Printing June 3 ballots

Ballots are printed at a printing company in Suwon on May 18 ahead of South Korea’s June 3 local elections. The national election watchdog said Monday that 7,829 candidates registered during the two-day registration period last week. Voters will choose mayors and governors in 16 metropolitan cities and provinces, along with superintendents of education, heads of local administrative districts and lawmakers for 14 vacant National Assembly seats. (Yonhap)

2026-05-18 14:21:49:00

[Breaking] Samsung wins partial injunction against unions ahead of strike

A South Korean court on Monday partially approved Samsung Electronics’ request for an injunction against labor actions planned by its unions, imposing legal limits on a looming strike involving tens of thousands of workers. The Suwon District Court ruled that union members must maintain normal staffing and operations at safety- and security-related facilities during any strike, including work to prevent damage to manufacturing equipment and contamination of semiconductor wafers. The court also b

2026-05-18 11:20:13:00

Lee stresses respect for corporate rights as Samsung strike looms

President Lee Jae Myung said Monday that corporate management rights should be respected as much as labor rights, remarks that appeared aimed at easing tensions ahead of a possible strike at Samsung Electronics. Although Lee did not mention Samsung or its union directly, the comments came as the company and labor representatives prepared for what could be their final wage talks before a planned strike later this week. In a post on X, Lee said South Korea’s liberal democratic and market economic

2026-05-18 09:52:35:00

Daegu braces for 34 degrees as early summer heat grips South Korea

Hot weather with daytime temperatures topping 30 degrees Celsius is expected to continue across the country Monday, with the southeastern city of Daegu forecast to sizzle at 34 degrees. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, South Korea remains under the influence of a high-pressure system, bringing clear skies and strong sunshine nationwide. The intense sunlight is pushing temperatures sharply higher, creating summer-like conditions across the country. Daytime highs Monday are fo

2026-05-18 09:08:13:00

2 high school students die after falling from roof in Mokpo

Two high school students were found dead after apparently falling from an apartment building in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, on Thursday. According to local police on Friday, the bodies of the 16- and 17-year-old students were discovered at 11:19 p.m. at an apartment in Seokhyeon-dong, Mokpo. They were rushed to a nearby hospital but were pronounced dead. Police believe the two, who reportedly knew each other, fell from the 13th-floor rooftop. They did not live in the apartment building, and th

2026-05-15 15:35:47:00

This bridge tour will leave you on edge

Incheon’s Cheongna Sky Bridge Observatory launched the Edge Walk experience on Friday, allowing participants to enjoy breathtaking views and brave the walkway 184 meters above the sea. The 1 1/2-hour tour includes an open-air walk along the outer edge of the bridge’s main tower, with safety gear provided. It is limited to 10 sessions per day, with 20 participants per session. Popular time slots are already fully booked for this month, the Incheon Tourism Organization said. The tour, including ac

2026-05-15 14:46:55:00

[Breaking] Kospi trading above 8,000 points for first time in history

South Korea’s main stock index, the Kospi, broke above the 8,000 mark for the first time ever during intraday trading on Friday. The milestone came just seven trading days after the index first surpassed 7,000. According to the Korea Exchange, the bourse operator, the benchmark index opened at 7,951.75, down 0.37 percent from the previous day. Just 13 minutes after the market opened, it crossed the 8,000 threshold. As of 9:21 a.m., the Kospi was trading at around 8,031 points.

2026-05-15 09:25:16:00

Gwangju stabbing suspect identified as Jang Yoon-gi, 23

Police on Thursday released the identity of 23-year-old Jang Yoon-gi, who was arrested on charges of fatally stabbing a high school girl and injuring a male student in Gwangju on May 5. The Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency said Jang’s personal information — including his name, age and mugshot — will remain posted on its website for 30 days through June 12. South Korea discloses a suspect’s identity under strict guidelines and only when a review committee determines that the case meets certain

2026-05-14 08:25:50:00

In Gwangju, election fever comes with fresh bread

Some bakeries in Gwangju are serving up election-themed bread and pastries ahead of South Korea’s June 3 local elections, turning neighborhood bakeries into playful reminders to vote. According to the Gwangju Metropolitan City Election Commission on Tuesday, about 150 bakeries across the city are taking part in the campaign to promote voting, launched in partnership with the Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the Korea Bakers Association. Local bakery chain Bebiere is selling eight varieties of “election

2026-05-12 17:06:37:00

Boy, 11, found dead two days after going missing at Juwangsan

An 11-year-old boy who went missing Sunday was found dead near the peak of Juwangsan National Park at around 10:13 a.m. Tuesday, according to North Gyeongsang police and fire authorities. He is believed to have died after falling. Rescue authorities discovered the boy's body at about 10:25 a.m., about 100 meters from the mountain's peak, after deploying more than 350 personnel on the third day of the search. The sixth-grade elementary school student had visited Daejeonsa, a Buddhist temple insid

2026-05-12 10:40:07:00