Author: Seoul Reporter

South Korea’s baseball team secured a crucial victory against Thailand in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 23rd. The decisive match, held at the Okazaki Central Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, saw the South Korean squad, aiming for their third consecutive win, emerge victorious in the final group stage game of Pool B. The team’s performance underscored their determination to advance in the tournament. Key Moments in the South Korea vs. Thailand Baseball Match The game featured a pivotal moment in the bottom of the third inning when South Korean batter Jung Joon-jae stepped up to the plate with…

Food delivery giant DoorDash has agreed to pay $131.5 million (approximately 178 billion South Korean won) to settle a dispute with New York City over how delivery workers’ pay was calculated. The core of the disagreement centered on whether time spent logged into the DoorDash app, awaiting orders, should be compensated. This landmark settlement highlights the growing debate surrounding pay for gig economy workers, specifically the extent to which platform-based workers should be paid for all hours they are available for work. DoorDash Agrees to Substantial Settlement with New York City The agreement, reported by Reuters on the 22nd (local…

Singer Yeongtak has amplified the appeal of his third full-length album, ‘GOGO,’ with special content designed to offer a unique listening experience. He released a video titled ‘Drive with My Playlist’ on his official YouTube channel on September 22nd. This video serves as a guide for fans to enjoy the ‘GOGO’ album in a fresh way, featuring Yeongtak himself driving and listening to the entire album, sharing what he calls a ‘sweet tip’ with his audience. An Immersive Album Journey The approximately 35-minute video meticulously walks through the entire tracklist of the ‘GOGO’ album from start to finish. It begins…

South Korea has finalized a comprehensive mid-to-long-term resource security roadmap aimed at significantly bolstering its strategic reserves of crude oil and diversifying its sources of critical minerals. The plan, approved by the government, seeks to increase crude oil storage capacity by 20 million barrels by 2030 and reduce reliance on specific regions for oil and critical minerals, such as those in the Middle East, to below 50% by 2035. Resource Security Framework Strengthened The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the adoption of four key proposals during the 6th Resource Security Council meeting, chaired by Minister Ahn Duk-geun. These…

K-pop group LIGHTSUM has officially entered the Japanese music scene with the release of their debut album, ‘Re:idol’. The album, launched on the 23rd across various music platforms, signifies a new chapter for the six-member group, incorporating the popular Japanese concept of ‘kawaii’—meaning cute—into their musical identity. ‘Re:idol’ Explores Diverse Concepts and Sounds The album title, ‘Re:idol’, reflects LIGHTSUM’s fresh start in Japan, embracing a cute and charming image. The title track, ‘どうして’ (Doshite), delves into the theme of unrequited love, portraying the feelings of someone infatuated with another’s words and actions. The song is characterized by its addictive melody…

South Korea has officially initiated a crucial “one-point” social dialogue aimed at discussing labor special measures within its advanced industrial “mega-cluster” zones, particularly focusing on the Honam (Jeolla) peninsula. This significant step marks the beginning of formal discussions among government officials, labor unions, and employer associations to address the unique labor challenges and opportunities presented by these burgeoning high-tech industrial hubs. Initiation of “One-Point” Social Dialogue The inaugural working-level meeting for the “One-Point” Social Dialogue related to the Mega-Cluster Special Act convened on the afternoon of the 22nd. Participants included key figures from relevant ministries, major labor organizations such as…

Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok stated on October 23rd that while many are calling for the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, a gradual process of public understanding and explanation is crucial. He emphasized that the party would proceed with these efforts step by step. Addressing Impeachment Calls for Chief Justice Cho Speaking on the Democratic Party’s YouTube channel, ‘Minjoo TV,’ Kim Min-seok acknowledged the significant number of voices within the ruling party advocating for the impeachment of Chief Justice Cho. He stressed the importance of a thorough process to educate and persuade the public, stating, “Many are…

Professor Yoon Jong-hyuk from Soonchunhyang University Hospital’s Department of Internal Medicine has been honored with the Best Oral Presentation Award at the 2026 International Gastric Cancer Association (KINGCA) Week conference. The prestigious event, held recently at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul, recognized Professor Yoon for his groundbreaking research on gastric cancer patient-derived organoids. Understanding Gastric Cancer Through Advanced Organoid Technology Professor Yoon’s award-winning presentation, titled “Multi-omic profiling reveals genomic divergence and stem-like subclonal selection in gastric cancer patient-derived organoids,” delved into the complex genetic landscape of gastric cancer. He utilized patient-derived organoids (PDOs), which are essentially miniature tumors grown in…

The K-pop girl group UNIS will be concluding their activities as a full group, according to an announcement made by their management agency, F&F Entertainment. The group, formed through the SBS audition program ‘Universe Ticket’, will officially end their collective promotions on September 26, 2026, marking the end of their management contract. UNIS Wraps Up Group Promotions F&F Entertainment released an official statement expressing gratitude to the fans, known as ‘EverAfter’, for their unwavering support since UNIS’s debut in March 2024. The agency detailed that discussions regarding contract terms and future activities had been ongoing between the management and the…

During a meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Minister of State Sanae Takaichi, who was visiting the United States, held a summit. This marked their third face-to-face meeting, following encounters in October 2025 and March 2026. Takaichi, who had previously garnered attention from American media for her candid remarks and distinctive actions, continued to be a focal point during this meeting. Amidst President Trump’s ongoing public disagreements with the press following his directive to ban CNN from the White House, Takaichi, through an interpreter, initiated a notable exchange. She reportedly asked,…