Author: Seoul Reporter

Aespa member Karina left Incheon International Airport on February 25, heading to Italy via Milan for a personal overseas fashion show.Stylish Airport ExitKarina turned heads with her elegant departure look, featuring flowing, beautiful hair. She happily posed for photos with fans and staff at the airport.The K-pop idol’s trip highlights her growing presence in the global fashion scene.

Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo and Chungcheongnam-do Governor Kim Tae-heum demand the immediate repeal of a controversial special bill on administrative integration between Daejeon and Chungnam, calling it a flawed obstacle to genuine local autonomy discussions. Mayor Lee Jang-woo’s Press Conference Remarks On February 25, Mayor Lee Jang-woo addressed a press conference at Daejeon City Hall. He emphasized that responses to the administrative integration differ sharply from the president’s stated position, with no substantive opposition noted. “The Democratic Party opposes any integration bill outright,” he stated. Lee highlighted a post on X by party leadership, which described ignoring opposition from leadership…

Prosecutors have raided affiliates linked to former BHC Chairman Park Hyun-jong, suspecting him of embezzling around 60 billion won ($44 million) through a chicken farm investment tied to his first public offering company.Raids and Initial FindingsThe Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office conducted searches on 30 affiliates, including those under Park Ok-hui, on the 25th. These operations targeted special damages and compensation issues related to the public offering.Investigators found that between 2022 and 2023, Park reserved two BHC chicken farms during sales. He then transferred them to affiliates at a 39 billion won loss, classifying the deal as an investment in…

The Hana Bank K League 1 2026 season launched its promotional efforts with a media day event held this morning at the Swiss Grand Hotel Convention Center in Hongeun-dong, Seoul. Gangwon FC Shows Fiery Determination Gangwon FC coach Jeong Kyung-ho and forward Seo Min-woo made a powerful statement by holding up a declaration of challenge. The bold display underscores the team’s high ambitions as they gear up for the new campaign. This event marks the official start of preparations for the 2026 K League 1 season, bringing together clubs, officials, and media to build excitement for the matches ahead.

Kim Kyu-hwan, former chairman of the United Future Party, faces expulsion from the Gyeonggi Joint Investigation Headquarters on the 25th over allegations of receiving 30 million won in embezzled funds from a Unification Church executive at Robotec.Expulsion and Summoning as DefendantThe headquarters, led by chief Kim Tae-hoon, a former Daejeon High Prosecutors’ Office chief prosecutor, removed Kim from his position. This marks the first dismissal of Kim from any role within the joint investigation team.Investigators summoned Kim as a defendant starting around 10 a.m. on the same day. Authorities suspect he accepted the 30 million won donation from the Unification…

Mexico’s Jalisco state officials firmly deny rumors of changing venues for South Korea’s 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage matches despite heightened security concerns following the killing of a major drug cartel leader. South Korea’s Group Stage Schedule South Korea, coached by Hong Myung-bo, faces its first group match on June 12 at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara against the winner of Europe’s intercontinental playoff. The team then plays Mexico on June 19 at the same venue before heading to Monterrey for its third fixture. Escalating Violence After Cartel Leader’s Death Tensions rose after Mexican forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known…

11st’s core open marketplace operations have achieved full profitability through a white-label model transition. The company revealed on February 25 that it operated this model secretly for three years, yielding strong results.Impressive Sales GrowthAnnual business sales reached 396 billion won, marking a 47% increase from the previous year. Over the last four quarters, sales totaled 109 billion won, reflecting a 53% rise compared to the same period last year.Analysts attribute this growth to enhanced real-time services that improve user experience.Ongoing Expansion and HiringThe open marketplace division continues aggressive hiring, planning to add staff over 23 consecutive months from March 2024…

Korean rapper Kisueip, whose real name is Lee Doo-hyun and who is 33 years old, has received final confirmation of an 18-month prison sentence for violating narcotics laws involving marijuana. The Supreme Court upheld the decisions from lower courts on January 25, solidifying the real-term imprisonment.Details of the Marijuana ConvictionAuthorities caught Kisueip concealing marijuana in vehicles, including taxis where he worked, and music studios between February 2023 and January 2024. The initial trial court imposed the 18-month sentence alongside a requirement for 40 hours of drug addiction rehabilitation education.The presiding judge explained the ruling, stating, ‘The defendant shows significant culpability…

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung criticized attacks on labor unions, likening them to denying historical land reforms and stressing that worker protections form a core constitutional principle.Key Statements at Labor Market ForumDuring the closing of the Labor Market Forum on the 25th, Lee Jae-myung highlighted that major conglomerates operate with unions intact. He noted that post-democratization pressures, including compensation structures, have driven strikes among unionized workers, dismissing biased narratives.”Farmers remain in place while union training expands,” Lee said. “Without securing their stability, preserving business owners’ full employment principles requires advancing targeted legislation.”Social Media RebuttalOn X, Lee countered forum discussions: “Labor market…

Hwang Jae-gyun, the veteran first baseman who transitioned to designated hitter, shares his candid thoughts on the positional change during a special episode of MBC’s ‘Radio Star.’ Key Player Steps Up on ‘Show! Self-Centered’ The episode, titled ‘Show! Self-Centered,’ features Hwang alongside Park Young-gyu, Yoo Hee-kwan, and No Min-woo. Airing today at 10:30 p.m., it delves into the stars’ personal stories. A prominent figure in the KBO League and a mainstay for the Korean national team, Hwang has dazzled fans with his skills. He secured gold medals at the 2014 Asian Games and the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games, earned a spot…