A North Korean soldier crossed the DMZ into South Korea, expressing intent to defect. This is the 4th such incident since June 2023, with the soldier now in custody for investigation.
A timeline of significant events in South Korean history, including Japanese colonial rule, the Korean War, an assassination attempt on a president, diplomatic relations, World Cup achievements, and a historic NBA draft selection.
South Korean footballer Son Heung-min faced mixed fortunes at the World Cup in Mexico, dealing with team losses, a controversy over his military service exemption, and fan attention.
Korean American lawmakers Sen. Andy Kim and Rep. Young Kim expressed commitment to bolstering US-South Korea economic and security partnerships. They highlighted South Korea's investments in US shipbuilding and discussed trade, security, and immigration visas. Tensions arose regarding remarks by incoming Ambassador Michelle Steel.
South Korea saw a 1.5% drop in inter-regional relocations in May, reaching a 52-year low with 466,000 people moving. The Ministry of Data and Statistics cited a decline in new housing supply as the primary cause.
South Korea's birth rate surged 18% in April, reaching 24,521 babies, the highest for the month since 2019. The January-April period also saw a 15.5% increase, marking a seven-year high. Experts cite rising marriages and a more positive view of childbirth, though the rate remains below population stability levels.
A North Korean soldier has been taken into South Korean custody after crossing the heavily fortified border earlier this week, in what is believed to be a defection from the North. The military secured the soldier Tuesday night and is investigating the details.
South Korea's presidential policy chief, Kim Yong-beom, urged aggressive investment in AI infrastructure, including land and electricity, to bolster the nation's growth potential. He suggested building new industrial clusters in regional areas due to capacity limits in the capital region and called for social discussions on sharing AI-driven economic gains.
Former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung is being questioned by a special counsel team for his alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's 2024 martial law bid. Shim is suspected of reviewing prosecutor deployment to a joint martial law investigation headquarters and potentially abusing power regarding Yoon's wife.
South Korean stocks extended their gains late Wednesday morning, with the KOSPI rising 3.32% to 8,476.27. Individual investors engaged in bargain hunting after a previous sell-off in technology stocks, with major tech firms like Samsung Electronics and SK hynix seeing gains.
South Korea's presidential policy chief, Kim Yong-beom, stated that the new AI era necessitates new state infrastructure and aggressive investment to boost the nation's growth potential. He emphasized the need for massive electricity, land, and a new industrial ecosystem, suggesting regional areas for data centers and future electricity networks. Kim also highlighted the importance of social discussions on sharing AI's economic benefits and addressing related social and labor issues.
South Korea's retail sales surged 9% year-on-year in May, fueled by positive consumer sentiment, major holidays like Children's Day and Parents' Day, and increased foreign tourist spending. Both online and offline platforms saw significant growth, with online sales contributing 58.6% of the total.
South Korea and China held a virtual meeting to discuss reducing technical barriers to trade (TBTs) for products like power banks, cosmetics, and red ginseng. Seoul's agency raised concerns over Beijing's revised standards for power banks and lithium-ion batteries.
South Korea's financial system is stable, but rising housing prices and leveraged investments pose risks of financial imbalances, according to the Bank of Korea. The central bank noted increased household credit growth and foreign capital outflows, warning of potential defaults and stock market volatility.
Global markets saw a rebound Wednesday after a tech selloff on Tuesday. South Korea's Kospi jumped over 3% after a 10% plunge, while Asia's tech stocks recovered. MSCI kept South Korea as an emerging market, citing currency convertibility, and Indonesia faces downgrade risks.
Four additional South Korean-operated vessels have departed the Strait of Hormuz following a US-Iran ceasefire, bringing the total to six. 26 sailors were aboard, with one ship heading to South Korea. 108 South Korean sailors remain in the Persian Gulf.
The 21st Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity opened on South Korea's Jeju island, focusing on "Reinventing Cooperation in a Fragmented World." The three-day event features global experts discussing peace, security, economic and climate transitions, digital governance, and AI.
South Korean broadcaster JTBC confirmed it will broadcast all FIFA World Cup matches without interruption, refuting reports of potential disruptions due to liquidity issues. The company is undergoing court-led rehabilitation proceedings.
South Korea has surpassed 10 million foreign visitors in the first half of the year, a record achieved about a month earlier than last year. May saw 1.95 million visitors, with Chinese tourists leading, and regional airport entries also increased. Monthly spending by foreign visitors exceeded 2 trillion won for the first time.
South Korea's defense ministry held a conference in Washington with the US to discuss expanding cooperation in defense and arms industries, including shipbuilding, MRO, AI, and manned-unmanned teaming systems.
South Africa's coach Hugo Broos believes his team is well-prepared to exploit South Korea's weaknesses in their decisive FIFA World Cup group stage match. South Africa needs a win to advance, while South Korea requires only a draw.
South Korean stocks opened higher on Wednesday, with the KOSPI rising 3.26 percent to 8,471.4 points. This occurred despite a significant sell-off in U.S. semiconductor shares overnight, which impacted Wall Street.
MSCI has maintained South Korea's emerging market status, disappointing hopes for a developed market upgrade. Indonesia's review is extended to November amid concerns over market accessibility and investability.
South Korean stocks opened higher on Wednesday, with the KOSPI adding 1.86% despite a global sell-off in U.S. semiconductor shares. This follows a nearly 10% plunge on Tuesday due to foreign investors dumping major semiconductor stocks.
