SBS ‘Unanswered Questions’ Probes Tip Claiming Body Was Not Dumped at Dumulmeori SBS investigative program ‘Unanswered Questions’ is examining a case in which a body has not been found for 100 days after a reported dumping near Dumulmeori in Yangpyeong. The episode airing April 25 focuses on unanswered questions surrounding the killing and alleged disposal of the body of a delivery driver identified as Lee Jun-woo, a pseudonym. The case surfaced after a 112 emergency call on Jan. 21 reporting that Lee, 34, had been unreachable for several days. The caller, a fellow delivery driver, said he became concerned after recalling that Lee had appeared badly injured days before he vanished. “He had a broken tooth, his face was bruised beyond recognition, and his lip was split badly enough to need stitches,” the colleague told the program’s producers. Co-workers suspected a man surnamed Seong, Lee’s same-age roommate. Witnesses said Seong had been seen assaulting Lee, though Lee had brushed off questions about abuse by saying he was “just hurt.” Seong also claimed he did not know Lee’s whereabouts, saying he thought Lee had gone gambling. Police later reviewed apartment CCTV footage from the night of Jan. 14 that appeared to show Seong dragging Lee, who looked to be dead. Police then arrested Seong on an emergency basis, the program said. In questioning, Seong told police he killed Lee and put the body in a rental car, then drove to Yangpyeong and dumped it. He said the killing happened around 3:30 p.m. Jan. 14 during an argument over gas money, and that he disposed of the body later that night near Yongdam Bridge, close to Dumulmeori. Despite extensive searches by police and fire authorities, Lee’s body has not been found for 100 days, leaving the family unable to hold a funeral, the program said. Relatives suspect the location Seong provided may not be the real site because no body, shoes or clothing have been recovered. The time Seong gave for the killing and details of the disposal have also not been clearly verified, according to the broadcast. The producers said they received a new tip claiming, “It’s Yangpyeong, but not Dumulmeori — I heard it was buried somewhere else.” The tipster also alleged Seong gave a false statement out of fear that, if the body were found, it would reveal he used tools. The tipster said Seong also made remarks that seemed to hint at an accomplice. ‘Unanswered Questions’ airs at 11:10 p.m. on April 25.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 22:33:19

Lee Jae-myung Vows Tough Punishment for Syringe Hoarding as U.S.-Iran Talks Eyed Lee Jae-myung: Syringe hoarding is antisocial; violators will be punished President Lee Jae-myung said he would deal sternly with companies accused of stockpiling syringes after a special crackdown by health authorities found widespread violations.  In a post Friday on X, formerly Twitter, Lee said he had instructed the Cabinet to keep up enforcement and to take all possible follow-up steps, including swift investigations, strict punishment and maximum administrative penalties, for confirmed violations.  He said making money by exploiting a community crisis is an “antisocial” act that will be “severely punished.”  Earlier, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said a special nationwide inspection of syringe sellers, aimed at stabilizing distribution, found 32 distributors violated a government notice banning syringe hoarding.  U.S. delegation may head to Pakistan for talks; Iran issues denial As Washington and Tehran send mixed signals on whether to resume peace negotiations, there is speculation the two sides could meet as soon as this weekend in Pakistan.  Yonhap reported that The New York Times, citing two senior Iranian officials, said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to meet U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s eldest son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in Pakistan this weekend.  The officials said Araghchi headed to Islamabad carrying a written response to a U.S. peace proposal. They said Iran has publicly maintained it would not hold talks until the U.S. blockade of Hormuz is lifted, but has privately explored ways to restart negotiations through mediators including Pakistan. Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on April 25 local time.  Lee Jin-sook drops out of Daegu mayor’s race, pledges support for party nominee Lee Jin-sook, the former chair of the Korea Communications Commission who was cut from the People Power Party’s primary for Daegu mayor, said Friday she will not run in the June 3 local election.  With Rep. Joo Ho-young also having declared he will not run, the party’s internal turmoil over the Daegu race appeared to ease.  Yonhap reported Lee told a news conference at the party’s Daegu office that she was stepping down as a preliminary candidate. She said that once the party selects its nominee on Saturday, she will help that candidate defeat the Democratic Party contender and “protect Daegu from the reckless Democratic Party administration.”  While calling the party’s decision to cut her unfair, she said she would not run as an independent.  Trump administration allows firing squad and other methods for federal executions The Trump administration said it will allow the firing squad as a method of execution for federal death sentences.  Yonhap and Reuters reported Friday that the Justice Department said in a recent report it would add the firing squad, the electric chair and gas asphyxiation as alternative methods, citing difficulties obtaining lethal injection drugs.  Lethal injection remains the most common method of execution in the United States, but the department said it plans to broaden the options.  The department also said it would restore procedures for using pentobarbital, the drug adopted for executions during the first Trump administration. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 21:42:18

Iran Foreign Minister Delivers Tehran’s Ceasefire Terms to Pakistan Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered Tehran’s position on ending the war to Pakistani officials, according to reports. Yonhap reported that after arriving in Islamabad on the 25th, Araghchi met with Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, and conveyed Iran’s perspective and considerations on a ceasefire. Munir is seen as a key figure mediating U.S.-Iran talks. The two sides were reported to have discussed the latest developments related to a ceasefire and ways to cooperate to strengthen peace and stability in West Asia. Reuters also reported that Araghchi told Pakistani officials of Iran’s reserved stance toward U.S. demands and outlined Iran’s negotiating requirements. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Munir thanked Araghchi for Iran’s trust in Pakistan as a neighboring country and said Pakistan would willingly continue its mediation efforts until results are achieved.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 21:39:15

Iran Foreign Minister Meets Pakistan Army Chief as Truce With U.S. Holds Iran’s foreign minister, whose country is in a temporary truce with the United States, met with a key Pakistani figure in Islamabad, Pakistan’s role as a mediator drew renewed attention. Yonhap reported on the 25th that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir in the Pakistani capital. Munir has been involved in U.S.-Iran talks aimed at ending the war and is described as a central figure in Pakistan’s government. Details of the meeting were not disclosed, but observers said Iran and mediator Pakistan likely discussed a second round of talks on ending the war. The New York Times, citing two senior Iranian officials, reported that Araghchi would meet in Pakistan with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s eldest son-in-law, to keep negotiations going. The United States and Iran previously held a first round of talks in Islamabad on April 11-12, but they collapsed. A second round expected on April 21 also did not take place.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 20:45:14

Michael Jackson Estate Rejects New Child Sex Abuse Claims as Money-Driven Lawsuit New allegations have surfaced that the late pop star Michael Jackson sexually abused minors during his lifetime, claims his estate has forcefully denied as a bid for money. People and other outlets reported on April 24 (local time) that four siblings from the Cascio family said in a recent interview with The New York Times that Jackson sexually abused them when they were children. The siblings filed a lawsuit on Feb. 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Jackson’s estate and related parties. Court records list the plaintiffs as Edward Joseph Cascio, Dominic Sabini Cascio, Marie Nicole Forte and Aldo Cascio. Defendants include The Michael Jackson Company, John Branca, John McClain, MJJ Productions, MJJ Ventures, Herman Weisberg and others. The Cascio family was previously reported to have been close enough to Jackson to be described as his “second family.” They met him through their father, who worked at a Manhattan hotel in New York where Jackson often stayed in the 1980s. The siblings said they later visited Jackson’s Neverland home and spent time with him over the years. In their complaint, the plaintiffs allege Jackson abused them over an extended period in the United States and during overseas tours, at Neverland and at the Cascio family’s home in New Jersey. They also allege Jackson emotionally manipulated them from a young age and conditioned them to defend him against outside allegations of sexual abuse. The complaint also alleges Jackson provided them alcohol and drugs and exposed them to pornography. The plaintiffs say some of the alleged abuse began when they were about 7 or 8 and continued into their teens. The siblings had publicly defended Jackson when earlier abuse allegations emerged, and after his death they said in broadcast interviews that he had not behaved inappropriately toward them. They said they came to view their past experiences differently after watching the 2019 HBO documentary “Leaving Neverland.” The lawsuit also involves a dispute over a 2020 settlement. The siblings are reported to have received a total of $16 million in an agreement with Jackson’s estate. The plaintiffs contend the settlement was coercive and unfair, while the estate argues the agreement includes an arbitration clause and should be handled through arbitration rather than a public trial. Jackson’s estate rejected the allegations. Estate attorney Martin Singer said in a statement to People that the lawsuit was a “desperate attempt” to get money. He said the Cascio family had defended Jackson and asserted his innocence for more than 25 years, and argued the suit is a strategy to extract a large payout from the estate and related companies. Jackson faced multiple child sexual abuse allegations during his life but was acquitted in a 2005 criminal trial. He died in June 2009. The new claims have drawn renewed attention ahead of the May 13 South Korea release of the biographical film “Michael.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 20:36:24

Lottery Winner Says Set Purchase Led to Pension Lottery 720+ First Prize, Four Second Prizes "As soon as I saw the first ticket was a second prize, I figured the first prize must be in the set, so I checked the rest." With attention focused on Donghaeng Lottery’s Lotto draw No. 1221, a winner of Pension Lottery 720+ draw No. 302 — one first-prize ticket and four second-prize tickets — has shared a story that is drawing interest. In a post on Donghaeng Lottery’s winners’ board, the winner said they usually wait a week or two before checking results, but that day the pension lottery “kept catching my eye,” prompting an earlier check. "As soon as I saw the first ticket was a second prize, I figured the first prize must be in the set, so I checked the rest," the winner wrote. "At first I couldn’t believe it, so I scanned the QR code again and again. When I was sure, I felt a little scared more than happy. When I told close friends, they sincerely congratulated me." The winner added, "I’ve always thought I was unlucky, but this kind of good fortune finally brought me peace of mind. Life has been tough, so I want to put everything down for a while, rest and focus on self-improvement." The tickets were bought at a lottery retailer in Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. Asked what they typically buy, the winner said they purchase small amounts of Lotto and Pension Lottery tickets each week. On plans for the winnings, the winner said they intend to repay loans. Winning numbers for Lotto draw No. 1221 can be checked after 8:35 p.m. on April 25.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 20:21:17

Trump Administration Expands Federal Execution Methods to Include Firing Squad The Trump administration said it will allow firing squads as a method for carrying out federal executions. According to Yonhap News Agency and Reuters on the 25th, the U.S. Justice Department said in a recent report that it will add firing squads, the electric chair and gas asphyxiation as alternative methods, citing difficulties obtaining lethal-injection drugs. Lethal injection is currently the most common execution method in the United States. The department said it plans to broaden the available options. The Justice Department also ordered the restoration of procedures for using pentobarbital, a lethal-injection drug adopted during the first Trump administration. The department said executions using pentobarbital do not violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on “cruel and unusual punishment” and meet constitutional standards. In a statement, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the previous administration, the Biden administration, “failed to meet its duty to protect the American people” by refusing to carry out the maximum penalty for the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child killers and those who kill police officers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 19:30:15

Singer Soyou’s Hannam-dong Villa Draws Attention for 13 Million Won Monthly Rent Singer Soyou’s upscale villa in Seoul’s Hannam-dong neighborhood has been shown publicly, drawing attention to the city’s ultra-high monthly rental market. A video titled “Soyou’s home revealed: 13 million won monthly rent” was posted Thursday afternoon on the YouTube channel “Lee Chang-sub&Jeo Chang-sub.” The video shows Lee Chang-sub visiting Soyou’s home. Soyou said she has lived there for six years and is preparing to move soon. The home is part of a cluster of luxury villas in Hannam-dong. Soyou said she pays rent in a lump sum once a year, a payment method known as “annual rent.” She said the going terms are a 100 million won deposit and about 13 million won in monthly rent, adding that her price is “a bit lower” because she moved in early. At 13 million won a month, the rent totals 156 million won a year. That is separate from the 100 million won deposit and amounts to an annual cash outlay comparable to the jeonse price of a mid-sized apartment. According to the Korea Real Estate Board, the average monthly rent for apartments in Seoul in January was 1.504 million won, and the average in Yongsan-gu was 2.681 million won. A 13 million won monthly rent is about 8.6 times the Seoul average and about 4.8 times the Yongsan-gu average. Hannam-dong is widely seen as one of Seoul’s premier residential areas, with high-end complexes such as Nine One Hannam, Hannam The Hill and Parc Hannam. The area also has many embassies and foreign institutions, alongside demand from high-income professionals, business executives and entertainers. A 244-square-meter unit at Nine One Hannam sold for 15.65 billion won in March, recorded as the highest-priced apartment sale in Seoul this year. Soyou said the area has many embassies and that the building previously drew mostly foreign residents. She also said tenants were screened carefully, adding that “even entertainers were selected” and that move-in conditions were strict. Soyou said she once thought she would live there until she got married, but she no longer plans to marry and does not feel she needs to stay. She also said she has had an experience with a sasaeng fan coming to her home. In the real estate market, some analysts say rents in Hannam-dong’s ultra-high-end housing go beyond basic housing costs and are closer to a “privacy fee.” They cite factors including Han River views, access to central Seoul, large floor plans, security systems and the makeup of residents as creating a pricing structure distinct from the broader rental market.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-25 18:12:23

US Treasury weighs permanent dollar swap lines for Gulf, Asian allies SEOUL, April 25 (AJP) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the United States is in discussions to establish currency swap lines with Gulf and Asian partners, pitching the move as a strategic step to bolster the U.S. dollar's global dominance amid regional geopolitical tensions. Bessent stated that several allied nations requested the swap lines to help manage the economic fallout and energy shocks stemming from the Iran conflict. "Additional swap lines can benefit our nation by reinforcing dollar usage and liquidity internationally, maintaining smooth functioning in dollar funding markets, promoting trade and investment with the United States," Bessent said in a post on X on Friday. He further emphasized the long-term strategic goal, adding, "Extending permanent swap lines can be a major first step in creating new U.S. dollar funding centers in the Gulf and Asia." While traditional swap lines are typically handled by the Federal Reserve, analysts note that these new agreements would likely be drawn from the Treasury's limited Exchange Stabilization Fund. Experts view the potential facilities not as emergency bailouts for cash-strapped nations, but rather as confidence-building measures to prevent market disruptions and reduce the need for these nations to sell off U.S. Treasury assets. Bessent noted the strong financial positions of the requesting nations, stating, "Many of these countries have pristine sovereign balance sheets and large dollar holdings – larger than many major economies with whom we maintain permanent swap facilities." The United Arab Emirates, which was named as one of the countries in discussions, strongly pushed back against any market speculation that it was facing a liquidity squeeze. Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE’s ambassador to Washington, stated on X that "any suggestion that the UAE requires external financial backing misreads the facts." "The UAE is one of the world’s most financially resilient economies, underpinned by more than $2tn in sovereign investment assets," he added. 2026-04-25 18:00:37

S. Korean appeals court dismisses inmates' COVID-19 lawsuit against government SEOUL, April 25 (AJP) - A South Korean appellate court has dismissed a damages lawsuit filed by inmates against the government over a massive COVID-19 outbreak at a Seoul detention center in 2020. A Seoul Central District Court appellate panel upheld a lower court's ruling against 33 inmates and their families who sued the state and then-Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, Yonhap News Agency reported Saturday. The plaintiffs had argued that the government and correctional authorities were liable for the cluster infections at the Seoul Eastern Detention Center due to negligent virus containment measures. However, the court found no direct epidemiological link between an initial outbreak among prison staff in November 2020 and a larger, subsequent wave among inmates in December. "The similarity between the viruses in the first and second waves was low," the court stated. "It is reasonable to view the routes of virus introduction as different." The court also rejected the plaintiffs' claims that the facility exacerbated the spread by failing to strictly separate close contacts based on transmission routes. The judges noted that the detention center had implemented clear separation standards between confirmed and non-confirmed individuals, adding that tracing exact transmission routes for each case was "quite difficult" given the time and space constraints at the time. 2026-04-25 17:42:19