Voters Must Focus on the Future in Upcoming Local Elections The local elections on June 3 are just three days away, and political parties and candidates are intensifying their efforts to win over voters. In key battlegrounds like Seoul, Busan, and the Chungcheong region, party leaders and high-profile politicians are actively campaigning. With conflicting polling results and a significant number of undecided voters, the tension is rising as the election approaches.Intense competition is a natural aspect of a democratic society. Candidates present their visions and policies, while voters compare them to make informed choices. Competitive elections are healthier than those without competition. However, the focus of this competition is concerning.As the local elections draw near, negative campaigning is overshadowing policy discussions. Allegations among candidates, scrutiny of past statements, personal controversies, and attacks on opponents are dominating the electoral landscape. In some areas, legal disputes over campaign methods and misinformation have emerged, contributing to voter fatigue.Local elections are fundamentally about everyday issues that affect citizens, such as transportation, housing, education, welfare, urban development, the environment, and local economies. They should not serve as proxy battles for national politics but rather focus on improving residents' quality of life. Unfortunately, the current reality is different, as narratives of government accountability and support, along with partisan conflicts, overshadow discussions on local development strategies and administrative capabilities.This election is particularly significant as South Korea stands at a crucial turning point. The global economy is undergoing massive changes due to the AI industrial revolution, supply chain restructuring, high interest rates, low growth, and energy security crises. Local governments must evolve beyond merely executing central government budgets. Their roles in attracting advanced industries, securing corporate investments, creating youth jobs, and enhancing urban competitiveness are becoming increasingly vital.Voters must adopt a more discerning approach. They should not be swayed by sensational revelations and political disputes that recur during elections. Instead of focusing on how much candidates attack their opponents, voters should consider how candidates plan to transform their communities, manage finances, and create future industries and jobs. Local elections are not only about evaluating politicians but also about determining the future of the community.Candidates also bear responsibility. Unfounded allegations and emotional attacks only breed political distrust. The more candidates focus on undermining their opponents, the more voters may turn away from politics altogether. Democracy should operate through persuasion, not hatred. Competing based on policies, visions, and administrative capabilities is the fundamental principle of elections.Above all, voting is crucial. Local elections often see lower turnout than presidential or general elections, yet their impact on residents' lives is significant. Policies determined by mayors, governors, district heads, and local council members directly affect citizens' daily lives. The pace and direction of local development also depend on the capabilities of local governments.As the election nears, political noise will likely increase. However, voters must focus on the essence amid the clamor. It is not about who raises their voice the loudest but rather who has the ability to prepare for the future of the community. It is hoped that this local election will be remembered as one focused on community development and practical politics, rather than negative campaigning and partisan conflict. Ultimately, the level of democracy is determined not by politicians but by the choices of voters. 2026-05-31 12:54:00

Changes to Electricity Rates and Housing Pension Starting in June Starting in June, significant changes will take place regarding electricity rates and housing pensions, which are closely tied to everyday economic life. Users of general electricity (Type II) will have more options for their electricity pricing, and seniors owning low-cost housing will see expanded benefits from the housing pension program. Beginning in June, general electricity (Type II) users will have an expanded choice of pricing options. The government and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) will introduce a new pricing table that allows these users to select not only the existing time-based rates but also a single-rate option. This change is expected to help certain industries that consume more electricity during evening hours reduce their electricity costs. To minimize confusion during the initial implementation of the new system, KEPCO will automatically apply the cheaper of the time-based or single-rate pricing for a six-month period from June to November. This means consumers will not need to compare rates themselves, as KEPCO will guide them to the most favorable pricing based on their electricity usage patterns. The housing pension program will also see improvements starting June 1 for new applications. According to the Korea Housing Finance Corporation, the key changes include expanded support for preferential housing pensions for low-cost homes valued under 180 million won, exemptions from the requirement to live in the property at the time of enrollment, and the introduction of a 'Generational Housing Pension.' The preferential housing pension is designed for couples where at least one partner is a recipient of the basic pension and they own a single home valued at under 250 million won. The monthly payment for those owning homes valued under 180 million won will see an increase in the preferential support amount. The requirement to live in the property will also be relaxed. Previously, housing pension enrollees were required to reside in the mortgaged home. Now, those who have unavoidable reasons such as hospitalization, caregiving, or moving to a senior housing facility will be allowed to enroll without residing in the property. In such cases, renting out the entire mortgaged home will also be permitted. The 'Generational Housing Pension' will allow children to enroll in a new housing pension for a property previously enrolled by their parents. This enables them to use individual withdrawal amounts to repay existing housing pension loans.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 12:51:00

Jang Dong-hyuk: Protect Freedom and Property Through Voting Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, emphasized on May 31 that the upcoming election is about protecting the "future of the next generation," stating, "Voting for the People Power Party is about safeguarding my freedom and property, as well as the future of our descendants." During a press conference at the party's office in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, Jang urged citizens to exercise their voting rights on June 3. He referenced President Lee Jae-myung's recent social media post, which quoted Plato's saying, "The price of political apathy is being ruled by the worst of the worst," and remarked, "This is what I want to convey to the public." He added, "Due to political indifference during the last general and presidential elections, the worst of the worst, Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party, are dominating South Korea. Our citizens are paying a heavy price for their political apathy." Jang continued, "If we forgo voting in this local election, we are giving Lee Jae-myung, who abuses presidential power for personal gain, a chance to erase his crimes." He asserted that Lee is not merely the leader of the opposition but represents a corrupt power that must be held accountable. He also criticized the recent incident on May 29, where ballots were exposed during early voting, stating, "This is illegal electioneering, telling voters to vote for a specific candidate. If a president from a conservative government had done this, the Democratic Party would have immediately called for impeachment." Jang strongly argued that voting is essential to prevent President Lee and the Democratic Party from seizing control of local governments. He urged citizens to show their determination to protect their homes, property, and freedom through decisive action, warning, "There may come a day when you regret not voting." Meanwhile, the People Power Party plans to focus on encouraging young voters to participate in the election over the next three days. This strategy is based on the belief that increased turnout from the '2030' generation, which has previously supported the party, will be advantageous. Jang stated, "In the remaining time, we will work harder to ensure that the younger generation comes out to vote," adding that the campaign on May 31 is set in an area with a high concentration of young people.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 12:12:00

Government Launches Focused Reporting Period for Employment Insurance Fraud in June The government announced on May 31 that it will operate a focused reporting period for fraud related to unemployment benefits and employment incentives throughout June. During this time, employment authorities will also conduct special inspections for fraudulent claims.From June 1 to June 30, the Ministry of Employment and Labor will accept self-reports and tips regarding fraudulent receipt of various employment insurance benefits, including unemployment benefits, parental leave pay, employment incentives, and vocational training costs.Individuals can report fraud online or by visiting the fraud investigation department of their local employment and labor office. Those who self-report during this period may be exempt from up to five times the amount of additional penalties.Whistleblowers who report fraud will be protected from any disadvantages, and if the investigation confirms fraudulent activity, they may receive 20% of the fraudulent amount, up to an annual limit of 5 million won for unemployment benefits.A common example of fraud involves individuals who, despite resigning for personal reasons, collude with their employers to falsely report being laid off for business reasons and subsequently receive unemployment benefits unlawfully.In cases of illegal activities related to employment stability and vocational development projects, whistleblowers may receive a reward of 30% of the fraudulent amount, up to an annual limit of 30 million won. This includes schemes where employers disguise new hires as eligible unemployed individuals to illegally obtain employment incentives, with the falsely paid wages being returned to the employer.Lim Young-mi, head of the Employment Policy Office, stated, "Fraudulent claims for employment insurance are serious criminal offenses. If you or someone else has received unemployment benefits or employment incentives through fraudulent means, I urge you to report it promptly. We will do our utmost to ensure that employment insurance serves as a strong support for vulnerable groups."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 12:09:00

Jung Won-oh's Camp Sees Strong Support Ahead of Local Elections Jung Won-oh's campaign for the Democratic Party has interpreted the high early voting turnout in Seoul as a sign of solid support for his candidacy. With just three days remaining until the main election, the campaign plans to highlight the incompetence of Oh Se-hoon, the candidate from the People Power Party, and appeal to Seoul residents for a well-functioning city government alongside the Lee Jae-myung administration. Lee In-young, the campaign's chief strategist, held a press conference on May 31 at the National Assembly, stating, "The early voting rate in Seoul reached 23.84%, an increase of 2.64 percentage points compared to the 2022 local elections." He claimed, "The voting is proceeding within the predicted range of victory, and there are no unusual phenomena detected, indicating that Jung's lead is firmly maintained." Lee attributed the high early voting rate to the residents' desire for a safer Seoul. He noted, "The 23.84% reflects the urgent wish for safety in the subway I ride and the overpasses my family uses, and it serves as a judgment on Oh's indifference to safety." Looking ahead to the final three days before the local elections, Lee expressed his aspirations, saying, "This local election is significant in choosing a capable candidate like Jung to support the Lee Jae-myung administration and to end Oh's decade of negligence regarding safety." He emphasized, "This will be an election where citizens choose a mayor who prioritizes effective governance and the safety of their lives." Regarding Oh's campaign schedule, which includes 88 hours of campaigning, Lee remarked, "Jung will also have a tightly packed schedule, moving just as actively as Oh. We plan to remain vigilant and give our best effort until the end."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 12:09:00

Korea's Fair Trade Commission Mandates Disclosure for AI-Generated Characters in Advertising Advertisements featuring virtual characters created using artificial intelligence (AI) must now clearly indicate that these characters are not real. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) announced on May 31 that it will implement revised guidelines for advertising disclosures and endorsements starting June 1. The guidelines categorize unfair advertising practices into four types: false or exaggerated claims, deception, unfair comparisons, and defamation. These rules provide specific criteria for the FTC to assess whether advertisements utilizing endorsements or recommendations are misleading. Under the new guidelines, when an AI-generated virtual character makes a recommendation or endorsement, it must be clearly labeled as a virtual character. Additionally, if the character is identified as virtual but the endorsement implies it is based on actual experiences, it may be considered misleading if it does not reflect real experiences. For posts on blogs or online forums, the title or the beginning of the content must include a statement such as "This post includes a character generated based on AI." Similarly, in video media, any appearance of a virtual character during endorsements must be accompanied by a nearby label stating "virtual character." The FTC expects that these revised guidelines will help consumers more easily recognize that the endorser is a virtual character, promoting more informed purchasing decisions. Furthermore, the guidelines aim to provide clear standards for advertisers and influencers, enhancing predictability regarding legal compliance when using virtual characters in advertising. An FTC official stated, "We will ensure that advertisements that do not comply with the guidelines regarding the use of AI-generated characters are corrected, and we will facilitate the smooth implementation of the revised guidelines."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 12:09:00

Democratic Party Criticizes Seoul Mayor Candidate Oh Se-hoon Over Safety Management The Democratic Party intensified its criticism of Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, on May 31. They linked his handling of the recent rebar omission incident at Samsung Station on the metropolitan express train (GTX) to President Yoon Suk Yeol's perceived arrogance. Kang Jun-hyeon, the party's chief spokesperson, held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "Oh's arrogant mindset is problematic." He pointed out that during a recent debate, when Democratic Party candidate Jeong Won-o asked, "Why don’t you go to the Samsung Station site?" Oh responded dismissively, saying, "What good would it do for me to go there?" Kang emphasized, "He has acknowledged failures in safety management for Seoul citizens and has now openly declared his intention to evade responsibility." Kang also noted that Oh was abroad during the 2022 flooding and last year's heavy snowfall, stating, "He brings to mind the exact image of Yoon Suk Yeol, who was in Ukraine during the Osong disaster and said, 'There’s nothing I can change by returning to Seoul immediately.'" The spokesperson referenced the recent controversy involving Park Wan-soo, the People Power Party's candidate for Gyeongnam governor, regarding an AI deepfake video. Park's campaign is accused of creating and distributing a deepfake video to defame Kim Kyung-soo, the Democratic Party's candidate for Gyeongnam governor. In response, Park's camp claimed that the video was not intended for public distribution but was a design draft reviewed before launching a website, arguing that the allegations are a distortion of the facts for political gain. They stated that after guidance from the election commission, the video was deleted and insisted there was no organized production or directive behind it. Kang explained, "The election commission has referred nine individuals, including Park Wan-soo's campaign staff and current Gyeongnam government officials, to the Changwon District Prosecutor's Office for investigation," indicating the seriousness of the matter. He urged the People Power Party to acknowledge the issue, apologize to the people of Gyeongnam, and take immediate action for a thorough investigation and candidate resignation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 12:09:00

Growing Concerns Over Profit-Sharing Bonuses Amid Labor Demands The Korea Employers Federation warned on May 31 that demands from large corporate labor unions for profit-sharing could infringe on management rights. This warning comes as the Samsung Electronics Union pushes for performance bonuses linked to operating profits, reflecting a growing trend among labor groups. In a special recommendation regarding labor unions' demands for profit distribution, the federation stated, "Labor unions are seeking to formalize a system that allocates a certain percentage of operating profits to their members. This differs from existing performance bonus systems, as it directly demands a share of corporate profits." Previously, the Samsung Electronics Union had announced plans for a general strike to demand performance bonuses tied to this year's operating profits. Although the two sides reached a temporary agreement just before the planned strike, calls for expanded performance bonuses linked to corporate results have continued, particularly among large companies. The federation emphasized that corporate profits are essential resources for investment, employment, research and development (R&D), and improving financial structures, all of which are vital for a company's sustainability and future competitiveness. It also noted that the unions' proactive demands for profit sharing could restrict shareholders' rights, pointing out that it is rare to find global companies that distribute a predetermined percentage of profits to workers in advance agreements. The federation explained that it has prepared recommendations to help companies operate performance bonus systems rationally. It stressed that bonuses based on operating profits and other management performance metrics should not be classified as wages. "The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that performance distributions, which vary based on management results, are not closely related to the provision of labor and are significantly influenced by factors beyond the control of workers," the federation stated. The federation argued that establishing criteria for profit distribution is a matter of management discretion and should not be subject to collective bargaining. It clarified that mandatory subjects for collective bargaining under labor law are limited to working conditions such as wages, working hours, welfare, and dismissals. The federation concluded that companies have no legal obligation to comply with labor unions' profit distribution demands and warned that strikes aimed primarily at profit distribution could be deemed unlawful. Furthermore, it emphasized that performance bonus systems should be operated based on the principles of corporate sustainability and performance-oriented practices.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 12:06:00

National Tax Service Addresses Misleading Inheritance and Gift Tax Information Online The National Tax Service (NTS) has launched a fact-check initiative to correct misleading information about inheritance and gift taxes circulating on platforms like YouTube and social media. On May 31, the NTS announced it would distribute a guide titled "Misconceptions and Truths About Inheritance and Gift Taxes" to clarify common misunderstandings and provide accurate legal standards regarding these taxes. Interest in inheritance and gift taxes has surged due to rising asset prices in real estate and stocks, coupled with an aging population leading to increased asset transfers. However, incorrect information has proliferated online. For instance, claims have been made that simply writing specific phrases in transfer memos when sending money between family members can avoid tax audits, or that using a parent's credit card while saving an entire salary poses no issues. In response, the NTS conducted a survey with 144 participants from a public advisory group to identify ten practical topics. Key issues include: child living expenses and allowances, interest-free loans between family members, using parents' credit cards, inheritance tax reporting, funding plans, encumbered gifts, pre-gift assets, wedding gifts, estimated inherited assets, and parents' life insurance. The guide presents commonly encountered expressions as "misunderstandings" and explains the legal standards as "truths." It also includes practical advice, a safety zone guide, and an "Understanding Zero Misunderstandings Test" in a quiz format. The survey revealed that respondents primarily obtain information about inheritance and gift taxes from YouTube and social media, but many expressed skepticism about the accuracy of this information, indicating a strong need for fact-checking. Reflecting public demand, the NTS has also created short videos, each about one minute long, on five highly relevant topics. The first video was released on the same day and will be made available sequentially on the NTS's official YouTube channel. An NTS official stated, "We will expand our user-centered guidance to address the tax-related questions and misconceptions that citizens encounter in their daily lives, going beyond simple legal explanations."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 12:06:00

Fair Trade Commission Fines 'Gwi Han Sarang Deul' 210 Million Won for Misleading Franchise Practices A company that inflated the number of its stores while failing to disclose profits received from suppliers has been caught by fair trade authorities. The Fair Trade Commission announced on May 31 that it has imposed a corrective order and a fine of 210 million won on Gwi Han Sarang Deul for not reporting profits received from suppliers in its information disclosure statement while exaggerating the number of franchise stores. Gwi Han Sarang Deul operates the Gwi Han Jokbal franchise. According to the commission's investigation, Gwi Han Sarang Deul received 141,145,000 won from suppliers for facilitating transactions with franchisees in 2020 but did not include this amount in its disclosure statement. Additionally, in 2021, the company received 174,856,000 won from a sauce supplier but only reported 87,131,000 won in its disclosure statement. The commission views the economic benefits received by the franchise headquarters from suppliers as crucial information that could lead to price increases for franchisees. Therefore, the failure to disclose or downplay this information was deemed a deceptive practice, resulting in the corrective order and the fine of 210 million won. The investigation also uncovered false and exaggerated advertising practices by Gwi Han Sarang Deul. From April to July 2022, the company advertised on its franchise consultation website that it had opened 16 new stores in May and June. However, the commission found that only one store, the Yeoksam branch, was actually opened during that period. Of the remaining 15 stores, seven were opened at different times, and eight had not opened by December 2023. The commission considers the number of stores opened within a specific timeframe as a key indicator of the franchise's success. Consequently, it classified this behavior as false and exaggerated advertising and issued a corrective order. A commission official stated, "We will continue to monitor and take strict action against violations of information disclosure obligations and unfair advertising practices to ensure that prospective franchisees and franchise owners can engage in fair transactions with franchise headquarters on equal footing."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-31 12:06:00