Ian Werther

The Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, remains a flashpoint as Washington argues for the free passage of global oil shipments. About 20% of the world’s crude oil passes through this choke point, making its security a matter of international

Korea’s Constitutional Court began accepting petitions under a newly amended provision that allows individuals to challenge final court rulings, including decisions of the Supreme Court, on constitutional grounds. The reform, implemented on March 12, 2026, creates a pathway for a second constitutional review when a ruling is claimed to

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) in South Korea saw a sharp internal clash unfold over its local-election nominations when Lee Jeong-hyeon, head of the party’s Nomination Management Committee, abruptly resigned on the 13th. The resignation came as party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon have been

Seoul City has announced a new self-care stipend for about 330 family caregiving youths and young adults aged 9 to 39 who reside in Seoul. The program provides 300,000 won per month for up to eight months, from May through December. In high-burden cases—such as when the caregiver

The Trump administration has stepped up pressure on Cuba’s overseas medical deployment program, prompting several Latin American governments to recall Cuban doctors and reassess their public-health strategies. The shift comes as concerns mount about gaps in local healthcare systems if Cuban staff depart faster than new talent can be

A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of arson after fires broke out at seven locations on Pal-dalsan hill in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 12th. Authorities said the blazes occurred around 11:10 a.m. at seven spots along the hill, including the entrance

Retirees from Samsung Electronics Service are the latest to file lawsuits demanding that their management performance pay be counted in calculating retirement benefits. The APRO Law Firm reported that 13 former Samsung Electronics Service employees filed a claim at the Seoul Eastern District Court. The new actions follow a January

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has released a new manual to systematically manage crowding at tourist sites, covering the full cycle from early prediction to on-site response and post-event evaluation. The guide, titled the Sustainable Tourist Destination Congestion Management Manual, is designed to help local governments and related bodies oversee

A South Korean civic group has filed police complaints against two media figures over remarks made on a YouTube broadcast concerning allegations about a high-profile political figure and a rumored deal to drop criminal charges. The individuals named in the complaints are Kim Eo-jun, a television and online broadcaster, and

POSCO FutureM and Sila Nanotechnologies signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly advance advanced battery materials, the Korean company announced on March 13. The agreement was formalized on March 11 during InterBattery 2026 at COEX, a major convention center in Gangnam, Seoul. Sila Nanotechnologies, based in California, specializes in silicon-based