South Korea

Former oceans minister was summoned by police over a bribery scandal involving the Unification Church: prosecutors allege he received cash and a luxury watch in exchange for backing church-linked projects; Chun denies the claims as raids widen the probe

A sovereign fund and an export fund will be launched in 2026; finance ministry plans better management of state assets, new U.S.-focused investment tools under the recent tariff deal, and measures to foster AI industries and strengthen economic security

Art Odyssey, promoted by art institutions and cultural authorities, aims to coordinate global promotion of Korean art by linking museums, curators and research programs; It supports joint exhibitions, exchanges and strategies for artistic presence abroad

The “ADEX 2025” arms fair has been opened, featuring unmanned systems and AI-powered weapons from over 600 global firms; The show highlights Seoul’s push to modernise its defence industry, amid rising regional security tensions

A nationwide ban on smartphones in elementary, middle, and high schools will start on 1 March 2026 to curb youth addiction and improve focus; it prohibits the use of phones in class, with exceptions for emergencies or approved educational purposes

Police raided HYBE, the agency behind BTS, the globally famous K-pop group, as part of a probe into alleged unfair share trading by chairman Bang Si-hyuk; He’s accused of misleading investors before HYBE’s 2020 IPO, the initial public offering of stock

In Incheon’s Songdo district, a 63-year-old father allegedly shot and killed his son at a birthday party with a crude homemade gun and fled; Police arrested him in Seoul and found 15 improvised explosives at his home, forcing evacuation for 100 residents

After a 17-month boycott over the government’s plan to boost med school admissions, medical students announced their return to classes; They urged academic support and reforms in training, while trusting Parliament and the government to guide improvements

Full support for AI as a key growth driver was pledged by President Lee Jae Myung, who launched a major data center project in Ulsan with SK Group and AWS, part of an “AI highway” to help make Korea a global AI leader, backed by tax breaks and reforms