Stories from Seoul · South Korea

The Seoul High Court sentenced Kim No-kwan to life imprisonment for leading a criminal organization involved in sexual violence and the illegal production and distribution of sexual exploitation material.

Seondojeonki shares hit the daily upper limit on their first day of trading following a four-year suspension. The company reported a 15,000% surge in operating profit for Q4 2025, driven by demand for eco-friendly insulation technology and power infrastructure replacement.

Climate activist Kim Borim has been selected as the winner for the Asia region in an annual global awards program. This marks the first time a South Korean recipient has been chosen for this award in 31 years, since Choi Yeol of the Korea Environmental Foundation in 1995. The awards recognize activists across Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and various island nations. Kim filed a constitutional complaint in 2020, arguing that insufficient government measures against the climate crisis violated fundamental constitutional rights. In 2024, the Constitutional Court ruled in her favor, marking the first climate-related constitutional complaint in Asia. The award recognizes her consistent field activity over the past 31 years. The prize recognizes seeing landscapes through an artist's eyes, highlighting beauty in everyday scenes.

The Seoul High Court has established a specialized tribunal to handle insurrection-related trials. This tribunal will preside over cases involving former President Yoon and Kim Keon-hee, as well as accomplices including former Minister Kim.

An appellate court ruled that a Chanel bag received by Kim Keon-hee was part of a solicitation. A Seoul High Court judge ruled that a Chanel bag was provided to Kim as part of a solicitation process.

The Korean Film Council's quarterly report indicates the industry has achieved its strongest opening period in five years. One distributor reportedly secured the majority of the market share.

South Korean groups BTS and Tomorrow X Together reached third and fourth place on the Billboard charts this week. Tomorrow X Together released their eighth mini-album as part of their chart performance. The groups' success reflects the ongoing global influence of K-pop.

South Korea's Fair Trade Commission has designated Coupang Chairman Kim Beom-suk as the controlling person of the business group. The decision follows findings that he exercised practical management authority over major business operations. As a result, Kim and his relatives within the third and fourth degree of kinship must disclose their stock holdings and transaction history. The measure aims to address issues regarding private interests and executive treatment levels. Chairman Kim Bom-suk as a controlling person. Under this designation, Kim and his relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and third degree of affinity must disclose stock holdings and transaction details. Coupang Inc. issued a statement claiming the company maintains a transparent structure and denied concerns regarding private interest misappropriation.

A group of men in their 30s committed thefts across 22 cities and counties in South Korea within less than one month. This figure represents a 0.07 percentage point increase from the previous year. The employment rate for persons with disabilities in the public sector and government agencies has reached 3.1 percent for the first time. Total disability employment across both private and public sectors increased by 1,192 people last year. Private companies accounted for 9,507 of these new hires, leading the expansion in employment. South Korea's stock market has become the eighth largest in the world, surpassing the United Kingdom. The growth follows a rally in AI-linked technology companies, specifically mentioning SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics. Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1%, while Shanghai rose 0.4% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 1.4%.

The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency found that 60% of smart safety equipment provided by the government is not being used properly.