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.

[ad_1] Big panda Lei Lei eats bamboo at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday. EPA-YonhapTOKYO — Japanese panda followers are gathering Sunday for the ultimate public viewing at Tokyo’s Ueno zoo earlier than twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei return to China.Their departure Tuesday will go away Japan with no pandas for the primary time in half a century, and the probabilities of getting a substitute are poor, with Tokyo’s relations with Beijing at their lowest level in years.China first despatched pandas to Japan in 1972, a present meant to mark the normalization of diplomatic ties between the 2…

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[ad_1] Extra Koreans now see cash and social standing because the strongest determinants of their well being, overtaking beforehand dominant elements similar to genetics and way of life habits, a brand new survey confirmed Sunday.In accordance with the 2025 Well being Notion Report launched by the Korea Well being Promotion Institute, 33.3 p.c of respondents mentioned revenue and social standing most affected their well being. That determine exceeded all solutions, together with entry to exercise services and parks at 14.8 p.c, genetic elements at 12.8 p.c, and private way of life or coping abilities at 11.5 p.c.The ballot, carried out…

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[ad_1] Cryptocurrency exchanges are stepping up advertising and marketing efforts centered on dollar-pegged stablecoins, which have seen rising demand amid a pointy improve within the won-dollar trade charge, trade officers mentioned Sunday.Whereas the benchmark KOSPI, together with commodities resembling gold and silver, has surged to historic ranges, cryptocurrencies have been broadly seen as being disregarded of the rally, leaving exchanges struggling general. In opposition to this backdrop, the latest rise within the worth of the U.S. greenback has boosted demand for stablecoins, prompting exchanges to capitalize on the development and improve buying and selling volumes.Korbit started waiving all buying and…

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[ad_1] This mixture of photos reveals Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, in Kananaskis, Canada, June 16, 2025, and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, Oct. 7, 2025. AP-YonhapWASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Saturday he would impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it follows by on a commerce take care of China and warned Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney {that a} deal would endanger his nation.”China will eat Canada alive, fully devour it, together with the destruction of their companies, social cloth, and common lifestyle,” Trump wrote on Reality Social.”If Canada makes a take care of…

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[ad_1] Lee Hye-hoon, funds minister nominee, attends a affirmation listening to held on the Nationwide Meeting in Seoul, Friday. Korea Instances picture by Choi Ju-yeonPresident Lee Jae Myung has determined to withdraw the nomination of funds minister nominee Lee Hye-hoon, Sunday.Senior presidential secretary for political affairs Hong Ihk-pyo advised reporters that the president stated the nominee, former three-term lawmaker from the opposition conservative bloc, had failed to satisfy the general public’s expectations as a consequence of her a number of allegations in opposition to her, corresponding to mistreatment of her aides, improper condo buy and favored therapy in her son’s…

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[ad_1] A robotic demonstrates stacking bins for logistics facilities throughout Sensible Manufacturing unit + Automation World 2025 at COEX in Seoul’s Gangnam District, March 12, 2025. Korea Occasions fileKorea is demonstrating world-class competitiveness within the on-site software of robots. However the nation’s heavy reliance on Chinese language and Japanese imports for uncooked supplies and parts leaves the home business susceptible to potential provide chain disruptions, in line with a report by the Korea Worldwide Commerce Affiliation (KITA), Sunday.Citing the Worldwide Federation of Robotics’ 2024 statistics, the report famous that Korea ranked fourth on the earth for put in robotic gear…

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[ad_1] Incheon Worldwide Airport (IIAC)’s Terminal 1, west of Seoul, is crowded with air vacationers. Courtesy of IIACPassenger visitors at Incheon Worldwide Airport exceeded 74 million in 2025, pushed by elevated flights to and from Japan and China, the airport’s operator stated Sunday.A complete of 74.07 million passengers traveled by way of Korea’s major gateway final 12 months, marking the best annual determine for the reason that airport opened in 2001, in response to Incheon Worldwide Airport (IIAC).The 2025 whole was up 4.1 % from 71.15 million passengers recorded a 12 months earlier.”Particularly, journey demand to Northeast Asian international locations…

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[ad_1] Palestinians obtain donated meals at a neighborhood kitchen in Nuseirat, in central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 24. AP-YonhapCAIRO — Prime U.S. envoys met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, urging his authorities to maneuver into the second part of the ceasefire in Gaza.Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and Center East adviser, based on the prime minister’s workplace, which didn’t give particulars. A U.S. official, talking on situation of anonymity to explain the talks, advised reporters the envoys had been working carefully with Netanyahu on recovering the stays…

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[ad_1] President Lee Jae Myung speaks throughout a Cupboard assembly at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Jan. 20. Joint Press CorpsPresident Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed Sunday the federal government is not going to prolong an exemption of the heavy capital beneficial properties tax for house owners of a number of houses.In a publish on social media platform X, Lee stated the tax exemption will expire Might 9, as beforehand determined in February 2025.”If one thought there could be one other authorized revision to increase it once more, that is a miscalculation,” he wrote. “The unfair advantages from an abnormality should…

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[ad_1] The KOSPI index is displayed at Hana Financial institution’s headquarters in central Seoul, Friday. The benchmark prolonged its beneficial properties and climbed to an intraday excessive of 5,021.13. YonhapHeo, an workplace employee in Seoul, watched his losses mount after short-selling Samsung Electronics shares beginning in the course of final 12 months on expectations of an earnings slowdown.The 38-year-old constructed his quick place at a mean worth of 142,000 received ($98), however because the inventory climbed previous the 150,000-won stage, he was requested to publish extra margins and in the end closed the place earlier this month, locking in his…

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