South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare said on Thursday that smoking will be banned at all coffee shops, including those with smoking rooms, starting in July. Health authorities plan to make the advance notice of legislation amendment to the National Health Promotion Act, specifically designating “smoking cafes” as non-smoking areas, on May 30. South Korea had banned smoking in all bars and restaurants since January 2015. Since April 2016, smoking was banned in areas within 10 meters of su

Police said Wednesday they have launched a probe into a patient’s death at a hospital in Daegu, after he had reportedly been tied down to a bed. The hospital treats patients suffering from alcoholism and mental illnesses. According to police on Wednesday, the deceased was found unconscious in the isolation ward with both arms tied to bed posts at approximately 7 a.m. Tuesday.  (Yonhap)The nurse reportedly attempted CPR upon arrival on scene. Despite her efforts, the nurse said the patient died a

A recent incident in which a pet owner left his dog inside a Lotte Mart pet locker in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province has sparked a row between animal welfare groups and the authorities, with many people calling for an end to animal abuse in Korea. Animal activists have criticized the pet owner for reportedly abandoning the poodle inside the small, cramped locker for nine hours, marking it as “pure abuse.” Other people, however, have spoken on behalf of the pet owner, claiming that the lockers at

The Daegu High Court on Wednesday upheld the district court’s ruling on a man in his 50s charged with serial theft, citing his prior theft convictions and considerable damage to numerous victims. The court upheld the conviction on the 55-year-old man and reaffirmed his sentence of 3 1/2 years in prison. (The Korea Herald)The defendant is accused of stealing 1 million won ($940) by breaking and entering a pharmacy in Daegu on Oct. 14, 2017. Local police said the man reportedly committed the same

Following the controversy surrounding Korean Air Senior Vice President Cho Hyun-min and her alleged verbal abuse on an advertising agency manager last month, the public interest in intermittent explosive disorder has substantially heightened. The 35-year-old senior executive is accused of yelling and throwing a cup of water towards the manager during a meeting last month. Cho claimed on Monday to have only given a “shove” after the employee did not give proper answers to her questions. She has d

A fire broke out at a seven-story orthopedic hospital at approximately 00:50 a.m. Tuesday in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province.Fire authorities believe arson was the cause of the hospital fire. It is said the fire was extinguished after 15 minutes. Firefighters helped evacuate 10 people, including eight patients and two caregivers, when the fire broke out.  YonhapAccording to the Jinju fire department, one patient was transported to a nearby hospital after inhaling smoke. The fire consumed the fi

Prosecutors have launched on Friday a probe into allegations that a police officer accepted bribes from the owner of a brothel and selectively conducted raids on its rival brothels. Uijeongbu prosecutors indicted the inspector on bribery, dereliction of duty, sex trafficking and other charges. The corrupt inspector, 38, a member of the Goyang Police Station, is accused of operating the illegal brothel, disguised as a massage parlor, in partnership with a 39-year-old man.  YonhapIt is said the in

A massive fire set a chemical processing plant ablaze in Seo-gu, Incheon, at 11:47 a.m. on Friday, as thick, black smoke and toxic fumes poured out from the plant. Incheon authorities said the rapidly moving fire had consumed the chemical treatment plant inside the city’s industrial complex, and that it was mobilizing all firefighters and equipment available in Incheon and neighboring areas of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Fire authorities issued a third-phase warning -- the highest level among a

Pang Eun-mi has chosen a very dramatic career change: from model to shaman. She is “mudang,” a modern-day shaman practicing Korea’s oldest folk religion.Skepticism lingers over the role and authenticity of Korean shamans who are known to harness their powers from nature. They allegedly interact with the dead, communicate with the spirit world and allocate the mysterious energies into the human world. Korean mudang also perform a ritual dance called “gut” to dispel evil spirits. Embattled individ

Ed Sheeran’s chart-topping “Shape of You” blasted throughout King Fit, a private gym in Apgujeong-dong in southern Seoul. With summer just two months away, the treadmills were occupied with exercisers trying to shed the extra pounds no longer to be hidden beneath winter’s trendy long, padded jackets. Moving further to the back of the gym, Pilates head Instructor Lee Su-yeol, 39, opened the door to his small, private studio, where he holds his one-on-one Pilates class. In contrast to the upbeat a

A fire broke out at a frozen food warehouse in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, at 2:40 a.m. Friday. It took three hours and thirty minutes to extinguish the fast-moving fire, the Ansan Fire Department said. Firefighters extinguish the warehouse fire in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province on Friday, April 13. YonhapWhen the fire started, forty workers were reportedly unloading frozen food onto loading deck of the warehouse. There were no casualties with everyone quickly evacuating the perimeter, according to the

A food delivery man in his 20s was killed Wednesday night when his motorcycle was struck by a car in a suspected drunk driving crash in Daejeon, South Chungcheong Province, police said. Police officers responded to an emergency call about a crash at an intersection in Dunsang-dong, Daejeon, around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. (Yonhap)According to police, the car was driving by the intersection when the 34-year-old driver passed over the center line and struck the motorcyclist. The suspect fled the scen

A Jeonju court on Thursday sentenced a man in his 50s to a 7-year prison term and small fine for raping his niece following months of habitual sexual harassment.The man was ordered to serve the 7-year prison term, pay a fine of 300,000 won ($280) and undergo 80 hours of sex offender treatment. The 52-year-old man, who is considered a level-three intellectually disabled person, was initially indicted on the charge of sexual harassment in 2010. He reportedly made abusive sexual requests to his two

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the appellate ruling on a woman in her 30s charged with the murder of her daughter due to neglect, highlighting the necessity of strict punishment. The top court upheld the conviction on the 31-year-old woman surnamed Kim and reaffirmed her sentence of nine years in prison. The defendant was charged with fatal child abuse, specifically leaving her 2-year-old daughter by herself at home in order to go on a vacation with her boyfriend on March 29.  123RFAccord

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is seeking to solve urban problems by turning to new and existing Internet of Things technologies, a Seoul city official said Wednesday. In efforts to improve the safety and quality-of-life of Seoulites, the city government has made an aggressive investment of 2.7 billion won ($2.54 million) into 12 sites across the city from its yearly budget. A carbon monoxide sensor will be attached inside all tents at the city-owned camping grounds in order to prevent fire s

Pyeongtaek police on Tuesday launched an investigation into a man on the suspicion that he killed and ate a neighbor’s pet dog. The 63-year-old man is accused of kidnapping, killing and eating a 2-year-old Welsh corgi. Police said Tuesday that they received a call Monday from a woman in her 30s who said that she had “lost her pet dog” and that “there is a man who eats dogs.”  The 2-year-old Welsh corgi. Photo courtesy of dog owner. (Yonhap)The woman reportedly lost her dog on March 4 in Cheongbu

A farmer in his 30s was booked without detention for allegedly causing damage to private property, specifically a wall mural within the city, Gwangju police said Tuesday. The 33-year-old suspect is accused of spraying black paint onto a wall mural on the exterior wall of the building in Dong-gu, Gwangju City at 1:55 p.m. on March 20. The owner of the building had commissioned a professional artist to paint the mural, depicting a blue sky with large angel wings, for the price of about 4 million w

A policeman was booked without detention for suspicion of driving under the influence and then falling asleep at the wheel, according to Gimpo police in Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. The 47-year-old inspector, who works at a police station in Bucheon, is accused of driving his SUV after drinking and then falling asleep in his car. (Yonhap)A driver of a passing car reported to police that the suspect’s car was parked in the second lane of the road in Gimpo, blocking traffic during rush hour at 6:40

A man in his 30s was booked without detention on the alleged charge of theft, stealing his hospitalized girlfriend‘s credit card, bankbook and expensive goods, Busan Dongnae police said Monday. The man is accused of breaking and entering into his girlfriend’s house and stealing 1.15 million won ($1,080) worth of cash and jewelry on Jan. 29. He is also accused of withdrawing a total of 30 million won from her bank account over 22 occasions. (123RF)It is said the two first met through a dating app

A 64-year-old taxi driver was brutally beaten by the passenger of a Mercedes-Benz after a minor fender bender collision occurred, the Yongin Police Station said Sunday. The victim told police that his car was parked in an alley when the other vehicle caused a minor collision as it was trying to park in the same spot at 2 a.m. on March 22. The 31-year-old driver and accompanying passenger, 31, reportedly approached the taxi driver and apologized, offering to pay for the damages. The taxi driver r