‘Men don’t know why they became unhappy’: the toxic gender war dividing South Korea

Excellent long read by @koryodynasty.bsky.social in the Guardian. Definitely worth your time this weekend.

‘Landmines have become the greatest protectors’: how wildlife is thriving in the Korean DMZ

‘A structural dependence on heavy industry’: can South Korea wean itself off fossil fuels?

South Korea set to decide whether to let Google Maps finally work properly

Integration classes and complaints offices: South Korea charts a path to a cohesive multicultural future

As part of South Korea’s “peak wage” system, Young Soo’s wages were cut by 20% when he turned 56, and by a further 10% each year after. By the time he is forced to retire next year, he will earn just 52% of what he did at 55. @koryodynasty.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

North Korea’s military is being transformed on the battlefields of Ukraine – so why is Seoul silent?

Secondly, the White House is explicitly referencing the election of Lee Jae-myung in the context of what it calls Chinese interference. I've been following US-South Korea relations for a while, and I don't remember a similar statement.

After the drama of martial law and impeachment, South Korea faced another twist: a snap presidential election. I followed the extraordinary political upheaval and the voices of ordinary Koreans navigating this historic moment in this documentary. Airs tomorrow at 9pm KST on MBC!

내일 저녁(목) 9시 MBC에서 <라파엘 리포트> 2부 특집 다큐멘터리 방송할 예정입니다! 비상계엄 이후 격변의 대선 현장을 직접 취재했습니다. 전국을 돌며 만난 시민들의 진솔한 목소리도 함께 들어보세요. 많관부!

As South Korea heads to the polls, can Lee Jae-myung bring the country back from the brink? My latest for the Guardian ahead of tomorrow's snap presidential election:

My latest for the Guardian, on South Korea's only master of traditional aged soy sauce. Ki Soon-do preserves a 370-year family tradition while Korean jang-making culture receives UNESCO recognition. Where patience isn't just a virtue. It's an essential ingredient. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Here's a photo of the Cheonggyecheon stream in Seoul today where spring was in the air! But did you know that not long ago this was an ugly elevated highway? A success story about how removing, not adding, infrastructure can benefit a city. My article: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

South Korea's templestay programmes are a must-do when visiting the country. I stayed at Baekyangsa last night, and my goodness, was it beautiful.

BREAKING: First hearing for retrial of Lee Jae-myung's election law case set for 15 May at 2PM. Supreme Court yesterday overturned lower court ruling and sent case back. Keep in mind the deadline to register candidates is 11 May and the presidential election is on 3 June.

BREAKING: Former PM Han Duck-soo has officially thrown his hat into the presidential race, declaring his candidacy at the National Assembly.

Lee Ju-ho becomes acting president after a dramatic night saw Han Duck-soo resign to run for presidency and successor Choi Sang-mok suddenly quit to avoid impeachment. Lee pledges "fair election management" in unprecedented situation where South Korea's 4th-in-line now leads the nation.

Update: Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will declare his candidacy for the presidential election today today at 10am, reports Yonhap News. His announcement is titled "A Promise to the People". www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR2025...

This is actually really embarrassing and not a good look for South Korea on the world stage. Hours ago, South Korea notified foreign missions in Seoul that the new acting president would be Choi Sang-mok. Now it will be education minister Lee Ju-ho.

BREAKING: Choi Sang-mok resigns as finance minister just before parliament could vote to impeach him. With Han Duck-soo also resigning as acting president at midnight, power passes to next-in-line Lee Ju-ho, education minister, who becomes acting president. Total power chaos.

K-media already calling it "Acting President Choi Sang-mok Season 2"

BREAKING: Han Duck-soo has stepped down as acting president and prime minister, likely to soon announce his presidential candidacy. Choi Sang-mok now takes over as acting president, again.

BREAKING: S. Korea's Supreme Court overturns Lee Jae-myung's acquittal in election law case, sending it back to Seoul High Court. Lee will still be eligible to run in June's presidential election but will now face renewed legal uncertainty and questions about legitimacy.

1/ South Korea's Supreme Court will rule on Lee Jae-myung's election law case in just under 1 hour. The verdict could determine whether the presidential frontrunner can run in the June 3 election. Watch live at this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ewj...

South Korea's April exports to the U.S. fell 6.8%, with auto exports down 3.8%, compared to the same period last year, as U.S. tariffs begin to bite.

You've probably all seen the viral video of Esther, who went blind in one eye after a procedure in Korea. I investigated the industry last year: gag orders, defamation threats, and a system that enables risks, leaves foreign patients with little recourse.

A really clever and strategic move by the Lee Jae-myung camp. The decision to bring in Dr. Jung Eun-kyeong, one of South Korea's most recognisable and trusted public figures in the last few years, is likely to resonate with a broad segment of the public.

Dr. Jung Eun-kyeong, South Korea's iconic "virus hunter" during the Covid pandemic and former director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, has joined Lee Jae-myung's presidential campaign staff.

Acting President Han Duck-soo likely to resign tomorrow afternoon after completing official duties, Yonhap reports. Expected to announce presidential bid on May 2. Race to unify with PPP nominee would begin after May 3 primary result.

Maeil Business Newspaper reports Korean Air is allegedly in backdoor negotiations with Russia to restore airspace access. Airline faces 2 issues: resolving substantial fines from 2022 and securing routes through Russian territory. Korean gov is reportedly on board. www.mk.co.kr/news/busines...

Just in: South Korea's intelligence agency reports North Korean troops deployed to Russia have suffered approximately 4,700 casualties, including 600 deaths.

Update: South Korea's Supreme Court will broadcast live its ruling on Lee Jae-myung's election law case tomorrow.

Breaking: Prosecutors raiding/attempting to raid Acrovista, the apartment complex where ex-president Yoon and his wife live, over shaman corruption probe. Jeon Seong-bae, a shaman known as Geonjin, allegedly used relationship with the Yoons to receive bribes and appointments.

1/ S. Korea's Supreme Court will rule on Thursday 3pm on election law violations by Lee Jae-myung, the frontrunner in the presidential election. Timing is critical: an unfavourable ruling could disqualify him just weeks before voters go to the polls.

Just in: Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon have advanced to the final round of the People Power Party presidential primary. Ahn Cheol-soo and Hong Joon-pyo were eliminated. Final candidate to be selected on Saturday 3 May after debate and voting.

Just in: Lee Jae-myung clinches Democratic Party's presidential nomination with a historic 89.77% of party primary vote, leaving rivals Kim Dong-yeon (7%) and Kim Kyung-soo (3%) far behind. Although not unexpected, Lee will now lead South Korea's main opposition into the election.

Ukrainian bakery chain Lviv Croissants to open its first Asian branch in Seoul on 30 April. Located at the new Gangdong I-Park The River shopping complex.

Trump's Ukraine retreat fuels South Korea nuclear arms debate Surveys show support for domestic nuke program, but proliferation, sanctions fears loom s.nikkei.com/3Yh8d70

Trump's Ukraine retreat fuels South Korea nuclear arms debate https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Policy-Asia/Trump-s-Ukraine-retreat-fuels-South-Korea-nuclear-arms-debate

My latest for Nikkei Asia on South Korea's nuclear weapons debate. With Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Trump's suspension of military aid, and ongoing North Korean threats, some say Seoul must consider its own deterrent despite significant risks.

"Prosecutors are investigating a shaman who went by the name 'Geonjin' for allegedly receiving a diamond necklace from a Unification Church official to gift to former first lady Kim Keon-hee." english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...

It's official: Virgin Atlantic will launch direct London-Seoul route next year on 29 March.

"Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, will visit South Korea next week at the invitation of Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, a group official said Wednesday."

Kim Gye-ri and Bae Ui-cheol, lawyers who represented Yoon during impeachment proceedings, dined with him yesterday. Kim cringefully called him "Yoon daddy" (윤버지) on Facebook, describing him as "the first president I elected with my own hands".

If elected president, Lee Jae-myung pledges to "make Sejong the de facto administrative capital" and to complete the construction of both the Sejong branch of the National Assembly and the new presidential office within his 5-year term.

My latest in the Guardian: Meet Big Ocean, the K-pop trio with hearing loss redefining what's possible. Using vibrating smartwatches and AI, they've overcome scepticism to inspire a global fanbase. Now they're heading to Europe with a new album.

Update: South Korean police have *called off* raids on both the presidential office and residence after a 10-hour standoff with security officials. Presidential Security Service refused access, citing legal protection of state secrets.

Just in: South Korean police raid presidential office and Hannam-dong official residence compound, per Yonhap News.

Clever optics from the Democratic Party. While the People Power Party remains in disarray and divided, the DP are holding a fair election agreement ceremony with all their presidential candidates showing unity. They will then attend the Sewol Ferry memorial service together.