South Korea

South Korea

South Korea recovers at least 15 landmines washed from North by floods

The Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), splitting the Koreas since their 1950-53 war ended with an armistice, is one of the most heavily mined places on Earth.

07/08/2026

South Korea

South Korean students held over US military base break-in bid

Students gathered outside the main hub of the US Air Force in South Korea, arguing the US military's presence in Gwangju could complicate Seoul's major chipmaking project planned there.

05/08/2026

Business

SK hynix net profit jumps over 1,000%, but shares slide

Despite record second-quarter profits fuelled by AI demand, SK hynix shares plunged as investors questioned whether the boom can last amid Middle East tensions.

29/07/2026

Markets

SK hynix: From near-collapse to $1 trillion and a Nasdaq listing

SK hynix, the South Korean chipmaker whose memory chips power AI data centres around the world, lists on the Nasdaq this week in one of the largest share sales in history, capping a journey from near-bankruptcy to a trillion-dollar valuation.

09/07/2026

South Korea

South Korean law targeting false online information takes effect

South Korea saw a surge in online misinformation following the botched 2024 martial law attempt, including unsubstantiated allegations of Chinese interference in the electoral system.

07/07/2026

Markets

Samsung loses over $100 billion in market value despite record profit

Samsung Electronics has forecast a nineteen-fold leap in quarterly profit, its third record quarter in a row, yet investors responded by wiping more than $100 billion (€87.5bn) off the company's value amid doubts over how long the AI-driven memory boom can last.

07/07/2026

Business

AI chip tax windfall in South Korea could support housing and jobs

South Korea plans to channel a surge in tax revenue from its booming AI chipmakers into a new state fund, backing everything from semiconductor infrastructure to housing and jobs for young people.

06/07/2026

No Comment

Humanoid robots showcase football skills

Humanoid robots compete in football matches at RoboCup in Incheon, South Korea, showcasing advances in robotics as spectators watch the action.

03/07/2026

South Korea

Watch: South Korea holds first live-fire drill against drone swarms

South Korea's air force carried out its first live-fire exercise against a simulated swarm drone attack. Military forces used Vulcan air-defense guns, a portable laser and shotguns to intercept all 50 drones during the drill.

26/06/2026

No Comment

Humanoid robots join models at fashion show in Seoul

Humanoid robots wearing designer outfits shared the runway with human models at a futuristic fashion show in Seoul, highlighting advances in robotics and AI.

16/06/2026

South Korea

Starbucks to close Korea stores for history lesson after ad fiasco

The day of the reusable cup promotion coincided with the anniversary of the Gwangju uprising in which 165 civilians were killed, though many believe the real figure to be much higher.

15/06/2026

No Comment

South Korea overpass collapse kills three in Seoul

South Korea authorities launched an investigation after part of a decades-old overpass collapsed in Seoul on 26 May. The accident killed three people and disrupted rail traffic near the capital’s main station.

26/05/2026

Residences

‘Long snooze’: Is this the world’s best hotel bed?

The ‘Curator Suite 1503’ at RYSE, Autograph Collection in Seoul is home to an enormous extra-long bed, which stretches the near length of the room.

18/05/2026

No Comment

South Korea: Thousands watch robot monks march through Seoul’s historic streets

Four robot monks in traditional robes joined Seoul’s lantern parade ahead of Buddha’s birthday, symbolising Buddhism’s tech-savvy modernisation.

16/05/2026

No Comment

South Korea opens Galaxy Robot Park in Seoul with K-pop, AI shows and family fun

South Korea has opened the Galaxy Robot Park in Seoul, a robot-themed entertainment venue featuring humanoid boxing matches, K-pop dance shows and interactive AI attractions for children and families.

15/05/2026

Tech News

How South Korea is turning workplace skills into robot training data

The project reflects South Korea’s wider ambition to turn its chip industry, manufacturing strength and industrial know-how into an edge in ‘physical AI’. But can it catch up in a field still dominated by the US and China?

14/05/2026

South Korea

Seoul court orders North Korean leader to compensate Korean War POWs

Thursday's ruling was the third time former South Korean POWs have won damages against Kim and North Korea, according to local reports, although none has yet succeeded in collecting compensation.

14/05/2026

No Comment

Watch: Humanoid robot becomes Buddhist monk in South Korea

A humanoid robot named Gabi became an honorary Buddhist monk during an ordination ceremony held at Seoul’s Jogye Temple on May 6, ahead of Buddha’s birthday celebrations in South Korea.

11/05/2026

Economy

Oil tanker arrives in South Korea after leaving the Strait of Hormuz

A Malta-flagged tanker, carrying one million barrels of crude oil, has successfully reached the western coast of South Korea after passing through the Strait of Hormuz in mid-April.

08/05/2026

Tech News

Samsung employees threaten strike, demand profit share amid AI boom

Record profits but angry workers: thousands of Samsung workers threatening strike over bonus dispute.

23/04/2026

South Korea

Escaped wolf Neukgu captured after nine-day search in South Korea

A two-year-old wolf that escaped from O-World zoo in Daejeon, South Korea, has been safely recaptured after spending nine days on the loose. The male wolf, Neukgu, was born at the zoo in 2024 and is part of an initiative to restore wolves resembling those once native to the Korean peninsula.

17/04/2026

South Korea

North Korea boosting ability to make nuclear weapons, IAEA chief says

North Korea, which conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, is under rafts of UN sanctions for its banned weapons programmes.

15/04/2026

South Korea

Poland and South Korea upgrade ties to strategic defence partnership

During a visit to Seoul on Monday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung pledged to strengthen their cooperation, particularly in defence.

13/04/2026

Culture news

K-poptastic! BTS begin world domination tour with South Korea show

South Korean megapop stars BTS start their world tour in South Korea and with 85 countries in their sights some music analysts expecting it to outperform Taylor Swift's major money spinning Eras Tour.

09/04/2026

Economy

Macron and Lee say they'll work together to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Iran warned the UN Security Council against any "provocative action", ahead of a scheduled vote on a draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz that ended up being postponed.

03/04/2026

Travel News

How KPop Demon Hunters is driving a new wave of Seoul set-jetting

Key neighbourhoods, museums and spa rituals are some of the main attractions for fans visiting the South Korean capital.

16/03/2026