Five Masters Discuss the 'Essence' of Theater Amid Ongoing Conflict "We are currently at war. This work is also at war." (Kim Woo-ok, Director) Five prominent figures in the Korean theater scene will gather this fall at Daehakro. The directors, who have led the aesthetic evolution of Korean theater for nearly half a century, will present works that challenge contemporary society at the Daehakro Theater Quad from September to December. At a press conference held on May 26 at the Daehakro Theater Quad in Jongno, Seoul, directors Kim Ah-ra, Kim Kwang-bo, Kim Woo-ok, Lee Seong-yeol, and Han Tae-sook discussed their upcoming performances. The lineup includes Kim Ah-ra's "The Sound of Macbeth," followed by Kim Kwang-bo's "Why Are There Peppers on the Rooftop Garden?," Kim Woo-ok's "Dance of the Revolution," Lee Seong-yeol's "Flame," and Han Tae-sook's "Seohan Hwa Cha," which will run sequentially until the end of the year. Each director has established a unique stage language that contributes to the paradigm of contemporary Korean theater through structuralism, spatial experimentation, and physical language. Notably, Kim Woo-ok, a master of Korean structuralist theater, will present "Dance of the Revolution," which has received acclaim for its experimental and fresh approach since its premiere in Korea in 1981. Kim Woo-ok participated in the play as an actor while studying theater in New York during its U.S. premiere in 1976. He stated, "The main reason for bringing this 50-year-old work back is to experiment with whether the theater that was alive then is still alive now with the audience." He added, "I was surprised that young people enjoyed it so much during the 2023 performance. I want to test if this work can still be loved." "Dance of the Revolution" consists of just 12 lines of dialogue and eight scenes, using small flashes of light from the actors and unconventional physical movements to express revolution. Kim Woo-ok explained, "There is no plot in this work. There are only eight situations related to revolution, and these situations are connected to our world today, where war is ongoing." The directors also shared their thoughts on the essence of theater. Kim Ah-ra identified it as "play," Kim Kwang-bo as "everyday life," Lee Seong-yeol as "humanity," and Han Tae-sook as "comfort." Kim Woo-ok's answer was simple: "fun." He remarked, "When you delve into the essence of theater, it becomes unclear. I did it without thinking too much. There is no need for difficult thoughts or theories in theater." He continued, "It is very enjoyable to perform a plotless play in a wonderful theater in Daehakro, and I want to show that even a plotless play has its own vitality." He also expressed optimism about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in theater, stating, "Introducing new technology to the stage is essential. We need to explore how to incorporate AI into theater. It will lead to much more interesting outcomes." He emphasized the importance of "fun" once again, saying, "If we can provide enjoyment, what can't we do? I believe that incorporating AI quickly will lead to much more entertaining theater in the near future." Tickets are set to go on sale on July 28, and details can be found on the Quad website and Nolticket.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-30 00:15:00

Demolition of Seosomun Overpass Completed; Gyeongui Line Resumes Service The demolition of the main structure of the Seosomun overpass in Seoul, which resulted in six casualties, was completed approximately 79 hours after the collapse. Train services on the Gyeongui Line, which had been suspended due to the incident, will resume with the first train on May 30. The Seoul city government announced that the emergency demolition of the overpass began at midnight on May 29 and was completed by 9:40 p.m. the same day. However, not all demolition work has been finalized. Columns deemed to have a lower risk of collapse will be removed in a manner that does not disrupt train operations within the next 10 days. Restoration work on the tracks for the Gyeongui Line will continue overnight. The Korea National Railway Corporation plans to complete maintenance of railway facilities, including overhead lines, by around 5 a.m. on May 30, allowing train services to resume with the first train. The Seosomun overpass experienced a collapse on the morning of May 26 when a girder supporting the upper slab sank by about 2.9 centimeters, halting construction. Later that day, during a safety inspection, part of the slab collapsed, resulting in the deaths of three construction workers and injuries to three public officials. The Ministry of Employment and Labor ordered a halt to demolition work immediately following the incident. After implementing safety measures to prevent further collapses, the city applied to the labor ministry for permission to resume work and received conditional approval on the afternoon of May 28. Subsequently, emergency demolition began at midnight on May 29. Before the incident, work was conducted only during early morning hours for about three hours each day to avoid disrupting train operations. However, following the collapse, the priority shifted to rapid recovery and the resumption of train services, leading to the use of crushing methods to expedite demolition. To protect the tracks, the city laid steel plates at the site and filled sand to prevent shock from reaching the subway Line 2 tunnel. The slab over the tracks, designated as number 9, and its supporting structure were removed at 4:43 a.m. on May 29, with the last remaining slab, number 8, being demolished by 9:40 p.m. 2026-05-29 22:21:00

SSG Lands in 10-Game Losing Streak After 4-3 Loss to Hanwha The SSG Landers fell to the Hanwha Eagles, plunging into a 10-game losing streak. They are now just one loss away from matching the franchise record for consecutive defeats, which includes their time as the SK Wyverns. On May 29, SSG lost 4-3 in an away game at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon. Following a previous loss, this marks SSG's longest losing streak since adopting the SSG name, reaching nine games. With this latest defeat, they now face the prospect of a double-digit losing streak. It has been nearly five years and eight months since SSG last experienced a 10-game losing streak, which occurred in September 2020 during their SK Wyverns era. The franchise's all-time longest losing streak is 11 games, recorded twice in 2000 and 2020. If SSG loses again to Hanwha on May 30, they will tie that record, and a loss on May 31 would set a new franchise record. In contrast, Hanwha secured the victory with two home runs from Heo In-seo and Kang Baek-ho. With this win, Hanwha improved to a .500 record of 25 wins and 25 losses, maintaining their fifth-place standing. The game began as a tight pitching duel. Hanwha's starter Owen White and SSG's starter Choi Min-jun held each other scoreless through the first four innings. Hanwha broke the deadlock in the fifth inning. Lead-off hitter Noh Si-hwan reached base with a hit, and Heo In-seo followed with a two-run homer over the left field wall. This marked Heo's 10th home run of the season, achieving double digits for the first time in his career. SSG quickly responded in the sixth inning. After Park Seong-han hit a double, Jeong Jun-jae drove him in with a single, narrowing the gap to 4-1. However, Hanwha extended their lead later in the inning when Kang Baek-ho hit a two-run homer off reliever Lee Ro-un after a walk to Moon Hyun-bin. SSG mounted another comeback in the seventh inning. With two outs, Choi Ji-hoon hit a triple, and Oh Tae-gon followed with a two-run homer to bring the score to 4-3. However, they could not complete the comeback. Hanwha's Park Sang-won pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and closer Lee Min-woo faced a two-out, two-on situation in the ninth but secured the win by forcing Oh Tae-gon into a groundout to shortstop. This marked Lee's third save of the season. Hanwha's starter White earned his second win of the season, pitching seven innings with four hits, two walks, and three earned runs. SSG's starter Choi Min-jun lasted five innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out five, but he received no run support, suffering his fourth loss of the season.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 21:33:00

Early Voting for Local Elections Hits Record High of 11.6% Early voting for local elections reaches 11.6%, the highest ever The first day of early voting for the 9th nationwide local elections recorded a turnout of 11.6%, the highest since the introduction of early voting. The National Election Commission reported that from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 29, 518,486 out of 44,649,908 eligible voters cast their ballots. This turnout of 11.60% surpasses the first-day early voting rate of 10.18% from the previous local elections in 2022 by 1.42 percentage points. Since the early voting system was introduced in the 6th local elections in 2014, this is the highest turnout recorded on the first day. The turnout increased steadily throughout the day, starting at 0.5% at 7 a.m., rising to 1.7% by 9 a.m., and reaching 4.86% by noon. In the afternoon, it continued to climb, hitting 8.15% by 3 p.m. and 10.39% by 5 p.m., before closing at 11.60% at 6 p.m. This figure exceeds the early trends from both the 2022 local elections and the 2024 general elections.Police conclude 11-hour search related to fatal construction collapse Authorities have completed an 11-hour search related to the collapse at a construction site in Seoul's Seosomun area that resulted in three fatalities. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and the Ministry of Employment and Labor conducted the search from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at seven locations, including the Seoul Urban Infrastructure Headquarters and the main offices of the contractors involved. A total of 53 personnel, including 33 police officers and 20 labor inspectors, were deployed to the scene. The search warrant cited charges of negligent homicide, violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, and breaches of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Both the primary contractor and subcontractors have been named as suspects in all three charges, while the Seoul city government is currently listed as a witness rather than a suspect.KOSPI surpasses 8400 as National Pension adjusts stock holdings The National Pension Service has raised its target allocation for domestic stocks from 14.9% to 20.8%, reflecting the recent explosive growth in the domestic stock market. On May 29, the KOSPI index reached an all-time high, alleviating fears of a sell-off by the pension fund. This adjustment in asset allocation is backed by the National Pension Service's impressive investment performance. According to preliminary figures released by the fund management division, the pension fund's reserves increased by 68 trillion won to 1,526 trillion won as of the end of the first quarter (March 31). The investment return rate during this period was reported at 4.42% (based on weighted returns).Labor and Industry Ministers clash over corporate excess profits A dispute has emerged between Employment and Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon and Industry Minister Kim Jeong-kwan regarding the issue of corporate excess profits. Minister Kim Young-hoon advocates for using excess profits to address polarization and promote shared growth, while Minister Kim Jeong-kwan emphasizes the need for reinvestment. On May 29, Minister Kim Jeong-kwan stated on social media, "The world is currently in a race to secure leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) investments," highlighting that competing nations are making unprecedented large-scale investments to emerge victorious in the AI era. He added, "Now is a critical time to connect the profits generated by the semiconductor industry to productive reinvestment for the future," stressing the importance of strategically leveraging the AI boom to secure a growth engine for South Korea's industrial leap. He warned that even a single misstep in investment could collapse the industrial ecosystem.NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang visits Taiwan and South Korea to strengthen ties NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is visiting Taiwan and South Korea to directly manage the Asian semiconductor supply chain. In Taiwan, he is solidifying ties with the local semiconductor ecosystem, known as the "brother room," ahead of significant investments and the establishment of a local headquarters. He will then travel to South Korea to hold a second meeting with major corporate leaders. After completing his schedule at the GTC event in Taiwan, Huang is expected to meet with leaders such as Chey Tae-won of SK Group, Chung Eui-sun of Hyundai Motor Group, Koo Kwang-mo of LG Group, and Lee Hae-jin, founder of Naver. This meeting follows their previous gathering at a chicken restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul, last October, where they discussed AI collaboration. The main agenda for this visit is expected to focus on physical AI. NVIDIA is expanding its ecosystem beyond generative AI to include robotics, autonomous driving, smart factories, and manufacturing automation. SK Group is involved in high-bandwidth memory (HBM), Hyundai Motor Group in robotics and autonomous driving, LG Group in automotive and manufacturing AI, and Naver in cloud and AI platforms.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 21:27:00

Women Demand Accountability from U.S. Military in Historic Lawsuit Women who claim they were forced into prostitution and had their human rights violated in military base towns in South Korea are calling for accountability from the U.S. military in a landmark damages lawsuit against the South Korean government. According to Yonhap News, the Seoul Central District Court's Civil Division 22, led by Judge Park Jeong-ho, held the first hearing on May 29 for a lawsuit filed by 117 victims seeking damages from the Republic of Korea. The plaintiffs emphasized that this lawsuit is not merely about holding the government accountable for damages. They pointed out that the Supreme Court has already acknowledged the illegality of the government's role in the establishment, management, and operation of military base towns. Therefore, they argue that the court must also investigate how the U.S. military was involved in the prostitution structure in these areas. The plaintiffs' attorney stated, "While the formal defendant is the Republic of Korea, it is essential to clarify how the U.S. military collaborated with the South Korean government to promote prostitution in military base towns. We request a progressive ruling that holds the U.S. military accountable." The attorney explained that under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the U.S.-South Korea Mutual Defense Treaty, if U.S. military personnel are found legally responsible, the South Korean government must first provide compensation and can later seek reimbursement from the U.S. military. Based on this, the plaintiffs argue that both the South Korean government's liability and the U.S. military's involvement and responsibility should be revealed during the trial. The elderly victims' decision to appear in court was also highlighted. The attorney remarked, "The plaintiffs have returned to court in the twilight of their lives to share their experiences of victimization. They hope this case will shed light on the responsibilities of authorities in the operation of military base towns." During the hearing, direct testimonies from victims were also presented. One victim, who identified herself as a 'comfort woman' for U.S. soldiers, recounted, "I was taken to a military base town at the age of 16. Many women were brought there without knowing anything at the time." She questioned, "How could such events occur in a place where entry was only allowed with the military's permission, and the U.S. military claim they were unaware? I have lived in fear due to past experiences, but I found the courage to speak out to expose the wrongs of the U.S. military."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 21:12:00

S&P: Korea Investment & Securities Has Sufficient Capital to Invest in Coinone Global credit rating agency S&P Global Ratings has assessed that Korea Investment & Securities' investment in Coinone will impose limited financial burdens. The investment amount is not significant compared to Korea Investment & Securities' capital capacity, and the recent upturn in the stock market suggests that the firm has the financial capability to pursue a strategy of expanding into the digital asset sector. In a report released on May 29, S&P stated that Korea Investment & Securities has secured sufficient financial capacity regarding its acquisition of a 20% stake in the domestic cryptocurrency exchange Coinone. S&P noted that the firm’s solid profitability amid the stock market boom this year, combined with Coinone's relatively small size, enables the expansion strategy into the digital asset sector. Korea Investment & Securities previously entered into a strategic equity investment agreement with Coinone, OKX Ventures, and Com2us Holdings. This investment will involve Korea Investment & Securities and OKX Ventures acquiring shares from Coinone's largest shareholder, CEO Cha Myung-hoon, and Com2us Holdings, as well as newly issued shares from Coinone. Following the investment, Korea Investment & Securities and OKX Ventures will each hold a 20% stake, making them joint third-largest shareholders after CEO Cha (30.36%) and Com2us Holdings (24.54%). CEO Cha will retain management control. S&P believes that this investment will not significantly contribute to Korea Investment & Securities' profitability in the short term. However, as the domestic digital asset market is increasingly aligning with regulated finance, it could provide a foundation for Korea Investment & Securities to gain a competitive edge in the market. Specifically, S&P analyzed that the impact on capital adequacy will be minimal. The agency estimates that Korea Investment & Securities' risk-adjusted capital ratio will decline by approximately 7 to 9 basis points as a result of this investment. Over the next two years, the risk-adjusted capital ratio is expected to remain between 8.4% and 9.4%, exceeding S&P's benchmark of 7% for adequate capital and profitability. This investment is viewed as a strategic move in anticipation of the institutionalization of digital assets, including token securities and stablecoins. S&P predicts that cooperation between securities firms and cryptocurrency exchanges will expand, noting that under the recently amended Electronic Securities Act and Capital Markets Act, securities firms will be able to issue and distribute token securities starting in 2027, creating a strategic collaboration structure supported by cryptocurrency exchanges. Korea Investment & Securities also plans to leverage Coinone's blockchain technology to enhance its digital asset business. Coinone aims to improve transaction stability and business scalability by utilizing Korea Investment & Securities' internal controls and risk management capabilities, along with OKX's global cryptocurrency infrastructure.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 21:03:00

High Demand for Public Housing in Wangseok 2 District with 126.8:1 Competition Rate In the Wangseok 2 District of Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, the first public housing subscription for the A-1 and A-3 blocks closed with triple-digit competition rates. According to the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) on May 29, the general subscription for the A-3 block attracted 20,671 applicants for 163 units, resulting in an average competition rate of 126.8 to 1. Among the housing types, the 59㎡ A-type saw the most intense competition, with 6,066 applicants vying for 14 units, leading to a staggering competition rate of 433.3 to 1. Winners for the A-3 block will be announced on June 15. Contracts will be conducted electronically from August 24 to 25, followed by on-site contracts on August 27 and 28. The A-1 block, developed by Kumho Construction under the public-private partnership project 'Wangseok Atera,' also experienced high demand. In the general subscription that closed the previous day, 22,525 applicants competed for 223 units, resulting in an average competition rate of 105.5 to 1. The 59㎡ A-type in the A-1 block recorded the highest competition rate, with 8,659 applicants for 22 units, reaching a competition rate of 393.6 to 1. The announcement for the A-1 block winners is set for June 12, with the official contract period scheduled from August 10 to 14.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 21:03:00

Three Dead in Seosomun Overpass Collapse; Police Complete 11-Hour Search Authorities have concluded an 11-hour search of the Seoul city government and construction companies involved in the Seosomun overpass collapse that resulted in three fatalities. According to Yonhap News, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's special investigation unit and the Ministry of Employment and Labor's southern Seoul office conducted the search from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 29, targeting seven locations, including the Seoul Infrastructure Headquarters and the headquarters of the main and subcontractors. A total of 53 personnel, including 33 police officers and 20 labor inspectors, were involved in the operation. The search warrant cited charges of negligent homicide, violations of the Serious Accident Punishment Act, and breaches of industrial safety and health laws. Both the main contractor and subcontractors have been named as suspects in all three allegations. However, the Seoul city government is currently listed as a witness rather than a suspect. Police secured relevant documents, including structural design plans and safety management reports, during the search. Investigators plan to focus on whether the dismantling of the overpass was conducted according to the design and safety protocols and whether proper safety inspections and work directives were followed. The incident occurred on May 26 at 2:32 p.m. during the demolition of the Seosomun overpass in the Migeun-dong area of Seodaemun District. Three people died, and three others were injured when a structural component sank approximately 2.9 centimeters during slab cutting, leading to the collapse during a safety inspection. The police established a dedicated investigation team of 50 personnel the day before, while the labor ministry formed a 15-member team to assist in the investigation. A police official stated, "We will thoroughly analyze the secured documents to clarify the cause of the accident and determine accountability." The labor ministry also indicated that it would rigorously investigate work directives, methods, and safety management systems, pledging to hold accountable anyone found in violation of relevant laws.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 20:27:00

Police Uncover Site Distributing Group Sex Videos, Arrest Multiple Members Police have identified and arrested the operators and members of an online site that distributed pornographic material, recruiting thousands of members. Authorities are expanding their investigation to include members involved in the distribution of explicit content. According to Yonhap News on May 29, the Cyber Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency arrested eight individuals, including the operator identified as A, on charges of distributing obscene material under the Information and Communications Network Act. The suspects are accused of operating the site from January 2022 to April 2026, during which they allegedly posted or facilitated the distribution of approximately 700 pornographic photos and videos taken by members. Investigations revealed that the site operated as an online community promoting specific sexual preferences under the guise of "couple meetings" and "spouse meetings." The operators held regular offline meetings in areas such as Gyeonggi, Busan, and Daegu, where they shared explicit content on the site and social media. In addition to the main site, the operators managed a Daum Cafe, Telegram channels and chat rooms, and an X (formerly Twitter) account to recruit members. Police confirmed that the site had 6,325 members, with 2,361 in the Daum Cafe, 736 in the Telegram channel, 944 in the Telegram chat room, and 6,214 followers on the X account. Operator A is reportedly a former member of the "Soranet" affiliated cafe, which had been embroiled in controversies over illegal filming and sexual crimes. Police believe A acquired information from existing cafe members to recruit individuals with specific sexual interests before launching the site. The police initiated the investigation after receiving a request from the Korea Communications Standards Commission. They secured the site's database to identify the operators and closed the site on April 15. Investigations into the members are ongoing. Police have identified 56 members on charges of distributing obscene material, arresting seven of them, while investigations continue for the remaining 49.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 20:15:00

Jang Dong-hyuk Calls President Yoon's Ballot Disclosure 'Clear Intent and Illegal Campaigning' Jang Dong-hyuk, chairman of the People Power Party, criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol on May 29 for displaying his marked ballot during early voting, calling it "clear intent and illegal campaigning." During an emergency press conference at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Jang stated, "Is it acceptable for the president to come out of the voting booth and openly shake a marked ballot in front of the cameras, saying, 'I voted for this party's candidate, so I hope you will join me'?" He accused President Yoon of using the excuse that his ballot was not properly marked to bring it outside the voting booth. Jang pointed out that election commission staff attempted to stop him from showing the ballot, yet Yoon continued to display it toward the cameras while questioning the staff. Jang argued, "By holding up a marked ballot in front of numerous cameras and questioning whether it is valid or invalid, he is signaling that he supports this candidate and party, hoping the public will do the same. Especially those who support him will likely act in unison." He further claimed, "The president has openly violated his duty of political neutrality and election impartiality by appealing for support for a specific candidate," adding, "I suspect there was intent behind the act of coming out with a partially marked ballot." Jang emphasized, "This is not a trivial matter. If I had done the same by showing a ballot marked for a specific People Power Party candidate in front of the cameras, Lee Jae-myung would have immediately posted about it on social media, calling for my arrest and detention." He also suggested that Yoon might view the publicity as beneficial, stating, "Both the illegal campaigning and the directive for media control are clear grounds for impeachment." Earlier that day, President Yoon, while voting at the Samcheong-dong Community Center in Jongno, asked officials, "Is it okay if it’s only partially marked? Will it be considered invalid?" After receiving clarification that it would not be an invalid vote, he returned to the booth to complete his voting.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 19:54:00