Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Iran Foreign Minister Meets Pakistan Army Chief as Truce With U.S. Holds Iran’s foreign minister, whose country is in a temporary truce with the United States, met with a key Pakistani figure in Islamabad, Pakistan’s role as a mediator drew renewed attention. Yonhap reported on the 25th that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir in the Pakistani capital. Munir has been involved in U.S.-Iran talks aimed at ending the war and is described as a central figure in Pakistan’s government. Details of the meeting were not disclosed, but observers said Iran and mediator Pakistan likely discussed a second round of talks on ending the war. The New York Times, citing two senior Iranian officials, reported that Araghchi would meet in Pakistan with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s eldest son-in-law, to keep negotiations going. The United States and Iran previously held a first round of talks in Islamabad on April 11-12, but they collapsed. A second round expected on April 21 also did not take place.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 20:45:14 -
Michael Jackson Estate Rejects New Child Sex Abuse Claims as Money-Driven Lawsuit New allegations have surfaced that the late pop star Michael Jackson sexually abused minors during his lifetime, claims his estate has forcefully denied as a bid for money. People and other outlets reported on April 24 (local time) that four siblings from the Cascio family said in a recent interview with The New York Times that Jackson sexually abused them when they were children. The siblings filed a lawsuit on Feb. 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Jackson’s estate and related parties. Court records list the plaintiffs as Edward Joseph Cascio, Dominic Sabini Cascio, Marie Nicole Forte and Aldo Cascio. Defendants include The Michael Jackson Company, John Branca, John McClain, MJJ Productions, MJJ Ventures, Herman Weisberg and others. The Cascio family was previously reported to have been close enough to Jackson to be described as his “second family.” They met him through their father, who worked at a Manhattan hotel in New York where Jackson often stayed in the 1980s. The siblings said they later visited Jackson’s Neverland home and spent time with him over the years. In their complaint, the plaintiffs allege Jackson abused them over an extended period in the United States and during overseas tours, at Neverland and at the Cascio family’s home in New Jersey. They also allege Jackson emotionally manipulated them from a young age and conditioned them to defend him against outside allegations of sexual abuse. The complaint also alleges Jackson provided them alcohol and drugs and exposed them to pornography. The plaintiffs say some of the alleged abuse began when they were about 7 or 8 and continued into their teens. The siblings had publicly defended Jackson when earlier abuse allegations emerged, and after his death they said in broadcast interviews that he had not behaved inappropriately toward them. They said they came to view their past experiences differently after watching the 2019 HBO documentary “Leaving Neverland.” The lawsuit also involves a dispute over a 2020 settlement. The siblings are reported to have received a total of $16 million in an agreement with Jackson’s estate. The plaintiffs contend the settlement was coercive and unfair, while the estate argues the agreement includes an arbitration clause and should be handled through arbitration rather than a public trial. Jackson’s estate rejected the allegations. Estate attorney Martin Singer said in a statement to People that the lawsuit was a “desperate attempt” to get money. He said the Cascio family had defended Jackson and asserted his innocence for more than 25 years, and argued the suit is a strategy to extract a large payout from the estate and related companies. Jackson faced multiple child sexual abuse allegations during his life but was acquitted in a 2005 criminal trial. He died in June 2009. The new claims have drawn renewed attention ahead of the May 13 South Korea release of the biographical film “Michael.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 20:36:24 -
Lottery Winner Says Set Purchase Led to Pension Lottery 720+ First Prize, Four Second Prizes "As soon as I saw the first ticket was a second prize, I figured the first prize must be in the set, so I checked the rest." With attention focused on Donghaeng Lottery’s Lotto draw No. 1221, a winner of Pension Lottery 720+ draw No. 302 — one first-prize ticket and four second-prize tickets — has shared a story that is drawing interest. In a post on Donghaeng Lottery’s winners’ board, the winner said they usually wait a week or two before checking results, but that day the pension lottery “kept catching my eye,” prompting an earlier check. "As soon as I saw the first ticket was a second prize, I figured the first prize must be in the set, so I checked the rest," the winner wrote. "At first I couldn’t believe it, so I scanned the QR code again and again. When I was sure, I felt a little scared more than happy. When I told close friends, they sincerely congratulated me." The winner added, "I’ve always thought I was unlucky, but this kind of good fortune finally brought me peace of mind. Life has been tough, so I want to put everything down for a while, rest and focus on self-improvement." The tickets were bought at a lottery retailer in Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. Asked what they typically buy, the winner said they purchase small amounts of Lotto and Pension Lottery tickets each week. On plans for the winnings, the winner said they intend to repay loans. Winning numbers for Lotto draw No. 1221 can be checked after 8:35 p.m. on April 25.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 20:21:17 -
Trump Administration Expands Federal Execution Methods to Include Firing Squad The Trump administration said it will allow firing squads as a method for carrying out federal executions. According to Yonhap News Agency and Reuters on the 25th, the U.S. Justice Department said in a recent report that it will add firing squads, the electric chair and gas asphyxiation as alternative methods, citing difficulties obtaining lethal-injection drugs. Lethal injection is currently the most common execution method in the United States. The department said it plans to broaden the available options. The Justice Department also ordered the restoration of procedures for using pentobarbital, a lethal-injection drug adopted during the first Trump administration. The department said executions using pentobarbital do not violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on “cruel and unusual punishment” and meet constitutional standards. In a statement, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the previous administration, the Biden administration, “failed to meet its duty to protect the American people” by refusing to carry out the maximum penalty for the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child killers and those who kill police officers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 19:30:15 -
Singer Soyou’s Hannam-dong Villa Draws Attention for 13 Million Won Monthly Rent Singer Soyou’s upscale villa in Seoul’s Hannam-dong neighborhood has been shown publicly, drawing attention to the city’s ultra-high monthly rental market. A video titled “Soyou’s home revealed: 13 million won monthly rent” was posted Thursday afternoon on the YouTube channel “Lee Chang-sub&Jeo Chang-sub.” The video shows Lee Chang-sub visiting Soyou’s home. Soyou said she has lived there for six years and is preparing to move soon. The home is part of a cluster of luxury villas in Hannam-dong. Soyou said she pays rent in a lump sum once a year, a payment method known as “annual rent.” She said the going terms are a 100 million won deposit and about 13 million won in monthly rent, adding that her price is “a bit lower” because she moved in early. At 13 million won a month, the rent totals 156 million won a year. That is separate from the 100 million won deposit and amounts to an annual cash outlay comparable to the jeonse price of a mid-sized apartment. According to the Korea Real Estate Board, the average monthly rent for apartments in Seoul in January was 1.504 million won, and the average in Yongsan-gu was 2.681 million won. A 13 million won monthly rent is about 8.6 times the Seoul average and about 4.8 times the Yongsan-gu average. Hannam-dong is widely seen as one of Seoul’s premier residential areas, with high-end complexes such as Nine One Hannam, Hannam The Hill and Parc Hannam. The area also has many embassies and foreign institutions, alongside demand from high-income professionals, business executives and entertainers. A 244-square-meter unit at Nine One Hannam sold for 15.65 billion won in March, recorded as the highest-priced apartment sale in Seoul this year. Soyou said the area has many embassies and that the building previously drew mostly foreign residents. She also said tenants were screened carefully, adding that “even entertainers were selected” and that move-in conditions were strict. Soyou said she once thought she would live there until she got married, but she no longer plans to marry and does not feel she needs to stay. She also said she has had an experience with a sasaeng fan coming to her home. In the real estate market, some analysts say rents in Hannam-dong’s ultra-high-end housing go beyond basic housing costs and are closer to a “privacy fee.” They cite factors including Han River views, access to central Seoul, large floor plans, security systems and the makeup of residents as creating a pricing structure distinct from the broader rental market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 18:12:23 -
US Treasury weighs permanent dollar swap lines for Gulf, Asian allies SEOUL, April 25 (AJP) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the United States is in discussions to establish currency swap lines with Gulf and Asian partners, pitching the move as a strategic step to bolster the U.S. dollar's global dominance amid regional geopolitical tensions. Bessent stated that several allied nations requested the swap lines to help manage the economic fallout and energy shocks stemming from the Iran conflict. "Additional swap lines can benefit our nation by reinforcing dollar usage and liquidity internationally, maintaining smooth functioning in dollar funding markets, promoting trade and investment with the United States," Bessent said in a post on X on Friday. He further emphasized the long-term strategic goal, adding, "Extending permanent swap lines can be a major first step in creating new U.S. dollar funding centers in the Gulf and Asia." While traditional swap lines are typically handled by the Federal Reserve, analysts note that these new agreements would likely be drawn from the Treasury's limited Exchange Stabilization Fund. Experts view the potential facilities not as emergency bailouts for cash-strapped nations, but rather as confidence-building measures to prevent market disruptions and reduce the need for these nations to sell off U.S. Treasury assets. Bessent noted the strong financial positions of the requesting nations, stating, "Many of these countries have pristine sovereign balance sheets and large dollar holdings – larger than many major economies with whom we maintain permanent swap facilities." The United Arab Emirates, which was named as one of the countries in discussions, strongly pushed back against any market speculation that it was facing a liquidity squeeze. Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE’s ambassador to Washington, stated on X that "any suggestion that the UAE requires external financial backing misreads the facts." "The UAE is one of the world’s most financially resilient economies, underpinned by more than $2tn in sovereign investment assets," he added. 2026-04-25 18:00:37 -
S. Korean appeals court dismisses inmates' COVID-19 lawsuit against government SEOUL, April 25 (AJP) - A South Korean appellate court has dismissed a damages lawsuit filed by inmates against the government over a massive COVID-19 outbreak at a Seoul detention center in 2020. A Seoul Central District Court appellate panel upheld a lower court's ruling against 33 inmates and their families who sued the state and then-Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, Yonhap News Agency reported Saturday. The plaintiffs had argued that the government and correctional authorities were liable for the cluster infections at the Seoul Eastern Detention Center due to negligent virus containment measures. However, the court found no direct epidemiological link between an initial outbreak among prison staff in November 2020 and a larger, subsequent wave among inmates in December. "The similarity between the viruses in the first and second waves was low," the court stated. "It is reasonable to view the routes of virus introduction as different." The court also rejected the plaintiffs' claims that the facility exacerbated the spread by failing to strictly separate close contacts based on transmission routes. The judges noted that the detention center had implemented clear separation standards between confirmed and non-confirmed individuals, adding that tracing exact transmission routes for each case was "quite difficult" given the time and space constraints at the time. 2026-04-25 17:42:19 -
Zelenskyy Says Russian Barrage Kills 4, Wounds More Than 30 Across Ukraine Russia again attacked targets across Ukraine, leaving more than 30 people killed or wounded. According to Yonhap News Agency on the 25th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media that overnight Russian strikes killed four people and injured more than 30. From the previous night into early morning, Russia launched 619 drones and 47 missiles. The attacks focused on areas including Dnipro, Odesa, Kharkiv and Chernihiv, where nearby facilities were reported to have collapsed. Zelenskyy said sanctions are needed to limit Russia’s military-industrial capacity and that he is in contact with the European Union on the issue. Talks aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine have been suspended due to developments in the Middle East. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 17:39:16 -
OPINION: The Case for a 'Noah Accord' in the Middle East Wars may begin with grand justifications, but they end in ruin, fatigue, and overwhelming economic bills. The escalating conflict in the Middle East is no exception. What started under the banner of security and deterrence is rapidly exposing the limits of military sustainability, threatening both regional stability and the broader global economy. The financial and material toll of this war of attrition is staggering. For Israel, the illusion of limitless defense is being tested. While its multi-layered air defense systems are technologically formidable, the economic asymmetry is undeniable: interceptor missiles cost exponentially more than the incoming drones and rockets they destroy. When the cost of defense consistently eclipses the cost of offense, a perpetual war becomes unsustainable. Iran faces a similarly grim reality. Prolonged conflict, coupled with severe economic sanctions, is degrading its industrial base and supply chains. Modern warfare requires more than just ideological resolve; it demands semiconductors, specialized metals, and a stable economy. As the conflict drags on, the economic foundation required to sustain such military operations is crumbling. Ultimately, both sides are nearing a phase where avoiding mutual destruction must take precedence over calculating a hollow victory. The consequences of this prolonged instability extend far beyond the Middle East. For trade-dependent nations like South Korea, the ripple effects are immediate and severe. Volatile oil prices and supply chain disruptions translate into inflation, currency instability, and an overall chilling effect on global trade. A war without a clear endgame holds the global economy hostage. The region requires a new diplomatic imagination. In 2020, the Abraham Accords reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy, proving that pragmatic national interests could override decades of emotional and political stalemates. However, the current crisis demands we look even deeper. We need what might metaphorically be called a "Noah Accord." While Abraham represents the diverging branches of the region's faiths, Noah symbolizes a more fundamental, shared human origin and the ultimate imperative of collective survival. The Middle East is not a monolith; it is a complex tapestry of Arab, Persian, Turkish, and Jewish civilizations. A sustainable peace cannot be built on military dominance or the complete subjugation of one side. It requires a structural agreement that addresses mutual security guarantees, economic cooperation, and the stabilization of energy supply chains. Peace does not arrive through declarations, but through the shared construction of a livable future. It is time to recognize that no one can achieve absolute victory, and no one will entirely disappear. Diplomacy and a renewed commitment to coexistence must replace the exhausted stockpiles of weapons. *The author is a columnist for AJP. 2026-04-25 17:35:39 -
Canada evaluates South Korean weapons for major army modernization SEOUL, April 25 (AJP) - Canada is in discussions with South Korean defense contractors regarding its largest army modernization project in over 25 years, the commander of the Canadian Army said, explicitly naming Hanwha Aerospace's artillery and armored vehicles as potential candidates. Lt. Gen. Michael Wright told Yonhap News Agency in an interview published Saturday that Ottawa is actively exploring avenues to rapidly upgrade its military capabilities amid growing defense cooperation between the two nations. "The Canadian Army is in the midst of our largest modernization of equipment in over 25 years, and we're looking in accordance with our defense industrial strategy — what we can do to rapidly accelerate bringing new equipment into the Canadian Army," Wright said. When asked about specific areas for arms cooperation, the commander confirmed that South Korean platforms are under consideration. "The K9 howitzers, I know, is something that Hanwha has spoken about. The Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle is another example," Wright said, though he noted that Canada's defense ministry and defense investment agency will determine the final procurement details. Hanwha Aerospace previously announced it had proposed an integrated package deal to Canada, combining its K9 self-propelled howitzers, the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, and Redback infantry fighting vehicles. Wright made the remarks while visiting South Korea to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong, a key engagement during the 1950 to1953 Korean War where Canadian troops fought alongside other Commonwealth forces. The commander emphasized that the bilateral military ties are growing stronger in an increasingly "fractured world." "For Canada, it's a reaffirmation of our partnership that started on the battlefields in Korea in 1950 and endures to this day and, if anything, is getting stronger," Wright said. "I really think that the history that we share is an indicator of what we'll do together in the future." 2026-04-25 16:50:04