January 14, 2026 – South Korea Headlines

Story gist: South Korean special prosecutor sought death penalty for President Yoon Suk-yeol, arguing for punishment harsher than Chun Doo-hwan’s. Yoon stated in final remarks that the martial law was the shortest in modern Korean history and called the prosecutor’s actions a ‘frenzied sword dance.’

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Kyunghyang lead with Yoon’s rebuttal, emphasizing his criticism of the special prosecutor to portray him sympathetically. Center outlets like KBS stress the prosecutor’s ‘insurrection leader’ label and harsh comparison to Chun. Right-leaning Chosun reports the prosecutor’s stark demand directly without Yoon’s defense, implying its extremity.

Story gist: Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Cheong-rae stated the principle of separating investigation and prosecution is likely to be upheld and directed a public hearing. Prosecution reform advisory committee expressed astonishment and regret over a bill differing from majority opinion. Ruling party official instructed gathering party opinions amid opposition to National Investigation Office law.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Hankyoreh emphasize optimistic reform advocate quotes on upholding investigation-prosecution separation and public hearings, using positive tone. Center outlets like Yonhap neutrally highlight advisory committee’s regret and bill discord, focusing on institutional conflict without judgment. Right-leaning outlets like Dong-A Ilbo frame ruling party response as pragmatic opinion-gathering to backlash, portraying conservatives as conciliatory amid opposition push.

Story gist: South Korean President Lee and drummer Takaiichi performed a drum ensemble on songs by Kedehun and BTS.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets omitted coverage, providing no perspective on the event. Center-leaning Yonhap News framed it as a feel-good ‘surprise drum jam’ fulfilling President Lee’s ‘lifelong dream,’ with warm, personal emphasis. Right-leaning Chosun Ilbo focused on the skillful synchronization (‘kung jjak matched’) of the popular songs, using playful tone to highlight fun harmony.

Story gist: Reports estimate at least 12,000 deaths in anti-government protests in Iran. Protesters burned photos of Supreme Leader Khamenei amid claims of killings like slaughtering animals on streets.

Bias summary: Left-leaning KyungHyang focuses neutrally on minimum 12,000 deaths tied to anti-government protests. Center Daum emphasizes protester resistance and symbolic burning of Khamenei’s photo, highlighting defiance. Right-leaning Chosun employs graphic tone with ‘slaughtered like animals’ quote to stress regime violence. Absent: Broader international context or verification debates.

Story gist: South Korean pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon was detained by the Seoul Western District Court on charges of instigating a disturbance there. The court cited risks of evidence destruction and flight. Police are investigating Sarang Jeil Church for illegal collection of bail money related to the incident.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Hankyoreh frames Jeon Kwang-hoon as ‘behind the riot’ mastermind, using stronger ‘riot’ term and emphasizing his detention. Center Yonhap shifts focus to police investigation of Sarang Jeil Church’s illegal bail fundraising, omitting direct Jeon emphasis. Right-leaning Chosun Ilbo highlights court’s explicit concerns over evidence tampering and flight risk, presenting detention justification prominently. Left stresses culpability; center procedural angle absent in others.