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South Korean investigators raided the National Election Commission on Friday over suspicions of data manipulation in the June 3 local elections. The probe has uncovered discrepancies between voter numbers and official counts in many Seoul districts, and is expected to expand nationwide.
President Lee Jae Myung instructed officials to boldly pursue large-scale housing supply during a meeting with government ministries, as the administration seeks to cool down high real estate prices in Seoul and adjacent areas. The government has also unveiled tax revisions targeting owners of high-value homes and is expected to announce major supply plans soon.
North Korea did not report on its short-range ballistic missile launch from Thursday, a departure from its usual practice. South Korea's military detected the launch from Wonsan, and the unification ministry said such omissions have occurred before.
At the International Conference on Veterans Affairs in Washington, officials from South Korea, the U.S., and other Korean War participating nations called for greater solidarity amid security challenges, including North Korea's military threats. The forum, held for the first time outside South Korea, also marked the U.S. 250th anniversary of independence and highlighted commitments to recovering the remains of fallen troops.
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a 15 percent tariff on polysilicon derivative products and setting minimum import prices, a move U.S. officials say is meant to protect domestic production of a material crucial to semiconductors and solar panels. The action takes effect in December, with South Korea's trade ministry assessing its impact on exports.
South Korea's trade minister has asked Britain to exempt its imports of Russian LNG from planned sanctions, warning that measures set to take effect in January 2027 could undermine Seoul's energy security. The request was made in a phone call with Britain's newly appointed trade minister, Anas Sarwar.
North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Thursday, according to South Korea's military. The launch, which occurred from the Wonsan area around 5 p.m., has been labeled a provocation by Seoul's presidential office. The event comes ahead of planned U.S.-South Korea military exercises and follows a similar test in June.
South Korea's professional baseball league has canceled all remaining games this week due to a severe heat wave, with the season set to resume next Tuesday. The KBO also announced later start times and cooling breaks to protect players and fans, after 25 fans were treated for heat-related illnesses at a game in Incheon.
South Korean stocks fell sharply on Thursday, with the KOSPI closing down 4.58% as tech shares, led by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, suffered heavy losses. The decline was attributed to lingering concerns over AI profitability and losses in U.S. chip stocks, while the local currency rose and the Dow hit a record high.
Police in South Korea have requested arrest warrants for four student activists accused of trespassing on a U.S. air base. The activists, members of a progressive student union, allegedly infiltrated the Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, chanting anti-U.S. slogans. The incident has drawn attention due to the group's objections to U.S. military involvement in a semiconductor cluster project and a recent chemical leak at the base.
South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has defended his ministry's push for peaceful coexistence with North Korea after President Lee Jae Myung urged caution. The initiative includes dropping the 'main enemy' label and using North Korea's official name, but has faced skepticism from the foreign minister and concerns about being too dovish.
Samsung Electronics will launch its new Galaxy Z foldable smartphone lineup, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8, in South Korea on Friday. Preorders for the series reached a record 1.44 million units, surpassing the previous record set by the Galaxy Note 10 in 2019. The devices are powered by Alphabet's Gemini AI and will roll out to more than 100 countries.
In a preseason friendly at Seoul World Cup Stadium, Manchester City defeated Team K League 3-1, with all goals coming in the first half. Despite missing stars Rodri and Haaland, Man City dominated early, but reserve goalkeeper Gu Sung-yun made several key saves in the second half to keep the score respectable. Gu expressed his delight at facing world-class players, while coach Chung Jung-yong praised his performance.
New Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca praised his players' effort after a 3-1 preseason victory over Team K League in Seoul, marking his first win with the club. The match, played under a heat wave warning and without key stars Rodri and Haaland, drew an announced crowd of 28,306.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has planned several sessions on real estate, including a public discussion, an emergency meeting, and a closed-door session this week focused on housing supply, Yonhap reported.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun outlined plans to enhance South Korea's defense and nuclear capabilities, including securing conditions for nuclear-powered submarines and uranium enrichment, in a policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung. He also emphasized strengthening the U.S. alliance and diplomatic outreach to G7, NATO, and ASEAN.
The U.S. House has passed its fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act with a provision barring the use of funds to cut U.S. Forces Korea troop levels below 28,500. The White House, through its Office of Management and Budget, has objected, saying the provision limits presidential decision-making authority.
South Korea's state weather agency issued additional serious heat wave warnings in the greater Seoul area, placing 43 percent of the region under the highest alert level. The move comes as the temperatures soar to record highs, with 2,221 heat-related hospitalizations and 19 fatalities reported since May 15.
A minority shareholder rights group has filed complaints against the labor minister and the CEOs of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix over wage agreements that tie performance bonuses to operating profits. The group argues such bonuses should not be subject to collective bargaining and accuses the executives of breach of trust. The cases against the CEOs have been assigned to a regional police agency.
North Korea has warned it will pursue additional military options in response to Japan's expanding defense capabilities, with Kim Yo-jong accusing Tokyo of reviving the ambitions of a 'war criminal state.' The statement, issued through state media, cites Japan's Tomahawk missile test and participation in U.S.-led drills as evidence of military expansion.