Journalist

Kang Min seon
  • Wine Switch Allegation at Michelin 3-Star Mosu Renews Scrutiny of Sommeliers
    Wine Switch Allegation at Michelin 3-Star Mosu Renews Scrutiny of Sommeliers A wine-switching incident at Michelin three-star fine-dining restaurant Mosu, run by chef Ahn Sung-jae, has prompted renewed attention to past controversies involving sommeliers and high-end restaurants in South Korea’s fine-dining scene. In recent days, online communities and social media have circulated a post criticizing what it called ongoing ethical lapses by sommeliers, while listing earlier cases involving wine service and alleged misconduct. The post cited a case at two-star Kwon Sooksoo, saying a sommelier was found guilty in a first trial and fined 7 million won for allegedly stealing 106 bottles of wine from the restaurant. It said the incident surfaced after the person left the job, claiming they were opening their own wine bar. It also alleged that at Vampire Weekend, a sommelier drank customers’ expensive corkage wines out of sight, posted about it on social media and was caught, after which the business changed its name. The post further claimed that at two-star Jungsik, a sommelier poured about 100 milliliters from a customer’s corkage wine worth about 900,000 won, saying it was “to taste later.” It added that Mosu — described as previously three-star and currently two-star — was exposed for deceiving customers. The writer said it was “embarrassing” that allegations about Seoul fine dining were being revealed at a time when Korean food is drawing global attention, and questioned whether the Mosu case could lead to change. Commenters said the incidents showed that basic trust was not being upheld even at upscale restaurants. Some compared it to delivery workers skimming food, while others said the controversy would fuel ridicule that harms professionals who take pride in their work. Separately, Mosu’s Kakao Map page drew a wave of hostile comments. Reviews included remarks urging the restaurant to change its name, accusations that YouTube comments were being deleted, and criticism of the alleged wine switching. One commenter wrote that the issue could have ended quickly with a proper apology video or penalties for the sommelier, and expressed frustration that it was being dragged out. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 09:48:16
  • Korean Civil Servant Claims 430 Million Won Profit From Semiconductor Stock Bet
    Korean Civil Servant Claims 430 Million Won Profit From Semiconductor Stock Bet A post by a retail investor claiming hundreds of millions of won in profits from a concentrated bet on semiconductor stocks has drawn attention online. A recent post on Blind, an anonymous workplace community, was titled “Latest update on the civil servant who went all-in with 500 million won on Hynix.” The poster, identifying as the person in question, wrote, “Yes, that’s me,” and said he kept investing in semiconductor shares despite being mocked with warnings that “you’ll go broke investing like that.” He said he made about 430 million won from January through April and posted a screenshot as proof. The image shows cumulative realized profit and loss of about 439.37 million won from January to April 2026, for a return of about 6.72%. It also lists total purchases of about 6.5364 billion won and total sales of about 6.97578 billion won, with about 168.47 million won in profit in April alone. The investor cited SK hynix and Samsung Electronics as key holdings, indicating a heavy focus on the semiconductor sector. He also wrote, “Semiconductors will keep trending upward through 2028,” signaling strong conviction about the market outlook. Online commenters responded with remarks such as, “He proved it with results,” “Hynix surged on the first trading day of May, so it probably pumped even more from there,” and “I didn’t think it would turn out like that back then.” Others wrote, “Semiconductors will save Korea,” “foresight,” and “Should I sell Samsung Electronics and move to Hynix?” As more retail investors share posts touting high returns, interest is rising again in “concentrated investment” strategies focused on specific sectors. 2026-05-06 08:45:15
  • ‘Dolsing N Mosol’ Contestant George Sparks Backlash After Zero Votes, On-Air Outburst
    ‘Dolsing N Mosol’ Contestant George Sparks Backlash After Zero Votes, On-Air Outburst A surprise on-air moment involving George, a contestant who received zero votes on MBC every1 and E Channel’s dating show “Dolsing N Mosol,” drew sharp reactions on online communities. On the 6th, posts about “George, who got zero votes in the couple selection,” spread across multiple online forums. In the episode, as other participants discussed their date plans, George stood up saying he was going to the restroom, then suddenly stopped. Turning to the group, he asked, “Why didn’t you choose me?” When Camellia responded, “If you want to ask someone, ask just one person,” he said he wanted to ask everyone. As the cast appeared taken aback, George brushed it off, saying, “Ah, never mind, whatever,” then abruptly called for the producer in charge and held a one-on-one meeting. He told the producer, “There’s a part of me that feels a bit upset. To be honest, I’m already thinking, ‘Should I use an exit strategy and go home?’” He added, “My family is a professional family, and I come from a family where my hands are precious, so I think, ‘Why didn’t the woman I want show up?’ That makes me not want to do this.” He continued, “Of course, I’m arrogant and I’m not 100% objective about myself, but even though I tell myself not to be that way, I’m human and those feelings come up,” adding, “I’m saying my morale dropped a bit. I know you did your best for me.” After the scene aired, commenters called him “a type of contestant never seen before on a dating program.” Some wrote, “I’m going to believe he’s an actor planted by the production team,” and, “It feels like they’re running a social experiment by forcing in someone who’s lacking, and I can’t watch because it’s unpleasant.” Another said the show should be used “as an educational program to teach people with low social intelligence or poor awareness that others don’t like this kind of behavior.” Others added, “He doesn’t even realize he’s the problem, so there’s nothing to do,” “It doesn’t seem like he has even 10% self-awareness,” and, “Being inexperienced in dating is the least of it — he seems to have various personality issues.” 2026-05-06 08:09:04
  • Trump says Korean cargo ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz after sailing alone
    Trump says Korean cargo ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz after sailing alone U.S. President Donald Trump said a Korean cargo ship was attacked by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz after operating on its own, apart from a protected group of vessels. According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump said at a White House event on May 5 local time that South Korea gets 43% of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz, adding that a Korean ship was attacked because it was not in a convoy. “They weren’t in the line of ships and they decided to go alone,” he said. “And their ship got smashed yesterday.” Trump also claimed that ships protected by the United States were not attacked. South Korea’s government has said the cause of the explosion and fire on the vessel Namuho has not yet been determined. Trump, however, has described the incident since the previous day as an Iranian attack and has urged South Korea to contribute to easing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. In a phone interview the same day with an ABC reporter, Trump repeated that it was a Korean ship “sailing alone,” and said multiple shots were fired at it, adding that South Korea should take action in response. The United States on May 4 launched what it called a “Liberation Project” to help commercial ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz escape. That day, the U.S. military said Iran used missiles and fast boats to attack commercial vessels and that U.S. forces repelled the attacks, heightening fears the ceasefire could collapse. Iran resumed attacks against targets including the United Arab Emirates, the report said. Asked what would constitute an Iranian violation of the ceasefire, Trump said, “We’ll know soon,” adding, “They know what they have to do, and more importantly, what they must not do.” Trump urged Iran to “make a smart choice,” saying, “Because we don’t want to go in and kill people,” and insisted Iran should “wave the white flag of surrender.” He also said Iran had no chance of winning the war, referring to the conflict as a “little skirmish.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 06:27:16
  • Online backlash after Democratic Party leader urges schoolgirl to call candidate oppa in Busan race
    Online backlash after Democratic Party leader urges schoolgirl to call candidate 'oppa' in Busan race Online communities erupted with criticism after Jung Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, urged a first-grade elementary school girl to call Ha Jung-woo — a candidate in the Busan Buk-gu Gap parliamentary by-election — “oppa,” a Korean term often used by younger women to address an older brother or an older male. Posts about the incident spread across multiple online forums on May 4, with commenters accusing Jung of crossing a line and calling for him to step down. One poster, identified as A, wrote, “For reference, Jung Cheong-rae (born 1965 — age 61), Ha Jung-woo (born 1977 — age 48),” and added, “Didn’t Jung’s own son cause trouble at school over a sex-related issue? Like father, like son ... no reflection?” Another commenter, B, wrote, “At this point, it makes sense why sex-related incidents keep happening in the Democratic Party,” adding that if Jung acted that way “in front of lots of cameras,” he would likely “habitually sexually harass” staff or aides. Other comments included, “He’s lost it,” “This really crossed the line,” and calls for Jung to resign as party leader. Some posts used crude, derogatory nicknames for the party. The article noted that much of the negative reaction appeared in women-dominated online communities that are generally considered favorable terrain for the Democratic Party, with many users urging Jung to resign. Jung drew the backlash after campaigning on May 3 in the Busan Buk-gu area, including Gupo Market, to rally support for Ha. During the visit, Jung told a girl who appeared to be in the lower grades of elementary school, “Here’s Jung-woo oppa — say ‘oppa.’” Ha, seated in front of the child, pointed to himself and echoed the term, calling himself “oppa.” When the girl looked around, Jung again pressed her to say it. After she responded quietly, Jung clapped and said, “Oh my.” As the video spread online, People Power Party lawmaker Park Jung-hoon wrote on Facebook the same day that telling an elementary school student to call a politician more than 40 years older “oppa” was “clear sexual harassment of a child.” Park added, “That someone like this is the leader of the ruling party is the laughably sad reality of Korean politics.” Park also criticized Ha, saying the candidate was “just as pathetic” for smiling and playing along. People Power Party lawmaker Sung Il-jong also wrote on Facebook that it was “embarrassing” to see “62-year-old leader Jung Cheong-rae and 50-year-old candidate Ha Jung-woo” pressuring a first-grade girl to call them “oppa.” He said the two repeatedly urging the hesitant child was “no different from a form of child abuse.” Sung added that the child likely felt uncomfortable being made to address someone “presumed to be much older than her father,” and asked whether it was acceptable to cause a young child distress “no matter how desperate they are for votes.” The Democratic Party said on May 3 that Jung expressed regret, saying he was sorry to the child and her parents because the child “ended up at the center of controversy” during the market visit. Ha also apologized the previous day, saying that while meeting residents, the child became the focus of the controversy. “I offer my apologies to the child and the parents who may have been hurt,” he said, adding that he would be more careful and meet residents with a “low and humble” attitude.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-05 16:18:16
  • Former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hong-koo Dies at 92
    Former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hong-koo Dies at 92 Former Prime Minister Lee Hong-koo died on May 5. He was 92. Born in 1934, Lee was a professor of political science at Seoul National University and a leading senior figure in South Korea’s political science community. After attending Kyunggi High School and studying at Seoul National University, he continued his academic work at Emory University and Yale University in the United States. He published numerous papers and columns in academic journals and major media outlets, offering theoretical and practical analysis of modern Korean politics. He also served as president of the Korean Political Science Association. Lee entered public service in 1988 under the Roh Tae-woo administration as minister of the National Unification Board. He later served as a special political adviser to the president and as ambassador to the United Kingdom, building experience in diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs. Under the Kim Young-sam administration, he served as senior vice chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council and as deputy prime minister and minister of the Unification Board. In 1994, he was appointed the 28th prime minister, overseeing state affairs. He was credited with involvement in early reform efforts of the civilian government and in coordinating domestic and foreign policy. After leaving the premiership, Lee returned to frontline politics in 1996 as chief representative of the then-ruling New Korea Party. That year, he won a proportional representation seat in the 15th National Assembly. With the launch of the Kim Dae-jung administration, he was appointed the first ambassador to the United States in early 1998 and played a role in strengthening South Korea-U.S. economic and diplomatic cooperation during efforts to overcome the foreign exchange crisis. After retiring from public office, Lee remained active as chairman of the Seoul International Forum, an adviser to the JoongAng Ilbo, chairman of the Yumin Cultural Foundation, an adviser to the Korea Volleyball Association, and a board member of the Asan Foundation, among other roles. Survivors include his wife, Park Han-ok; a son, Lee Hyun-woo, EIG Asia representative; daughters Lee So-young and Lee Min-young, a professor at Dongduk Women’s University; a daughter-in-law, Hwang Ji-young, head of the Hong Kong Korean Women’s Association; and a son-in-law, Lee Kang-ho, a professor at the Korea National University of Arts. A memorial altar has been set up in Room 20 of the funeral hall at Seoul Asan Medical Center. A funeral ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. on May 8, with the coffin to be carried out at 9 a.m. Burial will be at Cheonan Park Cemetery. 2026-05-05 13:57:50
  • Korean Court Sentences Teen to Prison for Newborn’s Death After Toilet Birth
    Korean Court Sentences Teen to Prison for Newborn’s Death After Toilet Birth A teenager who gave birth in a toilet at her home and then left the newborn unattended, leading to the baby’s death, has been sentenced to prison. Yonhap News Agency reported Friday that the Suwon District Court’s Criminal Division 11, presided over by Chief Judge Song Byeong-hun, sentenced the girl, identified only as A, to an indeterminate term of 2 years to 2 years and 6 months for child abuse resulting in death. The court also ordered her to complete 40 hours of a child-abuse treatment program. A was indicted without detention over an incident in 2024, when she was 17. Prosecutors said she gave birth in the master bedroom bathroom at her residence in Gyeonggi Province, and the baby fell into the toilet and died. The court said A did not tell her family she was pregnant and was unable to prepare properly, and that she gave birth suddenly without help from her boyfriend. It said she appeared to have failed to respond appropriately due to shock immediately afterward. “Human life is a precious value that cannot be exchanged for anything, and a newborn’s life is no exception,” the court said. It added that although A was still a minor, she had a mother’s duty to raise and protect the child, but took no minimum steps and abandoned the baby, resulting in death.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-02 20:54:15
  • Online Reactions Follow Reported Prison Update on Jeon Cheong-jo, Jailed for Fraud
    Online Reactions Follow Reported Prison Update on Jeon Cheong-jo, Jailed for Fraud An update on Jeon Cheong-jo, who is imprisoned on fraud charges involving about 3 billion won, has drawn a wave of online reaction. A video titled “Reading updates on notorious criminals in prison” was posted April 30 on the YouTube channel “Ilkda.” The video includes accounts from inmates who said they lived with Jeon. One source, identified as A, claimed Jeon introduced themself as bisexual and said they had previously been pregnant and had lived with a man. The source also alleged Jeon would remove their shirt for about an hour after hot showers, which are allowed twice a week, and appeared to do so to show their chest after a mastectomy. The source said Jeon received testosterone injections and grew facial hair, keeping an electric razor in the room and shaving frequently. The source claimed Jeon believed they were male and repeatedly approached women, and that Jeon was later moved to a cellblock where foreign inmates stay. The report also said Jeon, early in detention, showed strong possessiveness and resentment when another inmate drew more attention, and at times clashed with others after being unable to tolerate gossip. Online commenters responded with remarks such as, “Put them in the men’s unit and they’ll cover up,” and “They show that dating and marriage are about confidence, regardless of gender or looks.” Others posted stock-related jokes, including, “If I had bought Nvidia back then, I could have graduated from stocks,” “So did Jeon buy Nvidia?” and “What should we buy next?” Jeon was sentenced to 13 years in prison for fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes and is serving the term at Cheongju Women’s Prison.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-02 20:48:17
  • Backlash Grows as South Korea Keeps Juvenile Criminal Responsibility Age at 14
    Backlash Grows as South Korea Keeps Juvenile Criminal Responsibility Age at 14 Public backlash is spreading after a plan to keep the current age threshold for “juveniles exempt from criminal punishment” at 14 was effectively finalized. Posts about the issue have appeared in a steady stream on online communities in recent days. Under South Korean law, the term refers to minors ages 10 to under 14 who are not criminally liable under the Criminal Act. Even if they commit a crime, they are subject to protective measures rather than criminal punishment. In recent years, debate has intensified over claims that juvenile crime has become more violent, fueling calls to lower the age. The government and related agencies reviewed options to reduce the age of criminal responsibility but have moved toward keeping the current standard. Many commenters criticized the decision to maintain the age at 14. One wrote, “Before worrying about labeling effects and repeat offenses, punish them properly,” adding, “Isn’t the order of concern backwards? Shouldn’t rehabilitation and worries about repeat offenses come after proper punishment is carried out?” Others posted comments such as, “Why? Elections are getting close and they’re afraid of losing parents’ votes,” “Teen crime is getting more and more vicious. The president talked about lowering the age and the public wants it lowered, so why keep it?” “Lower it to 10 or hold a national referendum,” “Out of step with the times. Are 14-year-olds from the past the same as today’s 14-year-olds?” “Who are they to decide public opinion on their own — are they out of their minds?” “Make the parents take the punishment instead,” and “This government only scolds and nothing gets done.” Because the debate over the system requires social consensus between tougher punishment and a rehabilitation-centered approach, controversy over the policy direction is expected to continue.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-02 19:57:16
  • Uiwang Apartment Fire Leaves Family Homeless After Gas Blast Kills 2
    Uiwang Apartment Fire Leaves Family Homeless After Gas Blast Kills 2 A resident who lost a home in a recent apartment fire in Uiwang, south of Seoul, has shared the family’s story online, drawing sympathy as authorities investigate a blast that killed two people and injured six. In a post on an online community, the writer, identified only as A, said the fire spread quickly from a lower floor and heavily damaged the parents’ unit. “My parents’ home, where they lived for more than 20 years, burned down overnight and we lost everything,” A wrote. Clothing, bedding, furniture and other essentials were destroyed, leaving little to salvage, the post said. “People said we might be able to save something, but when we actually went there, nothing was left,” A wrote, adding the family felt numb and devastated, especially watching the parents try not to ask their children for help. A said the family did not have fire insurance and compensation would not be enough to replace household goods. The writer said they were checking what help might be available from local government and public agencies, but support for appliances and furniture appeared limited. A asked readers to share information on assistance for fire victims or corporate donations, noting other affected residents, including those upstairs, likely faced similar losses. The post spread online, prompting calls for more practical support for households hit by the fire. Some commenters also stressed the need for fire insurance in multiunit buildings. Police said the fire broke out about 10:30 a.m. on April 30 at an apartment building in Naesu-dong, Uiwang, accompanied by an explosion-like sound. A man in his 60s, identified as A, fell and died, and his wife, identified as B and in her 50s, was found dead in the unit’s bathroom. Police said a note was found on the man’s clothing describing personal despair, including financial difficulties. A police official said no flammable materials were found at the scene and a gas explosion was suspected. The official said an autopsy indicated the wife appeared to have died before the fire started. The building has 20 stories above ground and one basement level, with a total floor area of about 8,800 square meters and 78 households, police said. The apartment complex was completed in 2002, when sprinklers were required only on floors 16 and above, meaning they were not installed on the 14th floor where the fire occurred.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-02 19:22:19