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An American YouTuber known as Johnny Somali was sentenced to six months in prison by a South Korean court for public nuisance, including filming himself kissing a statue commemorating wartime sex slaves. The case drew attention to ongoing Korea-Japan tensions over the historical issue.
The South Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar as investors weighed signs of progress in talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz against ongoing Middle East tensions. Markets reacted to diplomatic moves and the expiry of a ceasefire looms, while the KOSPI saw gains. Analysts note persistent pressure from higher oil prices on South Korea's energy-dependent economy.
South Korea's presidential chief of staff announced that the country has secured 273 million barrels of crude oil and 2.1 million tons of naphtha from Middle Eastern nations, enough to sustain the economy for over three months. The supplies will be shipped via alternative routes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, amid ongoing Middle East tensions. Additional measures include covering extra shipping costs for alternative crude imports.
LAFC advanced to the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals with a 4-1 aggregate win over Cruz Azul, playing to a 1-1 draw in the second leg. Son Heung-min, who scored in the first leg, played the entire match. LAFC will face the winner of the Toluca vs. LA Galaxy quarterfinal.
Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol met global investors in New York and Washington, highlighting South Korea's market reforms and AI hub ambitions. He cited the World Bank's AI hub in Korea and plans to attract more international organizations, while executives from BlackRock and Apollo expressed optimism about partnerships.
South Korea's job market grew by 206,000 jobs in March, staying above the 200,000 mark for a second month. However, youth employment fell for the 23rd consecutive month and manufacturing losses continued, highlighting structural challenges.
South Korean stocks rallied this week on hopes for a second round of U.S.-Iran peace talks, with the KOSPI closing above 6,000 for the first time since the outbreak of the conflict. Gains were driven by diplomatic signals and Wall Street's advance, despite ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
South Korea has imposed temporary bans on stockpiling medical syringes and key petrochemical feedstocks, citing supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. President Lee Jae Myung warned hoarders of legal consequences, and police have launched investigations into several companies suspected of violating the measures.
Netflix’s Korean action-crime series “Bloodhounds” Season 2 has climbed to the top of the platform’s weekly non-English TV chart. Separately, star Jung Ji-hoon discussed the challenges of playing his first villain role, a character he found hard to connect with initially.
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, Kim Keon-hee, met in a Seoul courtroom for the first time since his arrest in July. Kim appeared as a witness in Yoon's trial over alleged violations of the Political Funds Act, though she declined to testify. The couple, both incarcerated, face separate legal proceedings; Kim was acquitted in a related case in January.
The Hanwha Eagles have traded career KBO hits leader Son Ah-seop to the Doosan Bears for a minor league pitcher and cash. Son, 38, had limited playing time in Hanwha this season before the deal. He made an immediate impact in his debut, hitting a two-run home run for his new team.
South Korea will participate in a multilateral ministerial meeting this week to discuss stabilizing the Strait of Hormuz, following a Britain-led gathering of over 40 nations. Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Eui-hae will attend the virtual session, which aims to ensure safe passage and address the impact of the Middle East conflict on global energy supplies.
The South Korean won hit a one-month high against the U.S. dollar as expectations grew for a resumption of U.S.-Iran peace talks, with foreign investors buying local stocks and oil prices easing. Reports indicate President Trump mentioned possible negotiations and Vice President Vance heading to Islamabad for another round, though details remain unconfirmed.
South Korea has dispatched envoys to Algeria and Libya and held high-level talks with Brazil and Mexico to secure alternative energy supply routes, as the Middle East crisis disrupts maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The foreign ministry is also considering sending a special envoy to the Republic of Congo, according to official statements.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the test-firing of strategic cruise and anti-warship missiles from the destroyer Choe Hyon, state media reported. The test, which involved two cruise missiles and three anti-warship missiles, was part of operational efficiency trials for the warship. Kim called for bolstering the country's nuclear war deterrent without limit, according to KCNA.
President Donald Trump has nominated former California congresswoman Michelle Park Steel as the US ambassador to South Korea, a post vacant since January 2025. South Korea's presidential office welcomed the nomination, expressing hope it will strengthen bilateral ties. If confirmed, Steel would be the second Korean American to hold the ambassadorship.
South Korea's defense ministry has named Army Lt. Gen. Lee Sang-lyeol as the new chief of the Ground Operations Command, a post vacant since February when the previous commander was relieved over martial law suspicions. Lee, who will be promoted to four-star general, is expected to be formally appointed after a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, filling the last of the military's seven four-star posts.
Tomorrow X Together released their eighth EP, '7th Year: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns,' their first project since renewing contracts with BigHit Music. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, while the group opened up about personal struggles and growth during a Seoul showcase.
South Korea's Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan has pledged to stabilize the supply of naphtha and other petrochemical materials disrupted by the Middle East conflict, including inspections of manufacturing facilities. The government has restricted naphtha exports, prohibited hoarding, and is monitoring supplies daily through a task force.
President Lee Jae Myung and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, focusing on defense industry and energy supply chain cooperation. The summit builds on a $44.2 billion framework agreement signed in 2022, with recent contracts further solidifying the defense relationship.