South Korean president candidate and long-time DP leader; rising influence in Seoul politics and national debate on North Korea, democracy, and policy.
Naegohyang Women’s FC has beaten Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 in the Asian Women’s Champions League final in Suwon after captain Kim Kyong Yong scored just before halftime. The North Korean club has been the first DPRK team to visit South Korea in eight years and will qualify for next year’s FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Samsung Electronics has reached a critical juncture as a union move to scrap a 50% bonus cap and push for 15% of operating profit to bonuses faces a government-backed mediation deadlock. About 45,000-74,000 workers are set to walk out for 18 days, pressuring export-reliant economy and AI chip supply chains amid ongoing talks.
North Korea has overseen tests of ballistic missiles and other weapons systems, including AI-guided cruise missiles and ultra-precision artillery rockets, according to KCNA. Seoul has reported a missile launch about 80 km from the DMZ, marking another stage in a year of rapid weapons development as Kim Jong Un seeks to modernize forces and push back on international norms.
The story compiles multiple developments: U.S. forces in Korea are under discussion as part of a broader push to counter China; Singapore’s Balakrishnan has engaged with both Koreas, signaling continued diplomacy; Pyongyang’s posture and its constitution reflect a move toward separate statehood.
Voters have faced ballot-paper shortages at polling stations, sparking protests and calls for accountability. The National Election Commission has apologised and ordered investigations, while parties contest results in key urban centers, including Seoul and Busan. Local elections test President Lee Jae Myung's administration and the opposition's regrouping prospects.
North Korea has unveiled a new uranium enrichment facility and has said weapons-grade production has more than doubled over five years. Leader Kim Jong Un has visited the plant, endorsed advanced production processes and has ordered an accelerated, "exponential" expansion of the country's nuclear forces, prompting allied consultations on deterrence.
World leaders are engaging on North Korea as Washington seeks to balance denuclearisation with dialogue. Trump has indicated openness to diplomacy, while South Korea urges leadership from Washington. Talks cover sanctions, shipbuilding, and broader regional coordination.
South Korea has exited the World Cup group stage after a 1-0 loss in Monterrey, prompting the resignation of head coach Hong Myung-bo. Son Heung-min has apologized to fans, while South Korea’s president calls for sports-administration reforms. The team’s rising generation had been seen as key to future success.
North Korea has pledged to expand its nuclear and conventional capabilities, with Kim Jong Un stating a stronger offensive posture and ongoing tests of new weapons. Seoul signals a major drone buildup and allied drills amid regional security concerns.
SK Hynix has raised $26.5bn by selling 177.9m American depositary receipts at $149 each, in the largest-ever US share sale by a foreign company. Its ADRs have begun trading on Nasdaq under temporary ticker SKHYV and will convert to SKHY; the company is using proceeds to expand fabs, packaging and EUV capacity as AI-driven memory demand surges.
South Korea’s Kospi has surged and then tumbled in line with AI-driven moves by Samsung and SK Hynix. Regulators have paused leveraged ETFs as retail traders chase high-risk bets, while global investors watch the country as a barometer for AI demand.
A Seoul High Court ruling has redefined the asset division in Chey Tae-won’s divorce from Roh So-yeong, valuing SK Group assets amid a booming AI-driven market. The decision follows years of how the wealth was accumulated and contested, with the court weighing pre-AI values against post-boom valuations.
The Independent and AP News report that ousted President Yoon has been sentenced for election-law violations, with prison terms suspended. The rulings center on false statements about a fortune teller and connections to the Unification Church. The court orders repayment of about 40 billion won in government-approved election expenses if the verdicts are upheld. Yoon appeals while remaining in custody.
South Korea is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave. Yangsan records 42.5C, the hottest on record; Seoul and other cities face severe heat warnings. Authorities have activated new disaster measures, deploy cooling efforts, and warn residents to stay indoors and hydrate as power demand and health risks rise.
Starbucks Korea faces a police raid over a controversial “Tank Day” marketing campaign tied to the 18 May Gwangju uprising. Investigators have seized documents as part of an insult suspicion case after widespread backlash and the company’s leadership changes.