KOREA TODAY
Delayed DMZ Mine-Site Inspection Draws Political Scrutiny
Three soldiers were seriously injured, and opposition figures say postponing the field inquiry risks evidence loss.
Seoul Apartment Prices Rise for an 85th Week as Market Splits
Gangnam districts fell while mid-priced northern areas and parts of Gyeonggi drove the broader increase.
AI Moves Into Korean Hiring and Performance Reviews
Employers are measuring AI use and cost, while applicants' right to explanations depends on knowing automation was used.
Bundang Restaurant Break-In Prompts Chemical and Motive Investigation
Two masked intruders damaged the business, targeted its sign and left containers that police are examining.
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
A Quarter-Point Rate Rise Could Cut Apartment Prices 1.2%
Korea suicide rate falls, but teen rate hits record high
Government sets 1.19 million-home public housing plan through 2030
Won weakens past 1,385 as oil adds to Korea's import-cost pressure
Kim Seung-won withdraws as justice minister nominee after 20 days
Two executives detained in major petrochemical price-fixing case
ESSENTIAL STORIES
OECD Raises Korea Growth Forecast to 3.7%
The 1.1-point upgrade is the G20's largest, driven by semiconductor exports and production, while higher oil prices keep inflation in view.
Supreme Court and Presidential Office Clash Over Nominee
Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae says the request for a new candidate lacks clear grounds; the presidential office says appointment power is substantive.
Acting Prosecutor Chief Leaves Charge Withdrawal Open
Lee Jung-hyun says an inquiry must report first, placing any decision in the hands of a fact-finding process reviewing contested investigations.
Lee Proposes Four-Party Framework for Peninsula Peace
Seoul wants renewed US-North Korea talks to expand into a process involving both Koreas, Washington and Beijing.
Lee and Trump Revive Nuclear Submarine Consultations
The presidents linked renewed security talks with higher Korean defense spending, wartime command and shipbuilding cooperation.
Korean Births Rise for a 25th Consecutive Month
July births increased 11.1% to 24,275, with every region recording growth and the January-to-July gain reaching a series high.
Kim Keon-hee sentence cut to five years on appeal
The Seoul High Court reduced the former first lady's seven-year sentence after acquitting her on two alleged transactions while leaving the core influence-peddling conviction in place.
New Prosecution Service to open with about 1,900 prosecutors
The October 2 launch will begin with roughly 80 to 85 percent of the current statutory prosecutor headcount, with further reductions planned after workload analysis.
Government starts three-month deliberation on nuclear power role
A citizen deliberation process running through December will feed into Korea's next long-term electricity plan as the government weighs nuclear power against rising demand, grid needs and emissions goals.
Chief justice rejects renewed Supreme Court nomination request
Cho Hee-dae says the presidential office has not provided sufficient constitutional grounds for a new recommendation, deepening a dispute over a Supreme Court vacancy that has lasted more than 200 days.
Five former commanders receive long prison terms over December 3 martial-law role
A Seoul court sentenced five former senior military commanders to terms ranging from nine to 18 years after finding them guilty over their roles in carrying out the December 3 martial-law operation.
Government softens farmland survey enforcement after nationwide backlash
After 2.84 million parcels were flagged for possible non-compliance, the government says inherited, elderly-owned and customary leased farmland can avoid immediate forced disposal if owners regularize their status.
FTC weighs legal changes after courts pause company field inspections
The Fair Trade Commission says recent court orders involving Coupang and Hanwha have weakened its ability to conduct voluntary field inspections and may prompt changes to law or regulation.
Justice Ministry plans to keep 2,292 prosecutors under new prosecution-office system
Draft rules for the October transition would preserve the current prosecutor headcount while reducing senior posts and shifting the organization toward prosecution and case review.
Police and prosecutors split over command responsibility in failed murder investigation
A police special team blamed local station leadership for investigative failures preceding a teenage girl's murder, while prosecutors have pursued responsibility higher up the National Office of Investigation chain.
DMZ mine-blast investigation examines possible link to recently laid minefield
Three South Korean officers were injured during a western-front DMZ operation, while the Joint Chiefs says the cause remains under investigation and a lawmaker has raised a possible North Korean mine link.
Seoul weighs stronger Cheonghae naval role while ruling out combat deployment
President Lee says Korea will not join the war but is considering a wider role for the existing naval unit to protect merchant shipping and oil routes near the Gulf.
Chuseok travel plan brings four toll-free days as traffic compresses into shorter break
The government expects average highway traffic to rise 11.8 percent, with the biggest outbound wave on September 24 and 12.99 million people moving on Chuseok day.
Ruling party targets first-half 2027 referendum in renewed constitutional push
The Democratic Party has launched a revision task force after President Lee ruled out seeking another term through a constitutional change, but opposition participation remains unresolved.
Reports add petition-author meeting to Kim Seung-won's final day as nominee
Kim reportedly met a former aide who helped submit a petition against his appointment one day before resigning, adding a new detail to the timeline without resolving the allegations themselves.
Seoul says Hormuz contribution options remain under review
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that South Korea is willing to help restore free navigation, while the presidential office denied that participation had been rejected.
Lee considers dedicated youth-policy office as job pressures deepen
The president says the government is weighing a new body to coordinate youth policy, citing employment barriers, inequality and AI-driven changes in the economy.
South Korea reaches Davis Cup Finals for first time in 66-year history
Kwon Soon-woo won both of his singles matches as South Korea beat India 3-1 in Seoul to secure its first place among the competition’s final eight.
Culture Ministry brings performing-arts voices into 2027 budget planning
The ministry is consulting theatre, classical music, gugak and dance practitioners as it shapes the direction of government support for the 2027 budget.
Korea moves to define frailty before ageing turns into disability
KDCA is building a national standard for frailty after adding K-FRAIL to the 2026 Community Health Survey, aiming to give local prevention programs a common threshold.
Korea puts flavored tobacco under a sharper public-health lens
KDCA says 80.2 percent of adolescents with tobacco-use experience used a flavored product the first time, and is examining how that evidence should shape prevention and regulation.
Korea says high-risk flu vaccination supply remains on track
KDCA says 12.33 million government-procured doses remain secured after replacing a delayed 500,000-dose shipment, with additional private-market supply also arranged.