Author: Seoul Reporter

The Seoul Reporter is an independent news platform uncovering untold stories from the heart of Korea. Our team of journalists and contributors expose corruption, highlight innovation, and bring unfiltered truth to readers worldwide from Seoul’s power corridors to its underground culture.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has released a video showing a Russian drone pursuing and striking a civilian in the southern city of Kherson. Zelenskyy described the incident as an example of a “drone safari” attack by Russian forces targeting civilians. The footage, shared on social media platform X, depicts a man attempting to evade a drone hovering overhead. He runs around his white van, seeking cover, but the drone relentlessly follows. The video culminates in the drone striking the man, causing an explosion and a small plume of smoke. Zelenskyy stated that this tactic, where Russia uses drones to hunt…

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Two students from Baejaego High School’s baseball team have received disciplinary action from their school after shouting chants that trivialize the 5.18 Gwangju Uprising. The students were suspended from school activities following a review by the school’s student life committee. Disciplinary Actions Taken Against Students The disciplinary measures were decided upon by the Baejaego High School’s Student Life Committee, which convened recently to address the incident. The two students who initially led the offensive chants were given a suspension, the most severe form of school disciplinary action. Reports indicate that over ten other students who joined in the chants also…

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Luís Arráez, the reigning batting champion, made an immediate impact in his first game with the Philadelphia Phillies, delivering a strong offensive performance. Arráez, recently acquired via trade, started his tenure with the team on a high note, showcasing the hitting prowess that has earned him multiple accolades. Arráez’s Explosive Phillies Debut In his highly anticipated debut on May 5th (Korean time), playing in a home game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park, Arráez was deployed as the number two hitter in the lineup. He wasted no time making his presence felt, recording hits in his first two…

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South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor has officially set the minimum wage for 2025 at 10,070 South Korean Won per hour, approximately $8.30 USD. This represents an increase of 380 Won (3.7%) from the current year’s rate of 9,650 Won. The new hourly wage, when calculated based on a standard 209-hour work month, amounts to a monthly salary of 2,236,300 Won (approximately $1,830 USD). This minimum wage will apply uniformly across all business establishments without distinction of industry. Key Details of the 2025 Minimum Wage The decision, announced on July 5th, marks a significant step in South Korea’s ongoing…

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South Korean police have conducted a raid on the headquarters of Starbucks Korea as part of an ongoing investigation into a controversial promotion. The raid, carried out by the Public Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, began on the morning of the 5th at the company’s offices in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This marks the first physical search related to the allegations. Investigation into ‘Tank Day’ Promotion The controversy stems from a Starbucks Korea promotion held on May 18th, which utilized slogans such as ‘Tank Day’ and ‘Hit the Desk’. Critics alleged that these phrases were used in a…

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Actor Kim Woo-bin is set to star in the upcoming tvN drama series, ‘The Kidnapped’. The series, slated for broadcast in the latter half of 2026, marks a significant return to the small screen for the acclaimed actor. He will portray a former professional baseball pitcher who gains extraordinary abilities after an unfortunate accident. ‘The Kidnapped’: A Story of Growth and Second Chances The drama, helmed by directors Kim Gyu-tae, Ham Seung-hoon, and penned by writers Min Jeong and Hae-ju, is based on the popular Kakao webtoon of the same name by artist Jeong Iri. ‘The Kidnapped’ is a coming-of-age…

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Cosmax, a global leader in cosmetic original development manufacturing (ODM), has achieved official recognition as an ‘Invention Reward Outstanding Enterprise’ from the Korean Intellectual Property Office. This certification acknowledges the company’s robust system for rewarding employees who contribute innovative ideas and inventions, fostering a culture of intellectual property creation. Cosmax’s Commitment to Employee Innovation The ‘Invention Reward Outstanding Enterprise’ certification is awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises that have established and are successfully operating exemplary internal regulations for compensating employees for their inventions. The evaluation considers the completeness of these regulations, their actual implementation, and adherence to relevant procedures. Cosmax…

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Professor Ju Kyung-chul, a distinguished historian specializing in Western history and the history of civilization, has been selected to deliver the commencement address at Seoul National University’s 80th academic degree conferment ceremony on May 28th. The university anticipates that Professor Ju will offer graduates profound historical insights as they embark on their futures amidst a rapidly changing global landscape and societal divisions. A Call to Address Global Challenges Professor Ju’s address is expected to challenge the graduating class to confront and propose solutions for the significant global issues they will face. His academic background, which spans the rise and fall…

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Kazakhstan is embarking on an ambitious project to reintroduce the Caspian tiger, a majestic subspecies that once roamed vast territories across Central Asia and beyond. This initiative is part of a broader international effort to restore tiger populations facing critical endangerment worldwide. A Global Effort to Save the Tiger The tiger, a symbol of power and charisma, is the common thread linking a diverse group of nations including Nepal, Laos, Russia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Thailand. These countries, spanning South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Eurasia, represent a significant portion of the tiger’s historical range.…

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