People Power Party: President Lee calls irresponsible media a 'weapon' — why silent on Kim Eo-jun?
The People Power Party has criticized President Lee Jae-myung, asking why he remains silent about YouTuber Kim Eo-jun’s allegations of a deal to drop a prosecution, even after labeling irresponsible media a “weapon.” In a statement on the 14th, chief spokesman Park Seong-hoon said unverified reporting and the spread of baseless claims are serious problems. He asked why the president has not addressed the so-called prosecution-dismissal deal that the Democratic Party calls “fake news.”
That same day, the president wrote on X that despite the guilty verdict for attorney Jang Young-ha — who had alleged gang involvement — there has been no apology or corrective reporting, adding that irresponsible media are more dangerous than weapons. Park argued that the claim that the president traded a prosecution dismissal for changes to prosecutorial investigation powers amounts to a grave allegation that could undermine constitutional order and, if true, might warrant impeachment. Yet, he noted, the president remains silent. Park contrasted that silence with the president’s past pattern of using social media as a forum to advance arguments related to his ongoing trial.
[Middle East War] Trump: U.S. destroyed Iran's Harg Island military facilities…oil infrastructure spared for now
On March 13 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump said U.S. forces struck Harg Island, Iran’s major crude export hub, and eliminated military facilities there. According to Yonhap, Trump posted on Truth Social that, at his direction, U.S. Central Command conducted one of the most powerful strikes in Middle Eastern history and completely destroyed all military targets on Harg Island. He added that U.S. weapons are the most powerful and precise in the world, but said he chose, as an act of restraint, not to destroy the island’s oil infrastructure. Trump warned that if Iran or anyone else interferes with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, he would immediately reconsider that decision.
[Middle East War] Iran warns it will retaliate if oil facilities are hit after U.S. strike on Harg Island
Iran has warned of retaliation after the U.S. airstrikes on Harg Island, which hosts key crude export facilities. On March 14 (local time), the Iranian military said, according to Yonhap citing Reuters, that if Iran’s oil and energy infrastructure is damaged, it will target energy assets owned by companies that cooperate with the United States in the region. The warning followed President Trump’s announcement that U.S. forces destroyed military targets on Harg Island. Many Gulf oil-producing states operate state-owned facilities that have long-standing strategic ties with the U.S. government and international oil firms.
Government wins 100% victory in Schindler ISDS case...avoids KRW 320 billion compensation claim
Elevator maker Schindler Holding AG has lost its ISDS claim against the South Korean government. According to Yonhap, Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho said at a briefing at the Government Complex Seoul on the 14th that the PCA arbitral tribunal dismissed all of Schindler’s claims at about 2:03 a.m. Jeong emphasized that the Republic of Korea achieved a 100% victory. The tribunal rejected Schindler’s damages claim of 320 billion KRW (about $240 million). The government also expects to recover about 9.6 billion KRW (about $7.2 million) in legal costs from Schindler.
A day after oil price cap, pump prices fall…Seoul gasoline enters the 1,870 KRW range
On the 14th, the day after the new oil price cap took effect, nationwide average pump prices continued a double-digit decline from the previous day. According to Opinet, the Korea National Oil Corporation’s price information system, and Yonhap, as of 9 a.m. the national average gasoline price was 1,851.9 KRW per liter (about $1.39 per liter, roughly $5.26 per gallon), down 12.2 KRW (about $0.01) from the day before. Diesel averaged 1,856.1 KRW per liter (about $1.39 per liter, roughly $5.27 per gallon), down 16.6 KRW (about $0.01). Diesel still costs more than gasoline, but the gap — which once exceeded 20 KRW — has narrowed significantly because the cap set the maximum supply price with diesel priced lower than gasoline, accelerating diesel’s decline.
Hyundai recalls Palisade in North America after powered-seat incident kills 2-year-old
Hyundai Motor Company has halted sales of certain new Palisade models amid safety concerns and initiated a voluntary recall in the U.S. and Canada. On the 13th (local time), Yonhap reported, citing Reuters, that the recall covers about 68,500 vehicles — 2026 Palisade Limited and top-tier Calligraphy trims. Reuters said the action followed the death of a two-year-old girl on March 7 in Ohio in an incident involving a powered seat. Hyundai said some new Palisade models’ second- and third-row power seats may fail to detect contact with occupants or objects, but the company did not provide further details about the incident. Hyundai expressed deep condolences to the child’s family and said the matter is under investigation.
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