Journalist
Park Ja-yeon
naturepark127@ajunews.com
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New Committee Launched to Support Integrated Special City in Jeonnam-Gwangju The Ministry of Interior and Safety announced on May 8 that it will hold the inaugural ceremony and first meeting of the "Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Preparation Committee" on July 1, aimed at ensuring the successful launch of the integrated special city. The committee has signed a memorandum of understanding with Jeollanam-do and Gwangju Metropolitan City. The preparation committee officially commenced its activities with the inaugural ceremony and a full meeting on the same day. This committee serves as a public-private partnership body that will provide direction for the integration process. It is tasked with discussing and mediating issues that cannot be resolved through the existing "City-Province Policy Council" between Jeollanam-do and Gwangju Metropolitan City. The committee comprises 17 members, including 14 private sector experts in local administration, urban development, and economic industry, recommended by Jeollanam-do, Gwangju Metropolitan City, and the Ministry of Interior and Safety, along with three ex-officio government members. Regular meetings will be held in Jeollanam-do and Gwangju Metropolitan City until June. The preparation committee will engage in various discussions regarding key policies related to the launch of the integrated special city. The three entities have agreed to actively cooperate to ensure that the committee's deliberations are faithfully reflected in future policies concerning the integrated special city. During the inaugural ceremony, certificates of appointment were presented to the private members, and the first meeting was held. The meeting included reports on the progress of the integrated special city initiative, the current state of preparations, an overview of the committee, and operational plans. The committee's purpose and functions were also discussed, along with the election of a chairperson and the establishment of operational rules. Following the ceremony, a memorandum of understanding was signed by Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do; Kang Ki-jeong, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City; Kim Tae-kyun, Chair of the Jeollanam-do Council; Seo Yong-kyu, Acting Chair of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Council; and Kim Min-jae, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Interior and Safety. The parties committed to respecting the committee's discussions based on mutual respect and trust, and to diligently work together to ensure the smooth launch of the integrated special city, which aims to become a central axis for balanced national development. Minister of Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung stated, "The integrated special city, the first of its kind in history, will serve as a focal point for balanced regional development, overcoming the concentration of power in the metropolitan area and the crisis of regional extinction. The central and local governments will work as one team to ensure thorough preparations for the launch." Additionally, the Ministry of Interior and Safety plans to announce legislative proposals related to the integrated special city from May 8 to June 5 to facilitate its successful establishment. This includes the need to grant a status equivalent to that of Seoul and to revise standards for administrative positions and personnel numbers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-08 18:22:41 -
Government Vows to Crack Down on False and Fake News Ahead of June 3 Local Elections The South Korean government is intensifying efforts to combat false and fake news that threatens the integrity of the upcoming local elections on June 3. A task force will be operational weekly until the elections, mobilizing resources from all government ministries. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that a meeting of the "Government-Wide Task Force on False and Fake News" was held on May 8 at 4 p.m. at the Government Seoul Complex, chaired by Minister Yoon Ho-joong. This meeting follows discussions held in February and April among relevant ministers, aimed at strengthening intergovernmental cooperation leading up to the elections. The task force was established in response to the serious issue of persistent and malicious false and fake news circulating on various online platforms and social media, which could significantly hinder citizens' exercise of their voting rights. Attendees at the meeting included deputy ministers from the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the Korea Communications Commission, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice, and the National Police Agency. They reviewed the progress of each agency's response efforts and discussed effective measures to eradicate false and fake news. The government plans to implement a comprehensive strategy to block false and fake news across all sectors. The Korea Communications Commission is operating a "Public-Private Joint Self-Regulation Task Force" to swiftly remove and block access to false and fake news on online platforms until the elections. They will regularly monitor the situation and encourage proactive measures from platform operators. Since May 4, 30 days before the election, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has begun a concentrated cleanup of illegal advertising materials. They are promptly addressing banners that violate the "Election Advertising Management Guidelines" and relevant laws, having already removed over 30,000 illegal banners by March. Additionally, special joint inspection teams will be deployed to ensure strict penalties for public officials involved in posting or distributing false and fake news or interfering in the elections, regardless of intent. The prosecution and police have classified false and fake news, along with black propaganda, bribery, and public official election interference, as key election crimes that threaten fair elections, and are conducting thorough investigations. They will respond vigorously to organized and repeated dissemination of false and fake news, applying a zero-tolerance policy for severe penalties. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism are also focusing on prevention and awareness campaigns. The Ministry of Education is enhancing digital media literacy education to combat the spread of manipulated information on social media, and in collaboration with the National Election Commission, is conducting "New Voter Education" for 400,000 high school students to inform them about election procedures and political laws. The Ministry of Culture is using KTV and government social media to provide accurate policy information and disseminate messages to eradicate false and fake news. The National Election Commission, a constitutional body, has established a "Special Response Team for Deepfakes, False Information, and Defamation" to thoroughly address false and fake news. They maintain a close cooperation system, sharing relevant information with the government in real-time and reporting serious violations to law enforcement agencies. Minister Yoon Ho-joong stated, "False and fake news not only obstructs citizens' free exercise of their voting rights but also undermines trust in elections, fuels social conflict and chaos, and constitutes a serious crime that damages the foundations of democracy. The government will relentlessly pursue and respond to organized and malicious dissemination of false and fake news, ensuring that this local election is conducted more fairly and cleanly than ever before through close cooperation across the government until election day."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-08 17:08:18 -
South Korea launches joint task force to support victims of digital sex crimes The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Korea Communications Commission and the National Police Agency have launched a joint government task force to strengthen a unified response to digital sex crimes. The ministry said it held a plaque-hanging ceremony on May 6 at the Government Complex Seoul, attended by Gender Equality and Family Minister Won Min-kyung, Korea Communications Commission Chairman Kim Jong-cheol, acting National Police Agency Commissioner Yoo Jae-sung and Jeong Jeong-ok, senior presidential secretary for gender equality and family. The task force will be led by the ministry’s director general for safety and human rights policy, serving concurrently as chief. It will include one deputy chief (a ministry director-level official) and seven members, for a total of eight. The Central Digital Sex Crime Victim Support Center will cooperate by conducting initial analysis of platforms where collected illegal filming materials are distributed. Authorities have faced limits in responding quickly because even clearly illegal filming materials generally required review procedures before access could be blocked. Officials have also pointed to persistent harm from overseas server-based illegal sites, where administrative sanctions are difficult and operators refuse to delete content or repost it repeatedly. According to the “2025 Digital Sex Crime Victim Support Report” published by the ministry and the Korea Women’s Human Rights Institute, 10,637 victims received support last year, up 3.2% from 10,305 the year before. New victims fell 10.3%, while the number of victims receiving continued support rose 26.3%. To build a victim-centered, cross-government response, the government decided to establish the task force within the ministry under a directive issued by the prime minister. The task force plans to conduct in-depth analysis of distribution routes for illegal filming materials, as well as the operating methods and revenue structures of sites where content is repeatedly reposted. Based on that work, it will coordinate with relevant agencies on requests for investigations, fines, rapid blocking and international cooperation. For cases involving clearly illegal filming materials, it will seek swift access blocks through telecommunications operators. It will also directly handle urgent or serious cases — including mass victimization — that frontline support agencies have difficulty managing. The government also plans to work with information and communications service providers to prevent further spread, encourage reporting by the public and businesses, and pursue legal and institutional improvements to cut off criminal proceeds. Won said more fundamental measures are needed to stop the “endless copying and spread” of sexual exploitation materials that threaten daily life. She said the government will go beyond deletion support by quickly cutting distribution routes and using all available means to hold offenders accountable for repeated distribution and refusal to delete content. Kim said the communications commission will thoroughly inspect and manage compliance with obligations to prevent distribution of illegal filming materials, strengthening accountability for businesses. He said the commission will work closely with the ministry and police to eradicate digital sex crimes. Yoo said digital sex crimes are serious offenses that leave lasting pain, and police will track down perpetrators who hide behind technology and bring them to justice. He said the task force will help combine advanced investigative techniques with the blocking capabilities of related agencies to uproot the “distribution-circulation-consumption” crime ecosystem under a zero-tolerance approach.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 15:30:18 -
2.47 million apply for first round of South Korea high-oil-price relief; 1.4013 trillion won paid The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said Monday that 2,466,596 people had applied for the first round of the government’s “high-oil-price relief payment” as of midnight Saturday, or 76.4% of those eligible. The total amount paid was 1.4013 trillion won. By payment method, 1,076,418 applicants chose credit or debit cards, 814,481 chose prepaid cards, 508,490 chose mobile or card-based local gift certificates, and 67,207 chose paper local gift certificates, the ministry said. By region, Gyeonggi Province had the most applicants with 466,625, followed by Seoul with 414,014, Busan with 225,261, Incheon with 171,182, South Gyeongsang Province with 164,727, Daegu with 147,287 and North Gyeongsang Province with 142,425. Application rates were highest in South Jeolla Province at 80.9%, followed by Busan and Gwangju at 80.1% each, Seoul at 79.0%, Ulsan at 79.0%, Incheon at 77.8% and Daegu at 77.6%. By region, payments totaled 251.4 billion won in Gyeonggi Province, 223.7 billion won in Seoul, 133.4 billion won in Busan, 96.9 billion won in South Gyeongsang Province, 87.1 billion won in Daegu and 83.6 billion won in North Gyeongsang Province. The relief program is designed to cover 70% of the population, providing 100,000 to 600,000 won per person. The first round targets basic livelihood recipients, near-poverty households and single-parent families. First-round applications are being accepted online and in person from 9 a.m. April 27 through 6 p.m. May 8. Applicants can choose to receive the payment via credit or debit card, prepaid card or local gift certificate. A weekday application system based on the last digit of a person’s birth year applied during the first week but has since been lifted. Eligible people who miss the first-round window can apply during the second-round period from May 18 to July 3. The funds must be used by Aug. 31 this year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 14:39:16 -
Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon Holds Weekly Seoul Rally After Visiting Yoon; U.S. Warns on Hormuz Fees 'Yoon visit' Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon holds weekly Gwanghwamun rally, says martial law possible On May 2, Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon held a rally in central Seoul after visiting former President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to Yonhap News Agency. Jeon’s group, the Korea Restoration National Movement Headquarters, began the rally at 11:30 a.m. near the Dongwha Duty Free Shop in the Gwanghwamun area. About 6,000 people attended, based on an unofficial police estimate, waving South Korean and U.S. flags. From the stage, Jeon referred to his visit with Yoon. Jeon’s visit to Yoon at the Seoul Detention Center on April 30 had been reported earlier. “We have to make a decision. The preamble of the Constitution says to inherit the spirit of April 19,” Jeon said, arguing it means citizens should invoke a right to resist when the country is in turmoil. He added that “martial law is one of the president’s governing powers,” and said that if 10 million people gather in what he called “nonviolent armed” action, “we can rebuild the Republic of Korea.” Oh Se-hoon warns of Seoul real estate 'hell'; Jung Won-oh says Oh has been mayor Democratic Party Seoul mayoral candidate Jung Won-oh and People Power Party candidate Oh Se-hoon traded accusations May 2 over housing, as political sparring intensified a month ahead of the June 3 local elections. Speaking at a party rally at Seodaemun Cultural and Sports Center, Jung criticized Oh for, he said, staying silent “when Yoon Suk Yeol was ruining the country” and then attacking President Lee Jae-myung, whom Jung called a leader who “works well.” Jung said Oh should have spoken up “even once” when Yoon was “ruining the country.” Jung also pushed back on Oh’s recent claims that young people face “a monthly rent and deposit hell” and “a real estate hell” because of the current government. “Wasn’t the Seoul mayor you?” Jung said, arguing that after five years as mayor, Oh failed to increase housing supply and manage rental measures and is now blaming the government. Oh, for his part, said Seoul real estate would become “hell” if Jung is elected. U.S. warns shipping firms against paying Iran for Hormuz passage; Trump says, 'We are pirates' The U.S. government warned shipping companies that paying Iran fees to pass through the Strait of Hormuz could expose them to sanctions. According to Reuters and The Associated Press, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said in an advisory issued May 2 local time that it was warning of “the risk of sanctions” if companies pay the Iranian regime for safe passage or seek guarantees that they will not be attacked. Iran has promoted a detour route closer to its coast while pursuing passage charges, and the United States has moved to block Iran’s revenue for war funding through a maritime blockade, the report said. OFAC said prohibited payments could include not only cash but also digital assets, barter, informal swaps and in-kind payments. It also said attempts to route payments through Iranian embassies or disguise them as charitable donations are strictly banned. Jung Jin-suk nomination dispute deepens; People Power Party abruptly cancels ethics meeting Tensions are rising within the People Power Party over former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Jung Jin-suk’s application to seek the party nomination for a by-election in Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang, South Chungcheong Province. The party’s ethics committee abruptly canceled a meeting scheduled for May 2 that was to discuss Jung’s request to rejoin the party. Jung applied for reinstatement alongside his nomination bid. The committee had planned to review whether to grant an exception allowing a candidate under indictment to run. The report noted that exceptions were previously granted in similar cases involving Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon and Daegu mayoral candidate Choo Kyung-ho, even while they were under investigation or indictment. That history had fueled expectations that Jung could receive the same treatment as he is being investigated over allegations of destroying evidence tied to a “martial law incident” involving the presidential office. With the meeting canceled, the nomination process has become less clear, the report said, and internal opposition has surfaced publicly. South Chungcheong gubernatorial candidate Kim Tae-heum issued a statement suggesting he could leave the party if Jung is nominated. BTS album 'ARIRANG' ranks No. 17 in U.K., No. 4 on Billboard 200; holds charts for sixth week BTS’ fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” stayed on the U.K. Official Charts Top 100 for a sixth straight week, according to Yonhap and other reports May 2. “ARIRANG” ranked No. 17 on the Official Albums Chart Top 100, down four spots from the previous week. The title track, “SWIM,” placed No. 41 on the Official Singles Chart Top 100, down seven. In the United States, “SWIM” fell 10 places to No. 22 on Billboard’s Hot 100. “ARIRANG” slipped three spots to No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Hybe described the album as reflecting BTS’ identity and universal emotions, combining traditional symbolism with a modern sensibility to highlight the group’s message.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-02 22:03:19 -
South Korea’s Cho Hyun urges safe passage for ships in Strait of Hormuz in call with Iran South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke by phone Friday with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss the situation in the Middle East. It was the third call between the two ministers since the U.S.-Iran war began Feb. 28. The ministry said the call was made at Iran’s request. The two exchanged views on regional developments. Araghchi outlined Iran’s position on talks between the United States and Iran. Cho said he hoped peace and stability would be restored quickly, noting that stability in the region affects global security and economic conditions. Cho also pointed to the continued presence of ships from South Korea and other countries still anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, and stressed the need to resume safe passage for all vessels, including South Korean ships. The two agreed to stay in close communication on related issues.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-02 21:45:16 -
People Power Party Scraps Ethics Meeting as Jeong Jin-seok Nomination Dispute Grows The People Power Party is facing widening internal conflict over former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Jeong Jin-seok’s application to seek the party’s nomination in the Chungnam Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang by-election. The party’s ethics committee had planned to meet on May 2 to discuss Jeong’s request to rejoin the party, but abruptly canceled the session. Jeong applied for the nomination and also filed to be reinstated. The committee had been expected to review whether to grant an exception allowing a candidate under indictment to run. The committee has previously granted exceptions in similar cases even when candidates were under investigation or indicted, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Daegu mayoral candidate Choo Kyung-ho. That history fueled expectations that Jeong, who is being investigated over allegations of destroying evidence tied to the presidential office in connection with the “martial law incident,” could receive the same treatment. With the meeting canceled, party officials and observers said the nomination process has become more uncertain. Opposition inside the party also surfaced publicly. Kim Tae-heum, a candidate for South Chungcheong governor, issued a statement suggesting he could leave the party if Jeong is nominated. “Have we forgotten where we are after the miserable and bleak 1 year and 6 months since the Dec. 3 martial law?” Kim said, urging the leadership to listen to public sentiment. “If they act against the public conscience without restraint and reflection, I will have no choice but to leave.” Rep. Cho Eun-hee also called for reconsideration on social media, saying a nomination tied to “Yoon Again” would be like “setting fire again to a house where the lights have gone out.” She said that if the public turns away from the party at a time when it is fighting what she called the Lee Jae-myung administration’s “self-clearing” special counsel probe, “even the momentum to fight will disappear.” Jeong, however, questioned the procedural handling. “We agreed to proceed with the nomination committee process after the ethics committee’s decision, but the meeting didn’t happen, so it’s hard to accept,” he said. “They should at least give a chance for a primary.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-02 21:30:16 -
U.S. Warns Shipping Firms Paying Iran for Hormuz Passage Could Face Sanctions; Trump Says 'We Are Pirates' 미국 정부가 호르무즈 해협을 통과하기 위해 이란에 통행료를 지불하는 해운사들을 향해 제재 대상이 될 수 있다고 경고했다. 2일(현지시간) 로이터통신, AP 통신 등에 따르면 미국 재무부 해외자산통제국(OFAC)은 공지를 통해 “안전 통항을 위해 이란 정권에 자금을 지불하거나 (공격하지 않겠다는) 보장을 요청하면 제재당할 위험이 있다는 경고를 하려고 주의보를 발령한다"고 전했다. 이란은 자국 해안에 가까운 우회 항로를 제안하며 선박들에 통행료 징수를 추진하고 있으며, 미국은 이란 정권의 전쟁자금 수입을 막기 위한 해상봉쇄에 나선 상태다. 재무부는 로이터에 이런 간접 지불을 한 국가나 기업에 대한 구체적인 정보를 제공하지 않았다. 다만 로이터는 적어도 한 척의 선박이 해협을 통과하기 위해 200만 달러를 지불했다는 보도가 있었다고 전했다. OFAC은 제재 대상이 될 수 있는 지급 형태로 현금뿐 아니라 디지털 자산, 상계 거래, 비공식 스와프, 현물 지급 등을 열거했다. 또 각국이 자국 내 이란 대사관을 통해 결제하거나 자선 기부금 형태로 우회 지급하는 것 역시 엄격히 금지된다고 강조했다. OFAC은 비미국 개인과 법인이 미국 개인과 법인에 예외적으로 허용된 경우가 아닌 방식으로 이란 정부나 이란혁명수비대와 거래에 참여하면 제재 위험에 노출될 수 있다고 밝혔다. 또 참여하는 외국 금융기관에 대한 2차 제재가 포함될 수 있으며, 해당 기관은 미국 금융체계 접근이 금지되거나 제한될 수 있다고 경고했다. 한편 이날 미국 플로리다주에서 열린 행사에서 도널드 트럼프 미국 대통령은 미 해군의 선박 나포를 언급한 뒤 “우리는 해적과 같다. 어느 정도 해적 같지만 장난은 아니다”라고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-02 20:36:15 -
South Korea Names 2026 ‘Year to Visit Islands,’ Offers Up to 100,000 Won in Travel Aid The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said Friday it has designated 2026 as the “Year to Visit Islands” and will provide up to 100,000 won in travel support for people who visit islands. The initiative is being launched for the first time to highlight the tourism value of Korea’s islands, which the ministry said has been underestimated, and to promote tourism as part of efforts to support balanced regional development in island communities. The ministry said it will subsidize lodging costs for tourists who visit islands and stay at least one night during the summer vacation season (July-August) and during the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo, scheduled for Sept. 5-Nov. 4. Detailed eligibility rules and application procedures will be posted on a dedicated website set to open May 18. South Jeolla Province will also run its own “Jeonnam Year to Visit Islands” program offering up to 100,000 won in travel support, and the Korea Tourism Organization plans to hold an island lodging discount campaign in September, known as the Lodging Sale Festa. The ministry held a proclamation ceremony for the “2026 Year to Visit Islands” at 3 p.m. Friday at Yi Sun-sin Square in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. Attendees included Vice Interior Minister Kim Min-jae, South Jeolla Vice Gov. Hwang Gi-yeon, Yeosu Vice Mayor Jeong Hyeon-gu, and Korea Island Development Institute President Cho Seong-hwan. The ministry said it will also roll out participation programs aimed at helping people build ongoing ties with islands. It plans a “One Person, One Island” promotional campaign that issues participants a digital “island resident ID,” along with events that match people with a “companion island” or grant honorary island resident status. The ministry also plans an event encouraging visits to 88 islands selected each year as places people want to travel to. “Our country is an archipelago tourism nation with 3,390 beautiful islands, and each island has its own unique appeal and value,” Kim said. “I hope that, through the 2026 Year to Visit Islands, more people will visit islands and enjoy a special trip with family and friends.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-02 19:21:18 -
Seoul mayoral candidates trade blame over housing and rents Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party’s candidate for Seoul mayor, and Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party traded barbs May 2 over the city’s housing market. With the June 3 local elections a month away, the two sides are intensifying their fight over who is responsible for Seoul’s housing and rental strains. Speaking at a party rally at Seodaemun Cultural and Sports Center, Jung criticized Oh for what he called silence when President Yoon Suk Yeol was “ruining the country,” while now attacking President Lee Jae-myung. “He should have said something, even a word, when President Yoon Suk Yeol was ruining the country,” Jung said. Jung also pushed back on Oh’s recent claims that young people are facing “rent hell” and “real estate hell” because of the current government. “Wasn’t the Seoul mayor you?” Jung said, arguing that Oh failed over five years to increase housing supply and manage measures for monthly rent and jeonse leases, and is now blaming the government for the difficulties. Oh, in turn, warned that Seoul real estate would become “hell” if Jung is elected. Oh said soaring home prices and rising rents stem from what he called a supply strategy created by “the dream team” of Moon Jae-in and Park Won-soon. Oh said that when he left office as mayor in 2011, he had designated more than 400 areas for redevelopment and reconstruction that could have supplied 420,000 homes, but that Mayor Park “canceled them all.” Oh said the resulting lack of new supply is now being pinned on him. “That’s turning the tables,” he said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-02 18:21:16