1.The International Monetary Fund said Tuesday it kept the 2024 growth outlook for South Korea unchanged at 2.5 percent amid a stable global economic expansion. The IMF also maintained its growth forecast for South Korea next year at 2.2 percent. 2.Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong on Wednesday vowed to make efforts to resolve a prolonged walkout by trainee doctors throughout talks with a consultative body comprising ruling, opposition parties and the medical community. 3.According to an analysis by the intelligence unit at South Korea's defense ministry on Wednesday, North Korea is estimated to have secured enough wartime supplies, including weapons, to last a maximum of three months.

1.During their meeting on Monday evening, People Power Party chief Han Dong-hoon pressed President Yoon Suk Yeol to remove a group of presidential aides allegedly under first lady Kim Keon-hee’s command. 2.South Korea on Monday strongly urged Russia to take "immediate" action to withdraw North Korean troops from the war in Ukraine, after Seoul's spy agency confirmed the North's deployment of its soldiers to Russia to help the war effort. 3.According to data from Statistics Korea on Tuesday, workers aged 60 and over outnumbered those in their 50s for the first time last month, to rank first among all age groups in employment.

1.During a ceremony marking 79th Police Day on Monday, President Yoon Suk Yeol urged police to step up efforts to crack down on crimes affecting ordinary citizens, new types of crime enabled by artificial intelligence, such as deepfake, and fake news. 2.The Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute announced Sunday that only 266 people passed this year’s exam, which is less than one-tenth of last year’s figure. The sharp decline is the result of medical students boycotting the exam in protest of the government’s plans to increase medical school admissions. 3.South Korea’s National Intelligence Service on Friday presented images confirming North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia for its war in Ukraine, which were captured by satellite the South has been operating.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday held an emergency security meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office, focusing on North Korea’s deployment of combat troops to Russia's war in Ukraine. 2.The Ministry of Economy and Finance said Friday that South Korea's economy continues to recover with solid exports and manufacturing gains, as it presented its monthly economic report, known as the “Green Book,” for October. 3.Israel on Thursday claimed that its forces killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Western leaders said his death offered an opportunity for the war to end, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it would go on.

1. Rival parties won crucial regional by-elections in their respective strongholds. The ruling People Power Party won the mayoral races in Busan's Geumjeong District and Incheon's Ganghwa County, while the main opposition Democratic Party won in the South Jeolla Province counties of Yeonggwang and Gokseong. 2. Senior diplomats from South Korea, the United States and Japan strongly denounced North Korea on Wednesday for deliberately escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. 3. The South Korean government on Thursday expressed disappointment and "deep regret" after Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine, which is seen as a symbol of Japan's militaristic past.

1.Voting for the by-elections kicked off at about 24-hundred polling stations in five electoral districts on Wednesday. The by-elections will fill the post of the education chief of Seoul and four local government heads. Final results are expected to come in around midnight. 2.Senior diplomats from South Korea, the United States and Japan met in Seoul on Wednesday amid rising tensions following North Korea's destruction of roads to the South and accusations of drone flights by the South over Pyongyang. 3.According to Statistics Korea on Wednesday, the number of employed people in South Korea came to 28-point-8 million in September, up 144-thousand from a year earlier. Jobs in the construction sector, however, fell by the most ever amid an industry slowdown.

1.With just one day left until the by-elections to elect four local government heads and the Seoul Superintendent of Education on Tuesday, both the ruling and opposition parties made their final push to win over voters. 2.North Korea on Tuesday blew up roads connected to South Korea once seen as symbols of inter-Korean cooperation as it seeks to cement its animosity toward the South, which it regards as a "primary foe." 3.This year's Nobel economics prize laureates on Monday applauded South Korea's economic rise, a key subject of their research, while also pointing out a set of challenges ahead. They also drew a stark contrast between the economic backwater of South and North Korea.

1.North Korea on Friday accused Seoul of flying drones over Pyongyang airspace to drop anti-regime propaganda leaflets, while Kim Yo-jong warned of “horrible disaster” if it happens again. The Joint Chiefs of Staff declined to confirm the claim and warned the North will see “the end of its regime” if it causes harm to South Koreans. 2.According to Statistics Korea on Monday, the number of female wage earners in South Korea averaged 10-million-152-thousand in the period from January to August this year, surpassing the 10 million mark for the first time since data compilation began in 1963. 3.China’s military launched a new round of military exercises near Taiwan on Monday, in what it calls a “stern warning” against those seeking “independence,” drawing condemnation from Taiwan and the U.S.

1.South Korean author Han Kang was awarded with the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature Thursday, becoming the first Asian female to be given this prestigious award and the second South Korean Nobel laureate. In a telephone interview with the Swedish Academy, Han said all writers since her childhood had been a source of inspiration to her. 2.President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held their first meeting in Laos on Thursday and agreed to strengthen security cooperation against North Korean threats amid Pyongyang’s growing military ties with Russia. 3.The Bank of Korea on Friday lowered its key interest rate by 25 basis points to three-point-2-5 percent, after holding rates for almost two years. The decision came amid moderating inflation and signs of the property market cooling down.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday announced the start of a “comprehensive strategic partnership” between South Korea and the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the opening of the South Korea-ASEAN summit Laos. 2.South Korea was elected to the U.N. Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term on Wednesday, as Seoul seeks to actively participate in international efforts to address North Korean and other human rights issues. 3.Medical professors of Seoul National University participated in a public debate session with government officials on Thursday. It was the first time a senior presidential secretary participated in a debate session regarding the medical reform.

1.At a government ceremony marking the 578th Hangeul Day on Wednesday, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo raised concerns about “indifference to the Korean language” and the excessive use of foreign loanwords, as well as abbreviations and newly coined words, adding that the nation has a duty to further develop the Korean alphabet. 2.President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday a unified, nuclear-free Korean Peninsula would contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and unlock new opportunities across a large, interconnected market, during his state visit to Singapore. 3.FTSE Russell, the London-based global index provider, announced Tuesday that South Korea will be included in a key leading World Government Bond Index, starting November next year.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong held summit talks Tuesday and signed a supply chain partnership arrangement, resolving to enhance bilateral cooperation on supply chains for strategic goods in the energy and biotechnology industries. 2.According to tentative data from the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, South Korea posted a current account surplus for the fourth consecutive month in August, on the back of robust chip exports. The current account surplus came to six-point-six billion dollars in August. 3.The official paper of North Korea's Workers’ Party, Rodong Sinmun, on Tuesday reported that leader Kim Jong-un said he has no intention of attacking South Korea, but will not rule out the use of nuclear weapons if an enemy attempts to use force against the North.

1.During President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit to the Philippines on Monday, the two countries agreed to elevate bilateral relations and form a strategic partnership to enhance cooperation in security, economy, and energy. 2.The 22nd National Assembly on Monday began its first parliamentary inspection of government offices. A total of 17 parliamentary standing committees will conduct audits and inspections of 802 government agencies and offices for 26 days. 3.The Foreign Ministry said Friday that South Korea and the U.S. reached an agreement on the 12th Special Measures Agreement, which stipulates how much South Korea pays to help upkeep troops in U.S. Forces Korea. Under the new deal, South Korea will pay 8-point-three percent more on-year in 2026.

1.The North’s state Korean Central News Agency reported Friday about Kim Jong-un's response to President Yoon's Armed Forces Day speech earlier this week. Kim reiterated that he will not hesitate to use nuclear weapons if an enemy attempts to encroach on North Korea’s sovereignty. 2.The National Assembly on Friday voted down three contentious bills put up for a re-vote, including one calling for a special investigation into allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee, after President Yoon Suk Yeol vetoed them. 3.Oil prices were subdued on Friday, after surging a day earlier, but remained on track for strong weekly gains, as concerns mounted that a widening regional conflict in the Middle East could disrupt global crude flows.

1.Prime Minister Han Duck-soo vowed Thursday to complete the medical reform, saying the reform drive is an essential choice to ensure the safety of people and protect future generations, at a ceremony commemorating National Foundation Day. 2.South Korean Pianist Lim Yunchan on Wednesday won the prestigious Gramophone Classical Music Award in the piano category, marking the first time a Korean pianist has received the prize. Lim, aged 20, received the award for his album, "Chopin: Etudes," and also won the "Young Artist of the Year" award. 3.The Presidential Office said Thursday that President Yoon Suk Yeol and new Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba have been arranging to have their first in-person meeting on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Laos.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday endorsed Cabinet motions demanding parliamentary reconsideration of three opposition-led bills, including one calling for a special counsel probe into first lady Kim Keon Hee's allegations. 2.The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Wednesday that North Korea sent what appeared to be trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea for the first time in 10 days. 3.Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israel on Tuesday, the latest in a series of rapidly escalating attacks between Israel and Iran and its Arab allies. Iran said the barrage was retaliation for a series of devastating blows Israel has recently landed against the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

1.A ceremony marking South Korea’s 76th Armed Forces Day was held in the Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do Province on Tuesday, featuring the Hyunmoo-5 missile, a centerpiece of the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation. Following the ceremony, a military parade was held near Gwanghwamun. 2.According to data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Tuesday, South Korea's exports extended on-year gains for the 12th straight month in September, on the back of robust shipments of chips. 3.Israel’s military said Tuesday it has begun “a limited ground operation” in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah with paratroops and commandos.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico agreed Monday to elevate bilateral ties and cooperate in carbon free energy industries during a summit earlier in the day in Seoul. 2.According to data compiled by Statistics Korea on Monday, South Korea’s industrial output increased for the first time in four months, advancing 1-point-2 percent in August from a month earlier. Retail sales also increased 1-point-7 percent from the previous month. 3.The Israeli military said Sunday that it “eliminated” 20 other Hezollah leaders of varying ranks when they killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut on Friday.

1.The National Assembly held a plenary session on Thursday and passed 77 key livelihood bills, including measures for punishing deepfake sexual exploitation crimes and extending parental leave. 2.Interior Minister Lee Sang-min on Friday announced government plans to invest 3.3 trillion won, or roughly 2.5 billion U.S. dollars, of its health insurance funding annually over the next five years to reform tertiary care hospitals to better prioritize the treatment of critically ill patients. 3.Japan's former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba won the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election on Friday, defeating economic security minister Sanae Takaichi in a runoff vote, and is set to be named prime minister next week after a parliamentary vote.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday pledged to support South Korea's ascent to the ranks of the world's top three artificial intelligence powerhouses by 2027 at the inaugural meeting of a presidential committee on the AI industry. 2.The Ministry of Economy and Finance said Thursday that South Korea is expected to face a tax shortfall of nearly 30 trillion won, or about 22-point-6 billion U.S. dollars, this year. The government expects to collect 337-point-7 trillion won in taxes, which is 8-point-1 percent less than the forecast made in the 2024 budget planning. 3.Hezbollah on Wednesday said it launched a ballistic missile toward the headquarters of Israel’s intelligence service Mossad near Tel Aviv, shortly after the Israeli military said it intercepted the attack.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol hosted a dinner meeting with the leadership of the ruling People Power Party on Tuesday. President Yoon discussed the outcome of his recent visit to the Czech Republic, but there is said to be no meaningful discussions on sensitive issues about the medical reform and first lady Kim Keon Hee. 2.South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday that the 8th round of negotiations for the 12th Special Measures Agreement between South Korea and the United States, which will determine South Korea's defense cost-sharing for U.S. Forces Korea from 2026 onward, is set to take place in Seoul from September 25th to 27th. 3.An Israeli airstrike on Beirut killed a senior Hezbollah commander on Tuesday as cross-border rocket attacks by both sides increased fears of a full-fledged war in the Middle East. Hezbollah early on Wednesday confirmed senior commander Ibrahim Qubaisi was killed. Israel said Qubaisi headed the group's missile and rocket force.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to host a dinner meeting with the leadership of the ruling People Power Party on Tuesday, including PPP chief Han Dong-hoon, floor leader Choo Kyung-ho and Supreme Council members, for the second time following Han's election in July. 2.According to the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, South Korea's producer price index fell 0-point-1 percent in August from a month earlier, driven by a fall in the prices of oil and related products. 3.Lebanon's health ministry said Monday that at least 492 people have been killed in intense and wide-ranging Israeli air strikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, in the deadliest day of conflict since 2006. France on Monday requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss Lebanon.

1.The Korea Electric Power Corporation said Monday that it plans to freeze electricity rates for the fourth quarter at 5 won per kilowatt-hour. The rate, however, is still subject to an additional adjustment later this year. 2.The Joint Chiefs of Staff on Monday vowed to take “stern” military measures should North Korea “cross the line” with its ongoing trash balloon campaign or inflict serious damage to the South Korean people. 3.Hezbollah and Israel exchanged intense fire into Sunday, while Hezbollah deputy chief said it has entered an “open-ended battle of reckoning” with Israel. The conflict between the two has escalated sharply in the past week, renewing fears of wider war·

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday held out the prospect of forging a "nuclear energy alliance" with the Czech Republic, after holding a summit with Czech President Petr Pavel. 2.The United States on Thursday announced sanctions against five entities and one individual -- based in Russia and a Russian-occupied Georgian region -- for their alleged involvement in illicit financial schemes between Pyongyang and Moscow. 3.Israel carried out extensive air strikes on southern Lebanon late on Thursday, heightening the conflict between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, amid calls for restraint.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol left for Prague on Thursday for a trip focused on ensuring a major nuclear energy project in the Czech Republic. Ahead of his departure, President Yoon expressed confidence in a written interview with Reuters that Korea will clinch the deal despite legal concerns. 2.The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered its benchmark interest rate by half of a percentage point to the 4.75 to 5.0 percent range, and hinted at possibly further lowering the rate later this year. 3.The opposition-dominated National Assembly passed three contentious bills on Thursday, including two mandating special counsel probes - one to look into the death of a marine last year and another to examine allegations against First Lady Kim Keon-hee. The ruling People Power Party chose to boycott Thursday's plenary session.

1.The Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles in a northeastern direction on Wednesday, further raising tensions just five days after North Korea disclosed a uranium enrichment facility. 2.Health authorities said Tuesday that emergency rooms at hospitals nationwide operated smoothly on Chuseok with patient traffic comparable to that of a typical weekend, amid a prolonged doctors' walkout. 3.Pagers used by hundreds of members of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah exploded simultaneously in Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday, killing at least nine people and wounding over 2-thousand-800.

1.The government and the ruling People Power Party agreed Thursday to implement financial aid measures to encourage around 8,000 hospitals and neighborhood clinics to accept patients during the upcoming Chuseok holiday, amid a prolonged doctors' walkout. 2.South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday morning. 3.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his British counterpart, David Lammy, met with the top leaders of Ukraine in Kyiv on Wednesday to discuss lifting restrictions on Ukraine using long-range weapons supplied by the west on key military targets inside Russia.

1.The Korea Meteorological Administration said an unprecedented autumn heat wave is set to reach its peak on Wednesday, as the daytime high was forecast to rise to a record 35 degrees Celsius in Seoul, amid a heat wave advisory issued for almost all regions of the country. 2.According to data from the Korea Customs Service on Wednesday, South Korea's exports rose 24.6 percent on-year in the first 10 days of September on robust global demand for semiconductors. 3.U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump on Tuesday clashed over foreign policy, immigration, abortion, Russia's war in Ukraine and other issues during their first high-stakes televised debate in Philadelphia.

1.During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol said the government will temporarily raise health insurance payments to hospitals for the upcoming Chuseok holiday to better reward their services and to prevent disruptions in emergency medical care. 2.North Korea's state media reported Tuesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to bolster the country's nuclear capabilities to deter any threats by enemies, saying it is steadily carrying out a policy to increase the number of nuclear weapons exponentially. 3.Tokyo Electric Power Company said in a statement Tuesday that its “pilot extraction operation” to remove a small amount of radioactive debris from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant had started. The operation will take about two weeks, and be a crucial step towards decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

1.The National Assembly will hold a four-day interpellation session starting Monday. During the session, lawmakers are expected to clash over inflation, the health care crisis, a special counsel investigation centering on first lady Kim Keon-hee, and the pension system reform. 2.The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday that North Korea sent more trash-filled balloons towards South Korea on Sunday, in what marked the fifth straight day of such launches. Around 40 bundles were confirmed to have landed in the Seoul metropolitan area. 3.A former Philippines police officer, who kidnapped and murdered a Korean businessman in 2016, has fled after being sentenced to life imprisonment.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held talks in Seoul on Friday to discuss ways to deepen bilateral cooperation as Kishida is preparing to leave office. 2.The presidential office is reportedly open to adjusting the medical school admissions quota for the 2026 academic year. The top office is also said to be willing to form a consultative body between the rival parties, the government and the medical community, to resolve the health care crisis. 3.The United States' said Thursday that it is seeking new export controls on quantum computing, advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment and other technologies, in what it called a national security measure. Experts said it would have limited ramifications on South Korean firms.

1.Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong on Wednesday announced a national pension reform plan. The government proposed raising the pension contribution rate from the current 9 percent to 13 percent, and upwardly adjusting the nominal replacement rate to 42 percent. 2.The Joint Chiefs of Staff said that North Korea started sending balloons into South Korea again on Thursday morning. North Korea sent around 420 trash-carrying balloons from Wednesday night to early Thursday in what marked its resumption of its balloon campaign after a near month-long halt. 3.According to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea released Thursday, South Korea's real gross domestic product - a key measure of economic growth - contracted 0-point-2 percent on-quarter in the April-June period, amid weaker domestic demand, while exports remained solid.

1.Main opposition Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae strongly criticized the Yoon administration for its handling of the prolonged medical vacuum caused by doctors' collective action during a speech at the National Assembly on Wednesday. 2.President Yoon Suk Yeol and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Wednesday held Summit talks in Seoul and agreed to accelerate discussions to elevate their bilateral cooperation to a "comprehensive strategic partnership." 3.The benchmark KOSPI plunged 83-point-83 points, or three-point-15 percent, on Wednesday to close at two-thousand-580-point-eight, amid renewed concerns of a U.S. economic recession. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ also tumbled three-point-76 percent to close at 731-point-75.

1.The South Korean government on Tuesday designated Armed Forces Day on October 1st as a temporary holiday this year to boost troop morale and domestic consumption. 2.According to data from Statistics Korea on Tuesday, South Korea's consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, increased 2 percent on-year last month. August's figure marked the slowest increase since March 2021, on easing prices of farm produce and global oil. 3.According to a report from the Institute for National Security Strategy on Tuesday, North Korea is estimated to have earned more than six billion U.S. dollars through hacking and other illicit activities over the past seven years, despite facing heavy international sanctions.

1.The leaders of the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party agreed Sunday to form a joint consultative body to discuss matters concerning people’s livelihoods where both parties share common ground. 2.South Korea’s health ministry on Monday started holding daily briefings on the situation in emergency rooms. Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong tried to soothe concerns saying that he believes emergency rooms can maintain operations despite the current difficulties 3.Massive protests swept Israel on Sunday calling for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a ceasefire deal, after the Israeli military said that six bodies recovered in the Gaza strip belonged to hostages who had been killed by Hamas.

1. According to data compiled by Statistics Korea on Friday, South Korea's industrial output fell for the third consecutive month in July due to sluggish production in the semiconductor and automobile sectors. 2.The Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy said Friday the government will evaluate progress made by each government ministry in policies aimed at tackling the country's chronic low births within the year. 3.Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun reported Friday that North Korea is planning to send its Foreign Minister, Choe Son-hui, to the UN General Assembly in late September, marking the first appearance by an incumbent North Korean foreign minister at the event since 2018.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday that the government will pursue gradually increasing the pension premiums for the younger generation and the middle-aged generation at a different pace, as well as introduce mechanisms to enhance the pension system's financial stability. 2.South Korea's Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday that the government's failure to set greenhouse gas reduction targets beyond 2031 is unconstitutional, marking Asia's first decision recognizing inadequate climate action as a violation of citizens' rights. 3.South Korea and the United States on Thursday wrapped up the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise after its 11-day run, as the allies sought to bolster their joint defense readiness against evolving North Korean military threats.

1.The National Assembly on Wednesday passed several bills aimed to improve people’s livelihoods, marking the first time the rival parties showed bipartisan support in advancing legislation since the 22nd Assembly started its four-year term in late May. Among the bills passed was a nursing act that calls for nurses to play greater roles. 2.The Finance Ministry announced Wednesday that the government will supply a record amount of 170-thousand tons of high-demand foodstuffs and provide a discount worth 70 billion won, or roughly 52 million U.S. dollars, for the upcoming Chuseok holiday. 3.The Korean National Police Agency said Tuesday that it will start an intensive seven-month crackdown against deepfake sex crimes starting Wednesday, as the number of cases increased in recent years.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged on Tuesday to uphold fiscal soundness in next year’s budget proposal while prioritizing the welfare of vulnerable groups and fostering economic growth. President Yoon presided over a Cabinet meeting to approve the government's 2025 budget proposal of 677-point-four trillion won, or about 509 billion U.S. dollars. 2.Rival political parties are reportedly in talks about a bill that would clarify the roles and responsibilities of physician assistants, and may conduct an emergency review of the legislation before putting it to a vote at Wednesday’s plenary session, as health care workers plan to go on strike Thursday. 3.Westinghouse Electric Company, a U.S. nuclear energy firm, on Monday said it has filed an appeal with the Czech Anti-Monopoly Office against the selection of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power as the preferred bidder for a nuclear power plant project, claiming its intellectual property rights.

1.The government plans to provide over 40 trillion won, or around 30 billion U.S. dollars, in financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises, and micro business owners as part of measures to support them ahead of the Chuseok holiday. 2.The presidential office said that it is in consultation with Japan regarding a possible visit by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to South Korea, amid Japanese media reports that Kishida will visit Seoul early next month for a summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol. 3.Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel early on Sunday, as Israel's military said it struck Lebanon with around 100 jets to thwart a larger attack.

1.Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company on Thursday suspended preparation work for the test removal of nuclear fuel debris from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, due to a technical error, and it is unclear when the work may resume. 2.Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Thursday that South Korea will push to expand free trade agreements with emerging markets in Asia and Africa to boost the export-driven economy and enhance supply chain resilience. 3.The police have formed a probe team and launched investigations into the deadly fire at a hotel in Bucheon, which killed seven people and injured 12 others on Thursday. The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police said on Friday that it set up an 84-member team for the task.

1.South Korea's central bank froze its key rate at 3.5% for the 13th straight session on Thursday as household debts continue to increase and inflation keeps slowing down. 2.Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo announced Thursday during a briefing that the government will redirect mild medical cases to local hospitals to reduce gaps in critical care, raise emergency room fees, and strengthen support for medical staff. 3.President Yoon Suk Yeol warned Wednesday that North Korea would face the “end of its regime” should it attempt to invade South Korea. President Yoon made the remark during his visit to the Ground Operations Command in Yongin, where he received briefings on the Ulchi Freedom Shield. `

1.The finance ministry said Wednesday it will extend the tax cut on fuel for automobiles by another two months until the end of October amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. 2.The chief of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Wednesday that health authorities plan to focus on treating COVID-19 in high-risk patients, as this year's summer wave is expected to peak by the end of this month. 3.A nationwide civil defense drill will be conducted for 20 minutes starting at 2 p.m. on August 22nd. After the siren sounds, residents must evacuate to the nearest civil defense shelter. The drill is being carried out to strengthen the public's ability to respond in situations such as missile attacks.

1.The Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that a North Korean soldier crossed the border into South Korea early Tuesday. The South Korean military detected the soldier from north of the Military Demarcation Line within the Demilitarized Zone in the eastern section of the border and conducted an operation to help him arrive in the South. 2.During a policy consultation meeting regarding next year’s government budget on Tuesday, the government and the ruling party agreed to increase the distribution of EV chargers with fire prevention functions to 90,000 units in response to the recent surge in EV fires. 3.The U.S. Democratic Party reaffirmed its commitment to its allies in the new party platform released on Sunday, ahead of the November presidential election. The platform stressed that the U.S. has and will stand by its allies, especially South Korea, against North Korea's provocations.

1.South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday that the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield Exercise began Monday and will be held until the 29th with increased field training to enhance South Korea’s and the U.S.’ joint defense posture against North Korea. 2.Lee Jae-myung won his second term as the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party with a record-high vote share of over 85 percent at a national convention on Sunday. 3.The Korea Meteorological Administration said Monday that Typhoon Jongdari{종다리} is currently moving northward toward the west of the Korean Peninsula, and will reach waters off the western city of Seosan on Wednesday.

1.The Ministry of Economy and Finance on Friday made an assessment in the Green Book, its monthly economic report, that the South Korean economy continues to show signs of improving domestic demand for four straight months, with consumer prices maintaining a stable trend. 2.The Korea Meteorological Agency reported that Seoul experienced its 26th consecutive tropical night on Friday, marking the longest streak of overnight temperatures remaining above 25 degrees celsius in 118 years. 3.South Korea's defense authorities on Friday approved a plan to reduce Indonesia's contribution to a joint fighter jet development project to 600 billion won, or approximately 440 million U.S. dollars, from the original amount of 1.6 trillion won.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol unveiled a vision for unification with North Korea on Thursday during an address marking the 79th Liberation Day, pledging to expand outside information on North Korea and proposing an official dialogue channel that can "take up any issue." 2.Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said on Wednesday during a discussion hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, that some experts anticipate Kim Jong-un might attempt to conduct a nuclear test or launch an ICBM in October if it would benefit him in the event of Trump's return to power. 3.Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday both claimed they have the upper hand after fighting on Russian soil for the ninth consecutive day. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is advancing into Russia’s Kursk region, but Russia reported it has thwarted Ukraine's attempts.

1.According to data compiled by Statistics Korea on Wednesday, South Korea added more than 100-thousand jobs for the first time in three months in July. The number of employed people came to 28-point-86 million last month, up 172-thousand on-year. Jobs in the construction sector, however, fell by the most in 11 years. 2.The Korea Children's Hospital Association said Wednesday that the number of COVID-19 cases among children in South Korea has nearly tripled over the past two weeks. 3.The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday that the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired some 15 rockets toward northern Israel, as fears grow over the possibility of a wider regional conflict. The rockets reportedly struck open areas, causing no injuries.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday reinstated the civil rights of former South Gyeongsang Governor Kim Kyung-soo under Liberation Day special pardons. The pardon was endorsed after it was recommended by a justice ministry panel last week and approved during a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day. 2.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Tuesday that the ongoing wave of COVID-19 is forecast to reach a peak around the end of August… and decided to expand the virus response team to enhance monitoring of the situation, analysis of infections and management of treatment and medical supplies. 3.Israel on Monday put its military on high alert and the Pentagon said it is sending a guided-missile submarine to the region and speeding up the arrival of a second aircraft carrier, amid heightened concerns about a possible Iranian and Hezbollah response to the killing of militant leaders in Tehran and Beirut.

1.The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday that South Korea and the United States will begin the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise from August 19th to 29th to strengthen their joint defense readiness in the face of evolving North Korean military threats. 2.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday named Presidential Security Service chief Kim Yong-hyun as the new defense minister, while Defense Minister Shin Won-sik was named as new national security adviser. National security adviser Chang Ho-jin was named as special adviser for foreign affairs and security, a newly created post. 3.Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of starting a fire on the grounds of Europe's largest and now Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine on Sunday, with both sides reporting no sign of elevated radiation.

1.Multiple military sources said Friday that a North Korean defected to South Korea early on Thursday by crossing "neutral waters" between the two Koreas. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said relevant authorities are investigating the details, including how the defection took place. 2.According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Friday, the number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in South Korea surged sixfold in four weeks amid a virus resurgence in summertime nationwide. Of the inpatients this month, 65-point-2 percent were those aged 65 and older. 3.Japan's Meteorological Agency on Thursday issued its first-ever alert warning about a possible megaquake around the Nankai Trough, following a magnitude 7.1 quake that struck earlier in the day off the coast of Kyushu.

1.Rival political parties on Thursday agreed to pass pending bills with little difference between the two sides during the August extraordinary session, including a revision bill stripping parents of the right to inherit their deceased child's assets if they had neglected parental duties, and a legislation for physician assistants. 2.The environment ministry said Thursday that it plans to unveil a set of comprehensive measures to prevent electric vehicle fires next month, following recent blazes involving electric cars. 3.The foreign ministry said Tuesday that South Korea had proposed Japan use the expression "forced" in the museum exhibits on the Sado mines linked to wartime forced labor of Koreans, prior to its UNESCO inscription, but Tokyo refused.

1.The Korea Development Institute said in a monthly economic assessment report that the South Korean economy is on a recovery track on strong exports, but subdued domestic demand has limited the overall economic improvement. 2.Policy chiefs from the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party on Wednesday agreed to swiftly handle key livelihood bills that have been pending amid a political strife under the 22nd National Assembly, during an inaugural meeting between the two parties. 3.U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday announced the governor of Minnesota Tim Walz as her running mate for the presidential election. Walz is a former school teacher and military veteran who is viewed as a Democrat that can win over rural and working-class voters in crucial Midwestern states.

1.South Korean stocks rose more than 3 percent Tuesday, rebounding from the previous day's massive market sell-off, sparked by fears over a U.S. recession and the sluggish performance of big tech firms. The benchmark KOSPI gained 3.3 percent to close at 2,522-point-15 points. 2.Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok on Tuesday unveiled policy measures for e-commerce vendors. Under the measures, the government will shorten a term of payment by e-commerce platforms to vendors and require e-commerce platforms to separately manage money set to be paid to vendors. 3.U.S. defense officials said Monday that at least five U.S. personnel were injured in an attack against a military base in Iraq, amid rising tensions following last week’s killing of senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah. According to Reuters, two Katyusha rockets were fired at the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq.

1.South Korea's benchmark KOSPI and the tech-heavy KOSDAQ both plunged over eight percent on Monday, prompting authorities to activate a circuit breaker to temporarily suspend trading. The Korea Exchange said it was halting trading on the KOSPI for 20 minutes starting at 2:14 p.m. 2.The opposition-controlled National Assembly on Monday passed the revision to the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act, better known as the "yellow envelope bill.” Lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party left the plenary session in protest. 3.According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and fire authorities on Monday, five South Koreans died of heat-related deaths over the weekend. An intense heat wave has been gripping the nation since late last month, and is forecast to continue for at least another 10 days.

1.According to data from Statistics Korea on Friday, consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 2.6 percent on-year last month. Inflation in July was led by high prices of farm produce, while prices of petroleum products climbed 8.4 percent on-year in July. 2.Seoul's unification ministry said Friday that North Korea has not yet responded to South Korea's proposal made a day earlier to support North Korean flood victims with necessary supplies from a humanitarian and fraternal perspective through the Korean Red Cross. 3.The U.S. Democratic Party began the process of formally nominating Kamala Harris as its candidate for the United States presidential elections. Democratic National Convention delegates began officially selecting their nominee for president on Thursday morning in what’s known as a virtual roll call.

1.South Korea's health ministry said Thursday that it will have hospitals recruit additional trainee doctors later this month. The announcement came as only 104 candidates applied for trainee doctor programs starting in September, while local hospitals sought to find trainees for seven-thousand-645 new positions. 2.According to data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Thursday, South Korea's exports extended on-year gains for the tenth straight month in July on the back of the robust performance of semiconductors. Outbound shipments rose 13.9 percent on-year to 57-point-4 billion U.S. dollars last month. 3.The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday held its benchmark lending rate steady in the 5.25 to 5.50 percent range for an eighth consecutive time, while its chair said a rate cut could be "on the table" as soon as September if conditions are met.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday named Park Cheol-hee, an expert on Japan and the current head of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, as the top envoy to Tokyo,... and Kim Moon-soo, head of the presidential Economic, Social and Labor Council, as the new labor minister. 2.According to data compiled by Statistics Korea on Wednesday, South Korea's industrial output fell 0.1 percent on-month in June for the second consecutive month. However, retail sales advanced 1 percent on-month and facility investment climbed 4.3 percent from a month earlier in June. 3.Israel on Tuesday claimed it killed Hezbollah’s top military commander, Fuad Shukur, in an airstrike on Beirut, launched in retaliation for a rocket attack on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Iranian state media reported Wednesday that Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in Tehran.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday reaffirmed plans to protect and support retail investors by scrapping the financial investment income tax, which is set to be introduced next year, during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office. 2.South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said in an interview with Bloomberg published Monday, that South Korea is not ruling out the possibility of North Korea conducting a nuclear test before or after the U.S. presidential election in November to bolster its leverage. 3.Reuters reported Tuesday that the United States is leading a diplomatic dash to deter Israel from striking Lebanon's capital Beirut or major civil infrastructure, as Lebanon braced for retaliation after a rocket strike that killed 12 children and teenagers in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

1.South Korea's Ministry of Finance said Monday the government has decided to extend at least 560 billion won, or roughly 445 million U.S. dollars, of funds to support small vendors suffering from payment delays by the e-commerce platforms TMON and WeMakePrice. 2.In a press conference after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Laos on Saturday, South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol urged Japan to show sincerity in implementing follow-up measures regarding the designation of the Sado gold mine, associated with Korea's wartime forced labor, as a UNESCO World Heritage site. 3.Seoul's defense ministry said the defense chiefs of South Korea, the United States and Japan signed a document on the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework on Sunday, in a move solidifying their continued commitment to three-way security cooperation against North Korean threats.

1.Lee Sang-in, acting chief of South Korea's state broadcasting regulator, voluntarily stepped down Friday ahead of the National Assembly's planned vote on his impeachment motion. With Lee's resignation, the Korea Communications Commission is now left without any standing members. 2.Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday that Japan's former gold mine, associated with South Korea's wartime forced labor, is expected to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site over the weekend. 3.The opening ceremony for the 33rd Summer Olympics in Paris is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday local time, or 2:30 a.m. Saturday in South Korea. It will be the first opening ceremony in history to take place outside a stadium. South Korea has sent 143 athletes in 21 out of 32 sports.

1.The National Assembly on Thursday rejected a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the death of a Marine that was up for a revote after President Yoon Suk Yeol vetoed it for the second time. Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik earlier said he will also table four controversial broadcasting bills during the session. 2.According to preliminary data released from the Bank of Korea on Thursday, South Korea's real gross domestic product, a key measure of economic growth, contracted 0.2 percent on-quarter in the April-June period, as weaker domestic demand clouded recovery prospects, despite robust exports. 3.U.S. President Joe Biden made his first public address since dropping his re-election bid, saying he pulled out of the race against Republican candidate Donald Trump to unite his party and save the country’s democracy.

1.The confirmation hearing for the new chief of the state broadcasting watchdog Lee Jin-sook began on Wednesday and will be held for two days until Thursday. Lee is a former journalist of public broadcaster MBC and was nominated by President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month. 2.The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Wednesday that North Korea again launched trash-filled balloons toward South Korea. The Presidential Security Service later announced that a trash-carrying balloon sent by North Korea had also landed on the presidential office compound. 3.The Korea Meteorological Administration issued a heat advisory on Wednesday for northern and central Seoul, the surrounding metropolitan area, and the northwestern part of Gangwon. Heat alerts have been issued for 173 out of 183 designated land areas nationwide.

1.Han Dong-hoon was elected as the new leader of the ruling People Power Party at the national convention held Tuesday. Han secured a majority in the first round of voting. 2.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday sent special envoys {성태윤}Sung Tae-yoon and Industry Minister {안덕근}Ahn Duk-geun to the Czech Republic to discuss follow-up measures on the country’s selection of a South Korean consortium as a preferred bidder for a nuclear power plant project. 3.North Korea’s state media reported Tuesday that North Korea does “not care” who wins the upcoming U.S. election, dismissing former President Donald Trump’s repeated boasts about his close relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

1.Hospitals in South Korea on Monday started hiring roughly 7-thousand-700 trainee doctors, despite some medical professors warning of boycotting their training programs in protest of the government's push for accepting the resignations of trainees on strike. 2.The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday that South Korea conducted anti-Pyongyang broadcasts through its border loudspeakers in full-scale for the second day, in response to the North's repeated launches of trash-carrying balloons into the South. 3.U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race Sunday and officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him as the Democratic Party's candidate. The announcement came following Biden’s poor debate performance last month against former President Donald Trump.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday attended the debate forum on people’s livelihood in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do Province and emphasized his plans to develop Jeonbuk via visions of 'high-tech,' 'life,' and ‘culture.’ 2.According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, South Korea's military resumed propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea in response to its latest launch of trash balloons into the South. 3.Former US President Donald Trump on Thursday stated he will “get along with” Kim Jong-un when he returns to office as he formally accepted the Republican nomination for the US Presidential election.

1. Subway and ferry services on Thursday are suspended and roads are closed across the country, including the capital region, due to torrential rain. The number of people temporarily evacuated due to heavy rain has also increased to 901. 2. The Czech government on Wednesday picked South Korea's state-run nuclear power agency as the preferred bidder to build two new nuclear power units, a project currently valued at $17.3 billion. 3. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday nominated Seoul National University Professor Yoo Sang-im as the candidate for Minister of Science and ICT and also appointed three new deputy ministerial positions across different ministries.

1. National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik on Wednesday proposed the parliament come up with a bill to revise the Constitution with the aim of holding a national referendum in 2026 and invited President Yoon Suk Yeol to hold talks with the National Assembly to discuss the amendment. 2. Torrential downpour hit Seoul and northern Gyeonggi Province on Wednesday, triggering emergency alerts and commuter chaos. According to the state weather agency, a heavy rain watch was issued across 10 cities and counties in northern Gyeonggi Province. 3. According to a federal court in New York City on Tuesday, a former Korean-American CIA specialist, Sue Mi Terry, has been formally charged for allegedly working as an unregistered agent for South Korea's intelligence service in exchange for luxury goods and other gifts.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday that South Korea's alliance with the United States has been elevated to a "nuclear-based" one capable of deterring the North's nuclear threats. Yoon added that the joint nuclear deterrence guidelines, signed last week, has established a structure to “respond swiftly and effectively to any kind of North Korean nuclear threat." 2.South Korea’s automobile exports hit another record high of $37 billion in the first half of the year driven by climbing sales of high-margin hybrid cars and SUVs. 3.Former US President Trump was officially nominated on Monday as the Republican Party’s presidential candidate alongside his vice presidential pick, Ohio Senator JD Vance, at the Republican National Convention.

1.Former US President Donald Trump was targeted in an assassination attempt on Saturday, local time, while delivering a rally speech in Butler, Pennsylvania. The attack left one person dead and two others critically injured. 2.President Yoon Suk Yeol said Sunday that South Korea will "spare no diplomatic ef fort" to prevent the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors overseas during the commemoration of the inaugural North Korean Defectors' Day. 3.Trainee doctors appeared to have shown little signs of returning to work, despite the deadline set by the government calling on training hospitals to confirm their decisions on junior doctors’ resignation letters by Monday.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden warned on Thursday that any North Korean nuclear attack against South Korea will be met with a "swift, overwhelming and decisive" response, as they highlighted "tremendous" progress in their joint deterrence efforts. 2.South Korea strongly protested on Friday after Japan restated its false territorial claims to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo in its latest defense white paper, urging it to drop the unjustified claims. 3.South Korea set next year’s minimum wage at 10,030 won ($7.70) per hour on Friday, marking the first time the rate has exceeded the 10,000 won threshold.

1.NATO leaders on Wednesday "strongly" condemned North Korea's weapons exports to Russia and voiced "great concern" over the two countries' deepening partnership in a summit declaration. Meanwhile, President Yoon Suk Yeol held talks with the leaders of seven countries on the sidelines. 2.South Korea's central bank left its key rate unchanged at 3.5% for the 12th straight session on Thursday amid high household debt and moderating inflation. 3.South Korea has filed a suit to reverse an international tribunal's recent order to pay US$32 million in compensation to U.S. hedge fund Mason Capital over a controversial 2015 merger of two Samsung affiliates.

1.The Nato summit opened on Wednesday with U.S. President Joe Biden’s welcoming speech, where he reassured the allies that the military alliance “is more powerful than ever.” President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to arrive in Washington to join the summit on Wednesday and Thursday. 2.The government on Wednesday unveiled a set of guidelines loosening class requirements for medical students to help them avoid failing semesters. Many medical students have been collectively boycotting classes since February in protest against the government's increase of the medical school admissions quota. 3.Record torrential rainfall battered South Korea's southern regions Wednesday, leaving five people dead and one missing. Gunsan, in Jeollabuk-do province, received a whopping 131.7 millimeters of rain within a one-hour span early Wednesday morning, the heaviest hourly downpour on record.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday again vetoed a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the military's response to a Marine's death last year, the second time he did so in less than two months. 2.President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in Hawaii on Monday and visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and laid wreaths in honor of veterans who fought in the Korean War. He is set to arrive in Washington, DC, for the NATO Summit on Wednesday. 3.A Russian missile strike partially destroyed a children’s hospital in Kyiv on Monday. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the daytime aerial assault on targets in cities across Ukraine killed at least 37 people and injured 170 others.

1.South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to embark on a trip to the United States to attend the NATO summit in Washington. President Yoon will stop in Hawaii on Monday and Tuesday ahead of the summit, and arrive in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. 2.The Gyeongbuk National Police Agency announced the results of the investigation into the death of Marine Corporal Chae’s after nearly a year. The police decided not to charge Lim Seong-geun, the commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, and only referred six other military officers to the prosecution for indictment. 3.Unionized workers of Samsung Electronics launched their first-ever strike Monday, demanding higher pay and warning of potential further action if the country's largest conglomerate does not meet their demands.

1.The National Assembly Speaker’s office announced on Thursday that the opening ceremony of the 22nd National Assembly, that was originally scheduled for Friday, has been postponed, adding that the new schedule for the event will be disclosed at a later date. 2.According to data released by the Bank of Korea on Friday, South Korea logged the largest current account surplus in May, reaching eight-point-92 billion U.S. dollars, to hit a 32 month high on the back of a rise in the trade surplus and increased dividend income. 3.The U.K.'s opposition Labour Party won a huge parliamentary majority in the country's general election, unseating the incumbent Conservatives after 14 years. Keir Starmer, who will become the country's next Prime Minister, said "change begins now" as he declared victory.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday named Lee Jin-sook as new chief of the Korea Communications Commission. {김완섭}Kim Wan-sup, who previously served as the second vice finance minister, was named as the minister of environment. 2.Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok on Thursday called for proactive and preemptive responses during a meeting of ministers, to prevent possible massive changes in external circumstances from affecting South Korean exports so as to maintain economic recovery momentum. 3.Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported on Thursday that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is coordinating a four-way summit with South Korea, Australia and New Zealand on the sidelines of the NATO summit next week.

1.The interpellation session of the 22nd National Assembly on Tuesday was adjourned roughly two hours after it began due to sparring between rival party lawmakers and failed to resume, while the session was also canceled on Wednesday after the PPP’s filibuster in response to the DP proposing a special probe bill into Marine Corporal Chae. 2.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday announced a support measures package of 25 trillion won, or roughly 18 billion U.S. dollars, for struggling small business owners, saying providing tailored support is better than cash handouts. 3.Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and leaders from countries in the global south gathered in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for the annual meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

1.According to the South Korean Army on Tuesday, South Korea resumed live-fire exercises at artillery ranges near the border with North Korea for the first time in six years, following the suspension of the September 19 Military Agreement. 2.President Yoon Suk Yeol accepted the resignation of Korea Communications Commission Chairman Kim Hong-il on Tuesday, before a National Assembly vote on his impeachment. 3.Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party, or RN, scored historic gains to win the first round of France's parliamentary elections on Sunday. If the RN secures its position as the leading party following the second round of voting on July 7th, the potential shift in power is expected to send shockwaves across the European Union.

1.The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday that North Korea fired two ballistic missiles in a northeastern direction with one of the launches possibly failing and the missile falling inland within the country. 2.The South Korean government announced plans Monday to launch a new ministry of population strategy to address low birth rates and a rapidly aging population, which have emerged as some of the biggest challenges facing the country. 3.According to data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Monday, South Korea's exports extended on-year gains for the ninth straight month in June on the back of semiconductors, which rose 50.9 percent over the period to 13.4 billion U.S. dollars.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol plans to meet with U.S. National Intelligence Director Avril Haines on Friday. The two sides are likely to discuss the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed between North Korea and Russia, and discuss joint efforts to counter the two countries’ growing military ties. 2.According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Friday, Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun and his U.S. counterpart, Gina Raimondo, discussed ways to expand ties in addressing supply chain and export control issues during the Supply Chain Commercial Dialogue in Washington on Thursday. 3.President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump squared off in their first 90-minute debate of the 2024 White House race in Atlanta on Thursday night.

1.The North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday that North Korea successfully conducted a missile test aimed at securing multiple warhead capability, contradicting South Korea's assessment that the test is believed to have ended in failure. 2.Top industry officials of South Korea, the United States and Japan on Wednesday held their first trilateral Commerce and Industry Ministerial Meeting in Washington. The three officials stressed their shared intent to strengthen the resilience of supply chains in key sectors, including semiconductors and batteries. 3.Six-term People Power Party lawmaker Joo Ho-young has been elected as a deputy National Assembly speaker candidate for the first half of the 22nd National Assembly.

1.The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Wednesday that North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the East Sea at around 5:30 a.m., but the missile exploded midair. The military said there is a possibility that the North could have test-fired a hypersonic missile. 2.Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong and head of the Korea Medical Association Lim Hyun-taek met for the first time on Wednesday while attending a parliamentary hearing on the ongoing medical crisis at the National Assembly. 3.According to data compiled by Statistics Korea on Wednesday, the number of babies born in South Korea marked on-year growth for the first time in 19 months in April, as the country is struggling to boost its ultra-low birth rate. A total of roughly 19-thousand babies were born in April this year, up 2.8 percent from a year earlier.

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday denounced North Korea's sending of trash-carrying balloons to South Korea and its military cooperation with Russia as "anachronistic" acts that go against the progress in history, during an address marking the 74th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. 2.At least 23 workers, mostly Chinese nationals, were killed after a fire at a lithium battery plant in Hwaseong, south of Seoul, Monday. The foreign ministry held an emergency meeting in the wake of the fire to review measures to support the foreign victims. 3.The European Union formally launched accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on Tuesday, setting the states off on a path towards membership. According to EU officials, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected midweek in Brussels.

1.Former ruling People Power Party interim leader Han Dong-hoon and two other PPP politicians announced their bids for party leadership on Sunday. Representative Lee Jae-myung resigned as chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party on Monday in a step to seek another term as party leader in a national convention set for August. 2.National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin said Sunday that South Korea will not be bound by anything with regard to its assistance to Ukraine if Russia provides North Korea with precision weapons. 3.The official Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday that at least 1,300 people have died during this year's Haji pilgrimage, which took place during intense heat, adding that most of the deceased did not have official permits.

1.South Korea on Friday summoned the top Russian envoy in Seoul to lodge a protest over a new treaty Russia signed with North Korea that calls for immediate military assistance if either is attacked. The South Korean government also said Thursday it will reconsider its stance on arms supply to Ukraine. 2.Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday the city of Gyeongju in South Korea's North Gyeongsang Province has been recommended as the host city candidate for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Confirmation is expected to be made later this month. 3.President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday that South Korea will create a small modular reactor industrial complex in the city of Gyeongju and a hydrogen industrial cluster in North Gyeongsang Province to boost the local economy, during his 26th debate forum on improving people's livelihoods in Gyeongsan.

1.North Korea and Russia agreed to provide immediate military assistance if either faces armed aggression, under the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement that the leaders of North Korea and Russia signed Wednesday. 2.According to Seoul’s defense ministry on Wednesday, Romania will buy 920 million U.S. dollars worth of South Korean K-9 self-propelled howitzers. The deal was announced during South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik’s weeklong trip to Eastern Europe. 3.President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday declared that South Korea is in a “demographic national emergency” due to its declining population, and vowed to tackle the low birth rate by providing better housing and improving support for child care.

1.According to Sputnik news on Wednesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement. Putin arrived in Pyongyang early on Wednesday in his first trip to North Korea in 24 years and held summit talks with Kim. 2.The Fair Trade Commission on Wednesday sent inspectors to the office of the Korean Medical Association in Seoul and conducted a probe regarding the KMA-led one-day walkout on Tuesday that involved community doctors and other medical staff, as well as a massive rally in Seoul. 3.According to the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery on Wednesday, a girl statue symbolizing the victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery will be unveiled to the public in Italy for the first time.

1.The Korean Central News Agency announced on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to North Korea on Tuesday and Wednesday at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. This is Putin's first visit to the North in 24 years. 2.Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said Tuesday the government ordered community doctors who joined a one-day walkout to return to work, warning that they would face legal punishment unless they comply with the order. 3.According to a report by the International Institute for Management Development on Tuesday, South Korea ranked 20th in terms of global competitiveness among 67 countries surveyed in 2024, compared with 28th the previous year.

1.Medical professors at hospitals affiliated with Seoul National University began an indefinite walkout on Monday against the government's medical reform. The government urged SNU hospital leaders to consider requiring professors to compensate for losses incurred by the hospitals due to the collective action. 2.According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, a Swedish think tank, on Monday, North Korea may have assembled up to 50 nuclear weapons and could produce more. The institute estimated that North Korea had up to 30 nuclear weapons last year. 3.The final declaration of the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland was approved by 80 of the 93 participating states at the close of the two-day event on Sunday.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Uzbek counterpart held a summit Friday in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent to strengthen economic cooperation in the areas of mineral supply chains, infrastructure and energy. 2. Vice foreign ministers from South Korea and the United States held a phone conversation on Friday to discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin's expected trip to North Korea next week and other alliance, regional and global issues. 3. The Ministry of Economy and Finance on Friday assessed in the Green Book that South Korea's economic recovery has gathered pace on robust exports and recovering domestic demand, though external uncertainties continued.

1. In an interview with Uzbekistan’s state media on Thursday, President Yoon Suk Yeol said he plans to enhance South Korea’s reciprocal and future-oriented cooperation with Uzbekistan, and will seek ways to strengthen economic ties through partnership in mineral supply chains and cutting-edge technologies. 2. The UN Security Council on Wednesday held a meeting to discuss North Korea’s worsening human rights condition, with South Korea’s Ambassador to the UN Hwang Joon-kook presiding as rotating president. 3. The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday held interest rates steady for the seventh straight time and projected one rate cut perhaps as late as December, as it noted “modest further progress” towards its two percent inflation target.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev agreed Tuesday to collaborate on the supply chain for critical minerals, from exploration and development to commercialization. 2. The Korea Meteorological Administration said Wednesday a 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck near the southwestern county of Buan at 8:26 a.m. It was the strongest quake to hit the Korean Peninsula and its surrounding waters so far this year. Fifteen aftershocks were reported as of 2 p.m. 3. South Korea's foreign ministry on Wednesday dismissed Japan's renewed protest over Seoul's routine maritime survey near the East Sea islets of Dokdo, emphasizing a firm stance against "unjust claims."

1. The leaders of South Korea and Turkmenistan on Monday held a summit in Turkmenistan's capital city of Ashgabat and adopted a joint statement outlining their cooperation for Seoul's "K-Silk Road Cooperation" initiative 2. The main opposition Democratic Party and minor parties on Monday voted to unilaterally select 11 parliamentary committee chiefs with the ruling People Power Party boycotting a plenary meeting over the voting. 3. The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution proposed by the U.S. for a permanent ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza. Hamas said it welcomed the resolution and is ready to engage with mediators in negotiations.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday embarked on a weeklong Central Asia trip that will take him to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on a mission to expand cooperation in critical minerals and other key sectors. 2. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Monday, North Korea has sent around 310 trash-carrying balloons across the border overnight. The North's latest balloon campaign came hours after South Korea resumed loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts in the border area. 3. Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said Monday the government ordered community doctors to keep providing medical treatment and report to authorities when they close their businesses, after the doctors voted to stage a strike in protest of the government's medical reform.

1. Vitor Abreu, owner of the U.S. geoscience research company Act-Geo, said Friday that a potential discovery of oil and gas reserves off South Korea's East Sea is "highly prospective," citing the presence of hydrocarbons in the offshore fields. The project has a presumed 20 percent success rate. 2. According to the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs on Thursday, an advisory body of UNESCO reportedly deferred the nomination of controversial Japanese mines on the island of Sado as a World Heritage site, asking for additional documents. 3. The European Central Bank on Thursday lowered its deposit rate by 0.25 percentage points to 3.75% from a record high of 4%, for the first time in almost five years, citing a sustained fall in inflation.

1. During his Memorial Day speech, President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday South Korea will not sit idle against North Korea's "despicable" provocations and vowed to protect people through robust military readiness and a strong alliance with the United States. 2. A North Korean defectors' group said Thursday it has sent about 10 large plastic balloons carrying 200-thousand flyers criticizing the North Korean regime, dollar bills, and USB sticks loaded with K-pop and trot music, across the border. 3. During a meeting with leading international news agencies, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday he highly appreciates South Korea's position not to directly supply weapons to Ukraine, and that Moscow is ready to restore relations with Seoul.

1.Five-term main opposition Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Won-shik was elected as the Parliamentary Speaker for the first half of the 22nd National Assembly on Wednesday. Woo was elected with 189 votes in favor out of 192 present with ruling PPP boycotting the vote. 2.According to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Wednesday, South Korea's real gross domestic product increased 1.3 percent on-quarter in the January-March period, matching an earlier estimate, as recovery in exports continued and private spending remained firm. 3.President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday that South Korea will establish a critical mineral partnership with major African nations to develop resources on the continent in a "mutually beneficial" way. President Yoon made the remark during a business summit held on the second day of the Korea-Africa Summit.

1.In an interview with AFP published Sunday, President Yoon Suk Yeol said he hopes to lay the foundation for comprehensive cooperation with African nations, including the exchange of information related to critical minerals, technological collaboration and joint exploration. 2.South Korean police said Sunday they have received over 800 reports related to trash-filled balloons sent by North Korea. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff added that North Korea continued jamming GPS signals for five straight days. In response, the presidential National Security Council decided Monday to suspend the 2018 inter-Korean military tension reduction pact. 3.President Yoon Suk Yeol said Monday that a potentially massive oil and gas reserve could be buried off the southeast city of Pohang and drilling will begin later this year to determine whether it is real.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol held talks with Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio on Friday to discuss ways to boost trade and investment between the two countries. The Sierra Leone President is in Seoul to attend the Korea-Africa summit scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday next week. 2. South Korea's military said Friday that North Korea staged GPS jamming attacks in waters near South Korea's northwestern border islands for a third straight day in the latest in a series of provocative acts this week. 3. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been found guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying business records in a criminal hush-money scheme to influence the outcome of the 2016 election. A panel of 12 Manhattan jurors unanimously convicted him just after 5pm local time on Thursday, with sentencing now set for July 11.

1. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday that North Korea fired around 10 short-range ballistic missiles at 6:14 a.m. into the East Sea. The provocation came just a day after the North sent hundreds of large balloons carrying trash and manure into the South. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Thursday adopted a joint statement pledging to invest more in each other's countries and urging North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons. 3. The 22nd National Assembly began its four-year term on Thursday. The National Assembly will hold its first plenary session next Wednesday to elect a new speaker.

1. South Korea and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement freeing up trade between the two countries after President Yoon Suk Yeol and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held summit talks in Seoul. 2. During an extraordinary Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the government promulgated the amendment to the Sewol Victim Support Act, but approved motions demanding the Assembly reconsider four other bills. All five bills were passed by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Tuesday. 3. According to Palestinian medical officials and the official Palestinian news agency on Tuesday, twenty-one Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in Israeli strikes on an area of tents housing displaced people in the designated humanitarian area west of Rafah.

1.The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday that engine combustion problems are behind North Korea's botched spy satellite launch made Monday. The latest launch came just hours after leaders of South Korea, Japan, and China held a trilateral summit in Seoul. 2.United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made a state visit to South Korea on Tuesday to discuss ways to expand cooperation in energy, defense and other areas. The UAE president is set to hold summit talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday. 3.During the final session of the 21st National Assembly on Tuesday, a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the military's response to a Marine's death last year failed to pass a revote after it was vetoed by President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month.

1. Leaders of South Korea, Japan and China reaffirmed their commitment to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula during their summit in Seoul on Monday. The three sides also agreed to regularize their three-way meeting. 2. Kyodo News reported Monday, citing Japan's coast guard, that North Korea has notified Japan of a plan to launch a space rocket carrying a satellite between Monday and midnight of June 3. The notice on the eight-day window came just before the trilateral summit between South Korea, Japan, and China. 3. The Korea AeroSpace Administration, or KASA, officially launched on Monday to devise South Korea's space policy and foster the growth of the country's space industry. KASA opened with around 100 employees at the temporary office building in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province.

1. South Korea on Friday imposed independent sanctions on seven North Koreans and two Russian vessels for engaging in illicit weapons and fuel trade with Russia and other activities in violation of U.N. sanctions. 2. The Korean Council for University Education on Friday approved an increase in next year's medical school admission quota, finalizing the first such hike in 27 years aimed at addressing medical service shortages in rural areas and essential medical fields. 3. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday approved a rule change that would pave the way for ETFs that buy and hold ether, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrencies. The decision comes less than six months after the SEC approved bitcoin ETFs.

1. The Presidential Office announced Thursday that leaders of South Korea, China and Japan will hold a long-suspended trilateral summit in Seoul next week for the first time in 4 1/2 years. President Yoon Suk Yeol will meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Seoul on Monday. 2. In a widely expected decision, the monetary policy board of the Bank of Korea on Thursday kept its policy rate unchanged at 3.5 percent for the 11th straight session. The rate freeze took place given the still-high inflation and a faster-than-expected growth projection for the year. 3. Ireland, Norway, and Spain announced Wednesday plans to formally recognise a Palestinian state from May 28. Israel denounced the decisions and recalled its ambassadors to the three countries.

1. A global summit hosted by South Korea and Britain adopted a declaration Tuesday on promoting safe, innovative and inclusive artificial intelligence to address challenges and opportunities associated with the fast-evolving technology. The so-called "Seoul Declaration" was adopted during a virtual leaders' session of the AI Seoul Summit. 2. STX Corporation, a South Korean general trading firm, announced Wednesday that they signed a contract with a Peruvian military weapons manufacturing institution on Monday, local time, to supply Hyundai Rotem's K808 wheeled armored vehicles to Peru. 3. The Russian Ministry of Defense said Tuesday that Russian forces have started military drills near Ukraine simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons, in response to what Moscow deems threats from western officials about increased involvement in its conflict with Ukraine.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday vetoed a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the military's response to the death of a Marine in 2023. This is the 10th time President Yoon has exercised veto powers in his two years in office. 2. South Korea and Britain on Tuesday hosted a global summit on artificial intelligence to address risks and opportunities associated with the rapidly evolving technology and present a framework for global AI governance. 3. The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan on Monday requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes, drawing a fierce reaction from Israel and sharp criticism from U.S. President Joe Biden.

1. At a ceremony on Saturday marking the 44th anniversary of the Gwangju democratization movement, President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed to advance the freedom and welfare of the people as a way to uphold the spirit of the pro-democracy movement. 2. The presidential office apologized Monday for causing confusion by reversing its plan to ban direct overseas purchases of products that do not have the Korea Certification safety mark. The government revoked the plan in the face of backlash from consumers after announcing it last Thursday. 3. According to Iranian officials and state media on Monday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash along with his foreign minister in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border.

1. The Seoul High Court on Thursday rejected a request by doctors group to suspend the government's plan to increase the medical school quota starting next year. In response, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said in a briefing that the government will "swiftly push for the revision of school regulations." 2. South Korea's Ministry of Economy on Friday released its monthly economic assessment report of the Green Book and stated the domestic market is showing signs of economic recovery on top of positive trends in the nation's manufacturing sector and exports, and an increase in foreign tourists. 3. The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Friday. Meanwhile, the North’s state news agency reported that Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said weapons the North is developing are not meant for export to Russia, but for defense against South Korea.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet agreed Thursday to establish a strategic partnership between their countries and expand cooperation across various sectors. The leaders adopted a joint statement during a summit at the presidential office. 2. The main opposition Democratic Party five-term lawmaker {우원식}Woo Won-Shik on Thursday defeated six-term lawmaker-elect Choo Mi-ae to serve as parliamentary speaker during the first half of the upcoming 22nd National Assembly. 3. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was hospitalized on Wednesday after he was shot five times in what officials described as a "politically motivated" assassination attempt. The attack took place in the town of Handlova. The deputy prime minister said he believed Fico would survive the attack.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday vowed to always keep Buddha's teachings in mind and conduct state affairs "in an upright manner," that will help improve the people's livelihoods. President Yoon made the comments during a celebration of Buddha's Birthday at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul. 2. Reuters reported Wednesday that according to confidential work by United Nations sanctions monitors, North Korea laundered 147-point-5 million U.S. dollars through virtual currency platform Tornado Cash in March after stealing it last year from a cryptocurrency exchange. 3. U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday unveiled steep tariff increases on an array of Chinese imports including electric vehicle batteries, computer chips and medical products, as he is revving up his reelection campaign. China said it was opposed to the hikes and would take retaliatory measures.

1. South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, agreed Monday to work together for the successful holding of an upcoming trilateral summit with Japan widely expected to take place in Seoul later this month. The two sides reached the agreement during talks in Beijing. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday proposed a law that will protect the rights of non-union workers and enhance their welfare,... during a town hall meeting, the 25th of its kind, which was held to discuss issues concerning non-union and other vulnerable workers. 3. According to data from the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, South Korea's terms of trade rose for the fifth consecutive month in April as export prices rose while import prices fell. The country's net terms-of-trade index for goods improved 5.2 percent last month from a year ago.

1. Ruling People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho paid a courtesy call to his main opposition Democratic Party counterpart Park Chan-dae on Monday, and said he had high expectations about working with him. Park said he anticipates that Choo, a former finance minister, would contribute toward resolving economic and livelihood issues. 2. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said Monday he will have "frank and in-depth" talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, expecting the meeting will help create fresh momentum for the development of bilateral relations. Cho made the remarks before he headed to Beijing for a two-day visit. 3. South Korea's financial authorities on Monday announced plans to minimize risks stemming from short-term real estate project financing loans, that include additional funds for strong, survivable projects, but a speedy way out for those failing.

1. The South Korean government held a second meeting of the special medical reform committee on Friday and announced plans to submit documents to the Seoul High Court to verify that the decision to increase the number of medical school students by 2,000 was based on scientific grounds. 2. Top nuclear envoys from South Korea, the U.S., China, and Japan held a series of meetings in Tokyo, during the Northeast Asia Cooperation Dialogue to discuss North Korea issues. Nuclear envoys from South Korea and China met for the first time in two months on Thursday to discuss issues related to the Korean Peninsula. 3. In a speech in Moscow’s Red Square on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised his army fighting in Ukraine and accused “Western elites” of provoking conflicts around the world. Putin warned his nuclear forces were “always” on alert and said Russia would not tolerate any Western threats.

1. In a press conference Thursday, President Yoon Suk Yeol laid out priorities for his remaining time in office for the next three years while pledging to improve livelihoods and create a new ministry to boost the country’s low birthrate. 2. According to data released by the Bank of Korea on Thursday, South Korea logged a current account surplus for the 11th consecutive month in March, reaching 6-point-93 billion U.S. dollars, on the back of strong exports of semiconductors. 3. U.S. President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he would halt some shipments of American weapons to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.

1. The Ministry of Government Legislation on Tuesday received from the National Assembly a bill that calls for a special counsel probe into controversies surrounding a military report on the death of Marine Corporal Chae Su-geun last year. 2. The South Korean government announced Wednesday that it will provide 9.7 trillion won, or roughly 7.1 billion U.S. dollars, in policy financing this year to support the country's battery and automotive industries. The announcement comes as the U.S. decided to extend tax credits for electric vehicles containing Chinese graphite for two years. 3. A statement reflecting the international community's concerns over North Korea's illegal weapons trade was adopted for the first time at the MIKTA Speakers' Meeting on Tuesday. MIKTA is an informal cooperative group created by South Korea, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkiye and Australia in 2013.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday he has revived the position of senior presidential secretary for civil affairs and appointed Kim Joo-hyun, a former prosecutor who served as vice justice minister in 2015. 2. A senior official at South Korea's Embassy in Beijing said Monday that South Korea and China are in the final stage of talks to set up a visit to Beijing by Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, that would make him the first South Korean foreign minister to visit the Chinese capital in more than six years. 3. French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen urged Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday to ensure more balanced trade with Europe during a meeting in Paris. The Chinese leader, however, showed little sign of being ready to offer major concessions.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday invited around 360 children and their families to the Blue House, the former presidential office, to commemorate Children's Day. 2. According to Statistics Korea on Monday, the growth of dining out prices surpassed the inflation rate in April for the 35th consecutive month. The average prices of major food items at restaurants increased three percent in April, 0-point-1 percentage point higher than the 2-point-9 percent inflation rate. 3. According to the Los Angeles Police Department on Saturday, a Korean man in his 40s was fatally shot at a house in Koreatown by police officers responding to a call from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, sparking allegations of excessive force by the police.

1. The ruling People Power Party on Thursday approved the appointment of {황우여}Hwang Woo-yea, a former five-term lawmaker, to head its interim emergency leadership committee. The main opposition Democratic Party on Friday elected {박찬대}Park Chan-dae as its floor leader. 2. South Korea on Thursday launched the "2024 Korea Season," a six-month program to showcase its diverse artistic and cultural landscape in major cities around France, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. 3. According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Thursday, the OECD revised its outlook for South Korea's economic growth this year to 2-point-6 percent. The figure marked a 0-point-4 percentage-point increase from its projection of 2-point-2 percent made in February.

1. Rival parties on Thursday passed a special bill mandating a new investigation into the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush incident during a plenary parliamentary session. The special bill was passed with 256 voting in favor and three abstentions. 2. According to data from Statistics Korea, South Korea's inflation rose 2-point-9 percent on-year in April, marking the first time in three months that the index fell below 3 percent. Agricultural products spiked 20-point-3 percent on-year last month. 3. South Korean defense firm Hyundai Rotem announced Thursday that the company has been selected as a preferred bidder to export 30 K-808 White Tiger wheeled armored vehicles to Peru. STX Engine will serve as the main contractor for the deal.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed to protect the "value of labor" at all costs as South Korea marked Labor Day on Wednesday. In a social media post, president Yoon said the government will make active efforts to provide a safer and fairer workplace for laborers. 2. According to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Wednesday, South Korea's exports extended on-year gains for seven consecutive months in April on the back of robust chip demand. Outbound shipments climbed 13-point-8 percent on-year to 56-point-2 billion U.S. dollars last month. 3. South Korea and Australia on Wednesday held a so-called "two plus two" meeting of their foreign and defense ministers in Melbourne, and discussed the possibility of including South Korea in the AUKUS security partnership which comprises the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Australia.

1. Among Seoul's "Big 5" hospitals, Seoul National University Hospital and Severance Hospital suspended outpatient clinics and surgeries Tuesday, as senior doctors began taking a weekly day off amid a protracted walkout by junior doctors in protest of the government's medical reform. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Angolan President (후앙 루렌쑤) João Lourenço on Tuesday held a summit in Seoul, the first bilateral visit by an Angolan leader since 2001. The two called for expanding bilateral cooperation based on their countries' respective strengths in technology and natural resources. 3. According to data from Statistics Korea on Tuesday, South Korea's industrial output decreased two-point-one percent from a month earlier in March, the first fall in five months, posting the largest drop in about four years.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol and opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on Monday sat down for their first-ever meeting since President Yoon came into office in May 2022. The two met over tea at the presidential office, accompanied by three aides each. 2. South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-Pyo and Angolan President Joao Lourenco held a courtesy meeting on Monday. Angola's president is set to hold a summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday, during his official three-day visit to South Korea which started Sunday. 3. According to the South Korean government's report on climate change released Monday, frequent occurrences of abnormal high temperatures last year resulted in flowers blooming two weeks earlier than 50 years ago.

1. According to a senior presidential secretary on Friday, President Yoon Suk Yeol and opposition leader Lee Jae-myung will meet for the first time at the presidential office next Monday. The two sides reportedly agreed on the date following a third round of preparatory talks. 2. Seoul’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Friday that South Korea, the U.S., and Japan have held talks and agreed to bolster cooperation in the fields of export controls and technology protection. 3. Medical professors at all the “Big Five” general hospitals in Seoul have decided to suspend outpatient consultations and surgeries one day each week, amid extended work hours due to the trainee doctors’ mass walkout.

1. A special presidential committee on medical reform launched on Thursday and held its first meeting without the participation of doctors’ groups. The committee’s chairman said the members do not yet plan to discuss the medical school admissions quota. 2. According to data by the Bank of Korea on Thursday, South Korea’s real gross domestic product - a key measure of economic growth - increased 1-point-3 percent on-quarter in the January-March period, on the back of increased construction investment. 3. North Korea on Thursday decried the United States over efforts to build a new sanctions monitoring mechanism against the regime, and warned of “powerful practical actions” to build up its military strength, … as the mandate of a UN expert panel is set to expire later this month.

1. South Korea's health ministry on Wednesday expressed regret over medical professors' decision to take a day off on a weekly basis starting next week and urged them to engage in dialogue amid the prolonged medical vacuum in the country. 2. The Ministry of Science and ICT said Wednesday a South Korean nanosatellite successfully communicated with its ground station after being launched into orbit from a spaceport in Mahia, New Zealand. 3. The Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday that North Korea has sent an economic delegation headed by External Economic Relations Minister Yun Jong-ho to Iran, a rare trip that raises suspicions of cooperation between the two nations over weapons programs.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis agreed Tuesday to boost cooperation in the defense and nuclear energy sectors as part of efforts to strengthen their countries' strategic partnership, during a summit held on the second day of the Romanian leader’s four-day official visit to South Korea. 2. The Korean Central News Agency reported Tuesday that North Korea has conducted a tactical drill simulating a nuclear counterattack involving super-large multiple rocket launchers, a day after South Korea said the North fired short-range missiles into the East Sea. 3. The main opposition Democratic Party and the presidential office on Tuesday said they were unable to confirm the schedule and agenda of the inter-party meeting, and had decided to hold a second working-level meeting in the future.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday named People Power Party lawmaker Chung Jin-suk as his new chief of staff, the first personnel replacement since the party's crushing defeat in the April 10 parliamentary elections. President Yoon said the new chief will boost his administration’s communication with the public. 2. According to Nomura Securities of the Global Investment Bank on Monday, South Korea's fruit and vegetable prices have risen the most this year compared to G7 countries or Taiwan, which has a similar economic structure. 3. The U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday approved over 60 billion U.S. dollars in military aid for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. The Ukraine aid was part of a 95 billion U.S. dollar package of national security bills that also includes 26 billion U.S. dollars for Israel.

1. South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Friday the government has accepted a request from the chiefs of six national universities for flexibility in expanding the medical school enrollment quota. The decision raised hopes for an end to the protracted walkout by trainee doctors. 2. According to a U.S. official on Friday, Israel carried out a military strike inside Iran, in what appeared to be limited retaliatory action for last week’s drone and missile attack by Tehran. Iran's state media reported that explosions were heard near the city of Isfahan. 3. According to an official at the Presidential Office, President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday spoke with opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung via phone call. During the five-minute conversation, President Yoon reportedly proposed the two meet in Yongsan next week to discuss state affairs.

1. The Presidential office said Wednesday that President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed during phone talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to promote bilateral and trilateral cooperation together with the United States. 2. According to an official at the Presidential office, President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo earlier this week to discuss the direction of state affairs, including the future running of government affairs and personnel appointments, after the ruling party’s defeat in last week’s general elections. 3. Following the recent sharp depreciation of the Korean won and Japanese yen against the dollar, the finance chiefs of South Korea, the United States and Japan on Wednesday acknowledged "serious concerns" and agreed to consult closely on foreign exchange markets.

1. The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday held the 2024 growth outlook for South Korea steady at 2-point-3 percent, citing "surprisingly resilient" global economic activity. The latest projection is the same as its forecast made in January. 2. According to a survey conducted by the gender ministry on 12-thousand-44 households nationwide from June 1st to July 31st 2023, an increased proportion of people in their 20s to 30s indicated having plans for children. 3. South Korea's National Intelligence Service said Wednesday it is monitoring whether North Korea's weapons technology was used in the ballistic missiles that Iran launched against Israel last week.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday he humbly accepts the public sentiment revealed in the parliamentary elections and will work to improve communication with the people. President Yoon made the pledge in his first public remarks on last Wednesday's general elections. 2. South Korea "strongly" protested against Japan on Tuesday after Tokyo issued an annual diplomatic report renewing its territorial claims to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo. South Korea's foreign ministry called in Taisuke Mibae, the deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. 3. The U.S. Commerce Department announced Monday that it will grant Samsung Electronics subsidies of up to 6-point-4 billion U.S. dollars for its chip manufacturing and research cluster in Texas.

1. Iran launched an unprecedented large-scale drone and missile attack at Israel on Saturday night in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria. An Israeli official said Israel's war cabinet meeting ended Sunday without a decision on how Israel will respond to Iran’s attack. 2. South Korea's finance minister said Monday the government will extend the tax cut on fuel consumption by an additional two months amid growing tensions in the Middle East. The tax cuts were supposed to expire at the end of this month. 3. The top U.S. envoy to the United Nations will meet with South Korea's defense chief Monday as part of her trip to Seoul this week for talks to boost bilateral cooperation amid North Korean threats. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield arrived in the country Sunday for a four-day visit.

1. According to a presidential official Friday, President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to give a public statement sometime after the weekend regarding the ruling People Power Party's crushing defeat in the parliamentary elections. 2. The monetary policy board of the Bank of Korea on Friday kept its policy rate unchanged at 3-point-5 percent for the 10th straight session. The central bank said its current restrictive stance will be maintained for a sufficient period of time amid woes over high inflation and household debt. 3. South Korea and the United States on Friday affirmed plans to execute a joint tabletop exercise simulating North Korea's use of a nuclear weapon. According to a joint statement, the two sides affirmed the plan during the South Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue in Washington D.C. on Thursday.

1. The main opposition Democratic Party retained a majority in the National Assembly in Wednesday's general elections. Including proportional seats, the Democratic Party and its satellite party garnered 175 seats, while the People Power Party and its satellite party clinched 108 seats out of a total of 300. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday vowed to reform state affairs to reflect people's will following the ruling party's crushing defeat in the parliamentary elections. Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party, resigned the same day to take responsibility for the election results. 3. U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday called for North Korea to return to dialogue during a summit in Washington. In a joint statement, the leaders also vowed to strengthen defense cooperation and establish a joint command structure.

1. South Korean voters on Wednesday headed to the polls for the country's 22nd parliamentary elections. Voter turnout for this election was higher than the last general election. 2. A senior U.S. official said Tuesday that the United States is considering including South Korea as a partner in Pillar Two advanced military technology development projects under the AUKUS security partnership, which comprises the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. 3. The Booker Prize Foundation on Tuesday announced that South Korean novelist {황석영}Hwang Sok-yong’s novel “Mater 2-10” has been shortlisted for the 2024 International Booker Prize, one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world.

1. On the eve of the 22nd general elections Tuesday, both ruling and opposition parties headed to key battleground areas in Seoul and the nearby metropolitan regions to make their final pitch to voters. 2. South Korea's foreign ministry on Monday said that 11 citizens from Haiti evacuated via helicopter due to deteriorating security. The ministry said the citizens were airlifted to the neighboring Dominican Republic, and withheld further details to ensure the safety of other South Koreans in Haiti. 3. Citing sources, Reuters reported on Monday that the Biden administration plans to announce it is awarding more than 6 billion U.S. dollars to South Korea's Samsung next week to expand its chip output in Taylor, Texas.

1. According to the National Election Commission, a record 31-point-28 percent of voters cast their ballots during the two days of early voting for the upcoming 22nd general elections, marking the first time early-voting turnout for general elections exceeded 30 percent. 2. South Korea's defense ministry said Monday that the nation successfully launched its second indigenous spy satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the U.S. Kennedy Space Center. The reconnaissance satellite succeeded in communicating with an overseas ground station at 10:57 a.m. 3. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said during an interview on Sunday that his government is making "high-level approaches" to North Korea to hold a summit with Kim Jong-un. Tokyo reportedly seeks to resolve "outstanding issues" and promote stable relations between the two nations.

1. Early voting began Friday ahead of next week's parliamentary elections, with turnout reaching a record high just three hours after the polls opened. Leaders of rival parties visited polling stations, urging voters to exercise their rights. 2. According to the Bank of Korea on Friday, South Korea logged a current account surplus for the 10th straight month in February on the back of an increased trade surplus and dividend income. The country's current account surplus reached 6-point-86 billion U.S. dollars in February. 3. A foreign ministry official said Friday that South Korea is in talks with China and Japan to host a trilateral summit next month at the "earliest time convenient" for all sides. A summit of the three nations was last held more than four years ago in December 2019.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday vowed to support people’s livelihoods by completing as many revisions to lower-level laws as he can within the year, while speaking at a government meeting reviewing the 24 government-public debate sessions held so far this year. 2. South Korean security sources said Wednesday that the government had seized a stateless vessel allegedly involved in violating UN Security Council resolutions against North Korea. The ship was reportedly en route to Russia from North Korea before it was caught last Saturday in waters off the country’s south coast. 3. Gold prices surged to an all-time high on Wednesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve hinted that it was preparing to cut interest rates later this year even as inflation remains above the central bank’s target.

1. A memorial service marking the 76th anniversary of the Jeju April 3rd Incident was held Wednesday morning at the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park. Around 15-thousand people attended the ceremony. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo delivered a commemorative address on behalf of the government. 2. According to data by Statistics Korea released Wednesday, the inflation rate for dining out in March was 3.4%, surpassing the average inflation rate for overall consumer prices for 34 consecutive months. The inflation rate for processed foods was below the average for two consecutive months. 3. Taiwan was rocked by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday morning, the strongest the country has seen in 25 years. Taiwanese authorities said the earthquake struck the country's east coast with the depth of the epicenter estimated at 20 kilometers. At least seven people have died and 700 are reportedly injured.

1. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday that North Korea fired what appeared to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile, possibly equipped with a hypersonic warhead, at 6:53 a.m. The South Korean military said the missile flew about 600 kilometers before landing in the East Sea. 2. The National Election Commission said Tuesday that overseas voting turnout for the April 10 general elections was at an all-time high of 62.8 percent on the final day. A total of 92-thousand-923 people out of more than 147-thousand eligible voters abroad had cast their ballots. 3. According to data from Statistics Korea on Tuesday, South Korea's consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 3.1 percent on-year in March on record prices of fruits and rising global oil prices. Prices spiked 88.2 percent for apples and 87.8 percent for pears, a record surge for both since the agency began compiling data in 1980.

1. During an address to the nation on Monday, President Yoon Suk Yeol said a hike of 2-thousand in medical school admissions is the minimum needed to reform the healthcare system, and apologized to the public for failing to resolve the ongoing standoff between the government and the medical community. 2. According to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Monday, South Korea's exports rose for the sixth consecutive month in March on the back of the robust performance of chips. Exports of chips marked the highest amount since June 2022. 3. South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul will attend a foreign ministers’ meeting of NATO to be held in Belgium this Thursday. South Korea was invited to the ministerial meeting for the third year as one of NATO’s four Asia-Pacific partners which includes Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

1. The Korea Meteorological Administration said Friday a yellow dust storm blanketed South Korea with fine dust advisories issued across many regions. Most central regions recorded fine dust levels exceeding the "very bad" level of over 151 micrograms per cubic meter in the morning. 2. Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup stepped down Friday, less than a month after he was named for the job. The announcement came amid criticism of his appointment and departure that came despite the fact that he was subject to an investigation. 3. During a session of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday, Russia vetoed a resolution to extend the mandate of a panel of experts monitoring sanctions on North Korea for a year, with China abstaining. Without the resolution, the panel's mandate is set to expire on April 30th.

1. With official campaigning for the April 10 general elections starting on Thursday, South Korea's government issued a statement vowing to punish all illegal acts related to the elections under a zero tolerance principle. 2. Unionized bus drivers in Seoul returned to work 11 hours after going on a general strike Thursday for the first time in 12 years to demand a wage hike, causing delays for commuters in the morning rush hour. The Seoul Bus Labor Union reached a deal on a 4-point-48 percent wage hike plus holiday bonuses with their employers. 3. In coordination with South Korea, the U.S. Treasury Department announced Wednesday it had imposed new sanctions on six North Korean nationals and two third-country entities for their role to help finance Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction programs.

1. North Korea's state-run KCNA reported on Tuesday that Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee, said North Korea will refuse all contact with Japan, after Tokyo took issue with the problem of Japanese abductees and the North's nuclear program. 2. According to the Bank of Korea on Wednesday, business sentiment slightly improved in March with the Business Survey Index for all industries at 69, up one point from the previous month. This marks a slight improvement from February, when it posted the lowest figure since September 2020. 3. China on Tuesday initiated dispute settlement proceedings against the United States at the World Trade Organization to safeguard its interests in the electric vehicle industry. China said it was contesting "discriminatory subsidies" under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act.

1. South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance said Tuesday that the government will focus next year's fiscal policy on better promoting next-generation research and development projects, boosting the country's low birthrate, and bolstering necessary medical services. 2. The National Election Commission said Tuesday that overseas voting for the April 10th general elections is set to begin on the 27th and run for six days. A total of 147-thousand-989 people are eligible for overseas voting at 220 polling stations across 115 countries between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. everyday. 3. The United Nations Security Council on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages, while the U.S. abstained from the vote. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the U.S. of having "abandoned" its previous policy.

1. Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said Monday relevant ministries have begun work to hold talks with the medical community, a day after President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday called for a "flexible" measure over the government's move to suspend licenses of defiant trainee doctors. 2. Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee, said Monday that Japan had proposed summit talks. In response, Kishida later said that while he is not aware of the specific statement, a summit between the two countries is "important" to resolve many pending issues. 3. South Korea's foreign ministry on Saturday expressed condolences to the victims and their families of a tragic terror attack at a concert hall in Moscow. At least 137 have been killed after gunmen opened fire on Friday. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.

1. Candidate registration for the 22nd general election, which will be held on April 10th, closes on Friday at 6 PM. The order number on ballots for parties and candidates will be determined as of the deadline. 2. South Korean poet {김혜순}Kim Hye-soon on Thursday became the first Korean ever to win the National Book Critics Circle Award for her work "Phantom Pain Wings." The National Book Critics Circle, an American nonprofit association, announced Kim as the winner in the poetry category. 3. A senior U.S. official on Thursday said South Korean companies' reported move to stop selling used semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China is "encouraging," and that the U.S. is making sure that they have "parity" with allied nations, as Washington seeks tighter export controls on key technologies.

1. The Third Summit for Democracy hosted by South Korea closed in Seoul on Wednesday. The U.S.-led annual summit was held for three days starting on March 18th. In his closing remarks, President Yoon Suk Yeol said the "journey for democracy" will continue. 2. Candidate registration for the April 10 parliamentary elections opened on Thursday. The ruling People Power Party called for voter support in the face of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, while the main opposition Democratic Party urged voters to pass stern judgment on the Yoon administration. 3. The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday held its benchmark lending rate steady in the 5.25 to 5.50 percent range for a fifth consecutive time, and signaled that it could lower the rate three times this year in line with policymakers' previous projections.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol and the leaders of Denmark and Kenya will jointly open the leaders' plenary during the third Summit for Democracy, which is scheduled to be held virtually on Wednesday. President Yoon will host the second session on "Technology, Elections, and Fake News." 2. South Korea's Education Minister Lee Ju-ho said Wednesday the government allocated an additional 2,000 medical school admission seats to universities nationwide, pushing ahead with the medical reform initiative, despite threat of a general strike from the doctors' group. 3. The Korean Central News Agency reported on Wednesday that North Korea successfully conducted a ground jet test of a solid-fuel engine for its new type intermediate-range hypersonic missile amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

1. The second day of the third Summit of Democracy hosted by South Korea opened on Tuesday with a civil society and youth event. A North Korean defector called for more global attention on the North's human rights situation during the opening ceremony. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday reaffirmed his determination to push ahead with medical reform, calling it the demand of the people and a task for the good of the public. 3. Oil prices climbed about 2 percent to a four-month high on Monday on lower crude exports from Iraq and Saudi Arabia as well as signs of stronger demand and economic growth in China and the U.S. / U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 2-point-1 percent to nearly 83 U.S. dollars.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday called for participants in the Summit of Democracy to share their experiences and pool their wisdom to ensure artificial intelligence and new digital technologies protect the safety of individuals and society while promoting democracy. 2. South Korea’s Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo on Monday told reporters that the government plans to revamp a scheme to help doctors in essential medical fields receive more fees from the national health insurance through the adoption of a value-based payment system. 3. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday claimed a landslide election victory, as predicted, securing a fifth term. This means Putin will overtake Joseph Stalin and become Russia’s longest-serving leader in more than 200 years.

1. Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong on Friday said health authorities will have top-tier medical emergency centers to prioritize patients in critical condition, while addressing concerns over delays in emergency treatment amid the prolonged walkout by junior doctors. 2. South Korea's finance ministry announced Friday that the economy has been recovering on the solid growth of exports, but disparities among sectors remain wide amid weak consumption and investment. The ministry's assessment report also said the slowdown in inflation has become stagnant. 3. People across Russia and the annexed regions of Ukraine began three days of voting on Friday to decide the country's next president. Incumbent President Vladimir Putin is largely expected to win and secure a fifth term as leader.

1. Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff announced Thursday that South Korea and the United States wrapped up the annual Freedom Shield combined military exercise designed to reinforce deterrence against North Korean threats, amid a month-long pause in Pyongyang's missile launches. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday pledged to quickly establish a transportation network in Jeollanam-do Province, by injecting 2.6 trillion won, or around two billion U.S. dollars, to build a superhighway connecting Yeongam and Gwangju that resembles Germany's Autobahn. 3. European Union lawmakers on Wednesday approved the world’s most comprehensive legislation yet on artificial intelligence. The Artificial Intelligence Act establishes obligations for AI based on its potential risks and level of impact, and will take effect in roughly two years.

1. South Korea's trade minister Cheong In-kyo said Tuesday that South Korean companies will receive subsidies under the U.S. CHIPS Act and that the U.S. government is expected to make a related announcement soon. 2. According to data released by Statistics Korea on Wednesday, South Korea added more than 300-thousand jobs for the second consecutive month in February, led by solid job growth in the manufacturing sector on the back of rising exports. 3. Former special counsel Robert Hur on Tuesday testified before the House Judiciary Committee about his report that questioned U.S. President Joe Biden’s age and mental competence. Lawmakers turned the hearing on Biden’s handling of classified documents into a proxy campaign battle.

1. According to data from Statistics Korea on Tuesday, the increase in fruit prices last month outpaced the overall inflation rate by a record margin. Fruit prices surged 40.6% on-year in February, which was 37.5 percentage points higher than the country's consumer price index. 2. The health ministry on Tuesday vowed to swiftly implement a set of measures to reform and improve the state medical system, which aims to ease the burden on trainee doctors. One of the measures includes hiring more fellow doctors by counting two trainee doctors as one specialist. 3. South Korea's foreign ministry said Tuesday it has been providing consular assistance to a South Korean national arrested in Russia on espionage charges. Russia's TASS news agency reported Monday that a South Korean citizen has been held in a Moscow detention facility since late February

1.President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged Monday to ease regulations to boost the tourism industry in Gangwon-do Province, emphasizing that additional cable car systems could be constructed according to the wishes of local residents. 2. South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission announced last Thursday that the International Atomic Energy Agency will participate in cross-verification of samples from the fifth discharge of treated radioactive water from Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, and that it hopes to participate in future cross-verification. 3. Palestinians in Gaza made preparations to observe the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Sunday under Israeli siege that has severely restricted food to millions in the besieged enclave, as talks to secure a ceasefire stalled among mediators in Cairo.

1. South Korea’s foreign ministry said late Thursday it will replace the Office of Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs with the Office of Strategy and Intelligence, downsizing the bureau handling the North Korean nuclear issue to create a department focused on foreign policy intelligence-gathering. 2. According to data released by the Bank of Korea on Friday, South Korea's current account surplus reached 3-point-05 billion U.S. dollars in January on the back of strong exports of semiconductors and automobiles. 3. A Montenegro court on Thursday ruled that {권도형}Kwon Do-hyeong, the co-founder of cryptocurrency firm Terraform Labs, should be extradited to South Korea to face trial for financial crimes, reversing an earlier decision to send him to the U.S.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed Thursday to boost the aviation industry through projects to expand infrastructure in the city of Incheon. He also promised the government will develop the airline service industry by making sure that Korean Air’s acquisition of Asiana Airlines creates good synergy. 2. The North Korean state-run Korean Central News Agency said Thursday that its leader Kim Jong-un called for intensifying "practical actual war drills" during a visit to a military training base, as South Korea and the United States hold its annual combined military exercises. 3. The European Union's Digital Markets Act came into effect at midnight Wednesday. The DMA is a set of regulations passed to reign in the dominance of the six big tech companies classed as “gatekeepers” — Amazon, Apple, Google parent Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft and TikTok owner ByteDance.

1. According to data from Statistics Korea on Wednesday, South Korea's inflation increased to 3.1 percent on-year in February on high prices of fresh food items and energy. Prices of 18 major kinds of fruits combined surged 41.2 percent last month, the largest increase in more than 32 years. 2. The chief spokesperson of the Korean Medical Association appeared before police for questioning Wednesday in connection with the trainee doctors’ walkout. President Yoon Suk Yeol called the doctors’ collective action an act that “shakes the foundations of liberalism and the rule of law.” 3. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump dominated Super Tuesday primaries across the U.S. on Tuesday, setting up a rematch in November's general election despite low approval ratings for both candidates.

1. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for doctors’ collective actions announced Tuesday that 40 medical schools nationwide applied for a combined 3,401 additional admission seats, a number that exceeds the government's planned increase of 2,000 more slots. 2. The Bank of Korea announced Tuesday that the nation's gross national income per capita came to 33-thousand-745 U.S. dollars in 2023, up two-point-six percent from a year earlier. 3. South Korea and the United States announced Tuesday their chief negotiators for talks on the sharing of the costs for the upkeep of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. Lee Tae-woo, a senior diplomat and former consul general in Sydney, will lead the South Korean delegation, while Linda Specht will lead the U.S. side.

1. The health ministry said Monday it started taking procedures to suspend the licenses of around 7-thousand trainee doctors who have defied the government’s order to return to work after walking off their job in protest of plans to increase the medical school quota. 2. South Korea and the United States started the annual Freedom Shield exercise on Monday. The joint military exercise will run for 11 days until March 14th amid heightened tensions over North Korea’s provocations. 3. China’s largest political event, the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, opened on Monday. China’s parliament is expected to unveil economic targets and policies to reenergize the economy during the Two Sessions.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Friday that South Korea and Japan are partners in the pursuit of global peace and prosperity as they work to overcome their "painful past" and move toward a new future, as he marked the 105th anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement. 2. According to data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Friday, South Korea's exports advanced 4.8 percent on-year to 52-point-4 billion U.S. dollars in February, as the outbound shipments of chips continued to grow. 3. Han Kang's latest novel "I Do Not Bid Farewell" won a French literary award, the {에밀 기메}Emile Guimet Prize for Asian Literature, on Friday. The novel was published in September 2021, and depicts the tragedy of a 1948 civilian massacre on South Korea's southern island of Jeju.

1. According to the Health Ministry, roughly 300 trainee doctors who walked off their jobs to protest the government's plan to increase medical school admissions returned to work as of Thursday - the deadline set by the government for them to return to work before potentially facing punitive measures. 2. Rival parties on Thursday agreed on an electoral district map for the upcoming parliamentary elections in April. The number of seats chosen by direct votes in North Jeolla Province will be maintained at 10, while the total number of seats picked through a proportional representation system will be decreased by one to 46. 3. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held their first bilateral in-person meeting in Washington on Wednesday. Cho stressed that the U.S. and South Korea "are one in condemning North Korea's increasingly provocative rhetoric and actions."

1. Four lawmakers left the main opposition Democratic Party on Wednesday amid an escalating dispute over what they perceive as unfair candidate nominations for the April 10 parliamentary elections. The factional rift peaked when Im Jong-seok, a former chief of staff for President Moon Jae-in, was not nominated on Tuesday. 2. Health ministry officials on Wednesday started visiting the homes of trainee doctors to deliver the government's back-to-work order, in a final step that would allow the government to file a criminal complaint over the doctors' mass walkout. 3. The operator of the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant on Wednesday started releasing a fourth batch of treated radioactive water into the sea. As in previous rounds, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings will discharge 7,800 metric tons of treated water over about 17 days.

1. The health ministry on Tuesday said the number of new patients has fallen 24 percent at general hospitals, while the number of surgeries performed has plunged 50 percent since trainee doctors began the mass walkout in protest of the government's plan to increase the medical school admission quota. 2. The price of bitcoin topped the 55-thousand U.S. dollar level on Tuesday, trading at its highest value in 27 months since November 2021. 3. Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said Monday that North Korea appears to be receiving food and other necessities, as well as raw materials and parts used in weapons manufacturing, for supplying weapons to Russia.

1. The health ministry on Monday warned that trainee doctors who refused to return to work by Thursday could start facing punishment next month. The number of trainee doctors who submitted resignations topped 10-thousand against the government's plan to raise the medical school admission quota. 2. The South Korean government will introduce a system to regulate stress debt service ratio for household loans starting from this week for the first time. The move is aimed at strengthening household debt management by reducing the limit of loans. 3. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that some 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion began two years ago, acknowledging for the first time in the war, a concrete figure for Ukraine’s toll.

1. The top diplomats of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan held a meeting on Thursday on the margins of a foreign ministerial meeting of the Group of 20 nations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,...and highlighted the importance of trilateral coordination to respond to North Korea's provocative acts and its military support for Russia's war against Ukraine. 2. In response to the prolonged collective action by trainee doctors nationwide, the South Korean government on Friday raised the state health crisis warning to the highest "serious" level and decided to fully extend telemedicine services at hospitals on a temporary basis. 3. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average both surged to record closing highs on Thursday, powered by investors piling into growth and technology stocks the day after artificial intelligence leader Nvidia reported much stronger-than-expected quarterly results.

1. The monetary policy board of the Bank of Korea kept its policy rate unchanged at 3.5 percent for the ninth straight session Thursday, amid woes over slower-than-expected inflation moderation and high household debts. It also maintained its growth outlook for the year at 2.1 percent. 2. At the 14th round of the New Year’s presidential public debates on Thursday, President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to boost the nuclear power industry by providing three-point-three trillion won, or around two-point-five billion U.S. dollars, worth of projects and 1 trillion won worth of special financing. 3. The top diplomats of South Korea and Japan on Wednesday agreed to continue bilateral cooperation to address North Korea issues, during talks held on the sidelines of a foreign ministerial meeting of the Group of 20 nations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday held phone talks with German and Danish leaders to explain his decision to postpone his visits to the European countries. The presidential office did not give an official reason for Yoon postponing his trip four days before his scheduled departure. 2. Japan's engineering company Hitachi Zosen and the country's government on Tuesday expressed “extreme regret” over a Korean victim of Japan's wartime forced labor receiving Hitachi Zosen’s court deposit money as compensation in accordance with South Korean Supreme Court ruling. 3. Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo told reporters that, as of Tuesday, a total of 8,816 trainee doctors had submitted their resignations and 7,813 of them left their work sites, in protest against the government's plan to expand the medical school enrollment quota.

1. The Ministry of Health and Welfare on Tuesday ordered 831 trainee doctors to return to work. More than 6,400 trainee doctors have submitted their resignations in protest of the government's plan to add 2,000 to the country's medical school enrollment quota next year. 2. Former prime minister Lee Nak-yon who left the main opposition Democratic Party ahead of April's general elections, said Tuesday he will retract a recent decision to merge with the New Reform Party led by former People Power Party chairman Lee Jun-seok. 3. The family of a South Korean victim of Japan's wartime forced labor on Tuesday received compensation from Hitachi Zosen Corporation in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling, marking the first such move from a Japanese company.

1. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Monday that the government will fully expand telemedicine services in the event of a massive walkout by doctors. Trainee doctors have been warning of a large-scale strike in opposition to the government's decision to add 2,000 to the country's medical school enrollment quota next year. 2. The National Assembly began the February extraordinary session on Monday. The rival parties are expected to clash over two motions on special counsel investigations into the Daejang-dong development scandal and a stock manipulation case allegedly involving first lady Kim Keon-hee. 3. Alexei Navalny, Russian President Vladimir Putin's most formidable domestic opponent, fell unconscious and died on Friday after a walk at the "Polar Wolf" Arctic penal colony where he was serving a three-decade sentence.

1. {김여정}Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said Thursday the regime is open to improving its relationship with Japan, and that the Japanese leader may visit Pyongyang if Tokyo does not raise the longstanding issue of Japanese abductees. 2. Worries over doctors' collective action in protest of a plan to increase medical students mounted Friday as trainee doctors at major hospitals decided to resign early next week. In response, the Health Ministry reaffirmed its pledge to deal sternly against the move by ordering 221 training hospitals to ban mass leave. 3. Chung Mong-gyu, president of the Korea Football Association, on Friday fired Jurgen Klinsmann as head coach of the South Korean men's national football team, days after the team made a disappointing exit at the top Asian tournament.

1. South Korea established diplomatic relations with Cuba on Wednesday, its mission to the United Nations said, in a surprise announcement that could pose a setback to North Korea that has long boasted brotherly ties with the Latin American country. 2. The Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un supervised the test-firing of a new surface-to-sea missile, named {바다수리}Padasuri-6, and ordered a tighter defense posture near the western maritime border. 3. The Korean Medical Student Association announced Thursday that medical students will take collective action against the government's planned expansion of the quota for medical school admissions, with a survey of 20-thousand students nationwide set to be conducted on whether to take a leave of absence en masse.

1. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired several cruise missiles off the east coast Wednesday. The South Korean military detected the missiles launched at around 9 a.m. into waters northeast of Wonsan on the east coast. It marked the North's fifth cruise missile launch this year. 2. The European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, on Tuesday conditionally approved a merger deal of 1.8 trillion-won, or roughly 1.4 billion U.S. dollars, between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. The companies are now waiting for the final approval from the United States, out of 14 countries. 3. South Korean swimming star {황선우}Hwang Sun-woo claimed gold in the men's 200-meter freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships in Qatar on Tuesday. {김우민}Kim Woo-min also won the gold medal in the men's 400-meter freestyle at the world championships on Sunday.

1. An association of trainee doctors formed an emergency committee on Tuesday in protest of the government's plan to increase the number of medical students by 2-thousand. The association made no announcement about collective action after all-night discussions earlier in the day. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday appointed former Industry Minister {주형환}Joo Hyung-hwan as vice chairman of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy, and {윤오준}Yun Oh-jun as the third deputy director of the National Intelligence Service. 3. The price of bitcoin traded above 50-thousand U.S. dollars on Monday for the first time since 2021. The cryptocurrency has gained almost 15 per cent since the start of the year, largely driven by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approval of several spot bitcoin exchange traded funds.

1. According to the Korea Expressway Corp., some 5.2 million cars are expected to hit the road nationwide Friday, the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday. The Transport ministry designated over 130 locations on highways and roads for special management to ease congestion. Highway tolls will be exempt from Friday through Monday. 2. Four third-party forces which broke away from the ruling and opposition parties, have agreed to merge into one new party ahead of the April general elections. Related officials announced Friday that the envisioned party will be named the Reform Party. 3. According to North Korea's state media on Friday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un again called South Korea the North's "primary foe" and vowed to guard the country through power rather than negotiations.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Lunar New Year holiday interview with KBS TV aired on Wednesday night. During the 90-minute interview Yoon revealed his administration’s policies for the new year. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged Thursday to implement various policy support measures to assist small business owners struggling with loan repayments. The government will work to refund the interest, averaging 1 million won, or 753 U.S. dollars, per person, with the total refunded amount reaching 2.4 trillion won. 3. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a Wednesday briefing dismissed Hamas’ proposals for a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza, calling them “delusional” in a setback to diplomatic efforts to pause the war.

1. South Korea’s Foreign Minister (조태열)Cho Tae-yul spoke by phone with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on Tuesday to discuss North Korea and bilateral issues. In the first such talks between the two diplomats since Cho’s inauguration, Wang Yi extended an invitation for Cho to visit Beijing. 2. South Korea and Saudi Arabia’s defense ministries announced Tuesday that the two countries have secured a three-point-two billion dollar deal to export a mid-range surface-to-air missile defense system to Saudi Arabia. 3. The Korea Medical Association is set to hold meetings Wednesday to discuss actions against the government’s plan to expand medical school admissions quota. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said it is bracing for a potential strike by doctors and establishing contingency plans.

1. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Tuesday it plans to increase the number of medical students by 2,000 next year, in a bid to address the chronic shortages of doctors in rural areas and the essential health care field. The plan is expected to draw fierce protests from doctors. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday granted special pardons to more than 450-thousand people on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, including former Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon. 3. The Ministry of Economy and Finance said Monday the OECD revised down its outlook for South Korea's economic growth this year to 2.2 percent, from its projection of 2.3 percent made in November. The projection was on par with that by the South Korean government.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday reiterated the importance of public education in childcare, while vowing to ensure that the after-school child care program expands to two-thousand elementary schools in the first half of this year, and all elementary schools by 2026. 2. The Seoul Central District Court acquitted Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong on Monday after he was indicted on charges of involvement in the controversial 2015 merger of Cheil Industries Incorporation and Samsung C&T Corporation to solidify his managerial control of the group. 3. According to the foreign ministry on Sunday, Russian deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko visited Seoul last Friday. Rudenko’s visit came a day after Moscow's Foreign Ministry spokesperson publicly criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol for his remarks on North Korea as being "blatantly biased."

1. According to data from Statistics Korea on Friday, South Korea's inflation fell below 3 percent for the first time in six months in January. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 2.8 percent on-year last month, compared with a 3.2 percent increase a month earlier. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to hold a pre-recorded interview scheduled two days before the Lunar New Year holidays with public broadcaster KBS, as pressure builds to address the alleged graft scandal involving first lady Kim Keon Hee. 3. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Friday that North Korea fired several cruise missiles off the west coast at around 11 a.m. in the latest in a series of the North's cruise missile launches this year.

1. The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday held its benchmark lending rate steady between 5.25 and 5.50 percent for a fourth consecutive time. After the two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that a rate cut in March is "probably not the most likely case." 2. The main opposition Democratic Party on Thursday rejected the ruling party’s proposal that would have granted small businesses an additional two-year grace period from the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. The application of the act was expanded to businesses with fewer than 50 employees last Saturday. 3. The fourth Winter Youth Olympics will conclude on Thursday with a celebration of feats accomplished by teenage athletes over the past two weeks. Organizers of Gangwon 2024 said Tuesday that the closing ceremony will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday under the theme, "Shine Again."

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday that the North Korean regime is an "irrational group" that has legalized the preemptive use of nuclear weapons and will likely carry out multiple provocations to interfere with South Korea's April parliamentary elections. 2. The finance ministry said Tuesday that the International Monetary Fund projected the South Korean economy to grow two-point-three percent this year, up zero-point-one percentage point from its previous forecast made last October, in light of the recovery of the global economy. 3. South Korea defeated Saudi Arabia 4-2 on Tuesday in a penalty shootout to advance to the quarterfinals of the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup. The national football team will face Australia on Saturday as the side seeks their first Asian Cup title since 1960.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday vetoed a special bill mandating a new investigation into the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush. President Yoon exercised his veto power by endorsing a motion demanding the National Assembly reconsider the legislation. 2. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday that North Korea fired several cruise missiles off the west coast at around 7 a.m., just two days after it test-fired submarine-launched cruise missiles from the east coast. 3. An Israeli intelligence dossier that have prompted several countries to halt funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East includes allegations that some 190 employees took part in abductions and killings during the October 7th raid that sparked the Gaza war.

1. The Korean Central News Agency said Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen the test-fire of the new submarine-launched Pulhwasal-3-31 strategic cruise missile and reviewed a project to build a nuclear-powered submarine. 2. Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yon and a group of ex-DP lawmakers declared Sunday that they would merge into a new single party, tentatively named the "Future Reform Party.” 3. The U.S. military said Sunday three American service members were killed and dozens more injured in a drone strike in Jordan. President Biden blamed the attacks on "radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq,” and vowed the U.S. "will hold all those responsible.”

1. The ruling and main opposition parties on Friday condemned the attack against People Power Party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin. Bae was hit in the head by a teenager in Seoul's southern district of Gangnam Thursday afternoon, and was transferred to a hospital and is in stable condition. 2. The Korean Central News Agency said Friday that a delegation of Chinese diplomats, led by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, arrived in North Korea Thursday, as the two countries are marking the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations this year. 3. The Chinese foreign ministry announced Friday that U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet in Bangkok on Friday and Saturday, building on a commitment by the two countries' leaders to deepen dialogue.

1. North Korea said Thursday it test-fired a new strategic cruise missile, named {불화살}“Pulhwasal-3-31," for the first time on Wednesday in what was seen as an effort to strengthen capabilities to fire nuclear weapons. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed Thursday to make sweeping improvements to commuter transport in the Seoul metropolitan area by extending express rail networks and adding new bus lanes and double-decker electric buses. 3. According to data from the Bank of Korea on Thursday, South Korea's real gross domestic product -- a key measure of economic growth -- increased 1.4 percent last year, slowing to the lowest in three years due to a slump in exports amid tightening monetary policies worldwide.

1. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Wednesday that North Korea fired several cruise missiles toward the West Sea around 7 a.m., the latest provocations amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. 2. South Korean ambassador to the U.N. office in Geneva on Tuesday called on Beijing to provide North Korean defectors with the required protections and humanitarian support at China's fourth universal periodic review held under the auspices of the United Nations Human Rights Council. 3. Former President Donald Trump rolled to victory in the Republican Party's second presidential nomination contest in New Hampshire on Tuesday. President Biden scored a win as a "write-in" candidate in Tuesday's Democratic primary in New Hampshire.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol and ruling party chief Han Dong-hoon met Tuesday in Seocheon to inspect a market destroyed by a fire the previous night. Their meeting came after the two reportedly clashed over allegations involving the first lady and party nominations for the upcoming general elections. 2. South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Tuesday it has launched talks with Britain to discuss ways to improve their bilateral free trade agreement. The meeting will focus on updating the latest global trade norms in areas, including the digital industry and supply chains. 3. South Korea's top envoy to the U.N. on Monday renewed Seoul's criticism of arms transactions between North Korea and Russia during a U.N. Security Council meeting, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the West's weapons support to Ukraine.

1. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on Monday, the cold snap that has gripped the nation will likely persist throughout this week. Most areas nationwide are forecast to witness a further decline in morning temperatures on Tuesday. 2. North Korea's Korean Central News Agency reported Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his willingness to visit Pyongyang at an early date and the country is ready to greet him with the greatest sincerity. Putin last visited North Korea in July 2000. 3. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday rejected calls for Palestinian sovereignty following talks with U.S. President Joe Biden about Gaza’s future, suggesting Israel’s security needs would be incompatible with Palestinian statehood.

1. The U.N. Security Council held closed-door consultations on North Korea-related issues on Thursday in New York, amid tensions heightened by Pyongyang's recent claim of launching a hypersonic missile and its hardening rhetoric against Seoul. 2. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Friday that it will implement an emergency quarantine system ahead of next month's Lunar New Year holiday in response to outbreaks of norovirus and respiratory infections. 3. U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday that U.S. air strikes against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen will continue as the group’s attacks on Red Sea shipping have not halted.

1. The ruling People Power Party and main opposition Democratic Party on Thursday each announced a set of measures aimed at resolving the country's critically low birthrate, as they gear up for April’s parliamentary elections. 2. South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Thursday the top nuclear envoys of South Korea and the United States held talks in Seoul and condemned North Korea's continued military provocations, belligerent rhetoric and its deepening military cooperation with Russia. A three-way talk also took place with Japan. 3. Pentagon officials confirmed Wednesday night that the U.S. carried out another round of strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, marking the fourth time the U.S. has struck the Iran-backed rebel group in less than a week. The strikes come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and the Red Sea.

1. South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that the government has imposed independent sanctions on 11 vessels and five individuals and entities engaged in illegal ship-to-ship transfers of oil and other products to North Korea, tightening the sanctions against the North's maritime activities. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday the government will expand eligibility for individual savings accounts, or ISAs, and raise the limit on the non-taxable amount. 3. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Tuesday attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he delivered a speech about South Korea's capabilities and policy in the nuclear energy and artificial intelligence sectors.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday said North Korea’s recent definition of South-North relations as those between “hostile” nations amounted to an acknowledgement of the regime’s nature as an “anti-national and anti-historical group.” 2. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui arrived in Russia on Monday at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as the Kremlin said it aims to further develop ties with the North in all areas. The two Ministers are set to hold talks on Tuesday. 3. Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday won a landslide victory in the Iowa caucuses, cementing his status as the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis came in a distant second.

1. North Korea said Monday it successfully test-fired a solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile. The Korean Central News Agency said the missile loaded with a hypersonic maneuverable controlled warhead was launched Sunday afternoon as part of regular activities to develop powerful weapons systems. 2. South Korea on Monday unveiled plans to establish a "semiconductor mega cluster" in southern Seoul by promoting a total investment of 622 trillion won, or roughly 472 billion U.S. dollars. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Monday it is expected to create at least 3 million jobs over the next 20 years. 3. Taiwan's current vice president and leader of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Lai Ching-te, was elected Taiwan's president on Saturday, defeating his China-friendly rival from the main opposition party.

1. South Korea’s new Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, who assumed office this week, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held their first phone conversation on Thursday. The two agreed to work together to address North Korean threats and support peace in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. 2. The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld another appellate court ruling that ordered Nippon Steel to compensate the family of a late South Korean victim forced into wartime labor during Japan’s colonial rule. 3. The Ministry of Economy and Finance said Friday that South Korea has shown growing signs of an economic recovery led by exports, though domestic demand remains weak.

1. In a widely expected decision, the monetary policy board of the Bank of Korea on Thursday kept its policy rate unchanged at 3.5 % for the eighth straight session, amid woes over a still weak economic recovery and slower-than-expected inflation moderation. 2. Lee Nak-yon, former leader of the Democratic Party, announced his departure from the party Thursday. Lee delivered his plans to join forces with three other non-mainstream lawmakers who quit the party a day earlier to launch a new party ahead of April's parliamentary elections. 3. South Korea’s UN Ambassador Hwang Joon-kook said Wednesday during a U.N. Security Council session that Russia's recent launches of North Korean ballistic missiles into Ukraine give Pyongyang military insights and could encourage it to export weapons to other countries.

1. North Korea’s state media reported Wednesday that Kim Jong-un called South Korea the country’s “principal enemy” and said he has “no intention of avoiding war.” 2. The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency announced Wednesday that the assailant who stabbed opposition leader Lee Jae-myung in the neck last week committed the crime out of “subjective political beliefs.” Lee Jae-myung left the hospital Wednesday, eight days after the attack. 3. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday his government will allow the reconstruction of homes 30 years or older even if they meet safety requirements in order to improve housing conditions and increase home supply.

1. A heavy snow advisory was issued across the greater Seoul area on Tuesday morning, with up to 10 cm of snow expected to accumulate in the region. The Korea Meteorological Agency said up to 3 cm of snow per hour is forecast to hit Seoul during the evening rush hour. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday called for prioritizing the improvement of people’s livelihoods in the new year during a Cabinet meeting. He listed increased support for vulnerable groups and new transportation systems as some of the government’s latest projects. 3. Wissam Tawil, a senior Hezbollah commander has been killed in an apparent Israeli drone attack in southern Lebanon. Tawil’s death is the latest incident to fuel concerns that the October 7th attack against Israel is now escalating into wider regional conflict.

1. The JCS said Monday the zone designated for the cessation of hostile actions effectively no longer exists with North Korea breaching the September 19th military agreement. Military sources said Sunday that some artillery shells fired by Pyongyang last Friday fell as close as 7 kilometers above the Northern Limit Line. 2. The parliamentary science committee passed a set of bills Monday aimed at establishing an independent space and aerospace agency, named the Korea Aerospace Administration. KASA will operate under the Ministry of Science and ICT and be overseen by the presidential science advisory committee. 3. Korean American actor Steven Yeun won Best Actor for Netflix original "Beef" at the 81st Golden Globe Awards Sunday. He made history as the first actor of Asian descent to receive the "Best Actor" award in the category.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday vetoed two opposition-led special investigation proposals, one of which involves allegations against first lady Kim Keon Hee. The Presidential Office called the opposition party's unilateral passage of the two special counsel bills "evil laws meant for the general elections." 2. South Korea's finance ministry said Thursday it expects the country's economy to grow 2.2 percent this year on the back of a rebound in the semiconductor cycle and a recovery of exports. Inflation is projected to be 2.6 percent in 2024. 3. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that North Korea fired some 200 artillery shells into waters off its western coast Friday morning. The shells fell into the maritime buffer zone north of the Northern Limit Line, the de facto maritime border in the Yellow Sea.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday received the first government policy report of the year and said the ban on stock short selling will remain in place until measures are devised to resolve short selling's harmful effects on retail investors. 2. The South Korean Army said Thursday that South Korea and the United States held their first joint training of the year by staging a live-fire exercise near the border with North Korea to bolster their joint combat readiness. 3. At least 95 people have been killed by two explosions near the burial site of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on the fourth anniversary of his assassination by the U.S. The Iranian Health Minister revised the death toll down to 95 from 103 Thursday and said 211 people had been injured.

1. President Yoon Suk-yeol hosted a New Year's meeting on Wednesday at the Blue House, inviting representatives from various sectors. In his address, he stated that the people and their livelihoods will be prioritized in the new year. 2. According to data from the education and interior ministries on Wednesday, South Korea’s student enrollment in elementary schools nationwide is expected to drop below 400-thousand for the first time this year due to the country’s low birth rate. 3. Japan’s Meteorological Agency said Wednesday a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula at 10:54 AM. A series of aftershocks have been observed in Ishikawa prefecture following a devastating quake on New Year’s day and at least 65 people have been killed since then.

1. Main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed in the neck during a visit to Busan on Tuesday morning. Officials said he was airlifted to Seoul for surgery and the wound is not life threatening. The male suspect was arrested at the scene. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday during a ceremony marking the first trading day of 2024 that he will push to scrap the financial investment income tax which is planned to be implemented in 2025, and resolve the “Korea Discount.” 3. A powerful magnitude 7-point-6 earthquake struck Japan’s Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture on New Year’s Day. According to local media reports, at least 30 people have been killed and thousands have evacuated following tsunami waves hitting South Korea’s east coast.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Monday in a New Year's Day address that South Korea and the U.S. will complete a strengthened "extended deterrence" regime in the first half of 2024 to seal off North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. 2. The Korean Central News Agency reported Monday that North Korea began discussions on dismantling agencies in charge of inter-Korean relations after leader Kim Jong-un said there is no point in seeking reconciliation and unification with South Korea. 3. According to data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Monday, South Korea's exports decreased 7.4 percent on-year in 2023 amid sluggish performance of chips coupled with global economic uncertainties.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol appointed four ministers and the chief of the broadcasting watchdog on Friday. Finance Minister {최상목}Choi Sang-mok, Agriculture Minister {송미령}Song Mi-ryung, Ocean Minister {강도형}Kang Do-hyung and SMEs Minister {오영주}Oh Young-ju were appointed. 2. The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld two separate rulings in favor of South Koreans forced into wartime labor under Japan's colonial rule. The top court handed down the decisions on two suits filed against Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel Corporation between 2013 and 2014. 3. According to Statistics Korea on Friday, consumer prices rose 3.6 percent on-year in 2023, slowing from a 5.1 percent gain in 2022. Inflation in December ticked down for a second consecutive month in signs that price pressure is easing.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol nominated {이관섭}Lee Kwan-sup, the director of national policy at the presidential office, as his new chief of staff. According to sources on Thursday, Lee will be replacing outgoing presidential chief of staff {김대기}Kim Dae-ki. 2. South Korea on Thursday struck a free trade agreement with a group of Arab countries known as the Gulf Cooperation Council. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said the move is expected to strengthen Seoul's export competitiveness and boost energy security. 3. Japan's NHK reported Thursday that South Korea, China, and Japan are considering holding a summit after February next year to discuss North Korea and pursue regional stability.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol carried out a partial Cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday. {김윤상}Kim Yoon-sang was named as the second vice finance minister, Shin Young-sook as the vice gender equality minister, and {손영택}Son Young-taek as the chief secretary of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. 2. South Korea on Wednesday imposed independent sanctions on eight North Korean individuals, including the chief of the North's spy agency {리창호}Ri Chang-ho, for their involvement in arms trade and cyberattacks. 3. According to a survey by the Bank of Korea on Wednesday, South Korea's general public expect consumer prices to rise 3.2 percent for the year ahead, down from the previous month's 3.4 percent.

1. During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol called for approaching the issue of South Korea's rapidly declining birthrate from a fundamentally different perspective, emphasizing the need to identify its causes and find effective solutions. 2. According to Statistics Korea on Tuesday, South Korea’s population of those in their 40s in November was a little over 7.9 million, decreasing 139-thousand from a year earlier. The fall has also led to a lower number of employed individuals in their 40s. 3. Kim Jin-pyo, Speaker of the National Assembly, conducted bilateral talks on Tuesday in Tokyo with the Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives, Fukushiro Nukaga. Kim said the two countries’ improvement in relations has become a positive opportunity for creating security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.

1. The Presidential Office said Monday that President Yoon Seok Yeol visited Chungdong First Methodist Church in Jung-gu, Seoul on the morning of Christmas day to participate in the Christmas service. 2. "12.12: The Day," a historical saga about South Korea's military coup in 1979, topped 10 million admissions on Sunday. According to the film's local distributor, Plus M Entertainment, the periodic drama became the second film to hit the milestone this year, following "The Roundup: No Way Out.” 3. Palestinian officials said Sunday at least 78 people were killed in an Israeli attack in central Gaza on Sunday. Strikes that began hours before midnight persisted into Christmas Day on Monday.

1. The Korea Meteorological Administration said the season’s strongest cold wave peaked early Friday, causing disruptions in daily life nationwide. A heavy snow advisory effect in Jeju Island caused Jeju International Airport to completely suspend its runway operations in the morning. 2. The National Assembly on Thursday passed a tax law amendment that includes deducting up to 300 million won, or roughly 230-thousand U.S. dollars, in gift tax during marriage and childbirth, and increasing the monthly rent tax deduction limit to 10 million won, or about 7,600 U.S. dollars. 3. According to Czech Police on Thursday, a 24 year-old student shot dead his father, then killed at least 14 people and wounded 25 others at a university in Prague, marking the country’s worst mass shooting.

1. An arctic cold wave swept across South Korea Thursday, sending apparent temperatures in Seoul to minus 22 degrees Celsius on the coldest morning of the season. According to forecasts, the cold will continue through Friday. 2. Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon agreed Thursday morning to take over as chairman of the ruling People Power Party's emergency leadership committee, and will leave office as minister Thursday afternoon. 3. The U.N. General Assembly has passed a resolution on North Korean human rights for the 19th consecutive year. This year's resolution highlights concerns over the safety of North Korean escapees who were repatriated from China.

1. The ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party finalized the national budget for next year on Wednesday, and agreed to pass it through the National Assembly later this week. The two sides also agreed to hold a vote on the budget at 10 AM Thursday. 2. The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday ended its meeting on North Korea’s latest test-firing of ICBMs without a joint response. Kim Song, North Korea’s envoy to the United Nations, warned the allies will face consequences if they continue military cooperation. 3. A group of countries led by the U.S., including South Korea, members of NATO and the EU, released a joint statement on Tuesday denouncing the repeated attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

1. The defense ministry said Tuesday that South Korea, the United States and Japan launched a system to share North Korean missile warning data in real time, in the latest effort to bolster trilateral security cooperation against the North. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday named National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of National Intelligence Service Director Kim Kyou-hyun last month. Former Second Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul was tapped to replace Foreign Minister Park Jin. 3. A magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit rural Gansu province in north-west China just before midnight on Monday, killing at least 118 people and injuring hundreds.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday named Ahn Duk-geun as the new minister of trade, industry and energy. Ahn's appointment comes three months after incumbent minister Bang Moon-kyu assumed the post in September. Bang is widely expected to run in the general elections in April. 2. The South Korean military said North Korea fired a long-range missile into the East Sea on Monday morning, in its fifth intercontinental ballistic missile launch this year. The latest launch came hours after the North fired a short-range missile from Pyongyang late on Sunday. 3. The Korea Meteorological Administration said Monday that temperatures are forecast to further dip later this week. Monday's morning lows ranged from minus 18 to minus 3 degrees Celsius nationwide.

1. Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo on Thursday raised the possibility of North Korea launching an intercontinental ballistic missile this month,... upon arriving in Washington for a South Korea-U.S. security meeting designed to discuss nuclear issues. 2. The Ministry of Economy and Finance said Friday that the South Korean economy continues to show signs of gradual recovery for the second consecutive month driven by a rebound in the manufacturing sector. 3. Hungary on Friday blocked the European Union from approving a financial aid package for Ukraine, just hours after E.U. leaders agreed to officially open accession negotiations for Ukraine to join the bloc.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday ended his four-day state visit to the Netherlands, which focused on ensuring a stable supply chain of key materials and expanding bilateral semiconductor industry cooperation. 2. The ruling People Power Party said Thursday that the party will transition to an emergency leadership committee system, following the resignation of party leader Kim Gi-hyeon. 3. The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday held its benchmark lending rate steady between 5.25 and 5.50 percent for a third consecutive time after a two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting. The central bank also hinted at cutting the rate by a quarter percentage point three times next year.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday pledged to provide full support for semiconductor cooperation between South Korea and the Netherlands, as he visited the headquarters of Dutch chipmaking equipment company ASML. 2. According to data compiled by Statistics Korea on Wednesday, South Korea's on-year employment grew at a slower pace for the first time in four months in November. The number of employed people rose by 277,000 from a year earlier, slowing from the previous month's 346,000. 3. The U.S. Department of the Treasury said Tuesday it imposed sanctions on more than 250 individuals and entities, including a South Korean national, for involvement in Russia’s arms procurement. South Korea on Wednesday said an investigation has been launched into the individual.

1. The preliminary candidate registration for the April 10th general elections opened Tuesday, signaling the start of a four-month race. Prospective candidates can register their preliminary candidacies with the national Election Commission until the official candidate registration opens on March 21st. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol began his state visit to the Netherlands on Monday by meeting with a group of Korean residents and vowing to upgrade the two countries’ relations to a “semiconductor alliance.” 3. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Tuesday, there are eight measles patients in South Korea as of Monday. Health authorities are urging people to check their vaccination history before traveling abroad as measles is becoming prevalent worldwide.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol departed Monday on a state visit to the Netherlands to strengthen semiconductor cooperation between the two countries. 2. The Finance Ministry said Monday that South Korea will establish a government-wide commission for the comprehensive management of supply chains of items necessary for major industries, amid growing supply chain risks. 3. The World Health Organization Executive Board adopted a resolution on Sunday in order to improve the “catastrophic” humanitarian crisis in the war-torn Gaza strip, urging prompt and unobstructed humanitarian aid access to the region.

1. South Korea’s main rival political parties have agreed to hold a 30-day extraordinary session starting next Monday. Three plenary sessions will be held on December 20th, 28th, and January 9th. Lawmakers aim to finalize next year’s budget during the session on the 20th. 2. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced Friday that it will launch a pan-governmental task force to address concerns about the increasing number of children with respiratory illnesses. This comes as cases of mycoplasma pneumoniae have risen in recent weeks. 3. The national security advisors of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan will meet in Seoul on Saturday to discuss North Korea’s growing military threat and global security issues, as they continue to promote trilateral cooperation in Asia.

1. The ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party agreed Thursday to open an extraordinary National Assembly session on December 11th, and hold two plenary meetings on December 20th and 28th to deal with the 2024 national budget and pending bills, respectively. 2. Paek Kee-bong, a South Korean lawyer, was elected as a judge of the International Criminal Court for the 2024-2033 period on Wednesday, during a session of the Assembly of State Parties at U.N. headquarters in New York. This marks the third time a South Korean national has secured a seat at the court. 3. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a rare move on Wednesday by invoking Article 99 of the UN Charter to formally warn the Security Council of an impending “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza, and urged its members to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday named Kim Hong-il as the new head of the Korea Communications Commission. Kim is the current head of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, and is to replace Lee Dong-kwan as chairman of the state broadcasting watchdog. 2. South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Wednesday that it held an expert advisory meeting with the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy in response to the nation's low birth rate. 3. Israel said Tuesday that its troops had entered Gaza’s second-largest city in a new phase of the war. The military said its forces were “in the heart” of Khan Younis, which has emerged as the first target in the expanded ground offensive into southern Gaza.

1. According to data from the Bank of Korea, South Korea's economy grew 0.6 percent in the third quarter of the year on the back of reviving exports and domestic demand. 2. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that the restoration of relations between South Korea and Russia depends on Seoul, and that Moscow is "ready." Putin made the remarks during a ceremony to receive the credentials of new ambassadors from 21 countries at the Kremlin Palace. 3. The Korea Children's Hospital Association on Monday urged the South Korean government to prepare measures against pediatric cases of mycoplasma pneumonia, a respiratory disease that has recently been spreading in China, adding that health authorities are "responding too complacently" to the disease.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday replaced the finance minister and five other members of the Cabinet. Choi Sang-mok, former senior presidential secretary for economic affairs, was named the new finance minister. 2. According to the Defense Ministry on Monday, South Korea successfully conducted a third test flight of a solid-fuel space rocket. This test flight comes after South Korea launched its first spy satellite into orbit on Friday. 3. Israel’s military on Sunday expanded its ground offensive to every part of the Gaza Strip, as it ordered more evacuations and vowed to hit South Gaza. The new orders come three days after the collapse of a weeklong truce.

1. The President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday approved a motion requesting parliamentary reconsideration of the "yellow envelope law" and three other contentious measures unilaterally passed by opposition parties last month. 2. According to data from the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the National Tax Service on Wednesday, the number of comprehensive real estate tax payers in South Korea for residential properties this year has gone down by 66 percent from last year, marking the first decline in 10 years. 3. President Yoon Suk Yeol is scheduled to visit the Netherlands from December 11th to the 14th at the invitation of Dutch King Willem-Alexander, becoming the first South Korean president to pay a state visit to the European nation since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1961.

1. South Korea's central bank held its key interest rate steady at 3-point-5 percent for the seventh straight time Thursday, while cutting its growth outlook for next year. 2. South Korea's weather agency said Thursday a 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck the southeastern city of Gyeongju early Thursday, but no damage has been reported. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration the quake struck the city at around 4:55 a.m. 3. Israel and Hamas agreed on Thursday to extend the ceasefire by at least one more day, minutes before the six-day truce was due to expire. The truce, extended from its initial four days, will see 10 more Israeli hostages released for 30 Palestinians.

1. South Korea's Busan came up short in its bid to host the 2030 World Expo on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia's Riyadh won over Busan and Italy's Rome without a runoff vote. 2. The Ministry of Education announced Wednesday that a sample of a new set of education rules has been distributed to the Office of Education. The new rules are aimed at increasing teachers' rights and authority, and replacing the current Ordinance of Student Rights. 3. According to sources on Wednesday, the South Korean military is considering restoring a disarmed guard post in Goseong in response to North Korea's latest move to rebuild its own and redeploy weapons in the Demilitarized Zone.

1. The 182 members of the Bureau International des Expositions will vote for the host city of the 2030 World Expo on Tuesday local time. The results of the voting should come out by midnight Wednesday Korea Standard Time. 2. After it announced it will scrap the inter-Korean military agreement, North Korea has been seen installing temporary guard posts on the DMZ, with North Korean soldiers seen with pistols at the Joint Security Area in Panmunjom. 3. Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend their ceasefire for two more days. Hamas agreed to release a total of 20 hostages during the two days.

1. Seoul's Foreign Minister Park Jin said Sunday that South Korea, China and Japan agreed to accelerate preparations to resume the long-stalled summit among the leaders of the three countries at an "earliest, mutually convenient" time. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed Friday that the international community should work together to confront North Korea's continued nuclear and missile provocations. 3. President Yoon Suk Yeol accepted the resignations of the chief of the National Intelligence Service Director Kim Kyou-hyun and his two deputies on Sunday in the wake of controversy over personnel affairs.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed Thursday to make the 2030 World Expo a platform to spread and create synergy between each nation’s culture, skills and beliefs if Busan is chosen as the host. 2. Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said Friday the top diplomats of South Korea, China, and Japan will hold trilateral talks in Busan on Sunday. The gathering is expected to focus on ways to boost trilateral cooperation along with other regional and global issues. 3. Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas started a four-day truce on Friday at 7AM. The truce involves a ceasefire in north and south Gaza, the release of a first group of 13 Israeli women and child hostages later in the day, and aid to flow into the enclave.

1. North Korea said Thursday it will immediately restore all military measures halted under the Comprehensive Military Agreement signed in 2018, after South Korea suspended part of the tension reduction deal following the North's launch of a military spy satellite on Tuesday night. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed the "Downing Street Accord" on Wednesday, raising the two countries' security and economic ties to the highest level. 3. The South Korean government announced a set of measures on Wednesday to tackle illegal drug trafficking and usage. The Office for Government Policy Coordination said the latest measures involve suppressing drug smuggling, overseeing medical-purpose drugs, and expanding rehabilitation programs.

1.South Korea suspended part of a 2018 inter-Korean military tension reduction agreement Wednesday in response to North Korea's latest launch of a military spy satellite on Tuesday night. 2.President Yoon Suk Yeol said in a speech before the British parliament on Tuesday, that South Korea and Britain will deepen and broaden their partnership to tackle various security and digital challenges together. 3.Israel and Hamas agreed on Wednesday to a four-day pause in fighting to allow the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, and the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

1. According to the presidential office on Monday, South Korea and Britain will adopt the "Downing Street Accord" on the occasion of President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visit to London to upgrade the two countries' relations to a "global strategic partnership.” 2. Reuters reported Monday that North Korea notified Japan of plans to launch a space rocket between November 22nd and December 1st. North Korea is preparing for its third attempt to put a military spy satellite into orbit. 3. Labor and management of Seoul Metro held last-minute negotiations over manpower reduction on Tuesday. Unionized Seoul subway workers said last week they will go on a general strike starting Wednesday in protest against their company's downsizing plans.

1. The South Korean government's administrative network was restored on Sunday and operating normally Monday… after the {새올}Saeol administrative network, a system used by public workers, and the online Government 24 portal experienced a system failure last Friday. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol embarked on a weeklong trip to Britain and France on Monday. President Yoon will first visit the U.K. for a state visit at the invitation of King Charles III, then go to France for a final diplomatic campaign to bring the 2030 World Expo to Busan. 3. South Korea's T1 won the 2023 League of Legends World Championship on Sunday. T1 defeated China's Weibo Gaming, earning a record fourth title in the e-sport tournament.

1. South Korea’s presidential office said Thursday that leaders of the 14 member states of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework agreed to launch a dialogue channel tasked with building stable supply chains in critical minerals. 2. South Korea’s Finance Ministry said Friday the country’s economy has shown signs of gradual recovery, led by improvement in exports, production and employment. This is the first time the government has mentioned economic recovery since June last year. 3. Seoul City’s “Climate Card” initiative will see the participation of Incheon city, according to the mayors of both cities on Friday. Seoul City had announced plans in September to introduce an unlimited public transportation pass next year to promote eco-friendly traveling.

1. About half a million students in South Korea took the College Scholastic Ability Test on Thursday. The head of the exam board previously said the 2024 CSAT was designed to ensure fairness without extremely difficult questions, or the so-called “killer questions.” 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday called for enhancing the connectivity of the world economy in areas that include trade and supply chains, during a keynote speech delivered at the APEC CEOs Summit in San Francisco. 3. A United Nations General Assembly committee on Wednesday passed a resolution on North Korean human rights for the 19th consecutive year. The passage comes amid growing concern for the safety of North Korean defectors who are reportedly forcibly repatriated from China.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol departed for San Francisco on Wednesday to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. This is President Yoon’s first attendance at an APEC summit. 2. South Korea's Finance Ministry on Wednesday announced plans to implement 1 trillion won, or roughly 766.52 million U.S. dollars, in extensive tailored programs to encourage more young people to join and stay in the labor market. 3. Nearly half a million students are expected to take the annual College Scholastic Ability Test on Thursday. The South Korean government said Tuesday that aircraft takeoffs and landings across the nation will be temporarily prohibited to regulate noise, among other measures.

1. South Korea and the United Nations Command member states held their first meeting of defense chiefs and representatives Tuesday. In a message delivered by the Deputy Minister for Defense Policy, President Yoon Suk Yeol praised the UNC's contribution to overseeing the armistice and promoting peace on the Korean peninsula. 2. The South Korean government announced Monday that they will relax the maximum 52-hour weekly work hours for certain business sectors with heavy workloads. 3. The 2023 KBO League season ended Monday night with the LG Twins claiming their first championship in 29 years. The Twins defeated the KT Wiz 6-2 in Game 5 of the Korean Series at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul.

1. South Korea's Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and his U.S. counterpart, Lloyd Austin, on Monday signed the revised document of the "tailored deterrence strategy," during the 55th Security Consultative Meeting,... as part of efforts to better counter North Korea's growing missile and nuclear threats. 2. South Korea's National Assembly began deliberations on Monday of the government’s 656-point-nine-trillion won budget for next year. The parliament’s Special Committee on Budget and Accounts will operate subcommittee sessions starting Tuesday. 3. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has designated the Jeju {해녀}Haenyeo Fisheries System on the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, according to Jeju City last Friday. The Haenyeo Fisheries System is a unique fishing style of female divers on Jeju Island who dive without oxygen masks.

1. South Korea’s Constitutional Court President Yoo Nam-seok retired on Friday, leaving a leadership vacuum at the country’s two top courts. The Supreme Court has been without a head since September after former Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su retired. 2. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting will be held in San Francisco, California starting from the 11th to the 17th. U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese Leader Xi Jinping are expected to hold their first talks in a year on the sidelines of the event. 3. South Korean author Han Kang won the prestigious Prix Medicis award Thursday with her novel “I Do Not Bid Farewell” (작별하지 않는다). The 2021 book was named the winner of the French literary award for foreign literature. Her win marks the first time that a Korean author has won the award.

1. The main opposition Democratic Party on Thursday passed a pro labor bill, better known as the "yellow envelope bill," and three other bills on broadcasting laws through the National Assembly. 2. The state-run electricity supplier Korea Electric Power Corporation, or KEPCO, increased power prices for "large-capacity" industrial uses by 10.6 won per kilowatt-hour starting Thursday. Electricity prices for households and small and medium-sized firms were maintained. 3. South Korea’s Foreign Minister Park Jin and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks Thursday in Seoul. The two discussed further actions to pressure Russia not to transfer military technology to North Korea.

1. According to a report by the U.S. Treasury on Tuesday, South Korea has been removed from the U.S.' list of countries to monitor for their foreign exchange policies. This marks South Korea's first exclusion since it was put on the list in April 2016. 2. The environment ministry on Tuesday called off a plan to ban disposable paper cups at cafes and restaurants, while also extending the grace period for another ban on plastic straws at cafes. 3. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held a summit with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Yongsan presidential office on Wednesday. Mattarella arrived in South Korea the day before for a three-day state visit at Yoon’s invitation.

1. South Korea's Interior Ministry said Monday that municipal governments will regularly report on bed bug cases amid an increase in cases. The government's joint countermeasures headquarters set up a nationwide status board on Tuesday to prevent the spread of the insect.2. According to NSC spokesperson John Kirby, U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the potential for "tactical pauses" in fighting in Gaza for humanitarian reasons and possible hostage releases in talks on Monday.3. A cold wave hit South Korea on Tuesday, as Seoul saw the coldest weather of this fall at 3.8 degrees celsius, and morning temperatures dipped below zero in some areas of Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do Province. Temperatures are likely to fall further on Wednesday according to forecasts.

1. South Korea's Financial Services Commission said Sunday that it will temporarily ban stock short selling until the start of July 2024. The move is effective starting Monday, and comes amid efforts to crack down on illegal short selling by global investment banks. 2. The South Korean government on Monday finalized a blueprint to build a theme park in the reclaimed land of {새만금}Saemangeum by 2026, with private sector investments worth 144-point-3 billion won, or roughly 110.2 million U.S. dollars. 3. The Israeli military claimed on Sunday it has encircled Gaza City and divided the coastal strip into two, as Gaza came under its third total communications outage since the start of the war. Israeli media reported that troops are expected to enter Gaza City within 48 hours.

1. While speaking at a ceremony celebrating Daedeok R&D Special Zone’s 50th anniversary on Thursday, President Yoon Suk Yeol addressed criticism for cutting the state budget for research and development by declaring plans to expand related funding. 2. President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a law withdrawing Russia's ratification of the global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed deep concern about Russia's decision and said it was a step in the wrong direction. 3. South Korea's foreign ministry said Friday that a Japanese aircraft carrying 15 South Koreans departed from Israel on Thursday, local time, and is on its way to Haneda International Airport in Tokyo.

1. South Korea’s Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a lower courts’ acquittal of nine former officials of the Korea Coast Guard, who were all charged with failing to carry out their duty in the rescue operation for the sinking of the Sewol ferry in April 2014. 2. According to Statistics Korea on Thursday, South Korea’s inflation grew at a faster pace in October, staying above 3 percent for the third straight month. Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho said that “inflation is expected to ease at a slower pace than expected.” 3. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Thursday began its 3rd release of treated wastewater into the sea. The plant operator discharged 7,800 tons of treated water in each of the first two batches, and plans to release the same amount this time through November 20th.

1. The National Assembly on Wednesday began reviewing the South Korean government’s 2024 budget proposal of 657 trillion won, or roughly 487 billion U.S. dollars. President Yoon Suk Yeol delivered a budget speech the day before saying he will stick to a sound fiscal policy next year. 2. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Wednesday it has applied for product approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for the world's first recombinant protein-based anthrax vaccine developed to prepare for national crises like bioterrorism. 3. According to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea's exports increased on-year for the first time in 13 months in October, driven by robust automobile shipments and signs of improvement in the chip sector.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday delivered a budget speech, pledging to stick to a sound fiscal policy next year and put top priority on stabilizing people’s livelihoods. He also called for bipartisan support on passing the government’s budget proposal. 2. According to data by Statistics Korea on Tuesday, South Korea’s industrial output rose for the second consecutive month in September on the back of a turnaround in the semiconductor sector. Retail sales and facility investment also logged an on-year growth last month. 3. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday rejected calls for a ceasefire, saying it would be “equivalent to surrendering to Hamas and terrorism” even as UN agencies call for a humanitarian ceasefire. Netanyahu said Israel would press ahead with its plans to wipe out Hamas in Gaza.

1. Marking the first anniversary of the tragic Itaewon crowd crush on Sunday, bereaved families held memorial events throughout the day. People marched from Itaewon station to Seoul Plaza for a memorial ceremony held in front of City Hall. 2. The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation on Sunday presented South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida with the special International Profile in Courage Award for improving bilateral relations between the two countries. 3. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday night that the military has opened a “second stage” in the war against Hamas, as ground forces pushed into Gaza over the weekend.

1. The South Korean government on Friday announced plans to “gradually” raise the national pension premium rate to improve the financial soundness of the system as the population ages,... but stopped short of presenting detailed reform measures. 2. South Korea’s Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will embark on a five-nation tour of Africa and Europe next week to rally support for South Korea’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo and strengthen bilateral ties. 3. While on an official media tour, the Israeli military said Thursday that a portion of the weapons used by Hamas in the October 7th attacks were manufactured in North Korea and Iran.

1. South Korea’s Presidential Office said Wednesday that President Yoon Suk Yeol and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani agreed to upgrade the two countries’ relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” as they held a summit in Doha. 2. South Korea’s Constitutional Court ruled Thursday that the legislative procedures for the so-called “Yellow Envelope Bill'' and a revision to the Broadcast Act are not invalid. Both laws were directly presented to a plenary session of the National Assembly. 3. Data from the Bank of Korea released on Thursday shows that South Korea’s economy recorded a slight growth, as real gross domestic product rose 0-point-6 percent on-quarter during the July to September period.

1. In a speech during the Future Investment Initiative Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol pitched South Korea’s appeal as an investment and business partner for the Middle East. 2. South Korea’s health authorities and agriculture ministry said Wednesday that it has planned to vaccinate all of the nation’s cattle by early next month to prevent the spread of lumpy skin disease. Confirmed cases of the disease have increased to 29 as of Wednesday. 3. According to UNICEF on Tuesday, the humanitarian situation for children in Gaza is becoming increasingly dire, with a reported 2,360 fatalities and 5,634 injuries over the past 18 days. More than 30 Israeli children reportedly have lost their lives.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman adopted a joint statement on Monday to boost bilateral cooperation. The two leaders agreed to enhance strategic partnership in a wide range of areas to boost economic ties. 2. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday that a group of four unidentified individuals from North Korea expressed their will to defect to South Korea after crossing the eastern maritime inter-Korean border on a wooden boat in the early morning. 3. The 78th UN Day Ceremony took place at the Busan UN Cemetery on Tuesday morning. About 400 people, including diplomatic envoys from countries that participated in the Korean War, attended a memorial ceremony to honor Korean War veterans and fallen soldiers.

1. South Korea’s Presidential Office said Sunday that President Yoon Suk Yeol and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to deepen and develop the strategic partnership between the two countries as they held a summit in Riyadh. 2. The ruling People Power Party on Monday approved Yohan Ihn, South Korea’s first special naturalized citizen and doctor, as the chairman of the party’s innovation committee. Speaking to reporters, Ihn vowed to push for “unity” and complete change within the PPP. 3. South Korea’s agricultural ministry on Monday reported four additional cases of lumpy skin disease (LSD), bringing the total number of cases nationwide to 14. The country reported its first LSD case in South Chungcheong Province last Friday. LSD affects cattle and buffalo, but not humans.

1. South Korea's new Defense Minister Shin Won-sik held phone talks with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for the first time Friday. Seoul's defense ministry said the two discussed the allies' efforts to deter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, as they are set to meet in Seoul next month for the annual Security Consultative Meeting. 2. The ruling People Power Party said Friday it will launch a task force to discuss policy measures to improve medical services, and support the government's commitment to increasing the enrollment quota of medical schools. 3. South Korean stocks traded 1.94 percent lower on Friday morning over concerns of the U.S. central bank's monetary tightening. The benchmark KOSPI shed 40.8 points to close at 2,375.

1. The Bank of Korea held its key interest rate unchanged at 3.5% for the sixth straight time Thursday, amid a slowdown in growth and heightened uncertainties, such as the conflict in the middle-east and rising household debts. 2. Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, held a press conference Thursday after talks with North Korean foreign minister Choe Son-hui, and said that Russia supports the establishment of negotiations without preconditions to discuss security issues on the Korean peninsula. 3. U.S. President Joe Biden said Wednesday that the blast at a Gaza Strip hospital appeared to be from “an errant rocket fired by a terrorist group.” President Biden also pledged support to Israelis and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank.

1. The United States’ chief nuclear envoy said Tuesday the country is “deeply concerned” about what North Korea will get in return for its suspected delivery of military equipment to Russia. 2. Palestinian officials say at least 500 people have been killed by a blast at a Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday. Gaza health officials attributed the blast to an Israeli air raid, but the Israel Defense Forces “categorically” denied any involvement, blaming instead the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The PIJ denied the allegation. 3. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday called for restructuring the police in a way that will place public safety at the center of its responsibilities and enhance its ability to respond to the scene, during a ceremony for the 78th National Police Day.

1. The Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2023 opened at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam on Tuesday, and will run until Sunday,... featuring aerial displays of the homegrown KF-21 fighter jet and U.S. strategic bomber B-52. 2. The revised enforcement decree of the Assembly and Demonstration Act went into effect Tuesday, allowing the police to prohibit rallies near the presidential office for traffic control purposes. 11 streets have been additionally designated as "main streets" where police can restrict rallies. 3. China is hosting its third Belt and Road Forum for two days beginning on Tuesday, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative led by President Xi Jinping. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing Tuesday morning as a guest of honor for the forum, and is set to meet Xi this week.

1. Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said that the top nuclear envoys of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan are set to meet in Indonesia on Monday to discuss North Korea’s nuclear and missile developments. 2. South Korea’s Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho said Monday the tax cut on fuel consumption will be extended through December amid concerns about inflationary pressure caused by the Israel-Hamas conflict. The discount was originally set to expire at the end of October. 3. In an interview with CBS 60 Minutes on Sunday, U.S. President Joe Biden said any move by Israel to occupy Gaza would be a “big mistake.” President Biden added that he believes the Hamas militant group must be eliminated, but supports the creation of a humanitarian corridor.

1. South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance said Friday the country’s economic slowdown has been gradually easing as production and exports of semiconductors show improvement, ... but warned of uncertainties caused by international conflict and higher oil prices. 2. The Israeli Air Force said Thursday that it has dropped around 6,000 bombs on the Gaza Strip since last Saturday. As of Friday morning local time, Israel's military reported more than 1,300 deaths, while the Gaza Ministry of Health reported more than 1,500 deaths. 3. South Korea's National Teachers' Association will gather for a rally outside the National Assembly Building in Seoul on Saturday. The teachers are to demand amendments to the Child Welfare Act to better protect teachers' rights.

1. Prosecutors on Thursday indicted opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung without physical detention over corruption charges, two weeks after a court rejected an arrest warrant sought for him. 2. South Korea’s unification ministry said Thursday it is working to verify speculation that China forcibly repatriated around 600 North Korean defectors on Monday night. The ministry added that North Korean refugees should not be sent back to the North against their will. 3. The Gaza strip could be facing its worst humanitarian crisis after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the “complete siege” of the area on Monday. Gaza officials said Wednesday that Gaza’s only power station has stopped working after fuel ran out.

1. The National Intelligence Service said Tuesday that South Korea's election systems may be vulnerable to foreign hacking threats and are in need of fortification ahead of next year’s general election. 2. South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Wednesday the country has signed a joint statement on the conclusion of negotiations for the Strategic Economic Cooperation Agreement, a type of free trade deal, with Ecuador. This is South Korea's 23rd FTA. 3. The armed conflict between Israel and Hamas continued for a fifth day on Wednesday, claiming at least 2,100 lives on both sides. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported on Wednesday nearly 1,000 deaths since Saturday, while Israel's Defense Forces reported at least 1,200 deaths.

1. The death toll of the Israel-Hamas armed conflict rose to nearly 1,600 on both sides as of Monday. Israel previously reported 900 deaths while Palestinian authorities reported 700 deaths in Gaza and the West Bank. A senior Hamas official said the group is holding more than 100 people captive. 2. South Korea’s Presidential Office said Monday that the U.S. has decided to allow exports of its semiconductor manufacturing equipment to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix factories in China without a separate approval process. 3. South Korea’s new Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said Tuesday that he will push for the suspension of the 2018 inter-Korean military tension reduction agreement, citing its impact on limiting Seoul’s surveillance capabilities against North Korean military activities.

1. As the war between Israel and Palestine enters its third day, the death toll has reportedly surpassed 1,100 on both sides, and continues to rise. Lebanon’s State-run National News Agency said Sunday, Hezbollah fighters fired dozens of rockets at three Israeli positions. 2. The Taliban administration said on Sunday that more than 2,400 people were killed in Afghanistan after an earthquake of 6.3 magnitude hit the west of the country on Saturday. 3. A celebration for the 577th Hangul Day was held in Sejong City on Monday. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is currently overseas, delivered a speech through Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Interior and Safety, saying “Hangul will be the language that leads the world in the era of AI.”

1. The National Assembly, which has a controlling majority by the main opposition Democratic Party, rejected Supreme Court Justice nominee Lee Gyun-ryong on Friday, marking the first such rejection in 35 years. 2. CBS news reported on Thursday that North Korea has begun transferring artillery to Russia, citing a U.S. official. CBS news said it was not immediately clear whether the transfer is part of a new, long-term supply chain or a more limited consignment. 3. South Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labor said Friday it will make amendments to the law so that if parents take childcare leave together to care for a child under 18 months of age, each parent may receive 100% of their regular wage as childcare leave pay for the first six months.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday met with global Korean community leaders in a ceremony marking the 17th World Korean Day. President Yoon vowed to widen the “playing field” for overseas Koreans. 2. Japan on Thursday morning began the second phase of discharging wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. Japanese media reported the second phase to last until October 23rd, and estimated the total discharge amount at 7,800 tons. 3. FIFA on Wednesday revealed plans for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by six countries across three continents to celebrate its 100th anniversary as Uruguay, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will co-host, with Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina each holding an opening match.

1. According to Statistics Korea on Wednesday, South Korea’s industrial output advanced 2-point-2 percent in August from a month earlier on the back of a robust recovery in the chip sector. 2. Japan’s local news reported on Wednesday that Tokyo Electric Power Company has begun preparation to release the second batch of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, starting on Thursday 3. The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to unseat Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy, following a backlash over the weekend passage of a stopgap measure meant to avert a government shutdown. The 216-to-210 vote marked the first time in history that the House removed its leader.

1. Key government figures, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, gathered at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday morning to attend a ceremony marking the 4,355th National Foundation Day. 2. According to the International Monetary Fund’s Global Debt Database, South Korea’s household debt-to-GDP ratio increased to 108-point-1 percent last year from 92 percent in 2017. South Korea experienced the largest increase among 26 nations. 3. The U.S. government avoided a federal shutdown after both the House and Senate agreed on a short-term funding deal. The bill allows the government to stay open for 45 days, and was signed into law by President Joe Biden just minutes before the deadline.

1. South Korea's Disease Control and Prevention Agency said ahead of the Chuseok holiday that confirmed patients of COVID-19 "should refrain from gatherings with relatives.” This year is the first Chuseok that confirmed patients are not obligated to isolate since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2. Senior U.S. administration officials said Wednesday that Private Travis King, the American soldier who crossed the inter-Korean border into North Korea in July, is in U.S. custody. His release comes shortly after the Korean Central News Agency reported Pyongyang decided to "expel" him. 3. Oil prices surged 3% on Wednesday to the highest settlement in 2023, after a steep drop in U.S. crude stocks intensified worries of tight global supplies. Data showed that crude stocks at the delivery point for U.S. crude futures, fell to the lowest since July 2022.

1. The Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday rejected an arrest warrant sought for opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, over corruption charges. 2. At the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations Kim Song accused South Korea and the U.S. for the Korean Peninsula’s "current dangerous situation." The deputy U.N. ambassador of South Korea dismissed all of North Korea’s claims as "groundless, illogical and absurd." 3. South Korean stocks finished slightly higher Wednesday following recent sharp losses amid concerns over the Federal Reserve’s further interest rate hikes. The local currency ended at 1,349.3 won against the U.S. dollar, the weakest against the greenback this year.

1. South Korea’s military showcased “high-power” missiles and other key weapons systems on Tuesday… as the country held a large-scale military parade on the streets of Seoul for the first time in ten years to mark the 75th founding anniversary of its armed forces. 2. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung attended a court hearing Tuesday on an arrest warrant request against him over corruption charges. The Seoul District Court is expected to make a decision as early as Tuesday night if the hearing proceeds as scheduled. 3. South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Tuesday that it will supply 120-thousand public homes in addition to the existing plan to deliver 2-point-7 million new homes by 2027, …to offset the declining private-sector home supply amid higher lending rates.

1. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Saturday. During the meeting, Xi said he would consider visiting South Korea to strengthen the relations between the two countries. 2. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced mandatory installation of surveillance cameras in operating rooms will take effect starting Monday. The revised medical law requires hospitals performing surgery on unconscious patients due to anesthesia to install CCTVs in operating rooms. 3. South Korea’s Supreme Court will be led by an acting chief justice for the first time in three decades as parliamentary confirmation of Chief Justice nominee {이균용}Lee Gyun-yong has been delayed. Ahn Chul-sang will reportedly take on the role of acting chief justice from Monday.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday called for establishing a universal digital order during a speech at New York University while visiting the city to attend the UN General Assembly.  President Yoon said the spread of disinformation through malicious misuse of digital technologies could threaten liberal democracy. 2. Judicial officials said Friday that an arrest warrant hearing for opposition leader Lee Jae-myung will be held next Tuesday. If the hearing proceeds as scheduled, the court's decision on whether to detain Lee will likely be made late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. 3. According to a South Korean government official on Friday, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will meet with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping in Hangzhou, China later this week, on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Asian Games. The location and timing is yet to be finalized.

1. During a keynote address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a warning against military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, saying any arms deal between the two would be considered a “direct provocation” against South Korea. 2. The National Assembly on Thursday voted on two separate motions seeking the arrest of opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and the dismissal of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Both  motions passed, but the motion against PM Han is widely expected to be rejected by President Yoon Suk Yeol. 3. The U.S. Federal Reserve decided Wednesday to maintain interest rates at a 22-year high, holding its key policy rate at between 5.25 percent and 5.50 percent. The Fed also projected another rate increase by the end of the year.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. President Yoon expressed his wish to work with the UN to deter North Korea’s provocations and improve its human rights conditions. 2. The Asian Development Bank on Wednesday maintained its growth outlook for South Korea’s economy at 1.3%, and suggested the country will experience weaker than expected inflation. The ADB lowered its 2023 growth forecast for Asia to 4.7% from 4.8% in July. 3. South Korean athletes and officials for the Hangzhou Asian Games departed for China on Wednesday. South Korea will have a record delegation of 1,140 athletes and officials competing in 39 of 40 sports. The Hangzhou Asian Games will run from September 30th to October 8th.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol held summits with the leaders of more than 9 nations after arriving in New York on Monday. President Yoon is scheduled to address the UN general Assembly on Wednesday and hold at least 30 bilateral summits on the sidelines. 2. A U.S. district court on Monday dismissed a lawsuit filed by American nuclear power company Westinghouse Electric Corp. to stop Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and Korea Electric Power Corp. from exporting its own nuclear reactors. 3. The Presidential office said Tuesday that President Yoon Suk Yeol signed off on a motion requesting parliamentary consent to opposition leader Lee Jae-myung’s arrest. Lee has been accused of bribery and other charges in connection with a land development project.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday embarked on a five-day visit to New York to attend the U.N. General Assembly. During the annual U.N. gathering, President Yoon will meet with world leaders, and hold bilateral summits on the sidelines to win support for South Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo in Busan. 2. According to officials, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was taken to the hospital on Monday due to deteriorating health as his hunger strike entered the 19th day. Lee was almost unconscious after showing a sharp drop in blood sugar levels and was brought to a nearby hospital at 7:10 a.m. 3. The Gaya Tumuli, which consists of seven tomb clusters dating back to Korea's ancient Gaya confederacy, will be added to UNESCO's World Heritage list,... making it South Korea's 16th site to be inscribed on the list. The decision was made during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Riyadh on Sunday.

1. The Ministry of Economy and Finance said Friday that South Korea has signed an agreement with Ukraine to offer low-interest loans and rebuild the infrastructure of the war-torn country. Officials from the South Korean government as well as a business delegation visited Kyiv between September 13th and 14th to support Ukraine’s rehabilitation efforts. 2. The Ministry of Economy and Finance said Friday that South Korea’s economic slowdown appears to be gradually easing as exports show signs of recovery, including semiconductors. The ministry said volatility in the price of raw materials is still a threat. 3. Libyan Red Crescent Societies said Thursday that the death toll from the devastating floods that struck Libya’s eastern port city of Derna has risen to 11-thousand-300, while another 11-thousand remain missing.

1. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit North Korea during their recent summit. According to North Korean state news agency KCNA, Putin accepted the invitation, though there was no immediate confirmation from the Kremlin. 2. The Korean Railway Workers’ Union went on a four-day general strike Thursday, after failing to reach an agreement with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport regarding the operations of high-speed KTX trains at Suseo Station in Seoul. In response, the Transport Ministry activated an Emergency Response Headquarters to ensure stable train operations. 3. An official at Libya’s Ministry of Health in the Government of National Unity said Wednesday that the death toll from the devastating floods in eastern Libya had surpassed 6-thousand, and is expected to rise further. The South Korean government on Wednesday expressed condolences and promised close support and cooperation from the international community.

1. According to Russian news media, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin began their rare talks at Russia's Vostochny space center on Wednesday. The talks come amid concerns that the two leaders may advance an arms negotiation and bolster military cooperation. 2. South Korea's military reported Wednesday that North Korea had fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea just before Kim Jong-un's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launches from an area in or around {순안}Sunan in Pyongyang between 11:43 a.m. and 11:53 a.m. 3. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday announced new ministers in a partial Cabinet shakeup. A presidential chief of staff said during a press briefing that Rep. {신원식}Shin Won-sik is to replace the current Defense Minister, {유인촌}Yoo In-chon was named the new culture minister, and {김행}Kim Haing was named the new minister of gender equality and family.

1. An official at South Korea’s defense ministry said Tuesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in Russia early Tuesday to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Korean Central News Agency confirmed Tuesday that Kim had left for Russia on Sunday afternoon, accompanied by Pyongyang’s foreign minister and top military officials. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday vowed during a Cabinet meeting to actively seek a trilateral summit with Japan and China. The comments come as President Yoon met with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines of the ASEAN and G20 summits last week. 3. Morocco’s Interior Ministry said Monday that at least 2-thousand-8-hundred-62 people have died and more than 2500 injured from the earthquake that hit the country last Friday. The quake was the strongest to hit the nation’s center in more than a century, and the epicenter was not far from Marrakech.

1. A powerful 6-point-8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco on Friday night. It’s state TV reported that more than 2,100 people are confirmed dead as of Monday, and rescuers warn the toll is expected to rise. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was the strongest to hit the region around the ancient city of Marrakech in a century. 2. According to a South Korean government official, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un departed for Vladivostok to take part in summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 3. Several ruling party sources said Sunday that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is likely to replace three to four ministers, including defense and gender equality ministers, as early as this week. The announcement comes as President Yoon makes efforts to keep his policy momentum going in preparation for general elections slated for next April.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Indonesian President Joko Widodo agreed Friday to strengthen their countries’ security and economic partnership. President Yoon also said Friday that he is looking forward to his second G20 summit which will take place in New Delhi, India this weekend. 2. North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency, said Friday that North Korea has launched a newly built “tactical nuclear attack submarine” capable of carrying out an underwater nuclear attack. The submarine’s launching ceremony was held Wednesday, ahead of the country’s 75th founding anniversary. 3. South Korea’s current account was in the black in July for the third consecutive month. According to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Friday, the country’s current account surplus reached 3-point-58 billion U.S. dollars in July as imports dropped more than exports.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday attended the East Asia Summit which brought together the ASEAN bloc, China, the U.S. and others in Jakarta, Indonesia. Meanwhile on Thursday President Yoon and China’s Premier Li Qiang began talks on the sidelines. 2. The Korea Communications Commission announced Thursday that it will conduct an inspection of the fact-check systems of KBS, MBC, and JTBC in connection with the fake news reporting that caused controversy during the last presidential election. This inspection may expand to other broadcasters or broadcasting outlets if deemed necessary. 3. Samsung Electronics has not been included in the European Union’s new set of regulations designed to rein in the dominance of Big Tech companies. The European Commission announced on Wednesday that six multinational tech companies have been designated as so-called “gatekeepers” that must abide by strict rules under the bloc’s Digital Markets Act.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday attended a South Korea-ASEAN summit in Jakarta to check on the current state of practical cooperation between the two sides. The same day, he will attend an ASEAN Plus Three summit involving the 10 member states, along with South Korea, Japan, and China. 2. The Japanese government has requested discussions with China regarding Beijing’s recent ban of all seafood imports from Japan, based on the provisions of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The Japanese foreign ministry also said on Monday that it submitted a counterargument to the World Trade Organization against China’s measures. 3. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Education, the September mock exam of the 2024 College Scholastic Ability Test, known as “{수능}suneung,” began nationwide on Wednesday. Wednesday’s mock evaluation is the only evaluation left before the actual CSAT, after the government announced its policy of excluding “killer questions.”

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday departed for Indonesia to attend annual summits involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) before traveling to India for a summit with leaders of the G20 major economies.2. The U.S. ambassador in Seoul said Tuesday that North Korea and Russia appear to have sought closer military ties. The New York Times also reported that Kim Jong-un may travel to Russia next week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss a possible arms deal.3. The Bank of Korea reported Tuesday that South Korea’s economy grew at a slightly faster pace in the second quarter of this year than three months earlier, despite a slump in exports. The country’s GDP, a key measure of economic growth, increased 0-point-6 percent on quarter in the April-June period.

1. School teachers held a demonstration in Seoul on Monday following the recent suicide of fellow teachers and to call for measures to prevent such tragedies. Some 30 elementary schools nationwide designated Monday a temporary holiday as too many teachers wanted to take a day off for the collective action, called "Public Education Stoppage Day."2. The South Korean government on Monday introduced an all-encompassing support strategy that aims to diversify export items, markets, and strengthen the existing infrastructure. The measure comes as South Korea saw 11 consecutive months of declining exports, lasting from October 2022 to August 2023.3. In a written interview with the Associated Press published Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol said he will urge world leaders to faithfully enforce U.N. sanctions on North Korea and deter the country’s illicit activities to fund its weapons program when he attends the ASEAN and G20 summits this week.

1. The final regular session of the 21st National Assembly began Friday afternoon to end on December 9th. The session will include the annual parliamentary inspection and interpellation along with a review of next year’s budget proposal. This regular session is the last such meeting ahead of April’s general election.2. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Friday that the nation’s exports fell for the 11th consecutive month in August, mainly due to weak demand for semiconductors. Meanwhile, the country reported a trade surplus for the third straight month.3. South Korea’s foreign ministry said Friday that the government has imposed unilateral sanctions on a North Korean company and five individuals involved in illicit financing for Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile development programs. North Korea’s {류경}Ryukyong Program Development and its chief were among those newly added to Seoul’s sanction list.

1. South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance said Thursday that October 2nd has been designated as a temporary holiday. The decision creates a six-day break, starting with the day before the Chuseok holiday and ending with National Foundation Day on October 3rd.2. According to data from Statistics Korea, South Korea’s industrial output, retail sales, and facility investment all fell in July by point-seven percent from a month earlier. The three indicators lost ground at the same time for the first time since January.3. South Korea’s military said Thursday that North Korea had fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, in apparent protest against combined military drills between South Korea and the U.S. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launches from an area around Sunan in Pyongyang late Wednesday night.

1. South Korea will lower the infectious disease level of COVID-19 to the lowest Level 4, the same as the influenza. The measure takes effect on August 31st. Following the transition, the rapid antigen test and PCR tests conducted at doctor’s offices will become paid services. 2. A revision of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act which eases restrictions on the gifts prices that can be provided to public officials will be enforced starting Wednesday. According to the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission on Tuesday, the price ceiling for the law will be raised to 300-thousand won, or roughly 227 U.S. dollars, from 200-thousand won. 3. According to Russian state news agency TASS on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to visit China in October, in time for the Belt and Road Forum. This would mark the first time Putin leaves Russia since the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest on alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

1. North Korea’s state-run KCNA reported Tuesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for bolstering naval forces. Kim visited the country’s navy command Sunday ahead of Navy Day, and stressed the navy should become a component of the country’s nuclear deterrence. 2. South Korea announced Tuesday its plan to seek a 656-point-9 trillion won, or roughly 495 billion U.S. dollar, budget for 2024. This is a 2-point-8 percent increase from the amount allocated for this year, and marks the lowest on-year rise since 2005 amid declining tax revenue and economic uncertainties. 3. The Korea Meteorological Administration said Tuesday that rain is expected nationwide until Wednesday as three typhoons are on course to pass waters near China and Japan. While the typhoons are expected to have no direct influence on the peninsula, their proximity may bring heavy rainstorms.

1. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Sunday that radiation levels in the waters near South Korea remain below the standards for drinkable water defined by the World Health Organization. This is according to the first radiation tests conducted Friday after Japan began releasing wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean last Thursday. 2. Military authorities of South Korea and the United States on Monday began the second phase of the Ulchi Freedom Shield joint exercise. The second phase will be conducted solely by the military until the 31st, and may possibly involve U.S. strategic assets. 3. The newly appointed head of the Korea Communications Commission, Lee Dong-kwan, officially took office Monday. In his inaugural address, Lee emphasized that his top priority will be “reforming the public broadcasting structure.”

1. Japan’s Kyodo News reported Friday that the nation’s Environment Ministry started collecting seawater samples around the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The sampling began a day after the release of treated wastewater into the sea was initiated, despite concern among local fisherman and neighboring countries.and exploitation.2 President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday approved the appointment of Lee Dong-kwan as head of the Korea Communications Commission, despite controversy over his son’s alleged bullying and suspicions that he exercised undue influence over media firms.3. The BRICS bloc of developing nations agreed on Thursday to admit Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates. This is the bloc’s first expansion in 13 years, while dozens more countries voiced interest in joining.

1. Japan on Thursday started releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean at 1 PM, despite concerns raised by neighboring countries. The controversial move comes a month after the International Atomic Energy Agency gave final approval to the discharge last month. 2. North Korea said Thursday its second attempt to launch a spy satellite has ended in failure. According to the Korean Central News Agency, the launch failed due to “an error in the emergency blasting system during the third-stage flight.” 3. The Bank of Korea said Thursday it will hold its key interest rate steady for the fifth straight time. The monetary policy board of the Bank of Korea kept the benchmark seven-day repo rate unchanged at 3-point-5 percent, as the economy faces the prospect of slowing down and household debts increase.

1. According to Japan’s Kyodo News Wednesday, the Japanese government and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) are in talks to start discharging wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean as early as 1 PM Thursday. 2. South Korea’s Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Wednesday the government will actively consider reinstating the system of allowing military conscripts to serve in the police force as part of measures to tackle heinous crimes targeting random people. 3. South Korea’s health authorities said Wednesday that the country will lower the infection level of COVID-19 to the lowest category, Class 4 diseases. The measure will take effect on August 31st, and is aimed at implementing a full transition to pre-pandemic normalcy for the medical system.

1. The South Korean government said Tuesday that it sees no scientific or technical problems with Japan’s plan to release wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida announced earlier that the release of the Fukushima wastewater will begin Thursday. 2. Japanese media reported on Tuesday that North Korea has notified Japan’s coast guard of its intention to launch a satellite between Thursday and August 31st, ahead of the 75th anniversary of the regime’s founding on September 9th. This period overlaps with the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise between South Korea and the U.S. 3. The presidential office announced Tuesday that President Yoon Suk Yeol nominated Lee Gyon-ryong, a judge at the Seoul High Court, as the new Supreme Court chief justice. Bang Moon-kyu, minister of government policy coordination, has also reportedly been chosen to replace the current Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy.

1. President Joe Biden on Friday signed agreements with the leaders of South Korea and Japan with promises of strengthening each nation’s economic and national security interests. It was President Biden’s first summit hosted at Camp David, and he said the location symbolized a “new era” of cooperation for the three countries. 2. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday will meet fishermen to convince them of releasing treated water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific. The leader of a Japanese fisheries industry group told officials on Monday he was “greatly concerned” about the discharge. 3. South Korean officials said the country’s Air Force staged air defense drills Monday to reinforce its combat readiness as tensions linger over North Korea’s continued missile launches. The Air Force plans to stage various combined field exercises with the U.S. Air Force during the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise.

1. The UN Security Council on Thursday convened an open meeting on North Korea’s human rights situation, the first such discussion since 2017. Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol arrived in Washington the same day to attend a trilateral summit on Friday with U.S. President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida. 2. An independent corporate compliance committee of Samsung Group recommended Friday the company rejoin the Federation of Korean Industries again, but will leave if another corruption case occurs. Samsung withdrew from the Federation years ago following a corruption scandal during the Park Geun-hye administration. 3. Lee Dong-kwan, nominee for head of the broadcasting watchdog, the Korea Communications Commission, attended a parliamentary confirmation hearing on Friday. He denied allegations about his role in influencing the media and claims of his son’s past school violence.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to depart for the United States on Thursday to attend a trilateral summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The summit will be held at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland on Friday. 2. Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung appeared before prosecutors Thursday for questioning over suspicions surrounding a land development project in Seongnam during his previous term as the city's mayor. 3. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced Thursday that starting next year, the acquisition tax will be exempted within the limit of 5 million won on houses for families with children. The special property tax rate for households that have only one house with a public price of 900 million won or less will also be extended until 2026.

1. South Korea’s Board of Audit and Inspection said Wednesday it has initiated preparations to look into what went wrong in the hosting of the 25th World Scout Jamboree. The Board vowed to conduct a thorough inspection from the winning of the right to host the event to its closure. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said to Bloomberg News on Wednesday that the world would never accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons power. He further said the door is open to a possible breakthrough in cooperation on deterrence with the U.S. and Japan during the trilateral summit this Friday. 3. Maui County officials said Tuesday the death toll in the Maui wildfires has risen to 106, a week after flames burned through the Hawaiian island. Authorities said only five of the dead had been identified and released two names.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said during his Liberation Day address Tuesday that South Korea and Japan are now partners sharing universal values and pursuing common interests. He further called for strengthening trilateral security cooperation with Japan and the U.S. to counter threats from North Korea. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday designated two areas hit hard by last week's Typhoon Khanun as special disaster zones. The presidential office said the two towns are Gunwi in Daegu, and parts of Goseong in Gangwon Province. 3. Britain's air force said Monday that British fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers north of Scotland. The UK's Defense Ministry said the Russian Tu-142 Bear-F and Tu-142 Bear-J, which are used for maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare, were in airspace that is part of NATO's northern air policing area.

1. The South Korean government granted special presidential pardons Monday on the occasion of the Liberation Day anniversary tomorrow. A total of 2-thousand-176 people, including business tycoons such as Park Chan-koo, honorary chairman of Kumho Petrochemical Group, were given special pardons that will legally take effect at the beginning of Tuesday. 2. The U.S. State Department said Sunday that top diplomats of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan will hold discussions virtually on Monday evening. U.S. President Joe Biden is set to host a trilateral summit among leaders of the three nations at Camp David on August 18th. 3. At least 93 people have died from the wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, according to an August 12th update from the County of Maui, making it the U.S.’ deadliest wildfire outbreak in more than a century. Officials said Saturday night that canine teams have been able to scout only three percent of the disaster zone.

1. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters said Friday that South Korea had suffered a total of 361 cases of facility and flooding damage nationwide from Typhoon Khanun. A total of 15-thousand-862 people were evacuated due to the typhoon and 9-thousand-741 of them have returned to their homes so far. 2. The United Nations Security Council will meet publicly to discuss human rights abuses in North Korea next week, a move requested by South Korea, the U.S., and Japan. It will be the first formal public meeting on the issue since 2017. 3. Iran may free five detained U.S. citizens as part of a deal under which 6 billion U.S. dollars of Iranian assets in South Korea would be unfrozen. Iran's mission to the United Nations said the U.S. would release some Iranians from U.S. prisons as part of the deal.

1. The Korea Meteorological Administration said Typhoon Khanun made landfall on South Korea Thursday morning and is slowly moving north. The typhoon caused flooding and facility damage, and forced cancellations of 450 flights, 161 KTX high-speed trains, and closures of more than 490 roads and 178 sea routes nationwide. 2. U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed an executive order that will prohibit some U.S. investment in sensitive technology in China. South Korea said Thursday that the latest ban is expected to have only a limited impact on South Korean companies. 3. North's state media said Thursday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for bolstering war preparations in an "offensive" manner. Kim made the remarks while presiding over an enlarged meeting of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea the previous day.

1. The Korea Meteorological Administration said Wednesday that about 140 flights in South Korea were grounded on Jeju Island due to the approaching Typhoon Khanun. All passenger boat services from and to the island were also suspended. 2. South Korea’s Justice Ministry convened on Wednesday to begin a review of candidates for special pardons given by President Yoon Suk Yeol in time for Liberation day. A number of people that were convicted for bribery connected to the Park Geun-hye administration are speculated to be considered. 3. Belarus began military exercises Monday near its border with Poland and Lithuania, increasing tensions. Both NATO nations have said they are braced for provocations from Moscow and Minsk, while Poland sent additional troops to the border with Belarus on Tuesday.

1. South Korea’s culture ministry said Tuesday that the K-pop concert and closing ceremony for the 25th World Scout Jamboree will be held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Friday. The announcement came after about 36-thousand Jamboree participants left Saemangeum and relocated to new accommodations nationwide. 2. The Korea Meteorological Administration said Tuesday that typhoon Khanun is expected to make landfall on South Korea’s southern coast this week. Following nationwide heatwaves, the typhoon will put the entire country under its influence and dump heavy rains nationwide. 3. The Japanese government said Monday that they’re considering releasing wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean as early as late August. The specific date is expected to be determined after the trilateral summit between South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

1. The World Organization of the Scout Movement said Monday that an early departure will be planned for all participants in the 25th World Scout Jamboree due to inclement weather. The scouts are expected to leave the campsite in Saemangeum sequentially from Tuesday morning. 2. The South Korean police announced that they are investigating 187 online murder threats posted nationwide as of 7 AM, Monday, amid concerns of copycat crimes following a recent stabbing rampage in Seoul. 59 people are reportedly arrested in connection with posting such threats, of which 34 are minors. 3. Pope Francis announced on Sunday that South Korea’s capital Seoul will host the 2027 World Youth Day. World Youth Day brings together young Catholics from around the world in celebration of their faith.

1. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo presided over an extraordinary Cabinet meeting on Friday to approve the spending of reserve government funds to protect participants of the 25th World Scout Jamboree from the scorching heat wave. President Yoon Suk Yeol finalized the spending of 6-point-9 billion won or 5.2 million USD. 2. Former special counsel Park Young-soo was arrested late Thursday over corruption allegations connected to a high-profile property development scandal. Park is suspected of taking 800 million won or 610-thousand USD from private developers. 3. The United Nations Command said Thursday that North Korea has “responded” to efforts by the Command to discuss American soldier Travis King, who crossed into North Korea last month and is believed to be detained by Pyongyang.

1. Former special counsel Park Young-soo attended a court hearing on Thursday to determine whether to issue an arrest warrant for him over corruption allegations connected to a high-profile property development scandal. 2. Global financial stocks slumped on Wednesday, while U.S. 10 year Treasury yields ticked up, after Fitch Ratings downgraded the United States’ credit rating one notch from AAA to AA+ on Tuesday. 3. South Korea’s weather agency said Thursday that high temperatures climbed to 33 to 38 degrees Celsius nationwide. Lawmakers from both main parties called on the government to seek safety measures for participants at the 25th World Scout Jamboree.

1. Cho Hee-yeon, superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said Wednesday that starting next month parents in Seoul will be required to make a reservation before meeting or talking by phone with teachers to prevent teacher harassment by parents. The education office will also launch a pilot project to install camera monitored waiting rooms at some schools. 2. According to data from Statistics Korea on Wednesday, South Korea’s consumer price growth slowed for the sixth straight month in July to the lowest level in 25 months on the back of lower oil prices. Consumer prices rose 2-point-3 percent in July from a year earlier. 3. Intense heat continued to take over South Korea on Wednesday, sending daytime temperatures as high as 36 degrees Celsius. The weather agency reported that the heat warning remains at the highest level of “serious.” The 25th World Scout Jamboree, currently being held amid heat wave concerns, reported 400 cases of heat related illnesses.

1. According to the South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyundong, the upcoming trilateral summit between the leaders of S. Korea. U.S. and Japan at Camp David will serve as an opportunity for the leaders to have a casual meet up. The meeting will likely address a range of security and economic agenda, and whether or not the three countries will hold the trilateral summit on a regular basis. 2. South Korea's trade balance continued to stay in the black for the second straight month in July. According to data by the Industry Ministry on Tuesday, this is mainly because of rising auto exports and falling raw material prices. 3. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to eradicate “cartels” with vested interest in the construction industry, citing them as a reason behind poor construction practices. The pledge follows revelations that not enough reinforcing rods were used in building underground parking lots at apartment complexes nationwide.

1. According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Monday, in the first half of 2023, South Korea’s tax revenue decreased by almost 40 trillion KRW or 31.4 billion USD ompared with the previous year. 2. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Sunday that the recent heatwave had killed at least 12 people from Wednesday to Friday last week. Meanwhile, at least 5 lives were lost due to a drowning accident during the same period across the nation. 3. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said that the war is returning to the territory of Russia. This statement came after Russia accused Ukraine of drone attacks in Moscow.

1. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, along with delegations from China and Russia, oversaw a huge military parade on Thursday to mark the 70th anniversary of the armistice or what Pyongyang calls "Victory Day". The parade featured North Korea’s Hwasong-17 and Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missiles. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, on Friday, nominated his special advisor for external affairs, Lee Dong Kwan, for the role of Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, and appointed Kim Yung-ho, as the country’s new unification minister. 3. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, a heat wave warning on Friday was issued for most parts of South Korea, as steaming heat started in earnest after the monsoon season came to an end.

1. The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its key interest rates by 25 basis points to 5.25% to 5.5% range on Wednesday, widening the rate gap with South Korea to a new high of 1.75 to 2.0 percentage points. 2. North Korea invited delegations from China and Russia amid their preparation for huge celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War armistice on Thursday. Pyongyang displayed weapons, including the Hwasong intercontinental ballistic missile, during massive military parades. 3. According to South Korea’s Science Ministry on Thursday, the country’s own upcoming aerospace agency will not house the existing Korea Aerospace Research Institute that has been leading Korea’s space missions such as the Nuri rocket program.

1. Interior Minister Lee Sang-min pledged Wednesday to completely overhaul the country's disaster management system to better deal with disasters caused by climate change a day after he was reinstated as the interior minister as the Constitutional Court rejected the National Assembly's impeachment of him on Tuesday. 2. The International Monetary Fund cut its 2023 economic growth outlook for South Korea on Tuesday, to 1.4%, down 0.1 percentage point from its previous estimate of 1.5% in April. 3. Commercial Satellite imagery has shown that North Korea has been preparing for a parade and may conduct a military parade as early as midnight on Wednesday to mark the country’s Victory Day which is the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War armistice.

1. North Korea late on Monday fired two ballistic missiles into the sea off the east coast. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that it detected two ballistic missiles fired from areas near Pyongyang at 11:55 PM on Monday and at midnight on Tuesday. 2. The Constitutional Court on Tuesday rejected the National Assembly’s impeachment of Interior Minister Lee Sang-min over last year’s crowd crush on October 29, which took the lives of 159 people. Lee has been reinstated to the minister of the interior and safety. 3. Data from the Bank of Korea released on Tuesday shows that the country's gross domestic product, adjusted for inflation, rose 0.6% on-quarter during the April to June period of this year on the back of the rise in net exports.

1. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff on Saturday, North Korea fired several cruise missiles toward the West Sea at around 4 AM on Saturday. Meanwhile, this Thursday marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement. 2. South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Sunday revealed 55 data related to the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway project amid controversy over the cancellation of the highway project. 3. According to the National Police Agency on Sunday, a total of 2,058 reports of suspicious parcels have been filed with the police as of 5 PM Sunday. Seoul's foreign ministry has reached out to the Chinese foreign ministry and requested a confirmation of the details regarding the suspicious packages.

1. North Korea has heavily criticized the docking of the USS Kentucky in South Korea and the launch of the S. Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group as a blatant and direct nuclear threat. South Korea’s defense ministry on Friday has warned that a nuclear weapons assault by Pyongyang will result in the regime’s demise. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s nominee to become the next unification minister, Kim Young-ho, appeared before the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee for his confirmation hearing on Friday. 3. Japan on Friday returned South Korea to its “white list” of preferential trading partners after about 4 years, as ties between the two countries continue to improve after years of acrimony over wartime issues.

1. According to the presidential office on Thursday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will hold a trilateral summit with the U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Camp David, near Washington, on August 18. 2. The Ministry of Justice’s Attorney Disciplinary Committee held a meeting on Thursday to determine whether it was appropriate for the bar association to prohibit attorneys from using the LawTalk app. 3. Heat wave warnings were issued across the nation, including Seoul, as sweltering temperatures prompted the city to raise its crisis alert from "caution" to "vigilance." Meanwhile, sweltering heat and infrequent rain is expected across the country on Friday, which is Jungbok, known to be the peak of the hottest time of the year.

1. North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles or SRBMs toward the East Sea from the Sunan area on Wednesday. The launch comes after South Korea and the U.S. held their first Nuclear Consultative Group meeting, and after the USS Kentucky, a U.S. nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine, arrived in South Korea, on Tuesday. 2. South Korea has decided to raise next year's minimum wage by 2.5% to 9 thousand 860 won or roughly 7 dollars and 80 cents. The decision was made early Wednesday morning by the Minimum Wage Commission after a record 110 days of negotiations. 3. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday has first-handedly declared special disaster zones for 13 areas that have been seriously damaged by the torrential rain, including Yecheon-gun County in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Cheongju City in Chungcheongbuk-do Province.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday called for strengthening extended deterrence to the point that North Korea dares not to use nuclear weapons during the inaugural session of the South Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group. 2. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, as of 6 AM Tuesday, nationwide, 44 people have died and 6 are still missing as a result of the recent heavy rains. 3. The South Korean government on Tuesday announced that it has filed a suit to reverse an international tribunal's order to pay 107.8 million USD in damages to hedge fund Elliott Investment Management in a dispute related to the controversial 2015 merger of two Samsung Group affiliates.

1. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on Monday said that the recent flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains have left at least 49 people nationwide dead and missing while torrential rain is forecasted on Tuesday. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said Saturday he agreed to provide Ukraine with a package of security, humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a surprise visit to Ukraine. 3. South Korea, the United States, and Japan held a joint naval missile defense exercise to counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, in a response to Pyongyang’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile launch.

1. South Korea and Poland on Thursday established a three-way system with Ukraine to support its post-war reconstruction efforts during a bilateral summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Polish counterpart, Andrzej Duda, in Warsaw. 2. South Korea’s Foreign ministry on Friday slapped sanctions on four individuals and three institutions involved in North Korea’s nuclear and missile development in response to Pyongyang's launch of a Hwasong-18 ICBM this week. 3. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted rainfall of as much as 50-100 millimeters per hour in the greater central Chungcheong and Jeollabuk-do provinces throughout Friday night until Saturday morning.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol asked Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday to include South Korean experts in monitoring the planned release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Yoon also asked that the discharge be halted immediately if the concentration of radioactive material in the water exceeds standard levels. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday pledged continued support for Ukraine by increasing cooperation with Poland. Yoon made the pledge in a contribution to a Polish media outlet as he embarked on a three-day official visit. 3. The Bank of Korea on Thursday decided to freeze its key interest rate at 3.5% for the fourth consecutive time as inflation seems to have slowed down.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will meet Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit, following controversy over Japan's plan to release waste water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea. 2. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that North Korea fired a long-range ballistic missile, toward the East Sea at around 10 A.M. Wednesday. The launch comes a day after Pyongyang threatened to take military action, after the regime accused the U.S. of illegally intruding into the sky above its economic exclusive zone with a spy plane. 3. According to Statistics Korea, the number of employed people reached 28.81 million in June, up around 333,000 from a year earlier. However, the job market remained challenging for the younger workforce, as older workers took up most of the growth.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in Lithuania on Monday for the NATO Summit during which South Korea and NATO plan to adopt documents for bilateral cooperation across 11 sectors, including nonproliferation. 2. North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong said on Tuesday that a US spy aircraft which violated Pyongyang’s airspace twice had retreated when North Korea sent its warplanes. Kim said that the US forces would “experience a very critical flight” if the United States continues its reconnaissance activities. 3. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol electronically approved the Cabinet’s decision on Tuesday to split the TV transmission fee from monthly household electricity bills. The approval came after the Korea Communication Commission amended the enforcement ordinance on the Broadcasting Act last week.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol departed on Monday for Lithuania to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit. He will go to Poland for an official visit later this week after the summit. 2. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, arrived in South Korea on Friday and met with head of South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, Yoo Guk-hee, Foreign Minister Park Jin on Saturday, and lawmakers from the main opposition Democratic Party on Sunday. 3. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, hot weather persisted during the daytime on Monday, and frequent rain is in the forecast for the whole week.

1. The South Korean government said Friday that the release of contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima plant would meet international standards if carried out as planned as it announced the country’s own scientific analysis of the discharge plan. 2. According to the Bank of Korea, South Korea’s current account surplus in May returned to the black by reaching 1.93 billion USD in May, up from a deficit of $790 million in April, owed to trade surplus and increased dividends. 3. United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrived in Beijing on Thursday. Soon after her arrival, she said that the United States seeks better communication with China on Twitter.

1. According to first deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Park Ku-yeon on Thursday, the South Korean government will announce its own analysis of Japan's plan to discharge contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant on Friday. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday named Yoo In-chon, an actor who served as culture minister during the former Lee Myung-bak administration as his special adviser for culture and sports in a reshuffle. 3. According to the Financial Services Commision on Wednesday, the South Korean government will lower barriers in the banking sector to stimulate competition. DGB Daegu Bank has expressed its intentions to apply for a change of status to a nationwide commercial bank to become Korea’s first new commercial bank in 31 years.

1. South Korea's Office for Government Policy Coordination on Wednesday morning said that it respects the International Atomic Energy Agency’s report, but as for its content, South Korea is conducting an independent review. 2. The Korea Communications Commission on Wednesday approved an amendment to an enforcement ordinance to collect license fees for state broadcasters separately from electricity bills. 3. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday, South Korea has retrieved a North Korean spy satellite wreckage and concluded it has no military utility.

1. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, on Tuesday met Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to deliver the agency's comprehensive report on Tokyo's plan to release wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean which contains information about the discharge complying with global standards. 2. According to Statistics Korea, the Consumer Price Index rose by 2.7 percent compared to the same month last year. This is the first time that on-year hikes fell to the 2 percent range in 21 months. 3. China imposed export controls on two rare elements essential for manufacturing semiconductors as a response to chip export restrictions imposed on China by the United States and Europe. According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Monday, measures which will come into effect as of August 1st.

1. The Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation announced that the annual College Scholastic Ability Test, often called "suneung" in Korean, will take place on November 16. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s new vice ministers and anti-corruption commissioner took office on Monday with an inauguration ceremony at the Yongsan Presidential Office. The presidential office announced two minister-level and 13 vice minister-level appointments Thursday. 3. More than 700 people were arrested nationwide in France on the 5th straight night of nationwide violence on Saturday, sparked by the police killing of a teenager of North African descent last Tuesday.

1. Days of torrential rain killed a 14 month old baby when her home was hit by a landslide in Yeongju City, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province early Friday morning. The city saw more than 230 millimeters of rain through Thursday night and Friday morning 2. The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled 6 to 3 that U.S colleges and universities can no longer apply affirmative action as a specific basis for granting admission, meaning race can no longer be taken into consideration in tertiary-level applications. 3. Three South Korean musicians–Kim Gye-hee in violin, Lee Young-eun in cello, and Son Ji-hoon in the voice category–won first prizes at the International Tchaikovsky Competition which is held once every four years.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday named Kim Yung-ho as the new unification minister and Olympic weightlifting gold medalist, Jang Mi-ran, for vice culture minister in a reshuffle, also affecting one other ministerial post and 11 other vice ministers. 2. South Korea’s Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho and his Japanese counterpart Shunichi Suzuki held a bilateral meeting in Tokyo on Thursday, and agreed to restart the currency swap agreement that expired back in 2015. 3. Heavy monsoon rain is soaking central parts of the country, dropping up to 60 millimeters an hour of downpours into tonight. The monsoonal front has been moving south, pounding down on southern regions from this afternoon into tomorrow.

1. Starting Wednesday, South Korea is scrapping its unique way of counting age as the country adopts the global standard system. However, South Koreans can buy cigarettes and alcohol from the year and not the day they turn 19. 2. South Korea’s foreign ministry announced on Wednesday that the government slapped sanctions on a Russian national of Korean descent, Choi Chon Gon, for helping North Korea in its illicit financial activities. 3. Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority on Wednesday has begun a 3-day mandatory safety inspection of all equipment needed for the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant.

1. The South Korean government decided on Tuesday to provide all elementary, middle and high schools with 24 million won or 18,474 USD each to alleviate the burden of air-conditioning bills. 2. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday said that he had let the mutiny caused by Wagner’s mercenary group on Saturday proceed as long as it did to avoid bloodshed while Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin said he never intended to overthrow the government. 3. The Japanese government on Tuesday during a cabinet meeting approved a motion to revise an administrative order on trade, adding South Korea back to its whitelist of preferential trading partners after about 4 years.

1. South Korea’s Education Minister Lee Ju-ho on Monday announced that the government will cut the vicious cycle of killer questions in exams which leads to the country’s excessive spending on private education. 2. The forces from the Wagner Group, a private army led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, advanced within 200 km to the capital Moscow but turned back on Saturday, de-escalating a major threat to President Vladimir Putin's power. 3. Marking the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War on Sunday. President Yoon Suk Yeol said at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History that neither the devastation caused by the war nor the veterans from South Korea and the U.S should be forgotten.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Vietnamese counterpart Vo Van Thuong agreed Friday to strengthen cooperation against North Korea's nuclear threat while expanding economic ties. Yoon also agreed to provide Vietnam with 4 billion dollars in soft loans by 2030 as part of official development assistance. 2. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs this Friday announced to hold an event commemorating the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War on June 25th. (Also on the Korean Peninsula) North Korea started its annual mass rally against the U.S. on Thursday. 3. U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday downplayed the impact of his recent comments comparing Chinese President Xi Jinping to a dictator, saying at a news conference that the remarks he made did not undermine Washington's relationship with Beijing.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol kicked off his state visit in Vietnam this Thursday. He is accompanied by a 205-member business delegation–the largest ever for an overseas presidential trip, since Yoon took office. 2. The education ministry on Wednesday revealed a plan to adopt a credit system in high schools from 2025 to improve the competitiveness of public education. The ministry, however, decided to maintain the relative grading system for subjects in the first year of high school. 3. The United States and European countries on Wednesday announced billions of dollars in new recovery assistance to Ukraine, aimed at addressing the destruction caused by Russia’s invasion.

1. President Yoon Suk-yeol gave a 30-minute presentation to boost South Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo in Busan at the BIE general assembly in Paris on Tuesday. He ended the presentation with the bid slogan, “Busan is ready.” 2. An international tribunal ordered South Korea to pay tens of millions of dollars to U.S. hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, marking an end to a legal battle dating back to 2015. 3. The Korea Electric Power Corporation said Wednesday that it decided to keep the fuel cost-adjusted rate at 5 won per kilowatt hour for the July-September period amid public concerns over soaring electricity prices.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol is scheduled to hold a summit with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and boost South Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo in Busan at the BIE General Assembly this Tuesday. 2. Failed crypto entrepreneur, Do Kwon, on Monday has been sentenced to 4 months in prison in Montenegro for passport forgery. 3. Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a meeting in Beijing, during which the two agreed on the need to stabilize U.S.-China ties. However, it remains to be seen whether the two sides can resolve long-standing issues involving Taiwan, trade, and human rights.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday embarked on a diplomatic trip to France and Vietnam. One of the highlights will be a 30-minute speech by the President in Paris, in hopes to boost Busan's bid for the 2030 World Expo. 2. South Korea's ruling People Power Party and the Yoon Suk Yeol administration decided to exclude the so-called “killer” test questions from the nation's annual college entrance exam, which deal with materials not covered by public education. 3. Seoul issued its first heat wave advisory this year, as the capital’s daytime high climbed up to 34 degrees Celsius, marking the hottest temperature so far this year. Some regions in Gyeonggi-do Province even reached up to 37 degrees.

1. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Thursday. In response, the national security advisors of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan issued a joint statement condemning North Korea's missile launches. 2. According to the latest economic trends report released by the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Friday, exports fell by over 15 percent on-year. However, despite global economic uncertainties, consumer and business sentiment improved and price increases slowed. 3. A Korean woman who was 8 months pregnant was killed in what appears to have been a random shooting in downtown Seattle this week.

1. After 10 straight rate hikes, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday that it would freeze its rate hike campaign at between 5.0% and 5.25%., however, most officials estimate that there might be as many as two more quarter-point hikes this year. 2. The South Korean government began daily briefings on Japan's planned release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant on Thursday in a bid to alleviate public anxiety. 3. South Korea filed a 44.7 billion won, or 35 million USD, damage suit against North Korea on Wednesday for blowing up the joint liaison office in 2020.

1. Data from Statistics Korea released on Wednesday shows that there were 28.83 million people in employment last month, up more than 351 thousand compared to the previous year, bringing the employment rate for those aged 15 to 64 to its highest ever. 2. A director at the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights, Song Han-na, on Tuesday said that satellite imagery has been released, showing that China is expanding detention centers where about 2 thousand North Korean defectors are reportedly being detained. 3. According to the U.S. Labor Department on Tuesday, the country’s consumer price index in May increased by 4 percent compared to the same month last year, showing the smallest on-year gains since 2021. Stocks rallied on rising anticipation of a rate freeze by the central bank.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit France and Vietnam next week to participate in the General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris to rally international support for the 2030 Busan World Expo bid and hold a bilateral summit with his Vietnamese counterpart. 2. According to the Ukraine's deputy defense minister on Monday, Ukraine's military forces successfully conducted counteroffensive operations over the weekend, recapturing 7 villages from Russian occupation. 3. The U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez announced last week that he would extend the suspension of U.S. semiconductor equipment export controls to South Korean and Taiwanese companies for the time being.

1. The officials from the Yoon Suk Yeol administration are questioned by lawmakers at the National Assembly starting Monday for three days. The session runs through Wednesday with the focus on political and diplomatic issues gripping the country. 2. Starting Monday, Japan is carrying out a two-week test run on the process for discharging contaminated water from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant despite concerns of the local fisheries representatives. 3. Ukraine on Sunday claims to have liberated three frontline villages in the western Donetsk region, marking its first successful results of its counter-offensive which began a week ago.

1. South Korea’s ruling and main opposition parties have agreed on Thursday to establish a special committee on Japan’s Fukushima wastewater release. The committee will be holding parliamentary hearings that could involve the 21-member team of Korean experts who returned from the inspections of the plant’s water treatment facilities. 2. According to the Bank of Korea on Friday, South Korea’s current account has again marked a deficit in April due to decreased dividend payments from overseas and a deficit in the tourism-related account. 3. South Korea lost to Italy in the semifinals of FIFA U-20 World Cup 2-1. South Korea’s third-place match against Israel kicks off on Sunday at 2:30 PM in La Plata.

1. The Yoon Suk-Yeol administration on Wednesday revealed a National Security Strategy highlighting the threat of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. 2. The Federation of Korean Trade Unions, one of South Korea's two main umbrella labor unions, decided Wednesday to boycott the presidential advisory board for labor policies. 3. As of Wednesday, some 400 wildfires are burning in Canada and more than half of them are yet to be controlled, burning areas as large as about 30% of South Korea.

1. South Korea was elected to the UN Security Council on Tuesday as a non-permanent member, winning the support of more than two-thirds of the UN General Assembly. The two-year term kicks off at the start of next year. This marks the country's return to the UNSC after 11 years. 2. Japan has started releasing seawater into an underwater tunnel built to release the contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean according to the country’s local media on Tuesday. 3. According to the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects report released Tuesday, the latest global growth outlook for this year has been set at 2.1%, up from 1.7% of the previous report in January. It also raised concerns over the possibility of a further economic slowdown caused by stress in the banking sector.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday that the South Korea-U.S. alliance has now been elevated to a 'nuclear-based' alliance during his Memorial Day speech delivered at Seoul National Cemetery. 2. The International Maritime Organization said on Monday that it will respond to North Korea if the country does not offer the organization any advanced notices for future satellite launches. This came after North Korea slammed the organization for adopting its first resolution last Wednesday, criticizing the country over its recent attempt to launch a satellite. 3. Ukrainian forces on Monday attacked along the frontline in the Donetsk region to punch through Russian defensive lines as military analysts said this appears to be Ukraine’s long-anticipated counteroffensive.

1. Seoul's Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and his US and Japanese counterparts, Lloyd Austin and Yasukazu Hamada, held a three-way talks on Saturday in Singapore during which the three defense chiefs agreed to establish a real-time data warning sharing system on North Korean missiles. 2. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs is boosted in its status from sub-ministry to full-fledged ministry level as of Monday. Meanwhile, the Overseas Koreans Agency was launched in Incheon City on the same day. 3. South Korean baritone Kim Tae-han won the Queen Elisabeth Competition for voice in Belgium on Saturday, becoming the first Asian male singer to win the competition. The Queen Elisabeth Competition is one of the world’s three most prestigious classical music contests.

1. Data from Statistics Korea released on Friday shows that the Consumer Price Index  rose 3.3% on-year. However, electricity, gas, and water prices surged more than 23%, marking the second consecutive month that the utility fee increases have been in the 20 percent range. 2. According to South Korea’s foreign ministry, South Korea on Friday imposed unilateral sanctions on a North Korean hacking group known as Kimsuky as a response to the North's botched space rocket launch to put its military spy satellite into space. 3. The US Senate on Thursday passed a bill to lift the debt ceiling for two years, averting a US default with just days before the June 5th deadline.

1. South Korea downgraded the COVID-19 crisis status from "serious," the highest level, to "alert"on Thursday. The COVID-19 isolation period of seven days is now shortened to five days and is no longer compulsory. 2. According to South Korea’s industry ministry on Thursday, the country’s exports dropped for the 8th consecutive month by 15.2% in May, driven by low demand for semiconductors. The country’s exports of semiconductors plunged 36.2% in May. 3. South Korea on Tuesday. succeeded in the fourth test of the Long-range Surface-to-Air-Missile, also known as L-SAM, which is a key homegrown missile interceptor under development. The country’s defense ministry said that it plans to embark on the mass-production phase in 2025.

1. North Korea launched a space rocket on Wednesday, a day after announcing its schedule for sending a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit. According to the country’s state media KCNA this morning, the launch came short, falling into the West Sea after losing its momentum due to an “abnormal flight”. 2. The head of the South Korean inspection team that returned home after examining the Fukushima nuclear power plant, Yoo Guk-hee, said at a briefing on Wednesday that "meaningful progress" was made in terms of a scientific and technological review of the plant's facilities, but "further analysis" will be needed. 3. Data released by Statistics Korea shows that last month's industrial production was down 1.4% compared to the month before. It had risen in the two previous months and the fall in April was the biggest on-month drop in 14 months.

1. High-ranking North Korean military official Ri Pyong-chol announced in a statement released by the country's state media KCNA on Tuesday that the country is planning to launch a military spy satellite as soon as June. 2. The National Assembly on Tuesday voted down the nursing act which was put for a re-vote after it was vetoed by President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month. 3. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said that decisions have been made on the timing of when Ukrainian troops will push forward which implies that the country is now ready to launch its long-awaited counteroffensive.

1. According to Japan’s Kyodo News on Monday, North Korea notified both the Japanese government and the International Maritime Organization of its plan to launch a military reconnaissance satellite between May 31 and June 11. 2. According to the Bank of Korea on Monday, South Korea’s economic growth recorded under the OECD average for three straight quarters, signaling towards Bank of Korea’s governor Rhee Chang-yong’s warning that South Korea has already entered the stage of low growth in the long term, now being a reality. 3. Turkiye's Election Board on Sunday confirmed that Recep Tayyip Erdogan has secured yet another term in office by winning the country’'s 2023 presidential election with 52.14% of the votes in a runoff vote on Sunday, extending his rule into a 3rd decade.

1. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, South Korea on Thursday succeeded in launching its homegrown space rocket, Nuri, placing 8 satellites, including the next generation small satellite, the NEXTSAT-2 satellite, into Earth’s orbit. 2. South Korea’s main opposition, Democratic Party, launched a signature campaign on Friday to oppose Japan’s planned release of radioactive water from its Fukushima nuclear power plant. Meanwhile, South Korea’s 21-member inspection team returned home in the afternoon to report their inspection results. 3. South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution announced Friday to invest 5.7 trillion won (or 4.3 billion USD) in a battery cell plant in the United States as a response to the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by the U.S. President Joe Biden.

1. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, South Korea will launch its homegrown space rocket Nuri on Thursday at 6:24 p.m. at the Naro Space Center in the southern coastal village of Goheung. 2. South Korea’s 21-member inspection team on Thursday held a meeting with Japanese officials after concluding its 2-day inspection of the cripple Fukushima nuclear power plant on Wednesday. The South Korean inspection team is scheduled to return to Korea on Friday. 3. A Montenegro high court has annulled a decision by a lower court to release Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon on bail, accepting the Montenegrin prosecutors’ claim that the bail is far short of their actual wealth.

1. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, the launch of South Korea's homegrown rocket, Nuri, would be delayed until later this week. The Nuri rocket was originally scheduled to embark on a journey into orbit about 550 km above the earth at 6:24 PM on Wednesday with a total of 8 satellites. 2. According to a U.S. public filing on Tuesday, South Korea submitted a request to the United States Department of Commerce to double its proposed limit on the expansion of production by South Korean chips manufacturers in China, and redefine several of its terms in the CHIPS and Science Act. 3. The South Korean government and the ruling People Power Party agreed on Wednesday to review the possibility of disallowing downtown rallies by organizations with a history of unlawful acts and restricting downtown rallies and demonstrations during commuting hours.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol presided over a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday to share his accomplishments achieved before and after attending the Group of Seven Summit in Hiroshima, and vowed to further roll out Korea’s vision of becoming a global pivotal state. 2. South Korea’s first domestically developed Nuri space rocket has been transported to a launch pad at the Naro Space Center in the southwestern county of Goheung on Tuesday, ahead of Wednesday’s launch. 3. South Korea on Monday defeated France 2-1 in its first group match of this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Mendoza, Argentina. Team Korea’s Captain Lee Seung-won scored the opener and Lee Young-jun added another.

1. During the Group of Seven Summit from May 19th to 21st, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol promised that Korea, as a “global pivotal country”, will support vulnerable and developing countries in solidarity and cooperation with the Group of Seven. 2. The South Korean government on Sunday revealed its plan to send a 21-member safety inspection team to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant for six days to focus on checking on the ALPS facility. 3. South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs on Monday began toughening quarantine checks on U.S. beef imports after the U.S. announced an atypical case of the so-called “mad cow disease” in a beef cow at a plant in South Carolina last week.

1. The Group of Seven summit kicked off on Friday in Hiroshima. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will be in the Japanese city for 3 days for the G7 Summit and a series of sideline meetings. He will be the fourth South Korean leader to participate in the multilateral event. 2. The EU Commission released an examination report on Wednesday, stating concerns about the proposed merger of Korean Air and Asiana, citing price increases and service quality decline in passenger and cargo transportation on four routes between Korea and France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. 3. South Korea's records related to the April 19 Revolution and the Donghak Peasant Revolution were added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register on Thursday.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed Thursday during a ceremony marking the 43rd anniversary of the Gwangju Democratization Movement to stand against any challenges to freedom and democracy. 2. South Korea and Japan failed to reach an agreement after the second round of talks held on Wednesday to discuss the details of the Fukushima wastewater inspection. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said that it is the IAEA and Tokyo's job to inspect the wastewater onsite and that Seoul will check their inspection process. 3. According to the World Meteorological Organization on Wednesday, there is a 66% likelihood that the annual average near-surface global temperature between 2023 and 2027 will be more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for at least one year.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in South Korea on Wednesday to boost cooperation on security and critical minerals used in batteries. 2. South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party decided Wednesday to refer a former party member, Kim Namkuk, to the Special Committee on Ethics over his dubious cryptocurrency dealings amid growing criticism that Kim is attempting to evade responsibility by simply leaving the party. 3. According to the White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden canceled his visit to Australia for the Quad summit and Papua New Guinea over the debt ceiling talks, but he will visit Japan for the G-7 Summit in Hiroshima.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol vetoed the controversial nursing act against the backdrop of strong protests from doctors and nursing assistants in his second veto of a bill since he took office. 2. The UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women raised questions to the Chinese delegations concerning the situation of North Korean defectors in China on Monday during the review of China in its 85th session. 3. The United Kingdom announced on Monday that it would deliver long-range attack drones and air-defense missiles to Ukraine after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will visit Hiroshima later this week to attend the Group of Seven summit. Before embarking on his trip to Japan, he will hold talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Seoul on Wednesday, and is also scheduled to meet the leaders of Germany and EU in Seoul after the G7 Summit. 2. According to South Korea’s energy minister Lee Chang-yang on Monday, electricity and gas rates are to increase by 5.3% from Tuesday. 3. Turkiye is set to hold a runoff vote slated for May 28 after its President Tayyp Erdogan failed to secure more than 50% of the votes on Sunday.

1. A director-general level meeting between South Korea and Japan was held at Seoul’s foreign ministry on Friday to discuss the details of a South Korean inspection into the wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant. 2. Korea Electric Power Corporation announced a 25 trillion won, or 18.8billion USD restructuring plan to restore its fiscal soundness. Meanwhile, Cheong Seung-il, the CEO of Kepco, offered to resign on the same day. 3. The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that a U.S. debt default which was caused by the country’s failure to raise its borrowing limit could have very serious consequences for not only the U.S. but also the global economy.

1. South Korea on Thursday lowered its crisis level for COVID-19 and announced that the 7-day quarantine will no longer be required from June. 2. According to Japan's Sankei Shimbun daily on Thursday, Japan is planning to hold a bilateral summit with South Korea, and a trilateral summit with South Korea and the U.S. on May 21 which is the last day of the G7 summit in Hiroshima. 3. According to the Cultural Heritage Administration on Thursday, The Gaya Tumuli, which is the seven tomb clusters from Korea's ancient Gaya confederacy, has been recommended for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

1. South President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the National Cemetery in Seoul on Wednesday on the occasion of his first anniversary in office. He wrote in a guest book that he will make a country of freedom and innovation. 2. South Korea’s foreign ministry on Wednesday said that the upcoming Fukushima water inspection is an opportunity to assess its safety, while Japan’s Trade Minister, Yasutoshi Nishimura said that it will only be an explanation session without assessment. 3. According to data released by the Bank of Korea on Wednesday, South Korea logged a current account surplus of $270 million USD in March due to an increase in dividend payments from overseas. It was the first surplus in three months.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol said during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday that improving ties between South Korea and Japan will open the door to a new future where the two, along with the US, could bolster the current coalition working on North Korea’s denuclearization and the path to regional peace. 2. The Seoul Central District Court on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for Kang Rae-gu, a key suspect in an election bribery scandal, who has been accused of distributing cash envelopes and providing illegal funds to the main opposition Democratic Party members before the party chair election in May 2021. 3. Russia has been holding muted Victory Day celebrations on Tuesday, with many mass events canceled due to security concerns after a possible Ukrainian sabotage.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sought deeper ties during their face-to-face meeting on Sunday, acknowledging their ongoing efforts to bolster security and economic cooperation. Yoon and Kishida agreed on a South Korean inspection into the wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant. 2. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Commissioner Jee Young-mee on Saturday, South Korea plans to lower its national crisis level for COVID-19 this month. 3. Nine people were killed  and seven others injured in a shooting at an outlet mall near Dallas, Texas on Saturday.

1. S.Korea's top office spokesperson Lee Do-woon told reporters Thursday that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida would discuss issues of common interest such as security, high-tech industries, science and technology, youth exchanges, and cultural cooperation. 2. According to South Korea’s industry ministry on Friday, the government is discussing a slight increase of less than 10 won per kilowatt hour of the new electricity and gas prices for the second quarter next month. 3. In celebration of the rainy Children's Day on Friday, various activities are being held indoors, welcoming many families.

1. The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its interest rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday, widening the rate gap with South Korea to a new high of 1.75%p. This marks the 10th consecutive rate hike since March last year. 2. According to the secretary general of Japan’s National Secretary Secretariat, Takeo Akiba, on Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that he decided to visit South Korea to return Yoon's determination aimed at moving toward a future-oriented relationship between South Korea and Japan. 3. Strong winds and about 125mm of heavy rain have been hitting Jeju Island’s mountain areas since Wednesday. That rain will gradually spread nationwide today.

1. A group of medical professionals with the exception of professional nurses on Wednesday began a collective action against the Nursing Act which was introduced last Thursday. The action began with shortening clinical and practicing hours, and holding rallies which started near the National Assembly. 2. South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service on Wednesday launched its investigation into Kiwoom Securities Co. for an alleged stock price manipulation which caused a recent sell-off caused by contract for different trading by Societe Generale Securities. 3. The secretary general of Japan’s National Secretary Secretariat, Takeo Akiba, arrived in South Korea on Wednesday to meet with his South Korean counterpart, Cho Taeyong, to prepare for the S.Korea-Japan summit slated for Sunday.

1. South Korea’s presidential office said Tuesday that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will embark on a two-day visit to South Korea on May 7th to meet with President Yoon Suk Yeol. 2. According to Statistics Korea on Tuesday, South Korea’s consumer prices jumped 3.7 % on year in April, rising at the slowest pace in more than a year on falling global oil prices. April’s figure is the latest signal that the inflation has receded. 3. First Republic Bank’s 84 branches in 8 different states reopened on Monday as branches of JPMorgan Chase Bank, as regulators sold most of its operations to JP Morgan Chase Bank to stem the spread of the banking crisis in the U.S.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee returned home on Sunday to South Korea from Yoon’s state visit to the United States. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Seoul this month to consolidate the cooperation between South Korea, US, and Japan. The two countries will both announce the specific date of the meeting on Tuesday. 3. According to South Korea’s industry ministry on Monday, South Korea's exports dropped for the 7th consecutive month by 13.3% in April, driven by falling global demand for semiconductors.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday delivered a 43-minute address in English to a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, emphasizing the cooperation of South Korea and the United States. During his address he uttered the word, “freedom”, 46 times. 2. The National Assembly on Thursday passed motions designating two special investigation proposals as "fast-track" bills. One of them is on bribery suspicions involving the Dae Jang-dong development scandal and the other is on stock manipulation allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee. 3. According to data from Statistics Korea on Thursday, South Korea’s industrial output grew 1.6% on-month in March, and the nation’s retail sales increased 0.4% over the same period.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden released a joint statement after their summit in Washington on Wednesday that outlines the future cooperation of the two nations. It states that the next 70 years of the South Korea-U.S. alliance “will be the brightest yet”. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced a joint statement dubbed the "Washington Declaration", which is aimed at strengthening extended deterrence against North Korea's evolving threats. 3. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had their first phone call on Wednesday. During the call, Xi promised to dispatch a “special envoy” to Ukraine and other countries for talks about a possible “political settlement”.

1. South Korean President Yoon said with NBC regarding the provision of lethal weapons to Ukraine on Tuesday that South Korea will not ignoreUkraine when it’s the right time to help them. 2. U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday formally declared his reelection bid for 2024 which is poised to see a re-match between Biden and Trump. This announcement came just a day before the South Korea-U.S. Summit. 3. According to the U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday, British American Tobacco has agreed to pay $635 million to settle allegations that it engaged in a scheme to circumvent U.S. sanctions on North Korea and sell tobacco products to Pyongyang.

1. A U.S. streaming service, Netflix, announced on Monday that it will invest 2.5 billion USD in South Korea over the next 4 years to produce Korean TV shows and movies. This announcement came after the meeting between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos in Washington. 2. A South Korean military aircraft carrying 28 nationals from Sudan have arrived in South Korea on Tuesday. The KC-330 tanker transport plane landed in Seoul Air Base, capping the carefully coordinated mission involving elite forces from Army, Air Force, Navy and front-line diplomats. 3. According to the Bank of Korea, South Korea’s economy grew 0.3% in the first quarter compared to the previous quarter, avoiding a recession in the first quarter thanks to the increased domestic demand. A recession is defined by two consecutive quarters of economic contraction.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon-hee embarked on a state visit to the United States on Monday. The summit between South Korea and the U.S. is slated for Wednesday this week. 2. Former chair of the main opposition Democratic Party, Song Young-gil said on Sunday in Paris that he will try to solve the issue quietly. Song left Paris to return home to undergo a prosecution probe on the alleged distribution of illicit money to lawmakers before an election for a new Democratic Party leader in 2021. 3. Countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom evacuated their diplomats and citizens from Sudan on Sunday while South Korea began the evacuation of 28 Korean nationals from the conflict-hit nation.

1. Ahead of the S.Korea-U.S. summit slated for next week, tensions between South Korea and China, and South Korea and Russia are escalating. This follows South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s remarks regarding Taiwan and provision of lethal aid to Ukraine. 2. South Korea will decide on the new electricity and gas prices for the second quarter next month. This announcement came on Friday after the South Korean government once again failed to reach an agreement with the National Assembly on the new rates of utility bills. 3. According to the defense ministry on Friday, South Korea has decided to dispatch military transport aircraft to evacuate its nationals in Sudan. The ongoing conflict in Sudan killed more than 330 people and injured 3200 others.

1. The presidential office said Thursday that South Korea’s decision on the provision of lethal aid to Ukraine will depend on Russia. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol will pay a state visit to the United States for 7 days from April 24 to hold a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden on the 26th and to deliver an address before a joint session of Congress on the 27th. 3. The prosecution has sought an arrest warrant for Kang Rae-gu, a key suspect in the “cash envelope” bribery scandal for allegedly distributing a total of 94 million won, or roughly $72,000, to lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party to make then-lawmaker Song Yong-gil be elected as the party chair during its national convention in May 2021.

1. According to North Korea’s state-led Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered the launch of a military spy satellite after he paid a visit to the National Space Development Agency. 2. Speaking to Reuters in an exclusive interview, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol for the first time expressed a willingness to provide weapons to Ukraine, marking a change in Seoul's position on providing lethal aid to Kyiv ahead of the S.Korea-U.S. summit. 3. The EU agreed on Tuesday to a 47 billion U.S. dollar plan for its semiconductor industry, in a move to catch up to both the U.S. and Asia, while reducing its dependency on regions outside the bloc for its semiconductor needs.

1. The U.S. government announced on Monday that 16 electric vehicles would be eligible for subsidies of up to 7500 U.S. dollars in accordance with the Inflation Reduction Act. Hyundai and Kia by Hyundai Motor Group that were originally eligible for subsidies have been excluded from the list. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol addressed different agendas such as housing fraud, illicit drugs, working hours, and hereditary employment during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. 3. According to the United Nations special representative for Sudan, as of Tuesday, at least 200 people have been killed in a fighting between rival armed factions in Sudan.

1. South Korea and Japan held a so-called, two-plus-two meeting, a joint meeting of senior diplomats and defense director generals on Monday to discuss security cooperation in the region against the backdrop of North Korea’s escalating threats. 2. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday visited a port in Wakayama to support the ruling party's candidate in a local election during which what appeared to be a smoke bomb was thrown at him. 3. South Korean prosecutors on Monday started investigating suspicions that more than 20 envelopes containing cash worth 94 million won, or roughly $72,000, were distributed to the members of the then ruling Democratic Party of Korea to make then-lawmaker Song Yong-gil be elected as the party chair during its national convention in May 2021.

1. According to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday, an arrest has been made in connection to the leaked Pentagon documents scandal that shook the world last weekend. The suspect is a 21-year-old U.S. air national guardsman from Massachusetts. 2. South Korea's Unification Ministry on Friday released the latest version of its White Paper on Korean unification. Noteworthy is the use of the term "North Korea's denuclearization" instead of "Korean peninsula's denuclearization" in the document. 3. According to the Finance Ministry’s latest economic assessment report, the Green Book, released on Friday, the country continues to face an economic slowdown despite a rise in domestic demand due to weak exports and facility investment.

1. South Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator, Kim Gunn, and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Sung Kim and Takehiro Funakoshi on Thursday held phone consultations on North Korea’s provocations, following the firing of North Korea’s intermediate-range ballistic missile towards the East Sea earlier in the day. 2. The South Korean government announced on Wednesday that students with a history of bullying will have their disciplinary records reflected in the regular college admissions process starting from the year 2026. 3. South Korea reported an additional case of the mpox which is formerly known as monkeypox virus on Thursday, bringing the county's total to nine.

1. South Korea's presidential office has dismissed concerns that the United States has been wiretapping the country's National Security Office during an interview on Tuesday, following media reports over alleged Pentagon documents leaked online. 2. The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday cut its 2023 economic growth outlook for South Korea to 1.5%, down 0.2 percentage points from its estimate in January, as it expects the global economy to face 'rocky' economic recovery this year. 3. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, heavy yellow dust spread across the nation on Wednesday and will blanket the nation until Thursday. Meanwhile, a fine dust advisory was also issued nationwide.

1. Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held phone talks on Tuesday during which Austin explained to Lee about media reports on leaked U.S. military documents and affirmed that the U.S. will cooperate with the South Korean government in handling the issue. 2. South Korea’s foreign ministry on Tuesday called in the deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Naoki Kumagai, to deliver a formal protest to Japan’s latest edition of the Blue Book of Foreign Affairs in which Japan renewed its territorial claim to Dokdo. 3. A level 3 wildfire, fanned by strong winds, spread along the east coast in Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province, on Tuesday, destroying dozens of homes and forcing residents to relocate. Level 3 is the second-highest level in the four-notch system.

1. According to the Pentagon on Sunday, a new batch of photos of wrinkled documents was shared online on Friday which revealed information that was seemingly obtained by spying on the presidential office of South Korea. 2. House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Representative Michael McCaul has said on Saturday that the U.S. may send troops to Taiwan if it is invaded by China. 3. Starting Monday, the Committee of the Whole House will discuss ways to change South Korea’s current electoral system for four days.

1. According to the latest data released by the Bank of Korea on Friday, South Korea posted a current account deficit for 2 straight months in February, marking the first ever to record a 2-month consecutive deficit in 11 years, amid soaring import prices. 2. South Korea, the United States, and Japan called for the member states of the United Nations on Friday to repatriate all North Korean overseas workers that are key sources of foreign currency that goes into the development of Pyongyang's nuclear program. 3. Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a meeting on Thursday during which Xi emphasized on enhancing cooperation between China and the EU.

1. According to a new report released by the International Atomic Energy Agency Task Force on Wednesday, Japan’s Tokyo Electric Power Company has a reliable and sustainable radiation protection program for the wastewater discharge of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. 2. US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in California on Wednesday. After their meeting McCarthy said that the U.S. should speed up their weapon sales to Taiwan in a timely manner. 3. According to South Korea’s Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho on Thursday, South Korea plans to create investment projects worth 13 trillion won, or 9.8 billion US dollars by working with the private sector to preemptively respond to the threats of the economic slowdown.

1. South Koreans started to cast their ballots on Wednesday morning in local elections and parliamentary elections. Pundits say that the results will reinforce or weaken the mandate of the Yoon administration. 2. Korea Electric Power Corporation saw an increasing demand for its corporate bonds after the company issued more bonds on Tuesday, raising concerns that it will negatively affect the debt market. 3. The United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution denouncing North Korea's human rights violations. The resolution was co-sponsored by South Korea for the first time in 5 years.

1. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol called for the revised Grain Management Act to be reconsidered, saying it was pushed through forcefully without proper discussion. 2. According to data released by Statistics Korea on Tuesday, South Korea’s Consumer Price Index jumped 4.2% on-year last month, 0.6 percentage points lower than the month before. 3. NASA announced the 4 astronauts who will take part in the first human mission to the Moon in more than 50 years. Female astronaut, Christina Koch, and the first black astronaut, Victor Glover, were assigned to the lunar mission.

1. The Korea Forest Service reported at least 35 forest fires across the country on Saturday and Sunday, amid strong spring winds and warmer temperatures causing humidity levels to drop below 20 percent. 2. A three-way naval drill which lasts for 2 days kicked off Monday between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan. It’s aimed at countering advancing underwater threats by North Korea. 3. An explosion tore through a cafe in the second-largest city of Russia on Sunday, taking the life of a prominent military blogger, Vladlen Tatarsky who was also known for his blogging from the Ukraine frontline, along with 24 others.

1. According to Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Lee Chang-yang on Friday, South Korea will decide on the new electricity and gas prices for the second quarter in the next few days. This announcement came after the South Korean government failed to reach an agreement with the National Assembly on the new rates of utility bills. 2. The South Korean Ministry of Unification on Thursday unveiled a 450-page report which features interviews with 508 North Korean defectors who had witnessed or experienced serious human rights violations such as extrajudicial executions, torture, and state censorship of expression and media. 3. Former US President, Donald Trump, became the first president to be indicted on Thursday. He is being investigated on the alleged hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden formally announced that South Korea will be hosting the 3rd Summit for Democracy. 2. A bill that provides tax incentives to South Korean chipmakers is expected to pass the National Assembly on Thursday to boost the country’s semiconductor industry. 3. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the country’s news agencies on Wednesday that Russia had suspended all information exchanges with the U.S., following the suspension of its participation in the New START nuclear arms treaty last month.

1. The Summit for Democracy hosted by Washington aimed at enhancing global solidarity for democracy while countering the growing influence of Russia and China kicked off on Tuesday. Topping the meeting on the first day was a call for peace in Ukraine. 2. South Korea on Wednesday decided to include families with two children in the multi-children family bracket, and increase the infertility treatment leave to 6 days. This decision comes after President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered a reevaluation of low birth rate policies and an inquiry into the reasons for their failure. 3. According to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Wednesday, the mandatory COVID-19 self-quarantine period for people infected in South Korea could soon be shortened from seven to five days as the government considers downgrading the COVID-19 alert level. The decision will be made in early May.

1. The South Korean government on Tuesday expressed deep regrets over the Japanese government’s authorization of primary school text books which diluted the forced nature of wartime Korean laborers and reinforced territorial claims to the Dokdo islets. 2. European and U.S. stocks climbed on Monday after the Silicon Valley Bank became a division of the First Citizens Bank. 3. According to South Korea’s Finance Ministry on Tuesday, the country will draw up a national budget of around 670 trillion won (or 523.96 billion USD) for next year to focus on underpinning defense and public safety, and creating more jobs for young people to prop up the economy.

1. North Korea fired off two fresh rounds of short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Monday, marking the regime's second missile test in just eight days in its latest series of protests against the ongoing Seoul-Washington joint military drills. 2. According to the head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov in a tweet on Sunday, Russia has made a 'nuclear hostage' out of Belarus, and taken "a step towards the internal destabilization of the country." 3. Germany’s Deutsche Bank stocks took a nosedive on Friday amid growing investor fears about the banking sector once again, dragging down other major banks across Europe.

1. According to the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency, North Korea tested a new nuclear underwater attack drone under leader Kim Jong Un's guidance this week from March 21st to 23rd for three days. 2. Terraform Labs co-founder Kwon Do-Hyung, more commonly known as Do Kwon, has been charged with fraud by U.S. prosecutors several hours after his arrest on Thursday local time in Montenegro. 3. More than a million people in France joined the 9th nationwide protests on Thursday to reject the government's proposed pension reform bill that would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.

1. The Fed raised its key rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4.75 percent to 5 percent on Wednesday, lower than a 50 basis points hike forecasted by analysts. 2. The National Assembly on Thursday passed a revised grain management act that obligates the South Korean government to purchase rice when rice production exceeds 3 percent of estimated consumption or when the price drops by more than 5 percent.  3. South Korea on Thursday decided to drop a complaint it filed with the World Trade Organization against Japan over Japan's export curbs on high-tech materials as Japan started its procedures to put South Korea back onto its “white list”.

1. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Chips and Science Act will limit the expansion of semiconductor producing capacity in foreign countries of concern, including China, to 5 percent for companies that receive funds under the new act. 2. The meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended on Tuesday. After their meeting, the two leaders signed and released a joint statement at the Kremlin in Moscow. 3. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on Wednesday indicted Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung without arrest for his alleged profiteering scandals regarding the Wirye and Daejang-dong development project.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Tuesday during a Cabinet meeting that South Korea and Japan have to overcome history to normalize relations with Japan. Yoon also said there “still exist forces that hail exclusive nationalism, shout anti-Japanese sentiments, and take political gains”. 2. According to the latest climate report released by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Earth’s temperature will rise 2.8 degree Celcius by 2100 if countries continue to maintain their current ways of acting. 3. South Korea revised down its 2030 targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial sector on Tuesday from 14.5% to 11%.

1. A U.S. B-1B strategic bomber came back to South Korea for joint exercises on Sunday, as North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile into the East Sea. 2. The South Korean government lifted the indoor mask mandate on public transportation starting from Monday which means the mask requirement is lifted for most indoor facilities with the exception of hospitals and high-risk areas. 3. Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first state visit to Russia on Monday, stirring speculations from the global community on his intentions.

1. In regards to the South Korea-Japan summit, the ruling party gave a positive evaluation, stating that a new era of mutual prosperity between the two countries have opened, while the opposition party criticized the meeting as "the most humiliating moment" in the country's diplomatic history. 2. South Korea's finance ministry said Friday that the country continues to experience an economic slowdown amid sluggish exports and a slowdown in the recovery of domestic demand due to the tightening of monetary policy. 3. According to South Korea's industry ministry Friday, the latest acts announced by the European Union on critical raw materials and net-zero goals do not contain discriminatory clauses against foreign companies, unlike the United States' Inflation Reduction Act.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met for a summit in Japan today signaling a significant warming of long-strained relations between the two countries. The summit will be followed by a joint press briefing and a state dinner. 2. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Thursday, North Korea fired a long-range ballistic missile, presumed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile, toward the East Sea, hours before President Yoon Suk Yeol is to embark on a two-day visit to Japan. 3. Fears of a banking crisis spread into Europe, with stocks of Credit Suisse crashing on the back of recent bank failures of Silicon Valley Bank in the U.S.

1. The South Korean government announced Wednesday that it will end the mask mandate for public transportation next week, while the mandate will remain in place for medical facilities, pharmacies and other vulnerable facilities. 2. Just a day ahead of South Korea-Japan's Presidential summit, South Korea's leading steelmaker POSCO Holdings has donated four billion won, or around three million U.S. dollars, to a fund providing compensation to victims of Japan's wartime forced labor. 3. According to the U.S. Pentagon Tuesday, a Russian jet struck a U.S. spy drone over the Black Sea and knocked it out of the sky, in one of the first direct military confrontations between the two nations’ forces since the war in Ukraine began more than a year ago.

1. According to Seoul's military Tuesday, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Tuesday, a day after South Korea and the United States kicked off its Freedom Shield exercise. 2. The United States released the details of its largest-ever defense budget on Monday as it increased its missile defense budget in preparation for the hypersonic and ballistic missile threats from China, Russia and North Korea. 3. According to statistics released by the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the import price index as of February rose 2-point-1 percent from January. This figure was due to last month's increase in international oil prices and a rise in the won-dollar exchange rates.

1. South Korea and the United States kicked off its Freedom Shield exercise Monday amid heightened tensions caused by North Korea's missile tests and hardening rhetoric against the allies. 2. According to South Korea's finance minister Monday, the collapse of the U.S.-based Silicon Valley Bank is expected to have limited impact on the global financial market, although uncertainties will linger amid monetary-tightening moves. 3. The takeover battle of SM Entertainment, which has heated up the entertainment industry and the stock market for the past month, has come to an end with Kakao acquiring the management rights of SM, while HYBE and SM agreeing to collaborate on platforms.

1. North Korea announced Friday its leader Kim Jong-un oversaw a "fire assault drill" of an artillery unit on Thursday as he stressed the need to "overwhelmingly respond" to any war preparations by its "enemy." Kim reportedly also took his daughter Kim Ju-ae, to the artillery training. 2. Chinese President Xi Jinping secured an unprecedented third term as his country’s head of state, completing a transition into the second decade of his rule as he seeks to reassert himself as a global statesman and navigate an increasingly fractious rivalry with the U.S. 3. According to South Korea's central bank data Friday, South Korea posted the largest ever current account deficit in January as exports sharply dwindled amid growing worries over a global economic recession.

1. According to South Korea’s presidential office on Thursday, President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit Japan next week for a summit with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Yoon's trip from March 16 to 17 comes at the invitation of the Japanese government. The visit of the South Korean leader to Japan takes place for the first time in almost 4 years. 2. South Korea's Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun said Wednesday that there exist concerns over the United States' Chips and Science Act that it may require too much information in exchange for U.S. government subsidies. 3. The massive wildfire that broke out in the country's southeastern county of Hapcheon has been brought under control. According to authorities, the fire has been contained as of 10 AM on this Thursday with no casualties.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to make a state visit to the United States in late April. In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, the two leaders will discuss a range of issues, from extended U.S. deterrence and cooperation in economic security to cutting-edge technology and people-to-people exchanges. 2. Four-term lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon was elected new leader of the ruling People Power Party on Wednesday in a landslide result. 3. According to the OECD website on Wednesday, as of 2021, the proportion of female managers in South Korea was 16-point-3 percent, ranking 35th out of 36 OECD member countries. This means that South Korea's proportion of female managers is the lowest among OECD member countries, except for Japan.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Seoul's forced labor compensation plan announced on Monday is the outcome of respecting the positions of the victims while considering the shared interests and future development of South Korea and Japan. 2. South Korea's per capita income in dollars decreased by nearly eight percent last year on the back of the won’s depreciation against the U.S. currency. 3. North Korea's Kim Yo-jong warns of war in the case of any action aimed at obstructing Pyongyang's missile tests as Seoul and Washington remain committed to joint defense drills.

1. The South Korean government formally proposed Monday compensating more than a dozen victims of Japan's wartime forced labor through a Seoul-backed public foundation, instead of direct payment from responsible Japanese firms. 2. China set this year's growth target at around 5 percent, in a cautious forecast after the pandemic-hit economy. Pundits say, as the Korean economy is highly dependent on China, a chain shock to the overall economy, including exports to Korea, is inevitable. 3. The government plans to adjust the current maximum 52-hour workweek as part of a massive restructuring of the current labor system. The change will allow employees to manage their hours flexibly, enabling them to work up to 69 hours weekly and reduce their hours at other times.

1. For the first time in 5 years, South Korea and the U.S. will hold a large-scale combined field training exercise called ‘Eulji Freedom Shield’ for 11 days from March 13th to the 23rd to reinforce allied defense and response capabilities. 2. China’s parliament, the National People’s Congress, begins its annual Two Sessions this weekend, months after President Xi Jinping secured his third term as the nation’s supreme leader. 3. According to Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong on Friday, authorities will be taking into consideration the COVID-19 situation as well as medical response capabilities before deciding on whether to downgrade COVID-19 to the category of a common infectious disease.

1. Elementary, middle and high schools nationwide are returning for the new school year on Thursday without the mask mandate for the first time in 4 years since the outbreak of COVID-19. 2. Data from Statistics Korea on Thursday shows that South Korea’s overall industrial production stood at 109.7, up 0.5 percent from the previous month. However, retail sales edged down 2.1 percent on-month. 3. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control on Wednesday sanctioned three companies and two individuals for “illicitly” generating income for the North Korean government.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Wednesday said Japan has transformed into a partner in tackling security and economic challenges during his first speech marking the March 1 Independence Movement at the Memorial Hall of Yu Gwan-sun. 2. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Wednesday, South Korea’s exports fell for 5 straight months in February mainly due to weak global demand for semiconductors. 3. Two trains carrying hundreds of people collided in northern Greece on Tuesday, killing at least 32 people and injuring more than 85 others.

1. Four ministerial-level figures of the previous Moon Jae-in administration, Chung Eui-young, Noh Young-min, Suh Hoon, and Kim Yeon-chul, were indicted on Tuesday on charges related to forced repatriation of two North Korean fishermen in 2019. 2. Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova [마리아 자카로바] issued a statement on Monday saying that the South Korean government’s decision to expand existing export restrictions against Russia will damage bilateral relations and cooperation to resolve security issues on the Korean Peninsula. 3. A new earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.6, hit southeastern Turkiye on Monday, adding one more person to the death toll, and over a hundred others injured.

1. The National Assembly voted on Monday on the government’s request for consent to arrest Democratic Party leader, Lee Jae-myung, over allegations of corruption. 2. The local currency on Monday ended at 1,323.0 won against the US dollar, up 18.0 won from the previous trading day, breaching the 1,320 won mark for the first time since December 7, 2022. 3. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that he hopes South Korea will find an opportunity to provide military support to Ukraine. He also said he is preparing to invite South Korean leadership to Ukraine.

1. A motion requesting parliamentary consent for the arrest of Democratic Party leader, Lee Jae-myung, over allegations of corruption was reported at a plenary session of the National Assembly on Friday. The motion will be put to a vote in the National Assembly on Feb 27. 2. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said in a press briefing on Wednesday that South Korea and the United States conducted the eighth Deterrence Strategy Committee Table-Top Exercise on Tuesday. The United States warned Pyongyang that using any level of nuclear weapons would mean the end of the regime. 3. The UN General Assembly on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to approve a resolution calling for an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine.

1. The Bank of Korea decided on Thursday to freeze its benchmark interest rate at 3.5% after a 17 month rate-hike campaign to deal with an economic slowdown. 2. According to Statistics Korea on Wednesday, South Korea’s fertility rate has dropped to another record low of 0.78 in 2022, down from 0.81 the previous year. The country’s population suffered a natural decrease of 123 thousand 800 last year. 3. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday announced a labor reform agenda to normalize unions by supporting newly formed unions with 50% of this year’s related budget.

1. The local currency on Wednesday ended at 1,304.9 won against the US dollar, up 9.0 won from the previous day, breaching the 1,300 won mark in two months. 2. South Korea’s Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and UAE’s Minister of State for Defense Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi held talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday to discuss bilateral cooperation in joint investment, research, and technology development. 3. U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday vowed to support Ukraine and said that Russia will never win, in a speech in Warsaw to mark the coming one-year since Russia invaded Ukraine.

1. The United States on Monday criticized the United Nations Security Council for not holding North Korea accountable for its recent missile provocations due to opposition from China and Russia. 2. The U.S. President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine almost a year ago. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his state of nation speech at noon Tuesday. 3. According to the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, South Korea’s expected inflation stood at 4 percent in February. The expected inflation rose for two consecutive months due to rising utility costs.

1. According to South Korea’s military, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Monday, following a long-range ballistic missile on Saturday. 2. South Korea’s Foreign Minister Park Jin said he urged Japan’s top diplomat, Yoshimasa Hayashi, to make a political decision during a bilateral meeting between two countries in Munich on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. 3. The government of Turkiye announced that it will end rescue efforts  in all but two areas struck by a devastating earthquake two weeks ago. Meanwhile, the death toll climbed up to more than 46 thousand.

1. South Korea and Japan’s Foreign Ministers Park Jin and Hayashi Yoshimasa are expected to attend the Munich Security Conference which will be held from Feb 17 to 19. The two top diplomats will hold a bilateral talk on the sidelines of the Conference. 2. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance on Friday, South Korea’s economy slowed against the backdrop of high inflation and persistent slumps in exports. 3. At least 43,885 people have died across Turkiye and Syria due to the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake. A 5.1 magnitude earthquake in Turkiye’s Hatayi province forced people onto the streets again as they feared the collapse of additional buildings.

1. South Korean prosecutors on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, over the Daejang-dong real estate corruption. 2. According to the Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho on Thursday, South Korea will continue its endeavors to diversify the country’s export portfolio and improve its trade balance. 3. The South Korean government decided on Wednesday to dispatch an additional team of 21 relief personnel and deliver 55 tons of relief supplies to Turkiye which was struck by a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol said on Wednesday that the government will slow down the increase of public utility bills, and urged telecommunication companies and banks to join the efforts to curb skyrocketing costs for the nation’s most vulnerable people. 2. The National Assembly agreed on Tuesday to endorse a government reorganization scheme under which the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs will be elevated to the ministry level and a sub-ministry-level agency which handles consular affairs to be newly established. 3. The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake which struck Turkiye and Syria is Europe’s worst natural disaster in a century. Meanwhile, the death toll has crossed 41,000.

1. Vice foreign ministers of South Korea, United States, and Japan reaffirmed their joint objective to completely denuclearize North Korea and enhance communication and cooperation between allies. 2. South Korea’s National Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution to fast forward support measures for Turkiye and Syria which were hit by a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake. 3. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol urged Monday for putting a limitation on excessive profits of banks to alleviate the suffering of the people under high interest rates.

1. VIce Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong said Sunday that South Korea and Japan are both continuing to discuss ways to resolve their differences over how to deal with the issue of Japan’s wartime forced labor. 2. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pfizer vaccines made specifically for children aged 6 months to 4 years old will be offered from today. The vaccines will be administered in three doses at intervals of 8 weeks. 3. Over 34,000 people have lost their lives across Turkiye and Syria since a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck a week ago on Monday.

1. HYBE, the entertainment agency behind global K-pop phenomenon BTS on Friday, officially confirmed that it’ll be acquiring a 14-point-8 percent stake in its rival K-pop agency SM Entertainment, by signing a deal with SM's founder Lee Soo-man. 2. Starting Saturday, the South Korean government has decided to resume issuing short-term visas to travelers from China. The announcement comes after South Korea suspended the issuance of visas in January. 3. According to the officials and Syrian civil rescue team White Helmets, the earthquake that hit Turkiye and Syria took the lives of at least 21-thousand. Korean companies continue to offer relief support to the area.

1. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw a display of a new, solid-fuel Intercontinental ballistic missile during a nighttime military parade on Wednesday which marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army. 2. A motion to Minister Lee Sang-min passed the plenary session of the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon, with 179 lawmakers voting in favor. Lee is now suspended from his duties as interior minister. 3. The death toll from the devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria has risen to more than 15,000. Korean disaster relief personnel arrived in the area and reported the rescue of four survivors.

1. The National Assembly voted on Wednesday to impeach Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min for his mishandling of the Itaewon crowd crush. 2. According to the Korean Central News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the barracks of Pyongyang’s military to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army. 3. A team of 118 South Koreans arrived in Turkiye on Wednesday to support the country's search and rescue operation after a deadly earthquake that struck the nation and killed more than 8000.

1. According to the Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presided over a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Central Military Commission to discuss ways to boost readiness posture for war. 2. South Korean top diplomat Park Jin said Tuesday that the country will dispatch a 60-person search and rescue team and medical supplies to Turkey. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Turkiye and Syria and killed at least 5000 people. 3. According to the spokesperson of the European Council on Monday, EU’s chief, Charles Michel, invited Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Brussels to participate in person at a summit of the 27 EU nations on Thursday.

1. After holding a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin said yesterday that there will be a stronger alliance between the two countries this year based on the achievements of the recent trip to the US. 2. The main opposition Democratic Party decided on Monday to introduce an impeachment motion against the Interior Minister Lee Sang-min. This comes a day after the 100th day of the Oct. 29 Itaewon tragedy. 3. A deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit South-eastern Turkey near the Syrian border on Monday, killing at least 500 people.

1. Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk was sentenced to 2 years in prison and a fine of 6 million won on charges related to document forges of his children among others. 2. The Korea Economic Research Institute revised down its economic outlook for South Korea from 1.9% to 1.5%, lower than the outlook report released by the International Monetary Fund at 1.7%. 3. South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin will hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington D.C. on Friday local time.

1. The Federal reserve delivered a small rate hike of 25 basis points on Wednesday, implying that its combat against inflation is showing effect. Meanwhile, according to Statistics Korea, South Korea’s consumer prices grew 5.2% in January compared to the same period last year. 2. The White House on Wednesday has rejected North Korea’s claim that conducting joint military exercises on the Korean Peninsula is a provocation, and made it clear that the United States has no hostile intent toward Pyongyang. 3. Japan’s radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant is planned to be released soon, raising global concerns.

1. South Korea posted the worst on-year decline in January with exports falling for 4 consecutive months, triggered by weak demand in semiconductors and other flagship items. 2. The South Korean government announced measures on Wednesday to reduce the burden of heating bills on underprivileged or lower-income households. About 2.1 million households, therefore, will receive a heating bill subsidy of 592 thousand won for December to March. 3. South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin departed for the United States on Wednesday to engage in talks on reinforcing the U.S.-South Korea relations.

1. South Korean defense minister Lee Jong-sup and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met on Tuesday to discuss means to reinforce the U.S. extended deterrence. 2. The International Monetary Fund revised its 2023 economic growth forecast for South Korea down from 2.0% to 1.7%. This was according to the agency’s World Economic Outlook Update released on Tuesday. 3. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered the Cabinet to create measures to reduce the burden of heating bills on not only the vulnerable but also the middle class households during a Cabinet meeting on Monday. The president also approved the emergency use of 100 billion won in reserve funds to support the vulnerable.

1. South Korea lifted its indoor mask mandate for most of its facilities after more than 2 years on Monday. Meanwhile, the country reported 7,416 new COVID-19 cases on Monday. 2. A working level meeting between Director general for Asia and Pacific affairs at South Korea’s foreign ministry, Seo Min-jung and her Japanese counterpart, Takehiro Funakoshi, was held on Monday to discuss ways to compensate Korean victims of Japan’s wartime forced labor. 3. A group of bipartisan national assemblymen was launched on Monday to discuss ways to reform South Korea’s current electoral system.

1. South Korea’s human rights record was put under the microscope on Thursday as part of the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review. While welcoming South Korea’s improvements on human rights, the member states requested the nation to resolve issues such as the abolition of the death penalty. 2. According to Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong on Friday, South Korea will reduce the number of COVID-19 beds to 3900. 3. The U.S. Commerce Department reported Thursday that in the fourth quarter, the country's GDP rose at a 2.9 percent annualized pace despite global economic hardship.

1. South Korea’s gross domestic product for the fourth quarter of last year shrank by 0.4% from the previous quarter due to weak exports. The nation’s economy grew 2.6% in 2022 which still exceeded the Bank of Korea’s annual growth outlook. 2. The U.N. Command led by the United States has concluded on Wednesday that both South and North Korea breached armistice by flying drones into each other’s territory last month. 3. The Biden Administration announced Wednesday that the U.S. will send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. This came after Germany’s announcement earlier that it will send 14 Leopard 2 tanks.

1. A cold spell from Siberia has hit South Korea since yesterday, the last day of the Seollal holiday, leading to cold alerts being issued almost everywhere across the country. 2. Former South Korean lawmaker Na Kyung-won, said on Wednesday that she will not run for leader of the ruling People Power Party because she does not want her party to be divided. 3. According to the Korea Internet & Security Agency, a Chinese hacking group attacked websites of 12 state-run Korean agencies over the Seollal holiday.

1. According to the White House on Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden nominated Julie Turner to serve as a new special envoy for North Korean human rights. 2. Cold wave alert has been issued on Tuesday as Seoul saw the coldest weather of this season. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration the morning low tomorrow in Seoul is predicted to hit -18. 3. A gunman took the lives of 11 people and injured 10 more in a shooting on Saturday in Los Angeles during the city’s Lunar New Year festival. The suspected gunman was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

1. According to South Korea’s Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, the country’s indoor mask mandate will be lifted from January 30th with the exception of hospitals and public transportations. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol wrapped up his overseas tour on Friday after visiting the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland. He is returning on Saturday morning which is the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday. 3. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, an icy blast will freeze much of the country during the Seollal holiday, with rain and snow in the forecast across Korea. Heavy snow is expected in Jeolla-do province and Jeju.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol gave a special speech on cooperation in crises to business leaders of Korean and global companies Wednesday during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. 2. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Thursday raided a dozen construction union offices, including those affiliated with South Korea’s two largest umbrella labor unions, to carry out a probe into an alleged wrongdoing at construction sites. 3. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her intention to step down on Thursday. Her last day in the office will be Feb 7.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee attended a meeting with South Korean residents in Switzerland on Tuesday. During the meeting Yoon said South Korea will cooperate with advanced technology powerhouses like Switzerland. 2. According to South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the nation’s homegrown KF-21 fighter prototype achieved supersonic speeds in a test flight on Tuesday. 3. Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc resigned on Tuesday for being responsible for several amid high-profile corruption scandals. This comes after the dismissal of two deputy prime ministers in early January.

1. South Korean companies and the United Arab Emirates signed a 6.1 billion U.S. dollar contract to reinforce cooperation on energy and new industry sectors. 2. The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting began on Monday without U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, accompanied by a large number of business leaders, attended the forum. 3. South Korea’s health authorities started their discussion regarding the removal of the indoor mask mandate on Tuesday. The indoor mask mandate is the last remaining antivirus measure left in the country.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his state visit to the United Arab Emirates. The UAE announced its decision to invest 30 billion U.S. dollars in South Korea's industries, the largest investment ever by the UAE in a single nation. 2. The director-general for Asia and Pacific Affairs at Seoul's Foreign Ministry, Seo Min-jung, met with her Japanese counterpart, Takehiro Funakoshi, at Japan's Foreign Ministry to discuss compensation for Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor. 3. At least 68 people including 2 South Koreans have lost their lives in a tragic plane crash in Nepal on Sunday. Hundreds of responders scoured the region but had to call off the search after dark on Sunday, and left it to be resumed on Monday.

1. The Bank of Korea raised its policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.5% which is the highest since December 2008. This is the BOK’s 10th rate hike since its rate hike campaign began in August 2021. 2. US president Joe Biden on Friday will highlight in a statement, marking Korean-American Day, the significance of the U.S.-South Korea alliance and the importance of the Korean American community which was first introduced to the U.S. 120 years ago. 3. The special police investigation team for the Itaewon tragedy ended its 74-day-long investigation on Friday. The investigation ended with the arrest of 6 figures.

1. According to the director general for Asia and Pacific affairs at South Korea’s foreign ministry on Thursday, the South Korean government is reviewing a method to compensate the victims of Japan’s wartime forced labor through a third party entity. 2. The United States and Japan on Wednesday agreed to reinforce their strategic alliance and outlined actions in a joint statement designed to deter growing Chinese military threats. 3. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration temporarily grounded all domestic flights across the country on Wednesday because of a crucial alert system outage, creating thousands of flight delays and cancellations.

1. The World Bank has slashed the global growth outlook for 2023 to 1.7 percent, down from its previous forecast of 3 percent back in June last year. 2. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 62.5% of overseas COVID-19 infections reported on Wednesday, were from China. 3. At the Golden Globes 2023, Park Chan-wook’s “Decision to Leave” lost out to Argentinian contender ‘Argentina, 1985’ in the best film category. It is however still competing in the best foreign film category for the Critics Choice Award, along with five other films.

1. According to Seoul's foreign ministry on Monday, South Korean Foreign Minister Park offered his congratulations to China's new top diplomat, Qin Gang on his recent inauguration. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, China halted the issuance of short-term visas in South Korea as its first COVID-19 related retaliation. 2. South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party leader, Lee Jae-Myung, attended the extraordinary parliamentary session on Tuesday. Lee being summoned for investigation marks the first summoning of a leader of a main opposition party in modern history. 3. French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed and announced on Monday to reinforce cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region against the backdrop of rising tensions in China and North Korea.

1. Two out of four conditions that need to be satisfied for the indoor mask mandate to be lifted are currently met. South Korea is the only OECD member state that has an indoor mask mandate. 2. South Korea’s two main political parties clashed on the first day of January’s extraordinary parliamentary session on Monday, as the ruling People Power Party accused the main opposition Democratic Party of attempting to protect its party leader Lee Jae-myung from indictment by abusing lawmakers' immunity from his arrest. 3. Supporters of the former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who refused to accept his presidential election defeat, invaded the Congress, the Supreme Court, and the presidential palace of Brazil on Sunday.

1. The National Assembly on Friday passed a motion to extend the parliamentary probe into the deadly Itaewon crowd crush by 10 days. 2. The Chinese embassy in Seoul criticized South Korea on Thursday for sending a delegation, led by PPP Representative Cho Kyung-tae, to Taiwan at the end of last year to meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk declined to comment on the matter. 3. According to quarantine authorities, 1 in every 8 arrivals from China were confirmed positive with COVID-19 at the airport as of midnight Friday.

1. The floor leaders of the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party agreed on Thursday to vote on Friday on the extension of the parliamentary probe into the Itaewon crowd crush by an additional ten days until January 17. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered officials to review suspending the September 19th inter-Korean military agreement if North Korea carries out provocations involving incursion into our territory. 3. Starting Thursday, all travelers arriving from China are required to submit a negative COVID-19 test result before entering South Korea.

1. The first parliamentary hearing is being held starting from Wednesday morning to investigate how the Itaewon tragedy happened and to prevent similar future incidents. The second hearing is scheduled to take place on Friday. 2. South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance has vowed on Wednesday to spend more than 60 percent of the budget in the first half of the year. That's the largest proportion ever spent for the first six months. 3. The 118th U.S. Congress began on Tuesday with Republicans in control of the House of Representatives and Democrats securing the majority of the Senate.

1. The spokesperson of the White House National Security Council said on Monday the U.S. President Joe Biden and S.Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered their militaries to plan for an “effective coordinated response to a range of scenarios, including nuclear use by North Korea”. 2. According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Tuesday, South Korea will apply a tax credit rate of up to 25% on facility investment in the chip industry to boost its competitiveness amid global economic slowdown. 3. As of Monday, 1 out of every 5 travelers into South Korea from China tested positive for COVID-19, following mandatory PCR testing upon arrival.  According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, those from Hong Kong and Macao will also be required to get a PCR or a quick antigen test before boarding flights to S. Korea starting from Saturday.

1. In his New Year’s speech on Sunday South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol pledged to remain vigilant regarding the economy and to support exports to make sure South Korea's economy recovers this year. 2. North Korea fired one short-range ballistic missile into the sea on New Year’s Day, after firing three of them on the last day of 2022. 3. According to Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, 2023 is going to be a tough year for much of the world economy as the major drivers of the economy, the United States, Europe and China, all experienced weakening economic activity.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered the South Korean military on Thursday to prepare overwhelming war capabilities for peace on the Korean peninsula. This came as a response to the North Korean drones that crossed into South Korea on Monday. 2. South Korea's Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho said Thursday that the government will seek to frontload about 65% of the next year’s national budget in the first 6 months to overcome the ongoing economic challenges. 3. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Wednesday that it will require travelers from China to show a negative COVID-19 test before entering the U.S. territory. South Korea will announce related measures tomorrow.

1. South Korea on Wednesday unveiled the details of its Indo-Pacific strategy which emphasizes the importance of boosting freedom, peace and prosperity through a rules-based order and cooperation on human rights. 2. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT on Wednesday, the nation’s unmanned space vehicle Danuri successfully entered the moon’s orbit on Tuesday. This success comes after three rounds of lunar orbit insertion maneuvers. 3. Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree on Tuesday to ban the sales of oil to countries that agreed to put a price cap on Russian oil in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol pledged on Tuesday that he will strengthen the military’s surveillance capabilities by establishing a drone unit after 5 North Korean drones crossed into South Korea on Monday. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol granted special pardons to 1,373 people, including former President Lee Myung-bak. 3. Starting from January 8, 2023, China will remove quarantine for inbound travelers and adjust PCR tests to voluntary testing.

1. According to the South Korean military, suspected North Korean drones trespassed across inter-Korean borders on Monday. 2. South Korea reported 25-thousand-545 new COVID-19 infections on Monday. Meanwhile, as the government is urging people to get updated variant-specific booster vaccines, an additional Modera vaccine has received emergency approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety,... meaning there will be 4 different types available starting today. 3. Freezing temperatures were accompanied by heavy snow in the southern parts of the country, including Jeolla province and Jejudo Island. Meanwhile, extreme winter storm across the U.S. have led to at least 37 deaths over the Christmas weekend.

1. After a weeks-long impasse, the Yoon administration's first budget plan is to be approved by lawmakers at the National Assembly in the coming hours. 2. The South Korean government has decided to lower the indoor mask mandate from "mandatory" to "advised". However, the timing of the roll-out has yet to be decided. 3. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea on Friday launched a ballistic missile toward the East Sea for the first time in 5 days.

1. The two rival parties have agreed on Thursday to pass the budget bill for 2023 and will be put to a vote tomorrow. 2. According to the Finance Ministry on Thursday, S. Korea's economy will grow 1.6 percent next year, as the country faces economic and global uncertainties. The outlook is lower than those previously published by other organizations, including the Bank of Korea and the IMF. 3. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington on Wednesday and pledged that the war would end once his country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are restored.

1. The National Assembly's special bipartisan probe committee for the Itaewon tragedy has embarked on its first on-site inspection on Wednesday. The on-site inspection comes a day after members of the ruling People Power Party rejoined the committee. 2. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Washington on Wednesday to meet U.S. President Joe Biden. This is the first time Zelenskyy has left his country after the war in Ukraine broke out. 3. Elon Musk said in a tweet on Tuesday that he will step down from the role of Chief Executive of Twitter once he finds his successor.

1. The Bank of Korea said Tuesday that it forecasts inflation to remain at around 5% for the time being, but expects the pace to eventually slow. 2. South Korea reported 87 thousand 559 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday–the highest number in 97 days, putting a pressure on South Korea’s Special Response Center of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters as it plans to announce the results of yesterday's discussion about lifting the nation’s indoor mask mandate. 3. The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Yo-jong hinted at the possibility that North Korea will launch an ICBM at a normal angle to verify its technology.

1. North Korea said it fired a launch vehicle carrying a "test-piece satellite" at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground on Sunday. This contradicts South Korean military's report of mid-range ballistic missile launches detected that day. 2. Japan approved a new national security strategy on Friday. Under the strategy, Japan’s defense spending will boost to about 2% of Japan’s GDP, marking one of the country’s biggest military buildups since the second World War. 3. South Korea’s three opposition parties, Democratic Party, Justice Party, and the Basic Income Party, on Monday agreed on the details of a parliamentary probe into the Itaewon tragedy, without the participation of the ruling People Power Party.

1. The UN General Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution condemning grave human rights violations in North Korea. It is the 18th consecutive year the UN has adopted a resolution on the topic. 2. The European Central Bank on Thursday hiked its borrowing costs, by 50 basis points,slowing down the pace of increase, but pledged to keep clamping down on inflation. 3. South Korea's unmanned space vehicle Danuri will perform its first lunar orbit insertion maneuver tomorrow to enter the orbit around the moon.

1. The U.S. Federal Reserve has announced a seventh consecutive rate hike on Wednesday. The Fed slowed the pace to 50 basis points from the 75 basis point hikes in each of the previous four meetings. 2. President Yoon Suk-yeol on Thursday presided over a 100-minute-long meeting which was held to assess the key policy tasks of his administration. The meeting was broadcasted live on national television, and 100 members of the public took part in it. 3. Bereaved families of the 76 victims of the deadly Itaewon tragedy opened a mourning altar near the site of the tragedy in Itaewon on Thursday.

1. The U.S. consumer price index rose 7.1% from a year ago, less than what was expected in November. This is the most recent sign that inflation is starting to loosen up. 2. South Korea reported 84,571 new COVID-19 infections. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said it will give a briefing on its indoor mask mandate readjustment plan on December 23rd. 3. The allies of Ukraine pledged LED bulbs and more than 1 billion U.S. dollars in aid on Tuesday as the country’s infrastructure has been damaged by the prolonged war to help Kyiv go through the winter season.

1. South Korea's Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, Kim Gunn is holding a trilateral meeting on North Korea’s nuclear issues in Indonesia with his American and Japanese counterparts, Sung Kim and Takehiro Funakoshi. 2. Starting in January, parents with children less than one year old will receive up to 700-thousand won a month from the South Korean government. 3. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office investigating the 'West Sea Civil Servant Shooting Case’ summoned Noh Young-min, a former presidential chief of staff, on Tuesday. Noh was responsible for reporting the result of the investigation to then President Moon Jae-in.

1. The opposition-majority National Assembly passed a motion calling for the dismissal of Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min over the Itaewon tragedy on Sunday. The motion was backed by the Democratic Party which controls the parliament whereas the members of the ruling People Power Party boycotted the vote. 2. South Korea started administering bivalent vaccines designed for Omicron subvariants to teenagers aged 12 to 17 on Monday. 3. Special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, Kim Gunn, embarked on a trip to Indonesia on Sunday to discuss North Korean nuclear issues with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts. He will meet with U.S. special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim today.

1. Striking truckers voted Friday to put their 16-day long strike to an end after 62% voted in favor of ending the strike. This comes after their walkouts caused major supply disruptions across industries and the South Korean government invoked return-to-work orders. 2. The UN General Assembly adopted several resolutions urging North Korea to refrain from additional nuclear tests on Wednesday. China and Russia also voted in favor of resolution 52 which stipulates condemning the six previous nuclear tests by North Korea. 3. China's President Xi Jinping visited Saudi Arabia for a summit with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman. On Thursday, the leaders of the two countries signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership agreement”.

1. The South Korean government has invoked return-to-work orders for striking truckers in the steel and petrochemicals sectors on Thursday. The strikes have already cost some 2.6 billion U.S dollars of losses to related industries. 2. During a plenary session of the National Assembly today, the parliament passed a bill that requires the use of the international age counting system, rather than the"Korean age" counting system. 3. The United States' Senate and the House of Representatives have reached an agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2023 fiscal year released Tuesday, as the US Congress reaffirms its commitment to security on the Korean Peninsula.

1. According to Interior Minister Lee Sang-min on Wednesday, the South Korean government will decide whether to lift the indoor mask mandate, which is the last remaining COVID-19 restriction, by the end of this month. Meanwhile, South Korea reported 74,714 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday. 2. Polish President Andrzej Duda said that the first shipment of weapons including K-2 tanks and K-9 howitzers, purchased from South Korea arrived in the country on Tuesday. 3. The UN Security Council will discuss the human rights situation in North Korea behind closed doors on December 9th for the third consecutive year.

1. South Korea's miracle run at the 2022 Qatar World Cup came to a halt after a 4-1 loss to Brazil during their round of 16 game. South Korean team’s head coach Paulo Bento said that he will not be renewing his contract. 2. South Korea plans to revive the ‘enemy’ expression for the North Korean regime and its military in its defense white paper which will be published next month under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. It’s been 6 years since North Korea has been referred to as an ‘enemy’. 3. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Tuesday that the government will firmly deal with an ongoing strike by unionized truckers without compromising with illegality, as the nationwide strike has entered its 13th day, disrupting the national economy.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has told his Cabinet on Sunday to prepare to issue an imminent back-to-work order on striking truck drivers in the oil and steel industries. The Cargo Truckers Solidarity Union's strike has entered its 12th day Monday. 2. According to the presidential office, President Yoon Suk Yeol met with his Vietnamese counterpart on Monday for a summit to discuss measures to further develop the relations between South Korea-Vietnam. 3. The South Korean men’s national football team reached the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup for the third time in history, after beating Portugal 2-1 on Friday with a dramatic last-grip goal. They will play Brazil in its first match of the knockout round at 4am on Tuesday Korea time.

1. According to the Foreign Ministry on Friday, the South Korean government decided to impose additional sanctions on 8 individuals and 7 institutions linked with North Korea’s weapons programs. 2. South Korea’s rival political parties, the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party, continue their negotiations to approve next year’s budget plan on Friday which is the legal deadline for the National Assembly to pass next year’s budget bill. 3. U.S. President Joe Biden hinted at a possible adjustment to the Inflation Reduction Act. Signed into law, the act has triggered apprehension that South Korean electrical vehicles might lose their competitiveness in the U.S. market.

1. Trade ministry data on Thursday shows South Korea's on-year exports declined for 2 consecutive months. November’s exports plunged by 14% compared to the same period last year, following October’s  5.7% on-year fall. 2. A nationwide strike by South Korea's truckers union Cargo Truckers Solidarity Union is now into its eighth day. Observers said South Korea’s government may convene a Cabinet meeting on Friday to invoke the back-to-work order on fuel tanker drivers. 3. Vietnam's President will make a three-day state visit to South Korea next week for talks with the South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Monday. He will be the first state guest to the country since President Yoon Suk-yeol took office.

1. The South Korean government met with the Cargo Truckers Solidarity Union for more negotiations on Wednesday, however, the 40-minute long negotiations broke down. This came after President Yoon Suk-yeol issued an executive order to force cement truckers to return to work on Tuesday. 2. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea decided to pass a bill to impeach the Minister of Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min if the safety minister doesn’t resign himself.  3. According to South Korea’s presidential office on Wednesday, President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden will hold the second Summit for Democracy on March 29, 2023 for 2 consecutive days to seek opportunities to reinforce the resiliency of the democracies worldwide.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol stressed to the Cargo Truckers Solidarity Union that there is no choice for the government but to issue a return-to-work executive order for those refusing to transport goods in the cement sector, as the strike is threatening the livelihoods of many. 2. South Korea's second World Cup group match against Ghana ended in 3-2 loss against Ghana, despites Cho Gue-sung’s two goals, marking the first time a South Korean player scored twice in a single World Cup match. 3. Protests across China against the government's ‘zero–COVID-19’ policy, demonstrated mostly by aggressive lockdowns, have triggered worldwide concerns over the country’s economy.

1. After the strike by the Cargo Truckers Solidarity Union entered its fifth day Monday, the South Korean government held its first talks with the unionized truckers on Monday as their walk-out poses a serious threat to the supply chain and the national economy. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol announced a “future space economy” roadmap on Monday which includes plans to establish an aerospace agency.  3. The South Korean football team will face off against Ghana at 10 p.m. Korea Standard Time on Monday. The team looks to improve its chances of moving to the round of 16 if it beats Ghana. 

1. South Korea opened its World Cup campaign on Thursday night, Korea time, with a scoreless draw against the favored Uruguay in Qatar. Meanwhile in the same Group H, Portugal defeated Ghana 3-2 to sit atop the group standing. 2. As Korea Electric Power Corporation looks to run up a record deficit of 30 trillion won, the Office for Government Policy Coordination held a Regulatory Reform Committee to discuss raising the standard fuel cost. 3. The European Union once again failed to reach an agreement to introduce price caps on natural gas prices to mitigate the energy crunch on Thursday. Meanwhile, the EU is pressing ahead with its 9th sanctions package on Russia according to European Commision chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday.

1. The Bank of Korea raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.25 percent on Thursday in a bid to control soaring prices, implementing six consecutive hikes for the first time. 2. South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup asked China Wednesday to play a "constructive" role in addressing North Korea's nuclear and missile threats during talks with China’s Defense Minister Wei Fenghe. 3. Russia fired 67 cruise missiles on Wednesday at Ukraine’s power-generating facilities, causing energy outages across Ukraine.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Kenyan President William Ruto met face-to-face for a bilateral summit. The two will discuss trade and investment between the two countries. It is the first visit by a Kenyan president to South Korea in 32 years. 2. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, which is one of South Korea's two umbrella labor unions, declared Tuesday that it will go on a general strike for increased labor rights from Wednesday. Unionized workers of Seoul Metro and Korea Railroad Corp. are also scheduled to go on strike the following week. 3. South Korea will provide five-hundred thousand U.S. dollars worth of emergency aid to Indonesia to help with recovery efforts following the recent earthquake. According to Indonesia’s Disaster agency on Tuesday, an earthquake that struck Indonesia's West Java took the lives of at least 268 people.

1. The UN Security Council which held an open meeting on Monday to discuss North Korea’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile test ended with the Council failing to reach a unified response. 2. Families of the victims in the October 29 accident held their first press conference, urging the government to give a sincere apology and punish those who are responsible for the accident. 3. South Korea reported 72-thousand 8-hundred-73 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday. The number of critically ill patients came to 461, down four from the previous day.

1. The UN Security Council is set to discuss North Korea in a meeting requested by the U.S. on Monday. This comes after foreign ministers of the Group of Seven countries strongly criticized Pyongyang’s recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has suspended his morning encounters with the press on Monday. The so-called “door-stepping” sessions are now put to a halt after a verbal dispute last Friday between a MBC reporter and a presidential secretary. 3. The FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar has kicked off with an opening ceremony and the tournament’s first match. K-pop sensation BTS member Jungkook took center stage for the opening ceremony.

1. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Friday. This comes after a trilateral summit among South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida in Phnom Penh on Sunday. 2. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez vowed Friday to reinforce the economic coalition between the two countries, especially regarding semiconductors. 3. The 2022 Qatar World Cup is just two days away. The World Cup marks the very first tournament being held in the Middle East and being played in the winter season.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is set to meet on Thursday with visiting Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman. Later in the day, President Yoon will also sit down (also sat down) with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte. 2. North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile from the port city of Wonsan toward the East Sea for the first time in 8 days. 3. Polish President Andrzej Duda and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg both said Wednesday that a missile that killed two in a Polish village on Tuesday appears to have been launched by Ukraine and unintentional in nature.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is back in Seoul after a six-day tour of Southeast Asia, which he wrapped up in Bali last night. Just hours before departing, he had a face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. 2. According to Poland’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, a Russian missile fell in eastern Poland, taking the lives of two people. It was the first time since the beginning of the Ukraine war that a NATO member country has been hit by Russian weapons. 3. Tomorrow some 510-thousand students in South Korea will take the annual college entrance exam known as Suneung. Factories around exam centers will stop operating, and some firms ask employees to come an hour later to reduce traffic.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bali at 5 p.m. (local time) on Tuesday. The agenda about North Korea is expected to dominate the meeting. 2. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Monday that he told Chinese President Xi Jinping that China bears the responsibility to curb North Korea’s nuclear threats. The two leaders sat face-to-face for more than 3 hours ahead of the G20 summit. 3. South Korea reported 72-thousand 8-hundred-83 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday. This is the first time in two months the numbers breached the 70-thousand mark.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida on Sunday vowed a unified, coordinated response to North Korea’s escalating nuclear threats during a trilateral meeting in Cambodia. 2. U.S. President Joe Biden is set to have his first in-person meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as President at the G20 summit in Bali on Monday.  3. On Nov. 11th, Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. According to the bankruptcy filings, the world’s third largest cryptocurrency exchange has liabilities of up to 50 billion dollars. 

1. South Korean President, Yoon Suk-yeol, embarked today on a 6-day trip to Southeast Asia for the G20 and ASEAN multilateral summits. His first destination is the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. 2. South Korea is hosting an annual ceremony called, Turn Toward Busan, on November 11th, which is the International Memorial Day for UN Korean War Veterans, in Busan. This event is joined by South Korean PM, Han Duck-soo, and United Nations Command Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison. 3. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 2,466.90 on Friday, up 80.93 points from the previous trading day, prompted by the report on slowing US inflation rate. The local currency ended at 1,318.4 won against the US dollar, down 59.1 won from the previous day. 

1. After the Democratic Party in the United States staved off worst-case-scenario in congressional losses in Tuesday’s midterm elections, US President, Joe Biden, said on Wednesday that he will decide early next year on whether he will run again for the presidency.  2. President Yoon Suk-yeol told reporters on Thursday that he will meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, soon for talks on the sidelines of the upcoming ASEAN-related multilateral summits. 3. According to the Korea Price Research Center on Thursday, food prices in South Korea, including wheat and chicken, have increased by more than 20% over the past year.

1. South Korean President, Yoon Suk-yeol, will embark on a six-day trip to southeast Asia for the G20 and the ASEAN multilateral summits on Friday. It'll be his third overseas trip as president where he'll put forth his Korean-ASEAN solidarity vision. 2. The U.S. Treasury Department said Tuesday that it imposed sanctions on two individuals who were affiliated with Air Koryo, North Korea's national airline, and were involved in supporting North Korea’s missile development program. 3. Today, 14 investigators from the Korean National Police Agency's special investigative headquarters were sent to three locations, including the Hamilton hotel near the Itaewon accident, to gather documents to verify how much the illegal construction impacted the Itaewon crowd crush. 

1. The special investigation police division was established last week to probe senior authorities in charge of Yongsan-gu District, where the Itaewon crowd crush occurred on October 29th. As of Tuesday, 6 people are now pinpointed to be responsible for the Itaewon stampede. 2. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 2,399.04 on Tuesday, up 27.25 points from the previous trading day. This was the first time it went over the 2,400 points mark during intraday in 2 months. The local currency ended at 1,384.9 won against the US dollar.  3. On Monday, South Korean Unification Minister, Kwon Youngse said that it is possible for North Korea to conduct the nuclear test at any moment, but there were still no signs that such test was imminent. 

1. South Korean President, Yoon Suk-yeol issued an apology over the tragic Itaewon crowd crush and vowed to double down on efforts to ensure no such accident happens again during a safety review meeting on Monday. 2. North Korea’s state media announced Monday that two cruise missiles were fired last Wednesday into international waters near South Korea’s coastal city of Ulsan; however, South Korea’s military said no missiles were detected on that day. 3. The 27th annual UN Climate Change Conference or COP27 began on Sunday in the city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. This year's conference will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and overseeing the effective adoption of policies aimed at fighting climate change.

1. South Korean Defense Minister, Lee Jong-sup, and the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, agreed to deploy more nuclear-capable strategic assets in and around the Korean Peninsula against North Korea’s nuclear threats. This agreement was reached at their annual Security Consultative Meeting held at the Pentagon on Thursday.  2. On Thursday, President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered the establishment of a "one-stop" support center, which will be run by the Prime Minister’s Office, for the families of victims of the Itaewon disaster. This center will be set to help them receive necessary assistance after the national mourning period ends Saturday.  3. The Bank of England raised its key interest rate by 75 basis points to 3%, marking the biggest single rate hike since 1989. The latest move by the central bank came soon after the U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday delivered a giant-step of 75 basis points.

1. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile and two short-range ballistic missiles towards the East Sea on Thursday, but the ICBM seems to have failed mid-flight following the second stage separation. 2. South Korea’s Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters said that the funeral procedures of 121 out of 156 deceased victims of the Itaewon stampede have been completed, and the bodies of 7 out of 26 foreign national victims have also been sent to their home countries. 3. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday delivered a giant-step of 75 basis point rate hike to slow inflation. The move is expected to pressure South Korea to continue its monetary tightening further.

1. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea fired at least 10 missiles, including three short-range ballistic missiles, off its east and west coast. One of the ballistic missiles landed in waters close to South Korea’s territorial waters.  2. During the meeting with South Korea’s Central Disaster Countermeasures and Safety Headquarters, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said that the government will look to hold those responsible for the tragedy that occurred in Itaewon. 3. South Korea’s consumer prices jumped 5.7% on-year in October, marking the 6th consecutive month that the consumer prices remained above the 5% mark. October’s year-on-year growth was mostly driven by increased utility costs.

1. Two more deaths were confirmed Tuesday from the Halloween stampede in Itaewon, raising the death toll to 156. South Korean President, Yoon Suk-yeol, said the government will conduct a combined safety inspection of regional festivals in Korea starting Thursday. 2. South Korea’s exports decreased by 5.7 percent in October compared to the same period last year, marking the first on-year decline in 2 years since October 2020.  South Korea also posted a trade deficit for seven straight months. 3. A UN draft resolution, led by the European Union, condemning North Korea’s human rights issues, was submitted to the 77th UN General Assembly on Monday. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, South Korea has co-sponsored the draft resolution.

1. The deadly crowd crush in Itaewon on Saturday night took the lives of at least 154 people and injured 149 others. The tragedy happened Saturday when a massive crowd of Halloween partygoers filled a narrow alley in the district of Itaewon, causing people to fall down and pile up on one another. 2. On Sunday, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a period of national mourning for the victims of the human stampede at Itaewon which occurred the day before the declaration. The national mourning period will run through November 5th.  3. South Korea and the United States began the Vigilant Storm drill which is one of their largest combined military drills on Monday to boost combat readiness for wartime contingencies. During the 5-day drill, the allies are mobilizing 240 combat aircraft, including F-35B stealth jets.

1. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast on Friday. This comes as South Korea wraps up its 12-day Hoguk military drills. 2. The gross domestic product of the United States rose 2.6% in the third quarter above market estimates, recording the first positive growth rate after two quarters of negative growth. 3. The South Korean government announced on Friday that it will extend the LNG and LPG tax cut for an additional three months to mitigate the pressure on consumers during the winter. This will have the effect of decreasing city gas bills by 1 thousand 400 won per household on average.  

1. The 11th emergency economic and public livelihood meeting took place at the presidential office in Seoul on Thursday. The 80-minute meeting was televised live to outline policies to people to revive the economy. 2. The Gangwon provincial government announced on Thursday that it will repay 205 billion won which is the full amount of the debt guaranteed for Gangwon Jungdo Development Corp. by December 15 this year in a bid to mitigate the effect of the so-called ‘Legoland crisis’. 3. Gunmen opened fire inside a major Shiite holy shrine in Iran on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens. This happened amid the biggest anti-government movement in over a decade in Iran.

1. South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong met with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, in Tokyo today to discuss ways to deal with North Korea’s evolving threats and the results of China’s 20th Communist Party Congress.  2. Hyundai Motor Group broke ground on Tuesday on its new 5.54 billion U.S. dollar electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facility in Georgia. This factory will be the company’s first U.S. plant dedicated to electric vehicles.  3. The Pentagon and the U.S. State Department said Tuesday that Russia has notified the United States about the nation’s plans to conduct its annual exercises of its nuclear forces. U.S. President Joe Biden responded to the warning by saying that it would be a serious mistake for Russia to use a tactical nuclear weapon.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol urged lawmakers to swiftly pass his administration’s first budget proposal in a parliamentary speech on Tuesday, calling for bipartisan cooperation to respond to threats from North Korea and aggravating economic conditions. 2. The Bank of Korea said on Tuesday that South Korea’s inflation expectations stood at 4.3% in October, up 0.1%P from the previous month, making the first rebound in three months. 3. Rishi Sunak will be appointed by King Charles III on Tuesday as Britain’s first prime minister of color after winning the race to lead the Conservative party. He will be replacing Liz Truss, who was the shortest-serving prime minister in the country's history.

1. South Korea’s Finance Minister, Choo Kyung-ho,  said on Sunday that the government will inject a minimum of 50 trillion won or 34 billion USD to contain the so-called ‘Legoland crisis’, and avoid a liquidity crunch. 2. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff on Monday, South Korea’s military fired warning shots at a North Korean merchant vessel that crossed the Northern Limit Line at 3:42 AM. North Korea on the other hand, claimed a South Korean warship violated the western sea boundary and it fired 10 artillery shells into the western sea. 3. According to Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping secured a historic third term as leader of the Chinese Communist Party after the 20th Communist Party Congress that ended on Sunday.

1. The Chairman of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Kim Seung-kyum, and his American and Japanese counterparts met on Thursday at the Pentagon to discuss the escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula in recent weeks. 2. South Korea’s Fair Trust Commission said in a press release Friday that it plans to introduce measures to solve the issue of the monopoly in the platform sector. This comes after Kakao Corp. suffered a massive service malfunction on Saturday. 3. UK Prime Minister Liz Truss announced her resignation on Thursday, following a turbulent six weeks in office. This makes her the shortest-serving prime minister in the country's history.

1. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. KIM Seung-Kyum met with Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley at the Pentagon on Wednesday during the 47th Republic of Korea and United States Military Committee Meeting. Gen. Milley reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to providing extended deterrence to South Korea. 2. At a session of the UN General Assembly's Third Committee on Wednesday, the EU along with South Korea has begun drawing up a draft resolution condemning North Korea's human rights abuses. 3. U.S. President Joe Biden said Wednesday that his administration will release 15 million barrels of oil from the country's already depleted Strategic Petroleum Reserves in December, in a bid to bring fuel prices down.

1. KakaoTalk’s co-CEO, Namkoong Whon, offered to resign on Wednesday after a massive server outage which locked 53 million users. The company will accept damage reports through a dedicated channel on its KakaoTalk mobile messenger service from today. 2. North Korea fired 3 rounds of artillery shots into the maritime buffer zones spreading the two Koreas and into the East Sea from last night to this afternoon. The first 100 shells were fired last night at around 10 PM, followed by another 150 rounds an hour later, and another 100 on Wednesday at around 12:30 PM. 3. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that 30% of Ukraine’s power stations had been destroyed by Russian strikes as more missiles hit Kyiv in the past eight days. 1,162 towns and villages across are left without power as of today.

1. Kakao Corp. said Tuesday that most of its services are almost in full operation after the fire disaster at its data center Saturday, but the recovery process for the mailing service on Daum is still underway. 2. Amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the Chairman of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Kim Seung-kyum, left for Washington today to meet his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Gen. Mark Milley and Gen. Koji Yamazaki, to discuss ways to boost security cooperation. 3. According to the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Tuesday, South Korea is putting a temperature cap of 17 degrees Celsius in public buildings this winter, in a bid to trim electricity consumption.

1. Kakao Talk, the most popular mobile messenger in South Korea suffered a massive service malfunction due to a fire at its data center on Saturday, affecting all sectors of the country, including transportation and finance. 2. The Hoguk drill, South Korea’s annual military drill, kicked off Monday, following North Korea’s provocations, including the firing of a short-range ballistic missile on Friday. Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson, Col. Kim Jun-rak, said South Korea is closely monitoring the movements of the North. 3. At China’s 20th Communist Party Congress on Sunday, Chinese President Xi Jinping put heavy emphasis on the nation’s security in his speech, as he mentioned the words, ‘safe’ and ‘security’ 73 times in total according to the state news agency Xinhua’s transcripts.

1. In response to North Korea’s latest provocations, South Korea has imposed new unilateral sanctions on North Korea, specifically, fifteen individuals and sixteen institutions, for the first time in five years. 2. At China’s 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party slated for October 16, China’s President Xi Jinping is expected to emphasize “balance development and security” and drop the long held “development first” slogan according to a Chinese policy expert and RAND corporation, Howard Wang. 3. The Ministry of Economy and Finance said Friday in its latest Green Book that despite recovering domestic demand and employment, external risks still threaten to hurt exports, leading to slow economic growth.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Thursday that his administration is looking into a wide range of options when he was asked about the possibility of extended deterrence of nuclear weapons in South Korea from the U.S.  2. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Wednesday in regards to the first national security strategy of the Biden administration that the US will pursue “sustained diplomacy to completely denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, while strengthening extended deterrence”. 3. South Korea’s ambassador to the U.S., Cho Tae-yong(조태용), said at a parliamentary audit session in Washington on Wednesday that South Korea and the U.S. are negotiating ways to mitigate concerns over the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act taking a heavy toll on South Korean electric vehicle makers.

1. The Bank of Korea delivered yet another big-step of 50 basis point rate hike from 2.5% to 3% on Wednesday as an effort to bring down inflation. It is the first time in about 10 years that the key policy interest rate has risen to the 3 percent range. 2. The U.S. government on Tuesday allowed South Korean memory chip makers SK hynix and Samsung Electronics operating in China, to obtain restricted goods and services without license for a year. 3. The National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said, on Tuesday that the U.S. remains open to talks with North Korea. He added that U.S. President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to provide extended deterrence to South Korea. 

1. Amid growing nuclear threats from North Korea, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Tuesday that he believes his denuclearization roadmap, or the so-called audacious initiative, is still valid and that he will bolster the trilateral security cooperation with the US and Japan. 2. The  U.N. General Assembly’s special session started Monday to discuss the passing of the resolution that demands that Russia “immediately and unconditionally" scrap its supposed annexations. 3. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 2,192.05 on Tuesday, down 1.8% from the previous trading day. Seoul stocks opened on a sharp decline this morning to dip to a low of 2,174.06 during intraday. 

1. According to the North's state media on Monday, it was North Korean leader Kim Jong-un himself who took command of a series of military exercises of the regime's tactical nuclear weapon units over the past two weeks. Kim also said he has nothing to talk about with his enemies, and vowed to bolster the nuclear force of the regime. 2. South Korea reported 8-thousand 9-hundred-81 new COVID-19 infections on Monday. Authorities are on guard as an increase in influenza cases could coincide with the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the emergence of the new metapneumovirus. 3. During a meeting with the head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastrykin, on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin blaimed Ukraine of attacking the Crimea bridge, saying that it was an “act of terrorism”.

1. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, in response to the escalated tensions on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea and the United States have begun a combined naval exercise in the East Sea on Friday for two days.  2. On Thursday night, South Korea’s ruling People Power Party’s ethics committee decided to suspend former chairman Lee Jun-seok from the party for one year in addition to the six-month suspension announced in July. 3. According to the latest data released by the Bank of Korea on Friday, South Korea posted a current account deficit of roughly 3 billion US dollars in August for the first time in four months amid soaring import prices.

1. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired 2 short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Thursday morning. Following the launch, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol pledged through security measures based on a stronger alliance with the US and Japan, and called the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the afternoon. 2. Defying diplomatic pressure from the US, OPEC and non-OPEC partners on Wednesday decided to impose deep output cuts. The OPEC-plus agreed to cut its production by two million barrels per day from November. 3. South Korea’s minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min announced on Thursday the organization plan that includes abolishing the gender equality ministry with most of its functions moving to a new department under the health ministry.

1. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said South Korea and the U.S. each fired two Army Tactical Missile System missiles towards waters east of the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday, in response to North Korea's intermediate-range ballistic missile launch the day before. 2. The State Duma, Russia’s lower parliament,  has approved the annexation of the four Ukrainian territories following referendums in the Moscow-controlled areas on Tuesday. 3. According to Statistics Korea’s report reikleased Wednesday, last month's consumer price index came in at 108.93 which is an increase of 5.6 percent compared to the same period last year, indicating that the country’s recent inflation appears to be easing.

1. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile eastward, at about 7:23 AM Tuesday morning, and that the missile flew across Japanese airspace before falling into the Pacific Ocean. 2. The National Assembly began its first audit of the Yoon administration on Tuesday. Over the next 20 days some 780 ministries, agencies and public institutions will be subject to scrutiny. 3. The effect of the US Inflation Reduction Act is now being reflected on sales of South Korean electric vehicles as Hyundai's EV sales in September declined on-month. The IRA removes EVs not assembled in North America from its lucrative tax subsidy.

1. The first parliamentary audit under the Yoon administration will begin on Tuesday, with the two rivaling political parties anticipated to clash, each blaming the current and the former Moon Jae-in administration for their misconduct. 2. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that it would purchase a record 450-thousand tons of rice this year. This is to stabilize plunging rice prices which saw a 25% plunge from a year earlier. 3. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea fired 2 short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Saturday, on Armed Forces Day. The latest launches were the 4th provocation North Korea has demonstrated in a week.

1. Just hours after U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Demilitarized Zone on Thursday, North Korea fired two short-ranged ballistic missiles toward the east coast. The launch follows the firing of two short-range ballistic missiles a day earlier, and one on Sunday. 2. South Korea has been added to the watch list for potential inclusion on the World Government Bond Index yesterday by FTSE Russell, a move that could bring in up to 90 trillion won of foreign investment. The final decision will be made by September 2023. 3. The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin will sign a decree on Friday annexing four occupied regions of Ukraine. This comes after referendums in those areas earlier this week which the western countries claim were rigged.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with US Vice President Kamala Harris at his office on Thursday, and said that the South Korea-US alliance is evolving to a global alliance and expanding to an economic and technological alliance. Harris touted the alliance as a "linchpin of security and prosperity" on the Korean Peninsula. 2. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 2,197.75 on Thursday, up 28.46 points from the previous trading day. The local currency ended at 1,438.9 won against the US dollar. 3. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the three leaks that occurred across the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea. Western countries accuse Russia of damaging the pipelines, while Russia denies the accusations.

1. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 2,169.29 on Wednesday, below the 2,200 mark for the first time in 2 years and 2 months. The local currency ended at 1,439.9 won against the US dollar, up 18.4 won from the previous trading day. 2. During a meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday, South Korea’s Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said to Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, that there is an urgent need to improve the  relations between S.Korea and Japan, and that such improvement would better serve their mutual interests. 3. Voting came to an end in four Russia-backed referendums in Moscow-controlled areas of Ukraine on Tuesday, with the respective Kremlin-installed governments claiming victories. Watchers say the referendums pave the way for Russia’s President Putin to announce the annexation of those regions.

1. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 2,223.86 on Tuesday, up 0.13% from the previous trading day. During intraday,, it fell below 2,200 points for the first time in two years and two months. 2. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo arrived in Japan Tuesday morning, to attend the state funeral of late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. There he’ll also hold talks with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. 3. Following a mobilization order issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, a gunman was detained after shooting at a military draft office in Siberia on Monday. Another attacker opened fire at a school, killing at least 17 people and injuring 24 others on the same day.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said Monday that he will strongly push for normalization of Korea-Japan relations. He added that US President Biden fully understands the concerns of South Korea over the Inflation Reduction Act. 2. The government including the Finance Ministry, Trade, Industry and Energy Ministry and the Korea Development Bank, which holds the largest stake in Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, discussed a plan to sell the company to Hanwha Group, the country's seventh-largest conglomerate. 3. Billboard on Sunday said BLACKPINK became the first K-pop girl group to top the US Billboard's 200 albums chart. They are also the first Asian female group to top the Billboard charts and the Britain’s Official Albums Chart Top 100 charts at the same time.

1. South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, met with US Secretary of State Antony Bliken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in New York on Thursday. The top diplomats expressed concern about North Korea’s adoption of a new law declaring itself to be a nuclear weapons state, calling for a "strong and resolute response.” 2. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 2,290 on Friday, hitting the lowest level in roughly 2 months. The local currency ended at 1,409.3 won against the US dollar on Friday. 3. On Friday, referendums on Russia’s annexation began in four areas of Ukraine backed by Russia. Western capitals condemned the move as a clear violation of international law that could aggravate the ongoing conflict.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Wednesday had his first face-to-face meeting with Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly during which they both agreed on the need to improve Seoul-Tokyo ties. 2. The U.S. Fed hiked its interest rates by 75 bp for the third consecutive meetings on Wednesday, pushing the Korean currency exchange rate against the U.S dollar over the 1,400 Won mark on Thursday for the first time in 13 years and 6 months. 3. In a statement released by the Korean Central News Agency on Thursday, North Korea’s military said it has never supplied weapons to Russia and has no plans to do so, rejecting US claims of arms trade between Pyongyang and Russia.

1. In his 11-minute-long keynote speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday President Yoon Suk-yeol called for the protection of freedom and promotion of solidarity. 2. The South Korean Army held a large-scale training on Tuesday, the largest live-fire maneuver exercise in four years. 23 different types of weapons systems were involved, including K2 tanks, Apache helicopters, and K9 howitzers. 3. The environment ministry released a draft revision to the national green taxonomy guideline on Tuesday that includes nuclear energy in the list of government-labeled green economic activities.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol touched down in New York on Monday, local time,  after completing his schedule in London to deliver his first speech at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. 2. South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Lee Changyang(이창양) will arrive at Washington on Tuesday to discuss the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and other senior officials. 3. South Korea reported 47-thousand 9-hundred-17 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday. The number of deaths and critically ill patients are also on a gradual slowdown, with 24 new deaths and 497 critically ill patients reported today.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed his deep condolences to King Charles III for the death of Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on Sunday, a day before her funeral, and said the Queen will forever be remembered for her lifetime dedication to defending peace and freedom. 2. President Biden in a CBS interview on Sunday repeated his claim that the US forces will defend Taiwan if there was an unprecedented attack by China. 3. The first regular session of the National Assembly under the Yoon administration kicked off on Monday with an interpellation. The four-day session runs through Thursday with the focus on national politics on the first day.

1. The South Korean won closed at 1,388.9 won against the US dollar on Friday, appreciating by 5.7 won from Thursday’s close due to government intervention. 2. China's third-highest-ranking official and chief of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Li Zhanshu, arrived in South Korea on Thursday for a three-day visit for meetings with President Yoon Suk-yeol and National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo. 3. South Korea reported 51-thousand 8-hundred-74 new COVID-19 infections on Friday.  The head of South Korea’s COVID-19 response team, Jung Ki suk(정기석), said at a regular press briefing on Friday that the time has come to discuss the transition of the daily response system.

1. The South Korean won tumbled once again to 1,397.9 won against the US dollar during Thursday’s session, but the session closed at 1,393.7 won due to government intervention. 2. The head of the World Health Organization Dr. Tedros said Wednesday that last week’s number of coronavirus deaths worldwide was the lowest reported in the pandemic since March 2020. Meanwhile, South Korea reported 71-thousand 4-hundred-71 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday. 3. According to the Presidential office, the President Yoon Suk-yeol is expected to deliver his first UN General Assembly speech on the topic of South Korea’s responsibility to highlight the country’s role as a global leader.

1. The South Korean won fell once again against the US dollar to 1,395.5 won during Wednesday’s session. This is the lowest figure since March 2009. The benchmark KOSPI also fell below the 2,400 mark during Wednesday's session, prompted by the report on US consumer prices. 2.  According to Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul on Tuesday, South Korea and the United States will discuss "concrete" steps to sharpen deterrence against North Korea's evolving military threats during their high-level security talks later this week. 3. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, said on Tuesday that more military assistance from the US will be sent to Ukraine in the coming days. Meanwhile, Ukraine took control of the entire Kharkiv region on Tuesday.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will embark on a week-long overseas trip on the 18th, first to London to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II slated for the 19th. He will then travel to New York to deliver a speech to the United Nations General Assembly for the first time on the 20th.  2. The Netflix original K-drama series, "Squid Game", won multiple Emmy Awards on Monday local time as the first non-English series, with South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae winning outstanding lead actor in a drama series and director Hwang Dong-hyuk taking the award for top director. 3. According to the data from the Korea Customs Service, South Korea's exports fell by 16.6% compared to the same period last year in the first 10 days of September mostly due to fewer working days over the Chuseok holiday.

We prepared a special interview for the day instead of Focus on Headline. Right around the major holidays in Korea, we analyze the what the public think, and we call this the so-called, “dining table response” or “밥상머리” in Korean, which is very fitting considering how the whole family gather to eat and dine. And it is all the more fitting to find out the public sentiment across the country because this Chuseok, in particular, is the first holiday to return to normal without social distancing since COVID-19 hit Korea. This is the first holiday since President Yoon’s inauguration, so let’s talk about the issues that families might talk about at the dining table with experts in two main categories: economy and politics. We are going to talk about political issues with professor. Hong Sung-gul at the School of Public Administration at Kookmin University. Next, we are going to talk about economy with professor of Economic Yang Jun-sok from Catholic University.

1. Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-ruling British monarch, who ruled for seven decades, passed away on Thursday at the age of 96. Her eldest son Charles becomes King Charles III and the head of state of 14 other realms, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. 2. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Thursday vowed that the regime would never abandon nuclear weapons during his speech at the Supreme People's Assembly. 3. South Korea reported 69-thousand 4-hundred-10 new COVID-19 infections on Friday, the first day of the Chuseok holiday which will be observed without social distancing measures for the first time since the pandemic began. KDCA advised people to postpone their visit to their hometowns if they show any COVID-19 symptoms.

1. South Korea’s unification minister Kwon Young-se(권영세) on Thursday proposed talks with North Korea to discuss ways to resolve the issues of families separated by the Korean War. 2. South Korea and the US agreed to launch ministerial-level talks on ways to minimize the impact of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act on South Korea's electric vehicle industry during a meeting between South Korea's trade minister Ahn Duk-guen and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai in Washington on Wednesday. 3. The won-dollar exchange rate made a downward turn for the first time in 6 trading days on Thursday as the local currency ended its trading at 1381 won against the US dollar.

1. The Korean won depreciated against the U.S. dollar once again on Wednesday as it breached the 1,380 won-to-dollar mark for the first time in 13 years and 5 months. The local currency ended its trading at 1,385.5 won against the US dollar.  2. According to the Pentagon on Tuesday, Russia has reached out to North Korea and Iran in its desperate search for ammunition, which is ‘indicative of the situation that Russia finds itself in, in terms of its logistics and sustainment capabilities as it relates to Ukraine’. 3. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on Wednesday, 11 people were reported dead and 1 others were missing after the super typhoon Hinnamnor swept S. Korea. President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered a prompt recovery from damage across the nation on Wednesday.

1. South Korea's trade minister, Ahn Duk-geun(안덕근) arrived in Washington D.C. on Monday  to hold talks with the U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to discuss the Biden administration's new Inflation Reduction Act. 2. The Seoul Defense Dialogue hosted by South Korea’s Defense Ministry kicked off in Seoul on Tuesday. The annual international security forum will be held for three days to discuss North Korea’s denuclearization, cyberthreats, space security, and more. 3. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, Typhoon Hinnamnor moved out of South Korea early Tuesday morning at 7:10 AM, leaving 2 people dead and 10 others missing.

1. Jeju's Regional Office of Meteorology issued a typhoon advisory as of 8 AM on Monday. The Korea Meteorological Administration has forecast that the typhoon will hit Jeju island at 1 AM Tuesday morning. 2. The Korean won depreciated against the U.S. dollar once again on Monday morning as it breached the 1,370 won-to-dollar mark for the first time in more than 13 years since April 2009. The local currency ended its trading at 1,371.7 won against the US dollar. \ 3. According to the state-run Korea Aerospace Research Institute at around 5 PM on Friday, Korea’s unmanned lunar orbiter, Danuri, has successfully undergone a trajectory correction maneuver, a procedure in readjusting its speed and trajectory to head back towards the moon.

1. South Korea's top security advisor,  Kim Sung-han, said on Thursday, after he met with his US and Japan counterparts in Hawaii and said that the three countries will maximize cooperation in a way that will make North Korea realize that it’ll clearly be the "wrong decision" to conduct a 7th nuclear test. 2. UN nuclear experts, including Rafael Grossi, made their first inspection of the Zaporizhzhia power plant currently occupied by Russian forces on Thursday local time despite delays caused by shelling in the area. 3. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on Friday, typhoon Hinnamnor is expected to hit S. Korea along the southern coastal areas in Jeju Island and South Gyeongsang-do Province on Tuesday morning.

1. The first regular session of South Korea's National Assembly under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration began today. This session is set to last for a hundred days through December 9th. 2. According to the latest trade data released on Thursday by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, the balance of trade last month showed a deficit of over 9-point-4 billion U.S. dollars, a record figure since the relevant data was first compiled in 1956. 3. The South Korea-US joint exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield, which kicked off on August 22nd ends today.

1. The International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes ordered South Korea's government to pay Lone Star 216 million USD in compensation, but South Korea said on Wednesday it cannot accept the decision and will actively consider pursuing an appeal. 2. The US National Security Council spokesperson, Adrienne Watson, said on Tuesday that the national security advisers of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan will meet in Hawaii this week for a trilateral security meeting. 3. South Korean stocks closed on Wednesday at 2-thousand-4-hundred-72.05 points due to the US central bank’s hawkish monetary tightening. The local currency ended its trading at 1,337.6 won against the US dollar.

1. The Yoon administration on Tuesday proposed its first budget bill for next year,... of 639 trillion won or 474 billion USD. The government has gone through major spending reforms to secure an extra 24 billion dollars within the budget that's available for use. 2. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Tuesday, enforcement decrees of the health insurance act affecting local subscribers are a part of the second phase of insurance reforms which are set to take effect on Thursday.  3. South Korea reported 115-thousand 6-hundred-38 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday. The number is up from the previous day, but shows a significant decrease compared to the same time last week indicating a downward trend. 

1. South Korea's ruling People Power Party is returning to an acting chair system led by floor leader, Kweon Seong-dong before the nation's Chuseok holiday that starts next Friday. Meanwhile, the new chairperson of the main opposition Democratic Party is the former presidential candidate, Lee Jae-myung. 2. The Korean won dropped to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar today in 13 years and 4 months, breaching the 1 thousand 350 won mark against the backdrop of the US central bank’s monetary tightening. The local currency ended its trading at 1,350.4 won against the U.S. dollar. 3. North Korea’s propaganda outlets reported that South Korea and the United States have initiated the second part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield(UFS) exercise on Monday, saying that the UFS is aimed at marching into Pyongyang.

1. The South Korean government said on Thursday that the country’s largest electric power company, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, has won a 2.2 billion US dollar deal to supply equipment and construct the turbine hall at the El Dabaa nuclear plant which is being built by Russia. 2. The governor of South Korea's central bank, Rhee Chang Yong, will attend the Jackson Hole meeting set for Friday US time, to discuss the latest global economic conditions and monetary policy direction. 3. According to Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director General of Pacific Affairs Lee Sang-ryol sat down for director-level talks with his Japanese counterpart Takehiro Funakoshi on Friday in Tokyo to discuss compensation for Korean victims of Japan’s wartime forced labor.

1. For the first time in history, South Korea's central bank has delivered a fourth straight rate hike on Thursday. The Bank of Korea raised the key policy interest rate by a quarter-percentage point, bringing it to 2.5% to cap the soaring inflation and prevent capital outflows. 2. Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink embarked on a 3-day-trip to S. Korea on Thursday to discuss methods to reinforce the S. Korea-U.S. alliance… amid growing global tensions, especially threats from N.Korea. 3. Events to celebrate Ukraine’s 31st anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union on Wednesday local time were canceled due to Russian missile strikes. US President Joe Biden announced an additional 3 billion US dollars in military aid.

1. President Yoon Suk-yeol said that the government will thoroughly monitor and respond in preventing any financial or foreign exchange crisis during a macroeconomic and financial policy meeting on Wednesday. The foreign exchange market closed with the won trading at 1,342-point-1 won against the US dollar today. 2. Today marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and China. The official ceremonies will be held both in Seoul and Beijing at 7 p.m. Korea time. South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, will attend the event in their respective countries. 3. Since Russia invaded Ukraine 6 months ago, 9-thousand Ukrainian soldiers have been killed… according to Ukraine’s military chief on Monday local time. As of Tuesday local time, Ukrainian officials reported that 45 thousand 550 Russian soldiers have been killed.

1. The South Korean currency fell once again on Tuesday as it hit 1,341-point-8 won when the market opened. The session closed with the won trading at 1,345-point-5 against the U.S. dollar. This is a level not seen since April 2009. 2. Since July this year extreme drought in Europe and China has dried up major water bodies, sparking a shortage of hydropower, jeopardizing electricity production. 3. South Korea reported 150 thousand 2-hundred-58 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, the same level recorded during the peak of the recent wave two weeks ago.

1. President Yoon’s chief of staff, Kim Dae-ki announced the administration’s first major staff reshuffling on Sunday. Kim said that the goal of the organizational change was to continue “the path toward higher productivity and efficiency in governance.” 2. South Korea and the United States kicked off the Ulchi Freedom Shield drill, a combined military exercise against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, on Monday. The exercise is set to run through September 1st. 3. The Korean currency exchange rate against the U.S dollar exceeded 1,340 Won on Monday, for the first time in 13 years and 4 months. Analysts forecast that the Korean won can weaken to more than 1,350 won in the third quarter this year.

1. North Korea has rejected South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's "audacious initiative" to improve its economy in return for real steps toward denuclearization. In response, South Korea's Presidential Office expressed deep regret in a press statement today. 2. According to the Finance Ministry’s latest economic greenbook released on Friday, the South Korean economy could be slowing down due to uncertainties at home and abroad. 3. South Korea reported 138-thousand-8-hundred-12 new infections on Friday. It also reported 82 more COVID-related deaths, the highest figure in 112 days.

1. President Yoon Seok-yeol is reportedly planning to reorganize the presidential office structure to gain momentum for state administration by appointing 1 more senior officer and 2 more senior secretaries. 2. Foreign Minister Park Jin said during a parliamentary session Today that his ministry will try to restart denuclearization talks with the North on the basis of coordination with Washington and the international community regarding the implementation of the "audacious initiative." 3. South Korea reported 178-thousand-five-hundred-74 new infections on Thursday, down 2-thousand-two-hundred-29 from a day ago. There were 61 more COVID-related deaths. Four-hundred-70 patients are in critical condition.

1. During the press conference marking his 100 days in office on Wednesday, President Yoon said that he will help North Korea if North Korea demonstrates its will to denuclearize, and that he does not want the regime’s security to be changed unreasonably or by force. 2. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said on Tuesday that hundreds of civilian victims who were killed when Russian forces attempted to invade Kyiv should be honored and remembered in the history of mankind. 3. US President Joe Biden signed an Inflation Reduction Act into law on Tuesday that will provide tax credits for US made cars only. This move is expected to come due to heavy blows to the sales of South Korean EV makers in the US market as they produce the cars in Korea.

1. South Korea and the U.S. will hold their full-fledged joint military drill, the"Ulchi Freedom Shield" from August 22nd to September 1st. The preliminary drills start on Tuesday with the focus on response measures to pre-war crisis scenarios. 2. S. Korea’s  Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho(추경호), during a meeting on the property market Tuesday said, houses will be supplied in high demand areas like the metropolitan area to supply 2.7 million houses nationwide over the next 5 years. 3. South Korea reported 84-thousand-one-hundred-28 new infections on Tuesday, the highest in 112 days. The number of critically ill patients stands at 563.

1. Celebrating 77th Liberation Day on Monday,, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol reiterated his vow to provide North Korea with wide-ranging aid to rebuild its economy if North Korea embarks on denuclearization. 2. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters said on Monday that roughly 10,000 properties, including residential buildings, across S. Korea has reported damages. Damage from South Chungcheong province increased, but Korea’s weather authorities say that the nation will see more rain tonight. 3. A U.S. congressional delegation arrived in Taiwan on Sunday less than two weeks after a visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi amid escalating tensions with China.

1. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met with President Yoon Suk Yeol at the presidential office in Yongsan on Friday, and expressed his full support for the endeavors to achieve a complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol granted a special pardon effective as of August 15 for the vice president of Samsung Electronics, Lee Jae-Yong, on Friday, along with several other corporate figures. However, politicians were not granted a special pardon. 3. As of Friday, casualties from this week’s torrential rain have increased to 13 while 6 others remain missing. Another downpour of more than 120mm is expected this coming weekend according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.

1. As of Thursday, casualties from this week’s torrential rains have increased to 11 deaths, and 8 others missing, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. The heavy rain will continue to hit Korea’s central and the southern region tomorrow. 2. The presidential office said Thursday that the US THAAD deployed in South Korea is a “self-defensive tool”, and that its operation, which is planned to restart by the end of August, is non-negotiable. 3. Ukraine claimed on Wednesday local time that 9 Russian warplanes were destroyed at an airbase the day before in Crimea. The successive explosions appear to be caused by Ukranian attack, leading to growing global fear of escalation in the ongoing war.

1. South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Qingdao, China to hold high-level talks. During the meeting, Park stressed that South Korea’s decision to participate in the preliminary Chip 4 meeting is to serve the national interest. 2. Heavy downpours which wreaked havoc in the metropolitan area paused in the greater Seoul area and Gangwon region as the stationary front moved South to the Chungcheong-do area. Some parts of the Chungcheong-do province will see up to 300mm of torrential rain today and tomorrow. 3. South Korea reported 151-thousand-7-hundred-92 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday. The number of critically ill patients also soared to 402, and 50 new deaths from COVID were added.

1. The metropolitan area was hit by torrential rain on Monday which was the heaviest rain in 115 years, taking the lives of 8 people. It saw a rainfall of up to 141mm, but the Gangwon Regional Meteorological Administration says 300mm more will fall today. 2. South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin is to have his first meeting on Tuesday with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Qingdao, China. The meeting is held amid escalating tensions surrounding global issues, including Chip 4 and THAAD. 3. The vice minister of education attended the National Aseembly’s education committee today and stated that lowering the elementary school admission age to 5-year-old is no longer to be pushed for.

1. South Korea has decided to join a preliminary meeting of the “Chip 4” which is a semiconductor alliance led by the US. A government official said that Yoon’s administration will serve the national interest as much as possible, and whether to formally join the meeting will be based on the meeting. 2. Education Minister Park Soon-ae tendered her resignation on Monday after 34 days of taking office. If President Yoon accepts her resignation, she will be the first in the cabinet to step down since Yoon’s inauguration. She has been receiving criticisms for mishandling key policies, such as lowering the elementary school starting age to 5. 3. South Korea reported 55-thousand-2-hundred-92 new COVID-19 infections on Monday. The figure grew 1-point-24 times from a week ago. It marked the largest Monday tally in 17 weeks.

1. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrapped up her 2 day visit to South Korea. PELOSI said the visit by her and other members of U.S. Congress reaffirms the "strong bond" between Seoul and Washington. 2. South Korea's Foreign Minister Park Jin will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in the Chinese city of Tsingtao next week, following Wang's invitation. Topics such as THAAD and Taiwan are assumed to be discussed. 3. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea’s first Lunar orbiter, DANURI, has successfully entered its transfer orbit after lifting off today atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The Danuri probe will reach the moon in mid-December.

1. National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi agreed to support efforts by Seoul and Washington for the denuclearization of North Korea. Both voiced concerns over the North's escalating threats. 2. As tensions between the United States and China have intensified over Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, S. Korea’s foreign minister PARK Jin will attend a meeting with Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 3. A special law aimed at boosting South Korea’s semiconductor industry takes effect today.  The new bill provides domestic chipmakers with more extensive tax benefits in return for facility investment and ways to nurture, attract and keep more talent at home.

1. Amid Chinese opposition, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan. Pelosi, a well known China hawk, has a history of prodding China over human rights. 2. South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin will depart for Cambodia on Wednesday to attend a series of high-level meetings, hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on pending regional and global issues. 3. South Korea reported 119,922 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday. The government states it will not reinstate stringent social distancing rules to fight the surging virus, but impose targeted measures.

1. The police bureau officially kicked off under the umbrella of the interior ministry on Tuesday. It’s the first time in 31 years that the ministry has an organization overseeing the law enforcement agency. 2. South Korea on Monday strongly condemned North Korea for “being the only country that abused the Non-Proliferation Treaty regime” during the United Nations’ NPT Review Conference. 3. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reported to land in Taiwan Tuesday night. The landmark visit would make her the highest-ranking US official to set foot on the island in 25 years. China has warned of consequences if she makes the trip to what it views as Chinese territory.

1. The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday cut South Korea’s economic growth projections by 0.2% from 2.5% to 2.3%. This is lower than the 2.7% forecast made by the Bank of Korea in May and the OECD in June. 2. Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice agreement . On July 27, 1953, the ceasefire agreement was signed. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said he will prepare next year’s ceremony with all the best intentions and gratitude. 3. South Korea reported 100 thousand 2-hundred-85 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday. This was the first time it exceeded the 100 thousand mark in 99 days. Figures also showed a record number of imported cases at 5-hundred-32.

1. US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had a two-hour phone call on Thursday, marking the fifth call between the two leaders. Meanwhile, tensions rose as the US leaked plans for a possible visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. 2. Defense chiefs of South Korea and the U.S. are scheduled to meet in Washington on July 29th to discuss various alliance issues, including an earlier-than-expected Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group meeting. 3. South Korea reported 85-thousand 3-hundred-20 new COVID-19 infections on Friday. President Yoon led his first KDCA meeting and said more experts should be included in the decision making process.

1. South Korean President, Yoon Suk yeol will meet with Indonesian President, Joko Widodo on Thursday. The two will hold summit talks at the presidential office in Seoul at around 7PM. 2. President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Keon-hee attended the launch ceremony for a 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer, dubbed the (정조) Jeongjo The Great. President Yoon called the destroyer a “national strategic asset” to his administration's efforts to reinforce maritime security. 3. The U.S. Fed hiked its interest rates by 75 bp for the second consecutive month as an effort to curb inflation. The 2.25 to 2.5% rate pushed the US rates above South Korea’s rates–which is currently 2.25%, for the first time since February 2020.

1. The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday cut South Korea’s economic growth projections by 0.2% from 2.5% to 2.3%. This is lower than the 2.7% forecast made by the Bank of Korea in May and the OECD in June. 2. Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice agreement . On July 27, 1953, the ceasefire agreement was signed. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said he will prepare next year’s ceremony with all the best intentions and gratitude. 3. South Korea reported 100 thousand 2-hundred-85 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday. This was the first time it exceeded the 100 thousand mark in 99 days. Figures also showed a record number of imported cases at 5-hundred-32.

1. The cabinet on Monday approved the revisions to the Enforcement Decree of the establishment of a new police oversight bureau, under the Ministry of Interior and Safety. The new Enforcement Decree will be implemented on August 2nd. 2. The US will host its first, virtual IPEF meeting on Tuesday for 2 days to discuss matters, such as trade and supply chains. Economic ministers from its partner countries, including South Korea’s Minister of Trade–Ahn Duk-geun, will take part in the meeting. 3. The president of Indonesia Joko Widodo will visit South Korea on Wednesday for talks with President Yoon Suk-yeol. South Korean national security adviser Kim Sung-han said that the two leaders will discuss the Yoon administration’s upcoming collaboration with the ASEAN countries.

1. South Korea reported 35-thousand-883 new COVID-19 infections on Monday. Starting from today, everyone arriving in South Korea will have to take a PCR test on the day they arrive. Only contactless visits to at-risk facilities such as nursing hospitals are allowed. 2. Starting from today, the National Assembly will hold a three-day interpellation session on government policies which is the first since the inauguration of the Yoon administration. Question-and-answer sessions on politics, foreign affairs, unification and national security will be held. 3. On Saturday, Russian missiles striked military infrastructure in the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odessa. This came a day after Ukraine and Moscow signed a deal that would allow Ukraine to resume grain exports from its Black Sea ports.

1. The ruling and the main opposition party of Friday came to an agreement on the formation of the parliamentary committee after 53 days of hiatus, allowing the National Assembly to restart operations. 2. Poland decided to import 300 more K2 tanks than initially planned from South Korea, bringing the total number to 1 thousand K2 tanks from Seoul. These additional 300 tanks will raise about 17 trillion won or 13 billion USD worth of exports to Korea. 3. South Korea reported 68-thousand-632 new COVID-19 infections on Friday. This is nearly 1.8 times higher than what was reported last week. The number of critically ill patients doubled in just one week to 130.

1. The Yoon administration announced its first planned tax code revision for 2022 on Thursday. One of the key changes is to lower the top rate of corporate tax to 22%. Other changes include real estate taxes and income tax among the people with low income. 2. South Korea’s top diplomat, Minister Park Jin said on Wednesday that South Korea and Japan agreed to talk about the “possible normalization” of GSOMIA–the intelligence sharing pact, and a possible “lifting” of export restrictions by Japan on Korea. 3. President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday some executive steps on climate while considering issuing a climate emergency declaration. This announcement took place against the backdrop of record-breaking heat waves in the U.S.

1. South Korea reported 76-thousand-402 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday. The government has also secured 4 thousand more hospital beds for COVID-19 patients and has prohibited in-person visits to at-risk facilities such as nursing hospitals. 2. South Korea on Tuesday confirmed the first successful test flight of Korea’s homegrown fighter jet, the KF-21 “Borame(보라매)”. South Korea is now the world’s 8th country to have developed supersonic fighter jets. 3. Seoul’s finance ministry said on Wednesday that concerns about an economic slowdown have been brought up in its monthly economic assessment report, the Green Book. The report said that rising inflation and hampered export growth can cause the economy to lose steam.

1. On Tuesday, President Yoon Suk-yeol met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to discuss economic conditions, and he said that he is sure that the Korea-US alliance will be even more strengthened across various sectors, including the military and economy. 2. Foreign Minister Park Jin met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at his official residence in Tokyo on Tuesday, and conveyed President Yoon’s will to improve the Seoul-Tokyo relations. Park also sent his condolences for the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 3. South Korea reported 73-thousand 5-hundred-82 new COVID-19 infections today.  It is the first time that the daily tally has surpassed the 70-thousand mark in 83 days. Meanwhile, 91 critically ill patients have also been reported.

1. South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin traveled to Tokyo on Monday to hold talks with his Japanese counterpart.  During his 3-day visit Park is set to discuss pending bilateral issues, including drawn-out disputes over compensating the Korean victims of wartime forced labor. 2. South Korea and the U.S. have been holding combined military drills involving a high-tech training system, in efforts to sharpen deterrence against North Korea’s evolving security threats. The 11-day training got under way on July 11th, and involved 43-hundred South Korean troops and 300 U.S. troops. 3. The ruling People Power Party and the government have vowed all out efforts to fight inflation and the debt burden on people in South Korea. Among the measures include plans to switch to fixed-rate mortgages for some homeowners.

1. The Korean currency against the U.S dollar reached the 1,320-level on Friday, for the first time in about 13 years, which will highly increase the possibility of inflation at a faster pace than expected. 2. Japanese media outlet, NHK reported on Thursday that South Korea and Japan are adjusting the schedule for Foreign Minister Park Jin’s visit to Japan to meet with top Japanese officials including Prime minister Fumio Kishida, starting from next Monday. 3. South Korea’s new COVID-19 infections tallied 38-thousand 8-hundred-82 on Friday, which doubled from the figure from a week earlier.

1. The U.S. Consumer Price Index for June was released on Wednesday and it shows that inflation rapidly rose by 9.1% on-year. 2. South Korean military officials said Thursday that South Korea and the U.S. have conducted its joint air drills since last Monday, involving their respective F-35A stealth fighters, amid North Korea’s nuclear test. 3. The Constitutional Court of Korea held an oral hearing on Thursday to decide whether to keep capital punishment.

1. The Bank of Korea raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.5% point on Wednesday. The monetary policy board of the central bank explained that the big step was needed to combat inflation. 2. With 40-thousand 2-hundred-66 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, the South Korean government released new anti-virus measures today. It says it will expand the age group for the 4th vaccine shots to 50s, while asking the people adhering to voluntary social distancing rules. 3. The Korean drama “Squid Game” earned 14 nominations, including the best drama series at the Primetime Emmy award this year.

1. President Yoon Suk-yeol resumed his brief press meeting on Tuesday, a day after the so-called doorstepping was suspended. 2. The South Korean military announced on Monday that it will hold large-scale joint drills with the U.S., starting from August 22 up until September 1st, as North Korea began its summer exercises. 3. South Korea saw 37-thousand 3-hundred 60 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, hitting two month-high figure.

1. The presidential office announced on Monday that President Yoon Suk-yeol is expected to visit a memorial altar prepared by the Japanese embassy to South Korea for the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The administration is also set to send two cabinet members to Japan to deliver condolences. 2. President Yoon Suk-yeol began receiving briefings from each ministries and agencies on Monday, with the first briefing coming from the Finance Ministry. 3. The new U.S ambassador to South Korea, Philip Goldberg, arrived in Seoul on Sunday. He will kick off his official duty after receiving a letter of credence from president Yoon Suk-yeol.

1. Former Japanese Prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot on Friday during an election campaign in the western city of Nara, and has reportedly passed away. Police said that the suspected shooter had served in the Japanese military. 2. The Yoon government tentatively confirmed on Friday to carry out a large-scale restructuring by shrinking the number of presidential committees to 7 from 20, with an expected reduction of 25 billion won yearly. 3. The number of new daily COVID-19 cases in South Korea tallied 19-thousand 3-hundred 23 on Friday. The authorities asked to stay vigilant, saying that the country is now seeing a resurgence of COVID-19.

1. The FOMC minutes for June released on Wednesday showed that the U.S FED will likely take restrictive policy to counter elevated inflation pressure, even though it would slow the pace of the economic recovery. 2. The G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting is going to take place in Bali, starting from today to Friday. Top diplomats of South Korea, the U.S, Japan, China, and Russia are scheduled to gather to discuss global challenges.  3. The ruling People Power Party is set to hold an ethics committee meeting Thursday evening at 7 pm, to discuss a sexual bribery scandal involving leader Lee Jun-seok. Lee is also scheduled to attend the meeting to clarify his stance over the allegations.

1. South Korea’s daily COVID-19 infections tallied almost 20-thousands on Wednesday, which was the all-time high in about 42 days. Meanwhile, the number of critically ill patients and the deaths stood at 61, and 7 respectively, on the same day. 2. The Foreign Minister Park Jin departed for Singapore to meet his counterpart Vivian Balskrishnan on Tuesday. Park will also attend the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Bali, Indonesia from Thursday to Friday local time. 3. The Ministry of Science and ICT said on Tuesday that the South Korean homegrown rocket, Nuri, has successfully catapulted its final cube, MIMAN, made by Yonsei University as of Tuesday afternoon.

1. Statistics Korea’s data showed on Tuesday that South Korea’s consumer prices soared 6% on year for the first time in nearly 24 years after the currency crisis back in 1997. 2. The South Korean government on Tuesday announced that it will expand the nuclear power plants to over 30 percent of the whole energy resources by 2030. 3. A tragic mass shooting occurred at an Independence Day Parade in Highland Park, in the suburbs of Chicago on Monday, killing at least 6 people and wounding more than 30 people. The authorities said that the suspected gunman was under police custody after a few hours of manhunt.

1. The Finance Ministry on Friday, showed concerns that the South Korean economy is at the risk of losing steam caused by a slump in investment and exports amid external uncertainties. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol talked to U.N Secretary-General António Guterres over the phone on Friday, and called for a stern response against North Korea’s growing threats. 3. South Korean health authorities on Friday decided to extend the seven-day quarantine measures for four more weeks, expressing concerns of resurgence after lifting the rules. Meanwhile, domestic new COVID-19 cases stood at 7-thousand 1-hundred-98.

1. President Yoon Suk-yeol returned to South Korea on Friday after attending the NATO summit in Spain. Yoon held 10 bilateral meetings and 3 multilateral meetings at the summit. 2. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Friday that it will operate the market investigation to review the effectiveness of the fuel tax cut. The 2. government is to increase the fuel tax cut to the legal cap of 37% starting from today. 3. South Korea’s trade deficit in the first half of the year hit an all-time high with 10.3 billion US dollars.

1. President Yoon Suk-yeol, during his first speech at the NATO summit on Wednesday, stressed that the international community’s will to denuclearize North Korea is stronger than the North’s determination to develop its nuclear and missile program. 2. The three leaders of South Korea, the U.S, and Japan reaffirmed strengthening its trilateral cooperation to counter North Korea’s threat on Wednesday. President Yoon said that he hopes the trilateral cooperation would serve as the pillar of securing world peace and stability. 3. The Minimum Wage Commission on Wednesday decided to raise the minimum wage for next year by 5%, and was set at 9,620 won per hour. This move was made within the deadline for the first time in about 8 years.

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol will hold a trilateral meeting with U.S president Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida later today at 9:30 pm Korea Time. Yoon is also set to deliver his first speech to NATO member countries after the three-way meeting. 2. North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun on Tuesday wrote that the authorities issued heavy rain warnings in several regions up until July 1st. It added that time has come for the party to verify the combat power, calling for actions to minimize damage from the monsoon season. 3. South Korea approved on Wednesday the use of its first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine, SKYCovione, developed by SK Bioscience.

1. President Yoon Suk-yeol will hold a bilateral meeting with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese today. Yoon will also hold talks with NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg on the same day. 2. The Minimum Wage Commission gathered together on Tuesday to set the hourly minimum wage for 2023. South Korea’s current minimum wage per hour is at 9,160 won. 3. The Suwon District Prosecutors Office on Tuesday has decided to temporarily suspend former President Lee Myung-bak’s 17-year sentence for three months.

1. Korea Electric Power Corporation announced on Monday that it will raise the electric fee for the third quarter by 5 Korean Won per kWh, and it will apply the increased fee starting from July. 2. President Yoon Suk-yeol will make his debut in multilateral diplomacy at the NATO summit in Spain, which is slated to be held for two days from this Wednesday to Thursday. 3. South Korea will likely see its first 100% domestically produced COVID-19 vaccine. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said Monday that the final approval for the vaccine by SK Bioscience is now being reviewed.

1. The U.S National Defense Authorization Act for the fiscal year 2023 was approved by the House Armed Service Committee on Thursday. The Biden Administration specified that its military presence in South Korea should be maintained as a status quo of 28-thousand 5-hundred. 2. The European Union accepted Ukraine's candidacy for joining the membership on Thursday. The decision was made swiftly in about four months after the application. 3. The WHO’s International Health Regulation Emergency Committee met on Thursday to discuss whether to declare monkeypox, a global emergency. The WHO said that the decision will come as early as Friday local time.

1. The Korean currency exchange rate against the U.S dollar exceeded 1,300 Won on Thursday, for the first time in 13 years. 2. The U.S State Department revealed its Integrated Country Strategies on Wednesday. Its top priorities for South Korea is strengthening bilateral alliance in economy in an effort to counter China, and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. 3. A magnitude 6.1 earthquake rocked Afghanistan on Wednesday that took the lives of at least 1-thousand people, and injured at least 1-thousand and 5-hundred.

1. The Ministry of Science and ICT and KARI announced on Wednesday that South Korean space rocket Nuri has successfully achieved two-way communication with the ground station. 2. The KDCA confirmed on Wednesday that South Korea reported the first suspected monkeypox case in Incheon. 3. The Biden Administration, on Tuesday,  announced its decision to prohibit its military use of antipersonnel land mines worldwide, except for on the Korean Peninsula.

1. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on Tuesday that South Korean homegrown space rocket Nuri was successfully launched this afternoon as scheduled, and deployed a verification satellite at a targeted altitude of 700km. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol placed an order to reform the public institutions on Tuesday, saying that strict evaluation of the management and performance must be conducted. 3. President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday that the government is reviewing the return of the two North Korean sailors in 2019, adding that many people have raised questions about the former administration’s decision to send them back.

1. The South Korean government announced Sunday that it will expand the fuel tax cut by 37%, and minimize the increased rate of facilities fee, including gas and electricity, amid a severe inflation situation. 2. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute said Monday the preparation for the second attempt of the space rocket Nuri, which is scheduled to be launched tomorrow , is being made properly in Goheung. 3. NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday warned that the Ukraine war is likely to be prolonged for a few more years. Meanwhile, he also called for non-stop support for Ukraine to prevent Vladimir Putin from achieving his goal in Ukraine.

1. The Finance Ministry on Friday, showed concerns that the South Korean economy is at the risk of losing steam caused by a slump in investment and exports amid external uncertainties. 2. President Yoon Suk Yeol talked to U.N Secretary-General António Guterres over the phone on Friday, and called for a stern response against North Korea’s growing threats. 3. South Korean health authorities on Friday decided to extend the seven-day quarantine measures for four more weeks, expressing concerns of resurgence after lifting the rules. Meanwhile, domestic new COVID-19 cases stood at 7-thousand 1-hundred-98.

1. The U.S Federal Reserve on Wednesday took a giant step lifting the benchmark rate by 0.75% percentage points at the FOMC meeting. The latest rate hike is the biggest in 28 years. 2. Foreign Minister Park Jin held an introductory meeting with Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on Wednesday. Park suggested holding a 2+2 diplomatic and economic meeting with the U.S, and Raimondo reportedly agreed on the matter. 3. The Biden administration announced an additional $1 billion in additional military assistance for Ukraine on Wednesday. Defense minister Lloyd Austin also said that he will discuss the additional military aid with his counterparts of NATO membership countries.

1. The launch of South Korea's Nuri space rocket has been delayed to an unspecified date. The latest delay is unrelated to the weather conditions, as the rocket will be moved to the assembling pad again. 2. Foreign Minister Park Jin said Tuesday that South Korea and the U.S will push for new UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea should Pyeongyang go ahead with its feared nuclear test. 3. South Korean world boy band, BTS made an announcement on Tuesday during a televised annual dinner celebrating the anniversary, that they will take a break as a group to pursue solo projects.

1. The Presidential office is set to decide the new name for the Yongsan presidential office this afternoon. 2. South Korea’s benchmark Kospi closed at the 2,500 points range on Monday, the lowest level in one year and 7 months. At the same time, the Korean Won value also weakened to 1,286.4 per Dollar today. 3. Foreign ministers of South Korea and the U.S said Monday, after holding a meeting in Washington D.C, that they assessed North Korea’s readiness for a nuclear test. The two ministers warned of stern response for any provocations, while calling for the North to return to dialogue.

1. The Joint Chief of Staff said Sunday that North Korea fired multiple artillery shots off the West Sea.  The move came right after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for enforcing the internal disciplines during the three-day key Workers’ Party meetings.  2. South Korea saw another price hike in both gasoline and diesel prices, both up over 2,070 Korean Won per liter. Meanwhile, the average retail prices of diesel slightly overtook the price of gasoline again, as of Monday afternoon.  3. South Korea’s action movie “The Roundup” hit the box office with over 10 million accumulated admissions in local theaters on Saturday, keeping its top place for four consecutive weeks. 

1. The Shangri-La dialogue took place in Singapore today marking a three-day schedule. The U.S and China are expected to confront on the Indo-Pacific strategy. 2. The presidential office picked up 10 changes in a month since the Yoon administration took office. The main changes include the Yongsan-era, and enhanced communication. 3. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Friday that the authorities will conduct large-scale research about the cause and symptoms of  “Long COVID”, to make a guideline for proper treatment. Meanwhile, South Korea’s new COVID-19 cases on Friday stood at 9-thousand 3-hundred-15.

1. The North’s Korean Central News Agency said Thursday that the regime kicked off a key Workers’ Party meeting on Wednesday with leader Kim Jong-un presiding over the session. 2. President Yoon appears to have broken away from his predecessors in terms of communication style... and has put much efforts for a stronger Seoul-Washington alliance, economy and social integration. 3. The number of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea tallied 12-thousand 1-hundred-61 on Thursday. Meanwhile, the number of critically ill patients and the deaths stood at 1-hundred-6, and 18 respectively.