South Korean authorities demanding apology from Ukraine over prisoner scandal

"In a letter the South Korean presidential administration demanded an apology from Ukraine.
The transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul took place on August 15, and Ukraine announced it on August 20 without notifying Seoul in advance.
The South Korean government claims that Ukraine violated a confidentiality agreement signed during negotiations in Tokyo in July." UN

Ukraine sent captured North Korean soldiers to South, Zelensky says

"Ukraine has transferred two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia to South Korea, Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address to the United Nations General Assembly.
“Recently, we sent two North Korean prisoners of war to the Republic of Korea,” the Ukrainian president said, revealing that the prisoners had left Ukrainian custody." msn

Warning shots fired after North Korean troops cross border with South

"The South Korean military fired warning shots last week after a group of soldiers from North Korea crossed the demarcation line between the rival countries, Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday.

Seoul said the North Korean soldiers crossed the border in the eastern ​part of the demilitarized zone in what was ​the first such violation this year. The soldiers were patrolling the area when they crossed over into South Korea, the news agency reported, citing an unnamed government source." msn

Belarusian cousins convicted of supplying Russian weapons industry in Austria

"Two Belarusian cousins were convicted on Aug. 12 by a Vienna court for supplying

manufacturing equipment to Russia's weapons industry in violation of EU sanctions.
The duo were convicted for using an Austria-based business and a network of shell companies to transport metalworking machines and tools into Belarus through third countries, including Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, and Poland.
The smuggled equipment was used to manufacture engines for missiles and fighter jets, the Austrian government said. The smuggled equipment was destined for companies affiliated with the Russian state-owned conglomerate Rostec, according to Austria's Interior Ministry." KI

FM Cho affirms captured N Korean soldiers in Ukraine will not be sent back to Russia

"SEOUL -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said that Ukraine has assured him that two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting alongside Russia will not be repatriated to Moscow.
Cho made the remarks during a parliamentary session, responding to a lawmaker's question

regarding the captives who remain in Ukrainian custody since they were captured during combat on Russia's side in the front-line Kursk region in January last year.
Earlier this month, Rep. Yu Yong-weon of the main opposition People Power Party said after visiting Ukraine that Russia had included the two soldiers on its list of prisoners it demanded be released in a prisoner-of-war (POW) exchange.
Through media interviews, the soldiers have expressed their intention to come to South Korea rather than being sent back to the North.
Yu has called for sending a presidential envoy to Ukraine to discuss their defection, saying their repatriation to Pyongyang cannot be ruled out." msn

South Korea, Russia hold talks on North Korean nuclear program

"Authorized delegations from South Korea and Russia recently held closed-door talks in
Moscow on North Korea’s nuclear program and other pressing regional security issues.
The South Korean official asked Russia to play a constructive role in ensuring peace on the Korean Peninsula, as Seoul seeks to resume dialogue with North Korea as soon as possible and is also making efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine." Ukrin

Donald Trump Cuts China Tariffs as the Country Opens Up to U.S. Agriculture

"President Donald Trump is cutting tariffs on China after the country agreed to open up to United States Agriculture.
Trump met with dictator Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in South Korea where they held deliberations on what foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun described as “strategic and long-term issues.”
Trump provided an update after the meeting, describing it as “truly great.”
“There is enormous respect between our two Countries, and that will only be enhanced with what just took place. We agreed on many things, with others, even of high importance, being very close to resolved,” Trump said, noting that Xi “authorized China to begin the purchase of massive amounts of Soybeans, Sorghum, and other Farm products” from the U.S."
Breitbart

Extreme rainfall causes severe flooding in South Korea

"An extreme rainfall event struck South Korea between August 3 and 4, 2025, triggering
severe flooding across the southern regions of the country. Over 11 inches of rainfall was recorded in Muan in just 24 hours....The heaviest rainfall was recorded in Muan County, South Jeolla....Local authorities described this as a once-in-200-year event." W

South Korea: Largest floods in history engulf city, mass evacuations

"A historic flood catastrophe is unfolding in South Korea as relentless torrential rains pound

the country for four days straight. From the western slopes to southern provinces, roads are submerged, public transport halted, and thousands forced to evacuate. With over 4 dead, 2 missing, and nearly 3,000 displaced, this disaster marks one of the worst in years.

Watch the gripping coverage of nature’s fury overwhelming cities and villages, government rescue efforts, and hear the heartbreaking stories of families caught in the deluge. Stay informed on the latest updates, weather forecasts, and official responses." DW

North Korea WAR WARNING? North Korea Threatens ‘Grave Consequences’ After US, Japan, South Korea Drills

"North Korea has issued a chilling war warning, threatening “grave consequences” after the
US, Japan, and South Korea held a major air drill featuring a US B-52 bomber. Pyongyang called the drills “provocative,” while Russia also cautioned the West against raising tensions." WION

Massive South Korean Wildfires Kill 24, Inflict ‘Unprecedented Damage

"South Korea suffered more than a dozen major wildfires over the weekend. The fires killed 24 people, forced 27,000 to evacuate, and burned more than 17,000 hectares of land.
Acting President Han Duck-soo said the fires continued to burn on Wednesday, causing “unprecedented damage.” Breitbart

North Korean troops reportedly pulled back from Russia-Ukraine front line

"Soldiers sent by Pyongyang to Russia’s Kursk region have halted combat after suffering major casualties, South Korea’s security services say." AJ

Rubio lays down ultimatum to Panama over canal

"US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday threatened action against Panama without immediate changes to reduce Chinese influence on the canal, but the country's leader insisted he was not afraid of a US invasion and offered talks.

On his first trip overseas as the top US diplomat, Rubio took a guided tour of the canal accompanied by its Panamanian administrator as a South Korean-affiliated oil tanker and Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship passed through the vital link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
But Rubio was said to have had a firmer message in private, telling Panama that President Donald Trump had determined that the country had violated terms of the treaty that handed over the canal at the end of 1999.
He pointed to the "influence and control" of China over the canal, through which some 40 percent of US container traffic passes.
Meeting President Jose Raul Mulino, Rubio "made clear that this status quo is unacceptable and that absent immediate changes, it would require the United States to take measures necessary to protect its rights under the treaty," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said." MS

South Korean president indicted

"South Korean prosecutors have formally indicted President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of leading an insurrection during his brief imposition of martial law last month, local media reported on Sunday. Yoon, who was impeached on December 14, faces accusations of abusing power and undermining democratic institutions." RT

Plane With 175 Passengers Crashes At South Korea Airport, At Least 23 Dead

"A Jeju Airlines airplane veered off the runway upon landing in South Korea and collided with a wall, killing at least 23, Yonhap News agency reported.

The flight, yet another unfortunate Boeing 737 aircraft, was carrying 175 passengers and 6 crew members to Muan International Airport, in the country’s south. It was returning from Bangkok, according to the news agency and Flightradar24 data. The 737 plane in question was not a Max jet.
The incident is suspected to have been caused by a landing gear malfunction following a bird strike, according to the local fire department.
The Korean transport ministry said it was investigating the crash. The airline and the fire department were not immediately available for comment.
The fatal crash takes place just days after a Dec. 25 crash involving an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane, killing dozens." ZH

South Korean parliament impeaches President Yoon

"The South Korean parliament has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief imposition of martial law last week.

The National Assembly voted 204 to 85 in support of the measure on Saturday, above the required threshold of 200.
All 300 members of the legislature were in attendance for the secret ballot, but three abstained, and eight ballots were declared invalid.
The decision by the National Assembly means that Yoon is automatically suspended from office. The South Korean Constitutional Court now has 180 days to rule on the president’s removal from the post." RT

South Korean president faces calls to resign after martial law lifted

"Lawmakers and members of South Korea's main opposition party gathered in Seoul on Wednesday to call for the resignation of President Yoon Suk Yeol following a night of political chaos sparked by his televised declaration of martial law.

The president said as he declared martial law that the measure would be necessary due to the actions of the Democratic Party, a liberal coalition that Yoon accused of controlling parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government." ABC

South Korea refuses to sell weapons to Ukraine

"During a visit to South Korea, a Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov expressed readiness to purchase weapons, but their request was declined." NV

Proxy War? South Korea to Prepare ‘Countermeasures’ Against North Korea in Ukraine

"South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said Tuesday that his government is preparing “countermeasures” in response to evidence of a growing North Korean presence in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, demanding of his Cabinet a “heightened sense of vigilance.” Breitbart

North Korea calls Ukrainians ‘lunatics’

"Kim Yo-jong, a senior North Korean official and sister of the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, has lashed out at the “lunatics” in South Korea  and Ukraine who threaten nuclear-armed nations." RT