A court sentenced a former South Korean justice minister on Monday (Jun 22) to 25 years in prison for his role in ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief and disastrous declaration of martial law in 2024.

Park Sung-jae was found guilty of involvement in “insurrection”, the Yonhap news agency reported from the Seoul Central District Court.

Yoon’s December 2024 martial law declaration lasted only about six hours as lawmakers raced to the assembly building and voted it down in an emergency session.

He has since been convicted of leading an insurrection, and is in detention while appealing a life sentence.

Yoon was also given a 30-year jail term earlier this month for sending drones to North Korea to “manufacture a national crisis” to justify his martial law.

Park had held a meeting of justice ministry officials in the early hours of the martial law and checked on prison capacity should the authorities arrest anti-government figures, prosecutors said.

As justice minister, he “instructed cooperation with the martial law command … on the assumption that a decree would be effective,” Yonhap quoted from the verdict.

Prosecutors had sought a 20-year sentence for Park, arguing he had “reduced the law to a tool of insurrection in his abuse of power and posed a challenge to the rule of law”.

They said he had shown no remorse. 

Yoon’s shock late-night national televised address plunged South Korea into an unprecedented political crisis.

It triggered protests, sent the stock market plunging and caught key allies like the United States off guard.

A circle of Yoon subordinates have been given hefty sentences.

Former prime minister Han Duck-soo, who once toyed with a presidential run himself, is serving 15 years in prison, and former interior minister Lee Sang-min nine years.

Last week, the former defence minister was sentenced to three years in prison for revealing classified military information in furtherance of the insurrection.

Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, is serving a four-year term for stock manipulation and bribery unrelated to the martial law fiasco. (CNA/ Reuters)

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The Sri Lanka Anti‑Doping Agency (SLADA) has announced an opportunity for young athletes and a coach to represent the nation at the 2026 Clean Sport Youth Camp in Busan, South Korea. 

According to SLADA, the fully funded, seven‑day residential programme will take place in August, offering international exposure, leadership development, and cultural exchange.

Four athletes and one coach will be selected to participate. Eligible athletes must be born between 2006 and 2008, able to communicate in English, and recognized as athletes under the World Anti‑Doping Code. 

The selected participants will receive round‑trip airfare, accommodation, meals, and local transport.

Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter explaining their interest to info@slada.lk by June 22, 2026, before 5:00 pm Sri Lanka Time. (Newswire)

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Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage has announced that disciplinary action will be taken against the Sri Lanka Rugby Federation after the national team was unable to obtain visas for their scheduled Asian Rugby Championship clash against South Korea, leading to the cancellation of the match last week.

Speaking to reporters, the Minister stressed that the responsibility for securing visas and tickets lies entirely with the respective sports federation, not the Ministry. 

He noted that federations cannot wait until the last minute to request visas, calling the incident a clear case of negligence.

“The Sports Ministry does not intervene in visa or ticket processes. If funding is provided, we cover expenses, but team selection and visa arrangements are solely the federation’s responsibility. The Federation cannot request for a visa on Monday if the team is to travel on Wednesday. This is the Federation’s negligence. This is not a government issue, it is an issue of the Federation or Association. We will take disciplinary action, as we have done before,” Gamage said.

The Minister added that such lapses cannot be allowed to continue, warning that federations often attempt to shift blame onto the Ministry when failures occur. 

He reiterated that the Rugby Federation must be held accountable for the cancellation, with the incident having drawn attention in Parliament as well. (Newswire)

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South Korea’s ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for sending military drones into North Korea, a move prosecutors argued was aimed at creating a pretext for his disastrous martial law declaration in 2024.

The drone flights, which Pyongyang said included the dropping of propaganda leaflets, triggered a spike in military tensions between the nations in October 2024.

Special prosecutors, who had sought a 30-year prison term for Yoon, said in April that the ex-leader’s effort to “fabricate wartime conditions” with the drones had undermined state security.

Yoon was “given 30 years in jail” for the charges involving the drones, a spokesperson for the Seoul Central District Court told the AFP news agency on Friday, without giving further details.

Yoon had denied wrongdoing.

The ruling adds to a series of judgements against the ousted conservative leader, once South Korea’s top prosecutor, whose martial law order plunged Asia’s fourth-largest economy into its deepest political turmoil in decades.

In February, a South Korean court sentenced Yoon to life in prison after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection linked to the martial law attempt.

He was removed from office last year after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment, triggering a snap election that was won by liberal President Lee Jae Myung.

Yoon’s lawyers said he neither ordered nor later approved the drone operation, which they said was unrelated to martial law and instead a response to months of North Korean launches across the border of balloons stuffed with rubbish.

Yoon, who is already in custody, can appeal Friday’s lower court ruling. 

Drone flights remain a flashpoint in tensions between the two Koreas, which remain technically at war.

Lee expressed regret earlier this year after an investigation found government officials had sent drones into the nuclear-armed North Korea in January.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister called Lee’s statement “wise behaviour”, but hopes for a rapprochement faded after the diplomatically isolated nation returned to calling South Korea its “most hostile” enemy. (Al Jazeera)

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In a first for South Korea, a humanoid robot named Gabi has been introduced as a Buddhist monk, offering a glimpse into how technology and tradition are beginning to intersect. 

According to Reuters, Gabi made its debut at Jogye Temple in Seoul ahead of Buddha’s Birthday celebrations. 

Who is Gabi?

Gabi is a 130-centimetre-tall humanoid robot designed to take part in Buddhist rituals. Dressed in a grey-and-brown robe and black shoes, the robot mirrors the appearance of a traditional monk.

As reported by The Korea Times, it stood alongside monks and nuns during a precept ceremony — a ritual typically meant for human followers entering the religious path. 

Taking Buddhist vows

During the ceremony, Gabi folded its hands, bowed to senior monks, and responded to questions about devotion to Buddha and his teachings.

When asked if it would commit itself to Buddhism, the robot replied, “Yes, I will devote myself.”

Monks also placed a 108-bead rosary around its neck. In place of a traditional ritual involving a symbolic burn, a sticker was used. 

Rules for a robot monk

Gabi was assigned five modified precepts suited for a machine. These include respecting life, not harming other robots or objects, following human guidance, avoiding deception, and saving energy.

What does the name mean?

The Jogye Order gave the robot the name “Gabi.” Ven. Seong Won said the name draws from Siddhartha and a Korean word linked to mercy, reflecting the aim of spreading compassion.

He told Yonhap News Agency that the name was chosen to be simple and meaningful. 

A step towards coexistence

Seong Won said the initiative is an early attempt to explore coexistence between humans and robots. While it may seem unusual for now, he said such efforts could help shape how society adapts to artificial intelligence.

The Buddhist order also referred to tools like Gemini and ChatGPT while drafting the robot’s guiding principles.

What’s next for Gabi?

Gabi is set to take part in the Yeondeunghoe lantern festival later this month, alongside three other Buddhist robots — Seokja, Mohee and Nisa. (CNBC)

South Korea's first humanoid robot monk made its official debut at Jogye Temple in Seoul, ahead of Buddha's birthday.

The robot monk, called Gabi, stood before Buddhist monks as it pledged to devote itself to Buddhism. pic.twitter.com/O47u0rwPfF

— ABC News (@ABC) May 7, 2026

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A person who defrauded money from youth by promising jobs in South Korea has been taken into custody by officials of the Special Investigation Division of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).

According to the SLBFE, it was revealed that letters were sent to Members of Parliament stating that the Lions Club International, together with the SLBFE, had organized a program to provide jobs in South Korea, and requesting them to connect youth from their areas. 

Based on information received by SLBFE Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe, the matter was referred to the Investigation Division, and two undercover agents were deployed to gather details.

On March 28, during an introductory program at Kiyuro Advanced Education School near Rahula Junction in Matara, it was announced that youths completing language training would be placed in government‑facilitated jobs in South Korea, with a registration fee of Rs. 20,000.

It was further stated that those who registered would receive a voucher worth Rs. 35,000 from the Lions Club International for Korean language studies.

Acting on this information, investigation officers arrested the suspect on March 28 in the Matara area. He is a 49‑year‑old resident of Galle who had been working as a journalist. 

Further investigations revealed that the suspect had previously operated a language training centre named Akazuki Lanka in Galle, and had also directed trainees there into this scheme. 

It was also uncovered that the Lions Club International had no involvement in providing such jobs. In addition, evidence showed the suspect had previously engaged in a racket involving Japanese jobs.

The SLBFE stressed that the South Korean job program operates strictly between governments and that the Bureau does not collaborate with any other institutions. 

Therefore, the SLBFE urged the public not to provide money or personal information to any external parties claiming to offer South Korean jobs.

The arrested suspect was produced before the Matara Magistrate’s Court on March 28 and has been remanded until April 7. (Newswire)

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South Korea will impose its first fuel price cap in almost 30 years as global jitters deepen over spiraling oil prices.

President Lee Jae Myung announced the cap on Monday, convening an emergency meeting in response to the ongoing Middle East conflict which he said poses a significant burden on South Korea’s energy-dependent economy.

The country’s industry ministry plans to implement the price cap this week, its presidential policy chief said.

It is a major step given South Korea’s status as a major world economy; a leading global exporter and a key member of the G20.

“For petroleum products that have been excessively increased recently, the maximum price system should be quickly introduced and boldly implemented,” Lee said.

Lee also advised his government to crack down on oil refinery companies and gas stations to prevent cornering the market while making efforts to secure supply ships that do not pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Last week, the South Korean government announced that it will receive more than six million barrels of crude oil from the UAE.

The price of oil surged past $100 per barrel on Sunday, the first time it crossed that mark since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. (CNN)

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Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, met with Eui-hae Cecilia Chung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul for substantive bilateral discussions.

The talks focused on deepening economic cooperation, expanding foreign employment pathways, enhancing development cooperation, and strengthening defence ties, alongside Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic recovery efforts, including progress on debt restructuring.

Deputy Minister Hemachandra expressed appreciation for South Korea’s timely assistance following Cyclone Ditwah and requested continued support under the Government’s Rebuilding Sri Lanka initiative. 

Both sides also noted the growing cultural affinity between the two countries, particularly the strong engagement of Sri Lankan youth with Korean culture, which has contributed to strengthened people-to-people linkages.

As Sri Lanka and South Korea prepare to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, the two deputy ministers agreed to commemorate the milestone in a meaningful manner, including through high-level visits and strengthened institutional engagement.

The discussions reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to further strengthen the Sri Lanka–South Korea partnership in the years ahead. (Newswire)

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South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party (DP) decided Monday to kick out the head of Jindo County over his controversial comments on “importing” women from overseas, including Sri Lanka, to cope with population decline.

The DP’s Supreme Council unanimously voted to expel Kim Hee-su, the county chief of Jindo in South Jeolla Province, for his derogatory remarks, DP spokesperson Park Soo-hyun told reporters.

The decision came five days after Kim suggested “importing young women from Vietnam and Sri Lanka” to marry young men in rural areas during a televised town hall meeting in South Jeolla last Wednesday, triggering public outrage.

Kim issued an apology the following day, saying his remarks were intended to highlight structural problems facing rural regions, including severe population decline and the “weakening foundations for marriage,” and to stress the need for a merger between South Jeolla Province and Gwangju. (Yonhap)

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A South Korean court has sentenced former First Lady Kim Keon Hee to one year and eight months in prison after finding her guilty of accepting bribes from the Unification Church, according to South Korea’s official Yonhap news agency.

The Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday cleared Kim, the wife of disgraced ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, of additional charges of stock price manipulation and violating the political funds act.

Kim was accused of receiving bribes and lavish gifts from businesses and politicians, as well as the Unification Church, totalling at least $200,000.

The prosecution team had also indicted Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, now on ‌trial, after the religious group was suspected of giving Kim valuables, including two Chanel handbags and a diamond necklace, as part ‌of its efforts to win influence with the president’s wife.

Prosecutors in December said Kim had “stood above the law” and colluded with the religious sect to undermine “the constitutionally mandated separation of religion and state”.

Prosecutor Min Joong-ki also said South Korea’s institutions were “severely undermined by abuses of power” committed by Kim.

The former first lady had denied all the charges, claiming the allegations against her were “deeply unjust” in her final testimony last month.

But she has also apologised for “causing trouble despite being a person of no importance”.

“When I consider my role and the responsibilities entrusted to me, it seems clear that I have made many mistakes,” she said in December.

Kim’s husband, the country’s former President Yoon, was ousted from office last year and has been sentenced to five years in prison for actions related to his short and disastrous declaration of martial law in December 2024.

Yoon could still be facing the death penalty in a separate case.

In 2023, hidden camera footage appeared to show Kim accepting a $2,200 luxury handbag in what was later dubbed the “Dior bag scandal”, further dragging down then-President Yoon’s already dismal approval ratings.

The scandal contributed to a stinging defeat for Yoon’s party in general elections in April 2024, as it failed to win back a parliamentary majority.

Yoon vetoed three opposition-backed bills to investigate allegations against Kim, including the Dior bag case, with the last veto in November 2024.

A week later, he declared martial law.

Kim’s sentencing comes days after former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison – eight years longer than prosecutors demanded – for aiding and abetting Yoon’s suspension of civilian rule. (Al Jazeera)

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The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) says a total of 3,469 Sri Lankan youth have departed for employment opportunities in South Korea during the course of 2025.

The SLBFE said in a statement that a group of 77 qualified individuals, including 2 women, left for jobs in South Korea’s manufacturing sector on November 11. 

These employment opportunities are facilitated under the E-9 visa category, based on a bilateral agreement between the SLBFE and the Human Resources Development Service of Korea. The E-9 visa enables Sri Lankans to work in manufacturing, construction, fisheries, and agriculture.

Candidates are selected through a transparent online process, with computer-based examinations. The SLBFE emphasizes that no external influence can affect the selection process.

Accordingly, during this year, 836 individuals have departed for jobs in the fisheries sector, 2,512 individuals for the manufacturing sector, 28 individuals for construction jobs, 32 individuals for the service sector, and 2 individuals for the agriculture sector. 

Successful candidates are permitted to stay in South Korea for 4 years and 10 months, and upon completion of their term, they may be eligible to re-enter under stipulated conditions. (Newswire)

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Three workers, including two Sri Lankans, have been found dead at a land-based fish farm in Goseong, South Gyeongsang Province, in South Korea, prompting a police investigation, South Korean media, The Chosun Daily reported.

According to the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, the three workers, a Korean man in his 50s, the site manager, and two Sri Lankan employees in their 20s and 30s, were discovered deceased inside a large reservoir at the Goseong farm around 8:30 pm on November 09. 

The news report further states that the reservoir was nearly filled with water at the time.

The Police began their investigation after receiving a report at 7:38 pm the same day from the family of the man in his 50s, who stated, “My father is not responding.” 

One of the foreign workers was wearing attire resembling work clothes, while the other two were in casual clothing.

South Korean authorities plan to conduct autopsies on the deceased and investigate the company to determine the exact circumstances, including potential safety accidents and possible negligence. (Newswire)

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External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Saturday met South Korea’s new Foreign Minister Cho Hyun during his first working visit to India, with both sides agreeing to expand cooperation in cutting-edge sectors like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, clean energy, shipbuilding, and defence manufacturing.

The meeting coincided wth the 10th anniversary of India-Republic of Korea (ROK) Special Strategic Partnership.

According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the ministers reaffirmed the strong and growing partnership, rooted in shared democratic values, mutual trust, shared economic interests, and commitment to regional and global peace and stability.

The two leaders reviewed cooperation across political, security, trade, economic, technology, and people-to-people fields. They agreed to set “new industrial ambitions,” especially in high-tech sectors such as AI, semiconductors, clean energy, shipbuilding and defense industry. Both sides also shared assessments on regional and global developments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, the MEA said.

After the meeting, Jaishankar posted on X that he was “delighted” to meet Cho Hyun as the partnership completed 10 years.

https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1956645046759108984

“Held productive discussions on advancing our bilateral cooperation in trade, manufacturing, maritime & people to people exchanges as well as new opportunities in AI, semiconductors, clean energy and defence. Also exchanged perspectives on Indo-Pacific and contemporary global developments,” he wrote.

Earlier during the meeting, Jaishankar welcomed Cho Hyun, describing it as a “very special privilege” to host an old friend in a new role. Congratulating him on his recent appointment, he remarked that the visit, coming “literally a day after your National Day, and our National Day, says a lot about the value we attach to the relationship,” while also extending greetings on Korea’s National Liberation Day.

Highlighting the importance of the occasion, Jaishankar said the visit marks the 10th anniversary of the Special Strategic Partnership between India and South Korea. He recalled being present with Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he met President Lee Jae-myung in Kananaskis, Canada, a meeting that “had very strong bonding.”

India and South Korea have strengthened ties over the past decade, with collaboration ranging from trade and investment to security and technology. With Cho Hyun’s first visit to New Delhi as foreign minister, both countries have signalled their intent to push the relationship into new areas of strategic technology and defence, while deepening their coordination on regional security in the Indo-Pacific. (India Economic Observer)

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South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of the impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol, has been arrested on corruption charges, a special prosecutor leading a wide-reaching probe said.

The arrest, which came after a Seoul central district court ruling, creates an unprecedented situation in which both members of a former presidential couple are simultaneously in custody.

The court granted the warrant citing the risk of tampering with evidence, according to Yonhap news agency. “The arrest warrant against Kim has been issued,” the prosecutors said in a brief statement.

The charges against Kim include violations of capital market and financial investment laws, as well as political funds laws. She denies the charges.

Yoon Suk Yeol was sent back into detention in July as prosecutors investigate his failed attempt to impose martial law in December last year.

A special counsel was established after Lee Jae Myung was elected president in June to investigate 16 criminal allegations against Kim. However, Wednesday’s arrest warrant covered only three charges.

Prosecutors allege she made over 800 million won (£428,000) through manipulating the stock prices of Deutsch Motors, a local BMW dealership, between 2009 and 2012, by conspiring with others to artificially inflate shares.

She is also accused of receiving over 270 million won worth of illegal political funding through free opinion polling services, and using this to influence candidate selections for the conservative People Power party in the country’s 2022 byelections.

The third charge involves accepting luxury gifts including Chanel handbags and expensive jewellery from the Unification Church through a shaman intermediary, in exchange for favourable treatment of development projects in Cambodia.

Kim was questioned for over seven hours by investigators last week before the arrest warrant was sought.

On issuing the warrant, judge Jeong Jae-wook cited “concerns about evidence destruction” as the primary reason for detention, according to Yonhap News. Kim had spent four and a half hours in court, where she denied all charges against her.

During the hearing, Kim reportedly expressed frustration about her personal affairs being scrutinised, telling the judge she was “upset that even issues from before my marriage keep being brought up”.

She will be held at Nambu detention centre in south-western Seoul, separate from her husband, who has been in custody at Seoul detention centre since July.

Once considered to wield enormous influence behind the scenes during her husband’s presidency, the former arts exhibition company executive was embroiled in a series of issues throughout his term, including the infamous Dior bag scandal, which prosecutors are now also reinvestigating.

In recent weeks, her master’s and doctoral degrees were both revoked over thesis plagiarism. (The Guardian)

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The Cabinet has approved a proposal to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Boseong local government in South Korea to facilitate the employment of Sri Lankan workers under Korea’s E-8 visa category for seasonal agricultural work.

The move follows Cabinet decisions on February 19 and July 1, 2025, to implement a pilot project enabling Sri Lankan workers to participate in South Korea’s periodical employment program.

Under the proposed MoU, Sri Lankan workers will have the opportunity to work in agricultural villages in Boseong Province for a period of up to eight months.

The initiative aims to boost individual income and increase foreign exchange earnings for Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka will soon begin sending seasonal workers to South Korea under a new employment program, following Cabinet approval to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Yeongwol Local Government, of the Republic of South Korea.

The program, aimed at deploying Sri Lankan labourers under South Korea’s E-8 visa category, will allow selected individuals to work in agricultural and fisheries villages in the Yeongwol county for periods ranging from five to eight months, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Following a Cabinet decision on February 19, 2025, to launch a pilot program in collaboration with interested local governments in the Republic of Korea, diplomatic discussions led to the proposed agreement with Korean authorities. The Attorney General has granted legal clearance for the MoU, he said.

The proposal to sign the agreement was submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, and has now received Cabinet approval.

Under this program, Sri Lankans will be eligible to work in South Korea’s Yeongwol County under a pilot program allowing short-term employment in agriculture and fisheries for 5 to 8 months.

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment will handle all recruitment. Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe said only the government will be authorized to process applications and warned job seekers against dealing with third parties. (Newswire)

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The establishment of a fully automatic revenue generation system for the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) under the funds of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has received Cabinet approval.

According to the government, the CMC generates a significant amount of revenue from the four main sources of assessment tax, license fees, trade tax, and stamp duty. 

The CMC, the Ministry of Public Administration, the Provincial Councils and Local Government, and the Department of External Resources have collaboratively submitted a concept paper to the Korea International Cooperation Agency to enhance the generation of overall revenue through the automation of the aforementioned four main sources. 

The Korea International Cooperation Agency has agreed to provide US$ 8.5 million for this purpose, which has received the clearance from the Attorney General and the agreement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism for this accord. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government to enter into an accord for the implementation of an automatic revenue generation system for the CMC using the funds provided by KOICA. (Newswire)

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South Korea’s Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday, months after the ousted president’s declaration of martial law threw the country into chaos.

Yoon was not present in court to hear the verdict.

In a nationally televised unanimous verdict, the court’s acting chief Moon Hyung-bae said the eight-member bench upheld Yoon’s impeachment, finding that Yoon’s martial law declaration “violated” the constitution, did not not follow correct procedures and interfered with the independence of the judiciary.

The verdict also said Yoon violated his duty as commander-in-chief by mobilizing troops.

Yoon’s People Power Party said it accepted the court’s verdict.

“We extend our sincere apology to the people,” lawmaker Kwon Young-se said.

Jubilation and anger after verdict

Yoon supporters as well as pro-impeachment demonstrators camped outside the court overnight.

Ahead of the verdict, police raised the alert to the highest possible level, enabling the deployment of the entire force.

As the verdict was announced, thousands of supporters of his ouster erupted in cheers, with chants of “We won!” ringing out.

Meanwhile, Yoon’s supporters, gathered near his official residence, reacted with anger and dismay. According to Yonhap News Agency, one protester was arrested for breaking a police bus window.

Yoon Kap-keun, one of Yoon’s lawyers, labelled the ruling a “pure political decision.”

Why was the president arrested?

Yoon was arrested and charged by prosecutors in January over his December 3 decision to declare martial law and sending troops to parliament to prevent its repeal, a move that plunged the country into political turmoil.

South Korea’s opposition-led parliament subsequently voted to impeach Yoon in mid-December, leading to his suspension from office.

Following his impeachment, the 64-year-old resisted arrest for two weeks at his presidential compound in central Seoul.

Yoon has since defended the short-lived imposition of martial law as a “proclamation that the nation was facing an existential crisis.”

In March, Seoul’s Central District Court canceled Yoon’s arrest warrant, citing the timing of his indictment and “questions about the legality” of the investigation and freed him from prison.

What happens next?

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will continue to serve as acting president until the new president is inaugurated.

South Korea must now elect a new president within the next 60 days.

Meanwhile, Yoon is also facing a parallel criminal trial over insurrection charges related to the martial law declaration.

He is the first sitting South Korean president to stand trial in a criminal case. The case is expected to drag on well past his impeachment. (DW)

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The Sri Lankan Embassy in South Korea has requested Sri Lankan nationals living in the country to remain vigilant about the wildfires that originated in Central Uiseong County.

Issuing a statement, the Sri Lankan Embassy has requested Sri Lankans to refrain from visiting the areas affected by the wildfires. 

Sri Lankan nationals have also been requested not to use combustible products, including barbecue equipment. 

Sri Lankans facing any emergency or distress due to the wildfires have been urged to contact the Sri Lankan Embassy via the following hotlines;

• (+82-2) 735 2966
• (+82-2) 735 2967
• (+82-2) 794 2968

Wildfires raging in South Korea doubled in size on Thursday from a day earlier, as authorities called the blazes the country’s worst natural fire disaster with at least 26 people killed and historic temples incinerated.

More than 81,500 acres have been charred or are still burning in the largest of the fires that began in the central Uiseong county, making it the biggest single forest fire in South Korea’s history. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted for the implementation of the seasonal worker program introduced by South Korea under the E-8 visa category, as a pilot project in Sri Lanka. 

According to the government, the seasonal worker program has been introduced by the South Korean Government under the E-8 visa category to address the scarcity of labour in the agriculture and fisheries sectors in their country. 

Thereby, an opportunity has been provided for South Korea’s provincial council institutes to recruit foreign workers legally for the short term. 

Accordingly, a consensus has been expressed by the provincial and municipal councils (states) of South Korea to establish cooperation between both parties to provide opportunities for Sri Lankan workers under this program. 

As such, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Employment to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant states of South Korea for the implementation of the pilot project.

Under the proposed pilot project, Sri Lankan workers will be eligible to serve for up to three (3) terms within a maximum period of 3 years. (Newswire)

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