SEOUL, Feb 3 (Reuters) - South Korea's consumer inflation eased to a five-month low in January, largely in line with market expectations, government data showed on Tuesday. The consumer price index rose 2.

The ruling against Kim Keon Hee comes amid a series of trials over the 2024 martial law order by her husband, ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, and related scandals involving the couple.

A recent survey found more than 60 percent of respondents expect upward of 30 universities could close within the next decade.

South Korea's five largest commercial banks wrote off or sold more than 8 trillion won (about $5.5 billion) in nonperforming loans last year.

Asia-Pacific markets saw a mixed trading session as investors assessed China's factory activity for January.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The wife of South Korea’s ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced on Wednesday to 20 months in prison for corruption, as her husband awaits a verdict on a high-stakes rebellion charge that could result in the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik criticized the limited impact of South Korea's reward program for reporting stock price manipulation.

President Trump is hiking tariffs on imports from South Korea, saying its government has reneged on an agreement to approve a bilateral trade deal.

South Korea’s exports started the year on a strong note, with outbound shipments surging in January on more working days and robust semiconductor demand.

The bill aims to establish a state-run investment corporation and fund to manage Seoul's planned $350 billion investment pledge to Washington.

A boycott of the looming Women's Asian Cup by South Korea would be "devastating" for the tournament, with Matildas great Sarah Walsh expecting a resolution in some form.

SEOUL, Feb 2 (Reuters) - South Korea's factory activity expanded at the strongest pace in almost 1-1/2 years in January, as export demand growth surged to a near five-year high, a private sector survey showed on Monday.