AI wealth gap reaches city halls as Korea's chip hubs reap tax windfall SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - South Korea's artificial intelligence boom is creating winners far beyond the stock market, with cities hosting semiconductor plants emerging as some of the biggest beneficiaries of a tax windfall fueled by record earnings at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The central government is expected to collect tens of trillions of won in additional tax revenue this year as the AI-driven semiconductor boom boosts corporate profits and equity valuations. At the l May 29, 2026

Early voting for local elections gets off to strong start SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - Early voting for the June 3 local elections began across the country on Friday, with turnout already surpassing levels seen in previous elections, as President Lee Jae Myung and other prominent figures cast their ballots. According to the National Election Commission (NEC), voter turnout stood at 7.02 percent as of 2 p.m. on the first day of early voting, up 0.96 percentage points from 6.06 percent recorded during the 2022 local elections. Of the country' May 29, 2026

Foreign-owned homes in South Korea surpass 100,000, with Chinese accounting for most SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - Foreign-owned housing in South Korea has surpassed 100,000 households, with Chinese nationals making up the largest share. According to data released Friday by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, foreigners owned about 108,231 housing units, accounting for 0.55 percent of the country's 19.65 million homes as of 2025. The number of foreign-owned homes rose 8 percent last year, down from 9.6 percent a year earlier, though it still remaine May 29, 2026

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun says Seoul to press Iran over vessel strike SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Thursday that Seoul will urge Iran to prevent any recurrence of the recent strike on the South Korean vessel Namu, though he added that Tehran is unlikely to acknowledge responsibility or issue an apology. In an interview with a South Korean media outlet, Cho suggested that he could soon hold another phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi following South Korea’s investigation into the attack. May 29, 2026

Cleanup work begins after overpass collapse in Seoul SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - The removal of remaining structures and debris from an overpass in Seosomun, western Seoul began on Friday after a partial collapse during demolition earlier this week, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. City officials said the operation would take more than a day including safety reinforcement, dismantling and cleanup work. Should the work proceed as planned, it is expected to be completed by early Saturday morning, allowing train services unde May 29, 2026

South Korean public sector union vows mass summer rally over pension, labor rights SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest public officials’ union said Thursday it will launch a nationwide campaign and hold a large-scale rally in July demanding improvements to the civil servant pension system, higher wages, and broader political rights for government employees. The Korean Government Employees’ Union, known as KGEU, held a resolution rally near the presidential Blue House in central Seoul, where union leaders accused the government of overwo May 28, 2026

South Korea denies report of alliance rift over wartime control transfer SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - South Korea's Defense Ministry on Thursday dismissed as "groundless" a local media report claiming that President Lee Jae Myung's push for an early transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) could lead to the dismantling of the current South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) structure. The ministry said U.S. Forces Korea had raised no objection to plans for a future combined command led by a South Korean four-star general following May 28, 2026

Two-day early voting for local elections set to begin this week SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - Early voting for the upcoming June 3 local elections is set to begin this week. According to the National Election Commission (NEC), voters may cast their ballots at any polling station nationwide, regardless of their registered address, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. over two days from Friday to Saturday. Voters must bring a photo ID showing their date of birth such as a resident registration card, passport or driver's license. Mobile IDs are accepted only if th May 28, 2026

Foreign ministers of South Korea and Singapore agree to deepen cooperation SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with his Singaporean counterpart in Seoul on Thursday to discuss bilateral cooperation, regional security issues, and broader international affairs, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their meeting came after Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan's visit to North Korea earlier this week as part of a regional tour that also included China. During his trip to Pyongyang last Tuesday, Balakrishnan met with his May 28, 2026

Impeached ex-president cleared of perjury charges in martial law-related case SEOUL, May 28 (AJP) - Disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday was cleared of perjury charges, one of several allegations related to his botched martial law debacle. Yoon had been accused of making false accounts during former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's trial, which was also related to the debacle. During the trial in November last year, when asked whether he had planned from the beginning to convene a Cabinet meeting before declaring martial law on Dec. 3, 2 May 28, 2026