South Korea

‘Lovebugs’ swarm South Korea, blanketing a mountain peak

By Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press

The insects do not transmit diseases or sting humans, but there have been increasing public complaints about lovebugs sticking to car windows and the walls of houses, restaurants and subway trains.

What to know about BTS as the popular K-pop group returns from mandatory military service

By Maria Sherman, Juwon Park, Associated Press

BTS is expected to reunite later this year. The K-pop group routinely breaks records and are credited for bringing the South Korean musical style to the global stage.

K-pop stars Jimin and Jung Kook of BTS greeted by fans after completing mandatory military service

By Juwon Park, Maria Sherman, Associated Press

The seven singers of the popular K-pop band plan to reunite as a group sometime in 2025 after they finish their service.

South Korea’s new president vows to pursue talks with North Korea and bolster ties with U.S., Japan

By Hyung-Jin Kim, Kim Tong-Hyung, Associated Press

President Lee Jae-myung said he'll pursue pragmatic diplomacy and boost a trilateral Seoul-Washington-Tokyo cooperation based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Lee won a snap election Tuesday for a five-year term.

From childhood poverty to the presidency, South Korea elects liberal who promised to fight inequality and corruption

By Hyung-Jin Kim, Kim Tong-Hyung, Associated Press

South Korean media outlets including Yonhap news agency and SBS television station report early Wednesday that Lee has won the election.

What to know about South Korea’s presidential election

By Hyung-Jin Kim, Kim Tong-Hyung, Associated Press

The winner will be sworn in as president on Wednesday without the typical two-month transition period, with the urgent task of trying to heal the deep domestic divide.

South Korea’s main conservative party nominates Kim Moon Soo as its presidential candidate

By Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press

Former Labor Minister and staunch conservative Kim Moon Soo won the presidential nomination of South Korea’s main conservative party, facing an uphill battle against liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung for the June 3 election.

South Korea’s acting leader resigns amid reports he’s launching his presidential campaign

By Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press

South Korea’s acting leader, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, says he is resigning amid reports he will run in next month’s presidential election.

South Korean truth commission halts probe into adoption fraud, leaving hundreds of cases in limbo

By Kim Tong-Hyung, Associated Press

South Korea’s government has never acknowledged direct responsibility for issues related to past adoptions and has so far not responded to the commission’s recommendation to issue an official apology.

South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung announces presidential bid after Yoon’s ouster

South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, widely seen as the front-runner in a presidential by-election triggered by the removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol, officially announced his presidential bid.