South Korea conditionally approves AliExpress, Shinsegae unit joint venture

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea’s competition regulator on Thursday conditionally approved a joint venture between Alibaba International’s AliExpress Korea and a unit of local company Shinsegae, but cited concerns over the sharing of customer...

South Korea Clocks a $560 Million Music Trade Surplus in H1 (Thanks K-Pop!)

Photo Credit: Blackpink by TV10 (티비텐) / CC by 3.0 South Korea’s content industry is thriving, with the country recording its largest-ever trade surplus on a half-year basis since statistics began in 2010. The music industry saw an impressive $560...

South Korea, China hold foreign ministers’ talks ahead of APEC

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Wang Yi, director of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Foreign Affairs Commission and foreign minister, in Beijing on September 17 for three hours of talks and dinner, discussing bilateral ties and issues...

South Korea Fall Foliage 2025 Forecast: When & Where to See Autumn Leaves

There’s just something about autumn in South Korea that feels absolutely enchanting. The air turns crisp without being too chilly, making it the perfect season for scenic hikes, cosy cafe stops, and exploring vibrant city streets. Seasonal...

Emma Raducanu beaten in Seoul after letting slip second-set match points

Emma Raducanu was unable to take three match points as she faded to defeat against Barbora Krejcikova at the Korea Open. The British number one looked poised to set up a quarter-final against Iga Swiatek when she led by a set and 5-2 only for...

Controversial church leader denies bribing ex-South Korea first lady

The leader of the controversial Unification Church has denied allegations that her organisation bribed South Korea's former first lady with luxury gifts in exchange for business favours. Han Hak-ja flatly rejected claims that she directed the...

Seoul launches task force to fix US visa system after mass detention

Seoul has launched a “pan-government task force for addressing US visa issues,” formed in the wake of the unprecedented mass detention of South Korean workers by US immigration authorities. The Foreign Ministry said it held the task force’s first...

South Korea probes human rights violations after US detains hundreds of workers

The South Korean government has launched an investigation into potential human-rights violations after more than 300 of its citizens were detained in a US immigration raid earlier this month at a Hyundai Motor construction site in Georgia. The...

Asia: Allianz Trade appoints new CEO for Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan

Allianz Trade has appointed Mr Hassan Omaish as CEO for Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan (collectively the Hong Kong Hub), effective 1 October 2025. Mr Omaish brings a wealth of international experience and strategic insight to his new role,...

Seoul’s first water bus takes off, drawing mixed reviews

SEOUL – Seoul launched its new waterborne public transit service, Hangang Bus, on Sept 18, drawing both praise and criticism over its environmental impact and effectiveness as a commuting option. On the day of its launch, large crowds flocked to...

New Yorkers are flying to South Korea for facelifts and Botox, claiming it’s ‘5 years ahead’

The quest for eternal youth is leading many to South Korea — where treatments are said to be both better and cheaper. Last month, Kim and Khloé Kardashian, along with La La Anthony, Stephanie Suganami and skincare expert Vanessa Lee took a girls...

Baykar Drones & KAAN Jets Boost Turkey’s Arms Industry; Can It Beat South Korea To Emerge World’s Top 10 Exporters?

The world today is a much dangerous place than it was one decade ago. War has returned to Europe after seven and a half decades of peace, and many frozen conflicts are flaring again. The strategic restraint that even conflict-ridden countries had...

Seoul Bio Hub-Celltrion launches 'Global Open Innovation' for US startups

Seoul Bio Hub-Celltrion launches 'Global Open Innovation' for US startups September 18, 2025 | Thursday | News Strategic gateway to help US bio startups dominate the Asian market image credit- shutterstock Seoul's bio startup hub 'Seoul Bio Hub'...

J-POP.ZIP 2025 brings Japanese music, culture to Seoul

Seoul's Seongsu-dong, one of the capital's trendiest neighborhoods, is about to get a heavy dose of Japanese pop culture this weekend. From Friday to Sunday, an event dubbed J-POP.ZIP 2025 will take over Space S50, packing the sounds of Japan into...

Top Envoys of China, South Korea Agree to Boost Strategic Ties

Beijing has long been North Korea’s primary supporter, providing crucial economic lifelines as the US and its allies upheld sanctions against the isolated regime. Pyongyang has recently moved closer to Moscow, with Kim positioning himself as a key...

Better Than U.S. Navy Destroyers? South Korea Launches Its Most Powerful Surface Combat Ship

The second KDX-III Batch-II Jeongjo the Great class destroyer was on September 17 launched to serve in the Republic of Korea Navy, with the warship Dasan Jeong Yakyong boasting capabilities that are among the foremost of any surface combatant in...

Seoul shares renew record high after Fed rate cut

Seoul shares closed nearly 1.5 percent higher Thursday to set a new record high after the Federal Reserve delivered its first interest rate cut of the year. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index...

South Korea to Examine Georgia ICE Raid for Possible Human Rights Abuses: Diplomatic Fall...

The recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid on a Hyundai-LG battery plant in Bryan County, Georgia, which resulted in the detention of approximately 475 people including over 300 South Korean nationals, has sparked an...

President Lee Jae-Myung's Plan to Reboot South Korea

President Lee Jae-Myung in Seoul on Sept. 3, 2025. Credit - Photograph by Hong Jang Hyun for TIME It was not how Lee Jae-myung envisioned his first day on the job. Following his election as South Korea’s President on June 3, Lee’s staff arrived at...

Mexico’s tariff plan threatens South Korea’s auto edge amid US trade strains

Seoul faces higher costs in Mexico as US tariffs persist, tightening squeeze on ROK automakers’ North American strategy South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) said Wednesday it convened a joint government-industry meeting in...