Stories from Seoul · South Korea

Belgian designer Benjamin Fortzmans claimed on social media that Blackpink member Jisoo has not returned clothing sent for an album cover shoot. Fortzmans stated that the items were sent to South Korea approximately six months ago for the shoot.

South Korea has revised its constitution to define the nation as a separate state and remove all references to reunification with the North. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical fuel transport route, is experiencing almost complete cessation of traffic, according to a report by S&P Global Energy. Oil prices are expected to remain high at least until the US midterm elections. Iran's Foreign Ministry stated that the United States deployed warships in the Gulf of Oman under the guise of freedom of navigation to escort vessels and open the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran views as an attempt to create tension. China has called for free movement in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for the withdrawal of US military threats from the Middle East during a call with Iraq's president. Pezeshkian stated on X that Iran does not intend to fire on the US.

The K-pop group EPI has celebrated its first anniversary. They recently released their third mini-album, titled S.E.P. During preparations for the album, the members found the waiting period to showcase the visuals particularly challenging.

An adult broadcast studio, referred to as a 'room salon,' has moved into a building approximately 100 meters from an elementary school in Gangnam, Seoul. Local parents have filed numerous complaints regarding the studio's proximity to the school.

Kim Keon-hee has been sentenced to four years in prison for violating financial market law, political funding law, and specific crime aggravated punishment law. Additionally, 21 million Korean won was ordered to be recovered.

Samsung AI smartphone functions are being offered at their lowest prices in the last 30 days. The latest AI smartphone, said both high performance and low power consumption, is projected to achieve cumulative shipments of nearly 30 million units between 2027 and 2028 if development proceeds smoothly. Samsung's stock price has increased by more than four times in the past year. Samsung, along with SK Hynix and TSMC, is at the core of the AI revolution. This transformation is making Asia a foundation for the global AI ecosystem, leveraging its advantages in chip manufacturing and improving data infrastructure.

A judge who found the wife of former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak guilty in a stock manipulation case was found dead at the Seoul High Court. He was a judge at the Seoul Central District Court. The broadcast mentioned that Legislative Committee member Chen Jiapei's improper conduct was unanimously deemed by the committee after an incident in Wanzai Yichuan. Preliminary investigations suggest foul play is unlikely, and a suicide note was discovered at the scene. Police are investigating the possibility of a fall from a height. The incident occurred around 1 AM local time. The judge had recently presided over an appeal involving the Deutsche Motors housing manipulation case, where he overturned a previous sentence to impose a four-year prison term. The individual reportedly attempted the act out of dissatisfaction, according to the source.

International airfare growth rates rose from 0.8% in the previous month to 15.9% due to increasing fuel surcharges. Data processing forecasts suggest domestic airfares may also increase in May.

A South Korean judge was found dead at the Seoul High Court early Wednesday morning. She was also fined 5 million Korean won and had 100 million Korean won in received bribes confiscated. A South Korean court has found Kim Keon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, guilty in a stock manipulation case. A judge in South Korea has been found dead in connection with a stock manipulation case. The circumstances surrounding the death are not yet clear. A note was discovered at the scene stating, "I am sorry, I have chosen to leave on my own." The judge left a suicide note expressing apologies. Preliminary investigations suggest foul play is unlikely. Authorities are investigating the possibility of a fall from a height. The Seocho Police Station reported that the judge was found deceased in the building. Police believe the death was caused by a fall from the building.

The period after mid-March was expected to see an inflow of active capital into the South Korean market. However, this inflow has been delayed due to the US-Iran conflict. The capital flow is expected to resume gradually from the latter half of April.