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

National Growth Fund Raises 600 Billion Won in One Week, Attracts 30,000 Investors The National Participation Growth Fund has fully subscribed its total offering of 600 billion won within just one week of its launch. The Financial Services Commission announced on May 29 that the entire amount was sold out due to strong public interest and demand. Originally, the subscription period was set to last until June 11, but the limit was reached within the first week of sales. A total of 30,258 investors participated in this round. Of these, 15,207 subscribed through banks, while 15,051 used securities firms, indicating a balanced distribution between the two channels. Among the investors, 11,677 were classified as low-income earners, making up 38.6% of the total. The criteria for low-income status are an annual earned income of 50 million won or less, or a total income of 38 million won or less for those with other sources of income, aligning with the standards for low-income Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs). The average investment per person was approximately 19.83 million won. In terms of sales volume, low-income earners accounted for about 35% of the total. By channel, low-income earners represented 43.0% of bank sales, compared to 28.2% of securities sales. However, the Financial Services Commission noted that there may be fluctuations in the statistics due to potential cancellations or resales before the subscription period ends on June 11. Any changes due to cancellations will need to be confirmed through individual sales firms. The National Participation Growth Fund is set to be established on June 12, following the end of the subscription period. Actual investments are expected to commence on June 15 for each sub-fund. Investors will be able to review investment details for each sub-fund through asset management reports generated every three months after the fund is established. These reports will be distributed within two months from the reference date.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 19:33:00

Minister Kwon Oh-eul Calls Starbucks' 'Tank Day' Marketing Corporate Misstep Minister of Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul criticized Starbucks Korea's marketing campaign related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising, stating, "This is not an individual misstep but a corporate marketing strategy. It deserves condemnation and should be penalized." During a press conference on May 29 at the Defense Convention in Yongsan, Kwon remarked that the campaign exploited a painful national event as part of corporate marketing. In light of the 'Tank Day' controversy, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs has decided to refrain from using Starbucks gift cards at official events after reviewing instances where they were previously used. The ministry has an ongoing partnership with Starbucks Korea, which includes an annual scholarship fund of 100 million won to support descendants of independence activists. Kwon noted that the ministry will consider public sentiment when deciding on the continuation of this initiative, admitting he was unaware of the MOU and promising to review it. Kwon also addressed the 'Democratization Heroes Act,' which passed through the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee and is currently pending in the full assembly. He emphasized, "These individuals were catalysts for the democratization of South Korea and the June 10 uprising. We aim to prioritize this legislation in the upcoming session of the National Assembly." He acknowledged that there seems to be emotional opposition from the opposition parties, stating, "I believe it will be put to a vote, but before that, I plan to meet with the People Power Party after the June 3 local elections to request that they do not oppose it solely based on emotional grounds." The Democratization Heroes Act aims to provide recognition and support for those who died, went missing, or were injured during the democratization movement, including medical, nursing, and commemorative projects. The act targets 635 individuals recognized under the Democratization Compensation Act, with opposition citing concerns over including those involved in incidents like the Busan Dong-eui University case and the South Korean National Liberation Front. The additional budget required for the act is estimated at around 2 billion won annually for nursing, elderly care, and some medical support. Regarding the exhumation of the remains of Ahn Jung-geun, who died in a Chinese prison in 1910, Kwon mentioned that efforts are underway to trace the death records of three Japanese individuals executed on the same day. He stated, "Japan reportedly burned all records during their retreat, so we are trying to locate where these individuals are buried, as there are claims they were buried in the same row as Ahn Jung-geun. If we can find their death records, we could conduct ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 19:18:00

Early Voting for Local Elections Hits Record High at 11.6% On the first day of early voting for the Ninth Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections, the turnout reached 11.6%, marking the highest figure since early voting was introduced for local elections. 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, resulting in an initial early voting rate of 11.60%. This figure is 1.42 percentage points higher than the first-day early voting rate of 10.18% recorded during the previous local elections in 2022. Since the introduction of early voting in the 2014 sixth local elections, this is the highest first-day turnout. In terms of hourly turnout, voting started at 0.5% at 7 a.m., increased to 1.7% by 9 a.m., and reached 4.86% by noon. The turnout continued to rise in the afternoon, hitting 8.15% at 3 p.m. and 10.39% at 5 p.m., before closing at 11.60% at 6 p.m. This turnout surpasses not only the 2022 local elections but also the early trends from the 2024 general elections. Regionally, the voting enthusiasm was particularly strong in the Honam region, with Jeonnam recording the highest turnout at 22.31%, followed by Jeonbuk at 19.39%. Other notable regions included Gangwon (14.37%), Gwangju (14.19%), Sejong (12.52%), Gyeongnam (12.28%), and Jeju (12.10%). In contrast, the metropolitan area showed relatively low turnout rates, with Seoul at 11.22%, Incheon at 10.15%, and Gyeonggi at 9.78%. Busan recorded 10.68%, Daejeon 10.75%, and Ulsan 10.92%, while Daegu had the lowest turnout at 9.02%. With the strong first-day turnout, attention is now on whether the final early voting rate will surpass the historical high of 20.62% set during the eighth local elections. In the case of the by-elections for the National Assembly, Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek, which includes Pyeongtaek, recorded a turnout of 7.94%, while Busan Buk-gu, which includes Buk-gap, had a turnout of 11.72%. The average early voting rate for the 14 districts holding by-elections on the first day was 12.07%. Early voting will continue for two days until May 30. Voting hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and voters can cast their ballots at any early voting station nationwide by presenting an identification card such as a resident registration card or driver's license. 2026-05-29 19:15:00

Oh Se-hoon Resumes Campaign, Calls Police Search a Government Election Interference Oh Se-hoon, the candidate for Seoul mayor from the People Power Party, resumed his campaign on May 29, three days after the Seosomun overpass collapse halted his activities. He strongly criticized the police's search of Seoul City Hall, calling it "blatant election interference," while focusing his efforts on winning over voters in the northern districts and among young people. On the first day of early voting for the June 3 local elections, Oh completed his own early vote in Yongsan and then visited Dobong, Gangbuk, Seodaemun, and Dongdaemun districts to intensify his campaign. Analysts suggest that this campaign resumption carries more significance than a mere return to electioneering. Despite the cautious atmosphere following the accident, Oh is positioning himself to consolidate his support base and attract moderate voters by emphasizing the need for government oversight and stability in the final stretch of the election. During a rally near Chang-dong Station in Dobong, Oh directly targeted his opponent, Jeong Won-oh of the Democratic Party, stating, "He has no genuine interest in the development of northern Seoul." He added, "Does Jeong think of northern Seoul as his voting ground while he actively campaigns in southern Seoul? In yesterday's TV debate, when asked about northern Seoul's development, he gave irrelevant answers." Oh reminded voters, "Do you remember when I lifted the height restrictions on the slopes of Bukhansan while serving as mayor? Development in northern Seoul should be demonstrated through action, not just words." He also expanded his outreach to young voters by visiting university areas near Yonsei University and Kyung Hee University. This strategy aims to mobilize the relatively conservative yet low-turnout 2030 demographic to the polls. At Yonsei University, where a festival was underway, Oh engaged with students, taking photos and fostering a friendly atmosphere. In his rally near Sinchon Station, he addressed economic issues, stating, "Even if stock prices hit 7,000 or 8,000 points, it doesn't improve the financial situation for ordinary citizens. For those living paycheck to paycheck, it's a different story altogether." A major issue in the election is the police's search of Seoul City Hall related to the Seosomun incident. The police conducted searches of city hall and its affiliated agencies, prompting immediate backlash from Oh. He questioned, "Is it reasonable to conduct a search just five days before the election? Would this have happened if I were the Democratic candidate?" Oh urged Jeong not to rely on support from the president and investigative agencies but to compete fairly based on policies and vision. The People Power Party also raised allegations of "government election interference" and intensified its criticism. Members of the party's National Assembly Administrative Safety Committee announced plans to visit the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on May 30 to protest. Oh continued to pressure Jeong for additional debates, stating, "It is regrettable that only one TV debate has occurred due to Jeong's avoidance. Avoiding debates suggests that there is something he wants to hide, whether it's the truth or his abilities." The People Power Party has officially proposed a live TV debate between Oh and Jeong on June 1 or 2. Political analysts believe this Seoul mayoral election will serve as a crucial test of public sentiment following the new administration's launch, extending beyond a mere local election. Voter turnout, particularly among northern Seoul residents and young voters, is expected to be a key factor in determining the outcome.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 19:03:00

South Korea and Kazakhstan Discuss Expanding Energy and AI Cooperation Wi Sung-lak, the Chief of South Korea's National Security Office, met on May 29 with Roman Sklyar, the Chief of Staff to the President of Kazakhstan, and Gizat Nurdauletov, Secretary of the National Security Council, to discuss energy and supply chain cooperation between South Korea and Kazakhstan.According to the Blue House, Wi reviewed the current status of cooperation in energy and supply chains with the Kazakh officials.He emphasized that Kazakhstan, the world's 12th largest oil producer, is a key partner for diversifying South Korea's energy supply sources amid ongoing instability in energy prices due to the situation in the Middle East.Wi also checked on the progress of oil imports from Kazakhstan, which was discussed during the visit of South Korean Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik to Kazakhstan in April, and urged Kazakhstan to provide support for smooth oil imports.In addition to oil and gas, Wi proposed expanding practical cooperation in advanced technology fields such as critical minerals, nuclear power, and artificial intelligence (AI), and suggested enhancing high-level communication between the two countries.In response, Sklyar pledged to work towards Kazakhstan's contribution to South Korea's energy diversification. Nurdauletov expressed hope for expanded cooperation in defense sectors, including defense industry, military information, and personnel exchanges, and committed to maintaining close communication with South Korea.Wi also called for support for South Korean companies operating in Kazakhstan. Sklyar, who previously served as Deputy Prime Minister overseeing economic cooperation with South Korea, promised to ensure a favorable investment environment.Looking ahead, he expressed hope that the upcoming 'Korea-Central Asia Summit' in September, during which Kazakhstan's President Tokayev is expected to visit South Korea, would further develop bilateral relations. He emphasized the potential for the summit to elevate cooperation between the two regions.The Blue House reported that both sides agreed to closely cooperate, including activating communication channels between the presidential offices, to ensure the successful hosting of the summit.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 18:36:00

LG Electronics Denies Claims of Workplace Harassment in Stabbing Incident LG Electronics stated on May 29 that there was no termination notice given to the assailant on the day of the violent incident involving a subcontractor employee, and claims that the victims had previously ignored the assailant have not been substantiated. According to LG Electronics, the company requested a personnel change from the assailant's employer on May 12, citing inadequate work performance. An executive from the assailant's company reportedly held a one-on-one meeting with the assailant at around 10:20 a.m. on the day of the incident, May 27, during which they proposed transferring the assailant to another project within the company. LG Electronics emphasized, "There was no termination notice given during this meeting," adding that the assailant had signed a one-year reemployment contract after reaching retirement age on April 30, meaning that the project termination did not equate to a dismissal. The company also refuted claims that the assailant had been subjected to disrespect or neglect by the victims. The assailant had been working as a support staff member on LG Electronics' development projects for the past two years. "To date, there is no evidence that the victims engaged in workplace harassment or inappropriate behavior towards the assailant," LG Electronics stated. It was also noted that there had been no complaints regarding work-related issues or harassment filed by the assailant through the company's grievance system or labor-management council over the past two years. In response to concerns about the management system of subcontractors, LG Electronics explained, "We are conducting our operations under legally binding contracts and have provided independent workspaces for our employees." The company condemned the assailant's actions, stating, "It is unacceptable for the perpetrator, who committed a brutal crime using a weapon that should not have been carried, to shift the blame for their motives onto the company and the victims. We are concerned about the potential secondary trauma to the victims' families caused by these one-sided claims." In light of this incident, LG Electronics plans to review its processes related to subcontractors.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 18:15:00

Special Prosecutors Investigate Former Police Chief Yoon Hee-keun in Unification Church Case The second special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, is probing allegations that the police covered up an investigation into overseas gambling linked to the Unification Church. On May 29, the team announced that it conducted raids on the residences and offices of four individuals, including former Police Chief Yoon Hee-keun and former Gangwon Police Chief Kim Do-hyung, the day prior. The special investigation team executed search warrants based on allegations of abuse of power and breach of confidentiality. However, they did not disclose the specific charges against each suspect. Yoon is currently identified as a suspect in the investigation. The special investigation team is looking into claims that the police were aware of allegations involving Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja and other officials engaging in overseas gambling but failed to pursue a formal investigation. Reports indicate that in 2022, the police received a tip from an insider suggesting that Han had been gambling abroad using church members' cash and subsequently prepared an intelligence report. Although this report was classified as a top-priority alert, it was never assigned as a formal case, leading the special investigation team to suspect a potential cover-up. The team is particularly focused on evidence suggesting that the Unification Church received information about the investigation before it officially began. Previously released recordings involving former Unification Church leader Yoon Young-ho reportedly include comments advising to prepare for possible raids and indicating that the police's awareness of the investigation was communicated by influential figures. Earlier, the Kim Geon-hee special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki, indicted Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the National Assembly, and Han for exchanging intelligence. However, the investigation into the internal leak of police information and the cover-up process remains unresolved. The special investigation team plans to analyze the seized materials and summon Yoon and others to investigate potential involvement from police leadership and the presidential office. 2026-05-29 18:15:00

Shift to Fair Value in Mergers Could Transform South Korea's M&A Landscape A proposed amendment to the capital markets law that applies 'fair value' in mergers of listed companies is expected to reshape South Korea's mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market. The current system, which primarily relies on average stock prices for merger valuations, may shift to a model that incorporates asset value, earnings potential, and future growth prospects, leading to significant changes in restructuring and merger strategies for listed companies. According to financial investment industry sources and lawmakers on May 29, the amendment related to 'fair merger valuation' passed the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee on May 14 and is likely to be addressed in a plenary session after the fall assembly reconvenes. The committee views this bill as one of the key legislative tasks related to capital markets. The amendment proposes moving away from the existing market price-based system for calculating merger ratios of listed companies, instead applying a 'fair value' that comprehensively reflects asset value, earnings potential, future cash flows, and growth prospects. It also includes provisions to strengthen the accountability of external valuation agencies and the obligation of boards to explain their decisions. Under the current capital markets law, the merger ratios for listed companies are determined based on average stock prices over a certain period. While this approach aimed to enhance predictability by using an objective market indicator, there have been ongoing criticisms that it allows undervalued stock prices to be used to set merger ratios favorable to major shareholders. The issue gained prominence following the merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries, which sparked a broader awareness that market prices do not necessarily equate to fair prices. In 2024, the merger of Doosan Bobcat and Doosan Robotics also reignited criticism over the valuation methods used, amid controversies regarding the overvaluation and undervaluation of certain affiliates. Recently, there has been a growing demand for the protection of minority shareholders' rights during merger processes. Shinsegae Food, which submitted a revised report on May 21, raised the buyout price by approximately 30% following controversy over the merger valuation. Market analysts suggest that simply applying the statutory market price is no longer sufficient to persuade shareholders. The influence of activist funds and minority shareholder platforms is increasing, leading to more frequent debates over the legitimacy of pricing and procedural fairness in mergers. Industry experts believe that in the future, not only the price itself but also the independence and transparency of valuation agencies will become critical issues in the M&A market. Business leaders express concerns about the increased burdens that may arise from these regulatory changes. Incorporating various valuation factors into the fair value assessment could complicate merger processes and extend timelines. There are also concerns about heightened litigation risks. Companies currently pursuing holding company transitions, restructuring, or succession plans may need to reassess their overall strategies. Conversely, investors and academics view the amendment as a potential opportunity to enhance trust in South Korea's capital markets. By reducing controversies surrounding major shareholder-driven mergers and strengthening protections for minority shareholders, it could help alleviate the 'Korea Discount.' A financial industry representative stated, "In the past, the focus was on calculating merger ratios according to legal formulas, but moving forward, the process of explaining why a price is fair will become crucial. If the bill is enacted, companies pursuing mergers will inevitably face greater challenges."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 18:12:00