South Korea, Pakistan Move to Speed Up CEPA Talks, Trade Minister Says South Korea will step up negotiations with Pakistan on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA. Yeo Han-koo, South Korea’s minister for trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, held a video meeting on the 30th with Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan to discuss ways to advance the Korea-Pakistan CEPA talks and expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation. Pakistan, with a population of 240 million, is the world’s fifth-most populous country and a k April 30, 2026

Woman in Her 40s Killed by Forklift While Biking Across Crosswalk in Seoul A woman in her 40s died after a collision with a forklift while riding a bicycle across a crosswalk, according to a media report. The report said the crash happened on the 24th near Sinmokdong Station in Seoul’s Yangcheon District, when a forklift driven by a man in his 60s, identified only as A, struck the woman as she crossed. Police responded to a witness report and arrested A at the scene on suspicion of violating South Korea’s traffic accident handling law. He was not believed to b April 30, 2026

Lee Jae-myung to Host First Blue House Labor Day Ceremony With Both Major Unions President Lee Jae-myung will invite leaders of the country’s two largest labor federations and workers to Cheong Wa Dae’s state guesthouse on May 1, Labor Day, to hold a commemorative ceremony. Cheong Wa Dae said April 30 that Lee will host about 120 guests, including key figures from labor, management and government and workers from a range of occupations and generations, to mark Labor Day, which it said was restored 63 years ago. Both the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Kor April 30, 2026

Yoonkyung Forum Holds 23rd CEO Ethics Pledge Ceremony on AI-ESG Strategy The Yoonkyung Forum, hosted by the Industrial Policy Research Institute and Seoul School of Integrated Sciences & Technologies, held its 23rd CEO ethics pledge ceremony on Wednesday at the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall in Seoul, organizers said. Held under the theme “the convergence of AI and ESG,” the event drew about 100 leaders from private companies, public institutions, government and civil society. Participants discussed strategies that combine AI-driven innovation with ESG manageme April 30, 2026

South Korea says Hormuz transit for its ships depends on safety, operators’ decisions South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said April 30 that the passage of Korean-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Iran war must take into account multiple factors, including safety conditions and decisions by shipping companies. Spokesman Park Il told a regular briefing that “there are various matters to consider, including the safety situation in the strait,” and that judgments and decisions on transit ultimately rest with ship operators. Park said the government’ April 30, 2026

Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young Defends Contested Arts Appointments, Says They Have Reasons Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young said April 30 that recent controversy over the Lee Jae-myung government’s arts and culture appointments had caused concern, but he defended the decisions as justified. “As the appointing authority, I feel sorry for causing worry,” Choi said at the second meeting of the Culture and Arts Policy Advisory Committee’s basic arts subcommittee (classical music, Korean traditional music and dance), held at the National Museum of Modern and Cont April 30, 2026

WSJ: Saudi PIF to End LIV Golf Funding After This Year Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf is facing its biggest test after reports that the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund plans to stop funding the league, putting its future in doubt. The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg News reported on April 30 (Korean time) that PIF has decided to maintain financial support for LIV Golf only through this year and then end it. The reports said players and staff could be formally notified as soon as April 30 local time. LIV Golf, launched in 2021 with Saudi back April 30, 2026

May Day Rallies to Snarl Traffic in Central Seoul and Yeouido Seoul is expected to face near gridlock across the city center on May 1, Workers’ Day, as large rallies and marches are planned around Sejong-daero and Yeoui-daero, with traffic controls on major arteries. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions will each hold rallies and marches drawing tens of thousands of participants in central Seoul and the Yeongdeungpo area. With events running at the same t April 30, 2026

Wild Turkey Brings ‘Kentucky in Seoul’ Bourbon Pop-Up to Seongsu-dong Moontz Barbecue in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, was transformed on April 30 into a setting meant to evoke a classic American pub, complete with a pinball machine and a “wisdom wall.” The smoky barbecue aroma and oak-forward notes were part of a brand showcase for American bourbon whiskey Wild Turkey. The venue is hosting “Kentucky in Seoul,” a pop-up store organized by Campari Korea, the Italian premium liquor importer and distributor, to introduce Wild Turkey’s new global campaign. The pop-u April 30, 2026

Seoul mayoral candidate Jeong Won-oh pledges paid sick leave for freelancers, expanded flexible work Jeong Won-oh, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, said April 30 he would expand Seoul-style flexible work arrangements and introduce a Seoul-funded paid sick leave program for freelancers and other vulnerable workers. Speaking outside the Jeon Tae-il Memorial Hall along Cheonggyecheon in central Seoul, Jeong said that if Seoul runs on labor, the city government should also share responsibility for the time of working residents. Under the slogan, "Rebuilding a worker-respectin April 30, 2026