An 18-year-old man died of cardiac arrest after he was turned away by several hospitals due to a lack of paediatric specialists. The case reignites the debate over the severe shortage of medical doctors in South Korea, which former President Yoon Suk-yeol had tried to address, but which specialists opposed in a lengthy strike. Paediatrics, in particular, faces serious issues due to the country's low birthrate.
At the age of 13, working in a glove factory, his hand and arm were crushed under a press. Now the South Korean president is relaunching the fight against workplace accidents. The country records 3.9 deaths per 100,000 workers, with a 4.1% increase in victims over the last five years. The government is increasing funds for prevention in 2026, with inspections in companies and protection for subcontracted workers. Meanwhile, the opposition accuses Lee of populism and ineffective measures.
The conservative leader is accused of seeking military escalation with North Korea to justify martial law, which he declared last year. Several analysts argue that progressive President Lee Jae Myung, who appointed the special prosecutor, must tread carefully to avoid accusations of political vengeance in an increasingly divided and polarised country.
South Korea’s highest court upheld a municipal ordinance easing building restrictions near heritage sites. This is a victory for Seoul’s incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon. Places like the Jongmyo Shrine are at risk. According to the UN body, "uncontrolled vertical development" can have negative impacts.
The Japanese prime minister is open to a summit regarding the case of 17 Japanese nationals, a matter that has dragged on since the 1970s. The last meeting between North Korean and Japanese leaders was in 2004 when Junichiro Koizumi was Japan’s prime minister. For its part, Pyongyang considers the matter closed. Meanwhile, the defence ministers of South Korea and the United States made their first joint visit to the Demilitarised Zone since 2017.
The US leader met with the South Korean president today on the eve of the APEC summit, signing an agreement on autos, steel, and investments. Yesterday, an agreement was reached with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, criticised by the Asahi Shimbun for being too soft. Tomorrow, the long-awaited meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping takes place in Busan. The Chinese leader will also have a bilateral meeting with the Japanese prime minister.
