[Remember Daily News]2025.02.09 South Korea News

1. Fishing Vessel Sinks Near Yeosu

A fishing vessel sank off the coast of Habaek Island near Yeosu, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and leaving five others missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing as authorities seek to determine the cause of the incident.

 

2. Earthquake in North Chungcheong Province

A magnitude 3.1 earthquake struck Yangseong-myeon, located 22 kilometers northwest of Chungju in North Chungcheong Province. There were no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries, but residents were advised to remain cautious due to potential aftershocks.

 

3. Fire at National Hangeul Museum

A fire broke out at the National Hangeul Museum in Seoul, resulting in injuries to one firefighter. Fortunately, the museum's collection remained unharmed. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the museum has temporarily closed for safety assessments.

 

4. High Court Overturns Convictions in Election Meddling Case

The Seoul High Court acquitted former Ulsan mayor Song Cheol-ho and former city police chief Hwang Un-ha of election interference charges. The case revolved around allegations of orchestrating an investigation against a political rival during the 2018 local elections. The court's decision has sparked discussions on the integrity of political processes and the role of law enforcement in electoral affairs.

 

5. Concerns Over AI Application 'DeepSeek'

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) raised alarms about the Chinese AI application 'DeepSeek' for excessively collecting personal data. The app reportedly transfers chat records and keyboard input patterns to servers in China, granting advertisers unrestricted access to user data. In response, several South Korean ministries have restricted access to the application due to security concerns.

 

6. Emergency Meeting on Potential U.S. Steel Tariffs

The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy convened an emergency meeting with domestic steelmakers to address potential U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The discussion focused on strategies to mitigate the impact of a proposed 25% tariff by the U.S., which could significantly affect South Korean manufacturers operating abroad.

 

7. Short Track Speed Skating Achievements at Asian Winter Games

South Korea demonstrated its prowess in short track speed skating at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, securing six out of nine titles. Triple Olympic champion Choi Min-jeong led the team with three gold medals. Despite their success, the team faced challenges in the women's 3000m relay due to a collision, resulting in China's victory in that event.

 

8. North Korea's Leader Criticizes Trilateral Security Alliance

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un condemned the strengthened security partnership between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, labeling it a severe threat to his nation. In response, he pledged to advance North Korea's nuclear weapons program, viewing the alliance as an attempt to establish a regional military bloc akin to NATO.

 

9. Indictments Following Courthouse Rampage

Prosecutors indicted 63 individuals involved in storming the Seoul Western District Court on January 19. The incident was a protest against the detention of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Charges include aggravated obstruction of official duty, destruction of property, attempted arson, and assault, with potential prison sentences of up to seven years for some defendants.

 

10. Explosion at Ulsan Oil Storage Facility

An explosion occurred at an oil storage tank in Ulsan, resulting in one fatality and one injury. Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion and assessing the extent of the damage.