Author: Seoul Reporter

Court Rules Former Official’s Claims of ‘Drinking While Investigating’ False A court has ruled that the claims made by Lee Hwa-young, former Deputy Governor of Gyeonggi Province, regarding alleged instances of ‘drinking while investigating’ during prosecutorial proceedings were false. Consequently, the court has sentenced the former deputy governor to four months in prison for providing false testimony to the National Assembly, a decision reached after a jury deliberation. Background of the Allegations The sentencing comes two years and two months after the former deputy governor alleged in April 2024 that he received outside food and soju during an investigation into…

During a recent four-day trip from June 11th to 14th, I explored the mountainous regions of Japan’s Shikoku island, visiting locations like Makino Botanical Garden, Mount Ishizuchi (1982m), Mount Tsurugi (1955m), and Kurozo Marsh. Amidst the stunning scenery, I encountered numerous plant species, many of which are facing endangerment or are rare in Korea. This report highlights twelve such species found thriving in Japan’s highlands. Alpine Blooms of Shikoku One of the most striking flowers I observed near the summit of Mount Tsurugi was the Ingamok. Resembling the common Rhododendron (Haedanghwa), the Ingamok differentiates itself by its habitat. While Rhododendrons…

Kim Do-hyun Faces Extended Layoff After Elbow Surgery Professional baseball player Kim Do-hyun of the KIA Tigers will undergo surgery on his right elbow, team officials announced. The procedure, scheduled for June 30th in Tokyo, Japan, will address a minor ligament tear and also include a reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). This marks a significant setback for the pitcher’s rehabilitation efforts. Setback in Rehabilitation Kim Do-hyun had been working towards a return this season after suffering a stress fracture in his right elbow last September. He had been progressing through a step-by-step pitching program, but recently experienced discomfort…

US Markets Observe Juneteenth Holiday Closure Major financial markets in the United States, including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq, ceased trading on June 19th in observance of Juneteenth. The U.S. bond market also closed for the federal holiday. Markets are scheduled to resume regular trading on June 22nd, following the weekend. Understanding Juneteenth Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. The holiday was officially established as a federal holiday in 2021 by President Joe Biden. Since its designation, key U.S. financial markets, such as the NYSE and Nasdaq, have observed an annual closure…

Tensions Ease as Israel and Hezbollah Reach Truce Agreement Reports indicate that Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah have reached an agreement to cease hostilities. A high-ranking U.S. official confirmed the development, stating that the ceasefire commenced at 4 PM local time (10 PM Korean time) on the 19th, specifically within Lebanon. The official further clarified that both the United States and Qatar played mediating roles, engaging separately with Israel and Iran, respectively, to facilitate the negotiations. This ceasefire has been independently verified through various Israeli news outlets. Continued Israeli Presence and Response Protocols Despite the truce, Israeli forces…

Hanhwa Eagles and Samsung Lions Battle to a Stalemate in Rain-Soaked Match A crucial late-game offensive opportunity for the Hanhwa Eagles was ultimately thwarted by the heavens, as their scheduled contest against the Samsung Lions concluded in a 3-3 tie. The game, held on the 19th at the Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park, saw Hanhwa unable to break their six-game losing streak, bringing their season record to 33 wins, 2 ties, and 35 losses. Samsung, who had been on a five-game winning streak, also saw their momentum halted, with their record now standing at 39 wins, 2 ties, and 27…

Ballot Blunders and Misplaced Aids Disrupt Voting for Vulnerable Citizens Recent elections have been marred by a series of unfortunate incidents, particularly affecting disabled and elderly voters. Reports indicate that issues ranging from inaccurate assistive devices to mishandled ballot processes have caused confusion and frustration at numerous polling stations nationwide. Challenges in Assisting Voters Guidance materials for managing the votes of disabled and elderly citizens, including procedures for ballot assistance and the use of tactile voting aids, are in place. However, a lack of specific, mandatory training for poll workers on these matters has led to varying levels of preparedness…

Investigation Intensifies into Unauthorized Entry at Jamsil Handball Stadium Authorities are accelerating their investigation into criminal activity that occurred during the sealing of the Jamsil Handball Stadium for its opening. On the 19th, the Songpa Police Station in Seoul announced that the identities of three individuals suspected of unlawfully entering the stadium’s underground facilities on July 7th have been confirmed. Details of the Incident The suspects are believed to have bypassed the locks on the mechanical room access door in the underground tunnel, located between Gates 1 and 3 of the stadium, between 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM on July…

Song Chan-ui Delivers Clutch Homer to Shift Momentum Seoul, South Korea – In a pivotal moment during the 2026 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League game, LG Twins player Song Chan-ui launched a game-changing, go-ahead home run. The crucial hit came in the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs and a runner on first base, dramatically altering the game’s trajectory against the Doosan Bears. Key Matchup Details The contest, held at the Jamsil Baseball Stadium on June 19, saw LG Twins starting pitcher Lee Jung-yong face off against Doosan Bears’ Ben Gamel. The tension was palpable as both teams…

Vehicle Consumption Tax Cut to Cease Next Month The government is set to conclude its reduction of the vehicle consumption tax, also known as the acquisition tax, as planned at the end of this month. This tax, levied at 5% of a vehicle’s price upon new purchase, has been subject to adjustments in recent years to stimulate domestic demand. Background of Tax Adjustments In a move to bolster the domestic economy, the current tax reduction, which lowered the rate to 3.5%, will not be extended. This means the tax will revert to its statutory rate of 5% starting in July.…