Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Appeals court increases ex-first lady's sentence for corruption to 4 years

An appeals court on Tuesday increased the sentence for former first lady Kim Keon Hee from 20 months to four years in prison on corruption charges.

2026-04-28

North Korea has ramped up public executions to instill fear, maximize control: NGO report

A report reveals North Korea's Kim Jong-un has intensified public executions, using them to instill fear and enforce obedience, with significant increases observed since the Covid-19 border closures amid ongoing economic hardship.

2026-04-28

Special counsel seeks 15-year sentence for former interior minister in appellate trial

A special counsel team on Wednesday sought a 15-year prison term for former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min in an appellate trial over his alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid.

2026-04-22

CEO of battery manufacturer gets reduced prison term over factory fire that killed 23

An appeals court on Wednesday reduced the prison sentence for the CEO of lithium battery maker Aricell over a deadly fire at the company's plant in 2024 to four years.

2026-04-22

Shaman who killed niece in ritual has life sentence reduced on appeal

A shaman who bound and killed her niece by exposing her to burning charcoal as part of a ritual was sentenced to seven years in prison on Tuesday by an appellate court that determined the crime constituted fatal bodily injury rather than murder.

2026-04-21

Why did streamer Johnny Somali get jail time in Korea? And what's next for the notorious provocateur?

Johnny Somali, a U.S. streamer, was sentenced to six months in a Korean prison for disruptive antics like spilling noodles and kissing memorials to victims of wartime atrocities. Who knew YouTube fame could lead to jail time?

2026-04-16

Man receives eight-month prison sentence for wielding weapon in public in Daegu

A man received an eight-month prison sentence for wielding a weapon, damaging the trees along the streets and causing a disturbance after police arrested him in Daegu, legal sources said on Sunday.

2026-04-05

Top court finalizes life sentence for teacher who murdered first grader in Daejeon

The Supreme Court finalized on Thursday a life sentence for an elementary school teacher who murdered a first-grade student at an elementary school in Daejeon.

2026-04-02

Son Heung-min's blackmailers plead for leniency in appeals court

A pair found guilty of blackmailing football star Son Heung-min with claims that he had fathered a child sought leniency in an appeals court on Wednesday, while the prosecution insisted that the prison sentences be upheld.

2026-03-11

Court to hear Yoon’s appeal of obstruction conviction March 4

The appellate trial in the case against former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges including obstruction of arrest related to the Dec. 3, 2024, martial law declaration will begin on March 4.

2026-02-25