Candidates Clash Over Development Strategies in Jeonbuk Governor Debate Lee Won-taek of the Democratic Party, independent candidate Kim Kwan-young, and Yang Jeong-moo of the People Power Party engaged in a heated debate over regional development strategies and each other's political and legal vulnerabilities during a televised debate on May 22 at KBS Jeonju Broadcasting. During the debate, Kim criticized Lee's "internal development strategy," stating, "While I agree with the idea of nurturing local businesses over attracting external companies, the reality is that local firms have limitations in their assets and capabilities to grow on their own." He emphasized the necessity of attracting external capital and large corporations, pointing out that Jeonbuk's competitiveness index was among the lowest in 2019, indicating that the internal development strategy had already failed. In response, Lee argued that the weakening of local businesses was due to insufficient support for the economic ecosystem and stressed the importance of preparing for future industries while focusing on nurturing local enterprises. "It's not that we shouldn't pursue future industries and investment attraction; the internal development strategy must be at the core," he asserted. Lee also launched an attack on Kim, raising allegations of his complicity in the "insurrection at the provincial office." He questioned Kim's compliance with illegal directives on December 3, stating, "The documents from the provincial office indicate that you followed the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's orders to restrict access to the office." Kim countered, saying, "The second comprehensive special investigation concluded that there were no charges against me. Why should I apologize when that conclusion is not acknowledged?" He challenged Lee's claims, stating, "If the allegations of complicity in insurrection against me and the Jeonbuk provincial officials are false, I would stake my political life on it." Lee rebutted, saying, "During the night of the insurrection, the Yoon Suk-yeol government's illegal martial law should have been opposed, not complied with. I pointed out that you acquiesced to it. I never said I would take political responsibility if the special investigation found no charges." Yang also targeted Kim's political history and legal issues, questioning his ability to address Jeonbuk's pressing issues as an independent governor after changing parties six times. "Can you really resolve many of Jeonbuk's challenges as an independent governor?" he asked. Kim clarified, "I only left the Democratic Party once and returned. This time, I was expelled against my will. To call this a party change or defection is misleading." Yang further raised concerns about allegations of cash payments for a chauffeur service, labeling it a serious crime that could invalidate the election. "If you are elected governor and the judiciary deems your election invalid, it would paralyze the administration and incur huge costs for a re-election," he warned. In response, Kim stated, "It has been clarified that the payments were made to young people for chauffeur services, and I took immediate action to recover the funds. As a legal professional, I have thoroughly reviewed this, and I expect a reasonable outcome from the prosecution and the courts."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 20:03:31

Air Premia Joins Growing Trend of Unpaid Leave Amid Rising Fuel Costs As the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to drive up fuel prices, Air Premia, a long-haul low-cost carrier, has announced it will implement unpaid leave for its employees. On May 22, the airline informed its current full-time cabin crew that it would accept applications for unpaid leave. The leave period is set to begin on July 1 and last for one month, with the possibility of extending unpaid leave into August if high fuel prices persist. In its announcement, Air Premia stated, "Due to the prolonged conflict in Iran leading to high fuel prices and exchange rates, we are experiencing numerous flight reductions. Therefore, we will offer voluntary unpaid leave for cabin crew within the limits of available personnel in July." This decision is seen as part of a broader trend among low-cost carriers (LCCs) to reduce operational costs amid rising exchange rates, increasing international oil prices, and a slowdown in travel demand. Previously, Jeju Air, the leading LCC in South Korea, began accepting applications for unpaid leave from cabin crew on May 8. Jin Air has also adjusted the hiring schedule for about 50 prospective cabin crew members to the second half of the year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 20:00:55

Samsung Electronics Union Vote Exceeds 66% on First Day Amid Bonus Dispute As voting begins on the tentative wage agreement for 2026 at Samsung Electronics, union participation surpassed 66% on the first day, indicating strong member engagement. According to the Samsung Electronics branch of the Korea Metal Workers' Union, the turnout reached 66.16% by 8:25 p.m. on May 22. The nationwide Samsung Electronics union reported a turnout of 69.15%. This vote is to determine approval or rejection of the '2026 wage negotiation tentative agreement' reached on May 20. Voting will continue until the morning of May 27, and the agreement will be approved if a majority of union members participate and vote in favor. The tentative agreement includes an average wage increase of 6.2%, the establishment of a special performance bonus for the semiconductor division, and the introduction of a housing loan program with a maximum of 500 million won. Notably, the semiconductor sector plans to allocate 10.5% of its operating profit for special bonuses, allowing employees in the memory division to potentially receive bonuses up to 600 million won, including the existing OPI (excess profit bonus). In contrast, employees in the non-memory sectors, such as system LSI and foundry, are expected to receive bonuses around 210 million won, while the DX (Device Experience) division is projected to receive only 6 million won in stock options, leading to increased internal dissent. The union representing the DX division, along with the Suwon branch of the Korea Metal Workers' Union, held a press conference outside the Samsung Electronics Suwon campus, stating, "DX employees have initiated a campaign to reject this tentative agreement," and pledged to collaborate with other divisions to ensure its defeat. Tensions between unions have also escalated. The largest union, the Korea Metal Workers' Union, stated that members of the Donghaeng Union, which did not participate in the joint negotiation team, are not eligible to vote. In response, the Donghaeng Union accused them of changing their stance as opposition votes began to rise. However, given the overwhelming membership of the Korea Metal Workers' Union and the Suwon branch, market sentiment leans towards a high likelihood of approval. If the agreement is ultimately rejected, both parties will need to re-enter negotiations, raising the possibility of a renewed strike at Samsung Electronics.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 19:58:13

Police Investigate AI-Generated Fake Articles Distorting May 18 Democratic Movement Police are investigating the authors of fake newspaper articles that distort and mock the May 18 Democratic Movement using artificial intelligence (AI). On May 22, the National Police Agency stated, "We recognize the seriousness of recent violations of the May 18 Democratic Movement Act spreading online," adding that they are also investigating numerous posts claiming that "May 18 was a riot." Recently, images of fake newspaper articles, believed to be created using AI, have been circulating on social media, misappropriating the names of local Gwangju media outlets. These images feature the name of the local daily Gwangju Ilbo and are dated May 20, 1980. They contain false claims such as, "May 18, spies receiving orders from the North seized an arsenal, and the martial law troops launched indiscriminate attacks." A subtitle stating, "Remnants of spies joined forces with rioters to stain peaceful Gwangju with blood," has raised concerns about the distortion of the May 18 Democratic Movement. The police emphasized, "We will actively investigate the dissemination of false information related to May 18 on social media under a zero-tolerance policy," and stated that they are also requesting the deletion and blocking of such content. They added, "We will respond sternly to the dissemination of false information to ensure the significance of the May 18 Democratic Movement is not undermined."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 19:55:08

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Claims Control Over Hormuz Strait Shipping Iran has intensified its control over shipping in the Hormuz Strait by effectively requiring prior approval for vessels passing through the strategic waterway. On May 22, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy announced that "35 vessels, including oil tankers and container ships, have passed through the Hormuz Strait in the past 24 hours." The IRGC claimed that all these ships navigated approved routes with Iranian authorization, stating, "While U.S. military actions have destabilized the Hormuz Strait, the IRGC Navy has established safe routes to ensure the continuity of international trade." Iran has recently emphasized that vessels must obtain approval from its military and relevant authorities to transit the Hormuz Strait. On the same day, Iran's state-run Press TV released a video outlining the "guidelines for passing through the Hormuz Strait," detailing specific transit procedures. According to the video, vessels must submit their information via email to the newly established Persian Gulf Shipping Authority (PGSA) to receive prior approval, and may need to pay a toll if required. The video also included a warning that unauthorized navigation or deviation from designated routes would result in a firm response.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 19:54:00

Retailers Expand Quick Commerce Services Across Convenience Stores and Supermarkets The competition among retailers to penetrate consumers' daily lives with quick commerce (instant delivery) is intensifying. Convenience store giants CU and GS25 have announced a 24-hour delivery system, filling the delivery gap from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. Meanwhile, grocery platforms like Curly, Homeplus, and SSG.com are also entering the local instant delivery market. According to industry sources, CU and GS25 began their 24-hour delivery service in partnership with the delivery platform Coupang Eats on May 19. To capture the surging demand for late-night deliveries due to changing nighttime lifestyles, they have completely filled the previously limited delivery hours during the night and early morning. CU has started deliveries during the previously unavailable hours of 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. through Coupang Eats, achieving a 24-hour service across over 7,500 stores nationwide. CU reported that from January to April this year, late-night delivery sales grew by 120.0%, significantly outpacing the overall delivery sales growth rate of 91.6%. GS25 has also initiated 24-hour delivery at around 1,000 stores in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and six major metropolitan cities. Since November of last year, late-night delivery sales have increased by 42.7%, indicating that this time frame has become a new growth driver. GS25 plans to gradually expand its delivery range to all areas where Coupang Eats operates 24 hours. Seven Eleven is set to launch 24-hour delivery through Coupang Eats next month, while Emart24 is considering extending its delivery hours. E-commerce and large supermarkets are also focusing on expanding their local logistics networks to deliver fresh produce and essential goods within an hour. SSG.com’s quick commerce service, 'Baro Quick,' saw its average daily orders triple in April compared to January. Notably, small-sized ingredients like individual zucchini, a pack of green onions, and a block of tofu topped the sales charts. The rise in demand for instant delivery aligns with a shift in consumer behavior towards purchasing only what is necessary for immediate meals, rather than bulk buying due to high inflation. Curly opened its 'Curly Now' quick commerce service in Seocho in March and is preparing to open its fourth location, 'Songpa Store,' near Songpa Station in the second half of this year. Curly has already opened its second location, Dogok Store, following the first location, DMC Store, in Bukgajwa-dong, Seodaemun-gu, in 2024. By concentrating its operations in affluent areas with dense office and residential complexes in Gangnam, Curly delivers over 6,000 products, ranging from fresh food to luxury beauty items, within an hour to meet premium quick commerce demand. Homeplus is strengthening its collaboration with Coupang Eats, expanding its quick commerce stores to 47 nationwide. The company is applying its instant delivery expertise gained from its existing Homeplus Express (SSM) 'Magic Now' service to its larger supermarkets. Homeplus offers free delivery for Coupang Wow members on orders over 15,000 won and is expanding its delivery lineup to include fresh produce, large-volume items, and deli options, enhancing its competitiveness. The quick commerce market is rapidly growing. According to global market research firm Statista, the domestic quick commerce market was estimated at 4.4 trillion won last year and is projected to grow to 5.9 trillion won by 2030. This represents an increase of about 14 times compared to 350 billion won in 2020. An industry insider noted, “As prolonged high prices lead to a trend of purchasing only essential items in small quantities, quick commerce has become a core survival strategy for retailers. The competition to optimize logistics networks will accelerate in the second half of the year, overcoming the spatial limitations of offline stores and driving additional sales.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 19:51:31

Starbucks Apologizes Again Over Controversial 5·18 Slogan, Urges Restraint on Staff Criticism Starbucks Korea has issued another apology following backlash over promotional slogans related to the May 18 Democratic Movement. On May 22, the company released a statement to all its stores nationwide, expressing, "We deeply apologize for the significant hurt caused to the spirits of the May 18 Democratic Movement, the bereaved families, and the public." Starbucks Korea clarified that the controversy stemmed from a mistake made during the operation of its online business and emphasized that it was unrelated to store partners. The company urged the public to refrain from criticizing its employees, stating, "We sincerely ask for your restraint in directing blame toward our partners, who strive to do their best every moment." Additionally, they expressed gratitude for any warm consideration shown to employees, allowing them to work in a safe environment. The controversy arose on May 18, the anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement, when Starbucks Korea used slogans such as 'Tank Day' and 'Bang on the Desk!' during a tumbler promotion. Following complaints and criticism directed at store employees, the company issued a further apology aimed at protecting its staff. Internal measures are also underway. On May 20, Starbucks Korea held a town hall meeting at its headquarters in Gangnam, Seoul, to discuss the controversy and response strategies with employees. Reports indicate that about 150 out of 600 employees attended the meeting. During the meeting, executives addressed the disarray within the organization caused by the recent controversy and the dismissal of the CEO, urging employees to continue their work without distraction.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 19:48:45

Presidential Office Launches Investigation into Fire Chief Kim Seung-ryong The Presidential Office initiated an investigation into Fire Chief Kim Seung-ryong on May 22. Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong announced to reporters that President Lee Jae-myung has ordered an immediate inquiry into the fire chief. The investigation is reportedly related to personal misconduct, although the Presidential Office has not disclosed specific details. Kim has been acting in the role since last September, following the dismissal of former Fire Chief Heo Seok-gon over allegations of involvement in a state of emergency. He was promoted to Fire Chief in March.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 19:46:18

Jung Won-oh Criticizes Oh Se-hoon on Safety Issues at Guui Station Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, intensified his criticism of Oh Se-hoon, the candidate from the People Power Party, on safety issues during his campaign on May 22. He highlighted the recent construction flaws at Samsung Station on the GTX-A line as a key concern. Jung began his day by attending a memorial event for the 10th anniversary of the Guui Station industrial accident in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. He referenced the recently passed Life Safety Basic Act in the National Assembly, stating, "We will establish a Seoul City Life Safety Committee to protect citizens' fundamental right to safety." He also questioned Oh's absence from the memorial, asking, "I wonder why you did not participate in such an important agreement." Continuing his attack on Oh, Jung raised concerns about the ongoing issues during Oh's tenure as mayor, saying, "Don’t you wonder why there have been major safety incidents and fatalities during Oh Se-hoon's administration? This is not a coincidence; it is a structural problem created by a lack of safety awareness." In response to Oh's proposal for a public debate, Jung remarked, "It seems that Oh tries to deflect responsibility for his mistakes by politicizing them. He should visit the Samsung Station site to see the issues firsthand and devise solutions." Throughout the day, Jung campaigned in northern districts like Jungnang and Nowon, emphasizing his real estate policies and local pledges. He stated, "If there have been housing difficulties during your five years as mayor, you should apologize instead of blaming your predecessor. You are unqualified; we need change." He also criticized the decline in Seoul's gross regional domestic product (GRDP), asserting, "Shouldn’t we replace a mayor who cannot stimulate economic vitality?" He promised that if elected, he would transform Seoul into a vibrant economic city like Seongdong-gu. Jung pledged to issue 100 billion won in local currency, the Jungnang Love Gift Certificate, expedite the construction of the Myeonmok Line, and ensure timely completion of the GTX-B line. In Nowon-gu, he promised to support the timely opening of the Dongbuk Line and the bio-industry belt at Changdong Station. Regarding reconstruction and redevelopment, he stated, "We will assist associations in making swift decisions and streamline administrative procedures to ensure that reconstruction and redevelopment proceed quickly and safely."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 19:44:13

Candidates Present Plans for Gyeongnam Governor in TV Debate In a televised debate ahead of the June 3 local elections, Gyeongnam Governor candidates Kim Kyung-soo of the Democratic Party, Park Wan-soo of the People Power Party, and Jeon Hee-young of the Progressive Party outlined their visions for the region's development while also engaging in negative campaigning over military service and hiring favoritism allegations. The candidates participated in the debate held at Gyeongnam MBC on May 22, emphasizing the need for cooperation with the central government, consistent policies, and the dismantling of factional politics to garner support. Kim stated, "The current crisis cannot be overcome by Gyeongnam alone. We must work together with the central government," challenging Park by asking, "How can a governor who fights against the central government overcome a crisis?" Park responded, "I was born and raised in Gyeongnam and know it better than anyone. I have worked solely for the residents of Gyeongnam. Currently, Gyeongnam leads in all economic, population, and living indicators." Jeon added, "Labor rights must be guaranteed, and the rights to life and survival must be protected. I will end the era of impoverished residents. Gyeongnam needs new figures for new politics." When asked how they would share benefits from the Jinhae New Port and the Gadeok New Airport with Busan, the candidates provided differing responses. Jeon emphasized the need for careful examination of whether these projects would genuinely improve residents' lives, citing the climate crisis and marine ecosystem as critical issues. Park outlined his vision for maximizing Gyeongnam's development, which includes expanding transportation infrastructure, increasing industrial institutions, broadening free economic zones to attract businesses, and fostering international business. Kim asserted, "The new port should be developed into a core of high-value-added logistics integrated with manufacturing, which also requires cooperation with the central government." In response to another common question about securing stable water resources, all three candidates agreed on the need to improve the Nakdong River's water quality. The debate saw intense exchanges, particularly between Kim and Park. Park criticized Kim for the 'Druking incident,' stating, "As a result of stepping down during his term, Gyeongnam's economic growth rate fell to the lowest. His pledge fulfillment rate is also the lowest." In defense, Kim countered, "I facilitated the exemption of the KTX preliminary feasibility study, passed the special law for Gadeok New Airport, advanced the national project for smart industrial complexes, and established the current defense industry framework. During your term, the delinquency rate of corporate loans tripled, and industrial household income ranked 15th out of 17 cities and provinces." Park then raised concerns about Kim's alleged increase in assets amounting to approximately 1.1 billion won during his imprisonment and questioned his military service. Kim responded, "That property was inherited after my father-in-law's passing, and the military service issue was handled according to regulations." Kim also challenged Park regarding allegations of hiring favoritism involving his nephew during his tenure as CEO of Incheon International Airport. He noted that the Board of Audit and Inspection stated there was 'reasonable suspicion' regarding Park's involvement in hiring during his time as mayor of Changwon and as Gyeongnam governor. In response, Park maintained, "All hiring was conducted through legal and proper procedures, and investigations concluded there were no issues."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-23 19:42:00