Stories from South Korea

Nearly half of eligible recipients have completed subsidy applications within four days of the program launch. Employers who fail to pay proper wages for Labor Day work may face criminal penalties. Businesses with fewer than five employees must provide paid holidays for Labor Day, though they are not required to pay additional holiday surcharges. The regulations apply to those securing financial records and designated employees. A social dialogue consultative body held its final plenary meeting at the Government Complex Seoul on Thursday. The group voted to recommend maintaining the current criminal age of responsibility at 14 years old. The decision follows discussions regarding the adjustment of the age for juvenile offenders. The Government Public Officials Ethics Committee reviewed 77 requests for employment by former public officials.

Candidate Cho Kuk stated he seeks evaluation regarding his ability to lead the movement to end the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.

The South Korean defense ministry stated that there are no ongoing discussions regarding a drawdown of United States Forces Korea (USFK). The ministry said that the current troop presence remains a priority for regional security.

South Korea's Democratic Party is pushing for the introduction of a special counsel investigation following the conclusion of a parliamentary investigation. Innovation Party chairman Seo Wang-jin demanded an investigation into whether the prosecution acted under specific instructions during the Pyeongtaek by-election race. The targets include the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case and Prosecutor Park Sang-yong, who allegedly refused to indict the son of Lee Hwi-yeol. Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Tae-ho stated the investigation aims to address the privatization of power and potential human rights violations. The ruling People Power Party has responded to the move regarding former chairman Kim Seong-tae and former vice chairman Bang Young-cheol.

The Cargo Truckers Solidarity union and BGF Logis, the operator of the CU logistics center in Jinju, Gyeongnam, signed a final agreement on Thursday morning. The settlement follows the death of a union member at the Jinju facility ten days ago.

Kpop group Big Bang has completed a new album to mark the 20th anniversary of their formation. The group will begin a world tour in August. Leader G-Dragon discussed the group's connection to the audience in a film.

Authorities in the eastern coastal city of Gangneung are allegedly shutting off water supplies due to a drought.

The Cargo Truckers Solidarity union and BGF Logistics completed a formal agreement signing ceremony at the Jinju branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor. The deal includes a 7 percent increase in transport rates and a quarterly bonus system.

The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police transferred a company representative to prosecutors regarding an incident on February 20 in Hwaseong. The CEO is accused of using an air gun to spray a Thai worker's abdomen while removing moisture from products, causing injury.

Suwon City recorded an 83.1% score in the walkability index evaluation released by the Gyeonggi Research Institute. This score placed Suwon first among the 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province.