South Korea
Follow the latest South Korea news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
January 1, 2025 at 9:48 AM

Grieving families of victims of S. Korean plane crash visit site for memorial service

Grieving relatives of people killed in a plane crash in South Korea have visited the site to pay respects to their loved ones on New Year’s Day
January 1, 2025 at 9:48 AM
FILE - Relatives of passengers on a plane which skidded off a runway and burst into flames, react at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, FILE)
January 1, 2025 at 8:12 AM

Investigators comb South Korean runway following deadly Jeju Air plane crash

Some investigators were on their hands and knees, combing for forensic evidence around the crash site at Muan International Airport. Sunday's crash killed 179 people, leaving two survivors.
January 1, 2025 at 8:12 AM
VIDEO: Investigators comb South Korean runway following deadly Jeju Air plane crash
December 31, 2024 at 3:19 PM

Survivor speaks out after deadly plane crash in South Korea

One of the two Jeju Air crew members who survived the Boeing 737 crash and is recovering in the ICU told doctors that when he woke up, he had already been rescued.
December 31, 2024 at 3:19 PM
VIDEO: Survivor speaks out after deadly plane crash in South Korea
December 31, 2024 at 2:23 PM

Investigators comb runway, searching for answers in deadly South Korean plane crash

After a deadly plane crash in South Korea, authorities are conducting a full investigation on 101 of the same model of aircraft that are operating in six local airlines.
December 31, 2024 at 2:23 PM
Police forensics personnel and National Bureau of Investigation officials work at the scene where a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 aircraft crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, on Dec. 31, 2024.
December 31, 2024 at 12:40 PM

1 of 2 survivors of deadly South Korea jet crash is alert and talking

A flight attendant, one of just two survivors of the Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea on Sunday that killed 179 people, is awake and talking, a hospital official said.
December 31, 2024 at 12:40 PM
Firefighters and rescue personnel work near the wreckage of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 series aircraft after the plane crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, Dec. 29, 2024.
December 31, 2024 at 3:51 AM

Investigators probe cause of South Korean plane crash

A team from the NTSB joined South Korean investigators to figure out what led to Sunday's crash, which killed 179 people. Only two people -- both flight attendants -- survived the Jeju Air crash.
December 31, 2024 at 3:51 AM
VIDEO: Investigators probe cause of South Korean plane crash
December 31, 2024 at 2:01 AM

Aviation expert on possible causes of South Korean jet crash

ABC News’ Stephanie Ramos speaks to pilot and aviation expert John Nance on what clues investigators are studying in the South Korea plane crash that claimed 179 lives.
December 31, 2024 at 2:01 AM
VIDEO: Aviation expert on possible causes of South Korean jet crash
December 31, 2024 at 12:53 AM

Arrest warrant issued for South Korea's impeached President Yoon

South Korean investigators' request for an arrest and search warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was approved by the court.
December 31, 2024 at 12:53 AM
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers an address to the nation at the Presidential Office in Seoul, South Korea, December 12, 2024.
December 30, 2024 at 7:15 PM

What to know about the deadly Jeju Air plane crash

ABC News contributor and aviation consultant Col. Steve Ganyard breaks down the latest on the Jeju Air flight 2216 crash in South Korea.
December 30, 2024 at 7:15 PM
VIDEO: What to know about the deadly Jeju Air plane crash
December 30, 2024 at 6:43 PM

Mystery grows over deadly South Korea plane crash

Investigators are trying to determine what happened in the moments before a Boeing flight skidded off the runway, killing 179 people on board.
December 30, 2024 at 6:43 PM
VIDEO: Mystery grows over deadly South Korea plane crash
December 30, 2024 at 5:35 PM

South Korean President Yoon could be arrested over martial law declaration

Officials are seeking to arrest him on insurrection and abuse of power charges.
December 30, 2024 at 5:35 PM
Officials are seeking to arrest him on insurrection and abuse of power charges.
December 30, 2024 at 3:26 PM

179 dead in South Korean plane crash

U.S. federal officials have joined the investigation into the Jeju Air plane that was landing at Muan International Airport when it went off the runway and crashed into a wall.
December 30, 2024 at 3:26 PM
VIDEO: 179 dead in South Korean plane crash
December 30, 2024 at 2:05 PM

2 survivors recovering as South Korean officials probe Jeju Air plane crash

Authorities in South Korea were working on Monday to confirm the identities of more than three dozen of the 179 passengers who were killed when a Jeju Air plane crashed.
December 30, 2024 at 2:05 PM
Firefighters and recovery teams work at the scene where a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 series aircraft crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport in Muan, some 288 kilometres southwest of Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 30, 2024.
December 30, 2024 at 1:04 PM

Boeing 737 crash lands at airport in South Korea

The Jeju Air flight came in with no landing gear deployed, skidding at high speed before plowing into a wall and erupting into flames.
December 30, 2024 at 1:04 PM
VIDEO: Boeing 737 crash lands at airport in South Korea
December 30, 2024 at 12:56 PM

179 dead, 2 rescued after plane crashes while landing in South Korea

179 people are dead after an airplane veered off a runway upon landing at an airport in South Korea on Sunday morning, according to local media.
December 30, 2024 at 12:56 PM
Firefighters and rescue team members work near the wreckage of a passenger plane at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024.
December 29, 2024 at 6:31 PM

2 rescued, 179 dead in South Korean plane crash

ABC’s Gio Benitez reports on the plane crash in South Korea on “This Week.”
December 29, 2024 at 6:31 PM
VIDEO: 2 rescued, 179 dead in South Korean plane crash
December 29, 2024 at 6:16 PM

179 dead after plane crash in South Korea

ABC News Contributor John Nance joins Live to discuss the Jeju Air flight 2216 crash.
December 29, 2024 at 6:16 PM
VIDEO: 179 dead after plane crash in South Korea
December 29, 2024 at 4:11 PM

South Korean passenger plane crash-lands, killing scores

ABC News' contributor and aviation analyst John Nance discusses the deadly crash-landing, which authorities said killed at least 176 people.
December 29, 2024 at 4:11 PM
VIDEO: South Korean passenger plane crash-lands, killing scores
December 27, 2024 at 8:05 PM

South Korea’s National Assembly impeaches acting president

The vote took place just 13 days after the country’s prime minister, Han Duk-soo, began his role as acting president.
December 27, 2024 at 8:05 PM
VIDEO: South Korea’s National Assembly impeaches acting president
December 27, 2024 at 2:02 PM

South Korea opposition-controlled National Assembly votes to impeach acting president

South Korea’s opposition-controlled National Assembly has voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo
December 27, 2024 at 2:02 PM
South Korea's opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung casts his ballot during a plenary session for the impeachment motion against South Korean acting President Han Duck-soo at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Friday Dec. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
December 26, 2024 at 8:41 AM

S. Korean opposition submits motion to impeach the country's acting president

South Korea’s main opposition party has submitted a motion to impeach the country’s acting leader over his reluctance to fill three Constitutional Court vacancies ahead of the court’s review of rebellion charges against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeo...
December 26, 2024 at 8:41 AM
South Korean acting President Han Duck-soo speaks at the government complex in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (Choi Jae-koo/Yonhap via AP)
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 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 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 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 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.
1 month ago

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.
1 month ago
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.
1 month ago

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.
1 month ago
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.
1 month ago

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.
1 month ago
VIDEO: South Korean president faces calls to resign
1 month ago

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.
1 month ago
VIDEO: South Korean president faces fallout after failed martial law attempt
1 month ago

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.
1 month ago
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.
1 month ago

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.
1 month ago
People gather outside the National Assembly, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, Dec. 4, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea.
1 month ago

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.
1 month ago
US expresses 'grave concern' after South Korea’s president imposes martial law
1 month ago

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.
1 month ago
South Korean president backs down after martial law declaration
1 month ago

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.
1 month ago
South Korean soldiers try get into the national assembly, Dec. 4, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea.
1 month ago

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.
1 month ago
VIDEO: South Korean parliament votes to lift martial law following president's declaration
1 month ago

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.
1 month ago
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)
3 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.
3 months ago
South Korea's military said Tuesday it detected explosions on two cross-border roads connecting the country to North Korea.