South Korea
Follow the latest South Korea news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
December 24, 2024 at 7:32 AM

South Korea's opposition party vows to impeach acting president

South Korea’s main opposition party said Tuesday it will seek to impeach acting leader Han Duck-soo after he missed an opposition-set deadline to approve independent investigations into impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife
December 24, 2024 at 7:32 AM
Protesters hold a banner showing images of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, and acting President Han Duck-soo during a rally demanding the arrest of Yoon in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. The banner reads "Denounce Han Duck-soo's veto." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
December 16, 2024 at 4:36 PM

Party leader resigns after South Korean president’s martial law declaration

The South Korean National Assembly voted on Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol in a divisive vote.
December 16, 2024 at 4:36 PM
Policemen stand guard in front of the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 16, 2024.
December 16, 2024 at 4:35 PM

South Korea's ruling party leader resigns

The resignation comes two days after President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment vote.
December 16, 2024 at 4:35 PM
The resignation comes two days after President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment vote.
December 16, 2024 at 9:58 AM

South Korea's Constitutional Court begins meeting on President Yoon's impeachment

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is dodging requests by investigative agencies to appear for questioning over his short-lived martial law decree
December 16, 2024 at 9:58 AM
Supporters for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage rally against his impeachment near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. The signs read "Oppose the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
December 15, 2024 at 7:50 PM

South Korea opposition urges top court to act swiftly on impeachment

South Korea’s opposition leader has offered to work with the government to ease the political tumult, a day after the opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol over a short-lived attempt to impose martial law
December 15, 2024 at 7:50 PM
South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, bottom center, and his party members bow at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, after South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (Kim Ju-hyung/Yonhap via AP)
December 15, 2024 at 2:57 PM

Thousands celebrate in Seoul after South Korean president impeached

South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after he sent troops to the National Assembly during his attempt to enforce martial law.
December 15, 2024 at 2:57 PM
VIDEO: Thousands celebrate in Seoul after South Korean president impeached
December 15, 2024 at 3:02 AM

South Korea's parliament votes to impeach President Yoon over martial law order

South Korea’s parliament has impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law decree, a move that ended days of political paralysis but set up an intense debate over Yoon’s fate
December 15, 2024 at 3:02 AM
Participants react after hearing the news that South Korea's parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. The letters read "Impeachment Yoon Suk Yeol." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
December 14, 2024 at 4:29 PM

South Korea passes impeachment bill on President Yoon Suk Yeol

The South Korean National Assembly has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday in a divisive vote.
December 14, 2024 at 4:29 PM
Protesters calling for the ouster of South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol gather for the second martial law impeachment vote outside the National Assembly in Seoul on December 14, 2024. South Korean lawmakers on December 14 voted to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office for his failed attempt to impose martial law last week. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP) (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)
December 14, 2024 at 4:17 PM

South Korean president impeached over martial law

South Korea’s national assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, suspending him from office after his declaration of martial law that plunged the country into political turmoil.
December 14, 2024 at 4:17 PM
VIDEO: South Korean president impeached over martial law
December 13, 2024 at 1:29 PM

Seoul invests millions to become 'city without loneliness'

Officials in Seoul, South Korea, plan to spend $327 million over the next 5 years to battle loneliness.
December 13, 2024 at 1:29 PM
A restaurant owner waits for customers at her empty restaurant in Seoul, South Korea, Oct. 31, 2024.
December 12, 2024 at 9:03 PM

South Korea's ruling conservative party leader in favor of impeaching President Yoon

The opposition parties moved to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol last week but failed.
December 12, 2024 at 9:03 PM
The opposition parties moved to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol last week but failed
December 12, 2024 at 8:20 PM

'Unimaginable situation': South Korea endures fallout from martial law effort

President Yoon Suk Yeol listed numerous grievances against opposition lawmakers in an effort to justify his actions.
December 12, 2024 at 8:20 PM
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers an address to the nation at the Presidential Office in Seoul, South Korea, December 12, 2024.
December 12, 2024 at 6:17 PM

South Korea's ruling party leader now in favor of impeaching President Yoon

The leader of South Korea's ruling People Power Party says he is now in favor of impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived declaration of martial law.
December 12, 2024 at 6:17 PM
A television screen displays a news report featuring South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at Seoul Station in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. Yoon said he would fight until the last minute to defend himself after accusing the opposition of trying to paralyze his administration. Yoon's defiant Thursday morning speech came as the chief of his own party called for his impeachment.
December 12, 2024 at 12:46 PM

South Korea's Yoon defends martial law as an act of governance and vows to 'fight to the end'

South Korea’s president has defended his martial law decree as an act of governance and denied rebellion charges, vowing to “fight to the end” in response to attempts to impeach him and intensifying investigations into last week’s dramatic move
December 12, 2024 at 12:46 PM
People watch a TV screen showing the live broadcast of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's announcement at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo//Lee Jin-man)
December 11, 2024 at 7:10 PM

Police raid South Korean presidential office amid arrests after martial law

The search follows more than a week of political turmoil in South Korea after Yoon's brief failed imposition of a police state.
December 11, 2024 at 7:10 PM
People stand by a railing as the Presidential Office building in the background is raided by police from the national office of investigation, in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 11, 2024.
December 10, 2024 at 1:02 AM

South Korean police consider travel ban for President Yoon over martial law

South Korea’s Justice Ministry has imposed an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol as authorities investigate allegations of rebellion and other charges in connection with his short-lived declaration of martial law last week
December 10, 2024 at 1:02 AM
Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions throw torn papers carrying the names of the ruling party's lawmakers who didn't vote at the impeachment motion last week, during a rally in front of the ruling People Power Party's head office in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
December 9, 2024 at 6:35 PM

South Korean police consider travel ban for President Yoon amid martial law inquiry

"We promise the public that we will thoroughly investigate," South Korean senior police officer Woo Jong-soo said on Monday, local time.
December 9, 2024 at 6:35 PM
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol answers a reporter's question during a press conference at the Presidential Office in Seoul, Nov. 7, 2024.
December 7, 2024 at 8:36 PM

South Korea's president avoids impeachment after ruling party boycotts vote

As lawmakers debated to impeach South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol, all but two members of Yoon’s own People Power Party walked out of the National Assembly session.
December 7, 2024 at 8:36 PM
Protesters stage a rally demanding South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment following the president's short-lived martial law declaration in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Slogans read "Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol."
December 7, 2024 at 10:22 AM

South Korean president faces impeachment vote after imposing martial law

The country's dominant opposition party moved to impeach Yoon on Wednesday, submitting a motion a day after his declaration of martial law set off political chaos.
December 7, 2024 at 10:22 AM
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol answers a reporter's question during a press conference at the Presidential Office in Seoul, Nov. 7, 2024.
December 6, 2024 at 4:01 AM

South Korea's ruling party now believes it is 'necessary' to suspend President Yoon

Relieving South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol of his duties would "protect the Republic of Korea and its people,” the ruling party's leader said.
December 6, 2024 at 4:01 AM
People watch a TV screen broadcasting a news report on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law and the following announcement that he will lift the martial law, after parliamentary vote, at a railway station in Seoul, Dec. 4, 2024.
December 5, 2024 at 8:01 PM

South Korean president accepts defense minister's resignation

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declared martial law late Tuesday, before withdrawing troops hours later.
December 5, 2024 at 8:01 PM
People take part in a protest calling for the resignation of South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 4, 2024.
December 4, 2024 at 4:46 PM

South Korean president faces calls to resign

Retired Gen. Robert Abrams joined ABC News Live to discuss President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declaring martial law late Tuesday, before withdrawing troops hours later.
December 4, 2024 at 4:46 PM
VIDEO: South Korean president faces calls to resign
December 4, 2024 at 4:23 PM

South Korean president faces fallout after failed martial law attempt

ABC News’ Ian Pannell reports on the fallout after President Yoon Suk Yeo declared martial law on Tuesday night, a decision which lawmakers unanimously voted to be overturned.
December 4, 2024 at 4:23 PM
VIDEO: South Korean president faces fallout after failed martial law attempt
December 4, 2024 at 4:00 PM

South Korean president faces impeachment after martial law declaration

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declared martial law late Tuesday, before withdrawing troops hours later.
December 4, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Lawmakers and South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party members hold placards reading "Yoon Suk Yeol should resign!" during a rally against President Yoon Suk Yeol at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 4, 2024.
December 4, 2024 at 12:49 PM

US has 'grave concern' as South Korea imposes, then overturns, martial law

Officials from the White House, Pentagon and State Department all said they were in close contact with their South Korean counterparts as they assessed the situation.
December 4, 2024 at 12:49 PM
People gather outside the National Assembly, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, Dec. 4, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea.
December 4, 2024 at 5:49 AM

US expresses 'grave concern' after South Korea’s president imposes martial law

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing growing calls to resign, after he imposed martial law Tuesday, claiming opposition leaders are trying to overthrow the government.
December 4, 2024 at 5:49 AM
US expresses 'grave concern' after South Korea’s president imposes martial law
December 4, 2024 at 3:09 AM

South Korean president backs down after martial law declaration

ABC News’ Joohee Cho reports from Seoul on the sudden declaration of martial law in South Korea, as well as the responses that may have informed President Yoon Suk Yeol's reversal on Tuesday.
December 4, 2024 at 3:09 AM
South Korean president backs down after martial law declaration
December 4, 2024 at 1:56 AM

South Korean president's chief of staff resigns after martial law lifted

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declared martial law late Tuesday, before withdrawing troops hours later.
December 4, 2024 at 1:56 AM
South Korean soldiers try get into the national assembly, Dec. 4, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea.
December 3, 2024 at 7:16 PM

South Korean parliament votes to lift martial law following president's declaration

President Yoon said he declared martial law due to the opposition's actions.
December 3, 2024 at 7:16 PM
VIDEO: South Korean parliament votes to lift martial law following president's declaration
December 3, 2024 at 5:02 PM

South Korean president declares martial law

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an "emergency martial law" in a televised speech on Tuesday, the Yonhap news agency reported.
December 3, 2024 at 5:02 PM
VIDEO: South Korean president declares martial law
2 months ago

North Korea trash balloon lands in South Korea president's compound, security says

A North Korean "trash balloon" landed inside the South Korean presidential compound in the capital Seoul on Thursday amid rising tensions between the two neighbors.
2 months ago
A North Korean "trash balloon" landed inside the South Korean presidential compound in the capital Seoul on Thursday amid rising tensions between the two neighbors.
2 months ago

North Korea sending troops to aid Russia: South Korean intelligence

ABC News' Britt Clennett reports on this potential threat and the response from the U.S.
2 months ago
VIDEO: North Korea sending troops to aid Russia: South Korean intelligence
2 months ago

BTS member J-Hope finishes mandatory military enlistment in South Korea

K-pop idol J-Hope was discharged from the military on Thursday, becoming the second member of BTS to finish mandatory enlistment in South Korea.
2 months ago
WONJU, SOUTH KOREA - OCTOBER 17: J-Hope of BTS reacts after being discharged from military service at the army's 36th Infantry Division on October 17, 2024 in Wonju, Gangwon-do province, South Korea. J-Hope is the second BTS member to complete the 18-month mandatory military service, which is required for all able-bodied male citizens in South Korea before they turn 28. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)
2 months ago

South Korea fires warning shots after North Korea blows up border roads

South Korea's military said Tuesday it detected explosions on two cross-border roads connecting the country to North Korea.
2 months ago
South Korea's military said Tuesday it detected explosions on two cross-border roads connecting the country to North Korea.
2 months ago

South Korea fires warning shots after North Korea blows up border roads

South Korea's military said Tuesday it detected explosions on two cross-border roads connecting the country to North Korea.
2 months ago
A TV screen reports North Korea has blown up parts of northern side of inter-Korean roads during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024.
2 months ago

South Korean author Han Kang awarded Nobel Prize in literature

The poet and novelist was praised by the Nobel committee for her “intense poetic prose.”
2 months ago
The poet and novelist was praised by the Nobel committee for her “intense poetic prose.”
3 months ago

South Korea threatens military response for North Korean 'trash balloons'

South Korea officials said Pyongyang has launched 5,500 balloons across the border since May.
3 months ago
South Korea officials said Pyongyang has launched 5,500 balloons across the border since May.
6 months ago

US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea as Putin threatens to arm North Korea

A nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, reached port in Busan for planned drills with South Korea and Japan.
6 months ago
VIDEO: US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea as Putin threatens to arm North Korea
6 months ago

BTS members embrace bandmate Jin after he's discharged from South Korean military

RM played the trumpet as fellow BTS members J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook lined up to embrace Jin, who was discharged from his mandatory service in the South Korean military.
6 months ago
RM played the trumpet as fellow BTS members J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook lined up to embrace Jin, who was discharged from his mandatory service in the South Korean military.
9 months ago

Police chase runaway ostrich in South Korea

An ostrich escaped from a zoo in South Korea on Tuesday and ran wild in the streets for about an hour until being safely captured, officials say.
9 months ago
VIDEO: Police chase runaway ostrich in South Korea
1 year ago

South Korean ruling party lawmaker attacked in Seoul, aide says

Bae, a member of the People Power Party and a former TV journalist, was hit with a palm-sized rock on the back of her head, an aide said.
1 year ago
People Power Party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin speaks at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on May 31, 2023.
1 year ago

South Korea passes ban on dog meat

South Korea's National Assembly passed the bill by a 208-0 vote.
1 year ago
South Korea's National Assembly passed the bill by a 208-0 vote.
1 year ago

South Korean assembly bans dog meat trade, consumption

Dog meat consumption in South Korea will be prohibited by law starting in 2027.
1 year ago
Animal rights activists attend a protest rally supporting the government-led dog meat banning bill at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.
1 year ago

South Korean opposition leader in ICU after attack at press conference

South Korean Democratic Party Leader Lee Jae-myung was hospitalized after being attacked during a press conference in Busan, South Korea, police said.
1 year ago
South Korean opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks to reporters as he visits the site of a new airport in Busan on Jan. 2, 2024.
1 year ago

South Korean opposition leader stabbed, rushed to hospital

South Korean Democratic Party Leader Lee Jae-myung was hospitalized after being attacked during a press conference in Busan, South Korea, state media reported.
1 year ago
South Korean Democratic Party Leader Lee Jae-myung was hospitalized after being attacked during a press conference in Busan, South Korea, state media reported.
1 year ago

South Korean opposition leader stabbed, rushed to hospital

South Korean Democratic Party Leader Lee Jae-myung was hospitalized after being attacked during a press conference in Busan, South Korea, state media reported.
1 year ago
South Korea's opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during his visit to Busan, South Korea, Jan. 2, 2024.
1 year ago

Lee Sun-kyun, star of Oscar-winning film 'Parasite,' dies, police say

"Parasite" actor Lee Sun-kyun has died, police in South Korea confirmed to ABC News.
1 year ago
South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun arriving at a police station in Incheon for police questioning in December 2023 (Photo by Yonhap / YONHAP / AFP)
1 year ago

North Korea redeploys troops to surveillance posts along DMZ, South Korea says

The North Korean military has been spotted re-installing surveillance posts according to surveillance footage provided by the South Korean military Monday.
1 year ago
North Korean military personnel are seen in a guard post within the DMZ in an undated photo released by the South Korean Military on Nov. 27, 2023.
1 year ago

South Korea fights off unprecedented bedbug infestation

South Korean officials have been detecting and exterminating bedbugs for the last two weeks as a major disinfection of transportation and public facilities is on the way.
1 year ago
FILE PHOTO: A bed bug is seen on a glove of a biocide technician from the company Hygiene Premium who treats an apartment against bed bugs in L'Hay-les-Roses, near Paris, France, September 29, 2023.
1 year ago

South Korea fights bedbug infestation

The first bedbug outbreak was reported in October at a public bath house in Incheon.
1 year ago
The first bedbug report was in October at a public bath house in Incheon.