South Korea

Business

South Korea fines Google and Apple over app store payment rules

South Korea has fined Google and Apple a combined 63.7 billion won (€42.7m), for steering app developers towards their in-house payment systems and holding up app reviews, adding to a string of penalties the US tech giants face over app store rules, including in the EU.

28 October 2026

Singapore

Merz courts Asian investors as he insists Europe remains a safe bet

The German chancellor's upbeat pitch comes at a time of mounting pressure in Berlin, where a ministerial resignation and rising far-right support have left the chancellor’s coalition on shaky ground.

27 October 2026

No Comment

Large crowds watch as rescuers try to save stranded shark in South Korea

Officials in Busan made a third attempt to guide a trapped shark out of a canal and back to sea. The animal has drawn over a million visitors.

21 October 2026

South Korea

North Korea fires 'several ballistic missiles' into Sea of Japan

South Korea's National Security Office convened an emergency security meeting following the launch to review the country's military readiness.

12 October 2026

South Korea

Kyiv open to dialogue with South Korea after it recalls ambassador

Kyiv says it is open to “constructive dialogue” with Seoul despite its decision to recall its ambassador. South Korea’s decision comes just days after its president threatened to take punitive action against Zelenskyy’s violation of the non-disclosure agreement.

9 October 2026

Ukraine

South Korea recalls ambassador to Ukraine in North Korean prisoner row

Seoul said Kyiv's public disclosure of the repatriation of two North Korean prisoners endangered their families in North Korea, where relatives of those who fall into enemy hands face punishment. Ukraine has rejected South Korea's accusations.

8 October 2026

No Comment

‘Lost’ shark draws over a million curious visitors in South Korea

A bull shark nicknamed ‘Bukhangi’ has drawn about one million visitors to a Busan canal, sparking both fascination and concern for its welfare.

6 October 2026

North Korea

North Korea fires intermediate-range missile, claiming evasive flight

Japan’s military said the missile landed in waters outside its exclusive economic zone, while South Korea's military, which often accuses the North of exaggerating its capabilities, said it travelled more than 700 kilometres.

4 October 2026

Art

British Museum hosts a major exhibition on Korean art and history

The exhibition includes 10 national treasures and official Korean designations recognising their cultural importance, with most exhibits drawn from the collection of late Samsung billionaire Lee Kun-Hee.

2 October 2026

South Korea

Seoul warns of 'further measures' if Kyiv refuses public apology

The POWs were captured by Ukrainian forces early last year after being deployed alongside thousands of North Korean troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine.

2 October 2026

No Comment

Estonian slackliner takes on 120-metre-high line above Seoul

Estonian slackliner Jaan Roose completed a 160‑metre tightrope walk high above central Seoul, drawing crowds along Cheonggye Stream as he crossed.

1 October 2026

Economy

Trump announces $200bn in South Korean energy investment plans

US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday plans for $200 billion in South Korean investments in US energy projects, including $54 billion for a long-planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Alaska that Seoul said it had not yet agreed to invest in.

1 October 2026

Europe News

Seoul thinks Zelenskyy revealed North Korean POW transfer to win arms

South Korea has so far not provided lethal weapons to Ukraine, citing a domestic ban on militarily aiding countries at war.

30 September 2026

North Korea

North Korea denies South's claim it was behind DMZ mine blasts

North Korea in recent years has added mines, anti-tank barriers and other front-line fortifications, raising concerns in the South about the growing presence of North Korean soldiers near the border.

30 September 2026

South Korea

North Korean DMZ landmine blasts 'violation of armistice,' Seoul says

The northern and southern boundaries of the zone are among the world's most heavily fortified frontiers and landmine incidents have previously heightened tensions between the two countries.

29 September 2026

Destinations

Tokyo vs Seoul: Which trendy Asian capital city should you visit?

Tourism in both Tokyo and Seoul has been booming for a while now and there’s no sign of this slowing down just yet. Here we take a look at two of Asia's trending capital cities.

28 September 2026