KOREA TODAY
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.
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
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
Lee vows to keep reducing inter-Korean tensions and urges North Korea back to dialogue
Daegu-Gyeongbuk named Korea's first robot-specialized industrial complex
ESSENTIAL STORIES
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.
Seoul apartment prices rise for 86th week, setting a new record
The citywide index rose 0.09%, but the pace has slowed for five straight weeks and the three Gangnam districts remain in decline.
South Korea and US advance plans for eight reactors and Texas AI power project
A $200 billion strategic investment framework includes about $120 billion for nuclear power, while Alaska LNG remains under commercial review.
Military identifies multiple suspected North Korean mine sites south of the MDL
Surveillance detected terrain changes at several locations, but on-site confirmation remains incomplete and a western-front investigation already injured three officers.
Government and opposition clash as new prosecution system prepares to launch
President Lee Jae Myung says the overhaul will strengthen checks and balances, while the People Power Party warns of investigative disruption and public-safety gaps.
Ha Joon-kyung promoted to presidential policy chief as Lee reshuffles economic team
The former economic-growth aide moves into the administration’s top policy-coordination post, with housing, jobs and social policy added to his broader brief.
Vaccination Management Act passes, expanding records to include privately paid shots
The law creates a standalone vaccination framework, requires broader record registration and adds legal procedures for quality alerts and effectiveness monitoring.
South Korea records August decline in production, consumption and investment
Industrial output, household demand and capital spending all weakened from July, with automobile production falling particularly sharply.
South Korea raises tax revenue forecast to record 478.6 trillion won
The new estimate is 63.2 trillion won above the supplementary-budget forecast, driven by stronger corporate and transaction tax receipts.
North Korean troops crossed MDL more than 50 times in August and September
South Korean defense data show repeated crossings concentrated on the eastern front, while North Korea disputes Seoul's account.
Prosecution reform opens with unresolved questions over investigative checks
The Public Prosecution Office begins work on October 2 without direct investigative powers as a new serious-crimes agency takes shape.
UN Command says DMZ mine blast violated armistice as North Korea denies role
Three South Korean soldiers were injured in the September 21 blast; investigators found a North Korean anti-personnel mine at the site.