KOREA TODAY
Antidepressant prescription proposed after a 57-second telehealth call
An SBS investigation found weak screening and limited side-effect guidance as students encounter false claims that psychiatric drugs can improve concentration.
All 22 Hands-On Zoos Surveyed Violated Approved Program Rules
A civic group found unauthorized feeding or contact activities at every facility examined, exposing gaps in oversight after initial approval.
Prior violence identified in nearly one in five killings
Police data covering 2023 through September 2026 found domestic violence, dating violence, stalking or sexual violence before 543 killings.
WEEKLY
What changed in Korea, and why it matters
WHAT'S ON
Events, festivals and things to do across Korea
PLACES
Venues, institutions and public spaces worth knowing
GUIDES
Clear answers for living and working in Korea
RECENT STORIES
DAILY LEADS
Kim Jong-un’s China Visit Revives a Long-Delayed Border Link
Apartment Fee Alerts Hit 7,851 Complexes, but Outcomes Go Untracked
Korean Air and Asiana customer data exposed through IT supplier
South Korea raises cyber alert over critical PHP flaw
Nvidia adds Samsung Electro-Mechanics to AI substrate supply chain
Police investigate two deadly Yeoksam-dong fires as suspected arson
ESSENTIAL STORIES
Toss Bank reports 32.5 billion won transfer error
A processing failure created withdrawable balances for failed transfers, leaving 7.29 billion won still under recovery procedures at the time of disclosure.
Gyeonggi bus union backs strike as wage talks stall
More than 4,100 buses could stop running from October 30 if final mediation fails
Staffing Shortages Strain Emergency Care for High-Risk Pregnancies
Gyeonggi maternal care centers are falling short of a government specialist benchmark as patients face repeated refusals and long-distance transfers.
HD Hyundai and Kiewit plan new US smart shipyard
The joint venture targets construction in 2027, full operations in 2029 and about 3,000 local jobs
South Korea’s Short-Term Employment Falls to 31-Year Low
Temporary and daily employment declined by 95,000 in the third quarter as construction and consumer-facing services struggled to generate work.
Suspected Lazarus-Linked Actors Prepare Attacks on South Korean Institutions
Researchers observed Korean-language discussions about exploiting critical PHP flaws against government, banking and other sectors, while warning that direct attribution to Lazarus remains unproven.
Kim Jong Un makes one-day China visit via new border bridge
The North Korean leader met senior Chinese officials in Dandong and emphasized enduring ties, while no meeting with Xi Jinping or specific economic agreement was confirmed.
Supreme Court Rejects Breath Test Taken Without Mouth-Rinse Water
Justices sent a drunk-driving case back for reconsideration after finding that police failed to follow a legally binding testing procedure.
South Korea Weighs Revoking LIG D&A Defense Contractor Status
The proposed sanction over alleged bribery in a counter-drone project would go beyond a two-year bidding restriction and could also block direct contracts.
Typhoon Champi Nears Jeju After Three Days of Heavy Rain
Rainfall reached 279 millimeters on Hallasan as typhoon, heavy-rain, strong-wind and rough-sea alerts remained in force around Jeju.
HD Hyundai and Kiewit Launch US Shipyard Venture for 2029 Opening
The partners plan to begin construction in 2027 and equip the new US yard with digital twins, automation and robotic welding
Seoul seeks military talks with Pyongyang to curb border risks
South Korea wants to clarify disputed sections of the military boundary and restore direct communication after a mine blast injured its troops.
Typhoon Champi brings weekend rain and wind threat to Jeju and southern Korea
More than 250 millimeters of rain is possible in Jeju’s mountain areas as strong gusts and waves above five meters threaten southern regions.
South Korea Finds 206 Labor and Safety Violations at Coupang Affiliates
The labor ministry plans judicial action in 61 cases and administrative fines for 145 violations after inspecting logistics centers, delivery camps and employment practices.
Court upholds tougher penalties for killing direct ascendants
An 8-1 Constitutional Court ruling preserves a higher sentencing floor for murdering a parent or another direct ascendant, despite objections over abuse and caregiving cases.
Boeun Faces Emergency Care Gap as Sole ER Plans Closure
Boeun Hanyang Hospital plans to stop emergency room operations in November, potentially forcing patients to travel to Cheongju or Daejeon for urgent care outside regular hours.
South Korea to Review AI Chat Services Over Youth Safety
The media review committee asked 15 operators to strengthen filtering, age controls and user reporting before formal scrutiny begins in November.
Eleven-Day Counsel Delay Draws Scrutiny in Ansan Teen’s Sexual Assault Case
Police interviewed the teenager before appointed counsel was selected and initially declined to refer the case, but supplementary inquiries later led prosecutors to indict the bar owner.
Park Sung-jae receives nine-year appeals sentence in martial law case
The Seoul High Court cut the former justice minister’s 25-year sentence after rejecting prior planning and an abuse-of-authority charge.
Five Years On, South Korea’s Stalking Law Leaves Protection Gaps
Women’s groups cite fatal cases, rising violations of interim orders and 16 deaths among people under police safety measures.
KOSPI jumps more than 4% as buying sidecar is triggered
The Korea Exchange paused program buy orders for five minutes after KOSPI 200 futures rose 5.22% above their reference price.