Author: Seoul Reporter

A South Korean appeals court has ruled that the disclosure of a judgment document in a defamation case involving former President Yoon Suk-yeol must be decided according to the Act on Disclosure of Information by Public Agencies. The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by a civic group seeking the public release of the initial judgment, specifically requesting that the names of individuals involved be included. Background of the Case The case centers on a defamation lawsuit filed against Yoon Suk-yeol during his time as a prosecutor. In March, the Seoul Central District Court released a 1,206-page initial…

The current Governor of Jeonbuk Province and a former governor are under investigation for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act. The Jeonbuk Provincial Police Agency’s Anti-Corruption and Public Security Division has forwarded the cases of Governor Lee Won-taek and former Governor Kim Kwan-young to the prosecution, citing suspicions of spreading false information and illegal campaign activities, respectively. Allegations Against Governor Lee Won-taek: Meal Expenses Governor Lee Won-taek is suspected of making false public statements related to meal expenses. The allegations stem from a meeting held on November 29 last year in Jeongeup City. It is alleged that Governor…

Seoul citizens can purchase up to 72 billion won worth of the ‘Gwangyeok Seoul Love Gift Certificate’ starting August 18th, offering significant discounts ahead of the Chuseok holiday. This widely usable voucher can be bought at a 5% discount, with an additional 2% rebate on transactions, potentially leading to a total savings of up to 7%.Following the rapid sell-out of previous voucher issuances, intense competition is expected when sales begin on August 18th, mirroring the ‘Gwang-geul’ (a portmanteau of Gwangyeok and the Korean word for ‘sell-out’) phenomenon seen before.Massive Voucher Release on August 18thThe Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that 72…

Superstar Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been placed on the injured list, sparking concerns and speculation about the extent of his physical condition and the future of his unprecedented two-way career. American sports media outlets have raised questions, suggesting that the extent of his current injuries may not be fully disclosed, given his typically private nature. Ohtani Placed on Injured List Amid Injury Concerns Ohtani was officially added to the 15-day injured list on September 12th, having been sidelined for six of the final seven games of the regular season. While a return for the final stretch…

Hwawon Law Firm, a prominent legal practice, has announced the appointment of Baek Jong-kwan, a distinguished foreign lawyer, to bolster its capabilities in the nuclear energy sector, particularly in areas concerning nuclear power generation and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This strategic hire aims to enhance the firm’s expertise in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts, as well as international dispute resolution within the complex global energy landscape. Expanding Nuclear and SMR Capabilities Baek Jong-kwan brings over 35 years of extensive experience in the energy and plant sectors, with a significant focus on overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, and…

Despite ongoing tensions between the United States and China, a significant flow of capital from Chinese individual investors is heading towards the U.S. stock market. This trend is fueled by a combination of low domestic interest rates in China, a comparatively sluggish Chinese stock market, and the recent expansion of official channels for overseas investment. The surge in demand for foreign assets, previously suppressed, has now been unleashed. Expanding Investment Channels In a notable development, China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) announced late last month that it would increase the quota for the Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor (QDII) program…

SamDaO-Baek, a health and fitness food brand under OA Holdings, is set to release its newest pre-workout supplement, ‘Health Booster Pre-Workout Legend,’ on the 18th. This new product positions itself at the pinnacle of the brand’s existing lineup, which includes ‘Original,’ ‘Pro,’ ‘World Class,’ and ‘World Class Pump Pro.’ The ‘Legend’ formula is engineered for seasoned athletes and dedicated trainers who engage in high-intensity, high-volume workouts. Introducing ‘Health Booster Pre-Workout Legend’ The most significant evolution in the ‘Legend’ formula lies in its comprehensive ingredient composition. While previous products in the SamDaO-Baek range primarily focused on muscle pump enhancement, ‘Legend’ integrates…

Comedian Kim Dong-ha is set to make history by holding his first solo stand-up comedy performance in Osaka, Japan, following a successful tour in North America. This event marks a significant milestone as the first time a South Korean stand-up comedian has presented a solo show in Japan, offering a unique opportunity for international audiences to experience K-comedy. Historic Solo Performance in Osaka The highly anticipated show, titled “Kim Dong-ha: Oishii Stand-Up Comedy Live,” is scheduled for October 24th at the Mindan 5th Floor Auditorium in Osaka. The performance is particularly noteworthy for breaking new ground in the international comedy…

A new piece of evidence has surfaced in the ongoing trial of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon concerning allegations of illegal campaign fund disbursements. The emergence of an audio recording, purportedly featuring a conversation where an individual states that the Mayor was unaware of certain actions, has intensified scrutiny on the second trial. Mayor Oh was initially fined 10 million won in the first trial and has since appealed the decision. New Audio Evidence Presented in Appeal Trial The Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 7 (Presiding Judge Gu Hye-geun) held an appeal hearing on the 16th for Mayor Oh Se-hoon, former…

The Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar on October 17th, with the exchange rate reaching 1378.3 won per dollar in morning trading. This represents a 9.7 won, or 0.7%, increase from the closing price of the previous trading day. The shift is largely attributed to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to raise its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points. U.S. Federal Reserve Hikes Interest Rates The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) announced on October 16th (local time) that it would increase its policy interest rate by 0.25 percentage points, setting the new target range between 3.75% and 4%. This…