'Yoon visit' Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon holds weekly Gwanghwamun rally, says martial law possible
On May 2, Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon held a rally in central Seoul after visiting former President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to Yonhap News Agency.Jeon’s group, the Korea Restoration National Movement Headquarters, began the rally at 11:30 a.m. near the Dongwha Duty Free Shop in the Gwanghwamun area. About 6,000 people attended, based on an unofficial police estimate, waving South Korean and U.S. flags.
From the stage, Jeon referred to his visit with Yoon. Jeon’s visit to Yoon at the Seoul Detention Center on April 30 had been reported earlier.
“We have to make a decision. The preamble of the Constitution says to inherit the spirit of April 19,” Jeon said, arguing it means citizens should invoke a right to resist when the country is in turmoil. He added that “martial law is one of the president’s governing powers,” and said that if 10 million people gather in what he called “nonviolent armed” action, “we can rebuild the Republic of Korea.”
Oh Se-hoon warns of Seoul real estate 'hell'; Jung Won-oh says Oh has been mayor
Democratic Party Seoul mayoral candidate Jung Won-oh and People Power Party candidate Oh Se-hoon traded accusations May 2 over housing, as political sparring intensified a month ahead of the June 3 local elections.Speaking at a party rally at Seodaemun Cultural and Sports Center, Jung criticized Oh for, he said, staying silent “when Yoon Suk Yeol was ruining the country” and then attacking President Lee Jae-myung, whom Jung called a leader who “works well.” Jung said Oh should have spoken up “even once” when Yoon was “ruining the country.”
Jung also pushed back on Oh’s recent claims that young people face “a monthly rent and deposit hell” and “a real estate hell” because of the current government. “Wasn’t the Seoul mayor you?” Jung said, arguing that after five years as mayor, Oh failed to increase housing supply and manage rental measures and is now blaming the government.
Oh, for his part, said Seoul real estate would become “hell” if Jung is elected.
U.S. warns shipping firms against paying Iran for Hormuz passage; Trump says, 'We are pirates'
The U.S. government warned shipping companies that paying Iran fees to pass through the Strait of Hormuz could expose them to sanctions.According to Reuters and The Associated Press, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said in an advisory issued May 2 local time that it was warning of “the risk of sanctions” if companies pay the Iranian regime for safe passage or seek guarantees that they will not be attacked.
Iran has promoted a detour route closer to its coast while pursuing passage charges, and the United States has moved to block Iran’s revenue for war funding through a maritime blockade, the report said.
OFAC said prohibited payments could include not only cash but also digital assets, barter, informal swaps and in-kind payments. It also said attempts to route payments through Iranian embassies or disguise them as charitable donations are strictly banned.
Jung Jin-suk nomination dispute deepens; People Power Party abruptly cancels ethics meeting
Tensions are rising within the People Power Party over former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Jung Jin-suk’s application to seek the party nomination for a by-election in Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang, South Chungcheong Province.The party’s ethics committee abruptly canceled a meeting scheduled for May 2 that was to discuss Jung’s request to rejoin the party. Jung applied for reinstatement alongside his nomination bid. The committee had planned to review whether to grant an exception allowing a candidate under indictment to run.
The report noted that exceptions were previously granted in similar cases involving Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon and Daegu mayoral candidate Choo Kyung-ho, even while they were under investigation or indictment. That history had fueled expectations that Jung could receive the same treatment as he is being investigated over allegations of destroying evidence tied to a “martial law incident” involving the presidential office.
With the meeting canceled, the nomination process has become less clear, the report said, and internal opposition has surfaced publicly. South Chungcheong gubernatorial candidate Kim Tae-heum issued a statement suggesting he could leave the party if Jung is nominated.
BTS album 'ARIRANG' ranks No. 17 in U.K., No. 4 on Billboard 200; holds charts for sixth week
BTS’ fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” stayed on the U.K. Official Charts Top 100 for a sixth straight week, according to Yonhap and other reports May 2.“ARIRANG” ranked No. 17 on the Official Albums Chart Top 100, down four spots from the previous week. The title track, “SWIM,” placed No. 41 on the Official Singles Chart Top 100, down seven.
In the United States, “SWIM” fell 10 places to No. 22 on Billboard’s Hot 100. “ARIRANG” slipped three spots to No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
Hybe described the album as reflecting BTS’ identity and universal emotions, combining traditional symbolism with a modern sensibility to highlight the group’s message.