Seoul

Latest Stories

FILE - In this Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 file photo released by Tasnim News Agency, a seized South Korean-flagged tanker is escorted by Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats on the Persian Gulf. Iranian state television acknowledged that Tehran seized the oil tanker, MT Hankuk Chemi, in the Strait of Hormuz. A South Korean diplomatic delegation arrived in Iran on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, to negotiate the release of the vessel seized amid an escalating financial dispute between the countries, Iranian state-run media reported. (Tasnim News Agency via AP, File)

South Korean diplomat in Iran over seized ship, frozen funds

By AMIR VAHDAT - Associated Press

In this Nov. 15, 2020, file photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party Politburo in Pyongyang, North Korea. Kim is facing the toughest challenges of his nine-year rule. His country’s fragile economy was battered this year by pandemic-related border closings and natural disasters. He’s also likely concerned about President-elect Joe Biden’s expected new approach to North Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)

Mired in crises, North Korea’s Kim to open big party meeting

By Hyung-jin Kim and Kim Tong-hyung - Associated Press

People wearing face makes to protect against the COVIS-19 walk at Trocadero plaza near Eiffel Tower in Paris, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020. French health authorities have confirmed the country's first case of the virus variant that prompted strict new lockdown measures in Britain and global travel restrictions.(AP Photo/Michel Euler)

The Latest: Japan’s PM seeks to enforce virus measures

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

A woman wears a protective face mask while holding a candle during an outdoor Christmas Eve Service of Lights at the Granada Presbyterian Church, Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, in Coral Gables, Fla. The service was held outdoors for safety reasons to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The Latest: South Korea sees surge in coronavirus cases

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

In this Sept. 19, 2018, file photo, Kim Yo-jong, right, helps her brother North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sign a joint statement following the summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the Paekhwawon State Guesthouse in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Pyongyang Press Corps Pool via AP, File)

Kim’s sister slams Seoul over questioning zero-virus claim

By Hyung-jin Kim - Associated Press

People wearing face masks as a precaution against the coronavirus pass by a poster emphasizing an enhanced social distancing campaign at a bus station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. South Korea's health minister said Monday that the Seoul metropolitan area is now a &quot;COVID-19 war zone,&quot; as the country reported another 615 new infections and the virus appeared to be spreading faster. The signs read: &quot;We have to stop before COVID-19 stops everything.&quot; (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

South Korean health minister warns of virus ‘war zone’

By KIM TONG-HYUNG - Associated Press

Biegun

Envoy Stephen Biegun going to South Korea for last trip on behalf of Trump administration

By Guy Taylor - The Washington Times

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, right, during their meeting at the foreign ministry in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Wang arrived in Seoul on Nov. 25, for a three-day state visit.(Kim Min-hee/Pool Photo via AP)

China’s top diplomat stresses S.Korea ties amid row with US

By Kim Tong-Hyung - Associated Press

Han Shin Bi, a high school senior in Seoul, demonstrates how to take online classes after an interview in Seoul, South Korea, on Sept. 18, 2020. “Online classes were really inconvenient,” said Han. Experts say the reduced interaction with teachers, digital distractions and technical difficulties are widening the education achievement gap among students in South Korea, leaving those less well off, like Han, at even more at a disadvantage. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Pandemic widens learning gap in education-obsessed S. Korea

By HYUNG-JIN KIM - Associated Press

A vegetable vendor wearing a face mask partly covering her face waits for customers in Bengaluru, India, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. India's confirmed coronavirus toll crossed 7 million on Sunday with a number of new cases dipping in recent weeks, even as health experts warn of mask and distancing fatigue setting in. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

The Latest: S. Korea reports 97 new coronavirus cases

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

People wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as they stroll by the ancient Colosseum, in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. As of Saturday it is mandatory to wear masks outdoors in Lazio, the region that includes Rome. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

The Latest: S. Korea reports virus numbers trending lower

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

An elderly man wearing a face mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus walks in downtown Segovia, central Spain, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020. Spain has been the hardest hit European country in the second wave of the pandemic. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

The Latest: New Zealand to end restrictions except in 1 city

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

A woman arrives to sell vegetables in a market in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. Millions lost their jobs, and thousands, fearing starvation, poured out of cities to try and get back to their rural homes during India's lockdown of 1.3 billion people earlier this year. The economy shrunk by nearly 24% in the last quarter, the most of any major country. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

The Latest: S. Korea eases restrictions as virus cases drop

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

People wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of the coronavirus pray while maintaining social distancing during a service at the Chogyesa temple in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

South Korea elevates distancing as virus nears spring levels

By KIM TONG-HYUNG - Associated Press

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, center, attends a plenary meeting of the Workers’ Party in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. North Korea has decided to hold a rare ruling party congress in January where leader Kim will announce a new five-year plan to develop the country’s dismal economy ravaged by U.S.-led sanctions and a global pandemic, state media said Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: &quot;KCNA&quot; which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

North Korea sets rare party meeting after economic struggles

By Kim Tong-hyung - Associated Press

Public officials disinfect the roadway to help curb the spread of the coronavirus in front of the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. South Korea will ban large public gatherings and shut down churches and nightspots in the greater capital area following an alarming surge in coronavirus cases. (Lee Ji-eun/Yonhap via AP)

S. Korea shuts Seoul nightspots, churches amid virus spike

By KIM TONG-HYUNG - Associated Press

In this April 20, 2020, photo, Sarang Jeil Church pastor Jun Kwang-hun speaks outside a detention center in Uiwang, South Korea. Jun who has been a bitter critic of the country's president has tested positive for the coronavirus health authorities said Monday, Aug. 17, two days after he participated in an anti-government rally in Seoul that drew thousands. (Ko Jun-beom/Newsis via AP)

South Korea pastor tests positive amid virus spike at church

By KIM TONG-HYUNG - Associated Press

Police officers wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of the coronavirus patrol around the Gyeongbok Palace, one of South Korea's well-known landmarks, in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Thousands rally against SKorea leader despite virus warning

By KIM TONG-HYUNG - Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 25, 1988, file photo, Canadian Ben Johnson, left, signals victory ahead of the United States' Carl Lewis, as he wins the 100-meter final at the Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. (AP Photo/Rick Wilking, File)

AP WAS THERE: 1988 Seoul Olympics

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

South Korean Shin Yun-sun shows photos of her 92-year-old mother, Baek Bong-rye, during an interview at her house in Seoul, South Korea Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Shin, 75, has spent decades pestering government officials, digging into records and searching burial grounds on Russia’s desolate Sakhalin island, desperately searching for traces of a father she never met. Shin wants to bring back the remains of her presumably dead father for her ailing mother. Japan's colonial government conscripted Shin's father for forced labor from their farming village in September 1943, when Baek was pregnant with Shin.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

1000s of Korean laborers still lost after WWII, Cold War end

By KIM TONG-HYUNG - Associated Press