Migrant groups file complaint over relief payments excluding foreign residents

Migrant rights groups in South Korea have filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, arguing that most foreign residents have been excluded from government relief payments intended to offset high fuel costs. The groups, including the Gyeonggi Migrants’ Equality Coalition, said that of roughly 2.167 million foreign residents who have stayed in South Korea for more than three months as of March, about 1.785 million — excluding marriage migrants, permanent residents and r

2026-04-28 17:03:16:00

USTR criticizes Korea’s network usage fee policy in X post

The US government has renewed its criticism of South Korea’s network usage fee policy, underscoring a persistent friction point in bilateral trade relations. The Office of the United States Trade Representative said Monday (local time) in a post on X that “no country in the world imposes network usage fees on the transmission of internet traffic by its internet Service providers. Except Korea.” Washington has long regarded this particular Korean policy as a representative non-tariff barrier. The

2026-04-28 08:53:10:00

Why the shelves of your nearest CU look empty

Some CU convenience stores across South Korea are running low on food and daily necessities as a weekslong logistics strike continues to disrupt deliveries, with no clear end in sight. Since April 5, members of Cargo Truckers Solidarity, under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, have been blocking access to key distribution centers operated by BGF Retail in cities including Jinju, Hwaseong, Anseong and Naju, slowing or halting shipments to stores. As the disruption spread to production, a

2026-04-27 14:31:10:00

Missing diver found 24 km away after 12 hours at sea

A diver who went missing off the coast of Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, was rescued in waters near Samcheok, Gangwon Province, about 24 kilometers from the site and roughly 12 hours after his disappearance, authorities said Sunday. According to the Uljin Coast Guard, the diver, a man in his 50s, was found at around 10:46 p.m. Saturday in waters near Imwon Port in Samcheok. He was first spotted floating in the water at around 10:08 p.m. by a passing cement carrier. Officials said the rescued

2026-04-27 08:30:25:00

Chips power Korea’s Q1 growth to 1.7%, fastest in over 5 years

South Korea’s economy grew a stronger-than-expected 1.7 percent in the first quarter from three months earlier, supported by solid semiconductor exports and a rebound in investment, the Bank of Korea said Thursday. The reading exceeded the central bank’s 0.9 percent projection and marked the fastest quarterly expansion in five and a half years, rebounding from a 0.2 percent contraction in the final quarter of last year. Exports rose 5.1 percent on-quarter, led by chips, while imports gained 3 pe

2026-04-23 08:39:54:00

Prosecutors seek 18-month prison sentence for Winner’s Song Min-ho over military service violations

South Korean prosecutors on Tuesday sought an 18-month prison sentence for Winner member Song Min-ho, who has been indicted for violating the Military Service Act during his mandatory social service duty. At the first hearing held at the Seoul Western District Court in Seoul, the 33-year-old rapper, songwriter and producer admitted to all charges and said that, if given another opportunity, he would complete his service faithfully until the end. According to prosecutors, Song took more than 100

2026-04-21 13:10:22:00

Nightlong clashes erupt in Jinju after worker killed in truck accident

Clashes between union members and police continued late into Monday night after a truck struck protesters at a logistics center in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, killing one worker. The fatal incident earlier in the day left a union member in his 50s dead and two others injured when a 2.5-ton truck driven by a non-union driver struck protesters outside a logistics facility operated by BGF Retail, which runs CU convenience stores. Members of the Cargo Truckers Solidarity, affiliated with the K

2026-04-21 09:10:36:00

First oil tanker in weeks heads to Korea via Hormuz strait

A crude oil tanker carrying about 1 million barrels is currently heading to South Korea after passing through the troubled Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such shipment in weeks since the war in Iran broke out. According to Maeil Business Newspaper, a Suezmax-class tanker, the Odessa, is en route to Daesan Port in South Chungcheong Province after loading crude in the United Arab Emirates. The vessel is expected to arrive on May 8, with the cargo reportedly destined for HD Hyundai Oilbank und

2026-04-20 12:15:13:00

Lee's approval rating hits new high of 65.5%: Realmeter

President Lee Jae Myung’s approval rating has reached a post-inauguration high of 65.5 percent, according to a poll released Monday. The survey, conducted by Realmeter from April 13 to 17 among 2,519 voters aged 18 and older, showed Lee’s approval rating rose 3.6 percentage points from the previous week. Negative evaluations fell 2.8 points to 30 percent, while 4.5 percent said they were unsure. Realmeter attributed the increase to perceived gains in economic and energy security, including secur

2026-04-20 09:05:21:00

First batch of Thai eggs hits shelves as Korea moves to stabilize supply

Imported eggs from Thailand have gone on sale at major supermarkets in South Korea starting Monday, as the government moves to stabilize supply and curb rising prices. With inflation pushing the price of a 30-egg pack of domestic eggs above 7,000 won ($5), the Agriculture Ministry said it plans to import Thai eggs in nine batches through the end of the month and release them gradually into the market. This marks the first time Thai eggs are being sold directly to consumers through local retail c

2026-04-20 08:48:54:00