College student jailed for attempting to join ISIS

The Korea Times - Sep 29, 2026

CHEONGJU — A college student was jailed Tuesday for pledging allegiance to the extremist militant group ISIS while in high school, officials said. The Cheongju District Court sentenced the 18-year-old male student to an indeterminate prison term of one to 1 1/2 years after finding him guilty of violating the anti-terrorism law. The student, whose identity was withheld, was charged with attempting to join ISIS after watching various propaganda materials at an encrypted online platform operated by an ISIS-affiliated group between November 2024 and February this year, and swearing allegiance to ISIS. He was also suspected of obtaining bomb-making instructions from an ISIS contact, forming a bomb attack scheme against the government forces of Mozambique and requesting an ISIS evaluation for his attack plan, according to court officials.

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Newly elected officials report average assets of 1.35 billion won

Officials newly elected in June's local elections reported average assets of 1.35 billion won ($996,500), according to Government Ethics Committee data released Tuesday. The committee disclosed the personal assets of 1,259 individuals, including 563 local governors, mayors, councilors and education chiefs elected in the June elections. The others are 586 people who retired from elected offices and 110 appointed public officials. The average assets of the newly elected people amounted to 1.35 billion won per person. The heads of large local governments averaged 1.99 billion won per person in assets while small local government heads declared an average 1.69 billion won of wealth. Among the heads of small local governments, Bonghwa County Mayor Choi Gi-young reported the largest assets at 34.9 billion won, while Yoon Yu-jin, a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, topped the wealth list among newly elected members of large local councils with 15.64 billion won, according to the data.

Newly elected officials report average assets of 1.35 billion won

What's holding back innovation among Korean startups?

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What's holding back innovation among Korean startups?

Lee calls for thorough probe of mine blast, vows necessary measures

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for a thorough investigation into a mine blast that injured three South Korean soldiers inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) last week, saying he will take necessary measures in line with the results. Lee made the remark during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, a day after the military announced preliminary findings that the explosion likely had been caused by North Korean mines. "The military authorities must transparently reveal the truth behind the case by carrying out a swift and thorough investigation in close cooperation with the U.N. Command (UNC)," he said. "In accordance with that truth, we will take necessary measures." The explosion occurred last Monday during an operation to clear a path for a joint inspection by the South Korean military and the UNC to verify Seoul's suspicions that Pyongyang illegally buried land mines across the border in violation of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War. Lee had wished the injured troops a swift recovery in a message on his social media account shortly after the incident but it marked

Lee calls for thorough probe of mine blast, vows necessary measures

Cheong Wa Dae denies military inspection of mine blast site connected to Lee's UN remarks

Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday rejected allegations that the timing of the military's inspection of a mine blast site was tied to President Lee Jae Myung's remarks on sanctions relief for North Korea ahead of last week's U.N. General Assembly. The main opposition People Power Party has accused the government of delaying an inspection of the site due to concerns Lee's call for sanctions relief would be undermined in the event North Korea is found responsible for the mine blast that injured three South Korean soldiers inside the Demilitarized Zone last week. The military on Monday announced preliminary findings that the explosion was highly likely to have been caused by illegally planted North Korean mines. "The Joint Chiefs of Staff and the U.N. Command planned and decided (on the timing of the inspection) purely based on a military judgment in consideration of the suggestions of field commanders," a presidential official said. "The military's on-site inspection regarding the mine accident has nothing to do with the president's U.N. speech." Lee had said in an interview with The New York Times

Cheong Wa Dae denies military inspection of mine blast site connected to Lee's UN remarks

Samsung group invests $1 bil. in KKR-founded AI infrastructure firm

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Samsung group invests $1 bil. in KKR-founded AI infrastructure firm

Korea's overseas direct investment up 32% in Q2

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Korea's overseas direct investment up 32% in Q2

FTC chief vows to 'restore justice' as court clears way for Coupang probe

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FTC chief vows to 'restore justice' as court clears way for Coupang probe

Jeonbuk National University offers AI training for Lotte Energy Materials employees

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Jeonbuk National University offers AI training for Lotte Energy Materials employees

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From 6th grade to high school, new data shows teen health declining in Korea

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Celltrion to seek new drug, CDMO partners at int'l pharmaceutical exhibition in Milan

Samsung expects its foundry customers to quadruple by 2029

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Samsung expects its foundry customers to quadruple by 2029

Cabinet passes special bill on introduction, operation of nuclear-powered subs

The government on Tuesday passed a special bill outlining measures to introduce and operate nuclear-powered submarines as part of a national strategic project. The bill was passed during a Cabinet meeting led by President Lee Jae Myung and will be submitted to the National Assembly for deliberations. It is aimed at helping the systematic running of nuclear-powered submarine projects and promoting sustainable economic growth through the establishment of national security based on self-reliant defense, the maintenance of international peace and the development of the defense industry. In particular, it outlines special provisions for the introduction and operation of nuclear subs, as well as regulations concerning the safe management of nuclear power, as the project is the country's first case combining weapons systems with nuclear energy. The government has said it aims to enact the special law before the end of the year to launch the lead ship in the mid-2030s and field the homegrown nuclear-powered submarine in the late 2030s.

Cabinet passes special bill on introduction, operation of nuclear-powered subs

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