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Korean crypto CEO to join Trump's inner circle of 'meme coin' millionaires
A South Korean crypto firm CEO has landed an unexpected invitation to an upcoming private dinner with US President Donald Trump on May 22, after becoming one of the largest holders of the president’s own cryptocurrency, $TRUMP. The May 22 event at Trump National Golf Club in Washington is limited to just 25 people worldwide, a group chosen based on their weighted holdings of $TRUMP between the coin’s Jan. 17 launch and May 12. The only Korean on the list is Oh Sang-rok, CEO of Hyperithm, a Seoul
May 15, 2025 -
Star lecturer and outspoken advocate of ex-president quits teaching
Popular Korean history lecturer Jeon Han-gil, who gained infamy in recent months for his public support for disgraced ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, has retired from teaching. The 54-year-old said earlier this month that his entire life had changed since Yoon's ill-fated martial law imposition and his subsequent impeachment. He said related controversy resulted him being expelled from TV shows and losing his friends, while his pupils expressed their disappointment and his wife had mentioned divorce
May 15, 2025 -
People Power Party's Kim apologizes for martial law declaration
People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo on Thursday apologized for a failed martial law bid by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, marking his second public apology over the martial law debacle with the presidential election just 19 days away. The PPP has remained divided over the ouster of Yoon due to the botched martial law bid, and Kim, who served as a labor minister under Yoon's administration, had gained initial support for opposing the impeachment of Yoon. Kim's apology was seen
May 15, 2025 -
APEC trade ministers' meeting kicks off on S. Korea's Jeju Island
A trade ministers' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies kicked off Thursday on South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju to address challenges the global trade is facing amid the rise of protectionist policies. The APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting will be held through Friday at the International Convention Center in southern Jeju, under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper," according the Seoul's Ministry of Trade, Ind
May 15, 2025 -
Democratic Party's Lee set for rally in liberal stronghold, while People Power Party's Kim returns to Seoul
Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung was set to hold a campaign rally in South Jeolla Province, while People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo returned to Seoul on Thursday, as their official campaigns for the presidential election entered the fourth day. Lee, Kim and Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party have formed a three-way race for the June 3 presidential vote to pick a successor to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted over his failed martial law bid. So far, the DP's L
May 15, 2025 -
USFK's strategic flexibility issue resurfaces as Pentagon focuses on deterring China
The geopolitically-charged issue of the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea's "strategic flexibility" appears to be reemerging as the Pentagon is working to craft a new defense strategy to prioritize deterring Chinese threats and increasing allies' "burden sharing." The issue has gained renewed attention amid speculation that President Donald Trump's administration might strive to align USFK troops and other US military assets in the Indo-Pacific with his "America First" policy priorities to keep Chin
May 15, 2025 -
Paik Jong-won strikes back, vows to take legal action against 'malicious attacks'
Korean celebrity chef and food franchise entrepreneur Paik Jong-won has announced plans to take legal action against what he describes as “malicious attacks” aimed at destabilizing his company, TheBorn Korea. Speaking with reporters at a restaurant in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday, Paik said his company has reviewed online content, particularly on YouTube, and is preparing to respond legally to those who “distort the facts with malicious intent.” "I could tolerate attacks against Paik Jong-won t
May 14, 2025 -
Lee Jae-myung's bipartisan Reeboks sell out, now reselling for 10x the price
A pair of sneakers worn by South Korean presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung during his official campaign launch event on Monday has become an overnight sensation, selling out nationwide and fueling resales of the shoes. To kick off the 22-day official campaign period for the June 3 election, the front-runner from the liberal Demcratic Party of Korea swapped out formal dress shoes for bold blue and red Reebok sneakers on stage before a large crowd of supporters and party members at Cheonggye Pla
May 14, 2025 -
Who's Ahead: Lee Jae-myung leads Kim Moon-soo by double digits
Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, is leading in the polls with 51 percent support, followed by his main rival, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, at 31 percent and Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party at 8 percent. Eight percent of respondents said they support no candidate, while 1 percent said they did not know or refused to answer. Among party supporters, 95 percent of Democratic Party voters backed Lee, while 88 percent of People Power Party sup
May 14, 2025 -
3-way presidential race heats up with economic pitches to moderates
South Korea’s three leading presidential candidates on Wednesday vowed to bring economic prosperity to the conservative South Gyeongsang region, in a bid to appeal to conservative and moderate voters. Rallies held in the country’s southeastern region by Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Rep. Lee Jae-myung, People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo and Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party came as major cities in the area, including Busan, struggle with industrial decline and an exo
May 14, 2025 -
How Lee Jae-myung wants to reshape foreign policy
Recasting himself as a foreign policy pragmatist grounded in national interest, South Korea’s presidential front-runner Lee Jae-myung is signaling a reset of the strategic compass for the country’s foreign and North Korea policy. On the Korean Peninsula, Lee prioritizes reducing military tensions and reviving long-stalled dialogue with North Korea — a step he sees as essential to ensuring that Seoul is not sidelined in what he views as an inevitable US bid to thaw relations with the Kim Jong-un
May 14, 2025 -
Democratic Party of Korea targets top court with retaliatory bills over Lee Jae-myung verdict
The Democratic Party of Korea on Wednesday introduced a series of bills aimed at acquitting Lee Jae-myung, the party's presidential candidate, and taking retaliation against the top court for overturning an earlier ruling that cleared him of violating election law. The Democratic Party, using its National Assembly majority, convened a meeting of the judiciary committee and unilaterally passed a bill revising the Election Act to remove the provision that Lee had earlier been found guilty of. The
May 14, 2025 -
K-water looks to innovation for chip manufacturing, water positivity
With growing demand for advanced technologies like semiconductors, countries worldwide are racing to produce high-quality chips, and South Korea is no exception. Korea has taken significant strides to maintain its competitive edge. In addition to government-led investments in the semiconductors sector, major companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have focused on developing cutting-edge semiconductor technologies, such as next-generation chips and AI-integrated systems, to meet growin
May 14, 2025 -
Confused command leaves South Korea unprepared as wildfires spread out of control: report
As South Korea recovers from its worst wildfire disaster on record, a National Assembly report warns that a fragmented and confusing command structure left firefighting efforts slow and disorganized. In March more than 20 wildfires broke out across the peninsula's southeastern Gyeongsang provinces, fueled by strong winds and dry weather. The fires burned over 104,000 hectares of forest, killed 31 people, and damaged nearly 8,000 homes and facilities. Also affected were 33 cultural heritage sites
May 14, 2025 -
Chinese govt. bought land in Itaewon not far from future US Embassy site: report
The Chinese government owns 11 plots of land in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, which sit between 1 and 1.5 kilometers from the proposed future site of the US Embassy and South Korea’s current presidential office, according to a local media report Wednesday. Asia Business Daily reported that the People’s Republic of China acquired ownership of the land spanning 4,100 square meters in December 2018 for about 29.9 billion won ($21.9 million). It marked the first time that a foreign govern
May 14, 2025