Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Pentagon Email Discussed Suspending Spain’s NATO Status Over Iran War Cooperation, Reuters Says U.S. Defense Department officials discussed the possibility of suspending Spain’s membership in NATO, Reuters reported, reflecting frustration over what was described as Spain’s lack of cooperation during the Iran war. Reuters, citing a U.S. government official, said the idea was raised in an internal Pentagon email. Spain was reported to have denied U.S. requests to use Spanish bases and airspace during U.S. operations in the Iran war. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected the reports at a European Union summit in Cyprus, saying, “Spain is a reliable NATO member and is fulfilling all its obligations.” “We do not work by email. We work based on official documents and the official position of the U.S. government,” Sanchez said, adding, “We are not concerned.” Many observers said an actual suspension is unlikely. The Associated Press reported that NATO has no explicit mechanism to suspend or expel a member, while the alliance’s founding treaty sets out procedures for voluntary withdrawal.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 21:21:15 -
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Says Ruling Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok Must Make a Decision Ahead of Local Elections Oh Se-hoon, the mayor of Seoul, said it was “time for a decision” for Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, publicly raising questions about Jang’s responsibility as the party’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level ahead of the June 3 local elections. Oh, the People Power Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor, made the remarks on April 24 during an appearance on the TV Chosun YouTube channel. He said candidates campaigning in the field “honestly feel that it would be better if Chairman Jang were less visible,” adding that they believe that would help the campaign. “Oh, now is the time when restraint or a decision is needed,” Oh said. “Since we’ve hit the lowest approval rating since the party was founded, at this point it would actually help the election if the leader felt responsible and reduced the scope of his activities.” Oh also criticized Jang’s remarks about replacing candidates if they engage in conduct harmful to the party. Speaking on TV Chosun’s News 9 the previous day, Oh said he could not agree after hearing comments that, with about 40 days left until the election, sounded like an intention to fight with the candidates. Jang rejected calls to step down. He said April 24 that resigning as party leader because the situation is bad “is not what a responsible politician does,” and said he would be judged after the local elections conclude.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 21:09:17 -
Gwangjang Market Stall Suspended for 3 Days After 2,000-Won Bottled Water Dispute A street stall at Seoul’s Gwangjang Market that drew criticism for selling a 500-milliliter bottle of water to a foreign customer for 2,000 won has been suspended for three days. The Gwangjang Market street vendors association said April 24 that the stall was ordered to halt business under its disciplinary decision from April 22 through April 24. The dispute began after a Myanmar-born YouTuber living in South Korea posted a video of a visit to the market with a Russian friend on April 16. In the video, they ordered items including dumplings and japchae, then asked for water. The vendor demanded 2,000 won for it. An association official said it is difficult to set uniform prices because vendors operate as individual businesses, but added, “We expect this incident will lead to water being sold at an appropriate price.” The association is also reported to be making price labeling for water mandatory.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 20:49:06 -
KOSDAQ Closes Above 1,200 for First Time Since 2000 on Chip Materials, Biotech Rally The KOSDAQ index closed above 1,200 on Thursday, its highest level since 2000, lifted by gains in semiconductor materials, parts and equipment shares and biotech stocks. The KOSPI, after setting record highs in recent sessions, traded in a narrow range. According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSDAQ rose 29.53 points, or 2.51%, to finish at 1203.84. It was the first time the index has closed above 1,200 since Aug. 4, 2000, about 25 years and eight months ago. The rally was led by chip-related suppliers and biotech names. As large semiconductor stocks paused on profit-taking, buying shifted toward KOSDAQ growth shares, widening the index’s gains. The KOSPI slipped 0.18 point to 6475.63. It rose as high as 6516.54 early in the session but gave up gains to end near flat. Profit-taking after three straight record closes through Wednesday and geopolitical risks in the Middle East limited the advance. Analysts said further gains in the KOSDAQ will depend on whether expectations for a recovery in the semiconductor cycle and strength in biotech shares continue.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 20:48:17 -
Iran Central Bank Says Strait of Hormuz Transit Fees Paid in Cash-Like Currency, Not Crypto Iran’s central bank said it collected ship transit fees for the Strait of Hormuz in a cash-like currency, not cryptocurrency, pushing back against speculation that payments were being demanded in digital assets. Iran’s state-run Press TV and Iran International reported on the 24th that the central bank confirmed the revenue was deposited into a central bank account. It said the payment was made in “cash-like currency,” not cryptocurrency. Iran International said the information was carried by Fars News Agency, which is close to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Press TV also cited Fars in reporting the deposit. Iranian authorities did not disclose the size of the fees, how many ships paid them, or what specific currency was used. The Wall Street Journal reported the previous day that Iran had earned its first revenue from the fees. Hamidreza Hajibabaei, a deputy speaker of Iran’s parliament, said the proceeds were deposited into the central bank account. The Journal said Iran did not reveal the amount and that the move could conflict with international norms governing maritime passage. Iran is not a party to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The central bank’s statement was seen as aimed at calming controversy over how the fees are paid. Foreign media and maritime security firms had reported that messages were circulating demanding cryptocurrency in the name of Hormuz passage. Reuters, citing Greek maritime security firm Marisks, reported that scam messages were identified seeking bitcoin or tether by offering “safe passage.” It was not confirmed whether the central bank’s phrase “cash-like currency” meant physical cash. Authorities did not disclose what foreign currency was used or how the money was transferred. Iran is using control of the Strait of Hormuz and the fee policy as leverage in talks with the United States. In shipping markets, analysts say the larger question is whether the fee system becomes entrenched, rather than the payment method.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 20:24:22 -
PM Kim Min-seok calls for whole-of-government approach to AI education Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said artificial intelligence education should be treated as a whole-of-government task, not the sole responsibility of the Education Ministry. Yonhap News Agency reported that Kim chaired a meeting of relevant ministers on AI education on Thursday afternoon at the Government Complex Seoul. “AI has a major impact across all areas, including how government operates and education, as well as our society,” he said. Kim said AI education cannot remain confined to one ministry. “In the process of developing, applying and using AI, matters related to education are difficult to define as only the Education Ministry’s task and role,” he said. He called on all related ministries to comprehensively review issues tied to AI learning and education and then begin an overall plan. He also urged steps to expand opportunities for people to experience AI and to improve AI-use skills nationwide. Kim asked officials to also examine ways to strengthen AI development capabilities and to build related infrastructure effectively. The meeting discussed strengthening AI capabilities for elementary, middle and high school students, training AI talent through higher education, and expanding lifelong learning to boost AI skills for everyone. Attendees included Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin, Climate, Energy and Environment Minister Kim Sung-hwan, Science and ICT Vice Minister Ryu Je-myeong, Unification Vice Minister Kim Nam-joong, and Lim Moon-young, standing vice chair of the National AI Strategy Committee.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 20:04:49 -
Samsung Electronics union reports rally outside Chairman Lee Jae-yong’s home on first strike day Samsung Electronics’ labor union has reported plans to hold a rally outside the home of Chairman Lee Jae-yong on the first day of a planned general strike, escalating a dispute over the company’s performance-bonus system beyond the workplace. The Samsung Electronics National Union said Thursday it filed a report with the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul for a gathering at 1 p.m. on May 21 in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, outside Lee’s residence. The reported turnout is about 50 people. The union has announced an 18-day strike from May 21 through June 7. The event is expected to be conducted more as a news conference to publicize the strike plan than as a large-scale demonstration, according to the union. The union is demanding the removal of the cap on performance bonuses and payment of bonuses equal to 15% of operating profit. The Samsung Electronics Labor Union Joint Struggle Headquarters held a rally Wednesday outside the company’s Pyeongtaek campus in Gyeonggi province, urging management to accept its demands. The union has been negotiating with management since December over changes to the bonus system and other issues but has not reached an agreement. It has argued that the criteria for calculating bonuses are unclear and that one-time compensation will not resolve the problem. 2026-04-24 19:57:17 -
Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae makes private hospital visit to fasting lawmaker Ahn Ho-young Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, paid a private hospital visit to Rep. Ahn Ho-young, who was hospitalized after his health worsened during a hunger strike, Yonhap News Agency reported. According to Yonhap, Jeong visited Ahn at Green Hospital in Seoul's Jungnang district at about 4:50 p.m. on Thursday. Jeong and Rep. Kim Young-hwan met with Ahn for about 15 minutes, the report said. Ahn began the hunger strike after losing the Democratic Party's primary for North Jeolla Province governor to Lee Won-taek on April 11. Ahn has demanded a renewed party inspection into allegations involving a third party paying meal expenses linked to Lee. On the 12th day of the fast, April 22, Ahn was taken to the hospital as his condition deteriorated. During the visit, Jeong told Ahn, "You fasted for 12 days, so you should be hospitalized for 12 days to receive treatment. I hope you recover soon," according to the report. Jeong also reportedly suggested having a meal together after Ahn is discharged. Yonhap said there was no mention of a renewed inspection into Lee or of local elections. Jeong had faced criticism within the party for not visiting Ahn's hunger strike site set up at the National Assembly. Supreme Council member Lee Eon-ju said April 22 that she felt "deeply ashamed" that the party leader had not come even once to "hold his hand." Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu also said he did not agree with a party leader "turning away" while a party lawmaker had been on a hunger strike for more than 10 days. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 19:48:22 -
Macron Says He Won’t Stay in Politics After Leaving Office, Rejects 2032 Return Talk French President Emmanuel Macron said he plans to step away from politics after leaving office next year. According to TF1 and other French media on April 24, Macron was asked about his political future a day earlier while meeting students at the French-Cypriot School in Nicosia, Cyprus. “I don’t have a career plan,” he said, adding, “I wasn’t in politics before I became president, and I won’t be afterward.” Macron cannot run in the 2027 presidential election. France’s constitution sets the presidential term at five years and bars the same person from serving more than two consecutive terms. Macron was first elected in 2017 and won reelection in 2022. In French political circles, speculation has persisted that Macron would try to maintain influence after leaving office, including by shaping the centrist camp and succession plans. Some observers have also suggested he could keep open the option of returning for the 2032 election. Le Monde reported in July last year that Macron had made remarks that appeared to hint at a possible 2032 comeback. His latest comments appeared to distance him from that idea. Macron also spoke about priorities for the remainder of his term. “After nine years, the hardest thing is to protect what you did well and keep moving forward, while also revisiting what you didn’t do well or didn’t explain well,” he said. “If you don’t take it up again and carry it through to the end, you’ll regret it too much.” Before entering politics, Macron worked at Rothschild as an investment banker. Under President Francois Hollande, he served as deputy secretary-general at the Elysee Palace and as economy minister, and in 2016 he launched the centrist political movement En Marche. The political environment late in Macron’s term remains difficult. Since the 2024 snap parliamentary election, France has lacked a clear majority in the National Assembly. The far-right National Rally (RN) and the left are expanding their bases ahead of the next presidential race, while competition over succession has intensified within Macron’s camp. Some local political figures see Macron’s remarks as a signal he may retire from politics. Others note that former presidents have often retained influence without holding office, leaving Macron’s actions after 2027 an open question. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 19:33:18 -
Court to Livestream Kim Keon Hee Appeal Verdict on April 28 Kim Keon Hee’s appeal verdict will be broadcast live on April 28 after the court approved real-time public access, citing the public interest and strong social attention. The Seoul High Court said April 24 that its Criminal Division 15-2 (Judges Shin Jong-oh, Sung Eon-ju and Won Ik-seon) will livestream the sentencing hearing at 3 p.m. on April 28 in Kim’s case. The broadcast is expected to show Kim seated in the defendant’s chair and the courtroom interior in real time. Kim was indicted over allegations tied to Deutsche Motors stock price manipulation, the free provision of opinion polls, and receiving money and valuables linked to the Unification Church. In the first trial, the court found her not guilty on the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation and opinion-poll allegations. It convicted her on part of the Unification Church-related allegations and sentenced her to 1 year and 8 months in prison. On appeal, the special counsel sought 11 years in prison, a 2 billion won fine and forfeiture of 832.3 million won over the Deutsche Motors and Unification Church-related charges. For the alleged violation of the Political Funds Act, the special counsel requested four years in prison and forfeiture of 137.2 million won. A central question in the appeal is whether the first court’s not-guilty and partial-guilty findings will stand, along with any change in sentence. Separately, the Seoul High Court said it will also livestream the appeal verdict in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s case over allegations of obstructing an arrest by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. That verdict is scheduled for 3 p.m. on April 29.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 19:18:20