South Korea has decided to send a new special envoy to Tehran to safeguard its citizens and commercial vessels amid the ongoing Iran-Israel war. The decision was confirmed by South Korea’s official news agency Yonhap. Former ambassador to Kuwait, Chung Byung-ha, has been appointed to the post and is expected to depart for Tehran soon.

According to Yonhap, Chung’s primary responsibility will be to coordinate the safe passage of South Korean ships and ensure the security of nationals in the Middle East during the conflict. He will particularly focus on resolving issues related to South Korean commercial ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. The appointment came a day after a phone conversation between South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key energy supply routes, has seen severe disruption due to the Iran–United States–Israel conflict. Yonhap reported that at least 26 South Korea-linked commercial vessels are currently stranded there, posing a major challenge for the new envoy.

A major fire broke out at an auto parts manufacturing factory in Daejeon, South Korea, resulting in at least 14 deaths and 59 injuries. Among the injured, 25 people are reported to be in critical condition. The incident occurred on Friday, according to ABC News. Video footage showed thick gray smoke rising from the factory complex as some workers jumped from a building to escape the flames.

More than 500 firefighters, police officers, and emergency personnel were deployed to the site to control the blaze and rescue trapped workers. Nam Deuk-woo, head of the Daejeon Daedeok District Fire Service, stated that one factory building was completely destroyed by the fire. Rescue operations were initially delayed because of fears that the building might collapse.

Authorities are continuing to assess the damage and investigate the cause of the fire, while emergency teams remain on-site to ensure safety and prevent further casualties.

South Korea is considering sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz following a call from US President Donald Trump for allied nations to help ensure security in the region, according to a report by Middle East Eye. A South Korean presidential official told AFP that Seoul is closely monitoring Trump’s social media statements and will carefully review the matter in consultation with the United States.

The official added that South Korea is comprehensively reviewing various possible measures to secure the safety of energy transport routes. Trump said on Saturday that many countries would send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and safe, expressing hope that China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom would join the effort.

Meanwhile, a senior Japanese official stated on Sunday that Tokyo remains highly cautious about taking such steps, indicating differing levels of readiness among US allies regarding participation in the proposed maritime security initiative.

The United States has reportedly begun moving parts of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system and other military hardware from South Korea to the Middle East for use in its war against Iran. The move, reported this week by US media citing Pentagon officials, has raised questions about Washington’s security commitment to its East Asian allies. South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung sought to reassure the public that the country remains capable of deterring threats from North Korea, despite the redeployment of US assets. He emphasized that South Korea’s defense budget is among the world’s largest and exceeds North Korea’s GDP by 1.4 times.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed that discussions were underway with the US on possibly redeploying Patriot missile defense systems to the Middle East, with unconfirmed reports suggesting some batteries could go to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The US Forces Korea declined to comment on specific movements for security reasons. Analysts warned that North Korea might misinterpret the relocation as a chance to test allied defenses.

Japan also faces adjustments as US naval assets based there are redirected to the Arabian Sea, prompting domestic criticism that the redeployments could weaken regional deterrence and reflect a lack of strategic planning in Washington.

South Korea’s stock market experienced a major decline on Wednesday following reports of a joint US-Israel military strike, prompting authorities to temporarily halt trading. The KOSPI index dropped more than 8 percent, triggering an automatic 20-minute suspension under the market’s safety mechanism. When trading resumed, the index fell further, losing over 10 percent. Officials said the circuit breaker could be reactivated if the market drops by 15 percent.

This was the first activation of the circuit breaker since August 2024. The mechanism is designed to prevent excessive volatility by pausing trading during sharp declines. The temporary halt was part of the exchange’s standard risk control measures.

Analysts noted that South Korea’s heavy dependence on Middle Eastern oil imports and its export-driven economy make it particularly vulnerable to geopolitical instability. Disruptions in energy supply or trade routes can quickly affect investor confidence and market performance.

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has apologized for the suffering caused by his imposition of martial law in 2024. His apology came a day after the Seoul Central District Court sentenced him to life imprisonment for treason. The court ruled that Yoon led a rebellion in December 2024 aimed at paralyzing parliament, an act deemed treasonous under South Korean law.

In a statement issued through his lawyer, Yoon acknowledged the public anger and frustration resulting from his attempt to impose military rule but insisted that his actions were taken entirely in the national interest. He expressed regret for his lack of foresight and the hardship caused to citizens. The 65-year-old former leader said the verdict was difficult to accept but did not clarify whether he would appeal.

According to the court, Yoon deployed troops to the parliament building to silence political opponents and disrupt legislative functions. His declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, was revoked within six hours by lawmakers through an emergency vote. The timing of any potential parole remains uncertain.

A South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of abusing power and leading a plan to impose military rule in December 2024. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty, according to The Japan Times. Under South Korean law, the maximum punishment for masterminding a rebellion is either death or life imprisonment. The country last issued a death sentence in 2016 but has not carried out any executions since 1997.

The 65-year-old former president received the sentence for his failed attempt to declare military rule. Yoon is expected to appeal the verdict, and any decision by the appellate court could later be challenged in the Supreme Court. He is already serving a sentence for issuing an order to impose military rule, while two other cases against him remain pending.

Hundreds of Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the courthouse during the verdict announcement, with the crowd reportedly larger than during a previous ruling last month.

South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb announced on Saturday that it accidentally distributed more than $40 billion worth of Bitcoin to customers while attempting to issue promotional rewards. The error occurred on Friday and immediately caused significant operational pressure on the exchange. Bithumb said it managed to recover 99.7 percent of the 620,000 Bitcoins mistakenly sent, valued at about $44 billion. Within 35 minutes of the incident, trading and withdrawals were restricted for 695 affected users.

According to local media, the exchange had planned to give each participant at least 2,000 Korean won in cash as part of a promotional event. However, due to a technical glitch, selected users received at least 2,000 Bitcoins instead. Bithumb stated that the incident was not related to any external hacking or security breach and claimed that its system security and asset management remained intact.

Following the incident, Bitcoin prices on Bithumb temporarily dropped 17 percent to 81.1 million won before recovering to around 104.5 million won later in the evening.

A South Korean court has sentenced former First Lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes from officials of the Unification Church in exchange for political favors. She was found guilty of receiving a handbag and diamond earrings and was fined 12.8 million won. The court also ordered the confiscation of the necklace linked to the case. Kim has been in custody since August during the investigation.

Kim, wife of ousted former president Yoon Suk Yeol, was acquitted of separate charges related to stock manipulation and political funding violations but convicted in this bribery case. Prosecutors plan to appeal the ruling, while Kim’s lawyers said they will review the Seoul Central District Court’s decision before deciding on an appeal. The presiding judge noted that although the First Lady holds no official authority, the position carries symbolic responsibility and should not set a poor example for the public.

Outside the courthouse, supporters of Yoon and Kim celebrated the verdict despite cold weather. The Unification Church denied expecting any benefit from the gifts, and its leader Han Hak-ja, also on trial, rejected allegations of offering bribes.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated that North Korea is producing enough nuclear materials each year to build 10 to 20 nuclear warheads. He made the remarks on Wednesday during a New Year press conference, according to AFP. Lee said Pyongyang is not only expanding its nuclear weapons program but also rapidly advancing long-range ballistic missile technology aimed at reaching the U.S. mainland.

Lee warned that North Korea could soon secure its nuclear arsenal completely, which it views as essential for regime survival. He added that the country’s intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capability poses a major threat not only to the United States but to the entire world. He cautioned that if this threat goes unchecked, it could escalate beyond borders and trigger a global crisis.

The South Korean leader called for a pragmatic and effective approach to address the nuclear issue, urging a halt to nuclear material production, ICBM development, and weapons exports. He said he had conveyed this position to U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Since taking office in June, Lee has sought unconditional dialogue with Pyongyang, though North Korea has yet to respond positively.

A South Korean court has sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for assisting in the brief imposition of martial law. The Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Lee Jin-kwan, found Han guilty of helping then-President Yoon Suk-yeol declare military rule in December 2024 and failing to convene a legitimate cabinet meeting. The 76-year-old former leader was ordered to be taken into custody immediately after the verdict.

Judge Lee stated that Han had shown extreme negligence in his duties as prime minister and that Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law aimed to undermine constitutional order, equating it to an act of rebellion. The judge warned that Han’s actions risked returning South Korea to a dark past when citizens’ basic rights and democratic systems were violated.

Han denied all charges, insisting that he never supported or assisted in the declaration of martial law.

A South Korean court has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for declaring martial law in December 2024. The ruling, delivered by the Seoul Central District Court on Friday, was broadcast live. Yoon was found guilty of issuing martial law, obstructing the execution of arrest warrants, falsifying official documents, and failing to follow legal procedures required for declaring martial law. He has seven days to appeal the sentence.

Judge Baek Da-hyun stated that Yoon failed to uphold the constitution and the rule of law, emphasizing that as president, it was his duty to protect both. The judge described Yoon’s actions as a serious offense that disregarded constitutional principles. Following the verdict, Yoon’s lawyer announced that the former president would appeal, claiming the case was politically motivated.

The December 2024 attempt to impose martial law led to several criminal cases against Yoon. This is the first major verdict in those proceedings.

South Korea has pledged to identify and punish those responsible for a recent drone intrusion into North Korea, following Pyongyang’s demand for an official apology. North Korea claimed that a South Korean drone crossed the shared border into Kaesong earlier this month, was shot down, and its wreckage displayed publicly. Seoul denied any military or government involvement but acknowledged the possibility of civilian participation.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac stated during a press briefing in Nara, Japan, that authorities are investigating whether the incident originated from the civilian sector and promised legal consequences if guilt is proven. He also noted that North Korea had previously sent drones into South Korea, calling such actions violations of the armistice agreement that ended the 1950–53 Korean War.

President Lee Jae-myung has ordered a joint military and police investigation into the matter, warning that any civilian involvement would pose a serious threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has proposed to mediate between China and Japan to ease escalating tensions following recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. Speaking at a press conference in Seoul, Lee emphasized that taking sides would only worsen the situation and urged all parties to seek coexistence instead of confrontation. The dispute intensified after Takaichi said any Chinese attack on Taiwan could pose an existential threat to Japan, justifying the use of collective self-defense. In response, China condemned the statement, urged its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, suspended seafood imports from Japan, and postponed a planned trilateral meeting with Japan and South Korea. Lee’s mediation proposal comes as Seoul seeks to play a constructive role in maintaining regional stability amid growing geopolitical friction in East Asia.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has indicated that Seoul may issue an apology to North Korea following court findings that former President Yoon Suk-yeol deliberately provoked tensions to maintain his political power. Speaking at a press conference in Seoul on December 3, Lee said he believes an apology is appropriate but expressed concern that such a move could be politically exploited or labeled as pro-North. Yoon is accused of ordering drones carrying propaganda leaflets into North Korean airspace to incite conflict. His administration’s actions, including a controversial martial law declaration, triggered mass protests and a constitutional crisis. The Supreme Court later ruled the martial law unconstitutional, leading to Yoon’s impeachment and removal from office. He is currently in prison awaiting trial on multiple charges, including insurrection. Lee’s remarks come amid renewed debate over accountability for past provocations and the future of inter-Korean relations.