Prices of some agricultural products in South Korea have risen sharply due to extreme weather conditions such as high temperatures and rainstorms, with some experiencing year-on-year increases of over 40 percent.
According to the latest data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation, the average retail price of a typical 8-kilogram watermelon in the country is currently 33,337 won (about 24 U.S. dollars), a nearly 20-percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the average retail price of tomatoes is 6,716 won per kilogram, a year-on-year increase of 42.6 percent.
"The prices of both peaches and apples have gone up a lot. The price of lettuce soared, probably because of the latest heavy rain. So, I'm looking for discounted items," said a resident.
High temperatures have hit many parts of South Korea since the beginning of summer this year. Last month, the central and southern regions suffered rainstorms, causing about 28,000 hectares of crops to be affected.
Data showed that the average retail price of cabbage reached 6,114 won per kilogram, up 68 percent from a month ago and 11.2 percent from the same period last year.
South Korean media said that as cabbage is the most widely used raw material for kimchi across the country, its price will not only directly affects the cost of living, but also has a chain reaction in other aspects.
Data from the Korea Customs Service indicate that in the first half of this year, the value of imports of kimchi was 93.79 million U.S. dollars, an increase of 11.2 percent year on year. If the current trend continues, the annual value of imports of kimchi this year is expected to break the historical record.
South Korea's agricultural product prices soar due to extreme weather
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
