Twelve months after the dramatic night when his predecessor Yoon tried to impose martial law, the current president praises the resilience of South Korean democracy and nominates the Korean people for the Nobel Peace Prize. Twenty-five members of parliament from the then ruling party also issued a public apology. Meanwhile, the trials continue: 14 years sought for corruption for the former first lady.
Published yesterday, on the Solemnity of Christ the King, the text is the result of a synodal process involving bishops, young people, religious and laity. Inspired by the theme ‘Be courageous: I have conquered the world!’, it recalls Christ's victory, the origins of the Korean Church and the action of the Holy Spirit. It will accompany young people and the universal Church towards the 2027 meeting.
This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the initiative by local Catholic communities dedicating the last Sunday of the liturgical year to the relationship between the faithful and Sacred Scripture. According to some statistics, 36 per cent of Catholics regularly read and meditate on the Bible (half the rate of Protestants). South Korean dioceses offer many online programmes, catering to young people as well as senior citizens.
An 18-year-old man died of cardiac arrest after he was turned away by several hospitals due to a lack of paediatric specialists. The case reignites the debate over the severe shortage of medical doctors in South Korea, which former President Yoon Suk-yeol had tried to address, but which specialists opposed in a lengthy strike. Paediatrics, in particular, faces serious issues due to the country's low birthrate.
At the age of 13, working in a glove factory, his hand and arm were crushed under a press. Now the South Korean president is relaunching the fight against workplace accidents. The country records 3.9 deaths per 100,000 workers, with a 4.1% increase in victims over the last five years. The government is increasing funds for prevention in 2026, with inspections in companies and protection for subcontracted workers. Meanwhile, the opposition accuses Lee of populism and ineffective measures.
The conservative leader is accused of seeking military escalation with North Korea to justify martial law, which he declared last year. Several analysts argue that progressive President Lee Jae Myung, who appointed the special prosecutor, must tread carefully to avoid accusations of political vengeance in an increasingly divided and polarised country.
