Starbucks Korea under fire as marketing blunder spills into politics ahead of local elections SEOUL, May 24 (AJP) - Starbucks Korea has found itself at the center of a growing political and social controversy just about a week ahead of local elections slated for June 3. The American coffee chain has already thrown in the towel, pulling its marketing campaign and posting an apology on its website. Shinsegae Group, the retail conglomerate that manages Starbucks in South Korea, also sacked its chief executive Sohn Jeong-hyun for "inappropriate marketing." Shinsegae May 24, 2026

Lee calls for national unity on Buddha's Birthday SEOUL, May 24 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung pledged to build a government that "saves people's lives" in remarks at a Buddha's Birthday ceremony at Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul on Sunday. Lee said he would "do my utmost to build a government that saves people's lives" and put into practice Buddha's teaching that "everyone is noble and equal." "The government will take Buddha's precious words as a lamp," he added May 24, 2026

NPT talks collapse again over nuclear disputes involving N. Korea, Iran SEOUL, May 23 (AJP) - The 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) ended Friday without adopting a consensus document, as member states failed to narrow differences over North Korea, Iran and nuclear disarmament. The four-week conference, held at the U.N. headquarters in New York, had been expected to produce a final document on strengthening the NPT regime. But negotiations broke down over regional nuclear threats and how to implement d May 23, 2026

Govt boycott widens vs Starbucks Korea over "Tank Day" backlash SEOUL, May 22 (AJP) - More Korean ministries and public agencies are moving to distance themselves from Starbucks Korea after the top coffee franchise under Shinsegae Group came under fire for its “Tank Day” promotion over its association with the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. South Korea’s Defense Ministry has temporarily suspended welfare partnership projects with Starbucks Korea as criticism intensifies over what many viewed as historically insensitive mar May 22, 2026

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