Seoul shares end higher amid hopes for easing Mideast tensions
South Korean shares closed higher Friday amid hopes the U.S. and Israel-led war against Iran, weighing heavily on global financial markets, may end sooner than expected.
· Yonhap
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Newest first · UTC+11:00U.S. Tightens Sanctions Waiver on Russian Oil After Tanker Reportedly Delivers Fuel to Cuba
The United States on Thursday amended its sanctions relief for Russian oil tankers already at sea, saying shipments bound for Cuba and North Korea remain prohibited.
· The Moscow Times
Lee calls for end to practices exploiting SMEs
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
Gov't launches audit after 900,000 barrels of oil stored here sold overseas
The government launched Friday an audit into the Korea National Oil Corp. over the company's failure to exercise priority purchase rights of foreign-owned crude oil stored in South Korea, resulting in an outflow of 900,000 barrels of stockpile, according to officials.
· Yonhap
Tescan Opens New Demo Lab in Korea to Support Semiconductor Failure Analysis, Reliability, and Academic Research Across Asia-Pacific
Integrated demo lab and office site brings demonstrations, training, and workflow support closer to semiconductor and academic users across APAC.
· PRNEWSWIRE
Internet-only banks face scrutiny over system failures as pay rises
Kakao Bank system glitch, Toss Bank FX error add to 163 failures at Korea’s internet-only banks in five years
· Choi Ji-won
North Korea begins housing families of troops killed in Ukraine war
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
Can Korea hold constitutional referendum on June 3?
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
Seoul, Moscow mark 35 years of ties with cultural exchange event
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
Football chiefs halt bids to host 2031, 2035 Asian Cups after Fifa request to change dates
Several countries including Australia, Japan and South Korea had thrown their hats into the ring to stage both of the football tournaments
· Agence France-Presse
Seoul sticks to cautious line as allies condemn Iran over Hormuz
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
Seoul harnessing Iran war to end the ‘Korea discount’
Keep independent journalism alive
· William Pesek
Seoul tightens security ahead of BTS comeback concert
Air-tight safety and antiterrorism measures in place for Gwanghwamun, with over 10,000 staff mobilized
· Choi Jae-hee
OLED monitors take off as gaming demand boosts Korean panel makers
OLED monitors stand out as a rare growth segment still led by Korean makers
· Moon Joon-hyun
South Korea factory fire injures at least 50
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — At least 50 people in South Korea were injured in a fire at an auto parts factory in the central city of Daejeon, officials said Friday.
Fire at Daejeon auto parts plant injures at least 50
Firefighters in Korea are battling a blaze at an auto parts factory in Daejeon, where at least 50 people have been injured, authorities said Friday.
· Park Han-na
BTS comeback sparks 103% surge in hotel bookings by foreign visitors
Accommodation booked by overseas visitors this week doubles ahead of Saturday’s concert in Seoul
· Kan Hyeong-woo
BTS release new album Arirang ahead of comeback concert
Boyband drops album that speaks to its Korean roots ahead of Seoul comeback concert, with more than a quarter of a million fans expected to attend
· Agence France-Presse
Baemin links BTS comeback event with neighborhood cafes in Seoul
Baemin, Korea’s leading food delivery platform, said Friday it will launch a special support program for small cafes in central Seoul in connection with “BTS The City Arirang Seoul,” a citywide event celebrating BTS' comeback.
· Jeon Ji-woo
Lee Jae Myung's approval climbs to record high amid economic focus
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
Taste of two royal dessert tables at Gyeongbokgung
Mornings and afternoons at Gyeongbokgung come with a rare indulgence this spring: tasting the same desserts Korea's kings once enjoyed.
· Hwang Dong-hee
Finance chief says BTS concert expected to generate great amount of economic value
Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Friday a live performance by K-pop supergroup BTS this weekend is expected to generate trillions of won in economic value in South Korea.
· Yonhap
Citi Korea wins four Triple A awards from The Asset
Citibank Korea and Citigroup Global Markets Securities Korea won four top honors at The Asset Triple A Awards 2026, underscoring Citi’s position in sustainable finance, commercial banking and advisory work in Korea.
· Choi Ji-won
Qualcomm highlights Korea’s role, Samsung partnership
US chip giant Qualcomm Technologies underscored South Korea’s strategic importance as a global hub for technological innovation, highlighted its long-standing partnership with Samsung Electronics, along with its vision for the Korean market.
· Jie Ye-eun
‘Not easy’: Japan mulls building its own LNG carriers amid Iran energy crisis
China and South Korea dominate global production of vessels for carrying natural gas, but Japan now sees industry as key to its energy security
· Carol Yang
Seoul considers more steps beyond naphtha export controls: Cheong Wa Dae
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
Kia targets 13 EV models by 2030, expands global production footprint
South Korean automaker Kia plans to roll out 13 electric vehicle models by 2030 and broaden its manufacturing presence across major global markets, according to the company’s CEO on Friday.
· Ahn Sung-mi
Top court upheld construction site manager’s liability in Russian worker’s death
South Korea’s Supreme Court has held a construction site manager responsible for the death of a Russian worker who fell from a structure along a building’s exterior, despite prior instructions restricting access to the area.
· Lim Jae-seong
Canada issues safety advisory ahead of BTS Seoul concert
The Canadian Embassy in Seoul issued an updated safety advisory on Friday, ahead of BTS' comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday, warning of significant crowds and transportation disruptions.
· Hong Yoo
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter drives tank in latest public appearance
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter drove an army tank with her father sitting behind her in photos from state news agency KCNA on Friday, with analysts suggesting she may be training to succeed him.
· Reuters
Hyosung Heavy Industries develops Korea’s first spring-operated gas circuit breaker
Hyosung Heavy Industries said Friday it has developed a spring-operated 362-kilovolt gas circuit breaker and successfully passed certification under standards set by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
· Jeon Ji-woo
North Korean leader oversees tank drill with daughter Ju-ae
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
North Korean leader Kim and his daughter rides a tank together during army training
SEOUL — In their latest joint public appearance, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter rode a tank together, state media photos showed Friday, days after they watched rocket launches and fired pistols.
· Associated Press
Online payments rise 9.2 pct on-year in 2025 to record high: data
The value of electronic payments in South Korea extended its upward trend to an all-time high in 2025, driven by steady growth in online transactions, central bank data showed Friday.
· Yonhap
Japan’s Takaichi conveys to Trump her ‘strong intent’ to meet North Korea’s Kim
Takaichi said she has ‘received full support from the president towards an immediate solution’ to Pyongyang’s abductions of Japanese nationals
· Kyodo
S. Korea hosts cultural exchange roundtable in Russia to mark 35th anniv. of diplomatic ties
South Korea hosted a roundtable in Moscow to discuss ways to advance cultural relations and exchanges with Russia, marking the 35th anniversary of the establishment of their formal bilateral diplomatic relations, the foreign ministry said Friday.
· Yonhap
Disney Korea expands ‘Mickey & Friends’ K-fashion collaborations
The Walt Disney Company Korea is deepening its push into Korea’s fashion scene, teaming up with a new wave of local brands to reposition “Mickey & Friends” as a style symbol rather than a nostalgic character franchise.
· Hong Yoo
Korean won rebounds against US dollar as oil prices ease
The South Korean currency opened higher against the US dollar Friday, rebounding after falling to its weakest level in 17 years on the previous day, as global oil prices declined amid efforts by the US and Israel to ease concerns about a prolonged crisis in the Middle East.
· Yonhap
Seoul shares open higher amid hopes for easing Mideast tensions
South Korean shares opened almost 1 percent higher Friday amid hopes the US and Israel-led war against Iran, weighing heavily on global financial markets, may end sooner than expected.
· Yonhap
Gov't says economy on recovery path, warns of Middle East risks
South Korea's economy remains on a recovery path, but downside risks are increasing due to the situation in the Middle East, the finance ministry said Friday.
· Yonhap
N. Korea's Kim oversees combined drill involving new main battle tanks
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw a joint offensive drill featuring new main battle tanks equipped with an "active protection system," saying ground troops will be equipped with the "superior" tank "extensively," state media reported Friday.
· Yonhap
Seoul sends English alerts for BTS crowd
Seoul sent its first bilingual emergency alerts as the city prepares for the crowds of up to 260,000 expected to gather for BTS’s comeback performance this week.
· Park Han-na
Day6’s Wonpil to hold solo concert in May
Wonpil of Day6 will hold a solo concert in Seoul on May 1-3, label JYP Entertainment announced Thursday.
· Hwang You-mee
Ex-envoy to Brazil appointed ambassador to Canada
A former South Korean ambassador to Brazil has been appointed as the country's new ambassador to Canada, the foreign ministry said Friday.
· Yonhap
GI Innovation Announces First Clinical Supply Agreement to Explore Combination Therapy for Prostate Cancer
SEOUL, South Korea, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GI Innovation announced on 19th that it has entered into a clinical supply agreement with Johnson & Johnson to evaluate a combination therapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in a phase 1b clinical trial.
· PRNEWSWIRE
Hyo Joo Kim with a 63 leads LPGA's Founders Cup
Hyo Joo Kim, of South Korea, hits toward the 10th fairway during the first round of the LPGA Fortinet Founders Cup golf tournament, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Menlo Park, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Gov't may impose export restrictions amid crude oil supply emergency: vice minister
South Korea remains in an "emergency situation" in terms of the country's crude oil supply, a senior official assessed Friday, noting the government may adjust oil supplies by refineries or impose export restrictions on related products.
· Yonhap
Retailers, hotels in Seoul ramp up purple-themed marketing on eve of BTS concert
Retailers and hotels in central Seoul were seen Friday ramping up purple-themed marketing campaigns, leveraging the signature color of the global fandom of K-pop titan BTS, with an anticipated comeback concert by the group just a day away.
· Yonhap
Naver to offer special map service tailored to BTS comeback concert
South Korea's top search engine operator Naver Corp. said Friday it will offer a special map service tailored to this week's comeback concert by K-pop sensation BTS, helping fans locate information desks and other facilities at the venue.
· Yonhap
Foreign visitors increase sharply ahead of BTS concert
The number of foreigners visiting South Korea this month increased by more than 30 percent from a year ago, data showed Friday, indicating a possible influx of global BTS fans ahead of the K-pop band's comeback concert in Seoul this weekend.
· Yonhap