Stories from South Korea

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.

Prosecutors in South Korea are seeking a 30-year prison sentence for Yoon following unauthorized drone flights into North Korean airspace. The legal action follows investigations into security breaches and violations of airspace protocols. This development marks a significant escalation in the legal scrutiny surrounding the administration's handling of North Korean provocations.

An 18-day general strike is threatened to begin on May 21 if labor negotiations fail. The strike could significantly disrupt global memory chip supply chains essential for Android devices. The outcome remains uncertain as both sides attempt to reach a deal. Experts warn that a strike could cause up to 30 trillion won in production losses. The disruption may lead to customer loss and pressure to restructure supply chains. Analysts suggest the strike could threaten Samsung's market leadership and impact the semiconductor partner ecosystem.

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.

New data indicates generative AI usage has jumped to 44.5%, though paid subscription rates remain low at 7.9%. This trend highlights a massive gap between free adoption and monetization in the AI sector.

The Samsung labor union has threatened to commence an 18-day general strike starting on the 21st of next month if no agreement is reached during upcoming rallies. The dispute involves significant labor demands. This potential strike could disrupt major manufacturing operations.

A metal fabrication company representative in his 60s has been charged with causing serious injuries to a foreign worker in Hwaseong. The suspect allegedly used an industrial air gun to cause internal organ rupture and other severe injuries. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding labor rights and safety for migrant workers in South Korea. The assault lasted approximately 15 minutes and resulted in the worker suffering a concussion requiring hospital treatment.