Two key candidates in tight race for Seoul mayor ahead of local elections, poll suggests SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - With just weeks to go before the June 3 local elections, Jung Won-oh of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), a former incumbent, appear to be in a neck-and-neck race for Seoul mayor, one of the biggest showdowns. In a poll of over 1,000 Seoul residents conducted by pollster Ace Research earlier this week, Jung had 41.7 percent support, compared with 41.6 percent for Oh. They were followed by dista May 22, 2026

South Korea forecast to see hotter-than-usual summer with extreme heatwave SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - South Korea is likely to face a hotter-than-usual summer this year, with above-normal sea surface temperatures around the Korean Peninsula expected to fuel prolonged heat and heavy downpours, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said on Friday in its forecast for the upcoming three months. According to the weather agency, there is a 60 percent chance that temperatures in June and July will be higher than the seasonal average. For August, the peak summe May 22, 2026

Korean farm income hits record on livestock rebound SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - South Korean farm households earned an average of 54.67 million won ($36,017) in 2025, a record high driven by a sharp recovery in livestock and crop prices, while fishery households saw their incomes slide on weaker seaweed and abalone markets. According data of last year's farm and fishery household economy released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Friday, average annual farm income climbed 8.0 percent from a year earlier to 54.67 million won &md May 22, 2026

South Korea bans travel to more parts of Congo as Ebola outbreak spreads SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - A highest-level travel warning has been expanded to more parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as Ebola infections continue to spread, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday. Taking effect from 2 p.m., travel to Ituri Province has been banned under the highest level of the four-tier overseas travel advisories amid a recent rise in Ebola-related deaths there, expanding the no-travel zone to three provinces including North Kivu and South Kivu i May 22, 2026

Starbucks Korea promotion sparks police probe, government boycott SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - Starbucks Korea is facing a widening political and legal backlash after a marketing campaign tied to the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju uprising triggered accusations of mocking South Korea’s democratic trauma, drawing police investigations, boycott calls and government sanctions. Chung Yong-jin and former Starbucks Korea chief executive Sohn Jung-hyun are now under police investigation following complaints accusing them of insulting victims of the May 1 May 22, 2026

Two South Koreans return home after release from Israeli seizure of Gaza-bound vessels SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - Two South Koreans detained after Israeli forces seized vessels bound for the Gaza Strip returned home on Friday following their release. They were Kim Dong-hyeon, who was aboard the Gaza-bound humanitarian aid vessel Kyriakos X when it was seized by the Israeli navy in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea near Cyprus last Thursday, and Kim Ah-hyun, who was aboard another vessel, Rina al Nabulsi, which was seized by Israeli forces in waters near the G May 22, 2026

Two South Koreans released after Israeli seizure of Gaza-bound vessels SEOUL, May 21 (AJP) - Two South Koreans detained after Israeli forces seized vessels bound for the Gaza Strip have been released, Cheong Wa Dae said on Thursday. Their release comes after the Gaza-bound ship Kyriakos X, carrying humanitarian aid, was seized by the Israeli navy in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea near Cyprus last Thursday, and another vessel, Rina al Nabulsi, was seized by Israeli forces in waters near the Gaza Strip two days later, both carrying Sou May 21, 2026

Two-week-long campaigning for local elections set to begin Thursday SEOUL, May 20 (AJP) - The official campaign period for next month's local elections is set to begin on Thursday, as the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) prepare to launch full-scale campaigning across the country in an already-heated race. According to the National Election Commission (NEC) on Wednesday, candidates and their supporters will be allowed to actively canvass at the stroke of midnight and will have about two weeks to win o May 20, 2026

Timeline: Samsung Electronics labor dispute SEOUL, May 20 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics and its labor union failed to reach an agreement in government-mediated wage talks on Wednesday, one day before a planned strike, as disputes over bonus caps and compensation structures remained unresolved. The union said it would proceed with its planned general strike starting Thursday following the collapse of negotiations. Above is the timeline leading to the general strike, beginning with the March 18 vote in which 93.1 percent of parti May 20, 2026

South Korean elementary school violence rate hits 12.5 percent SEOUL, May 19 (AJP) - One in eight South Korean elementary school students experienced school violence last year, driven by a surge in physical altercations and a collapse in bystander intervention, a survey showed Tuesday. The findings highlight persistent challenges in youth protection just a year after the government overhauled its disciplinary review system. A survey of 8,476 students conducted late last year by the Blue Tree Foundation found 12.5 percent of elementary students May 19, 2026