Asia South Korea 2026 economic master plan aims at a “great economic leap,” forecasting 2% GDP growth; government plans substantial investments in semiconductors, AI, defense and biotech, new fiscal policy, price stabilization and measures to boost consumption
Asia 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
Asia South Korea 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
Asia South Korea 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
Asia South Korea A 600-year-old tax ship was recovered off the Coast of Taean: the full remains of a Joseon-era (1392-1910) cargo vessel shed light on how a premodern kingdom managed national taxation, logistics and sea-based infrastructure with surprising complexity
Asia South Korea South Korea has welcomed US President Trump on his Asia tour, meeting President Lee Jae‑Myung and signalling imminent finalisation of a massive US-Korea investment-trade deal; His visit also sets the stage for a summit with China’s Xi Jinping in Busan
Asia South Korea 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
Asia South Korea 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
Asia South Korea First-ever bill to recognize tattooing as a legal profession outside of medical practice has been pre-approved; if passing all stages, it could make tattooists professionals ending a 33-year-old barrier that has led underground the criminalized craft
Asia South Korea A traditional rainmaking ritual called giuje was performed by the Gangneung Danoje Preservation Committee as severe drought is gripping the coastal city of Gangneung; water at Obong Reservoir stood at 18,3% and is projected to last other 22 days
Asia South Korea 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
Asia South Korea 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
Asia South Korea 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