2025 in South Korea

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Centuries:	20th 21st
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See also:	Other events of 2025 Years in South Korea Timeline of Korean history 2025 in North Korea

The following lists events in the year 2025 in South Korea.

Incumbents

Further information: South Korean order of precedence

Office	Image	Name	Assumed office / Current length
President of the Republic of Korea		Yoon Suk Yeol	10 May 2022 – 4 April 2025 (2022-05-10 – 2025-04-04) (Powers and duties suspended since 14 December 2024) Impeached on April 4
		Choi Sang-mok	27 December 2024 – 24 March 2025 (2024-12-27 – 2025-03-24) (Acting President)
		Han Duck-soo	24 March – 2 May 2025 (2025-03-24 – 2025-05-02) (Acting President)
		Lee Ju-ho	2 May – 4 June 2025 (2025-05-02 – 2025-06-04) (Acting President)
		Lee Jae-myung	4 June 2025 (2 months ago) (2025-06-04)
Speaker of the National Assembly		Woo Won-shik	5 June 2024 (14 months ago) (2024-06-05)
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court		Cho Hee-dae	8 December 2023 (20 months ago) (2023-12-08)
President of the Constitutional Court		Moon Hyungbae	18 October 2024 – 18 April 2025 (2024-10-18 – 2025-04-18) (Acting)
		Kim Hyungdu	18 April 2025 (4 months ago) (2025-04-18) (Acting)
Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea		Han Duck-soo	21 May 2022 – 2 May 2025 (2022-05-21 – 2025-05-02) (Powers and duties suspended from 27 December 2024 until 24 March)
		Choi Sang-mok	27 December 2024 – 24 March 2025 (2024-12-27 – 2025-03-24) (Acting Prime Minister)
		Lee Ju-ho	2 May 2025 (3 months ago) (2025-05-02) (Acting Prime Minister)
		Kim Min-seok	3 July 2025 (59 days ago) (2025-07-03)

Events

January

• 1 January – A day after Acting President Choi Sang-mok appointed two justices to the Constitutional Court, the chiefs of Office of the President, the policy office, the Office of National Security, the special adviser for foreign affairs and security, and the senior secretary express their intentions to resign to Choi. ^[1]
• 3 January – Yoon Suk Yeol residence standoff : Investigators face a standoff with the Presidential Security Service outside the presidential residence after failing to execute a warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for his failed martial law attempt. ^[2]
• 4 January – A fishing boat sinks after hitting rocks off the coast of Gageodo, killing three people on board. ^[3]
• 8 January – Former Democratic Party of Korea leader Song Young-gil is sentenced to two years' imprisonment for accepting illegal political funding from seven businesspeople. ^[4]
• 10 January – Park Chong-jun resigns as head of the Presidential Security Service amid an investigation into the agency's role in obstructing President Yoon's arrest on 3 January. ^[5]
• 14 January –
  • At least 43 vehicles figure in a pileup caused by icy conditions along the Seoul-Munsan Expressway near Goyang, injuring nine people. ^[6]
  • The first formal hearings into the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol are held by the Constitutional Court of Korea. ^[7]
• 15 January – Arrest of Yoon Suk Yeol : Yoon Suk Yeol becomes the first sitting president of South Korea to be arrested following his imposition of martial law in December. ^[8]
• 17 January – South Korea opens an embassy in Cuba for the first time. ^[9]
• 18 January – 2025 Seoul Western District Court riot : Supporters of Yoon Suk Yeol storm the Seoul Western District Court after the latter extends his detention. ^[10]
• 21 January – A civilian employee of the Korea Defense Intelligence Command is sentenced by a court-martial to 20 years' imprisonment for providing information on undercover South Korean military agents to a suspected Chinese agent in return for 400 million won. ^[11]
• 22 January – The government announces a reduction in subsidies to biomass enterprises and an end to supporting the construction of new biomass plants amid criticism over its impact on deforestation. ^[12]
• 23 January –
  • The Constitutional Court votes 4-4 to reject the impeachment of Korea Communications Commission chair Lee Jin-sook, who had been impeached by the National Assembly on 2 August 2024 for administrative abuses. ^[13]
  • Three people, including a Filipino-Canadian national, are arrested for processing and attempting to sell 61 kilograms of cocaine valued at 30 billion won ($24 million) from a warehouse in Hoengseong County, Gangwon Province, in what is described as the largest cocaine-related crime in South Korea. ^[14]
  • The National Bio Committee, an advisory committee directly under the President, is launched. ^[15]
• 24 January – The government issues revisions to the Wildlife Protection and Management Act that include a ban on bear farming and feeding feral pigeons and other animals considered pests. ^[16]
• 26 January – Yoon Suk Yeol becomes the first sitting president of South Korea to be indicted following his imposition of martial law in December, with charges of insurrection and abuse of power being filed against him. ^[17]
• 28 January – Air Busan Flight 391 : An Airbus A321-200 operated by Air Busan catches fire before takeoff at Gimhae International Airport, resulting in seven injuries and the evacuation of all 176 people on board. ^[18]

February

• 1 February –
  • Two fishing vessels run aground off the coast of Jeju Island, killing two people and leaving two others missing. ^[19]
  • A fire breaks out at the National Hangeul Museum in Seoul, injuring one firefighter. No damage is recorded to the museum's collection. ^[20]
• 4 February – The Seoul High Court overturns the conviction of former Ulsan mayor Song Cheol-ho and former city police chief Hwang Un-ha for election interference over a conspiracy to engineer an investigation against a rival during the 2018 South Korean local elections. ^[21]
• 7–14 February – South Korea at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China: ^[22] South Korea concludes its participation at the competition with 16 gold medals. ^[23]
• 7 February – A magnitude 3.1 earthquake hits Yangseong-myeon, 22 kilometers northwest of Chungju, North Chungcheong Province. ^[24]
• 9 February – A fishing vessel sinks off the coast of Habaek Island near Yeosu, killing four people and leaving five others missing. ^[25]
• 10 February –
  • One person is killed in the explosion of an oil storage tank in Ulsan. ^[26]
  • An eight-year old girl is fatally stabbed at an elementary school in Daejeon, with a teacher confessing to the killing. ^[27]
• 12 February – A fishing vessel capsizes off the coast of Jeju Island, leaving five crew members missing. ^[28]
• 13 February – A fishing vessel catches fire off the coast of Buan County, leaving six crew members missing. ^[29]
• 14 February –
  • Footballer Hwang Ui-jo is sentenced to a one-year suspended prison sentence for secretly filming sexual encounters with three different women. ^[30]
  • Six people are killed in a fire at an under-construction resort in Busan. ^[31]
  • A man is arrested for attempting to storm the Chinese embassy in Seoul to carry out an attack. ^[32]
• 16 February – Actress Kim Sae-ron is found dead in her home in Seoul in what police rule to be a suicide. ^{[33] [34]}
• 17 February – The government suspends the local service of the Chinese artificial intelligence application DeepSeek, citing data collection concerns. ^[35]
• 19 February –
  • The first formal hearings into the impeachment of Han Duck-soo are held by the Constitutional Court of Korea. ^[36]
  • The Seoul High Court approves the retrial of Korean Central Intelligence Agency director Kim Jae-gyu, who was convicted and executed for the assassination of Park Chung Hee in 1979. ^[37]
  • Democratic Party MP Lee Sang-sik is issued with a 3-million won (US$2,084) fine by the Suwon District Court for making a false statement of his assets while campaigning for the 2024 South Korean legislative election. ^[38]
  • Four officials of the Moon Jae-in administration, namely former national security adviser and Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong; former presidential chief of staff Noh Young-min, former National Intelligence Service director Suh Hoon, and former Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul are convicted and sentenced to suspended prison terms of up to ten months by the Seoul Central District Court over the forced repatriation of two North Korean fishermen who had killed 16 of their colleagues in the Sea of Japan in 2019. ^[39]
• 20 February – The criminal trial of Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law declaration begins in Seoul, making him the first incumbent president of South Korea to stand trial in a criminal case. ^[40]
• 25 February –
  • A bridge being built as part of the Seoul-Sejong City expressway collapses in Anseong, killing four workers. ^[41]
  • The Constitutional Court concludes its hearings into the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol. ^[42]
• 26 February –
  • A man is shot dead by police in Gwangju after stabbing an officer. ^[43]
  • Hyundai Rotem wins a 2.2 trillion-won (US$1.53 billion) contract to supply advanced trains to the Moroccan national railway operator ONCF. ^[44]
• 27 February –
  • The Constitutional Court rules that acting President Choi Sang-mok's decision to withhold the appointment of Ma Eun-hyuk as a justice in the Constitutional Court violated the National Assembly's right to elect a justice to the court but dismisses a petition to have Ma appointed immediately. ^[45]
  • The Ministry of Unification dismisses Cho Min-ho as president of the Korea Hana Foundation supporting North Korean defectors amid allegations of him sexually and verbally harassing employees. ^[46]

March

• 6 March –
  • Two KF-16 fighter aircraft of the Republic of Korea Air Force drop their ordnance by accident on a civilian area of Pocheon during a drill, injuring 29 people. ^{[47] [48]}
  • A taxi crashes into a wall in Ulju, Ulsan, killing four people. ^[49]
• 7 March – The Seoul Central District Court cancels President Yoon's arrest warrant, citing procedural flaws. ^[50] He is released the next day. ^[51]
• 13 March – The Constitutional Court votes 8-0 to reject the impeachment of Board of Audit and Inspection chair Choe Jae-hae, who had been impeached by the National Assembly in December 2024 for failing to adequately review suspected irregularities regarding the 2022 relocation of the presidential office and residence. ^[52]
• 14 March –
  • The first case of foot-and-mouth disease in South Korea since 2023 is detected at a cattle farm in Yeongam. ^[53]
  • The United States Department of Energy includes South Korea on the lowest level of its Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List effective 15 April, prompting concerns over bilateral cooperation on technological affairs. ^[54]
• 17 March – A military drone crashes into a parked helicopter while landing at an airbase in Yangju, causing a fire that destroys the latter aircraft. ^[55]
• 21 March –
  • 2025 South Korea wildfires : Wildfires break out in the central and southern regions of the country, killing at least 31 people and prompting the declaration of a state of national disaster in South Gyeongsang, North Gyeongsang and Ulsan the next day. ^{[56] [57]}
  • Two Chinese nationals are arrested in Suwon for taking photographs of sensitive military and aviation infrastructure. ^[58]
• 23 March – A Seoul Metropolitan Subway train derails after colliding with a buffer while departing from a depot at Sindorim Station. No injuries are reported. ^[59]
• 24 March –
  • The Constitutional Court votes 7–1 to overturn the impeachment of prime minister Han Duck-soo, allowing his reinstatement as acting president. ^{[60] [61]}
  • A motorist is killed after falling into a sinkhole that emerges in Gangdong District, Seoul. ^[62]
• 25 March – 2025 South Korea wildfires : The Gounsa temple in Uiseong, which dates back from the Silla Dynasty, is destroyed by wildfires. ^[63]
• 26 March –
  • The Truth and Reconciliation Commission finds the government responsible for facilitating a program in the 1970s and 1980s that saw 200,000 children being sent abroad for adoption through processes that involved abuse and fraud. ^[64]
  • The Seoul High Court overturns the conviction of Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung for perjury during the 2022 presidential election. ^[65]
  • 2025 South Korea wildfires : A firefighting helicopter crashes in Uiseong, killing the pilot. ^[63]
• 29 March – A spectator is killed by a falling piece of aluminium during a KBO League match between NC Dinos and LG Twins at Changwon NC Park in Changwon, prompting the cancellation of KBO and KBO Futures League matches on 1 April. ^[66]

April

• 2 April – Authorities announce the seizure of two tons of cocaine valued at 1 trillion won (US$679.6 million) from a Norwegian-flagged vessel that arrived at Gangneung from Mexico via Ecuador, Panama and China, in what is deemed the biggest drug bust in terms of weight in South Korea by the Korea Customs Service. ^[67]
• 2 April –
  • Hong Nam-pyo is dismissed as mayor of Changwon following the upholding of his conviction by the Supreme Court for electoral fraud during the 2022 South Korean local elections. ^[68]
  • The United States bars the entry of sea salt products from the Taepyung salt farm in Sinan County, citing concerns over the use of forced labor. ^[69]
• 4 April – The Constitutional Court unanimously upholds the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, leading to his immediate removal as president. ^[70]
• 6 April – 2025 South Korea wildfires : A firefighting helicopter crashes in Daegu, killing the pilot. ^[71]
• 8 April –
  • A group of North Korean soldiers enter the South Korean side of the eastern section of the DMZ, prompting warning shots from South Korean forces that force them to retreat. ^[72]
  • The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announces the approval for usage of Barythrax, a vaccine for anthrax that was produced in collaboration with GC Pharma and is deemed the first genetically engineered anthrax vaccine in history. ^[73]
• 10 April –
  • The Constitutional Court unanimously rejects the impeachment of justice minister chair Park Sung-jae, who had been impeached by the National Assembly on 12 December 2024 for involvement in the 2024 South Korean martial law crisis. ^[74]
  • Syria and South Korea establish diplomatic relations for the first time. ^[75]
• 11 April –
  • A construction site of the Sinansan Line collapses in Gwangmyeong, killing one worker. ^[76]
  • The Revealing Truth: Jeju 4·3 Archives on the Jeju uprising and the Forest Rehabilitation Records dealing with reconstruction efforts following the Korean War are included in the Memory of the World Programme by UNESCO. ^[77]
• 15 April – Five members of the same family are found murdered in an apartment in Yongin. ^[78]
• 18 April – A KA-1 light attack aircraft of the Republic of Korea Air Force accidentally jettisons its gun pods and fuel tanks during exercises over Pyeongchang, Gangwon. ^[79]
• 21 April – An apartment building in Gwanak-gu, Seoul is burned, killing the suspect and injuring six. ^[80]
• 22 April – One person is killed and another is injured in a knife attack at a supermarket near Mia station in Seoul. A suspect is arrested. ^[81]
• 24 April – Former president Moon Jae-in is indicted for corruption over allegations that he had facilitated the employment of his former son-in-law at Eastar Jet, in exchange for the airline's founder, Lee Sang-jik, being appointed as head of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency. ^[82]
• 28 April – Six people are injured in a knife attack carried out by a student inside a high school in Cheongju. ^[83]

May

• 1 May –
  • The Supreme Court overturns the acquittal of Lee Jae-myung for perjury and sends the case back to the Seoul High Court. ^[84]
  • Han Duck-soo resigns as acting president and prime minister. ^[85] He declares his candidacy for president the next day. ^[86]
  • Choi Sang-mok resigns as finance minister minutes before a scheduled vote in the National Assembly on whether to impeach him. ^[87]
• 2 May – Education Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs Lee Ju-ho assumes the role of acting president. ^[88]
• 4 May – Two workers are killed after inhaling toxic gases at a paper mill in Jeonju. ^[89]
• 6 May – At least three people are injured in a knife attack in Bongcheon-dong, Seoul. The suspect is arrested. ^[90]
• 7 May – Philosopher Byung-Chul Han is awarded the Princess of Asturias Awards for his writings on the ills of digital technology and contemporary capitalism. ^[91]
• 11 May – Han Duck-soo ends his presidential campaign following a failed attempt to make him the official candidate of the People Power Party despite the previous nomination of Kim Moon-soo. ^[92]
• 15 May – Academician Choi Jung-wha becomes the first Korean woman to be awarded the Officier grade of the French Legion of Honour for her contributions towards promoting France-South Korea relations. ^[93]
• 17 May – A massive fire breaks out a manufacturing plant of Kumho Tire in Gwangju, triggering a nationwide firefighting mobilization order. ^[94]
• 19 May – Two people are killed while two others are injured in a stabbing spree in Siheung. ^[95]
• 22 May – Four people, including the perpetrator and three police officers, are injured in a knife attack in Paju. ^[96]
• 27 May – Former acting presidents Han Duck-soo and Choi Sang-mok are barred from leaving the country as part of criminal investigations into Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection case relating to his martial law declaration. ^[97]
• 28 May – A strike is held by the Busan bus drivers' union demanding a wage increase, causing transport disruptions in the city until an agreement is reached in the afternoon. ^[98]
• 29 May – A Lockheed P-3 Orion patrol aircraft of the Republic of Korea Navy crashes during a training flight in Pohang, killing all four on board. ^[99]
• 31 May – A man is arrested following an arson attack inside a Seoul Metropolitan Subway train traveling between Yeouinaru and Mapo stations. ^[100]

June

• 3 June – 2025 South Korean presidential election: Lee Jae-myung is elected president. ^[101]
• 4 June –
  • Lee Jae-myung is inaugurated as president. ^[102]
  • President Lee nominates MP Kim Min-seok as prime minister. ^[103]
• 5 June – South Korea qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Iraq 2-0 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification in Basra. ^[104]
• 7 June – A strike is held by the Ulsan bus drivers' union demanding a wage increase, causing transport disruptions in the city until an agreement is reached 19 hours later. ^[105]
• 10 June –
  • The Cuban embassy in South Korea is inaugurated in Seoul as part of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. ^[106]
  • A KF-16 fighter aircraft of the Republic of Korea Air Force participating in the Red Flag – Alaska military exercise in the United States crashes during takeoff at the Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, injuring its two crew. ^[107]
• 11 June – The Republic of Korea Armed Forces suspends loudspeaker broadcasts across the DMZ into North Korea as part of efforts "restore trust" between the two Koreas. ^[108]
• 17 June – South Korea ratifies the Hague Adoption Convention. ^[109]
• 23 June – President Lee nominates MP Ahn Gyu-back as defense minister, making him the first person not to have previously served as a general to be chosen for the position since 1961. ^[110]
• 27 June – Six US nationals are caught in Ganghwa Island for attempting to send various items include rice and Bibles across the maritime border into North Korea. ^[111]
• 29 June – Two people are injured in a knife attack in Gwanak District, Seoul. The attacker commits suicide. ^[112]

July

• July – 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship (women) ^[113]
• 3 July –
  • The National Assembly amends the country's guidelines on martial law in response to the 2024 South Korean martial law crisis by barring security forces from obstructing the work of MPs and entering the National Assembly Building without approval from the Speaker. ^[114]
  • The National Assembly approves the nomination of Kim Min-seok as prime minister following a 173-3 vote and a boycott by the People Power Party. ^[115]
• 4 July – A North Korean civilian defects to the South by crossing through the DMZ with the help of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. ^[116]
• 7 July – Kim Min-seok is inaugurated as prime minister at the Government Complex in Sejong City. ^[117]
• 7–16 July – 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship: ^[118] South Korea finishes in second place after losing to Japan 1-0 at the final in Yongin Mireu Stadium. ^[119]
• 9 July – South Korea repatriates six North Koreans after their vessels had drifted across their maritime border. ^[120]
• 10 July –
  • Former president Yoon Suk Yeol is arrested again on charges related to the 2024 South Korean martial law crisis. ^[121]
  • K-pop singer and former NCT member Taeil is sentenced to 3.5 years' imprisonment by the Seoul Central District Court for sexually assaulting a woman in 2024. ^[122]
• 11 July – The Bangudae Petroglyphs are designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. ^[123]
• 16 July – The posthumous retrial of Kim Jae-gyu for the assassination of Park Chung Hee in 1979 begins in Seoul. ^[124]
• 17 July – The Supreme Court upholds the acquittal of Samsung chair Lee Jae-yong on fraud charges. ^[125]
• 18 July – Poet Kim Hyesoon becomes the first Asian to win the Germany-based International Literature Award for her poetry collection, "Autobiography of Death". ^[126]
• 24 July – At least 23 people are killed and more than 15,000 others are evacuated following days of flooding and landslides caused by torrential rain nationwide. ^[127]
• 30 July – US President Donald Trump imposes a 15% tariff on South Korea's exports to the United States. ^[128]
• 31 July – Three sailors are injured in an engine fire aboard the Republic of Korea Navy landing ship ROKS Hyang Ro Bong as it enters the port of Jinhae. ^[129]

August

• 1 August –
  • The Seoul Western District Court convicts 49 people for participating in the 2025 Seoul Western District Court riot in January and sentences them to up to five years' imprisonment. ^[130]
  • Former interior minister Lee Sang-min is arrested over his involvement in the 2024 South Korean martial law crisis. ^[131]
• 4 August – The Republic of Korea Armed Forces begins removing loudspeakers along the DMZ as part of efforts to reduce tensions with North Korea. ^[132]
• 12 August –
  • Former first lady Kim Keon Hee is arrested following a warrant by the Seoul Central District Court on charges of involvement in a stock manipulation scheme, election meddling and bribery. ^[133]
  • The Seoul Central District Court orders the government to compensate the relatives of Lt. Col. Kim Oh-rang, a military officer who was killed while fighting rebel forces loyal to Chun Doo-hwan during the 1979 South Korean coup d'état. ^[134]
• 13 August – At least three people are killed following heavy rainstorms in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. ^[135]
• 14 August – The Supreme Court of Korea rejects a lawsuit by American composer Johnny Orly accusing the South Korean children's content company Pinkfong of plagiarizing his version of "Baby Shark", citing melodic differences. ^[136]
• 15 August – Imprisoned former justice minister and Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk, who had been convicted on charges of academic fraud involving his daughter, is released following an amnesty issued by President Lee on the occasion of National Liberation Day. ^[137]
• 16 August – A fire breaks out on an oil tanker and a cargo ship moored next to each other in Yeosu, killing one person and injuring two others. ^[138]
• 18 August –
  • President Lee signs an amendment to the Broadcasting Act reducing the government and the National Assembly's power to name board directors of the Korean Broadcasting System, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation and the Educational Broadcasting System. ^[139]
  • President Lee signs into law the Grain Management Act, requiring the government to purchase surplus rice to stabilize prices during market fluctuations. ^[139]
• 19 August –
  • A passenger train hits a group of rail workers conducting inspection works in Cheongdo, killing two and injuring four. ^[140]
  • A group of North Korean soldiers enter the South Korean side of the central section of the DMZ, prompting warning shots from South Korean forces that force them to retreat. ^[141]
• 28 August – The Personal Information Protection Commission issues a 134.8 billion won (US$96.9 million) fine on SK Telecom over a massive data breach that affected its entire 23 million user base from 2021 to 2025. ^[142]
• 30 August – President Lee places a state of national disaster over Gangneung due to drought. ^[143]
• 31 August – The Fair Trade Commission issues a 2.1 billion won (US$1.5 million) fine on the Chinese e-commerce firm AliExpress for misleading consumers with false discount rates for products sold on its platform.. ^[144]

Scheduled events

• October 31 – November 1, 2025 – APEC South Korea 2025

Holidays

Further information: Public holidays in South Korea

As per Presidential Decree No. 28394, 2017. 10. 17., partially amended, the following days are declared holidays in South Korea: ^{[145] [146]}

• 1 January – New Year's Day
• 27 January ^[147] to 31 January – Korean New Year
• 1 March – March 1st Movement Day
• 5 May – Children's Day South Korea
• 5 May – Buddha's Birthday
• 6 June – Memorial Day
• 15 August – National Liberation Day
• 3 October – National Foundation Day
• 5 October to 7 October – Chuseok
• 9 October – Hangul Day
• 25 December – Christmas Day

Art and entertainment

• 2025 in South Korean music
• 2025 in South Korean television
• List of South Korean films of 2025
• List of 2025 box office number-one films in South Korea
• 30th Busan International Film Festival
• List of South Korean submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film

Deaths

• 2 February – Lee Joo-sil, 80, film actress ( The Uncanny Counter , Train to Busan , Squid Game ) ^[148]
• 7 February – Song Dae-kwan, 78, singer ^[149]
• 16 February –
  • Kim Sae-ron, 24, actress ( The Man from Nowhere , The Neighbor , Bloodhounds ) ^[150]
  • Gil Won-ok, 96, human rights activist and comfort woman. ^[151]
• 24 February – Jeong Su-il, 90, North Korean-born spy and historian. ^[152]
• 10 March – Wheesung, 43, singer. ^[153]
• 31 March – Chang Je-won, 57, politician, member of the National Assembly (2008–2012, 2016–2024). ^[154]
• 31 March – Kim Shin-jo, 82, North Korean-born commando (Blue House raid) and pastor. ^[155]
• 10 April – René Marie Albert Dupont, 95, French-born Roman Catholic bishop of Andong (1969–1990). ^[156]
• 27 May – Choi Jung-woo, 68, actor ( Like a Virgin , City Hunter , Doctor Stranger ). ^[157]
• 4 August – Song Young-gyu, 55, actor. ^[158]
• 5 August – Lee Min, 46, singer. ^[159]
• 15 August – Timothy Yu Gyoung-chon, 62, Roman Catholic prelate, auxiliary bishop of Seoul (since 2013). ^[160]

See also

• South Korea portal

Country overviews

• South Korea
• History of Korea
• Outline of South Korea
• Government of South Korea
• Cabinet of South Korea
• Politics of South Korea
• Years in South Korea
• Timeline of Korean history

Related timelines for current period

• 2025
• 2020s
• 2020s in political history

References

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25. "(4th LD) Sunken fishing trawler found on seabed with 1 crewman inside; 4 dead, 5 missing". Yonhap News Agency . 9 February 2025.
26. "1 dead, 1 injured in explosion at oil storage tank in Ulsan". The Korea Times . 10 February 2025.
27. "Child dies in South Korea after being stabbed in school". The Straits Times. 10 February 2025.
28. "Five are missing after a fishing boat capsizes off a South Korean island". AP News . 12 February 2025.
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30. "S Korea striker gets suspended jail term for filming secret sex videos". BBC . 14 February 2025.
31. "Construction site catches fire in South Korea, leaving at least 6 dead". AP News . 14 February 2025.
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37. Chae, Yun-hwan (February 19, 2025). "Court orders retrial of ex-spy chief who assassinated then President Park Chung-hee in 1979". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved February 19, 2025.
38. Kim, Hyun-soo (February 19, 2025). "Opposition lawmaker fined 3 mln won for violating election law". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved February 19, 2025.
39. Kim, Han-joo (February 19, 2025). "4 officials under Moon get suspended prison terms in N. Korean fishermen deportation case". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved February 19, 2025.
40. "Yoon becomes South Korea's first sitting president to go on criminal trial". CNA . February 20, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
41. Lee, Haye-Ah (25 February 2025). "(5th LD) 4 dead, 6 injured after bridge collapses at highway construction site". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 25 February 2025.
42. Kim, Eun-jung (25 February 2025). "(News Focus) Constitutional Court expected to rule on Yoon's impeachment in mid-March". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 25 February 2025.
43. Yoo, Cheong-mo (26 February 2025). "Man shot dead after attacking police with knife". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 26 February 2025.
44. Chang, Dong-woo (26 February 2025). "(LEAD) Hyundai Rotem wins record 2.2 tln-won train supply deal from Morocco". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 26 February 2025.
45. Chae, Yun-hwan (27 February 2025). "(LEAD) Constitutional Court rules acting president's non-appointment of justice infringes Nat'l Assembly's right". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 27 February 2025.
46. Park, Boram (27 February 2025). "Head of foundation for N.K. defectors dismissed over alleged sexual harassment". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 27 February 2025.
47. "Fifteen hurt after SK fighter jets drop bombs by accident". BBC . 6 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
48. "South Korea says number injured in fighter jet misfire rises to 29". Reuters. 7 March 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
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52. Lee, Haye-ah (13 March 2025). "Constitutional Court rejects impeachment of broadcasting watchdog chief". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
53. Kim, Na-young (14 March 2025). "(2nd LD) S. Korea confirms 1st foot-and-mouth disease case in almost 2 yrs". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
54. "Biden gov't added Korea to lowest 'sensitive country list' category: US Energy Dept". The Korea Times. 14 March 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
55. "Military drone crash destroys $14m helicopter". The Korea Herald. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
56. Boram, Kim (22 March 2025). "(5th LD) Gov't declares state of disaster for wildfires in southeast; 4 found dead". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
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59. "Seoul subway train derailed; no injuries reported". The Korea Herald. 23 March 2025. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
60. "(2nd LD) Constitutional Court dismisses impeachment of Prime Minister Han". Yonhap News Agency . 24 March 2025. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
61. "South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo reinstated as acting president after impeachment overturned". AP News. 2025-03-24. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
62. "Man swallowed by Seoul sinkhole found dead". BBC . 25 March 2025. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
63. "Wildfires burn down 7th-century temple, threaten UNESCO sites". The Korea Herald. 2025-03-25. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
64. "South Korea's truth commission says government responsible for fraud and abuse in foreign adoptions". AP News. 2025-03-25. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
65. "Conviction of South Korean opposition leader is overturned". AP News. 2025-03-26. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
66. "South Korean baseball put on hold after fan killed at stadium". France 24. 2025-03-31. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
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68. "Changwon mayor loses seat over election law violations". Yonhap News Agency. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
69. "US blocks sea salt imports from South Korean salt farm over forced labor concerns". AP News Agency. 7 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
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72. "South Korea's military fires warning shots after North Korean soldiers cross the border". AP News. 8 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
73. "Korea unveils world's first genetically engineered anthrax vaccine". The Korea Times. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
74. Lee, Si-jin (10 April 2025). "Justice minister reinstated". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
75. "Syria and South Korea establish formal diplomatic relations". Al Jazeera. 11 April 2025.
76. Park, Sang-soo (16 April 2025). "(2nd LD) Missing worker found dead in construction collapse site". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
77. "Jeju massacre, post-war reconstruction archives added to UNESCO Memory of the World". 11 April 2025. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
78. Kim, Hyun-soo (16 April 2025). "Police question man accused of murdering 5 family members in Yongin". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
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80. Jung-joo, Lee (2025-04-21). "Suspected arsonist found dead at scene of Seoul apartment fire". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
81. Seok-min, Oh (2025-04-22). "(LEAD) 1 dead, another wounded in stabbing rampage in Seoul". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
82. Yi, Wonju (April 24, 2025). "(2nd LD) Ex-President Moon indicted over alleged bribery". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
83. Lee, Haye-ah (April 28, 2025). "(2nd LD) Student uses weapon at high school; 6 people injured". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
84. Kim, Boram (May 1, 2025). "(3rd LD) Supreme Court overturns DP presidential candidate's acquittal in election law violation case". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
85. Kim, Hyun-soo (May 1, 2025). "(2nd LD) Acting president resigns, indicates bid for June 3 presidential election". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
86. Lee, Haye-ah (May 2, 2025). "(2nd LD) Ex-PM Han declares presidential bid, pledges constitutional reform". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
87. Kim, Hyun-soo (May 1, 2025). "(2nd LD) Finance Minister Choi resigns before parliament reports his impeachment motion". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
88. "Who is S. Korea's new acting President Lee Ju-ho?". The Korea Herald. May 2, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
89. Yi, Wonju (May 4, 2025). "(LEAD) 2 workers dead after inhaling toxic gas in factory in Jeonju". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
90. "Man in 20s arrested for random stabbing attack in Seoul's Bongcheon-dong". The Korea Times. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
91. "Philosopher Byung-Chul Han wins Spain's Princess of Asturias prize for humanities". AP News. May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
92. "South Korea's former PM Han drops presidential bid, ending rift among conservatives". Reuters . 10 May 2025. Archived from the original on 12 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
93. Jae-Yeon, Woo (May 15, 2025). "Choi Jung-wha becomes 1st Korean woman to receive Officier rank in France's highest order of merit". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
94. Boram, Kim (May 17, 2025). "(2nd LD) Massive fire devastates Kumho Tire's Gwangju plant; nat'l response order issued". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
95. "Police hunt stabbing suspect after 2 hurt, 2 bodies found". The Korea Herald. May 19, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
96. Seok-Min, Oh (May 22, 2025). "4, including police officers, wounded in stabbing incident in Paju". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
97. Shim Sun-ah (2025-05-27). "(2nd LD) Ex-PM Han, ex-DPM Choi slapped with exit ban in martial law probe". Yonhap .
98. Park, Boram (28 May 2025). "Busan bus union agrees to wage hike with management, ends hourslong strike". Yonhap.
99. Kim Tong-hyung; Kim Hyung-jin (29 May 2025). "South Korean navy patrol plane crashes in country's south, killing 4". AP News.
100. Kim, Soo-yeon (31 May 2025). "(2nd LD) Arson suspect believed to set fire in subway in anger at divorce suit outcome". Yonhap.
101. "South Korean opposition wins presidency after months of political chaos". BBC. 3 June 2025.
102. "South Korea's new president Lee Jae-myung pledges to 'unite' country". BBC. 4 June 2025.
103. "Lee nominates close confidant, activist-turned-politician Kim, as prime minister". Yonhap. 4 June 2025.
104. "S. Korea qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup". Yonhap . 6 June 2025.
105. Kim, Seung-yeon (8 June 2025). "Ulsan bus drivers end 19-hour strike after reaching wage deal". Yonhap.
106. Kim, Seung-yeon (10 June 2025). "Cuba opens embassy in S. Korea after establishing diplomatic ties". Yonhap.
107. "Korean fighter jet crashes at Eielson AFB". KUAC . 11 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
108. Guinto, Joel; Mackenzie, Jean (11 June 2025). "South Korea turns off propaganda loudspeakers to North". BBC.
109. Kim, Tong-hyung (17 June 2025). "South Korea ratifies treaty aimed at safeguarding international adoptions". AP News.
110. Kim, Tong-hyung (23 June 2025). "President Lee picks South Korea's first civilian defense chief in 64 years". AP News.
111. Kim, Hyung-jin (27 June 2025). "6 Americans detained in South Korea for trying to send rice and Bibles to North Korea by sea". AP News.
112. Choi, Jae-hee (30 June 2025). "Man kills self after stabbing two strangers". The Korea Herald.
113. "20th EAFF Competition Committee Meeting". East Asian Football Federation. 1 December 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
114. "South Korea revises martial law rules after political crisis". BBC. 3 July 2025.
115. "(3rd LD) Kim Min-seok officially appointed as S. Korean PM following Nat'l Assembly approval". Yonhap. 3 July 2025.
116. "North Korean detained after crossing land border: Seoul military". France 24. 4 July 2025.
117. "PM inaugurated at ceremony in Sejong". The Korea Herald . 2025-07-07. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
118. "75th EAFF Executive Committee Meeting". East Asian Football Federation. 30 March 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
119. "(LEAD) S. Korea lose to Japan to fall short of E. Asian football title at home". Yonhap. July 16, 2025.
120. "South Korea sends 6 rescued North Koreans back across sea border". AP News. 9 July 2025.
121. "South Korea's ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol rearrested". BBC. 10 July 2025.
122. "Ex-NCT member Taeil gets 3 1/2-yr term in sexual assault case". Yonhap. 10 July 2025.
123. "S. Korea's prehistoric petroglyphs inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage list". Yonhap. July 12, 2025.
124. "Why is South Korea retrying a spy chief who assassinated a president?". BBC. July 16, 2025.
125. "Samsung boss cleared of fraud by South Korea's top court". BBC . 2025-07-17. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
126. Woo, Jae-yeon (2025-07-18). "Poet Kim Hye-soon wins German literary prize for 'Autobiography of Death'". Yonhap . Retrieved 2025-07-18.
127. Chae, Yun-hwan (2025-07-24). "Death toll rises to 23 after heavy rains, landslides". Yonhap . Retrieved 2025-07-24.
128. "Trump announces deal to impose 15% tariff on South Korea". BBC . 2025-07-31. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
129. "(LEAD) 3 crew members injured in Navy warship fire". Yonhap . 2025-07-31. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
130. "(LEAD) 49 January courthouse rioters found guilty". Yonhap . 2025-08-01. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
131. "Ex-interior minister arrested over alleged role in martial law bid". Yonhap . 2025-08-01. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
132. Kim, Tong-hyung (4 August 2025). "South Korea begins removing border propaganda speakers in conciliatory gesture toward North". AP News.
133. Song, Sang-ho (13 August 2025). "(4th LD) Ex-first lady arrested in corruption probe". Yonhap.
134. "(LEAD) Court orders gov't to compensate late lieutenant colonel in 1979 military coup". Yonhap . 2025-08-12. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
135. Lee, Haye-ah (13 August 2025). "(3rd LD) 3 killed in heavy rain in capital region; dozens evacuated". Yonhap.
136. Kim, Tong-hyung (14 August 2025). "American composer's 'Baby Shark' copyright claim is rejected by South Korea's Supreme Court". AP News.
137. Yi, Wonju (15 August 2025). "(LEAD) Ex-minister Cho Kuk set free under presidential pardon". Yonhap.
138. Yoo, Jee-ho (15 August 2025). "1 dead, 2 injured after oil tanker, cargo ship catch fire". Yonhap.
139. Yi, Wonju (18 August 2025). "Lee approves promulgation of controversial broadcasting, agriculture bills". Yonhap.
140. Yi, Wonju (19 August 2025). "(LEAD) 2 killed, 4 seriously injured after train hits railway workers in Cheongdo". Yonhap.
141. Kim, Tong-hyung (23 August 2025). "North Korea accuses South of 'serious provocation' over border warning shots". AP News.
142. Chae, Yun-hwan (28 August 2025). "SK Telecom fined record 135 billion won over major data breach". Yonhap.
143. Kim, Han-joo (30 August 2025). "(LEAD) Lee declares drought-hit eastern town of Gangneung as state of disaster". Yonhap.
144. Kim, Hyun-soo (31 August 2025). "(LEAD) S. Korean regulator slaps 2.1 bln-won fine on AliExpress over deceptive promotions". Yonhap.
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148. Jae-Yeon, Woo (2 February 2025). "Veteran actress Lee Joo-shil dies of stomach cancer at 81". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 3 February 2025.
149. Sun-Ah, Shim (7 February 2025). "(LEAD) Trot singer Song Dae-kwan dies at 79". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 7 February 2025.
150. Ji-hyoung, Son (2025-02-16). "Actor Kim Sae-ron, 24, found dead". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
151. "'Comfort woman,' activist Gil Won-ok dies at 97". The Korea Herald. 2025-02-16. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
152. "[Obituary] Jeong Su-il, ex-North Korean spy turned Silk Road scholar, dies at 90". The Korea Herald. 2025-02-26. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
153. "Singer Wheesung, 43, found dead". The Korea Herald. 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
154. "A former South Korean lawmaker accused of sexual assault has been found dead". AP News. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
155. "Famous North Korean assassin who became a pastor in the South following failed 1968 mission dies". AP News. 9 April 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
156. "French missionary bishop Rene Dupont dies at 95". Yonhap News Agency . 10 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
157. "South Korean actor Choi Jung Woo passes away". GMA News . 27 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
158. "'Extreme Job' Song Young-gyu actor dies at 55". Korea JoongAng Daily . 4 August 2025.
159. "As One's Lee Min dies suddenly at 46". The Korea Times. August 6, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
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