Weather Forecast: Rain and Strong Winds Expected Nationwide with Highs of 23°C On Tuesday, May 12, the weather will be generally cloudy across the country, with rain expected in various regions. The capital area and Gangwon Province are forecasted to clear up by nightfall. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) on May 11, rain that begins in the central region and North and South Gyeongsang provinces will expand to South Jeolla Province and Jeju Island starting early in the morning, and to South Gyeongsang Province by mid-morning. Most areas will see the rain taper off by the afternoon, although South Gyeongsang Province and Jeju Island may experience rain until the evening. Expected rainfall totals from May 11 to 12 are as follows: 5 to 10 mm in Seoul, Incheon, and northern Gyeonggi Province; 5 to 20 mm in southern Gyeonggi Province; 10 to 50 mm in Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungcheong provinces; 10 to 60 mm in Gwangju, South Jeolla, and North Jeolla provinces; 5 to 40 mm in Busan, Ulsan, Daegu, North Gyeongsang, and South Gyeongsang provinces; and 5 to 40 mm in Jeju Island. During the rain, residents should be cautious of strong winds, thunder, and lightning. Hail is also possible, particularly in the inland areas of Chungcheong, Jeolla, Gyeongsang provinces, and Jeju Island, so precautions for facilities and crops are advised. Morning low temperatures are expected to range from 12 to 16 degrees Celsius, while daytime highs will be between 19 and 23 degrees Celsius. Air quality is forecasted to be 'good' across all regions. Waves in the coastal waters are expected to reach 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the East and West Seas, and 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the South Sea. In the offshore waters (about 200 km from the coastline), wave heights are predicted to be 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the East Sea and 0.5 to 2.0 meters in the West and South Seas. The KMA advises that rain will come and go, with significant variations in rainfall amounts even within the same region, and urges residents to refer to real-time weather radar images and the latest weather information.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-12 04:41:54

Education Minister's Response to Teacher's Concerns Sparks Outrage Concerns over teacher rights and malicious complaints have been reignited following a teacher's remarks and the education minister's response, which have sparked significant backlash online. Critics have particularly pointed out the ministry's failure to provide clear solutions despite the teacher's urgent appeals. A video circulating on social media shows a teacher publicly questioning the education minister. The teacher stated, "Field trips are not mandatory. Teachers take students on these trips to experience and learn together," emphasizing that curriculum design should be the responsibility of educational professionals. The teacher recounted, "During my time as an elementary school teacher, I went on field trips eight times a year. But now, with a colleague having been convicted, how can any teacher feel safe going on a field trip?" He also detailed specific complaints from parents regarding field trips, saying, "We receive complaints like, 'Why isn't my child paired with a specific student?' and 'Why do you make them travel far enough to get motion sickness?' Even when we take hundreds of photos of the students, we hear, 'Why does my child only have five pictures?' and 'Why does my child look unhappy?'" Regarding safety personnel for field trips, he acknowledged the need for such support but criticized the burden placed on teachers, stating, "While I recognize the need for safety personnel, teachers are responsible for everything from contracts to background checks for sexual offenses. Is this really a policy that supports teachers?" He urged the education minister, saying, "Please do not make field trips mandatory. Create an environment where teachers can choose to go on their own." The education minister's subsequent summary of his response has also drawn criticism. Reports indicate that he stated it would be difficult to provide legal immunity, that realistic protections against malicious complaints are challenging, yet he still hopes teachers will continue to conduct field trips. Online reactions have been overwhelmingly negative. Users expressed sentiments such as, "If the minister can't solve this, what is his purpose?" and "Saying he can't address malicious complaints essentially means he is giving up." Others questioned why schools should bear the responsibility for creating memories when teachers are left to shoulder the blame. Some users even recalled past comments from Choi Kyo-jin, the superintendent of education in Sejong City, who once shared a personal experience about losing control after a top student cried over declining grades. One user criticized, "Those who worked during a time when teacher authority was strong are now evading responsibility in a time of teacher rights collapse," while others echoed concerns about the overall issues with educational policy appointments and the cumulative failures leading to the current crisis in education.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-12 04:39:42

Paint Industry Faces Dilemma Amid Rising Costs and Stagnant Prices The domestic paint industry is facing significant challenges as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East drives up prices for key raw materials. The cost of naphtha, a crucial ingredient for solvents and resins, has soared, putting pressure on manufacturers. According to the Korea National Oil Corporation's Petronet, naphtha prices reached $128.56 per barrel at the end of last month, a staggering 67% increase compared to the same period last year. This prolonged situation of sourcing essential materials at over 50% higher prices than last year has led to fears of reverse margins, where companies incur losses with every sale. Despite these cost pressures, the four major domestic paint manufacturers—KCC, Noroo Paint, SP Samhwa, and Gangnam Jevisco—are opting to minimize or forgo price increases to support the construction industry. KCC has completely withdrawn its plan to raise product prices by 10% to 40%, while SP Samhwa has reduced its proposed increase from 20% to around 10%. Noroo Paint has also excluded some products from price hikes and significantly lowered its increase amounts. Gangnam Jevisco has agreed to adjust the timing of its price increases in consultation with specialized construction firms. These companies signed a 'coexistence agreement' on May 7 to alleviate the burden on small and medium-sized construction firms. The rise in raw material prices comes as the paint industry is already grappling with poor performance. KCC reported sales of 6.48 trillion won and an operating profit of 427.6 billion won last year, marking declines of 2.6% and 9.2%, respectively. Noroo Paint's sales fell by 2.9% to 771.1 billion won, with its operating profit plummeting over 30% to 30.2 billion won. SP Samhwa's operating profit dropped to 9.5 billion won, about half of the previous year's figure. As profitability in traditional paint operations declines and the industry becomes more vulnerable to fluctuations in exchange rates and oil prices, experts predict that paint companies will accelerate diversification efforts. KCC is venturing into the 'beauty materials' market based on its silicone business, participating in global cosmetic ingredient exhibitions in France, China, and Thailand to showcase high-performance cosmetic materials. Noroo Paint is focusing on research and development of high-value special coatings, including 13 types of materials for secondary batteries. Samhwa Paint has rebranded itself as SP Samhwa, aiming to transition from a paint manufacturer to an advanced chemical materials company. An industry insider noted, "In the worst conditions of a construction downturn and skyrocketing costs, new business ventures are no longer optional but essential for survival. However, it will take time for these new ventures to translate into actual profits, meaning that management challenges due to cost pressures are likely to persist for the foreseeable future."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-12 04:37:42

Shift Up Reports Q1 Operating Profit of 21.5 Billion Won Amid Game Sales Growth Shift Up announced on May 11 that its consolidated revenue for the first quarter of 2026 reached 47.3 billion won, a 12% increase compared to the same period last year. However, operating profit fell to 21.5 billion won, a decrease of 18.1%, while net profit rose by 40.8% to 37.8 billion won. In terms of individual games, 'Stella Blade' saw an 84% increase year-on-year, generating 12.9 billion won, although it was down 24.9% from the previous quarter. 'Goddess of Victory: Nikke' reported revenue of 32.7 billion won, marking a 1.2% increase year-on-year but a 24.7% decline from the prior quarter. Shift Up explained that 'Stella Blade' benefited from ongoing user acquisition through seasonal promotions and discount events, leading to stable long-term sales. 'Goddess of Victory: Nikke' also achieved top sales in both the Korean and Japanese markets following its global New Year event and a recent major update for its 3.5th anniversary. The company is gradually addressing content discrepancies with the global build of 'Goddess of Victory: New Hope' in China, establishing a mid-to-long-term service foundation. Shift Up expects to continue the upward trend for 'Goddess of Victory: Nikke' this year. The company plans to hold seasonal events in the first half of the year and a large-scale event for the fourth anniversary, similar to the recent 3.5th anniversary event, in the second half. Operating expenses rose by 61.4% year-on-year to 25.8 billion won. Shift Up attributed a 19.5% increase in labor costs to incentive payments, totaling 16.2 billion won compared to the previous quarter. Variable costs decreased by 14.4% to 4.9 billion won due to reduced payment commissions related to 'Stella Blade.' Fixed costs also fell by 39.6% to 4.6 billion won, attributed to decreased outsourcing costs for 'Goddess of Victory: Nikke.' The company unveiled its strategy to enhance the 'Goddess of Victory: Nikke' intellectual property (IP). Shift Up aims to elevate the IP's lifecycle through a two-track strategy focused on strengthening in-game content and expanding IP business. As 'Goddess of Victory: Nikke' enters its third year, the company plans to enhance in-game content. In terms of IP business, it is gradually expanding its merchandise (MD) offerings. A Shift Up representative stated, "We are expanding the MD product line based on the high recognition and fandom of 'Goddess of Victory: Nikke' characters, thereby broadening the IP's offline presence." Development of the next installment of 'Stella Blade' is also underway. Shift Up plans to transition to a self-publishing model for the upcoming title, starting with the next 'Stella Blade' release. A company representative noted, "We are bringing in global talent with experience in launching and servicing major global titles for new game development."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-12 04:35:33

Iran Rejects U.S. Demands for Ending Hostilities Iran's government has officially stated that it cannot accept unilateral demands from the United States regarding recent proposals to end hostilities. On May 11, Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, emphasized during a press conference that "our demands are not excessive and are entirely justified." He made it clear that the release of Iranian assets frozen in foreign banks is a prerequisite for any negotiations. Baghaei characterized the U.S. seizure of Iranian oil tankers as "piracy," asserting, "The U.S. must stop its illegal economic blockade and acts of piracy and cease its warlike behavior." In response to U.S. demands for the complete opening of the Strait of Hormuz as a condition for ending hostilities, he noted that Iran has also proposed measures to ensure safe navigation and regional security in the strait. He stated, "Ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and establishing security in the region and Lebanon are additional demands from Iran, which should be seen as generous and responsible proposals for regional security." He criticized the U.S. for continuing to make unilateral claims. However, Iran has left the door open for diplomacy. Baghaei remarked, "We will fight whenever we are forced to, but we will seize every opportunity for diplomacy when it arises." He added, "However, diplomacy has its own rules, and decisions will be based on our national interests. Iran has proven its commitment to protecting the interests of its people." Previously, President Donald Trump expressed his disapproval of Iran's response to the proposal on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, "I do not like this. It is completely unacceptable."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-12 04:33:55

South Korea to Import U.S. Eggs Amid Rising Prices As egg prices continue to soar, the South Korean government has decided to officially import fresh eggs from the United States starting this week. If prices do not stabilize, the government plans to consider additional imports of fresh eggs from the U.S. and Thailand.On May 11, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs held its 17th supply and demand situation meeting, chaired by Park Jeong-hoon, head of the Food Policy Office, to discuss response measures.The government is particularly concerned about livestock products, which have seen high prices due to outbreaks of livestock diseases and decreased supply. According to the Livestock Products Quality Assessment Corporation, the price of eggs has risen to 7,380 won per carton, a 6.2% increase from a year ago, while chicken prices have increased by 16% to 6,607 won per kilogram.In response, the government is implementing discount support for eggs and chicken. To prepare for increased demand during the summer peak season, the government will also import broiler breeding eggs from Belgium in addition to Spain to ensure a swift supply.Additionally, the government is utilizing self-help funds to offer discounts on Korean beef and pork. Beef cuts and stews are discounted by up to 50% until May 10, while pork belly and neck will see similar discounts until May 31. Collaborations with producer groups will also expand the volume of pork available in wholesale markets.While there are factors contributing to price increases for processed foods due to the impact of the Middle East conflict, any additional price hikes have been limited so far. However, the government plans to continue providing financial support to alleviate the burden of raw material purchases in anticipation of potential price increases after the local elections.Park Jeong-hoon stated, "Given the recent changes in external conditions, market uncertainties are increasing. We will closely monitor the supply and demand situation of key products and respond proactively."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-12 04:32:17

President Lee: Preference Voting System Aims to Save Time and Costs in Runoff Elections President Lee Jae-myung stated on May 11 that the preference voting system being implemented by the Democratic Party in the race for the 22nd National Assembly Speaker is designed to save time and costs associated with runoff elections. The preference voting system allows voters to rank their preferred candidates to determine the winner. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), President Lee explained, "The preference voting system was introduced alongside the runoff voting system when I was the leader of the Democratic Party." He further elaborated, "If the leading candidate does not achieve a majority in the first vote, there is no need for an additional runoff. Instead, we can conduct a preliminary runoff. For example, in a three-candidate race, if a voter who supported the third candidate has a second choice among the top two, adding their second-choice votes would yield the same effect as a runoff." However, he noted a limitation: "Voters who select the first and second candidates are assumed to maintain those choices in the runoff." The Democratic Party began voting among its party members on the same day to select candidates for the next National Assembly Speaker. The online voting by party members, which accounts for 20% of the total, will continue until the following day, while the in-person voting by lawmakers, making up 80%, will take place on May 13. Given the tradition that the leading party holds the Speaker position and the structure of the National Assembly, the winner of the Democratic Party's internal election is effectively confirmed as the next Speaker. The candidates for the Speaker election include lawmakers Kim Tae-nyeon, Park Ji-won, and Jo Jung-sik. President Lee urged voters to be mindful, saying, "If you do not select a second choice, and your preferred candidate is eliminated in the runoff, you will end up abstaining. Please do not misunderstand and make sure to select both your first and second choices." He added, "If our country were to adopt a runoff voting system for presidential elections, discussions on simultaneously introducing a preference voting system would likely follow." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-12 04:29:39

National Tax Service to Track Cryptocurrency Wallet Addresses with New System The National Tax Service (NTS) has officially begun developing a dedicated computer system for tracking and analyzing cryptocurrency transactions. On May 11, the NTS announced that the Seoul Regional Tax Office's Information Center and Nanal SMI held an inauguration ceremony for the 'Integrated Analysis System for Virtual Assets' on May 8. The project aims to be completed by the end of December this year, with a total budget of 2.99 billion won (including value-added tax, excluding procurement fees). The NTS's initiative is driven by the structural characteristics of virtual assets. Due to their anonymity and decentralization, cryptocurrencies have increasingly been misused for illegal activities such as money laundering, irregular gifting, and offshore tax evasion. Additionally, starting in 2027, cryptocurrency businesses will be required to submit individual transaction data to the NTS, making it urgent to establish a systematic computerized foundation for utilizing large volumes of transaction information in tax audits. The core of the system will be divided into three main components. First, it will create a foundation for the continuous and systematic integration of cryptocurrency transaction information and blockchain transaction data. The system will periodically collect transaction statements and summaries submitted by cryptocurrency businesses to the NTS, allowing for integrated queries linked with existing tax data for reporting, tax assessments, and audits. For each taxpayer, it will provide information on transaction overviews, changes in virtual asset holdings, and current balances, while enhancing transaction tracking by visualizing identified wallet addresses alongside blockchain transaction data. The system will go beyond simple data collection. It will include features designed to analyze and verify transaction flows suspected of tax evasion, such as money laundering and unreported inheritance or gifting. An analytical framework will also be established to proactively detect unusual transaction patterns and suspicious individuals using AI machine learning and statistical techniques. User convenience and information security have been prioritized in the design principles. The system will automate manual tasks and connect data from various sources while implementing a control system to ensure that transaction information is used only within the necessary scope through access management and log tracking. The NTS stated, "By systematically managing vast amounts of cryptocurrency transaction data, we expect to enhance the efficiency of related operations and strengthen the infrastructure for virtual assets. We aim to contribute to tax fairness and justice by blocking illegal transactions such as money laundering, irregular gifting, and offshore tax evasion, as well as analyzing suspected tax evasion cases."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-12 04:27:39

What Should Humanity Achieve After AI? Captain Kang Sang-bo Discusses 'Meaning Civilization' As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly reshapes production methods and social structures, the role and value of humanity face fundamental questions. Captain Kang Sang-bo, author of The Master Key and a civilization designer, stated in a recent interview that "the key transition in the AI era is not the enhancement of technological capabilities, but rather humanity's shift from 'method' to 'meaning.'" He emphasized the need to build a new form of civilization through this transition. Kang has long researched and created around the concept of 'meaning civilization,' attempting to combine philosophical thought, personal growth, and the content industry. In his representative work, The Master Key, he systematically presents pathways to personal success and life direction. He identified 'direction setting' as the most lacking capability in humans today. He warned that if people perceive AI merely as a tool, they risk missing structural changes and essence. "In a situation where AI can perform almost all tasks, if humans fail to set their own direction, they may become mere parts of the system," he said, adding that both individuals and social structures must be able to provide direction. He introduced the concept of 'meaning civilization,' distinguishing it from existing information and technological civilizations. While technological civilization focuses on 'what to create,' the AI era necessitates a shift to the question of 'should we create it at all?' He explained that technology should operate in a way that brings it closer to human essence, moving from a 'technology-human-technology' structure to a 'human-technology-human' cyclical structure. In terms of values, he presented 'meaning, vivid dreams, responsibility, and LOVE' as core areas unique to humanity. He stated, "AI and robots ultimately exist to help humans get closer to these four values," asserting that these elements will become new criteria for judgment. He also proposed an absolute formula for success: 'BTS × LOVE = SUCCESS.' Here, BTS represents Body, Talent, and Spirit, while LOVE signifies connection and empathy among humans. He noted that in the AI era, traditional success criteria based on speed, efficiency, and results are rapidly being replaced by a focus on creating deeper connections and generating meaning. From a generational perspective, he defined those aged 10 to 30 as '1030 young stars' and labeled them as 'civilization designers.' He emphasized that unlike the older generation, which grew up under efficiency, growth, and capital-centered logic, these young individuals would struggle to gain an advantage if they compete with AI on the same terms. The key, he stressed, is to shift from competition in efficiency to creating direction. On the institutional front, he introduced the concepts of 'meaning finance' and 'meaning education.' He remarked that in the AI era, economic systems could operate without direct human participation, suggesting that finance should shift from a production-centered approach to one that invests in human and value-centered areas, namely meaning, vivid dreams, responsibility, and LOVE. However, he added that such changes would require gradual guidance from media, institutions, and government rather than individuals. In the field of education, he pointed out that existing systems remain stuck in 'pre-AI' methods. Kang stated, "Knowledge acquisition should be left to AI, while humans should focus on exploring meaning and direction." He called for a shift in history education from rote memorization to experiential understanding, advocating for teachers to transition from being 'providers of answers' to 'askers of questions.' At the same time, he warned of the risk that 'meaning' could be further diminished in a discourse centered on efficiency, growth, and capital. He cautioned that if society prioritizes results alone, individuals may lose their ability to judge 'why they do what they do.' He concluded, "Today's younger generation stands at a crucial crossroads. Whether they become the architects of civilization or remain consumers within the system is a matter that transcends individual choice and will influence the direction of future society." “In the AI era, the competition is not about speed, but about direction.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-12 04:25:09

Han Deok-soo Appeals 15-Year Sentence for Role in Coup-Related Charges Han Deok-soo, sentenced to 15 years in prison for his involvement in the December 3 martial law declaration and related coup duties, has filed an appeal against the ruling. According to legal sources on May 11, Han's legal team submitted the appeal to the Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 12-1, which presided over his case. On May 7, the appellate court sentenced Han to 15 years, reducing his initial 23-year sentence by eight years; however, it maintained guilty verdicts on most of the key charges. The court determined that Han had suggested holding a cabinet meeting to create the appearance of proper procedure during the martial law declaration and led the signing of related documents afterward, which constituted significant involvement in the coup. Additionally, the court found him guilty of concealing legal flaws by signing and then discarding the declaration document, as well as perjury for claiming during the Constitutional Court impeachment trial that he had not seen the martial law declaration. Following the appellate ruling, Han's legal team stated that they found the verdict "unacceptable in terms of factual and legal aspects" and indicated they would consider appealing. As a result, the Supreme Court is expected to engage in a rigorous legal debate over whether Han's actions during the martial law period constituted essential participation in the coup or merely complicity.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-12 04:23:09