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] 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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[ad_1] U.S. rock climber Alex Honnold raises his arms from the highest of the Taipei 101 constructing after he efficiently free soloed the landmark skyscraper with out ropes or security gear in Taipei, Jan. 25. AFP-YonhapTAIPEI, Taiwan — American rock climber Alex Honnold ascended the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Sunday with none ropes or protecting tools.Cheers erupted from a street-level crowd as he reached the highest of the spire of the 508-meter (1,667-foot) tower about 90 minutes after he began. Carrying a purple short-sleeve shirt, he waved his arms backwards and forwards over his head.Honnold, recognized for his ropeless ascent…

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[ad_1] Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (standing) makes remarks throughout a gathering with Korean residents within the New York space at a resort within the metropolis, Saturday (native time). Courtesy of Prime Minister’s workplace Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has met with Korean leaders and residents in New York to thank them for his or her contributions to creating South Korea-U.S. relations, his workplace stated Sunday.Kim has been on a five-day journey to Washington and New York, marking his first U.S. journey since taking workplace in July 2025.On Friday (native time), Kim met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and proposed the…

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[ad_1] Samsung Electronics Government Chairman Lee Jae-yong, left, speaks to President Lee Jae Myung throughout a gathering on the former presidential workplace in Yongsan District, Seoul, Nov. 16, 2025. Korea Instances photograph by Wang Tae-seogSamsung Electronics Government Chairman Lee Jae-yong warned in opposition to complacency in a message to Samsung Group executives, regardless of the tech big’s anticipated document earnings for the fourth quarter of 2025.In accordance with conglomerate officers, Sunday, Samsung Group has held seminar classes for greater than 2,000 executives since final week. In the course of the classes, the group screened a video clip citing a message…

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[ad_1] Containers are stacked at a port in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Jan. 14. Yonhap Greater than half of financial consultants anticipate Korea’s financial development to stay within the 1 % vary in the interim, a neighborhood survey confirmed Sunday.In a survey carried out by Southernpost Inc. on the request of the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF), 54 % of 100 economics professors polled stated Korea is prone to put up development within the 1 % vary this yr.One other 36 % projected Asia’s fourth-largest economic system to realize development within the 2 % vary beginning in 2027, pushed by a gradual…

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[ad_1] Pianist Kim Kang-tae / Courtesy of Kumho Cultural BasisPianist Kim Kang-tae, 29, has received third prize on the prestigious Liszt Piano Competitors Utrecht within the Netherlands, the Kumho Tradition Basis (KCF) mentioned Sunday.Kim carried out Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 within the remaining spherical, ending behind Russia’s Alexander Kashpurin, who took first prize, and the U.Okay.’s Thomas Kelly, who positioned second.His awards embody 8,000 euros, or roughly 14 million received, skilled teaching, a custom-made web site, recording alternatives and recital engagements on the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam in addition to in Norway, Italy, Hungary and Belgium.Launched in 1986, the competitors…

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[ad_1] Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, left, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance pose on the White Home in Washington, Friday (native time). Courtesy of Prime Minister’s WorkplaceIn a gathering with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok emphasised that the Korean authorities shouldn’t be treating U.S.-based e-commerce big Coupang unfairly in its investigation into the corporate’s huge knowledge breach and different labor-related allegations. To stop misunderstanding over the Coupang matter and different diplomatic points, the 2 exchanged direct contact numbers to ascertain a hotline, in keeping with the Prime Minister’s Workplace on Saturday.Chatting with Korean correspondents in Washington…

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[ad_1] President Lee Jae Myung speaks throughout a gathering with senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Thursday. YonhapPresident Lee Jae Myung mentioned Saturday reaching a self-reliant nationwide protection is the “most elementary of fundamentals” over a brand new U.S. protection technique that requires South Korea’s main function in its protection.Lee wrote the message on his X account because the Pentagon mentioned in its Nationwide Protection Technique (NDS) that South Korea is able to taking “main” duty to discourage North Korea with “essential, however extra restricted” U.S. help.”Within the midst of an unstable worldwide safety scenario, reaching self-reliant protection…

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[ad_1] Woori Financial institution CEO Jung Jin-wan speaks throughout a gathering with firm executives at Paradise Metropolis in Incheon, Friday, outlining the financial institution’s administration technique for 2026. Courtesy of Woori Financial institutionWoori Financial institution CEO Jung Jin-wan vowed to slender the hole with rival banks this yr, calling 2026 a vital interval to ship tangible outcomes after laying the groundwork for development, the lender mentioned Sunday.Jung made the remarks on the financial institution’s 2026 administration technique assembly at Paradise Metropolis in Incheon Friday. The occasion was attended by about 900 executives, together with senior managers, division heads and department…

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