[Editorial] Beyond a bonus dispute

Workers in South Korea do not all face the same circumstances. Opinions are split over the recent labor unions’ fights for performance bonuses at some big companies, depending on workers’ company size, age and job category. In particular, workers at smaller firms feel relatively deprived by the massive performance bonuses being demanded by unions at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The controversy surrounding performance bonuses at these companies resonates more sensitively with many workers be

2026-05-21 05:30:00:00

[Editorial] For voters' choice

In the upcoming June 3 local elections, 513 candidates have been elected unopposed, securing victory simply by registering their candidacies. Among the unopposed winners were three heads of local governments responsible for regional administration. The average candidate-to-seat ratio in this election was 1.81 to 1, matching the record low set in the 2022 elections. There are doubts about whether local elections marked by weakened competition and limited choices can truly realize grassroots democ

2026-05-19 05:30:00:00

[Editorial] 'Citizen dividend'

Kim Yong-beon, the presidential chief of staff for policy, on Tuesday proposed a "citizen dividend" scheme that would return part of the windfall tax revenue generated by the semiconductor boom to the public. After the proposal triggered controversy, the presidential office brushed it off as Kim’s personal opinion that had not been discussed internally. Nevertheless, the abrupt and radical suggestion from the government’s top policymaker bewildered people who place their trust in a capitalist ma

2026-05-14 05:30:00:00

[Editorial] Fired upon in Hormuz

The South Korean government said Sunday that the explosion and fire aboard the Namu, a cargo ship operated by South Korea’s HMM, in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4 were “caused by an external strike.” A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, “The investigation confirmed that two unidentified airborne objects struck the stern of the HMM vessel at intervals of about one minute.” The two consecutive strikes strongly suggest that the attack was deliberate. Had the attack struck slightly lower, the vessel

2026-05-12 05:30:00:00

[Editorial] Jeonse crunch

Jeonse is a housing lease system unique to Korea. The tenant lives rent-free during the lease term and receives a full refund of the deposit when the contract ends. The system is built on the expectation that home prices will continue to increase. The deposit can be used to finance a home purchase or take out another jeonse lease. In Korea, jeonse has served as a stepping stone for many non-homeowners to buy a home. However, jeonse listings are rapidly declining in apartments across Seoul and th

2026-05-07 05:30:00:00

[Editorial] No one should judge own case

President Lee Jae Myung had been facing five criminal trials before they were suspended following his presidential election victory. The Daejang-dong development scandal, Ssangbangwool’s alleged illegal transfer of US dollars to North Korea for then-Gyeonggi Gov. Lee’s visit and his alleged misappropriation of the Gyeonggi provincial budget were stopped at the first-trial stage; the subornation of perjury case at the appellate stage; and the election law violation case at the remand stage after

2026-05-05 05:30:00:00