Han Dong-hoon Declares Candidacy for Busan North District by-election Han Dong-hoon, a former leader of the People Power Party, officially announced his candidacy for the Busan North District by-election on May 9, stating, "If President Lee Jae-myung actually cancels the indictment, he should be impeached." According to reports, Han made this statement during a press conference held in the afternoon at Gupo Market in Busan. He emphasized his commitment to winning the election to enter the National Assembly and prevent what he described as the reckless governance of the Lee Jae-myung administration. He also criticized the Democratic Party's proposed special investigation into alleged fabricated charges, asserting, "If the president truly pushes this forward, I will take to the streets to persuade citizens and advocate for impeachment." Han intensified his criticism of the internal factions within the People Power Party, stating, "Some party members are trying hard to defeat me instead of the Democratic Party," and vowed to stop both the reckless governance of the Lee Jae-myung administration and the regression of the party's leadership under Jang Dong-hyuk. Regarding his independent candidacy, Han remarked, "I have never resigned from the party; I was unjustly expelled," and expressed his intention to return to the party. He also clarified his stance on potential unification with People Power Party candidate Park Min-sik, saying, "Political engineering is a subordinate variable," indicating he is not inclined toward such an alliance. Han reflected on his participation in the vote to lift the martial law during the December 3 emergency declaration, stating, "I chose the people over Yoon Seok-yeol." He expressed his determination to revitalize the conservative movement in the North District. As part of his local campaign promises, Han proposed the development of a multi-purpose arena along the Nakdong River and improvements to transportation networks. He stated, "I will create a representative stage for performances, exhibitions, and sports that will thrive year-round in the Yeongnam region, making North District a vibrant area."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-09 20:21:20

People Power Party Criticizes Anti-Corruption Agency's Handling of Lee's Helicopter Controversy The People Power Party criticized the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on May 9 for its handling of the "emergency helicopter transport privilege controversy" that arose during President Lee Jae-myung's tenure as leader of the Democratic Party. The party described the commission's actions as a "cleaning operation" aimed at erasing past misdeeds using state resources. Park Seong-hoon, the party's chief spokesperson, stated in a commentary that the commission's findings were ultimately tailored to fit the government's preferences. He questioned whether the commission's actions, which undermine trust in local healthcare and disrupt the medical delivery system, could be considered normalization. Previously, the commission announced on May 8 that its task force had determined that the judgment regarding the violation of medical personnel's code of conduct in 2024 was inappropriate, citing improper intervention by the then-secretary general. Following the commission's announcement, President Lee took to social media to express his views, stating, "I have been saved from the three major threats of judicial murder through manipulated prosecutions, knife murders orchestrated by terrorists, and defamation through manipulated media." He emphasized that he believes he has been spared by a higher power. In response, Song Eon-seok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized Lee for using his own experience of being attacked as a narrative to seek self-exoneration. Lawmaker Na Kyung-won also condemned Lee's framing of legitimate legal judgments as judicial murder, urging him to stop the self-serving narrative and face the ongoing trial. Within the party, there were also concerns about the religious and fatalistic rhetoric in political discourse. Lawmaker Han Ji-a, associated with the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction, targeted Jang Dong-hyuk's remarks during a recent foreign press briefing, where he stated, "I believe God was watching over South Korea at that moment." Another lawmaker criticized this attitude as an attempt to cloak political actions in a transcendent legitimacy beyond the people's choice.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-09 19:24:22

LVMH chief Bernard Arnault to visit Seoul for first time in three years SEOUL, May 09 (AJP) - Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of French luxury giant LVMH, is set to arrive in Seoul on Monday for his first visit to South Korea in three years, according to industry sources on Saturday. The visit comes as South Korea continues to solidify its position as a "key strategic market" for global luxury houses. While luxury sales in Europe and Japan have softened amid a global cooling of high-end demand—and Middle Eastern markets have seen a downturn due to regional conflicts—the South Korean market has remained exceptionally resilient. Industry insiders noted that Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel—all reported record-breaking performance in Korea last year despite the global economic slowdown. During his stay, Arnault is scheduled to visit the Shinsegae Department Store’s flagship outlet in central Seoul on May 11 to inspect "Louis Vuitton Visionary Journeys Seoul". The sprawling six-story experiential space stands as the brand's largest retail location in the world. Arnault is also expected to tour major luxury hubs at Lotte Department Store and Shinsegae Gangnam to review local operations. The LVMH chief’s return follows a 2023 trip where he met with top South Korean business leaders, including Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin. The timing is particularly notable as Arnault is expected to tour the Shinsegae flagship on a day the store is closed to the public, allowing for an uninterrupted inspection of the site's high-end dining and cultural facilities. 2026-05-09 18:15:10

Weather Forecast: Clear Skies Expected Sunday with Significant Temperature Variance On Sunday, May 10, clear skies are expected nationwide, but significant temperature differences will occur, particularly in inland areas. The Korea Meteorological Administration announced on May 9 that the country will be influenced by a high-pressure system moving from near Shanghai, China, to the southern seas. Morning low temperatures will range from 6 to 14 degrees Celsius, while daytime highs are expected to be between 21 and 27 degrees, which is around average or slightly above. However, the temperature difference between day and night in inland areas could reach 15 to 20 degrees, necessitating attention to health management. Morning temperatures in major cities are forecasted as follows: Seoul 10°C, Incheon 10°C, Suwon 9°C, Chuncheon 8°C, Gangneung 13°C, Cheongju 9°C, Daejeon 9°C, Jeonju 9°C, Gwangju 8°C, Daegu 10°C, Busan 12°C, and Jeju 11°C. Daytime highs are predicted to be: Seoul 25°C, Incheon 23°C, Suwon 25°C, Chuncheon 25°C, Gangneung 26°C, Cheongju 26°C, Daejeon 26°C, Jeonju 26°C, Gwangju 25°C, Daegu 26°C, Busan 22°C, and Jeju 21°C. The atmosphere will be very dry. In areas under dry warnings, including parts of Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, the eastern coast of Gangwon, North Chungcheong, and North Gyeongsang, extreme dryness poses a heightened risk for wildfires and other fire hazards. From early morning to the morning hours, fog with visibility of less than 1 kilometer is expected, particularly in South Jeolla Province. Roads near rivers, lakes, and valleys may experience denser fog, requiring caution for traffic safety. On the seas, fog is anticipated primarily over the Yellow Sea. Vessels engaged in navigation or fishing should be cautious of safety hazards. Wave heights are expected to be 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the East and West Seas, and 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the South Sea. Offshore wave heights are forecasted to be 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the East Sea, 0.5 to 2.5 meters in the West Sea, and 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the South Sea. Fine dust levels are expected to be at a 'good' level across all regions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-09 18:03:21

NewJeans Faces Copyright Lawsuit Over 'How Sweet' The K-pop group NewJeans is embroiled in a copyright infringement lawsuit in the United States over their hit song "How Sweet." Their agency, ADOR, stated that after consulting with the song's production team, they believe there is no basis for the plagiarism claims and plan to take legal action. According to Billboard on May 8, four songwriters, including Audrey Amacost, have filed a lawsuit against NewJeans, ADOR, and their parent company HYBE. They allege that the song, released in May 2024, copied their demo track "One of a Kind" and are seeking royalty payments. The plaintiffs claim they previously proposed a topline to NewJeans, which was not accepted, and argue that the melody and structure of the first verse of "How Sweet" closely resemble their demo. The lawsuit reportedly states that both songs share the same key and tempo, with significant similarities in specific melodic progressions. "How Sweet" is the title track from NewJeans' double single released in May 2024. The hip-hop style song, based in Miami, reached No. 15 on the Billboard Global 200 chart and No. 7 on the Billboard Global chart (excluding the U.S.). It was also included in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2024. ADOR emphasized that after confirming with the song's composer, Bana, they stand by the assertion that there has been no plagiarism. They stated that ADOR and the members will respond to the lawsuit in accordance with Bana's position.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-09 17:30:11

Taekwondo Instructor and Employee Face Attempted Murder Charges A taekwondo instructor and an employee are facing potential arrest for attempted murder after allegedly trying to poison the employee's husband with drug-laced alcohol. Police have obtained statements indicating that they used benzodiazepine, a substance linked to a recent serial murder case in northern Seoul, and are verifying the drug's composition. On May 9, the 20-something instructor, identified as A, and her 40-something employee, B, appeared at the Incheon District Court in Bucheon for a pre-arrest interrogation. They did not respond to questions from reporters regarding the planning of the crime or their acknowledgment of the charges. A and B are accused of placing a 1.8-liter bottle of soju laced with drugs in B's refrigerator on April 25, intending to kill B's husband, a man in his 50s identified as C. They allegedly targeted him because he often drank alone, but investigations revealed that C did not consume the tainted alcohol. During police questioning, A reportedly stated that she crushed 60 tablets of benzodiazepine and mixed them into the soju through B. Benzodiazepine is a psychoactive substance used to treat insomnia and anxiety disorders, and it was previously associated with the suspect in the northern Seoul serial murder case. The attempted murder allegations came to light after A was arrested on May 6 for injuring C with a weapon at B's home. Police discovered messages on A and B's phones that indicated they had conspired to commit murder, leading to B's emergency arrest as well. Authorities have requested a substance analysis from the National Forensic Service to confirm the use of the drug and are investigating how it was obtained, as well as the possibility of copycat crimes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-09 17:24:22

LVMH Chairman Bernard Arnault Visits South Korea for Store Inspections Bernard Arnault, Chairman of LVMH, is set to visit South Korea for the first time in nearly three years. His trip is seen as an opportunity to assess the operations of Louis Vuitton stores in major department stores, reflecting the growing importance of the South Korean luxury market. According to Yonhap News on May 9, Arnault will visit the Shinsegae department store in central Seoul on May 11. The flagship store will be closed that day, allowing Arnault to tour the premises and review operational conditions with internal staff in a relatively quiet environment. The Shinsegae flagship store features 'Louis Vuitton Visionary Journey Seoul,' which opened in December 2022. This location is the largest Louis Vuitton store in the world, spanning six floors and offering not only retail space but also experiential areas showcasing the brand's history, culture, and craftsmanship, along with a restaurant and café. After visiting the Shinsegae flagship, Arnault and his team are expected to tour Louis Vuitton stores at Lotte Department Store's main and Jamsil locations, as well as the Shinsegae Gangnam store, among other key retail channels in South Korea. This marks Arnault's first visit to South Korea since March 2023, when he met with leaders from the domestic retail sector, including Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte Group. It remains to be seen if he will hold similar meetings with business and retail figures during this trip.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-09 16:48:18

Gas Prices Rise at Pumps Despite Falling Global Oil Prices Gasoline and diesel prices at domestic gas stations have risen for six consecutive weeks. While international oil prices have decreased amid expectations of a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, this decline has yet to be reflected in local prices. According to Yonhap News and the Korea National Oil Corporation's oil price information system, Opinet, the average price of gasoline at gas stations nationwide for the first week of May (May 3-7) was 2,011.2 won per liter, an increase of 2.6 won from the previous week. The average price of diesel also rose by 2.6 won to 2,005.4 won per liter during the same period. Regionally, gasoline prices were highest in Seoul at 2,051 won per liter, while Daegu reported the lowest price at 1,995.8 won. Among brands, SK Energy had the highest price at 2,016.8 won per liter, while discount gas stations offered the lowest price at 1,993.6 won. International oil prices have fallen, with Dubai crude, the benchmark for imported crude oil, dropping by $4.8 to $102.7 per barrel. The international price of diesel also decreased by $15.4 to $157. However, the price of gasoline on the international market rose by $2.1 to $131.8. This week, international oil prices faced downward pressure due to expectations of progress in the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, although reports of military clashes between the two countries limited the extent of the decline. Typically, fluctuations in international oil prices are reflected in domestic gas station prices after a delay of 2 to 3 weeks. Meanwhile, the government has frozen the fifth maximum oil price, which took effect on May 8. As a result, the maximum prices are maintained at 1,934 won per liter for gasoline, 1,923 won for diesel, and 1,530 won for kerosene.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-09 16:33:13

Trump Says He Expects Letter from Iran Tonight Amid Tensions in Hormuz President Donald Trump stated that he expects to receive a letter from Iran regarding ceasefire negotiations soon. Amid renewed military tensions in the Hormuz Strait, the U.S. appears to be prioritizing diplomatic solutions to end the conflict rather than escalating military actions. According to Yonhap News, Trump spoke to reporters at the White House on May 8, local time, and responded to a question about whether he had received a response from Iran regarding U.S. demands, saying, "I will probably receive a letter from Iran tonight," adding, "We will see what happens." This suggests that Iran may communicate its position within hours. Trump's remarks came shortly after clashes occurred between the two nations in the Hormuz Strait. The U.S. and Iran have maintained a ceasefire since April 7, but recent maritime blockades and attempts to breach them have led to renewed hostilities. However, Iran has described the clashes as 'limited' through its state media, indicating a desire to maintain the ceasefire. The two countries held their first high-level ceasefire talks in Pakistan on April 11-12, but no agreement was reached. Since then, they have continued backchannel negotiations under Pakistan's mediation. Recently, the possibility of a ceasefire agreement has been revived. The online news outlet Axios reported on May 6 that the two nations are close to finalizing a one-page memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a ceasefire. This MOU reportedly includes a declaration to end hostilities, the reopening of the Hormuz Strait, limitations on Iran's nuclear program, and discussions on lifting sanctions against Iran over a 30-day period. Iran has not yet provided an official response. Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated in an interview with the semi-official ISNA news agency on May 6 that Iran is still reviewing the U.S. plans and proposals, without specifying a timeline for a response. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also commented during a visit to Italy, expressing optimism that Iran would provide a response regarding the ceasefire agreement, stating, "I hope Iran will present a serious proposal within a few hours." However, uncertainties remain regarding the negotiations. Bloomberg reported that the clashes in the Hormuz Strait have made the ceasefire more precarious, with the U.S. awaiting Iran's response. There are concerns that if Iran rejects U.S. demands or fails to respond within the deadline, the U.S. may consider ramping up airstrikes again.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-09 16:21:23

Conflict Erupts Over Yongsan Development Plans Between Candidates Jeong Won-o and Oh Se-hoon Jeong Won-o, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, and Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, have clashed over the direction of real estate development in Seoul. Jeong's camp criticized Oh for neglecting the Yongsan development for an extended period, while Oh's camp accused Jeong of reverting to the urban regeneration policies of former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon. On May 9, Jeong posted on Facebook, questioning, "Why has Oh Se-hoon left this land unattended during his four terms as mayor?" He attributed the delays in Yongsan development to a lack of clear responsibility for the project. Jeong stated, "We cannot continue down the path of Oh Se-hoon. I will develop differently." The day before, Jeong announced a pledge to attract a United Nations artificial intelligence hub to the Yongsan International Business District and to concentrate five advanced strategic industries there. Park Kyung-mi, a spokesperson for Jeong's campaign, remarked, "A candidate who has effectively neglected the Yongsan maintenance site for ten years is asking for a fifth chance. Citizens should hold Oh accountable for his decade of mismanagement." Oh's camp took issue with Jeong's comments regarding housing supply. Park Yong-chan, a spokesperson for Oh's campaign, expressed concerns in a statement, saying, "Jeong's remarks about villas raise suspicions that he aims to revive the urban regeneration projects of the Park Won-soon administration." The comments in question were made by Jeong during a meeting with candidates for district councilors on May 5, where he stated that solutions to the rental housing issue could be implemented within two to three years by utilizing villas, officetels, and residential-type accommodations. Park criticized this, stating, "The creation of villa towns was a core project of past urban regeneration efforts, which ended in failure. Are we to attempt this again?" Both sides are also at odds over the scale of housing supply within the Yongsan International Business District. Jeong's camp emphasizes the creation of a mixed-use city that integrates living and working spaces, while Oh's camp argues that this could undermine the international business functions of the area. As real estate policy emerges as a central issue in the Seoul mayoral election, the debate over redevelopment and reconstruction strategies is expected to intensify.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-09 15:45:21