a political newcomer prior to his election, secured his position by a narrow margin, outpacing his rival Lee Jae-myung from the Democratic Party by less than a percentage point. Before his venture into the political arena, Yoon spent 27 years as a prosecutor, a role that shaped his approach to leadership and policy-making. His election marked a significant shift in South Korea’s … Read more

Russia Forms Strategic Alliance with North Korea Including Mutual Defense Pact, Deepening Ties Amid Ukraine Conflict

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Moscow, Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin recently ratified a significant treaty with North Korea, signaling a fortified strategic partnership that includes a mutual defense clause. This formal endorsement forms part of a decree that was made public on Saturday following approvals from both houses of the Russian parliament. The treaty, established by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a June summit in Pyongyang, commits each nation to assist the other in the event of an armed attack. This development marks a pivotal phase in the diplomatic relations between Moscow and Pyongyang, … Read more

South Korea Penalizes Worldcoin, Citing Breaches in Privacy Protection Regulations

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Seoul, South Korea – South Korea’s data protection authority, the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), has imposed a hefty fine on Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency firm known for its biometric-based approach to user identification. The penalty, amounting to 100 million won (approximately $72,000), comes as a result of Worldcoin’s violation of the country’s stringent personal data protection laws. Worldcoin, which has garnered significant attention for its ambitious plan to provide a blockchain-based identity using iris scans, faced scrutiny from the PIPC regarding its handling of sensitive biometric data. The regulatory body’s investigation revealed that Worldcoin had … Read more