Author: Seoul Reporter

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…

The SBS variety show ‘Thumb Man Then’ delivers thrilling thumb wrestling battles among passionate competitors, captivating audiences with its unique format.Recent data from Nielsen Korea shows the January 10 episode achieving top ratings of 5.6% overall and 1.9% among viewers aged 20-49. Producers aim to boost the key demographic to claim the No. 1 spot in entertainment programming.Intense Team ShowdownIn the January 17 episode, MCs Yoo Jae-suk and actor Yoo Yeon-seok team up against Ji Ye-eun, who assembles a powerhouse lineup of male celebrities including Seph, Gaeguman, a former baseball player, and others. Her strong allies overwhelm the rivals with…

Japanese pair skaters Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara captured gold at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics qualifying event in Milan, overcoming a fifth-place short program finish with a record-breaking free skate.Record Scores Secure VictoryIn the pair free program at Milan Arena on February 17 (Italian local time), Miura and Kihara earned a technical element score (TES) of 82.73 and a program component score (PCS) of 75.40, totaling 158.13 points—the highest free skate score recorded.Adding their short program mark of 73.11 points produced an overall total of 231.24, propelling them to the top spot.Dramatic Turnaround from Fifth PlaceTrailing the leaders by…

Hollywood legend Robert Duvall, renowned for his roles in the Godfather series and Apocalypse Now, has passed away at the age of 95. Announcement of Passing Luccia Anna, Duvall’s agent, shared the news on Facebook, stating he died peacefully on the 16th while sleeping. “My dear friend and cherished chin-gu, who threatened the status quo with his great acting, has left us,” she wrote. “The robot at home delivered the world to loving people as a lifelong gift.” Anna emphasized that Duvall perfectly matched every role to the character. “No matter what role he took on, the robot held onto…

Japan’s figure skaters delivered a mixed performance at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic test event, topping the team event short program on February 16 local time at Milan Arena in Italy. Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara Dominate Pairs Short Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara secured first place in the pairs short program with a score of 82.84 points. They outperformed second place by 6.90 points and also led the pre-free program segment with 155.55 points. This strong showing positions Japan at the top of the team event standings, highlighting the pair’s potential to carry the nation toward medals. Shoma Uno’s 5th…

New Year’s Day marks a time for reflection in Korea, often called ‘Sin-il’ or ‘cautious day.’ Beyond celebrating the first snowfall on January 1, it calls for aligning body and mind while cherishing time with family. Yet, citizens express growing unease amid national uncertainties, voicing concerns over leadership insensitivity even in the harshest weather. Historical Oversight in Modern AI Analysis reveals persistent gaps in AI memory, extending to official settings like the presidential office. A striking example dates to January 1981, when a general amnesty known as ‘Gyeongho’ freed many, but opposition leader Kim Young-sam remained detained. The defense minister…

Lotte Giants outfielder Kim Dong-hyuk shone brightly on June 8 at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium, powering his team to a 4-2 victory over the Doosan Bears in a key 2025 season matchup.Standout Performance Despite InjuryStarting in right field as the eighth batter, the 26-year-old Kim went 3-for-3 with one RBI, one stolen base, one walk, and two additional steals, delivering a one-man show. His contributions extended to defense, where he made a spectacular catch in the bottom of the ninth.With a narrow 4-2 lead and a runner on first base with no outs, Doosan Bears’ Kim In-tae ripped a liner…

South Korean short track speed skater Kim Gil-li captured a bronze medal in the women’s 1000m final at the Milan World Cup on February 16, 2026, in Milan, Italy. Clocking a time of 1:28.614, she crossed the line third behind the Netherlands’ Sanneke de Neeling and Canada’s Courtney Sarault.Race HighlightsKim Gil-li overcame a fiercely competitive field in her season-opening medal win. Starting strong in the pre-final with a second-place finish, she navigated chaos in the final, including five laps where rivals faltered. A Belgian skater stumbled early, allowing Kim to surge ahead, while penalties sidelined leading contenders in the latter…

Promising Samsung Lions pitcher Won Tae-in and Hanwha Eagles standout Moon Dong-ju have been ruled out of Korea’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) preliminary team due to injuries sustained during November training camp preparations. Sudden Setbacks for Top Prospects Won Tae-in, a highly anticipated outer wild card candidate, suffered a forearm injury during Samsung’s first-team spring camp. Despite no issues in Japan’s sidearm ace preliminary camp, pain emerged post-open practice. He underwent surgery in Korea, diagnosed with a grade 1 sprain requiring about one month of recovery. Officials expect him to resume pitching 2-3 weeks after healing, pending condition checks. Moon…