Stories from South Korea

US Forces Korea Commander J.B.O. Boranson stated there are no plans to reduce US troop levels in South Korea. The commander is instead pursuing modernization of US Forces Korea to address rapidly changing strategic challenges.

Former presidential chief of staff and lawmaker Jung Jin-suk has applied for the Democratic Party's nomination in the Chungnam Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang district. The move follows controversy regarding his previous role. Jung stated on social media that the Democratic Party is identifying candidates for the upcoming election. The move is expected to reignite previous personal controversies. Former presidential chief of staff Jeong Jin-seok has announced his candidacy for the Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang district. The announcement follows recent political developments involving other figures.

Former Blue House Secretary Ha Jung-woo visited the Gukbo Market in Busan following a Democratic Party recruitment event. The People Power Party criticized Ha's conduct after camera footage showed him appearing to shake his hand after greeting a merchant. The opposition party described the gesture as a sign of arrogance. Video footage captured Ha Jung-woo shaking hands with a merchant and then appearing to wipe his hands. The party stated such behavior shows a lack of respect for voters. Ha expressed regret, stating he unconsciously brushed his hand because he was unaccustomed to shaking hands with hundreds of people. The incident occurs as the Busan mayoral election intensifies following the Democratic Party's confirmation of Ha's nomination.

A soldier, identified as Person A, fabricated a story about transportation difficulties to avoid returning to his unit on his scheduled return date. The individual's girlfriend, a nurse, allegedly participated by calling a commanding officer to relay false information.

A major investment strategy has overtaken BlackRock in terms of total Bitcoin holdings. The strategy acquired 3.7 trillion KRW worth of Bitcoin over a single week. Strategy has purchased an additional 3,273 Bitcoin, valued at approximately 376 billion KRW.

The incident occurred on December 12, 2024, in Jung-gu, Seoul, during a movement involving former President Yoon Suk-yeol. The charges relate to unauthorized road occupation following an emergency drill on October 3, 2024.

A woman in her 20s, identified as A, was transferred to the prosecution in a bound state. She faces charges of robbery, injury, and violations of the Narcotics Control Act. The incident occurred on April 23 in Millak-dong, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, involving a man in his 30s identified as B. The suspect was observed exiting a police transport vehicle wearing a hat and mask. Kim Hun, accused of murdering a woman he was stalking, has been additionally transferred to the prosecution.

South Korea's largest container shipping company, HMM, has reached a labor-management agreement to move its headquarters to Busan. The company announced the decision during an event held in Yeouido, Seoul. The relocation will be formalized through an amendment to the company's articles of incorporation at an extraordinary general meeting scheduled for next month. The new office is planned to be a -scale building near Busan Port. The company is currently conducting an investigation regarding hospital admissions during a period of 1,000 visits. President Lee Jae-myung expressed gratitude to the employees of HMM, South Korea's largest container shipping company, following an agreement to relocate the company's headquarters to Busan.

Approximately 30 members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, including the Metal Workers' Union and PNS Logistics branch, held a protest in front of the SK Hynix factory in Cheongju today. The workers are demanding direct negotiations with the primary contractor, alleging they are being treated as consumables compared to primary employees who received hundreds of millions of won in performance bonuses during the first quarter. The group has submitted a formal negotiation request to SK Hynix and stated they will file a correction application with the Regional Labor Relations Commission if the company refuses to negotiate. The demand follows recent labor developments in the sector.

A mother was arrested 15 days after the death of her 20-month-old child following an investigation into head injuries. The child suffered skull fractures and severe head trauma. The mother admitted to hitting the child with a remote control due to stress from the child not sleeping. Police confirmed through CCTV that the mother also neglected the child by leaving them alone. The National Forensic Service identified head trauma as the cause of death during an autopsy. Police have arrested the biological mother of an 8-month-old infant who died from a head injury. Authorities are investigating the incident. The mother eventually confessed to the crime after being questioned about the circumstances of the day. A woman in her 30s has been detained by prosecutors for allegedly killing her son by striking him with a remote control.