South Korea’s Kospi index jumps more than 15%
A currency trader talks on the phone at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, July 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
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Newest first · UTC+11:00New US Ambassador Steel calls for building 'results oriented, forward leaning' alliance with S. Korea
Michelle Park Steel, the new US ambassador to South Korea, on Friday called for joint efforts to write the "next chapter" in the Seoul-Washington alliance, stressing that the decadeslong partnership should remain "results oriented" and "forward leaning."
· Yonhap
Lee says S. Korea, Chile can create synergy on critical minerals, defense industry
President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday that South Korea and Chile can create significant synergy in areas from critical minerals and advanced manufacturing to the defense industry, if they join hands.
· Yonhap
Industrial output posts sharpest growth in 6 yrs in June on cars, chips
South Korea's industrial output rebounded in June from a month earlier, snapping two months of decline led by the automobile and semiconductor industries, data showed Friday, with retail sales and facility investment also gaining ground.
· Yonhap
SK Hynix and Samsung shares surge over 20% as AI rally roars back
South Korea's chip heavyweights SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics soared more than 20% in Seoul on Friday, tracking a sharp rally in U.S. technology stocks after blockbuster earnings from Amazon and Microsoft revived optimism around artificial intelligence spending.
· Lee Ying Shan
KRX activates buy-side sidecar for KOSPI on sharp rise
SEOUL, July 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's bourse operator on Friday activated a buy-side sidecar for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) as the stock index rose sharply, fueled by tech gains.
· Kim Boram
Weight lifted off chest of Twins pitcher after much-needed win
SEOUL, July 31 (Yonhap) -- LG Twins starting pitcher Im Chan-kyu had been in self-denial for much of July, telling himself he was not feeling any pressure to drag his struggling Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club out of their summer swoon.
· Yoo Jee-ho
US-led drills edge Japan and South Korea closer on defence
Command roles at Rimpac show Tokyo and Seoul can work together militarily, but history caps how far ties can go
· Sam Beltran
US-led drills edge Japan and South Korea closer on defence
Command roles at Rimpac show Tokyo and Seoul can work together militarily, but history caps how far ties can go
· Sam Beltran
China sets record with high-speed rail breakthrough under Yangtze River
The engineering feat marks the longest continuous underwater excavation achieved by a drilling machine of its kind, state media reports
· Emma Ma
China sets record with high-speed rail breakthrough under Yangtze River
The engineering feat marks the longest continuous underwater excavation achieved by a drilling machine of its kind, state media reports
· Emma Ma
New U.S. Ambassador Steel calls for building 'results oriented, forward leaning' alliance with S. Korea
SEOUL, July 31 (Yonhap) -- Michelle Park Steel, the new U.S. ambassador to South Korea, on Friday called for joint efforts to write the "next chapter" in the Seoul-Washington alliance, stressing that the decadeslong partnership should remain "results oriented" and "forward leaning."
· Woo Jae-yeon
Festivals, sights across Korea
KIMA Week, an annual marine leisure festival held in Busan since 2013, runs through August, featuring a mix of beachside events, water sports and a national rowing competition. The festival is co-hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Busan Metropolitan Government and organized by the Korea Marine Le…
· Hong Yoo
S. Korea to launch new sovereign wealth fund investing in strategic areas
SEOUL, July 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to launch a new sovereign wealth fund next year with the goal of making long-term investments in cutting-edge and strategic industries, the finance ministry said Friday.
· Kang Yoon-seung
Lee says S. Korea, Chile can create synergy on critical minerals, defense industry
SANTIAGO, July 30 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday that South Korea and Chile can create significant synergy in areas from critical minerals and advanced manufacturing to the defense industry, if they join hands.
· Park Boram
Industrial output up 2.3 pct in June on strong automobile sector
SEOUL, July 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's industrial output moved up in June from a month earlier, data showed Friday, with retail sales and facility investment also gaining ground.
· Kang Yoon-seung
[Graphic News] Tumblers become daily essentials
Tumblers have evolved from a lifestyle trend into an everyday necessity, with most consumers using them several times a week, according to a survey by Thermos Korea and Gallup Korea.
· Nam Kyung-don
Trump nominee vows to sharpen US media challenge to China
Sarah Rogers says Asia would remain a priority for US-funded broadcasters, despite continuing turmoil and reduced operations at the agency
· Han Li
Trump nominee vows to sharpen US media challenge to China
Sarah Rogers says Asia would remain a priority for US-funded broadcasters, despite continuing turmoil and reduced operations at the agency
· Han Li
Members of Mamdani’s DSA pledge to ‘support’ and ‘defend’ China: ‘Survival of Chinese socialism is a crucial matter’
See more of our coverage in your search results.
· Victor Nava
PLA 99th Anniversary
AdvertisementAdvertisementNEWSCMP China SeriesPLA 99th AnniversaryAs the People’s Liberation Army marks its 99th anniversary on August 1, one year from the deadline for its centenary goals, its evolution highlights the past, present and future of China’s military strategy. Updated: 31 Jul, 2026Advertisement[1]The PL…
· SCMP Staff
PLA 99th Anniversary
AdvertisementAdvertisementNEWSCMP China SeriesPLA 99th AnniversaryAs the People’s Liberation Army marks its 99th anniversary on August 1, one year from the deadline for its centenary goals, its evolution highlights the past, present and future of China’s military strategy. Updated: 31 Jul, 2026Advertisement[1]The PL…
· SCMP Staff
Hope fades for survivors as Japan quake death toll reaches 25
KUMAMOTO, Japan — Residents in southwestern Japan camped in classrooms and vehicles Thursday, stocked up on water and tried to get back to normal, two days after a powerful quake set off an explosion at a mall, toppled a factory chimney and flattened homes in a disaster that killed at least 25 people.
· Associated Press
China’s U.S.-bound shipments fall in July after brief recovery, survey shows
BEIJING — One of the Chinese economy's few growth drivers lost steam in July, according to the latest survey of businesses by China Beige Book.
· Evelyn Cheng
The PLA at 99: how China’s military went from ragtag rifles to world-class force
From revolutionary group to hi-tech machine, the PLA’s transformation has been a long pursuit of strength and self-reliance
· Liu Zhen
The PLA at 99: how China’s military went from ragtag rifles to world-class force
From revolutionary group to hi-tech machine, the PLA’s transformation has been a long pursuit of strength and self-reliance
· Liu Zhen
(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on July 31)
Partisanship over new envoy hurts national interest: New U.S. Ambassador Michelle Steel begins her post in Korea amid airport protests, ending a long vacancy and raising stakes for alliance diplomacy.
· Choi Kyong-ae
(EDITORIAL from The Korea Times on July 31)
From Busan to the world: A new chapter for global heritage cooperation: Busan Declaration signals new era for UNESCO heritage
· Choi Kyong-ae
(EDITORIAL from The Korea Herald on July 31)
Demographic threshold: 'Superaged' South Korea must redesign labor, welfare, growth for an irreversibly older society
· Choi Kyong-ae
Samsung trading unit and Erex plan Japan biomass power plant for AI demand
The plant will be operated by a special purpose company with biomass fuels sourced largely from Southeast Asia. (Erex)
· Staff Writer
Japan chip industry gets back to work after Kumamoto quake
Renesas Electronics and Tokyo Electron are recovering from the July 28 Kumamoto earthquake. (Source photos by Shotaro Mori)
· Staff Writer
Death toll rises to 51 in China landslides as resuce operation ends
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· Associated Press
Apple reports record June quarter revenue led by China sales growth
Sales of the iPhone, Apple's main revenue driver, climbed 21.7% in the June quarter. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
China’s exports feed the Global South’s industrial engines
Far from stifling development, China’s export portfolio indicates a positive-sum diffusion of industrial growth
· Zhou Xiaoming
China’s exports feed the Global South’s industrial engines
Far from stifling development, China’s export portfolio indicates a positive-sum diffusion of industrial growth
· Zhou Xiaoming
The US is building 15 cargo ships, China is making 4,000 — blame a century-old law
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· Anthony Blair
Japan looks to turn Osaka and Kobe into biotech hubs
A miniature human liver created with 3D printing technology, which allows researchers to check the effect of drugs outside of the body. (Photo by Shintaro Ino)
· Staff Writer
Japan carries out yen-buying intervention as US executes rate check
The U.S. and Japan appear to have worked together to stem the yen's slide against the dollar. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
· Staff Writer
US urges China to 'fully meet' rare-earths pledge in virtual meeting, Bessent says
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, left, spoke with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on July 30. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)
· Staff Writer
Lee, Kast agree to put Korea-Chile FTA upgrade back in motion
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
[Lee Byung-jong] Who is 'New Lee Jae Myung'?
US President Donald Trump may have caused considerable hardship for South Korea, from threats of punitive tariffs to demands for increased defense spending. Yet there is one positive outcome for Korea stemming from his America First policy: making President Lee Jae Myung more pragmatic. Faced with mounting pressure …
· Korea Herald
US sanctions Mahan Air’s China network over alleged support for Iran’s IRGC
Two Shanghai companies and a Chinese executive targeted as Washington expands pressure campaign from Iranian oil to aviation and cargo
· Teresa Elena Frontado
US sanctions Mahan Air’s China network over alleged support for Iran’s IRGC
Two Shanghai companies and a Chinese executive targeted as Washington expands pressure campaign from Iranian oil to aviation and cargo
· Teresa Elena Frontado
Selection for next UN chief gets underway with first ‘straw poll’
United Nations Security Council started the process on Thursday to pick its new secretary general as successor to Antonio Guterres
· Lucy Quaggin
Japan needs quota debate to raise women's representation in politics
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, front row, center, and members of her new cabinet pose for a photo at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Feb. 18. © Reuters
· Mari Miura
Australia's neighbour has found out what it means to be on the 'tip of America's spear'
Published 31 July 2026 5:35am
· Sbsaustralia
US Treasury sanctions networks supporting Iran’s Mahan Air, IRGC from India, China, Russia
The US Treasury Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on six entities and individuals in China, India, Russia and Iran accused of supporting Iran’s Mahan Air, which Washington says has long facilitated the movement of IRGC-Quds Force personnel, weapons and military equipment.
· IDAN KWELLER
Turkey's rise is creating a rare point of agreement for Israel, China - opinion
Israel and China rarely view Middle East security through the same strategic lens. Their approaches to Iran, the United States, regional alliances and the international order often point in different directions.
· CARICE WITTE
Japan parts maker ships rare-earth-free sunroof motors for German cars
The new motor no longer needs the neodymium contained in earlier versions. (Mitsuba)
· Staff Writer