Kim Seong-beom resigns as Oceans vice minister, seen running in Seogwipo by-election Kim Seong-beom, vice minister of oceans and fisheries, submitted his resignation on the 28th and left public office. He held a farewell ceremony that day at the ministry’s building in Busan and formally stepped down. His resignation, however, had not yet been accepted.  Political circles said Kim is expected to run in the June 3 by-election for a National Assembly seat in Seogwipo City. With the farewell ceremony held before his resignation was accepted, the ruling camp appeared to be movi April 28, 2026

Korea Institute Urges Long-Term Solar Contracts, Permitting Fixes for Wind Power As resource security concerns grow amid war in the Middle East, a state-run research institute said South Korea needs a stable supply of materials, parts and technology to ensure reliable renewable power generation. It called for a shift to long-term contracts for solar power and for removing institutional barriers that slow wind projects. The Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade released the recommendations on 28 in a report titled, "Measures to Strengthen the Competit April 28, 2026

GS E&C to Run Xi Brand Pop-Up in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong GS Engineering & Construction said it will launch a customer campaign to showcase the updated direction of its Xi apartment brand following a rebranding. The company said April 28 it will run the “Find Your Inspiration” campaign from May 1-15 at a Xi brand pop-up venue in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong, tied to the Seoul International Garden Show. The pop-up space will feature a residential area using Xi’s specialized design, a wellness community video hall and hands-on exp April 28, 2026

South Korea Launches Government-Industry Talks to Counter Tighter Global Export Controls The South Korean government has launched a formal communication channel with leading companies in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum technology to respond to rapidly shifting global trade security conditions. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said it held the first public-private “Trade Security Dialogue” on the afternoon of April 28 at the Korea Institute for Trade Security Management in Seoul’s Gangnam district, with 10 major companies and related industry asso April 28, 2026

South Korea to Require Separate Labels for Pre-Law E-Cigarette Stock Under New Safety Rules The government said it will begin enforcing safety management standards for stockpiled liquid e-cigarette products starting on the 28th. The measure is intended to protect consumers during distribution of products manufactured or imported before the revised Tobacco Business Act took effect on the 24th. Under the “Safety Management Standards for Stockpiled Liquid E-Cigarette Products,” businesses must clearly label and notify consumers that a product is pre-law inventory and April 28, 2026

South Korea Sets 2027 Lottery Sales Target at 8.4 Trillion Won, Keeps Current Rules The Lottery Commission under the Planning and Budget Office has approved an issuance plan that would expand lottery sales in 2027 to about 8.4 trillion won. On the 28th, the commission held its 188th meeting at the Korea Trade Insurance Corp. in Seoul, chaired by Vice Chair Im Ki-geun, and deliberated and approved the “2027 Lottery Issuance Plan” and the “2025 Lottery Fund Project Performance Evaluation Results.” The commission decided to keep current face values, issuance conditions April 28, 2026

South Korea to Invest 90 Billion Won in 39 New Smart Green Industrial Park Projects The South Korean government will invest 90 billion won this year to accelerate industrial parks’ shift to AI-based manufacturing, known as M.AX, and a carbon-free transition, known as GX. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said April 28 it will accept applications for its “2026 Smart Green Industrial Complex Support Program” through June 8. The ministry is running support programs for M.AX and GX across 24 industrial parks designated as smart green complexes, including projects to April 28, 2026

Korea Blocks Sales of 85 Overseas Direct-Purchase Products That Failed Safety Standards The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s Korean Agency for Technology and Standards said Tuesday it has blocked domestic distribution of 85 overseas direct-purchase products found to fall short of South Korean safety standards after inspecting 431 items sold on online platforms. The inspection focused on outdoor-use products such as children’s textile goods and kids’ bicycles. The agency said 20% of the products reviewed failed to meet domestic safety standards, higher than the average April 28, 2026

Lee Says High Oil Price Relief Payments Could Spur Recovery, Urges Focus on Gaps President Lee Jae-myung said the first round of relief payments for damage from high oil prices is expected to have an economic ripple effect similar to last year’s consumer spending coupons, which he said helped reignite a recovery. Speaking while chairing a Cabinet meeting and emergency economic review meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on April 28, Lee said payments began the day before and urged officials to ensure people who have difficulty accessing online services are not inconvenienced April 28, 2026

PPP Young Lawmakers Say Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Should Serve Full Term A group of first- and second-term People Power Party lawmakers known as Alternative and Future met for breakfast at the National Assembly on April 28, their first gathering in about two months. Participants said they broadly agreed that floor leader Song Eon-seok should serve out his guaranteed term. Rep. Lee Seong-kwon, the group’s secretary, told reporters after the meeting that with the June 3 local elections underway, “the standard for every decision is winning the election.” He sai April 28, 2026