South Korea

Sarah Murray, center, head coach of the unified Korean women's ice hockey team, says the team has come together since being formed through a political dialogue. Here, Murray and the South Korean players (in black) welcomed North Korea's coach Pak Chol-Ho

Korean Women's Hockey Team Presents A Unified Front As It Takes To The Ice

11:29am February 10, 2018

by Bill Chappell

In many ways, the Korean women's hockey squad is the most interesting team in the world. On Saturday, they hit the world stage in their first game at the Olympics. Korea lost. It hardly mattered.

Soohorang (left) the mascot of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, and Bandabi, mascot of the Paralympics, welcome visitors to the Alpensia Resort in Pyeongchang, one of many facilities that has been reworked for the games.

Olympic Host Pyeongchang Steps Into The Global Spotlight

9:12pm February 09, 2018

by Bill Chappell

With a population of just over 40,000 people, Pyeongchang has Buddhist temples and a reputation as a rural mountain retreat with a healthful climate. But it wants a reputation as a sports mecca.

The United States team walks in the Parade of Athletes during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Friday. The team has more athletes than any nation at the Games and it's the most diverse of any U.S. winter squad, in terms of both race and gender. The

Bigger Than Ever, And More Diverse: Team USA At The 2018 Winter Olympics

11:10am February 09, 2018

The U.S. squad, 242 strong, has more women than ever. It also includes 10 African-Americans, 11 Asian-Americans and the first two openly gay athletes to compete for the U.S. at a Winter Olympics.

Vice President Pence is greeted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Wednesday.

World News

Pence Starts Asia Trip Amid Signs Of Strain With South Korea

4:22pm February 07, 2018

by Elise Hu

The vice president visited Tokyo Wednesday. The U.S. and Japan both favor hard-line policies toward North Korea but South Korea wants dialogue and has welcomed the North's team to the Winter Olympics.

Queue Listen Now

South Korean soldiers walk past a security checkpoint Tuesday in Pyeongchang, where they have been replacing security guards who showed symptoms of the norovirus.

South Korea Tries To Stamp Out Olympics Norovirus Outbreak

2:56pm February 07, 2018

by Colin Dwyer

With days to go until the opening ceremony, the Winter Olympics host quarantined some 1,200 security workers after several dozen of them showed symptoms of infection. Soldiers are taking their place.

Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, gets into a car leaving a detention center in Uiwang, South Korea, on Monday.

World News

Samsung's Lee Jae-Yong Walks Free After Court Reduces Bribery Sentence

3:16pm February 05, 2018

by Scott Neuman

The scandal, in which Lee was sentenced to five years in jail only last August, brought down the government of President Park Geun-hye.

Every ad in the Seoul Metro's Apujeong station is for a plastic surgery clinic. In response to a growing number of complaints from riders, the Seoul Metro announced it will ban advertisements for cosmetic surgery at its stations.

In Seoul, A Plastic Surgery Capital, Residents Frown On Ads For Cosmetic Procedure

11:39am February 05, 2018

by Elise Hu

South Korea has the world's highest per capita rate of plastic surgery procedures. But growing pushback against ads touting facial fix-ups has prompted Seoul's public transport system to ban the ads.

Vice President Pence addresses a dinner earlier this year in White Sulphur Springs, W.V. Pence is heading to South Korea for diplomatic efforts and Olympic events.

World News

Vice President Pence To Keep Pressure On North Korea, Despite South Korean Warming

9:14am February 05, 2018

by Camila Domonoske

As Pence heads to South Korea to represent the U.S. at the Winter Olympics, he plans to counter North Korea's media messaging and push allies to maintain pressure on the nation.

The Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium cost roughly $109 million to build for South Korea's 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The stadium will be used just four times before being demolished.

South Korea Prepares To Spend $13 Billion On Winter Olympics. Is It Worth It?

4:00pm February 02, 2018

by Samantha Raphelson

Despite bold plans to repurpose Olympic buildings, past host cities, such as Rio de Janeiro and Athens, have been left with vacant, decaying sports complexes and piles of debt.

President Trump's State of the Union address is broadcast at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday. The White House is no longer considering Victor Cha for the South Korea ambassadorship.

White House Scuttles Ambassador Pick Apparently Over View On North Korea Policy

6:56pm January 31, 2018

Victor Cha, the top candidate for ambassador to South Korea, voiced his opinion that a pre-emptive strike against North Korea could be very dangerous. He is no longer being considered for the post.