Yonhap News Summary

The South Korean government announced plans on Wednesday to allow the use of abortion pills for women up to nine weeks pregnant. This move comes as related regulations have remained unrevised since the Constitutional Court struck down the abortion ban in 2019. The ministries of gender equality, health, and food and drug safety discussed the plans at a government policy coordination meeting, highlighting the risks to women's health and safety due to the institutional vacuum.

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was acquitted of perjury in an appellate trial, the Seoul High Court ruled that he did not appear to have given false testimony during the November 2024 trial when he claimed to have intended to convene a Cabinet meeting before declaring martial law on December 3, 2024.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is scheduled to visit the United States for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Cho is set to depart for the U.S. on Thursday and hold discussions with Rubio the following day, according to the foreign ministry.

Unionized workers at South Korean steelmaker POSCO initiated a second partial strike on Wednesday due to ongoing wage negotiations. The 120-hour walkout commenced at 7 a.m. at the company's steel plants in Pohang and Gwangyang, according to the union.