South Korea's fateful election + health insurance companies' financial worries

In Ukraine, there is disillusionment after the next round of fruitless negotiations with Russia; in South Korea, a strong civil society has defended democracy – and is now deciding on the new head of state.

With these five topics from Germany and the world, you are well informed for your Tuesday.

What it's about: In South Korea, people are electing a new president today. The arch-conservative former labor minister Kim Moon-soo (73) is running against the left-wing opposition leader Lee Jae-myung (61).

This is why it's important: Citizens hope that the early election will end the national crisis – deposed President Yoon Suk-yeol (64) declared martial law in December. South Korea is one of the most successful so-called tiger economies in East Asia. But cracks are increasingly appearing in its society, and women are being discriminated against in patriarchal South Korea.

Here's how things are going: Opposition leader Lee recently led the polls by a very narrow margin, with 51 percent. Experts doubt that the country will be able to quickly unite under a new head of state.

What is at stake for South Korea

This is what happened: Representatives of Ukraine and Russia met for further talks in Istanbul, mediated by Turkey. There was no breakthrough toward a ceasefire this time either.

That's why it's important: With each passing day of the war, more people are dying. The lack of success of previous efforts is blunting the weapons of the Europeans and the United States.

Here's what's next: Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin (72) shows no willingness to agree to an unconditional ceasefire demanded by Kyiv, the EU, and the US. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (47) is demanding tougher sanctions against Moscow. US President Donald Trump (78) is hesitant to support new punitive measures. During his inaugural visit to Washington on Thursday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (69) is likely to try to bring Trump into line with the EU.

What new sanctions against Russia could achieve

This is what happened: Historian and former hooligan Karol Nawrocki (42) won the presidential election in Poland by a razor-thin margin. He received 50.89 percent of the vote, while the liberal candidate Rafal Trzaskowski (53) received 49.11 percent.

That's why it's important: It's also a severe blow to relations with our eastern neighbor. The national conservative Nawrocki has stirred up sentiment with anti-German rhetoric, and the tightened border controls have given him support for his arguments.

Here's what's next: Poland's liberal Prime Minister Donald Tusk (68) now intends to ask parliament for a vote of confidence. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (69, SPD) has invited Nawrocki to visit Berlin.

The issue: Health and long-term care insurance contributions rose to record levels at the beginning of the year. However, according to the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds, the money is still not enough to cover ongoing expenses and replenish reserves.

That's why it's important: If the black-red coalition does not intervene – for example with austerity programs or higher tax subsidies – further contribution increases are foreseeable at the turn of the year 2025/26.

Here's what's next: Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (47, SPD) has indicated that he will support health and long-term care insurance with budgetary funds. However, it remains completely unclear how much he will allocate for this during the budget discussions – money is also tight elsewhere.

“The situation is dramatic”

This is the point: Many people feel constantly overwhelmed in their daily lives and are simply "functioning." Stress is essentially a normal bodily reaction—but it becomes a problem when it's chronic.

That's why it's important: How we deal with stress determines how healthy, productive, and resilient we are. In addition to personal coping strategies, societal changes are necessary to ensure that prevention doesn't remain a purely private task.

The following discussion continues: Stress management skills can be fostered and anchored early on, for example, in school or through relief in everyday life. However, experts also call for a fundamental rethink: Mental health must be given the same priority as physical health.

How everyday life can become more relaxed

Have as stress-free a Tuesday as possible!

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