Jang Dong-hyeok says South Korea is becoming a monarchy under Lee Jae-myung Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, stepped up his criticism of the ruling camp on April 30, saying South Korea was becoming a monarchy where “the state is me.” Speaking at a party Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, Jang said that with “one word from President Lee Jae-myung,” the ruling party and government were “busy pushing things through without discussion or review.” Jang said Lee’s remark that “it is fair for nonregular workers to be paid more” was fo April 30, 2026

Subway to Raise Prices Starting May 7; 15 cm Sandwiches Up 210 Won on Average Subway will raise menu prices starting May 7, citing higher ingredient costs and rising operating burdens for franchisees. The sandwich chain said April 30 that the increases will apply to sandwiches, sides and drinks. For its best-selling 15 cm sandwiches sold a la carte, prices will rise by an average of 210 won, or about 2.8%. A la carte drinks and set menus will be adjusted by 100 won to 200 won. Among major 15 cm items, the Egg Mayo will increase to 6,200 w April 30, 2026

Fed Holds Rates as Dissent Rises, Complicating Bank of Korea’s Next Move The Federal Reserve again held its benchmark rate at 3.50% to 3.75%. While the decision signaled a pause, uncertainty over the policy path has deepened. At the latest Federal Open Market Committee meeting, four members dissented — the largest number in 34 years — underscoring a break in the Fed’s usual unity. That split is quickly reverberating in Seoul, adding to the Bank of Korea’s policy challenge. The most striking feature of the decision was not the outcome but the division behind it. Four April 30, 2026

South Korea Says No Talks With U.S. on Cutting American Troops in Korea South Korea's Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday there have been no discussions with the United States about reducing U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, after President Donald Trump said Washington is considering cutting forces in Germany. Asked about the issue at a regular briefing, ministry spokesperson Jeong Bitna said, "There have been no discussions at all between South Korea and the United States regarding a reduction of U.S. Forces Korea." She said the main mission o April 30, 2026

South Korea to Recruit Trainees for Digital Twin-Based Semiconductor Process Design Academy The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Wednesday it will recruit trainees for the Korea Semiconductor Academy to provide semiconductor process design training using digital twin technology. The program, supported by the ministry and run by the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, targets company employees and people seeking jobs in the semiconductor sector. It plans to train about 100 process design specialists through four sessions a year, each lasting two weeks. The mini April 30, 2026

South Korea, Mexico to Hold High-Level Talks on Restarting FTA Negotiations The South Korean government will begin high-level consultations aimed at resuming free trade agreement talks with Mexico. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said trade minister Yeo Han-koo met Thursday with Carlos Penafiel Soto, Mexico’s ambassador to South Korea, to discuss ways to expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation. The meeting came as uncertainty in the global trade environment deepens amid the spread of protectionism, and was arranged to explore broader cooperat April 30, 2026

March National Tax Revenue Up 5.5 Trillion Won on Income, Stock Transaction and Corporate Taxes National tax revenue in March rose 5.5 trillion won from a year earlier, led by gains in income tax, stock transaction tax and corporate tax. The Ministry of Economy and Finance said Thursday that March national tax revenue totaled 37.8 trillion won, according to its report on March 2026 collections. By category, income tax posted the largest increase, up 2.2 trillion won. The ministry cited higher wage income tax as performance bonuses expanded, and higher capital gains tax as home tran April 30, 2026

LG Energy Solution Sees Sodium Battery Demand in ESS, Lead-Acid Replacement Tests Planned ·* This article has been translated by AI. April 30, 2026

LG Energy Solution: North America to Mass-Produce Prismatic ESS Batteries by Late 2027 * This article has been translated by AI. April 30, 2026

Trump, Putin Hold 90-Minute Call on Ukraine Ceasefire Idea and Iran U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Reuters/Yonhap) U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone and discussed the war in Ukraine and the Iran issue. Putin said he was prepared to declare a ceasefire during the May 9 Victory Day period, and Trump said the call went well. Reuters reported that Trump said after the call that they discussed “a bit of a ceasefire” in Ukraine. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the conversation lasted April 30, 2026