🇰🇷 South Korea

South Korean Cafes Battle Student Overstays as Starbucks Bans Printers
August 26 @ 8:40am ET  
South Korean cafes face challenges with 'cagongjok,' students lingering for hours. Starbucks has banned printers and PCs to curb this trend.
Solo Leveling Live-Action on Netflix: Why Studios Persist with Anime Remakes
August 25 @ 8:40pm ET  
Netflix's live-action 'Solo Leveling' adaptation, starring Byeon Woo-seok, is in production. Despite fan skepticism, studios persist with anime remakes to tap into established audiences and boost streaming content.
Crypto Fugitive Nabbed in Seoul Over Cigarette Butt Incident
August 25 @ 12:40pm ET  
A crypto scam fugitive was arrested in Seoul after littering a cigarette butt near Sillim Station. The 60-year-old suspect, tied to a $13.2 million fraud affecting over 1,300 victims, had been on the run for nearly five years.
Trump and South Korea's Lee Forge New Trade Ties at White House Summit
August 25 @ 5:31am ET  
President Trump hosted South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung at the White House on August 25, focusing on trade and defense. A $150 billion 'Make American Shipbuilding Great Again' plan aims to revitalize US shipyards.
Blackpink Shatters Records as First K-pop Girl Group to Headline Wembley Stadium
August 19 @ 12:41pm ET  
Blackpink made history as the first K-pop girl group to headline London's Wembley Stadium on August 15 and 16. Their sold-out shows drew over 70,000 fans nightly, solidifying their global dominance.
South Korea's Supreme Court Clears Baby Shark of Copyright Claims
August 15 @ 8:40pm ET  
South Korea's Supreme Court ruled that 'Baby Shark' by Pinkfong does not infringe on a US composer's copyright claim. The decision ends a six-year battle over the viral children's song.
Starbucks Korea Cracks Down on Office Gear in Cafes
August 14 @ 12:40pm ET  
Starbucks Korea has banned printers, desktop computers, and partitions in cafes due to customers turning stores into remote offices. This policy aims to maintain a pleasant experience in over 2,000 locations.
Do Kwon Admits Guilt in $40 Billion Crypto Collapse Fraud Case
August 13 @ 10:18am ET  
Do Kwon pleaded guilty to fraud charges linked to the $40 billion collapse of TerraUSD and Luna in 2022. His admission in a New York court on August 12 marks a significant moment for cryptocurrency accountability.
Trump and South Korea's Lee Set for Key Summit on Security and Economy
August 12 @ 10:30pm ET  
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on August 25 in Washington for their first summit. They aim to strengthen their alliance and discuss economic and security partnerships.
Seoul's Innovative 'Mind Stores' Combat Rising Loneliness
August 11 @ 12:40pm ET  
Seoul's 'mind convenience stores' offer free ramen and social interaction to combat loneliness. This initiative, part of the 'Seoul Without Loneliness' project, provides a refuge for residents like Hee-kyung and Eom Mi-hui.
BTS Refutes Rumors of Michael Jackson Tribute Album Involvement
August 7 @ 4:40am ET  
BTS has officially denied rumors of involvement in a Michael Jackson tribute album. Both BigHit Music and the Michael Jackson Estate confirmed the reports as false on August 5.
Trump Secures Trade Agreement with South Korea at 15% Tariff Rate
July 30 @ 11:32pm ET  
President Trump has finalized a trade deal with South Korea, setting a 15% tariff on their goods while securing major investments in U.S. energy and shipbuilding. This agreement marks a shift from the initially threatened 25% rate.
South Korea Devastated by Floods and Landslides: Death Toll Climbs to 18
July 22 @ 12:40pm ET  
South Korea faces a tragic toll of 18 deaths due to floods and landslides from torrential rains. Rescue efforts continue as thousands are evacuated amid fears of rising casualties.
Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong Acquitted of Fraud by South Korea's Supreme Court
July 18 @ 8:40pm ET  
South Korea's Supreme Court acquitted Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong of fraud charges tied to a 2015 merger. The ruling ends a decade-long legal battle, clearing the way for Lee's leadership amid global challenges.
South Korea Shocked by Teacher and Parent's Exam Paper Theft Attempt
July 17 @ 8:40pm ET  
A teacher and parent in South Korea were arrested for attempting to steal exam papers from a high school, foiled by a security alarm. This incident raises concerns about academic integrity in the country's competitive education system.
South Korea's Retrial of Kim Jae-gyu: Revisiting a Historic Assassination
July 17 @ 4:40pm ET  
South Korea's Seoul High Court began the retrial of Kim Jae-gyu on July 16 for the 1979 assassination of President Park Chung-hee. The case revisits allegations of torture and legal flaws in the original trial.
South Korea's IVF Surge Amid Record-Low Birth Rates
July 14 @ 8:40am ET  
South Korea's fertility clinics are booming amid the world's lowest birth rate of 0.72 in 2023. Demand for IVF treatments, up nearly 50% from 2018 to 2022, offers hope in a deepening demographic crisis.
South Korea's Former President Yoon Suk Yeol Faces New Charges in Martial Law Case
July 11 @ 12:41pm ET  
South Korea's ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol has been rearrested on new charges tied to his failed martial law declaration in December 2024. The case, involving accusations of insurrection, continues to fuel political tension.
South Korea Repatriates Six North Koreans After Accidental Drift
July 10 @ 4:40pm ET  
South Korea repatriated six North Koreans who accidentally drifted into its waters earlier this year. The individuals, expressing a strong desire to return, were escorted back on July 9 via a maritime border.
Trump's Tariff Letter to South Korea Sparks Trade Concerns
July 8 @ 4:16am ET  
President Trump sent a letter to South Korea imposing a 25% tariff on all products starting August 1. This move, part of a broader tariff strategy targeting 14 countries, has prompted South Korea to accelerate trade talks.
South Korea Updates Martial Law Rules Following Yoon Suk Yeol Crisis
July 7 @ 8:40am ET  
South Korea's parliament has revised martial law rules after former President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial declaration in December 2024. The changes aim to prevent executive overreach and protect democratic processes.
BTS Returns with New Album and World Tour in 2026 After Military Service
July 3 @ 12:40pm ET  
BTS, the kings of K-pop, are back after completing military service, announcing a new album and world tour for 2026. Their return marks a significant moment for fans and the K-pop industry alike.
Squid Game's Finale Echoes South Korea's Harsh Economic Realities
July 2 @ 12:40pm ET  
Squid Game's finale highlights South Korea's real economic struggles. Themes of unemployment and inequality resonate deeply with viewers there.
South Korea's Dog Meat Ban: Uncertain Future for Half a Million Dogs
June 26 @ 8:40pm ET  
South Korea's dog meat ban, effective by 2027, marks a cultural shift but leaves over 500,000 dogs at risk of euthanasia. Concerns mount over rehoming challenges and farmers' livelihoods.
BTS Returns from Military Service Amid K-Pop Industry Shifts
June 24 @ 12:40pm ET  
BTS has reunited after completing mandatory military service in South Korea. Their return comes amid a K-pop industry facing stalled album sales and scandals.
South Korea Ends 26-Year Ban on Foreign Goalkeepers in K League
June 21 @ 1:01pm ET  
South Korea's K League has lifted a 26-year ban on foreign goalkeepers starting in 2026. This historic move aims to boost competition and attract global talent.
BTS Star Jungkook Faces Home Intrusion on Day of Military Discharge
June 13 @ 8:40am ET  
A Chinese woman was arrested for attempting to break into BTS star Jungkook's home in Seoul on June 11, hours after his military discharge. The incident has sparked outrage among fans over privacy concerns.
South Korea Halts Propaganda Broadcasts to Ease North Korea Tensions
June 12 @ 12:40pm ET  
South Korea has turned off propaganda loudspeakers along the border with North Korea under new President Lee Jae-myung. This move, aimed at easing tensions, fulfills a campaign promise to improve inter-Korean relations.
South Korea's Snap Election: A Nation Seeks Stability After Martial Law Crisis
June 3 @ 8:40pm ET  
South Korea's snap election, triggered by Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment over martial law, has resulted in Lee Jae-myung's victory. The nation now looks to heal deep political divisions under his leadership.
North Korea Slams US 'Golden Dome' as Threat to Space Security
May 28 @ 4:40pm ET  
North Korea has criticized the US 'Golden Dome' missile defense plan, calling it a risk for 'outer space nuclear war.' The $175 billion project has also drawn concern from Russia and China over space militarization.
South Korea's Snap Election: Key Details Ahead of June 3 Vote
May 28 @ 4:40am ET  
South Korea's snap presidential election on June 3 follows the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol. Candidates face pressing issues like unemployment and political division.
South Korea's Starbucks Ban on Candidate Names Sparks Debate
May 23 @ 12:40pm ET  
Starbucks in South Korea has banned presidential candidates' names in orders to maintain neutrality ahead of the June 3 election. This move has sparked debate over corporate policies and political expression.