From North Korean defector to YouTube beauty star

A record number of South Koreans have taken advantage of early voting ahead of parliamentary elections on Wednesday, underlining the public's investment in a political landscape that analysts suggest is more fractured and polarized than in many decades.

As South Koreans head to the polls for a parliamentary election, the country's worsening ties with North Korea are high on the agenda. The small South Korean island of Yeonpyeong is located about 12 kilometres from the North Korean coast. In January, Pyongyang fired live artillery into nearby waters, forcing islanders into air raid shelters. The island could be first in the line of fire if conflict breaks out between the North and South.

The allies of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have suffered a resounding defeat and lost their majority in parliament. Yoon might yet get a chance to recover, however, as his rivals battle legal issues.

North Korean state media has claimed Pyongyang tested a "nuclear trigger" simulation drill as a "warning signal" to the US and South Korea.

The Chinese fast-fashion online retailer is now subject to EU rules as a "very large online platform," joining tech firms including Apple, Amazon and Microsoft. The rules include measures to protect online users.

South Korea has held talks about joining a landmark defense technology pact between Australia, the United States and Britain.