The Minute to Read (Weekend) series provides a quick overview of significant events in Korea from the week, conveniently condensed into a one-minute read. Here’s a recap of what happened this week: Apr. 21-25.
Ex-President Moon indicted in bribery case tied to son-in-law’s hiring
Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in was indicted on Apr. 24 on bribery charges over the hiring of his former son-in-law by a Thai airline allegedly controlled by a former ruling party lawmaker. The Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office said Moon was charged under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (Bribery), citing around 217 million won ($157,000) in salary and housing benefits received by his son-in-law, Seo, during his time as an executive at Thai Eastar Jet from August 2018 to April 2020. Prosecutors allege the airline, effectively controlled by former Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-jik, had no need to hire Seo, who had no aviation experience. Seo was allegedly appointed as a political favor in exchange for Lee’s appointment as head of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency. Lee was also indicted for bribery and breach of trust. Seo and Moon’s daughter, Da-hye, received suspended indictments. Authorities say Moon facilitated Seo’s hiring and relocation through the presidential office’s special inspection team and that he and his daughter were directly involved in receiving the financial benefits.
Seoul fabricated DMZ report to maintain inter-Korean military accord
South Korea’s military manipulated inspection reports in 2018 to falsely claim that North Korean guard posts within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) had been dismantled under a key inter-Korean military agreement, despite knowing that critical underground facilities remained intact, the state audit agency has found. According to the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI), the Joint Chiefs of Staff instructed on-site inspection personnel to approve a fabricated report stating that the North’s guard posts had been “disabled,” contradicting physical evidence. The cover-up was aimed at maintaining the timeline of the Sept. 19, 2018, military accord signed under the Moon Jae-in administration. To advance the plan, the South Korean military is also believed to have misled the United Nations Command (UNC), which supervises the DMZ, in order to obtain clearance for the guard post withdrawals. The BAI has requested that the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office launch a criminal investigation into six former military officials, including former Defense Ministers Jeong Kyeong-doo and Suh Wook. Earlier this month, the case was assigned to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office.
Trump Jr. to visit South Korea for business talks
Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, is set to visit South Korea next week for meetings with key figures in the country’s business community, industry sources said on Apr. 23. The trip will mark his first visit to South Korea since his father assumed office. According to sources, Trump Jr. is making the visit at the invitation of Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin. Chung reportedly extended the invitation at the request of South Korean business leaders seeking to strengthen communication channels with the Trump administration. He is said to have met Trump Jr. in the United States two weeks ago to deliver the invitation in person.
Sinan offshore wind project faces scrutiny over timing, grid concerns
The South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s recent designation of a large-scale offshore wind power complex near Sinan, Jeollanam-do, has drawn criticism, with opponents questioning both the timing and feasibility of the move just weeks ahead of the presidential election. The project, expected to require more than 20 trillion won (approximately $14 billion) in investment, has raised concerns over the country’s already overburdened power transmission infrastructure. Experts warn that the national grid—particularly the transmission corridors connecting power generation hubs in the eastern and southwestern regions to the greater Seoul area—may be unable to absorb the added capacity. In some areas, power plants have already been forced to halt operations due to transmission constraints. Financial pressure on Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) is also a growing concern. The utility will be obligated to purchase electricity from the project at elevated rates and provide approximately 200 billion won ($139 million) in annual subsidies to local governments. Critics caution that these costs could eventually be passed on to consumers in the form of higher electricity bills. “It’s hard to understand why the government rushed to push this through now of all times,” one industry official said.
Korea Zinc expands U.S. lobbying efforts through Trump-connected firm
Korea Zinc has emerged as a prominent player in Washington’s lobbying landscape, as the South Korean metals company intensifies its efforts to manage rising geopolitical risks and an ongoing management dispute with MBK Partners. In the first quarter of 2025, Korea Zinc signed a $500,000 contract with Mercury Public Affairs (MPA), making it the ninth-largest individual lobbying contract filed under the U.S. Lobbying Disclosure Act during the period. MPA—a politically influential firm with close ties to key Trump administration figures, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles—has expanded rapidly following Donald Trump’s return to office. The firm reported $5.2 million in lobbying contracts in the first quarter alone.
SK Telecom cut cybersecurity spending ahead of data breach
SK Telecom has reduced its cybersecurity spending over the past two years, falling behind domestic rivals KT Corp. and LG Uplus, both of which significantly increased investments following major data breaches, according to data from South Korea’s internet regulator. The spending cuts have come under renewed scrutiny after a hacking incident on Apr. 19 exposed customer SIM-related data. Critics argue the breach was preventable and point to underinvestment in network security during CEO Ryu Young-sang’s tenure. In 2024, SK Telecom spent approximately 60 billion won ($43.5 million) on cybersecurity, a 4% decrease from 62.7 billion won in 2022. In contrast, KT allocated 121.8 billion won and LG Uplus 63.2 billion won in the same period, both outpacing SK’s cybersecurity budget.
Chinese nationals caught again photographing U.S. military base in South Korea
Two Chinese nationals who were previously released after being caught photographing a South Korean military base were detained again two days later for taking similar images at the same location, police said. According to the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, U.S. military personnel reported around 11 a.m. on Apr. 23 that two Chinese citizens, including a man identified as A, were seen taking photographs of fighter jets near Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, which hosts U.S. forces. Police officers responded to the scene and detained the individuals on suspicion of violating South Korea’s Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act. Authorities later confirmed that the same individuals had been involved in a similar incident on Apr. 21, when they were found taking unauthorized photos near the same facility. At the time, a joint investigation was conducted by the police, the National Intelligence Service, and the Defense Counterintelligence Command. Following the initial investigation, officials found no indication of espionage, and the two men were released without charges after being held for approximately eight hours.
One minute, that’s all it takes to know about Korea. Click here ☞ https://page.stibee.com/subscriptions/305897
