Stories from Seoul · South Korea

Government auditors have launched an investigation into Samsung's financial records. Lee may be unfairly supporting his son's business interests. This crackdown follows recent financial instability in South Korea. The audit aims to verify the accuracy of the conglomerate's books. Auditors have begun an investigation into Samsung, though staff reportedly requested identification and search permissions upon their arrival. An insider claims the audit process is being obstructed, a charge Samsung has consistently denied. Auditors have begun investigating whether top legal aide Kim Yong-chul obstructed the Fair Trade Commission. This development follows ongoing scrutiny of the company's leadership and internal practices. A former Samsung official, Kim, has detailed a three-step tactic used to protect leadership during investigations.

Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong's father, K. The use of company resources for this purpose has become a central point of regulatory controversy. The investigation has taken a twist as regulators are now specifically targeting JY Lee. The probe follows the collapse of the E-Samsung online commerce platform with $20 million in losses. The investigation concluded that while Samsung subsidiaries purchased his shares, there was no evidence the actions were taken solely to shield him. A Samsung spokesperson stated that all shareholders' shares were purchased on the same terms when the company was closed. Lee's situation may have been due to bad timing and that Samsung was not the only victim of the dot-com crash. While Lee was the chief shareholder on paper, he did not hold an executive position as CEO of eSamsung.

Young workers and students in Seoul are increasingly using the Gyojimap savings map application to manage rising living costs. Average meal prices in the South Korean capital have exceeded 11,000 won. The app helps users locate affordable dining options priced around 7,000 won. This trend follows inflationary pressure on daily expenditures in the city. New initiatives are helping consumers manage costs and small businesses maintain operations during ongoing inflation challenges. Under this program, if a participant saves 100,000 won per month, the government provides a matching contribution of 300,000 won per month. The initiative aims to provide financial support for the future of the nation's youth. The South Korean government announced that applications for the Youth Tomorrow Savings Account will be accepted from May 4 to May 20.

South Korea is implementing a welfare payment program with a total budget of 6.1 trillion won. The first round of payments begins tomorrow, prioritizing vulnerable groups such as basic livelihood security recipients who will receive 550,000 won and single-parent families receiving 450,000 won. Residents in non-metropolitan or population-declining areas are eligible for an additional 50,000 won per person. Applications are open until May 8, with a weekday-based application system applied during the first week based on the last digit of the recipient's birth year. President Lee ordered a crackdown on market speculation and the rapid execution of a 100 billion won market stabilization program.

V, a member of the South Korean group BTS, has released a new ballad titled 'Mama, I am coming home.' The song is noted for its warm and sincere tone, contrasting with his 'Prince of Darkness' nickname.

TBS eFM Seoul provided practical tips for managing spring allergies. Key advice includes avoiding outdoor activities between dawn and 10 AM when pollen levels are highest, washing hands and rinsing nostrils with saline water after being outside, and consulting a doctor if allergy triggers are unclear. The segment aimed to help listeners welcome spring with a smile.

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk is seeking a 30-year prison sentence for former President Yoon on charges of general treason. The court also stated that filming conducted by prosecutors during the warrant execution was not unlawful. The initial first-instance sentence was five years, but the appellate court increased the term by two years. The ruling said the importance of cooperation for the future of the nation and its citizens. The case is being heard separately from the main insurrection trial. Charges include infringing on the deliberation rights of cabinet members during a cabinet meeting and obstructing the Corruption Investigation Office from making arrests during security mobilization. The charges stem from an emergency martial law decree issued on the night of December 3, 2024, which was alleged to violate insurrection laws.

Prosecutors are seeking a 30-year prison sentence for South Korean official Yoon following unauthorized drone flights over Pyongyang. This development marks a significant escalation in the legal proceedings surrounding the drone incidents. The appellate trial for former President Yoon Suk-yeol regarding charges of leading an insurrection began on April 26, 2026. This follows a first-instance ruling in February that sentenced him to life imprisonment. The proceedings are scheduled to continue throughout the week. The trial addresses his alleged role as the leader of the December 3rd insurrection. The Seoul High Court's insurrection-specialized division has scheduled over 10 hearings through July. The trials focus on former President Yoon's alleged planning of an emergency martial law in October 2023. The court will use the Noh Sang-won notebook as a primary piece of evidence.

Samsung is reportedly working on a third generation of smart glasses that may feature an integrated display. Evidence of the new model was discovered within the source code of the upcoming One UI 9 firmware. This development suggests a continued push into wearable augmented reality hardware. Samsung is expected to launch its new Galaxy Glasses before the end of the year. The device features a design similar to the Ray-Ban Meta 2 glasses. This first-generation model will not include an integrated screen, which is expected to arrive in 2027. An announcement may occur as early as next month at a Google event. The device is expected to include a Sony 12-megapixel camera and bone conduction speakers. A release could occur as early as May, according to reports.

Samsung has reported record profits driven by the surging artificial intelligence market. This figure represents approximately eight times the profit recorded in the same quarter of the previous year. Samsung's chip production profits increased 48 times in the first quarter to reach $36 billion. This figure represents more than 90% of the company's total profit, according to Bloomberg. The growth was driven by high profitability in artificial intelligence developments. Samsung reported revenue rose 69% year-on-year to nearly 134 trillion won. Samsung expects earnings to improve further in the second quarter due to expanding investment in AI infrastructure. The company indicated that AI infrastructure expansion will drive chip prices higher. Samsung Electronics reported a 35 percent decline in profits for its mobile and network divisions due to rising chip prices.