Preliminary Candidate Seo Vows to Resign if Recordings Are Faked

Cheongju mayoral hopeful Seo Min-seok announced at a press conference presenting evidence of recordings related to the Ssangbangul North Korea remittance case, “If this recording file was manipulated or fabricated for my benefit, I will immediately step down from my position as a preliminary candidate for mayor and take full responsibility.” Lawyer Seo Min-seok also stated that he would participate in a future parliamentary investigation, take an oath as a witness, and testify truthfully about the coercion and pressure he experienced at the time from those involved in the case.

As the prolonged Middle East conflict makes an energy crisis increasingly visible, the average gasoline price in Seoul surpassed 2,000 won per liter, reaching 2,001.54 won as of April 7th. The government has announced a car rationing system for public parking lots. With the resource security alert for crude oil elevated from 'Caution' (Level 2) to 'Alert' (Level 3) at midnight on April 2, 2026, a temporary ban on naphtha exports for five months has been implemented to stabilize the supply of essential raw materials for the petrochemical industry.

Sookmyung Women's University is holding a 'Snack Sharing Event Without Plastic Bags' event, considering the potential shortage of vinyl raw materials due to the situation in the Middle East.