Seoul Mayoral Candidates Launch Campaigns Ahead of June 3 Election Jung Won-o of the Democratic Party and Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party officially launched their campaigns for the Seoul mayoral election on May 21. The two candidates began a 13-day campaign across the city, engaging in a fierce contest for votes. On the first day of the official campaign, both candidates visited key locations at midnight. Jung went to the Dongseoul Postal Center in Gwangjin-gu, while Oh visited the Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Songpa-g May 21, 2026

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen Declares Taiwan a Sovereign Nation Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan, stated that "Taiwan is already a sovereign independent nation." Her remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned the possibility of a call with her. Tsai reaffirmed her stance of rejecting China's claims of sovereignty while emphasizing the need to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. According to Reuters on May 20, during a press conference marking her second anniversary in office, Tsai declared, "The Republic of China, Taiwan, May 21, 2026

K-Art Takes Center Stage in May Auctions Following Record-Breaking Sales This year, the domestic art auction industry has set record prices, prominently featuring Japanese works. In May, however, it is showcasing 'K-Art'. According to the auction industry on May 21, several notable pieces representing Korean art, including the Daedongyeojido, works by Park Soo-keun and Seo Do-ho, will be auctioned this month. Japanese artists have garnered significant attention in the domestic auction market this year. Last month, at a Seoul Auction event, Yoshitomo Nara's 20 May 21, 2026

Alternative Holiday for Buddha's Birthday Raises Questions About Services As the alternative holiday for Buddha's Birthday approaches, there is growing interest in the operation of essential services. While government offices, schools, and financial markets typically close, the status of banks, hospitals, and delivery services varies by institution and requires prior confirmation. This year, Buddha's Birthday falls on Sunday, May 24. Since the holiday coincides with a Sunday, the following Monday, May 25, will be designated as an alternative holiday. This pract May 21, 2026

Competition Heats Up for 'K-Palantir' in Defense Technology As artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a crucial element in future warfare, South Korea is witnessing the rise of defense companies equipped with big tech capabilities. The importance of real-time battlefield situational awareness and data connectivity has increased, particularly following the conflicts involving the U.S., Iran, and the Russia-Ukraine war. The competition for what is being dubbed the 'K-Palantir' is intensifying. According to industry sources, defense startup MakinaRax May 21, 2026

Junsungbae Jeon Sentenced to 5 Years for Corruption Tied to Yoon Suk Yeol and Unification Church Junsungbae Jeon, known as the "Ganjin Beopsa," was sentenced to five years in prison for accepting bribes from the Unification Church and other groups by leveraging his connection with Kim Geon-hee. The court ruled that Jeon relayed requests to former President Yoon Suk Yeol through Kim, indicating a collusion between religion and politics. However, his acknowledgment of the bribes during the special investigation and his submission of key evidence were considered mitigating factors. On May 21, 2026

Official Campaigns Kick Off for Local Elections in South Korea On May 21, the official campaign period for the local elections began, with both major parties launching aggressive efforts to win over voters. Jung Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, and Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, focused their strategies on the Chungcheong region, known for its pivotal role as a 'casting vote' in local elections. The Democratic Party emphasized that this election is crucial for preventing the People Power Party's controversial nominations May 21, 2026

Two Suspects Charged with Murder in Death of Director Kim Chang-min Two suspects in the death of director Kim Chang-min have been charged with murder while in custody. According to Yonhap News, the Namyangju branch of the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office announced on May 21 that Lee (32) and Lim (32) have been indicted on charges of murder and violating the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act. The prosecution determined that the severity of the crime warranted murder charges, rather than the initial charge of manslaughter applied by the polic May 21, 2026

Kim Bo-mi Undergoes Surgery for Kidney Stones Actress Kim Bo-mi has revealed that she underwent surgery for kidney stones. On May 21, Kim shared a lengthy post on her social media account, describing her challenging hospital experience. She recounted, "The pain in my abdomen started on my birthday. I thought it would get better, but after attending my birthday party, I had to rush home. When I woke up the next morning, I felt fine, but by around 2 p.m., the pain returned, and I felt like I was going to lose consciousness, so I called a May 21, 2026

Krafton's PUBG Mobile Celebrates 8th Anniversary with Kia Collaboration Krafton has launched an online game and offline experiential pop-up in collaboration with Kia to celebrate the 8th anniversary of PUBG Mobile. The initiative aims to strengthen direct communication with users and expand the long-term service foundation of PUBG Mobile. On May 21, Krafton opened PUBG Seongsu and Kia Unplugged Ground in the Seongsu area of Seoul. The concept, dubbed 'Zone 8,' combines the core element of the game, the magnetic field, with Kia's EV mobility in a collaborativ May 21, 2026