Author: Seoul Reporter

The Seoul Reporter is an independent news platform uncovering untold stories from the heart of Korea. Our team of journalists and contributors expose corruption, highlight innovation, and bring unfiltered truth to readers worldwide from Seoul’s power corridors to its underground culture.

Tesla Faces Questions Over Full Self-Driving Safety Data in Europe Concerns are mounting over Tesla’s presentation of safety statistics for s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system as the company pursues European approval. Reports indicate that Tesla submted data to regulatory bodies in the Netherlands and Sweden, claiming s FSD technology is up to seven times safer than human drivers. This assertion was used to bolster the case for s approval. In documents submted to the Netherlands’ Road Transport Directorate (RDW) late last year, Tesla argued that road safety improves as FSD usage increases. Following this submission, the RDW approved FSD usage…

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Government Reserve Fund Spending Surges in Past Year The government utilized 3.155 trillion won from its reserve fund last year, marking an 83% execution rate. This figure represents the highest rate of expenditure from this emergency fund since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic response period between 2020 and 2022. The reserve fund, often referred to as the “emergency fund,” is a dedicated pool of money set aside by the government to address unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters or other national emergencies. Its allocation is a critical component of fiscal planning. Historical Spending Patterns of the Reserve Fund Analysis…

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Seoul City Excludes MBC from Daily News Scans Seoul City has officially removed MBC news reports its daily internal news compilation, citing biased and distorted reporting. This decision, communicated to city officials, specifically targets MBC’s coverage of the recent issues surrounding the GTX-A line’s Samseong Station construction and the discovery of missing structural components. The exclusion comes just four days after Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon publicly linked MBC’s reporting on the GTX-A incident to the opposition party and their mayoral candidate, Jung Won-oh. Mayor Oh suggested a “triangle relationship” between MBC, the Democratic Party, and Jung Won-oh’s campaign, implying a…

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Police Seek Arrest Warrant for CEO Amid $30 Million Fraud Allegations Authorities have requested an arrest warrant for the CEO of Chaga-Won, also known as OneHundred Red Label, who is facing allegations of significant fraud totaling approximately 30 billion Korean Won (around $30 million USD). Details of the Allegations According to investigative sources, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s financial crime investigation unit recently submitted the warrant request to the Seoul Central District Court. The charges include fraud and violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes. It is alleged that the CEO…

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Myeongdong Reclaims Its Retail Crown as Tourist Influx Drives Business Boom Myeongdong, Seoul’s iconic shopping district, is experiencing a significant retail resurgence, drawing major domestic and international brands back to its bustling streets. The return of foreign tourists is fueling a rapid recovery in commercial occupancy rates, signaling a strong comeback for the area. Global Fashion and Beauty Giants Re-establish Presence Uniqlo has made a notable return to Myeongdong, opening its largest domestic store in five years. The global apparel retailer’s comeback is seen as a symbolic moment in the district’s revitalization, especially after its previous Myeongdong branch closed in…

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Lotte Giants Continue Losing Skid, Fall to Last Place The Lotte Giants have once again found themselves at the bottom of the league standings, marking their return to last place after a significant losing streak. This latest slump, which has seen the team lose seven consecutive series, culminated in a 1-6 defeat against the LG Twins on May 14th. This marks the first time the team has occupied the cellar position in 43 days, since May 2nd. Team’s Performance and Fan Reaction The Giants’ recent struggles have not gone unnoticed by their fanbase. The team’s official YouTube channel, ‘GiantsTV,’ has…

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Police Scrutinize Starbucks Korea’s Internal Review in Marketing Probe Authorities are currently analyzing the results of an internal investigation conducted by Starbucks Korea as part of an ongoing probe into a controversial marketing campaign. The campaign, which reportedly coincided with the May 18th Gwangju Uprising commemoration, has sparked public outcry and led to a formal police inquiry. During a regular press briefing on the 15th, the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Park Jeong-bo, affirmed that the investigation is proceeding with strict adherence to protocol. He also confirmed that interviews with individuals connected to Starbucks are being conducted as…

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Massive Fine Fuels Consumer Lawsuits Against E-commerce Giant Following a significant data breach affecting 37.5 million users, e-commerce platform Coupang has been issued a substantial fine of 62.47 billion Korean Won by the Personal Information Protection Commission. This penalty, reportedly the largest ever imposed for a single data leak incident, is now accelerating a wave of consumer-led class-action lawsuits seeking damages. The administrative body’s decision, which found issues with Coupang’s data protection measures and incident response, is expected to serve as a key piece of evidence in the ongoing legal battles. Legal Action Intensifies Following Regulatory Fine Lawyers representing consumers…

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Summer Brings Spike in Boating Under the Influence Incidents Reports indicate a concentrated surge in incidents of individuals operating vessels while under the influence of alcohol during the summer months. The Korea Coast Guard has announced a special crackdown operation targeting BUI (Boating Under the Influence) offenses from June through August. Statistics Reveal Summer Peak Data from the Korea Coast Guard reveals a significant pattern: out of 190 BUI cases recorded between 2023 and 2025, a substantial 28% (54 cases) occurred specifically during June, July, and August. This highlights the seasonal nature of the problem. Notable Incidents Underscore Danger Last…

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s recent seven-day visit to South Korea was packed with a demanding schedule. Huang met with prominent South Korean business leaders to discuss artificial intelligence collaborations. His itinerary also included attending professional baseball games, appearing on entertainment shows, and visiting company sites. A significant highlight of his trip, however, was his enjoyment of Korean culinary staples like samgyeopsal (pork belly) and chicken, often paired with soju and beer, creating a buzz around these popular “combination foods.” This has led to an examination of the nutritional aspects and potential health considerations of these beloved Korean dishes. Samgyeopsal: A…

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