Mercedes-Benz S-Class returns to Korea with revamped luxury, tech upgrades
New CEO Shirin Emeera’s first major launch bets big on Korea’s full-size luxury sedan market
· Byun Hye-jin
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Indonesia and China discuss defense cooperation and energy security
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, walks with his Indonesian counterpart Sugiono for the Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue between Indonesia and China in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
· Edna Tarigan
'The Odyssey' tops 6 mln admissions in S. Korea
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" surpassed 6 million admissions in South Korea on Friday, 16 days after its release, the film's local distributor said.
· Shim Sun-ah
A month after Typhoon Maysak, China reports 159 dead and 10 missing
BEIJING (AP) — Typhoon Maysak, which hit China more than a month ago, killed at least 159 people, with 10 still missing, state media reported Friday.
(profile) Trade expert named S. Korea's new trade minister
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- Park Jung-sung, tapped as the country's new trade minister Friday, is a seasoned trade official with extensive experience in trade and related policy areas.
· Choi Kyong-ae
Nat'l Assembly speaker discusses parliamentary cooperation with U.S. ambassador
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik met with new U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel on Friday and discussed ways to boost parliamentary diplomacy between the two countries.
· Yi Wonju
National Museum's royal seal keycaps sell out in an hour
A keycap keyring modeled after two Joseon-era royal seals became the latest item from the National Museum of Korea's merchandise line to sell out almost immediately after being restocked.
· Hong Yoo
Chinese badminton star Wang Zhiyi in ‘fake injury’ controversy after World Championships win
China player collapses twice in deciding game before ousting home favourite PV Sindhu to reach quarter-finals at the event for first time
· Stephy Zhang
Chinese badminton star Wang Zhiyi in ‘fake injury’ controversy after World Championships win
China player collapses twice in deciding game before ousting home favourite PV Sindhu to reach quarter-finals at the event for first time
· Stephy Zhang
Alleged drug smuggler caught after 18 yrs on run overseas
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- A man suspected of smuggling illegal drugs into South Korea has been caught and repatriated to Seoul after being on the run for 18 years overseas, police said Friday.
· KIM, SEONGHUN
Labubu maker Pop Mart shares fall as key ex-China sales data drop, Citi cuts price target
Shares of Pop Mart fell over 4% in Hong Kong on Friday after the Labubu maker reported first-half results that showed declining sales in Asia-Pacific and the Americas.
· Jenny Lee
Lee names new trade minister week after predecessor’s dismissal
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the complexities of North Korean affairs, security, and foreign policy from both Seoul and Washington, D.C. As the National Desk Political Team Lead, I track the pulse of geopolitics, closely following developments from the Unification Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. My mornings …
· Ji Da-gyum
DPP challenger faces uphill battle against incumbent Tamaki in leadership race
The opposition Democratic Party for the People will kick off a two-week leadership race on Saturday, pitting incumbent Yuichiro Tamaki against 30-year-old Lower House lawmaker Mikihiko Hashimoto.
· Kenji Yoshida
Japan’s Aeon exits Thai retail to chase Vietnam’s booming middle class
Aeon is selling its MaxValu stores in Thailand to Central Retail, retreating from a market dominated by local giants
· Aidan Jones
Japan’s Aeon exits Thai retail to chase Vietnam’s booming middle class
Aeon is selling its MaxValu stores in Thailand to Central Retail, retreating from a market dominated by local giants
· Aidan Jones
Lee appoints senior trade official Park Jung-sung as new trade minister
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung has appointed senior trade official Park Jung-sung as the new trade minister, a presidential spokesperson said Friday, filling the post immediately tasked with leading the talks with Washington over South Korea's investment pledge to the United States.
· Park Boram
Why Supreme Court picks have become Lee’s latest political headache
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the complexities of North Korean affairs, security, and foreign policy from both Seoul and Washington, D.C. As the National Desk Political Team Lead, I track the pulse of geopolitics, closely following developments from the Unification Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. My mornings …
· Ji Da-gyum
International students comprise majority of HIV cases detected at Wuhan port
Inbound students made up over half of the 46 HIV cases found among nearly 40,000 tests, a recent paper shows
· Dannie Peng
International students comprise majority of HIV cases detected at Wuhan port
Inbound students made up over half of the 46 HIV cases found among nearly 40,000 tests, a recent paper shows
· Dannie Peng
South Korea’s economy at risk as Trump throws it under bus
Keep independent journalism alive
· William Pesek
Facial recognition technology coming into wider use in Japan
Services using facial recognition technology are expanding in Japan, allowing, for example, touchless or ticketless entry through train station gates and payments at shops without the need to take out a wallet or a credit card.
· No Author
Russia conducts missile test near Kuril Islands after Japanese protest
The Russian Navy has carried out a successful missile test near the country’s Kuril Islands, the Pacific Fleet has said.
· RT
Russia conducts missile test near Kuril Islands after Japanese protest
The Russian Navy has carried out a successful missile test near the country’s Kuril Islands, the Pacific Fleet has said.
· RT
(URGENT) Stocks end higher on chip gains amid hopes for shareholder return plans
(2nd LD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program
· Kang Jae-eun
U.S.-N. Korea talks key to breaking stalemate: Seoul official
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- Resuming direct talks between the United States and North Korea is the most "practical" solution to halting Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, a senior unification ministry official said Friday, amid concerns that Washington's overture to Pyongyang could sideline Seoul.
· Woo Jae-yeon
China clears Geely for landmark satellite IoT test to spur commercial space sector
Geespace becomes first private Chinese firm to secure approval for a satellite IoT trial, underscoring Beijing’s commercial space drive
· Ben Jiang
China clears Geely for landmark satellite test to spur commercial space drive
Geespace becomes first private Chinese firm to secure approval for a satellite IoT trial, underscoring Beijing’s commercial space drive
· Ben Jiang
Ruling party slams opposition for attacking Lee over nat'l security
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Friday lashed out at the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) for denouncing President Lee Jae Myung's remarks portraying the reduction of South Korea-U.S. military exercises as a big decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to promote peace on the Ko…
· Yoo Cheong-mo
DP leader vows support for Lee's efforts to promote dialogue with N. Korea
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- Ruling Democratic Party (DP) leader Kim Min-seok said Friday his party will support President Lee Jae Myung's efforts to facilitate dialogue between the United States and North Korea.
· Yi Wonju
Seoul sees US-N. Korea dialogue as most realistic way to halt Pyongyang’s nuclear advance
Since 2017, I have covered South Korea’s political and economic landscape as a reporter, with a focus on foreign affairs, inter-Korean relations and security.As a foreign affairs reporter, I closely follow developments from the Ministry of Unification, the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry, tracking shifts i…
· Jung Min-kyung
Hong Kong court convicts Tiananmen vigil group of inciting subversion
WAITING FOR VERDICT. Police officers stand guard outside West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts after former leaders of a disbanded group that organized annual Tiananmen Square vigils were found guilty of inciting subversion of state power over calls to end one-party rule, in Hong Kong, China, August 21, 2026.
· Mia Gonzalez
Cheong Wa Dae says N. Korea's derogatory remarks unhelpful to building mutual trust
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- The presidential office on Friday urged Pyongyang to halt its "derogatory remarks" against South Korea, one day after the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un issued a statement seen to be aimed at belittling Seoul and its president.
· Park Boram
New BOK senior deputy gov. calls for prudent, flexible monetary policy
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- The new senior deputy governor of the Bank of Korea (BOK) said Friday that monetary policy should be implemented in a prudent and flexible manner as expectations grow for a rate hike at next week's policy meeting amid accelerating inflation.
· Kim Boram
Global investors use 'perp' bets to chase China tech stocks like Unitree
Chinese humanoid developer Unitree and memory chip producer CXMT were popular targets of 'perp' bets before their recent IPOs, heralding big pops. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images)
· LORRETTA CHEN
Indonesia seeks expanded joint military exercises with China
Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, left, and his Chinese counterpart, Adm. Dong Jun, inspect an honor guard in Jakarta on Aug. 21. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
Seoul extends approval requirement for foreign homebuyers
South Korea will extend by one year a rule requiring foreign nationals to obtain government approval before buying homes in Seoul and much of the surrounding capital region, as authorities seek to curb speculative purchases and rising housing prices.
· Lim Jae-seong
US and South Korea wrap up Ulchi Freedom Shield drills 6 days early
South Korea army soldiers take part in an anti-terror drill as a part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
· Hyung Jin Kim
Japan executes a man convicted in 2009 arson and murder in Osaka
This photo shows a deadly fire at a pachinko parlor in Osaka, western Japan, July 5, 2009. (Kyodo News via AP)
· Mari Yamaguchi
Today in Korean history
1946 -- The Independence Army of Korea returns from China following the restoration of Korea's sovereignty from Japanese colonial rule, which ended in August 1945. The voluntary force fought against Japanese troops in Manchuria and Shanghai under the command of the Korean Provisional Government.
· Kim Seung-yeon
Chinese regulators slap US$7.8m penalty on Guotai Haitong arm amid capital flow crackdown
The violations involved several QDII products offered between 2019 and 2022, which have ‘since been rectified’, Guotai Haitong said
· Yulu Ao
Chinese regulators slap US$7.8m penalty on Guotai Haitong arm amid capital flow crackdown
The violations involved several QDII products offered between 2019 and 2022, which have ‘since been rectified’, Guotai Haitong said
· Yulu Ao
Russia’s missile tests around disputed islands anger Japan
Pacific fleet launched missile drills near what Moscow calls the Kuril Islands but Japan regards as its Northern Territories
· Gavin Blair
Celltrion expands Japan push with SteQeyma IV launch
Celltrion said Friday it has launched the intravenous formulation of SteQeyma for autoimmune diseases in Japan.
· Jeon Ji-woo
Dozens of live rice eels escape and slither across train floor in Nanjing, China | South China Morning Post
Viral video shows passengers trying, but failing, to retrieve the slippery eels from the floor of the commuter train.
Asian shares are mixed after a retreat on Wall St
Currency traders work at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
· Chan Ho Him
In China first, project breathes new life into ageing wind turbines
State-owned recycling group says work has begun on remanufacturing 25 turbines in Gansu province
· He Huifeng
In China first, project breathes new life into ageing wind turbines
State-owned recycling group says work has begun on remanufacturing 25 turbines in Gansu province
· He Huifeng
Dreame sets out Korea expansion plan, launches new robot vacuum
Chinese home appliance maker Dreame Technology said Friday it plans to expand beyond robot vacuum cleaners in South Korea, positioning the country as a key market for premium small appliances and artificial intelligence-powered smart-home products.
· Jo He-rim
S. Korea's social life runs through bars: reports
South Koreans lean on bars for socializing more than drinkers elsewhere, according to two new reports commissioned by AB InBev, parent company of Oriental Brewery, as global alcohol volumes hold more than 30 percent above early-2000s levels amid declining per-capita consumption.
· No Kyung-min
Asia-Pacific left without US aircraft carrier after Middle East deployment
The USS George Washington transits the Arabian Sea on Aug. 20. The aircraft carrier was forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, in 2024 and has since conducted extensive joint exercises with that country's Maritime Self-Defense Force. (U.S. Navy via Reuters)
· Staff Writer