🇰🇷 South Korea — Thursday, April 9, 2026
Highlights through the eyes of a long-term local resident.
Published — Apr 12, 6:13 PM (local) · Apr 12, 9:13 AM (UTC)
Editor · An expat working at a foreign company in Seoul for 7 years
Seoul
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UV 7
Presidential signals on non-business real estate and contract labor
President Lee has announced a push for significantly higher tax burdens on corporate-held, non-business real estate, aimed at forcing companies to offload land holdings. Furthermore, the administration is floating the unconventional idea that temporary (non-regular) workers should receive higher pay than their permanent counterparts to compensate for their lack of job security.
Editor's note
The real estate proposal sounds like another attempt to cool speculative holdings, but the wage policy for contract workers is a real head-scratcher. I’ve been here 7 years and I’ve seen enough 'bold' economic policies that ignore market reality to be very skeptical about how this would actually work in practice.
Coupang CLS and others see labor negotiation petitions rejected
In the first legal development since the implementation of the 'Yellow Envelope Law,' the authorities have rejected petitions to separate bargaining units for Coupang CLS and three other companies. This decision maintains the status quo for how labor negotiations are structured within these delivery and logistics networks.
Editor's note
This is a big win for the firms, but don't expect the unions to take this lying down. If you're invested in the logistics sector here, keep an eye on how the labor groups pivot after this ruling.
Shocking abuse case at a local workplace
A victim has come forward detailing horrific abuse at their workplace, where a business owner allegedly used an air gun to cause internal organ damage. The victim claims the owner laughed and seemed satisfied while the abuse was occurring.
Editor's note
Just when you think you've heard it all, a story like this comes out. Honestly, it makes my stomach turn. If you're running a business or managing teams here, please realize that the 'power trip' culture is absolutely not dead.
Geopolitical tension: Envoy to Iran and Wang Yi in Pyongyang
The government is dispatching a special envoy to Iran following a phone call between foreign ministers, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, has arrived in Pyongyang to discuss 'strengthening high-level exchanges' with North Korean officials.
Editor's note
Things are looking pretty volatile on the diplomatic front. With China getting closer to Pyongyang and our government scrambling to manage the fallout from the Iran-Israel situation, it feels like we're in for a tricky few weeks in the region.
Reference Media: 한겨레