경향신문

Another fatal accident at SPC factory sparks renewed boycott and public outrage

A fatal accident at an SPC Group affiliate factory has reignited criticism over recurring industrial accidents and fueled a growing boycott of SPC products. Franchise owners of SPC affiliates are expressing concern over declining sales.On May 19, a female worker in her 50s was killed after being caught in machinery at SPC Samlip’s Siheung factory in Gyeonggi Province. This marks the third worker death at an SPC-affiliated factory in less than three years, following similar accidents in O...

22시간 전

Korean rice exports to Japan surge amid prolonged shortage

As Japan continues to face a prolonged rice shortage, Korean rice is gaining traction in the Japanese market. Following the first export of rice from Haenam-gun in South Jeolla Province in March this year, additional shipments from Hadong-gun in South Gyeongsang Province and Gangjin-gun in South Jeolla Province are scheduled by the end of the year, with plans to export around 200 to 400 tons.On May 20, South Gyeongsang Province said that Hadong Seomjingang Rice, grown in Hadong-gun, will...

22시간 전

Korea’s auto exports to U.S. drop 20%, offset by gains in Europe and Syria

Korea’s automobile exports to the U.S. plummeted by nearly 20 percent in April this year compared to the same month last year, as the impact of new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration began to take full effect.According to a report titled “Automotive Industry Trends of April 2025” released by Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on May 20, Korea’s total automobile exports last month amounted to $6.53 billion, down 3.8 percent on-year. During the January to April period,...

22시간 전

Actress Go Youn-jung says her ‘Resident Playbook’ character reflects her own all-or-nothing attitude

At the obstetrics ward (OB), mothers and babies stand at the threshold between life and death. In the gynecology ward (GYN), patients arrive carrying the scars and stories of their lives. Cable network tvN’s TV series “Resident Playbook," which aired its final episode on May 18, is a medical drama that traces the growth of four first-year OB-GYN residents navigating a field where birth and death intertwine.Originally scheduled to air last year, “Resident Playbook” was delayed due to disp...

2025.05.20 17:42

Seongdong-gu’s public buses bring public services closer to residents in underserved areas

On the afternoon of May 14, a long line of local residents waited at the “Seonggong Bus” stop near Wangsimni Station in Seoul. Just a few stops later, the bus was packed with passengers. “It’s usually busy, but today there are even more people than usual,” said the driver, who reminded each boarding passenger, “We’re departing. Hold on tight!”The “Seonggong Bus” is short for “Seongdong-gu Public Facility Free Shuttle Bus.” Starting with Route 1 in October last year, two additional routes...

2025.05.20 17:38

Underdog Kwon Young-gook stands out in 1st presidential debate with bold progressive voice

Kwon Young-gook, the Democratic Labor Party’s presidential candidate, stood out in the first televised presidential debate by targeting the weaknesses of his rivals, elevating his presence despite being the lowest-polling among the four contenders. As the sole progressive candidate, Kwon adopted a strategy of sharp ideological clarity, drawing attention for steering the debate toward progressive issues. One of the most talked-about moments was his refusal to shake hands with Kim Moon-soo, th...

2025.05.20 17:34

Lee Jae-myung proposes four-year, two-term presidential system; Implementation remains challenge

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea DPK), unveiled his vision for a constitutional amendment on May 18. He proposed holding a national referendum on the amendment either during the local elections next year or the general elections in 2028. It is significant that Lee, who is leading in presidential polls, expressed his firm commitment to amend the constitution, saying, “This time is an opportunity granted by history and the people,” and presented a con...

2025.05.19 17:49

Volleyball superstar Kim Yeon-koung’s true finale at KYK Invitational 2025

Volleyball superstar Kim Yeon-koung, who retired after leading the Heungkuk Life Insurance Pink Spiders to the regular season title earlier this year, made one final appearance on the court.Kim participated in the “KYK Invitational 2025” at Samsan World Gymnasium in Incheon on May 17 and 18. On the first day, a friendly match was held between the World All-Star team and the Korean women's national team. On the second day, World All-Stars were split into Team Star and Team World to compet...

2025.05.19 17:37

Miracle for Gokseong’s children: 2,114 donors create county’s 1st-ever pediatric clinic

In Gokseong County, South Jeolla Province, a peaceful rural village with a population of about 27,000, over half of whom are farmers, children’s sickness has long been a major source of concern for residents. With no pediatric specialists in the area, parents faced anxiety and fear every time a child fell ill, not knowing what to do.Until recently, they had no choice but to make long trips to downtown Gwangju, over an hour away by car, for pediatric care. Factoring in transportation, reg...

2025.05.19 17:28

No room for inequality: Economic growth dominates upcoming presidential race

In the June 3 presidential election campaign, the issues of polarization and inequality have all but vanished. Major candidates have entirely omitted terms like “polarization” and “inequality” from their campaign pledges. As Korea faces the threat of falling into an era of low growth, with economic growth potentially slipping to the 0 percent range, leading presidential hopefuls are rallying around the slogan “growth first, distribution later.” Issues such as poverty, income and wealth gaps,...

2025.05.16 17:33