January 17, 2026 – South Korea Headlines

Story gist: A graduate student claimed to have sent a drone to North Korea and works at President Yoon Suk-yeol’s Presidential Office Spokesperson’s Office.

Bias summary: Left-leaning MBC frames the story by directly quoting the provocative claim and linking the claimant to Yoon’s press office, implying scandal. Center outlet Daum presents it as an exclusive with the individual’s conservative youth group leadership and Yongsan employment emphasized. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting the story that could embarrass the Yoon administration.

Story gist: South Korea’s National Assembly passed a second comprehensive special prosecutor bill authorizing 251 investigators for up to 170 days. The ruling People Power Party boycotted the vote.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Hankyoreh emphasizes the probe’s scale (251 members, 170 days) and extension to June 3 local elections, implying sustained accountability. Center Yonhap quotes ruling party critic Oh Se-hoon decrying it as political and urging presidential veto. Right-leaning Dong-A highlights passage without People Power Party participation, framing it as opposition maneuver.

Story gist: People Power Party lawmaker Im Jae-ja, chair of the Strategy and Finance Committee, stated that nominee Lee Hye-hoon’s submitted materials are insufficient. The confirmation hearing scheduled for the 19th cannot proceed.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Hankyoreh frames the story with a direct quote from PPP’s Im Jae-ja criticizing Lee Hye-hoon’s ‘insufficient’ materials, emphasizing obstruction. Center Yonhap neutrally depicts the nominee answering reporters via photo caption, omitting criticism. Right-leaning outlets absent, lacking defense of the chair’s stance or pro-nominee emphasis.

Story gist: Woo Yeon-cheol was elected president of the 28th Korean Veterinary Medical Association. He received 43.3% of the votes.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets provided no coverage, omitting that perspective entirely. Center outlet Daily Vet emphasized the precise 43.3% vote share, highlighting electoral margins. Right-leaning Chosun Ilbo framed it neutrally with basic facts only, excluding vote details and focusing on the winner’s election without noting competitiveness.

Story gist: People Power Party member Jang Dong-hyuk stated he will continue hunger strike until collapse, vowing to sacrifice himself. Reactions include party support, Lee Jun-seok’s distancing, and Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Cheong-rae’s criticism.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Kyunghyang Shinmun quotes PPP supportively, framing Jang’s fast as sacrificial resolve. Center Daum emphasizes Jang’s need for solidarity amid Lee Jun-seok’s distancing, highlighting right-wing divisions. Right-leaning Munhwa Ilbo spotlights Democratic Party’s Jung Cheong-rae’s attack calling it a ‘tantrum fasting show’ without reflection, portraying left criticism harshly.