Author: Seoul Reporter

Israel delivered a powerful retaliation against Hezbollah following a missile strike on the northern city of Haifa. The Lebanese militant group launched the attack using drones, prompting Israeli forces to target key assets linked to the Iran-backed organization.Israeli Military ResponseIsraeli military spokesperson Rapi Milron stated that “Hezbollah has once again targeted the Iranian regime and struck civilians in Haifa with a major missile.” He added, “This operation remains limited, but further action will follow if needed.”Forces executed a new campaign against Hezbollah commandos and key personnel inside Lebanon. Strikes hit Beirut airport in southern Lebanon, where militants were active, triggering…

Actress Yoo Hae-jin stands on the verge of signing a new contract with VAST Entertainment, Hybe’s key actor agency, amid speculation of a 5 billion won renewal deal. Negotiations focus heavily on economic terms, though officials confirm no final decision has been reached. Advanced Contract Talks Underway A VAST Entertainment executive revealed that discussions with Yoo Hae-jin cover a comprehensive exclusive contract, with financial aspects at the core. “We have explored full contract details with actress Yoo Hae-jin, centering on economic considerations,” the executive stated. The agency continues to back her actively in ongoing screen projects involving collaborations like Issue…

Reform Party leader Lee Joon-seok has launched a fact-check platform to monitor irregularities in the presidential election. The platform analyzes voter turnout data from across the nation, excluding the Jeonju area, recorded around 7 p.m. on January 27. Analysis of High-Turnout Districts The platform identifies 57 districts with concentrated voter turnout. Data from exit polls confirms that 54 of these districts lie within major cities, highlighting a significant urban skew in participation rates. Lee Joon-seok stated, “Exit polls and data reveal 57 districts with high presidential voter concentrations, and 54 of them are in large cities.” Detailed breakdowns show large-scale…

On March 2 at Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan, the Korea national team faced the Hanshin Tigers in a World Baseball Classic exhibition matchup.Exciting Second Inning MomentIn the top of the second inning, Kim Do-young delivered an infield grounder during a high-pressure situation at first base, resulting in an out. Despite the outcome, he flashed a thrilled smile amid the intensity.The play highlighted the competitive spirit as Korea prepares for the tournament.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party, presented a unique set of traditional Korean pottery dishware adorned with folk paintings and premium men’s cosmetics to Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during a meeting in London on October 2.Marking 50 Years of Diplomatic TiesThis thoughtful gesture commemorates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Singapore. The pottery features symbolic designs, including tigers, lions, Namsan Tower, and Cheomseongdae, highlighting iconic Korean landmarks alongside elements that resonate with Singapore’s identity.Lee Jae-myung emphasized the gifts’ role in showcasing South Korea’s renowned hospitality. “These self-designed items reflect the warm…

In the latest episode of MBN’s celebrity cooking survival show Cheonhajepang, aired on January 1, intense competitions led to dramatic eliminations. Lee Hye-seong, known from past challenges, faced off against rivals in the third round, ultimately falling short despite a passionate defense of his dish. Third Round Showdown and Team Advances The episode featured top celebrity contenders divided into teams. The first round saw Haui-gwon’s ‘Moody Day’ team—Jang Kyung-joo, Jo Sang-min, Choi Jung-hoon, and Kim Si-yeop—dominate with a bold flavor explosion, securing 473 points and toppling the second-round leaders. Second-round ‘Bread Lovers’ team, including Lee Kyung-moo, Sung Min-soo, Lee Hong-gyu,…

Lotte World Tower and Mall welcomed approximately 4.9 million visitors in February, marking the highest monthly total ever recorded for that period.Off-Season Surge Driven by Luminarie EventDespite February typically being a slower month due to Lunar New Year holidays, the complex saw a significant uptick fueled by the ‘2026 Lotte Luminarie’ installations. Daily average attendance reached around 170,000 visitors, reflecting a 20% year-over-year increase.The final weekend of the month (February 21-22) drew nearly 410,000 visitors, surpassing the previous peak weekend average from December (420,000 based on 2025 figures).Boost in Young Demographics and International SpendingThis influx resulted in a 20% rise…

Suwon High Court has ruled that former KT Corporation executives, including ex-Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu and ex-President Ku Hyun-mo, must compensate the company for damages linked to slush funds and manipulated salaries used for political donations.Court Remands Case for ReexaminationMajor shareholder groups, led by Lee Heung-gu, successfully appealed a January 15 lower court decision. The original ruling dismissed a lawsuit filed by 35 KT minority shareholders against Hwang, Ku, and other past and present executives. The high court overturned it, finding evidence of improper pocketing of company funds and remanding the case for further review.Allegations of Slush Funds and Shell Game…

Big Bang member G-Dragon, whose real name is Kwon Ji-yong, has sparked widespread controversy in China after shouting ‘Lunar New Year’ during an encore at an overseas concert. The incident unfolded at the Crazy Super Concert in Dubai, UAE, where he greeted fans with a Chinese ‘New Year’ message during his song ‘Luna.’Post-Concert Social Media StormFollowing the performance, Chinese social media platforms lit up with reactions. Fans questioned the terminology, insisting, ‘Why not Chinese New Year?’ Comments criticizing G-Dragon’s choice gained significant upvotes, with netizens probing his intentions and accusing him of subtle bias.Neutral Term or Cultural Slight?Experts clarify that…

Ahead of November midterms, the Republican primary in Texas’ special congressional election on March 3 shakes Washington political circles. In a district Democrats have not won since 1988, a MAGA-aligned candidate backed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton surges ahead, despite Paxton’s ongoing allegations of extramarital affairs and corruption. Unexpected Poll Momentum The Paxton-endorsed contender leads despite low primary turnout risks. Election analysts note that sparse voter participation could lead to self-sabotage for Republicans. The primary winner fills the seat until late 2026. Both parties hold primaries on the same day; absent a majority, a runoff occurs on May 26,…