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"The Democratic Party's rosy early-election forecast of sweeping up to 15 of 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races is beginning to wobble. Analysts now say even victory in North Jeolla Province — a traditional party stronghold — is no longer guaranteed."

"It remains to be seen whether the ruling party will achieve an easy victory in the local elections."

"65.4% [of] respondents estimated that the Democratic Party would emerge victorious, compared to 19% predicting the PPP would."

"The PPP currently controls 12 out of South Korea's 16 local governments but looks ​unlikely to hold on to the seats."

"Will the Democratic Party clinch another landslide victory in the upcoming election? If public sentiment keeps moving the way it has been, I believe it will."

"South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s approval rating stands at 59.8 percent, according to Real Meter’s latest survey, and the ruling Democratic Party (DP) enters the June 3 local elections as the overwhelming favorite."

"The Democratic Party is expected to win a landslide victory in the Metropolitan Area, Honam and Jeju, hold a Democratic Party advantage in Chungcheong and Gangwon, maintain a Democratic lead in a close race in the PK region, and hold an outside-the-margin lead in Daegu."

"There is a 95.55% chance that the Democratic Party of Korea (DP) will win the 2026 South Korean local elections."

"There is a 98.1% chance that the Democratic Party of Korea (DP) win the most seats in South Korea’s 2026 parliamentary by-elections."

"There is a 98% chance that the Democratic Party of Korea will win the South Korean Local Elections."

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Starbucks Korea will close all its stores at 3 p.m. on June 22 for mandatory history and social sensitivity training — the first nationwide early closure since the chain launched in South Korea in 1999.

Starbucks Korea will close all its stores at 3 p.m. on June 22 for mandatory history and social sensitivity training — the first nationwide early closure since the chain launched in South Korea in 1999.

The closure follows backlash over a "Tank Day" tumbler promotion launched on May 18, the 46th anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, in which at least 165 civilians were killed by the military, though many believe the true toll is far higher.

The closure follows backlash over a "Tank Day" tumbler promotion launched on May 18, the 46th anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, in which at least 165 civilians were killed by the military, though many believe the true toll is far higher.

The campaign also featured the slogan "thwack on the desk," which many associated with a 1987 police statement that falsely claimed student activist Park Jong-chul died after an officer hit a desk during questioning. Marketers selected the phrase after consulting an AI tool.

The campaign also featured the slogan "thwack on the desk," which many associated with a 1987 police statement that falsely claimed student activist Park Jong-chul died after an officer hit a desk during questioning. Marketers selected the phrase after consulting an AI tool.

Shinsegae Group fired Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jeong-hyun on the day the promotion launched. Chairman Chung Yong-jin later issued a nationally televised apology, and both he and the former CEO have since been registered as criminal suspects by Seoul police.

Shinsegae Group fired Starbucks Korea CEO Son Jeong-hyun on the day the promotion launched. Chairman Chung Yong-jin later issued a nationally televised apology, and both he and the former CEO have since been registered as criminal suspects by Seoul police.

Payment volumes fell 26% in the week after the controversy but rose 12.8% in the first week of June, though they remained about 25% below pre-controversy levels, according to market data. The half-day closures are estimated to cost Starbucks roughly 2.1 billion won ($1.4 million) in lost sales.

Payment volumes fell 26% in the week after the controversy but rose 12.8% in the first week of June, though they remained about 25% below pre-controversy levels, according to market data. The half-day closures are estimated to cost Starbucks roughly 2.1 billion won ($1.4 million) in lost sales.

Training sessions led by Sungkyunkwan University professors will cover modern Korean history and corporate social responsibility. Shinsegae also plans to introduce a social-sensitivity checklist and establish a fund supporting historical preservation and youth history education.

Training sessions led by Sungkyunkwan University professors will cover modern Korean history and corporate social responsibility. Shinsegae also plans to introduce a social-sensitivity checklist and establish a fund supporting historical preservation and youth history education.

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