Author: Seoul Reporter

On February 17, 2026, at Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium, Seoul SK Knights faced off against Seoul Samsung Thunders in an intense Korean Basketball League matchup.Coach’s On-Court MomentDuring the game, SK Knights head coach Jeon Hee-cheol approached the head referee with a gentle appeal, highlighting a key moment of contention.The scene captured the coach’s composed interaction amid the high-stakes Seoul derby, underscoring the competitive spirit of the contest.

A renowned cheonggukjang master shocks TV hosts with an annual revenue of 10 billion won from a single factory, as featured in the upcoming EBS program Seo Jang-hoon’s Neighbor Millionaire. The episode airs on February 18 at 9:55 p.m. Record-Breaking Production Scale The 62nd certified cheonggukjang master operates Korea’s sole recognized facility of its kind. This expert consumes 24 tons of soybeans annually in one factory alone, generating 10 billion won in yearly sales. Industry analysis highlights the operation’s efficiency, with each production cycle underscoring remarkable economic success. Visitors encounter a staggering landscape: a 30,000-pyeong site stacked with 3,000 earthenware…

North Korea has constructed around 50,000 residential units over the past five years, marking victories in its nuclear policy initiatives. During these projects, Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, has drawn notice for her direct interactions and close physical contact with residents during on-site visits. Latest Pyongyang Housing Milestone Kim Ju Ae recently inspected a newly completed apartment complex in Pyongyang, featuring four buildings with 10,000 households. This development fulfills the 10,000-house target set at the eighth Party Congress in early 2021. Construction efforts spanned multiple locations, including the Songsin-Songhwa district in 2022 and the Shangban River housing complexes…

Ulsan HD FC stands on the verge of securing a knockout spot in the 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) after overcoming Shanghai Port. The team faces Shanghai Port on October 18 at 7 p.m. KST in Pudong Stadium, China, during the league stage’s seventh round. Current Standings and Stakes After seven matches, Ulsan HD holds ninth place with two wins, two draws, and three losses, totaling eight points and a goal difference of minus two. The team ties with eighth-placed Gangwon FC on points and goal difference. A victory in this away fixture guarantees direct entry into the 16-team…

Cha Tae-hyun, celebrated for two decades of top ratings as a baseball announcer alongside actor Jo In-sung and as the main DJ for their joint radio venture, delivered a heartfelt promotion for his agency’s studio during a recent broadcast.Special Appearance on Year-End SpecialOn Sunday night, the high-profile SBS year-end program ‘Dong Sang Imong Season 2 – You Are My Destiny’ featured Seunghye’s return after five months and marked a new chapter for Jo Young-nam and his team’s DJ roles. In the second half, Cha Tae-hyun stepped in as the special MC for the ‘Entertainment World’s Car Lovers’ segment.Cha Tae-hyun showcased…

On February 17, People Power Party lawmaker Jang Dong-hyuk sharply criticized President Lee Jae-myung for branding multi-property owners as unconditional ‘social evils’ and aggressively promoting this view on social media. Jang described the president’s approach as ‘truly pitiful and worrisome.’Facebook Response to President’s Social Media PostJang addressed the issue directly on Facebook, responding to President Lee Jae-myung’s recent social media statement. He argued that as the nation’s leader and head of the executive branch, the administration shows no real effort to address housing anxiety. Instead, it divides citizens into those who own homes and those who do not, resembling an…

A man in his 60s died from electrocution after slipping and falling into a water tank at a chicken farm in Wonju, Gangwon Province. The facility, originally associated with Seol Yeon-hyu, became the scene of the tragic accident.Incident TimelineCCTV footage from January 16 at 1:17 p.m. shows the 60-year-old victim slipping near the tank entrance in Guirae-myeon, Wonju-si. He fell into the tank, suffered cardiac arrest, and was transported to a hospital in critical condition. Despite efforts, he passed away shortly after.Investigation Reveals Slippery ConditionsExaminers identified foreign substances, including animal feces, on the tank’s entry area as seen in the…

North Korean defector and chef Lee Soon-sil broke down in tears while recounting her harrowing escape from the North, during which she lost her 3-year-old daughter. The emotional moment unfolded alongside her partner, Hwang Yoo-seong, on a recent television broadcast. Dramatic Escape and Heartbreak Lee Soon-sil, who has lived in South Korea for 20 years, described the devastating loss that haunts her. Her partner Hwang comforted her, stating, “She gave birth here and had one healthy child. Even in other defector cases, no one has endured such pain—she lost her daughter and remains deeply heartbroken.” Wiping away tears, Lee responded…

Lee Jae-myung and Kim Hye-kyung Share Lunar New Year GreetingsOn Lunar New Year’s Day, February 17, Lee Jae-myung and his wife Kim Hye-kyung released a special message to the nation through a 3-minute, 16-second YouTube video.Lee expressed gratitude, stating, “Thanks to the strength gathered from citizens over the past year, solutions fitting every situation are being found and implemented.”He continued, “From homes, government offices, and workplaces, deep thanks go to all sovereign citizens who have protected this nation with narrow-minded resolve on behalf of lower-income groups.”Unified Aspirations Across SocietyLee highlighted shared human experiences, noting, “People living in different circumstances—from single-room…

South Korea’s Supreme Court has determined that Samsung C&T Corporation holds no liability to repay deposits or compensate wholesalers impacted by the closure of its direct fabric sales operations. The ruling emphasizes legitimate business decisions as grounds for exemption from such claims. Court Proceedings The Supreme Court’s First Division, led by Justice No Tae-ak, overturned a lower court decision on January 8 requiring compensation. It remanded the case to the Seoul Central District Court, aligning with the original trial’s assessment. A wholesaler, referred to as Company A, had sought damages from Samsung C&T after the business unit’s shutdown. The first-instance…