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China scrambles fighters to confront US warplanes based in South Korea
WorldSCMPzerohedge2d ago2 sources

China scrambles fighters to confront US warplanes based in South Korea

US and Chinese fighter jets have engaged in a rare stand-off over the Yellow Sea, according to media reports in South Korea. This comes at a time when the United States has been trying to shift the focus of its troops stationed in the country away from North Korea to concentrate more on China. The incident on Wednesday involved around 10 US F-16s, which took off from Osan Air Base around 65km (40 miles) south of Seoul and flew west over the Yellow Sea as part of a training operation, according...

South Korea’s Yoon calls court biased after life sentence for rebellion: ‘fight not over’
PoliticsNYTwsjSCMP+1Korea Herald3d ago4 sources

South Korea’s Yoon calls court biased after life sentence for rebellion: ‘fight not over’

Ousted South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday remained defiant in his first reaction to a life sentence for rebellion handed down by a Seoul court the previous day. In a statement released by his lawyers, Yoon maintained that his abrupt and short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024 was done “solely for the sake of the nation and our people”, and dismissed the Seoul Central District Court as biased against him. Yoon, who was removed from office amid a political crisis set...

Seoul diplomat discusses peninsula issues with US envoy
PoliticsKorea Herald3d ago

Seoul diplomat discusses peninsula issues with US envoy

A senior Seoul diplomat met with the acting US ambassador to South Korea on Thursday to discuss pending issues, including the implementation of a bilateral trade deal and developments on the Korean Peninsula, the foreign ministry said. In the meeting, Jeong Yeon-doo, vice minister for diplomatic strategy and intelligence, and James Heller, charge d'affaires ad interim at the US Embassy in Seoul, agreed to strengthen their communication going forward, according to the ministry. A ministry officia

N.K. leader's sister hails Seoul's pledge to prevent drone incursions, vows stronger border vigilance: KCNA
PoliticsNHK WorldKorea Herald4d ago2 sources

N.K. leader's sister hails Seoul's pledge to prevent drone incursions, vows stronger border vigilance: KCNA

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Thursday she "highly appreciates" South Korea's pledge to prevent a recurrence of drone incursions into the North, vowing to step up the country's vigilance along the border with the South. Kim Yo-jong, a party vice department director, issued the statement via the Korean Central News Agency a day after Unification Minister Chung Dong-young expressed "regret" over drone incursions into the North and announced a series of measures aimed

Highways jammed as people return home on final day of Lunar New Year holiday
CultureKorea Herald5d ago

Highways jammed as people return home on final day of Lunar New Year holiday

Major expressways nationwide were congested Wednesday, as people returned home on the final day of the Lunar New Year holiday. The nation marked the major holiday, known as Seol, the previous day, with the holiday period beginning over the weekend and running through Wednesday. On some sections of the Gyeongbu Expressway, which links Seoul to the southeastern city of Busan through major cities, cars were often at a standstill as of Wednesday morning due to heavy traffic. As of 8 a.m., travel tim

Ship Orders From South Korea Are Surging Thanks To U.S. Fees On Chinese-Made Ships
Businesszerohedge6d ago

Ship Orders From South Korea Are Surging Thanks To U.S. Fees On Chinese-Made Ships

Ship Orders From South Korea Are Surging Thanks To U.S. Fees On Chinese-Made Ships South Korea is tightening the race with China in global shipbuilding after U.S. plans to curb Chinese-built vessels disrupted order flows and redirected demand , according to Nikkei.  Worldwide new orders fell 27% in 2025 to 56.42 million compensated gross tonnage (CGT) — the first annual drop in two years — according to U.K.-based Clarksons Research. China remained No. 1 but saw orders tumble 35% to 35.36 million CGT, shrinking its share to 62.7%. South Korea, ranked second, moved the other way: orders climbed 8% to 11.59 million CGT, lifting its share to 20.6%. Japan, in third, recorded a 53% plunge to 2.77 million CGT, with its slice slipping to 4.9%. The shift followed a U.S. announcement last April outlining fees on Chinese-built ships entering American ports starting in October 2025. Although the policy was delayed for a year after a U.S.-China summit in late October, uncertainty had already prompted global shipping companies to hesitate on new Chinese orders. A unit of China State Shipbuilding Corp. said it was disadvantaged in contract talks last summer, opening the door for South Korean yards to win more large container ship deals. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering cited weaker demand for Chinese shipyards as a key reason for its recent surge in orders. Nikkei writes that the company posted record results for the year ended December: revenue rose 17% to roughly 29 trillion won ($20.1 billion), while net profit doubled to about 3 trillion won. Government-backed workforce initiatives have also supported the industry. Seoul opened a training center in Indonesia in 2024 to prepare skilled workers, including Korean language instruction, before dispatching them to local yards. Shipbuilders have raised wages and introduced AI tools to ease labor strain. Foreign employment in South Korea’s shipbuilding sector hit a record 22,824 at the end of 2024 — about four times the level five years earlier — with foreigners making up more than 20% of the workforce. Japan, meanwhile, has struggled to capture orders shifting away from China. Data from the Japan Ship Exporters' Association show export contracts in 2025 fell 20% to 8.93 million gross tons, marking a fourth straight year of decline. Limited yard capacity, slipways booked through around 2029, and labor shortages have constrained growth and pushed up costs. Looking ahead, global demand is expected to rebound in 2026 as stricter environmental rules accelerate orders for vessels powered by next-generation fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering has set a 2026 order target of $23.3 billion, up 26% from this year, citing steady demand for new builds and fleet replacements. China is working to regain momentum. In December, Cosco Group placed 50 billion yuan ($7.23 billion) in orders with China State Shipbuilding Corp., underscoring coordinated support among state-owned enterprises. Japan is also attempting a reset. Imabari Shipbuilding recently completed its acquisition of Japan Marine United to streamline operations. The government aims to double domestic shipbuilding capacity to 18 million gross tons by 2035, seeking to narrow the wide gap with South Korea and China. Tyler Durden Mon, 02/16/2026 - 14:00

[Photo News] Starbucks Aerocano makes Seoul debut
BusinessKorea Herald2h ago

[Photo News] Starbucks Aerocano makes Seoul debut

Starbucks Korea said Monday it will introduce a new Americano-style drink, called the Aerocano, which uses aeration to create a velvety foam while softening the espresso’s bitterness and body. The beverage, set for its global debut Thursday in Korea, is positioned as an alternative to iced Americanos and cold brew for customers seeking a lighter flavor profile. The move underscores the company’s effort to differentiate its offerings in a market with strong year-round demand for iced coffee, the

Police checking for more possible victims of 'motel drug killings'
WorldKorea Herald1d ago

Police checking for more possible victims of 'motel drug killings'

South Korean police are investigating a woman already allegedly connected to two deaths, looking to see if there were more victims of her supposed "murder via drug-laced drinks." It was reported Sunday that the Seoul Gangbuk Police Station is surveying anyone who has come in contact with the suspect, surnamed Kim, based on a forensic analysis of her phone. Officials are zeroing in on those contacted by Kim in a manner similar to the two known victims to see if she could be responsible for other

Why UK tech firm TeraView picked Korea for listing
BusinessKorea Herald1d ago

Why UK tech firm TeraView picked Korea for listing

While high-profile Korean startups such as Toss and Yanolja chase Wall Street valuations — following Coupang’s US listing — a British chip-equipment maker is betting on Seoul instead. TeraView, a UK firm that commercialized terahertz technology for ultraprecision semiconductor inspection, chose to list on Kosdaq rather than in London or New York. The company counts Samsung Electronics, Intel and Nvidia among its customers, supplying critical components used in advanced chip manufacturing. “TeraV

Under her father’s wing, teen ballerina finds new beginning in Lausanne
CultureKorea Herald4d ago

Under her father’s wing, teen ballerina finds new beginning in Lausanne

Seventeen-year-old ballerina Yeom Da-yeon, who won second prize at one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in Lausanne, Switzerland, said her love for dance never loosened its hold on her -- even in moments when she wanted to quit. “I think I endured the difficult moments because I truly love ballet,” she said during a press conference on Thursday in Seoul, following her second-place finish at the 2026 Prix de Lausanne earlier this month. “Even on days I wanted to rest or give up, I foun

How Koreans are reimagining shuttered schools
CultureKorea Herald6d ago

How Koreans are reimagining shuttered schools

Local governments across South Korea are scrambling to find new uses for shuttered schools amid a declining student population, while a parallel movement is unfolding on social media, where individuals are taking the initiative to renovate and reimagine closed campuses. According to the Ministry of Education, the cumulative number of shuttered schools surpassed 4,000 in 2025, with South Jeolla Province recording the highest number at 854. In contrast, only seven schools have closed in Seoul sinc

The founder of a huge boba chain said he opened stores next to Starbucks to get a fraction of its customers
BusinessBusiness Insider7d ago

The founder of a huge boba chain said he opened stores next to Starbucks to get a fraction of its customers

Gong Cha's founder said he opened his first few stores in strategic locations. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Bubble tea chain Gong Cha's founder said he banked on Starbucks' success to get his first customers. He said he opened stores in South Korea next to Starbucks outlets to get a fraction of its customers. The bubble tea chain now has nearly 2,200 stores in 33 countries. The founder of the bubble tea brand Gong Cha said he had a novel idea to get his first patrons through the door. In an interview with CNBC, Martin Berry, the founder and chairman of Gong Cha group, spoke about how he came across one of the chain's outlets in Singapore before it became a global boba behemoth. Berry said he and his wife pooled $2.5 million of their savings to open the first five Gong Cha franchise stores in South Korea, a venture he said was "quite terrifying." Berry quit his banking job to go all in on bubble tea. To get his first customers in Seoul, he decided to get Starbucks' help. "So my strategy was, I'm going to put a Gong Cha — the first five stores — next to Starbucks," Berry told CNBC. "And if I can get one in a hundred people who are going into Starbucks to come and try a Gong Cha, then I've got a business." Gong Cha was founded in Taiwan in 1996 by Wu Zhenhua, and Berry entered the business in 2011 to expand the brand to South Korea and other countries. As of January, the chain had about 2,200 stores in 33 countries, including the US and Canada. The chain is known for its fragrant, fruity teas and its milk foam topping. Bubble tea brands have seen large success in recent years, with several making splashy IPOs. Mixue, the world's largest fast-food chain that sells cheap bubble tea and ice cream, has more than 45,000 stores worldwide and just opened its first outlet in New York City at the start of the year. It went public in Hong Kong last March, with its stock jumping 30% from its IPO price at market open. Other Asian beverage brands, like Luckin Coffee, have positioned themselves as Starbucks' rivals, offering similar drinks at lower prices. Luckin Coffee expanded to the US last year, with several outlets in NYC. Read the original article on Business Insider

Seoul stocks open sharply higher on tech, auto gains
BusinessKorea Heraldyonhap-english6h ago2 sources

Seoul stocks open sharply higher on tech, auto gains

South Korean stocks opened over 1 percent higher Monday, tracking gains on Wall Street in the previous session, as investors bought technology and automobile shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stoc

Seoul to maintain trade conditions with US despite tariff ruling
BusinessKorea Herald1d ago

Seoul to maintain trade conditions with US despite tariff ruling

Despite the US Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, Seoul will "largely maintain" trade conditions related to a prior tariff agreement, government and industry sources said Sunday. Trump responded to the ruling by signing an executive order imposing a new 10 percent global tariff, set to take effect Tuesday. He has also signaled that the rate could be raised to 15 percent, though he has not provided a specific legal basis. In a post on Truth Social

K-pop’s big freeze: are cracks in China’s cultural blockade a thaw?
CultureSCMP1d ago

K-pop’s big freeze: are cracks in China’s cultural blockade a thaw?

While K-pop has conquered almost every corner of the globe, South Korea’s entertainment industry remains largely locked out of the Chinese market due to a geopolitical chill that has lingered for a decade. China unofficially banned South Korean entertainment products in 2016 after Seoul deployed the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system (THAAD) despite Beijing’s objections. K-pop concerts were cancelled, South Korean dramas disappeared from Chinese streaming platforms, and South Korea...

98-Minute Hospital Search in Seoul Highlights Maternity Care Shortage
HealthKorea Herald3d ago

98-Minute Hospital Search in Seoul Highlights Maternity Care Shortage

Emergency rescuers in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, had to search dozens of hospitals for 98 minutes before finding a facility that would admit a mother in labor, exposing a critical shortage of maternity care in the Greater Seoul area. The mother safely gave birth to twins after multiple hospitals initially declined admission.

Yeongdeungpo-gu evolves beyond finance
FinanceKorea Herald4d ago

Yeongdeungpo-gu evolves beyond finance

In Yeongdeungpo-gu, where the legislative corridors surrounding the National Assembly meet the commercial power of Seoul’s financial core, a new global narrative is emerging. Driven by global mobility, the district has become a convergence point for finance, policymaking and art, making it one of Seoul’s most globally attuned urban environments. Within the Global Thinkers framework, Yeongdeungpo-gu’s strengths take shape along two trajectories: International Living Standard, underscored by one o

14 generals dismissed in martial law probe, more pending
PoliticsKorea Herald5d ago

14 generals dismissed in martial law probe, more pending

The Defense Ministry has dismissed 14 generals under its toughest levels of military discipline over the Dec. 3 martial law declaration, as further proceedings remain underway, Seoul's ministry said Wednesday. The dismissals follow a six-month investigation by the ministry’s task force, conducted as part of a pangovernmental effort. The task force deployed about 120 personnel to examine 24 military units and institutions and question roughly 860 individuals. A total of 35 military personnel, all