South Korea completes first hypersonic glide vehicle test
The domestically developed vehicle separated from its booster, maneuvered at low altitude and struck its designated target, according to the presidential office
South Korea seeks disposal exemption for inherited farmland
A proposed special law would shield ordinary inheritance, customary leasing and difficult-to-farm plots while retaining enforcement against defined speculative conduct.
Jeju Police Panel Votes to Dismiss Officer Over False Missing-Person Closures
The highest disciplinary penalty will take effect only after formal notification, and the detained officer may seek an appeals review
Samsung Electronics Reports Record 107.4 Trillion Won Quarterly Profit
Preliminary third-quarter results show an unprecedented profit milestone, driven overwhelmingly by memory semiconductors while consumer-product margins remain under pressure.
South Korea and Egypt Open CEPA Talks and Upgrade Ties
The two governments elevated relations to a strategic partnership and announced 12 cooperation agreements spanning shipbuilding, energy and defense.

What changed in Korea, and why it matters

Events, festivals and things to do across Korea
Venues, institutions and public spaces worth knowing

Clear answers for living and working in Korea
DAILY LEADS

South Korea commits 1,000 trillion won to decade-long green transition

North Korea warns of forceful response to South’s DMZ mine clearance

Seven Financial Firms Breached as Suspected AI Attacks Expose Security Gaps

Chief Justice Cho Rejects Audit Testimony Over Judicial Independence

North Korea Pairs Missile Launch With AI and Evasion Claims

New prosecution system opens with filing gaps and courtroom confusion
ESSENTIAL STORIES
South Korea Reopens CPTPP Membership Debate
The government is restarting its review as projected gains for manufacturing collide with expected losses across agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
Nuri's Fifth Launch Expands South Korea's Space Transport Capability
The rocket deployed a record 15 satellites, including the country's first five-satellite cluster, as officials pressed for more frequent launches and greater private-sector participation.
Unresolved prosecution cases surpass 186,000 before reorganization
South Korea’s prosecution transition begins with a record backlog after unresolved cases increased by nearly 46,000 in three months.
Children of mothers with gestational diabetes face higher diabetes risk
A nationwide study of 3.49 million mother-child pairs found the strongest association when gestational diabetes required insulin treatment
South Korea Moves Toward Cutting Military Benefits for Elite Artists and Athletes
The Defense Ministry says fairness, personnel shortages and public sentiment will guide a review of the decades-old supplementary service system
Chief Justice Cho Defends Martial Law Response After Refusing Audit Oath
Cho Hee-dae said he blocked an unconstitutional request from the martial law command, but lawmakers questioned why he disclosed the account nearly two years later
Attack-Linked IP Addresses Tried to Reach All Three South Korean Internet Banks
KakaoBank, K Bank and Toss Bank recorded attempted access linked to a wider financial-sector hacking campaign, but no customer data leak was reported.
Foot-and-mouth disease confirmed at Yecheon cattle farm
Ten cattle tested antigen-positive at a farm already under movement controls, prompting wider surveillance and disinfection measures.
Daegu Urges Vaccination as Influenza Spreads Earlier Than Usual
Suspected influenza cases have exceeded the seasonal threshold, with the highest rates reported among children aged 7 to 12.
Gwangju Metro Line 2 full opening delayed five years
A project review moved full completion to December 2035 and raised the projected cost to 3.243 trillion won, while a partial opening remains subject to government approval.
More Than Half of Low-Rated Aging Bridges Had No Recorded Repairs
Government data shows 62 of 115 bridges rated inadequate or poor had no repair or reinforcement record from 2022 through June 2026.
Military Says North Korean Mine Injured Troops as Removal Demand Draws Criticism
A final military investigation placed the mine about 10 meters south of the inter-Korean boundary, while a former defense committee chair questioned how the North could safely remove it
Nuri assembly complete ahead of fifth launch with 15 satellites
South Korea’s launch vehicle is set for an October 7 mission featuring its first multiple-primary-satellite payload and its largest satellite count to date.
Zelensky Says Seoul Requested Transfer of North Korean Prisoners
The Ukrainian president tied the disputed transfer to a South Korean request while warning that Russian military knowledge could strengthen North Korean forces.
Unmun Dam storage falls to critical level as Daegu prepares backup supply
Prolonged drought has pushed a major drinking-water source into the serious stage, prompting Daegu to expand Nakdong River supplies and prepare emergency intake from the Geumho River.
South Korea Says Allied Defenses Can Counter North Korean Missile
The Defense Ministry says South Korean and US assets tracked the launch and are capable of intercepting the missile, while technical details remain undisclosed.
Seven Korean Financial Firms Hit in Suspected Automated Cyberattack
Authorities are investigating linked attacks on banks, savings banks and a finance company while examining whether artificial intelligence automated the intrusion attempts.
KEPCO employee data exposed on external webpage
Names, affiliations and phone numbers for about 24,000 employees were exposed before removal roughly 32 hours after detection
Trump presses South Korea on Alaska LNG as cost concerns persist
Seoul’s demand for a viability review clashes with Washington’s push to treat participation as settled, while an Alaska legislative study highlights financing risks
Farmland inquiry surge raises fears for elderly farmers
Complaints rose more than 63 percent after the government announced a nationwide review, as rural communities sought clarity on fallow land and customary leasing.
Asian Games expose cracks in South Korea’s traditional medal strengths
South Korea retained third place but won only 39 gold medals as archery, swimming, taekwondo and boxing fell short of expectations
Cyberattacks spread across South Korea’s financial sector
Personal data breaches at banks and non-bank lenders have prompted an emergency regulatory review as investigators examine common attack routes.
Trump Presses South Korea for Alaska LNG Investment Deal
The US president threatened a higher financial burden if Seoul does not join the project, but did not specify what cost could be doubled.
South Korea beat Japan 1-0 to claim historic Asian Games four-peat
Um Ji-sung's second-half winner secured a fourth consecutive men's football gold medal for South Korea
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Confirmed at Another Yecheon Cattle Farm
Ten cattle tested positive during surveillance, taking South Korea’s reported outbreak count this year to 14
Police Open Inquiry as Suspected AI Attacks Hit South Korean Banks
Investigators are examining customer data exposure at four banks and signs that an autonomous penetration tool may have helped coordinate the intrusions.
Special counsel seeks 18-month term for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon
The appellate court will rule October 23 in a political finance case that could determine whether Oh retains the mayoralty
Trump says South Korea deal includes $8.4 billion oil recovery project
The U.S. president offered no details about the enhanced oil recovery investment, while South Korean confirmation of an agreement remained unavailable.
South Korea passes animal-keeping ban for cruelty offenders
Courts could prohibit high-risk defendants from keeping animals for up to five years, while protected animals could remain in custody until a final judgment
Google faces scrutiny over outsourced reviews of victims' removal requests
MBC reports that a contractor handled sensitive requests from digital sex-crime victims without those victims being told their information could reach a third party.
