Author: Seoul Reporter

A special prosecutor team filed an appeal on February 11 in the embezzlement case against Kim Ye-seung. The first trial partially dismissed the indictment and issued not-guilty verdicts on other counts under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes.The team emphasized that the probe does not represent a separate investigation.

Hyundai Department Store Holdings has announced a stock swap with Hyundai Home Shopping, paving the way for the latter’s delisting. This move integrates external shareholders of Hyundai Home Shopping into Holdings’ ownership structure.Swap Ratio and TimelineThe exchange ratio sets one ordinary share of Hyundai Home Shopping equivalent to 6.357104 ordinary shares of Hyundai Department Store Holdings. Shareholders of Hyundai Home Shopping will vote on the proposal during a meeting scheduled for April 20, with completion targeted for June 30.Regulatory scrutiny from the Fair Trade Commission remains possible. Recent valuations peg Hyundai Department Store Holdings at 9,383 billion won and Hyundai…

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix intensify competion over HBM4 production standards at Semicon Korea 2026, driven by surging AI demand for high-performance memory. Samsung’s HBM4 Speed Milestone Samsung Electronics Chief Technology Officer Song Jong-ho announced at the event that the company achieved the highest HBM4 data transfer speed of 11.7Gbps. This surpasses JEDEC standards by 37% and exceeds the prior HBM3E generation (9.6Gbps) by 22%. Song highlighted the prototype’s business viabily, stating, “Samsung advances memory, foundry, and packaging to meet current AI chip requirements, optimizing the supply chain for collaboration.” He added that the firm leads development for next-gen HBM4E…

KT Wiz pitcher Jeon Yeong-ju, now 26, has stunned observers with a dramatic resurgence, clocking a stable 153km/h fastball just seven years after his rookie-of-the-year triumph. From Pinpoint Control to Velocity Surge Jeon Yeong-ju debuted as the 2019 first-place rookie sensation for KT Wiz, renowned for his pinpoint accuracy around 140km/h. Early promise faded amid control issues, wild pitches, and hit batters, including stints with Ulsan Weilers and Hanwha Eagles. In one game, he posted a 1.2 ERA over 44 2/3 innings but struggled with five homers in two pairs. Even against hitters like Kim Do-gyu, his command faltered. Despite…

Fraudsters impersonate cryptocurrency firms to launch phishing attacks on customers of major domestic gas suppliers. Scammers send deceptive messages claiming ‘1.5 million won in Bitcoin holdings on the Coin Exchange site. Please deposit via this URL,’ prompting victims to click malicious links.Police Probe into Massive Bitcoin-Related FraudsAuthorities investigate phishing operations exploiting incidents involving two prominent Bitcoin entities, linked to damages exceeding 62 billion won. Victims remain largely unaware, fueling concerns among transaction platforms and private communications. Investigators collaborate with gas firms to trace these schemes.Sophisticated Tactics in Phishing CampaignsScammers embed harmful links in fake investigation notices and alerts. Clicking leads…

Park Se-hyun and Park Jin-young star in JTBC’s new Friday series Shining, delivering a captivating ‘best love story’ that transforms school-day admiration into adult emotions. The drama premieres with back-to-back episodes 1 and 2 on March 6 at 8:50 p.m., showcasing youthful growth through heartfelt revelations. Characters and Backstory Park Se-hyun portrays Im A-sol, a sharp tax accountant who appears blunt and professional yet excels in volunteering, fitness, and hobbies without a single flaw. Despite no dating history, she holds dear a memory from her first year of high school: quietly admiring senior Yeon Tae-seo, played by Park Jin-young, as…

A man in his 60s facing financial hardship smothered his wife, also in her 60s, who was enduring severe pain from pancreatic cancer, before surrendering to authorities. Police classify the incident as murder and continue their probe.Details of the IncidentThe woman passed away on September 9 at a motel in Jinan-gun. Investigators suspect her husband, identified as Mr. A, suffocated her with a towel to end her suffering. The couple, basic livelihood aid recipients living childless in a one-room apartment, had decided on a double suicide and checked into the motel that same day.Around 8 a.m. on September 10, Mr.…

Base metal prices declined sharply as Chinese purchasing activity remained subdued ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. Buyers in China plan to step back from trading during the official nine-day period from February 15 to 23, with many companies already offering early discretionary breaks. This caution contributed to restrained market momentum. Copper Prices Face Pressure Amid Inventory Builds Copper prices climbed from December through January, yet top consumers hesitate to procure at elevated levels. Analysis indicates buyers are timing purchases carefully, factoring in holiday-related production pauses and lofty pricing. Inventory for copper wire rose notably over the past 12…

President Donald Trump has cautioned that Iran desperately seeks a new nuclear agreement but risks far stricter consequences if it violates terms again, amid renewed U.S.-Iran talks after an eight-month hiatus.Resumed Nuclear NegotiationsIn a recent interview with Axios, Trump addressed expectations for a second round of direct U.S.-Iran nuclear discussions set to commence soon. He emphasized Iran’s strong desire for a deal while stressing the need for robust enforcement.”Iran wants the nuclear deal desperately,” Trump stated. “One strike has already occurred there, but additional strikes remain possible if necessary.”U.S. Military Posture in the RegionThe U.S. has positioned the USS Abraham…

South Korea’s employed population reached 27.986 million in January 2026, marking a year-over-year increase of 10.8 million. This gain represents the smallest annual rise in 13 months, following a stronger 16.8 million jump in December 2025, according to the latest economically active population survey. Key Labor Market Indicators The economic activity rate for ages 15-64 climbed to 69.2%, up 0.4 percentage points from the previous year under OECD standards. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate edged higher to 4.1%, a 0.4 percentage point increase year-over-year. Age Group Trends Employment grew across older demographics, with the 60-and-over group adding 1.41 million workers, the…