Will Banks, Hospitals, Delivery and the Stock Market Close for May 1 Labor Day? Interest is growing over whether workplaces and essential services will close for May 1 Labor Day. Starting this year, Labor Day is a statutory public holiday, extending the day off to public-sector workers such as civil servants and teachers. That has prompted more people to confirm operating schedules for banks, schools, hospitals, parcel delivery and the stock market. The Ministry of Personnel Management said April 28 that the Cabinet approved a partial revision to the regulation on pu April 29, 2026

Reform Party floor leader urges budget support for Jeonnam-Gwangju integration, state-backed legal aid for teachers Cheon Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform Party, on the 29th proposed central government budget support for the Jeonnam-Gwangju integration and a state-backed system to handle lawsuits involving teachers. Speaking at a luncheon meeting at Cheong Wa Dae that morning hosted by President Lee Jae-myung for lawmakers from non-negotiating parties and independents, Cheon said that during the review of a supplementary budget, 57.3 billion won in “essential” funding for the Jeonnam-Gwang April 29, 2026

Rep. Kang Sun-woo Says She’s Wrongly Accused in 100 Million Won Nomination Bribery Trial In the first trial of a case alleging a 100 million won cash payment in exchange for a city council nomination, a former Seoul city council member and an aide to independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo admitted the charges. Kang’s side said she is being treated unfairly and postponed a detailed response. Judge Lee Chun-geun of the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 1 held the first hearing Tuesday for Kang, former Seoul city council member Kim Kyung and Kang’s aide, identified on April 29, 2026

People Power Party candidates turn to Kim Moon-soo as local election face With the June 3 local elections approaching, People Power Party candidates are increasingly turning to Kim Moon-soo, a former candidate, rather than party leader Jang Dong-hyeok as the campaign’s public face. Reports say candidates in Busan, Daegu, Gangwon, Sejong and North Gyeongsang Province have asked Kim to serve as an honorary chief campaign chair or to join their stump speeches. That candidates would elevate another figure despite having a sitting party leader underscores the party’s curre April 29, 2026

Justice Ministry Drops Appeals in 863 State Compensation Suits Over Past Abuses The Justice Ministry said it has withdrawn or waived appeals in 863 damages lawsuits filed against the state by victims of major past human rights abuses, including the Brothers Home case, Seongam Academy, the Samcheong re-education camp and the Yeosu-Suncheon Oct. 19 incident. The ministry said on the 29th it has taken steps to strengthen remedies for victims of past abuses, including refraining from routine appeals in state compensation cases, withdrawing or waiving appeals, and stoppin April 29, 2026

Actress Tang Wei Faces Online Speculation About Second Pregnancy After Shanghai Event Actress Tang Wei has become the subject of online speculation that she is pregnant with a second child. According to the entertainment industry on the 29th, Tang appeared at a brand event held April 26 in Shanghai, China. She wore a loose black dress and low-heeled shoes, and images of what some described as a visible baby bump spread quickly online. Fans said she appeared to be expecting, and Chinese media outlets also reported the claims, fueling the speculation. In March, Tang was al April 29, 2026

Kakao Adds ‘Share Together’ Feature for KakaoTalk Gift Vouchers Kakao has launched a “Share Together” feature on KakaoTalk Gift that allows users to use gift vouchers with family members and other contacts. Kakao said April 29 that it added a new “Share Together” tab to the KakaoTalk gift box, enabling vouchers previously stored for individual use to be shared with members of a family account. Previously, sharing a voucher often required taking a screenshot or copying and sending a message. Kakao said the new feature reduces those steps and makes it April 29, 2026

POSCO International to Work With Hana Financial, Dunamu on Blockchain Remittances POSCO International said it will work with Hana Financial Group and blockchain firm Dunamu on a blockchain-based global remittance business. The company said the three parties signed a memorandum of understanding in Seoul on the 29th at Hana Financial Group’s headquarters to cooperate on blockchain-based overseas remittances and intercompany fund transfers. Attendees included POSCO International President Lee Kye-in, Hana Financial Group Vice Chairman Lee Eun-hyung and Dunamu CEO Oh Ky April 29, 2026

South Korea Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-back Meets Latvian Speaker to Discuss Defense, Arms Cooperation Ahn Kyu-back, South Korea’s defense minister, met Daiga Mierina, speaker of Latvia’s parliament, at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 29th and discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in defense and the defense industry. Ahn said the two countries are cooperative partners that share universal values such as liberal democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and he expressed hope that Mierina’s visit to South Korea would help broaden practical cooperati April 29, 2026

Israel’s president moves to mediate plea deal talks in Netanyahu corruption trial Israeli President Isaac Herzog has begun efforts to mediate a “judicial agreement” over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial. The Times of Israel reported on April 28 (local time) that Herzog plans to broker talks between Netanyahu’s side and prosecutors to reach a “judicial agreement,” rather than decide whether to accept or reject the prime minister’s request for a pardon. An invitation signed by the president’s legal adviser reportedly said that before reviewing wheth April 29, 2026