Rep. Lee Cheol-gyu Brokers Reopening of Donghae Rail Crossing; Canada Talks Cover Supply Chains, Energy Rep. Lee Cheol-gyu of the ruling People Power Party said he helped secure the reopening of the Hapyeong rail crossing in Donghae, which had been restricted over safety concerns as tourist crowds surged. Lee said that at a countermeasures meeting on the 20th at the National Assembly with the Korea National Railway, Korail and Donghae city officials, the parties reached a final agreement to resume access on the condition that safety staff be deployed no later than May 1. The Hapyeong cro April 21, 2026

How Gen Z Turned Horror Film 'Salmokji' Into a Popcorn-and-Heart-Rate Challenge "Salmokji review: Spilled my popcorn." Since the horror film 'Salmokji' opened, short reactions and proof photos have flooded online. Posts saying viewers spilled popcorn — along with screenshots of heart rates captured right after the movie — quickly turned 'Salmokji' reviews into a kind of game. The trend has become another clue to the film’s box-office run, as personal experiences are reposted and recirculated online, extending the buzz beyond simple word-of-mouth that it is "scary." April 21, 2026

Naver, Krafton and Mirae Asset Seek Up to 1 Trillion Won for India Tech Fund Naver, Krafton and Mirae Asset are moving to make a large-scale technology investment push in India, aiming to identify promising information technology companies through a “Unicorn Growth Fund (UGF)” that could reach up to 1 trillion won. Naver said it introduced the UGF to local companies and venture capital firms at a briefing held April 21 in New Delhi. The event was arranged in connection with President Lee Jae-myung’s trip to India. Attendees included Industry and Trade Minister Ki April 21, 2026

Korea Finance Union Seeks 8% Pay Raise, 4.5-Day Workweek Ahead of Local Elections The Korea Finance Union has launched this year’s industrywide bargaining, raising its demands for higher pay and shorter working hours. With June local elections approaching and politicians courting labor support, analysts say the union’s voice is growing louder. According to the financial sector on April 21, the union recently held its “2026 first delegation bargaining session” and began full talks with the Financial Industry Employers Association. Its key demands include an 8.0% increas April 21, 2026

Shinhan Bank Launches SOL Trip & J Debit Card With Japan Travel Perks Shinhan Bank said Tuesday it has launched the SOL Trip & J debit card with Shinhan Card, adding Japan-focused benefits to its travel card lineup. The card expands Shinhan Bank's SOL Travel debit card line and is billed as the financial industry's first debit card issued under the JCB brand, aimed at improving ease of use in Japan. It includes the existing SOL Travel benefits of 100% exchange-rate preferential treatment and waived overseas payment fees. Cardholders also rec April 21, 2026

The Cross Singer Kim Hyeok-geon Says He Had Articles Deleted After Paralysis Diagnosis The turbulent life story of The Cross vocalist Kim Hyeok-geon has been revealed. A video titled, “From a promising genius vocalist to becoming vegetative, Kim Hyeok-geon — what happened that day?” was posted Sunday on the YouTube channel “Special Report World - The Person From Back Then.” Kim, who was diagnosed with full-body paralysis after an unexpected traffic accident in 2012, shared an update on his life, saying he now relies on an AI system for assistance. He said he teaches social April 21, 2026

Gwangju Mayor Bang Se-hwan Vows Continued Push to Ease Traffic, Improve Living Conditions Gwangju Mayor Bang Se-hwan said Monday the city will keep working to ease traffic congestion and improve residents’ living conditions. Bang said the city has completed a roundabout project at Gwaneum Intersection, where Local Road 338 and National Support Local Road 88 meet, to address chronic congestion. The project targeted a stretch that repeatedly backed up on weekends and holidays as more vehicles headed from Toechon toward Yangpyeong. Construction began in December last year April 21, 2026

Demand Deposits at Top South Korean Banks Drop Nearly 19 Trillion Won, Raising Loan-Rate Concerns Demand deposits at South Korea’s five major commercial banks fell by nearly 19 trillion won in the first half of this month, fueling concerns that lending rates could rise as banks’ funding costs increase. Financial industry data showed that as of April 16, demand deposits at KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH Nonghyup Bank totaled 680.9236 trillion won. That was down 18.9845 trillion won from 699.9081 trillion won at the end of last month. Demand deposits can be withdrawn at any April 21, 2026

Masked Stepfather Who Tied 10-Year-Old Girl’s Hands Gets Suspended Prison Term A foreign man in his 30s who covered his face and tied up his stepdaughter’s hands has been given a suspended prison sentence. According to legal officials on the 21st, the Ulsan District Court’s Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Bae On-sil) sentenced a Vietnamese national identified as A to one year in prison, suspended for three years, for violating the Child Welfare Act. Prosecutors said A entered the bedroom of his 10-year-old stepdaughter, identified as B, at their April 21, 2026

South Korea Supreme Court Upholds Acquittal of Lim Jeong-hyeok in Baekhyeon-dong Case Attorney Lim Jeong-hyeok, a former high prosecutors’ office chief accused of taking money in exchange for seeking to blunt an investigation into alleged corruption in the Baekhyeon-dong development case, has been cleared in a final ruling. According to legal officials on the 22nd, the Supreme Court’s Second Division (Justice Cheon Dae-yeop presiding) on March 12 upheld an appeals court decision acquitting Lim of violating the Attorney-at-Law Act. Lim was indicted after prosecutors said April 21, 2026