January 13, 2026 – South Korea Headlines

Story gist: Former South Korean Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, charged with ordering power and water cuts to media outlets, expressed feeling suffocated and desolate in his final court statement. The special prosecutor sought a 15-year prison sentence.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Hankyoreh emphasizes Lee Sang-min’s emotional plea of personal distress in his final statement while framing it as evasion (‘발뺌’). Right-leaning Chosun Ilbo focuses on the special prosecutor’s stiff 15-year sentence demand, stressing punishment severity. Center-leaning outlets are absent, omitting a neutral framing of facts without emotional or punitive emphasis.

Story gist: A former Dongjak-gu councilor accused People Power Party lawmaker Kim Byung-ki of demanding money before the general election, claiming multiple councilors paid. The party’s ethics committee voted to expel Kim over nomination fund suspicions, but final decision may be delayed by his appeal request.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Hankyoreh prominently features the exclusive whistleblower accusation, emphasizing scandal details and demands. Center Yonhap neutrally reports the ethics committee’s expulsion vote alongside procedural delays from Kim’s appeal. Right-leaning Dong-A Ilbo stresses the expulsion decision over ‘nomination donation suspicions,’ highlighting party discipline. Left focuses on allegations, right on consequences, center on process.

Story gist: South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung stated that Fukushima seafood imports are an important agenda item. He expressed support for North Korea-Japan dialogue and a desire to play a role.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets provide no coverage, omitting the story entirely. Center outlets frame Lee Jae-myung as ‘president’ during a Japan visit, emphasizing a positive diplomatic image via multimedia. Right-leaning Chosun Ilbo highlights controversial quotes on Fukushima seafood and North Korea-Japan dialogue support, using skeptical tone through direct quotation without endorsement.

Story gist: Central South Korea forecasts up to 8 cm of snow with black ice warnings for commute routes. Nationwide strong winds expected until dawn tomorrow, temperatures dropping to minus 8 degrees Celsius.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Hankyoreh focuses on snow volume and commuter black ice risks. Center Daum emphasizes snow timing in central regions plus nationwide strong winds. Right-leaning Chosun Ilbo highlights heavy snow aftermath with sharp temperature drop to -8°C and road ice cautions, stressing greater severity. All use cautionary tones but vary emphasis on elements.

Story gist: South Korea’s National Health Insurance Service analyzes treatment volumes and costs for budget efficiency. Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service adjusts fees for mild illness treatments.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, omitting coverage and patient-impact perspective. Center outlets like Yonhap News frame neutrally as factual announcements of NHIS special accounting introduction next year and efficiency measures. Right-leaning Maeil Economic emphasizes government crackdown on ‘excessive medical shopping’ and duplicate treatments, using aggressive tone like ‘drawing the sword’ to highlight waste and justify intervention.