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Audio recordings of the Korea JoongAng Daily's in-depth, on-the-scene news articles and features informing readers around the world of the issues of the day in Korea. Under the slogan "Your window to Korea", the Korea JoongAng Daily is an English-language news organization focused on Korea that strives to publish factual, timely and unbiased articles.

  1. 3H AGO

    Special counsels call down fire and brimstone in insurrection cases, but courts refuse to make it rain

    This article is by Michael Lee and read by an artificial voice. [EXPLAINER] When the National Assembly appointed a series of special counsels to investigate former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his associates over their suspected involvement in his short-lived declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, ruling Democratic Party (DP) lawmakers described the move as the first step toward an official reckoning with the Yoon administration. The four special counsels appointed since June follow a long line of independent prosecutors empowered by the legislature to handle cases deemed too politically sensitive for the regular prosecution service. Granted authority to assemble their own teams, conduct raids and file indictments, such probes have been used in past high-profile scandals to bolster public confidence. The charges filed by the special counsels — insurrection, abuse of authority, obstruction of official duties, stock manipulation, illegal political funding and bribery — have been portrayed by the DP as part of a broader pattern of malfeasance that culminated in an attempt to suspend Korean democracy. But with the Seoul Central District Court set to deliver its first ruling in Yoon's insurrection trial on Thursday, the special counsels face mounting criticism that they overestimated the strength of their cases against key suspects. In trials involving Yoon and key figures in his inner circle — including former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, former first lady Kim Keon Hee and former Defense Intelligence Command chief Noh Sang-won — special counsels have often sought prison terms exceeding ten years, only for courts to hand down shorter sentences or reject core charges outright. The gap between the sentences requested by special counsels and the punishments actually handed down by judges has raised the question of whether the special counsels have prioritized the political optics of their mission over establishing the guilt of the accused. Why is the death penalty even on the table for Yoon? Nowhere has the tension between prosecutorial ambition and judicial reality been more visible than in special counsel Cho Eun-suk's decision to seek the death penalty for Yoon in his insurrection trial, where the first verdict is due Thursday. Cho's office argued that Yoon's martial law declaration constituted a serious attempt to undermine constitutional governance, even though it was rescinded within hours and did not result in bloodshed. He contended that Yoon should be subject to a particularly harsh punishment as a former prosecutor general who understood the constitutional limits on emergency powers but nevertheless ignored the legal requirements for declaring martial law. To underscore the gravity of the case, Cho argued that Yoon's punishment should at least match the death sentences handed down to former presidents Chun Doo Hwan and Roh Tae-woo for their 1980 coup. Legal analysts, however, note that Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997 and that courts have historically reserved capital punishment for crimes involving premeditated murder or mass casualties. As such, Cho's request for the death penalty is widely seen as more symbolic — reflecting how the special counsel team interprets the political weight of the case — than a likely sentencing outcome. An earlier, separate case against Yoon, decided last month, illustrates how sharply sentencing can diverge from the prosecutor's request. In that trial, Cho sought a combined 10-year prison term on charges that Yoon obstructed the duties of public officials and abused his authority in declaring martial law and handling its aftermath. Cho's team made their sentencing request based on their calculation that Yoon should face five years in prison for blocking the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials from taking him into custody and another five years for alleged document irregularities and interference with inves...

    11 min

  2. 8H AGO

    BTS concerts are a homecoming for ARMY. But for some wedding couples, they're a headache.

    This article is by Woo Ji-won and read by an artificial voice. Park Sae-mi (pseudonym) booked her wedding venue last July with the love of her life. Although the couple live near Seoul, they decided to hold their wedding in Busan this June, where groom's family is based. The couple chose Saturday, June 13 of this year, envisioning warm early-summer weather, and selected a venue near Busan Asiad Main Stadium. At the time, everything seemed to fall neatly into place. Then came the unexpected announcement from BTS. Tens of thousands of fans are expected to descend on the area, and concerns over transportation shortages and traffic congestion have already been raised. Many hotels are also largely fully booked, with the remaining ones seeing sharply higher prices. "For my family, relatives and friends to attend the wedding, at least one overnight stay would be necessary," Park told Korea JoongAng Daily. Busan is a 2.5-hour KTX ride from Seoul where most Park's guests live, and a 4.5-hour drive by car which can sometimes be much longer depending on the traffic. "But even hotels located far from the concert venue were nearly impossible to book, and reservations for KTX trains and buses were expected to be just as difficult." "If we had gone ahead with the original date, how could we have had the nerve to invite our relatives and friends?" she said. "Telling them to drive from Seoul to Busan and back in one day was simply not an option." The venue did not charge an additional fee for the change. Typically, canceling or changing 150 days before a wedding date is eligible for a full refund of the contract fee, but after that, deductions apply: 10 percent before 60 days, 20 to 30 percent before a month and 50 to 70 percent after that. While she didn't have any financial fallout, the decision came with other complications for Park. She had to reschedule every related appointment, from hanbok fittings to visits to the wedding dress shop. More difficult than the logistics, she said, was the emotional strain. "Until the date was changed, the stress was overwhelming," Park said. "And throughout the process, it was up to me to contact everyone and sort everything out." Her experience is not unique. In the post, she explained that most of her and her fiance's friends and colleagues are based in the greater Seoul area, where the couple lives. The two had planned to arrange a chartered bus for guests, but she is worried about the long journey, with much more crowding and longer travel time now expected with the concertgoing congestion. Also, many of the colleagues and families had previously hoped to turn the wedding into a short trip, but accommodations either sold out or were extremely expensive. Complicating matters further, she wrote that the wedding venue informed her that canceling or changing the date would result in the loss of 50 percent of the contract fee. "The financial burden is driving me crazy," she wrote. "Even if the date can be changed, we would also have to reschedule our honeymoon flights. It's just one problem after another." The post drew 29 comments as of Feb.9. While many users sympathized, others encouraged her to proceed with the original date. A commenter in the post, using the nickname "I want to get married smoothly," also said they were facing the same problem, but ultimately canceled their venue altogether because it was located adjacent to the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. "At this point, rather than changing the date, couples are choosing to cancel and move to different venues," a source at the venue said, adding that one team had paid a cancellation penalty, which amounted to several million won (several thousand dollars). The venue is still waiting to hear back from other couples who previously inquired about moving their wedding dates. "They need time to discuss it with their families, and pricing is also a factor," the source said. The wedding hall manager said that it plans to strengthen traffic and on-si...

    4 min

  3. 23H AGO

    Two hours of serenity in the bustling heart of Gangnam: Bongeunsa's 'Bong-pass' temple stay

    This article is by Alicia Carr and read by an artificial voice. During my time in Korea, I have encountered countless Buddhist temples, pausing to admire the architecture and absorb the serenity of what I knew was a sacred place. Yet, I had never really understood what I was seeing, let alone been given a behind the scenes glimpse into life within a temple. Such is the case for many foreigners. "It is a pity that they just pass through," Chae explained. "We want them to really experience Buddhism." To better facilitate that, Bongeunsa Temple will launch their new "Bong-pass" temple stay program for foreigners in March. It will cost only 5,000 won ($3.40) and is designed for flexibility, particularly for tourists visiting the Bongeunsa Temple without a plan or a preexisting booking. The two-hour program, operating every Tuesday, will include the opportunity to tour the temple, experience a tea ceremony and take part in meditation — all of which I would be testing out. As I arrived, I walked through a colorful gate adorned with traditional painting. There were some small shops and a cafe where visitors lingered at the entrance. It was busy, but peaceful. Venturing further into the temple grounds, the shift in atmosphere was striking. Minutes earlier, I had been navigating the streets of Gangnam, surrounded by crowds, noise and constant motion. Bongeunsa, in stark contrast, offered a pocket of serenity within the chaos. And, to my surprise, you could barely hear the noises of the city just beyond the walls. I drifted through the courtyards in a near trance, until the sudden realization that I actually had somewhere to be pulled me back to reality. After asking a friendly staff member at reception where I could find the temple stay programs, I was led to a charming hanok (traditional Korean house) near the back of the temple. I was greeted by Bongeunsa's temple stay manager, Chae, who took his shoes off and went inside, urging me to do the same. It was at this point I became painfully aware of my poor footwear choice. Unlike in most Western cultures, removing your shoes before entering a building is standard practice, and the temple was no exception. Unfortunately for me, my Nike sneakers were laced tightly to my feet and entirely uncooperative. While Chae had slipped his shoes off with ease, I wrestled with mine in quiet defeat, as he watched on, awkwardly waiting for me. Let this be a lesson: If you plan on participating in a temple stay, please wear shoes that can be slipped on and off with ease. We sat down inside and I was given some basic information about what to expect from the program. Chae spoke fluent English and explained that the team of majority foreigner volunteers running the program would be fluent as well. There was a packed schedule of things to do, but also a degree of flexibility. Participants could take their time and do each activity on their own terms within the two-hour time frame. We decided to begin with the temple tour and headed back outside — where I was once again reminded of my unfortunate selection of footwear. Once I wrestled my shoes back on, we started the tour right back where I had first entered at the temple gate. To the left sat the temple stay information center. It was a small office, not yet in operation, where tourists would eventually be able to purchase their Bong-passes. Chae joked that the bags of rice that were left as offerings were then eaten by the staff. Only, it turned out he wasn't joking. I was a little stunned, but also amused. We continued on to the largest building on the temple grounds, the main Buddha hall which is home to 3,300 Buddha statues. It was open to the public as a space for prayer, worship and reflection, but upon stepping inside I felt like an intruder, as though I had wandered into something not meant to be interrupted. The room was dimly lit and washed in an orange glow as light reflected off of the hundreds of Buddha statues lining the walls. Near t...

    5 min

  4. 1D AGO

    Crabs, coastline and caves: Exploring Korea's Uljin in winter

    This article is by Woo Ji-won and read by an artificial voice. ULJIN, North Gyeongsang — Most coastal towns quiet down in winter. But in Uljin, on the eastern edge of North Gyeongsang and roughly halfway between Gangneung and Busan, the county is at its most charming when it's cold. From emerald shallows near the shore to midnight blue waters further out, the sea shifts into a layered palette of blues. Winter is also the perfect time to catch snow crab, the county's signature specialty, at its meatiest. Inland, a limestone cave formed 250 million years ago remains steady, offering quite a spectacle and warmth against the chill. The steamy hot spring in Onjeong-myeon feels especially inviting in the coldest months. Even after one of Korea's most devastating wildfires tore through the county's 14,000 hectares (34,595 acres) of forest and destroyed 219 homes in 2022, the region did not lose its raw beauty. With upgraded transportation, experiencing Uljin's quiet yet resonant charm has never been easier — especially with the county's signature Uljin Snow Crab and Red Snow Crab Festival returning on Feb. 27. Snow crab reels one in with its claws Uljin starts waking up around 8:30 a.m. at Jukbyeon Harbor — and much earlier for snow crab fishermen who have already been out at sea since the early morning hours. As soon as the temperature drops in December, they head 23 kilometers (14 miles) offshore, lowering traps more than 300 meters (984 feet) deep into the East Sea. When the boats return, snow crabs — Uljin's representative catch — are spread across the auction floor, where a crowd of middlemen and store owners has already claimed their spots. Crew members sort out the crabs measuring less than nine centimeters (four inches), as only larger ones qualify as Uljin crab. Middlemen scribble bids onto small wooden boards and discreetly present them to the auctioneer. The highest bid wins, and one knows the deal is done when the crabs are loaded back into carts. Without a break, the next batch is spread across the floor. On this day, a 500-gram (18-ounce) snow crab sold for around 17,300 won ($12). A 1-kilogram red crab — often called honggae and known for its deeper red hue — went for about 38,000 won. The crabs are the most plump and heavy with meat in February, when the weather is at its coldest. Owing to it, the mild, slightly sweet and clean-tasting flesh slips out intact easily with just a few tilts. Red crab has a stronger flavor, saltier and richer in umami. These prized crabs will be celebrated at the Uljin Snow Crab and Red Snow Crab Festival, running from Feb. 27 to March 2 at the Wangdolcho Plaza in Hupo-myeon, with performances and activities centered on the county's defining dish. But snow crab is just the opening act in Uljin's kitchen. Sea from every angle Few places make the sea feel as immersive as Uljin. The county offers countless ways to watch the water change hue as waves roll in at their own irregular rhythm. For those who wish to feel the sea up close, yachts run by the Uljin County Yacht School provide an inviting opportunity. The one-hour sail, which costs 50,000 won per person, passes Deunggisan Skywalk before looping back. At sunset, the winter water turns molten as the sun casts a warm golden path across its surface. Even below the surface, the sea can be enjoyed. At the National Ocean Science Museum's underwater observatory, a 393-meter marine passageway leads to a viewing point seven meters beneath the sea, where marine life drifts past without the need for a submarine. The circular structure allows observation of different species of fish through dozens of windows facing in all directions. Then there is a place where one can experience both the beauty of the sea and the weight of the area's history. At Wolsong Beach, the entrance begins along a quiet, pine-lined path. For much of the walk, it is hard to imagine that sand and open water lie just ahead. To one side, where the trees part, sits Wol...

    5 min

  5. 2D AGO

    Almost 80% of applicants with criminal records approved for burial at national cemeteries over past 5 years

    This article is by Jang Gu-seul and read by an artificial voice. Nearly eight out of every 10 applicants with criminal records were allowed to be buried at national cemeteries over the past five years, raising concerns that screening standards may be too lenient. Data from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, released by Rep. Lee Yang-soo of the National Assembly's political affairs committee, shows that 8,039 of 10,079 applicants with prior convictions were cleared for burial between 2021 and 2025 — an approval rate of 79.8 percent. Those laid to rest at national cemeteries included 1,408 people convicted of violent offenses, including assault, bodily injury and sex-related crimes. Another 2,131 were found guilty of fraud, theft, trespassing, embezzlement, bribery and other financial offenses. More than 2,400 people buried had been convicted of traffic-related offenses and crimes of negligence resulting in death or injury, and 257 had been convicted of public order offenses, including obstruction of business or official duties and perjury. Violators of drug- and gambling-related laws accounted for 152 approvals. More than 1,490 people with criminal records were cleared for burial at Daejeon National Cemetery, and 1,271 passed screening for interment at Seoul National Cemetery, the nation's highest-ranking resting place. Under the Act on the Establishment and Management of National Cemeteries, the national cemetery burial eligibility review committee decides whether applicants meet the conditions for interment. The committee, which is composed of seven ex officio officials and 13 appointed civilian members, considers whether the burial of an individual convicted of a crime could undermine the dignity and honor of the cemeteries. The Veterans Ministry said mitigating factors — such as whether a crime was committed out of economic hardship — may be taken into account and emphasized that the committee conducts objective and fair reviews with a focus on preserving the cemeteries' honor. However, critics argue that the inclusion of individuals convicted of sex-related crimes and other offenses falls short of public expectations. Rep. Lee said, "National cemeteries are sacred places that embody the noble spirit of those who devoted themselves to the country. There must be no negligence in selecting those eligible for burial," adding, "The review system should be reorganized in line with public sentiment and common sense." This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

    3 min

  6. 2D AGO

    Almost 80% of applicants with criminal records approved for burial at national cemeteries over past 5 years

    This article is by Jang Gu-seul and read by an artificial voice. Nearly eight out of every 10 applicants with criminal records were allowed to be buried at national cemeteries over the past five years, raising concerns that screening standards may be too lenient. Data from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, released by Rep. Lee Yang-soo of the National Assembly's political affairs committee on Monday, shows that 8,039 of 10,079 applicants with prior criminal convictions were cleared for burial between 2021 and 2025 — an approval rate of 79.8 percent. Those laid to rest at national cemeteries included 1,408 people convicted of violent offenses, including assault, bodily injury and sex-related crimes. Another 2,131 were found guilty of fraud, theft, trespassing, embezzlement, bribery and other financial offenses. More than 2,400 people buried had been convicted of traffic-related offenses and crimes of negligence resulting in death or injury, and 257 had been convicted of public order offenses, including obstruction of business or official duties and perjury. Violators of drug- and gambling-related laws accounted for 152 approvals. More than 1,490 people with criminal records were cleared for burial at Daejeon National Cemetery, and 1,271 passed screening for interment at Seoul National Cemetery, the nation's highest-ranking resting place. Under the Act on the Establishment and Management of National Cemeteries, the national cemetery burial eligibility review committee decides whether applicants meet the conditions for interment. The committee, which is composed of seven ex officio officials and 13 appointed civilian members, considers whether the burial of an individual convicted of a crime could undermine the dignity and honor of the cemeteries. The Veterans Ministry said mitigating factors — such as whether a crime was committed out of economic hardship — may be taken into account and emphasized that the committee conducts objective and fair reviews with a focus on preserving the cemeteries' honor. However, critics argue that the inclusion of individuals convicted of sex-related crimes and other offenses falls short of public expectations. Rep. Lee said, "National cemeteries are sacred places that embody the noble spirit of those who devoted themselves to the country. There must be no negligence in selecting those eligible for burial," adding, "The review system should be reorganized in line with public sentiment and common sense." This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

    3 min

  7. 2D AGO

    Student handed suspended prison term for throwing snowball at classmate, who fell and became paralyzed

    This article is by Jan Gu-seul and read by an artificial voice. An appellate court handed a suspended prison sentence to a student who threw a snowball at a classmate, causing him to fall over a railing and suffer partial paralysis, according to sources in the judiciary on Monday. The Seoul High Court overturned a lower court ruling that had fined the defendant 5 million won ($3,700) for negligent infliction of bodily injury. The appellate court instead sentenced him to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, after finding him guilty of the more serious charge of assault resulting in bodily injury. Prosecutors said the defendant threw a compacted snowball at his classmate in February 2024 while the pair were at an elevated parking lot. According to the investigation, the classmate tried to block the snowball with an umbrella and stepped backward, tripping over a railing and falling about three meters (10 feet). He suffered severe injuries and was left partially paralyzed, losing the ability to move both legs. A trial court declined to convict the defendant of committing assault causing bodily injury, ruling that he threw the snowball as a prank and lacked intent to commit assault. In its ruling, however, the appellate court said throwing a densely packed snowball constitutes an unlawful use of force and therefore qualifies as assault. While the appellate court also recognized a causal link between the defendant's act and the victim's injuries, it said it was difficult to reach a conclusion based on whether the defendant could have foreseen the manner of his classmate's fall. The presiding judge noted that the victim's injuries were serious and likely permanent and that the victim and his family have not forgiven the defendant. Both prosecutors and the defendant have appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

    2 min

  8. 2D AGO

    3 men arrested on suspicion of luring teenage girls to mountain and abandoning them

    This article is by Jang Gu-seul and read by an artificial voice. Three men have been arrested on charges of endangering the safety of minors by allegedly luring two teenage girls to a mountain under the guise of exploring an abandoned building, then leaving them stranded there. Police in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi, said on Monday that the trio were apprehended on suspicion of violating the Child Welfare Act. The main suspect is a man in his 30s believed to be the ringleader, and his accomplices are in their 20s. According to police, the suspects contacted two 14-year-old girls through an online chat platform in October last year and suggested they go "explore an abandoned building." The victims got into a car with the suspects in Ansan, Gyeonggi, and traveled north to Mount Soyosan. After arriving at around 1 a.m., the group got out of the vehicle to walk toward a now-shuttered sexual health clinic that was built by the government after the 1950-53 Korean War to manage sex workers serving U.S. troops in the area. The building currently lies in ruin. While pretending to accompany the girls, the three suspects allegedly fell back and ran away, leaving the teenagers behind in the dark. Frightened, one of the girls called emergency services and told the operator, "I got into a stranger's car, and they're trying to leave me here." Police initially investigated the case on suspicion of possible sexual crimes or kidnapping, but they found no evidence supporting those charges. The suspects were not YouTubers or streamers and did not film the victims. The suspected ringleader, who runs a small business, is believed to have also met the two accomplices through an online chat platform. Under questioning, he told investigators he lured the girls to the mountain "because it was funny to see people panic and get flustered in the dark." A police officer said the main suspect had committed two similar acts in the past, but no charges were filed in those cases because the victims were adults. "Despite his claim that it was a prank, targeting minors with little social experience is itself a crime and could easily lead to a serious accident," the officer said. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

    2 min
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Audio recordings of the Korea JoongAng Daily's in-depth, on-the-scene news articles and features informing readers around the world of the issues of the day in Korea. Under the slogan "Your window to Korea", the Korea JoongAng Daily is an English-language news organization focused on Korea that strives to publish factual, timely and unbiased articles.

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