Ha Jeong-woo Offers to Resign as Presidential AI Secretary, Eyes Busan Buk-gu Gap By-Election Ha Jeong-woo Offers to Resign as Presidential AI Secretary, Eyes Busan Buk-gu Gap Run Ha Jeong-woo, the presidential senior secretary for AI future planning, answers a question from President Lee Jae-myung during a briefing by public institutions and related agencies held April 17 at the state guesthouse in Cheong Wa Dae. Ha Jeong-woo signals resignation as presidential AI secretary; expected to run in Busan Buk-gu Gap Ha Jeong-woo, a key aide to President Lee Jae-myung and the preside April 27, 2026

Ha Jung-woo to resign as presidential AI aide, expected to run in Busan Buk-gu A by-election Lee Jae-myung’s key aide Ha Jung-woo, the presidential senior secretary for artificial intelligence and future planning, offered to resign on Sunday, according to political sources. Ha is expected to step up preparations to run in the June 3 parliamentary by-election, with the May 4 deadline for public officials to resign one week away, the sources said. He is expected to submit his resignation later Sunday and formally announce his candidacy Monday in the Busan Buk-gu A by-election. The April 27, 2026

Japan Holds First Expert Panel Meeting to Revise Three Key Security Documents Japan on the 27th held the first meeting of an expert panel formed to revise its three major security documents, Kyodo News and other outlets reported. Yonhap said the 15-member group, titled the “Expert Meeting to Consider Security Through Comprehensive National Power,” met in the evening at the prime minister’s office. Members include Kenichiro Sasae, a former ambassador to the United States; Tetsuro Kuroe, a former vice defense administrative vice minister; Kazuto Suzuki, a professor at April 27, 2026

Labor panel says Cargo Truckers Solidarity union must be included in talks with CJ Logistics, Hanjin The labor relations commission has ruled that Cargo Truckers Solidarity, which received bargaining authority from the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union, must be included as a bargaining party in cases challenging whether CJ Logistics and Hanjin qualify as employers. According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission on the 27th accepted a request to correct a public notice related to objections over the confirmation of the union entitled to dem April 27, 2026

Police Stop Man in His 50s From Attempted Self-Immolation Outside Democratic Party HQ A man who tried to set himself on fire outside the Democratic Party’s headquarters in Seoul was stopped by police and taken to a hospital. Yonhap reported that at about 4:22 p.m. on the 27th, the man, identified only as A and in his 50s, poured oil on himself in front of the Democratic Party’s central headquarters in Yeouido and attempted self-immolation. Police intervened, and authorities confirmed his body did not catch fire. A told police he went to the party office to appeal for hel April 27, 2026

Nikkei: Samsung Electronics to Exit China Home Appliance and TV Sales This Year Samsung Electronics plans to withdraw from its home appliance and TV sales business in China within this year, Japan’s Nikkei reported Sunday. Citing Yonhap News Agency, the report said Samsung could make a final decision as early as this month, then brief business partners and local employees and gradually sell off inventory, with the aim of ending sales completely by year’s end. The company plans to keep its local production system for appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines April 27, 2026

Prosecutors Drop Case Alleging Preferential Treatment in Korea Gas Corp. Site Development Tied to President Lee President Lee Jae-myung’s case stemming from allegations of preferential treatment in the development of a Korea Gas Corp. site in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, has been closed without indictment after three years. Yonhap News reported Monday that the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office’s Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 3 dismissed the complaint on April 17. The case alleged abuse of authority, obstruction of others’ exercise of rights and dereliction of duty. The allegations April 27, 2026

Appeal Opens in Yoon Suk Yeol Insurrection Ringleader Case; Defense Challenges Special Court Law Yoon Suk Yeol’s appeal trial on charges of being the ringleader of an insurrection tied to the Dec. 3 emergency martial law began on the 27th. The Seoul High Court’s Criminal Division 12-1 held the first pretrial hearing in Yoon’s case that day. Proceedings also began for seven senior military and police officials indicted with him, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former National Police Agency Commissioner Cho Ji-ho. Defendants are not required to attend pretrial hear April 27, 2026

Prosecutors Seek 20-Year Prison Term for Park Sung-jae in Martial Law Insurrection Case Park Sung-jae, a former justice minister indicted on charges of participating in insurrection-related crimes tied to the Dec. 3 martial law declaration and acting on an alleged request involving first lady Kim Keon Hee, was asked to be sentenced to 20 years in prison. At a closing hearing Monday before the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 33, the special counsel team led by Cho Eun-seok requested the sentence for Park on charges including playing a key role in an insurrecti April 27, 2026

Special counsel seeks 20 years for Park Sung-jae over martial law role, alleged Kim Keon-hee favor Special counsel prosecutors on Sunday sought a 20-year prison term for Park Sung-jae, a former justice minister on trial for allegedly taking part in the Dec. 3 martial law episode and acting on a request tied to an investigation involving first lady Kim Keon-hee. The team led by special counsel Cho Eun-seok asked the Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 33, presided over by Judge Lee Jin-kwan, to sentence Park to 20 years in prison on charges including playing a key role in a April 27, 2026