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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lee Jung-hoo Records Two Hits Against Pirates, Achieves Multi-Hit Game After Seven Matches Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants recorded a multi-hit game for the first time in seven matches. On May 9, in a home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Lee started as the leadoff right fielder and went 2-for-4 at the plate. After struggling with his batting earlier in May, Lee's two hits marked his 12th multi-hit game of the season. This was his first multi-hit performance since May 1 against the Philadelphia Phillies. His batting average improved from .263 to .270. In his first at-bat in the opening inning, Lee popped out to right field. However, in the bottom of the third with one out and a runner on first, he connected with a low splitter from Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski for a single to right field. Unfortunately, the next batter, Luis Arraez, grounded into a double play, ending the scoring opportunity. Lee added another hit in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs and no runners on base, he hit a 95.6 mph fastball from Mlodzinski for a single to left field. Again, the following batter failed to drive him home. In a missed opportunity, Lee batted with the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the seventh while the Giants led 3-1. He hit a line drive to the second baseman and was unable to bring in a run. Arraez later delivered a two-run single, extending the Giants' lead. Lee also contributed defensively, making a notable play in the top of the sixth by chasing down a foul ball from Bryan Reynolds and catching it just in front of the stands. The Giants defeated the Pirates 5-2, snapping a two-game losing streak. Their season record improved to 15 wins and 23 losses, but they remain at the bottom of the National League West. 2026-05-09 15:27:21

Musinsa's foreign sales hit record high during Northeast Asian 'Golden Holiday' SEOUL, May 09 (AJP) - South Korean fashion platform Musinsa saw its offline sales from foreign tourists reach a record high during the recent "Northeast Asian Golden Holiday," as Japanese and Chinese vacation periods coincided to drive a surge in inbound shopping. According to data released by the company on Friday, sales from foreign customers at 12 of its global-focused stores—including Musinsa Standard and Musinsa Store—rose more than 30 percent between April 29 and May 5 compared to the previous week. The period saw a rare overlap of Japan’s Golden Week (April 29–May 6) and China’s Labor Day holiday (May 1–5). The growth was most pronounced in Seoul’s Seongsu district, a rising shopping hub for international tourists. Combined sales at the Musinsa Standard Seongsu and Musinsa Store Seongsu boutique surged 41 percent week-on-week, fueled by an influx of overseas visitors. For the first time, foreign nationals accounted for more than half of the total revenue at these 12 strategic locations, reaching 53 percent of the total sales mix. The Musinsa Store in Myeongdong recorded the highest international presence, with over 70 percent of its revenue generated by foreign shoppers. Other locations in Hannam, Hongdae, and Seongsu also reported foreign sales shares exceeding 60 percent. Industry analysts attribute the performance to a growing global preference for K-fashion and beauty, coupled with Musinsa's curation of local brands that appeal to independent travelers seeking "hip" South Korean lifestyle experiences. To capitalize on the holiday peak, the platform partnered with Japan’s largest fashion platform, ZOZOTOWN, and China’s WeChat Pay to offer targeted discounts and point-based incentives. “The alignment of major holidays in Korea, China, and Japan drew a concentrated number of global customers to our offline spaces,” a Musinsa official said. “We plan to continue strengthening our online-to-offline marketing and curation to ensure international tourists can experience the latest South Korean fashion trends.” The company is currently running its "On & Off Festival" across all offline locations through May 10, offering exclusive discounts to both domestic and international shoppers. 2026-05-09 15:20:24

Kim Jong Un Sends Victory Day Message to Putin, Reaffirms North Korea-Russia Treaty Commitment Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, sent a congratulatory message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of Victory Day, reaffirming his commitment to the North Korea-Russia treaty. Although there has been speculation about Kim's potential visit to Russia amid recent high-level exchanges between the two countries, the visit did not materialize. According to reports from Yonhap News and the Rodong Sinmun on May 9, Kim stated in his message to President Putin, "I reaffirm that we will always be responsible for fulfilling the obligations of the treaty between our two countries." He reiterated his intention to continue cooperation based on the 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty' signed last year. The treaty, which was established during Putin's visit to North Korea in June 2024, includes provisions for military support if one side is attacked. North Korea began to deepen military cooperation with Russia by sending troops to Kursk, near the border with Ukraine, in October of the same year. In his message, Kim described the North Korea-Russia relationship as one that is "writing a brilliant new chapter of independence, dignity, peace, and prosperity in accordance with the common ideals and aspirations of our peoples," expressing his satisfaction and pride in the partnership. He also reaffirmed the North Korean government's commitment to valuing and continuously enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership. Referring to Putin as a "most friendly comrade," Kim emphasized their close ties. He conveyed heartfelt congratulations to Putin, the Russian leadership, and the brotherly Russian people on the 81st anniversary of the Great Patriotic War victory, stating, "On behalf of the government and people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, I extend my most sincere congratulations to you and the entire Russian people." Kim also paid tribute to the veterans of the past who fought valiantly against fascism, stating, "I express my profound respect for the previous generations of soldiers who, with indomitable courage and noble patriotism, defeated fascism and defended humanity's freedom and liberation, as well as world peace and security." This gesture comes as Russia uses Victory Day as a symbol of national unity, with North Korea also showing support for Russia's historical narrative through Kim's message. Kim concluded by stating, "Pyongyang is always with you and the brotherly Russian people," and expressed his hopes for the Russian people to achieve only victory and glory in their future endeavors. He emphasized that Russia's great victory history will continue. Recently, high-level contacts between North Korea and Russia have increased around the first anniversary of the 'Liberation of Kursk,' raising speculation about Kim's attendance at the Victory Day events. However, North Korea was not included in the list of attendees announced by Russia, and Kim's visit did not take place. Concerns over local safety issues, including drone attacks from Ukraine, have been suggested as factors influencing this outcome.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-09 15:18:25