Stories from South Korea

The People Power Party announced it will accept candidate applications for nine by-election constituencies. Competition is expected between leading candidates from both ruling and opposition parties. Key areas of interest include Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province and Busan Buk-gu, where a three-way contest is anticipated.

An iPad model normally priced at approximately 2.4 million won was listed on Coupang for roughly 800,000 won due to a system error. The price discrepancy triggered a surge in orders, with approximately 200 units sold within 10 minutes of the error appearing on online communities.

A woman underwent skin excision surgery after experiencing skin necrosis following a visit to a massage shop. The massage worker, a Chinese national working on a diaspora visa, allegedly removed a mole from the woman's back without consent while she was asleep. The worker performed the procedure without a medical license, which is illegal under current law. The massage shop initially offered 800,000 won in settlement but later stated they would take full responsibility after the incident gained media attention.

Property tax burdens in Seoul are expected to increase by approximately 50 percent in major complexes such as Seocho and Seongpa.

The Busan Buk-gu by-election has entered a three-way race involving People Power Party candidate Park Min-sik, independent candidate Han Dong-hoon, and Ha Jeon-su. Independent candidate Han Dong-hoon accused President Lee Jae-myung of illegal election interference, alleging the President instructed Ha Jeon-su to run. Ha Jeon-su responded that he persuaded the President to run and denied the interference allegations. The election was held for the 63rd National Assembly seat. Former lawmaker Park Min-sik has been confirmed as the People Power Party candidate for the Busan Buk-gap by-election. The election is scheduled to take place in 29 days. This confirmation establishes a three-way race between candidates Ha Jung-woo, Han Dong-hoon, and Park Min-sik. In Pyeongtaek, Kim Yong-ram has been confirmed as the Democratic Party candidate for the Ure-seon district.

Former spokesperson Jeon Eun-su is expected to receive a strategic nomination in Asan, South Chungcheong Province. Ha Jeon-su joined a political party today and expressed confidence in a victory for the Busan Buk-gu election.

Ha Jong-woo, former Senior Secretary for AI Future Planning at the Blue House, joined the Democratic Party today. He has headed directly to Busan Buk-gu Gap, his designated constituency.

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.