The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday left its 2026 growth forecast for South Korea unchanged at 1.9 percent, with the government saying a supplementary budget and other policy support helped cushion the economy against mounting external shocks. In its April world economic outlook, the IMF maintained the same projection it gave in January, bucking a broader run of downward revisions by other institutions. The OECD in March cut its Korea forecast to 1.7 percent from 2.1 percent in December,

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, met in a courtroom on Tuesday in their first reunion since July when Yoon was placed under custody over his failed martial law bid. Kim, who has also been jailed since August over various corruption charges, appeared at the Seoul Central District Court to testify in her husband's trial on charges that he violated the Political Funds Act by accepting free opinion poll results ahead of his election in March 2022. As she entered the room, p

Top admirals of South Korea, the United States and Japan will meet for talks in Seoul this week to discuss ways to bolster trilateral maritime security cooperation, military officials said Tuesday. The talks between Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul, US Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Stephen Koehler and Adm. Akira Saito, chief of staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, will take place Wednesday, according to the officials. The three are expected to share their assessments on th

YEONGJONGDO, Incheon -- Virgin Atlantic has launched its first route to South Korea, introducing a daily nonstop service between Incheon International Airport and Heathrow Airport. The airline held a route launch ceremony Tuesday, attended by executives and local aviation officials, marking a significant step in its eastward expansion strategy. Operated by a Boeing 787-9, the new passenger and cargo service began on March 29 and positions Virgin Atlantic as the only UK-based airline offering a d

When 45-year-old Bang Kyeong-hwan's son clinched first place among fourth graders at a national swimming competition last year representing his school, he found the accomplishment deserving of recognition. What his son was rewarded with at school, however, was a private, low-key ceremony between himself and his teacher. There was no classroom applause or cheers for the champion, although Bang thought he deserved it. "For kids growing up, there should be a culture of cheering for a classmate's su

From a distance, the image featuring “togi” (earthenware) appears to be a still life drawing rendered in pencil, but is in fact a photograph. The work's texture comes the “hanji,” traditional Korean mulberry paper, that photographer Lee Jung-jin has worked with for over 20 years. For those who might ask whether the work is a drawing or a photograph, the artist says “It does not matter at all.” Speaking to reporters on Tuesday at PKM Gallery, where her solo exhibition is on view, Lee said her “wo

Daesung surprised audiences Sunday at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival by performing trot music — a genre rarely seen on the global festival stage. Trot, often referred to as “ppongjjak” for its distinctive repetitive rhythm and vocal inflections, remains relatively unfamiliar to international audiences. Yet Daesung embraced the challenge, performing his solo tracks “Hando-Chogua” and “Look at Me, Gwisun” during Sunday’s show in Indio, California. During the group’s 67-minute set, Da

“If Korean cinema collapses, so does K-culture,” Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Chae Hwi-young said Tuesday at a meeting with filmmakers, stressing the urgency of support measures included in the government’s supplementary budget for the film industry. With the additional funding, Korea could see the production of around 40 films, Chae said, adding that roughly 10 more productions this year could make a meaningful difference for the industry. “The reason last year was considered a crisis (

South Korean stocks rose nearly 3 percent Tuesday to inch toward the 6,000-point mark on hopes for renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The local currency sharply gained against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 159.13 points, or 2.74 percent, to close at 5,967.75, after reaching as high as 6,026,52. The index swerved over and under the 6,000-point mark, marking the first such move since March 3, when the index traded at 6,180.45, the first tradi

SK hynix has opened a new round of hiring for production roles, as expectations build for outsized bonuses amid a semiconductor upcycle. According to industry sources on Tuesday, the chipmaker posted openings for maintenance engineers and operators on its recruitment website, with applications open through April 22. Maintenance roles cover equipment upkeep and line operations, while operators handle quality testing and defect inspection in semiconductor production. Applicants must be high school

Two patients with severe intellectual disabilities died after being assaulted by other patients at a hospital in Ulsan, where staff failed to intervene, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea said Tuesday, as it filed a criminal complaint against senior officials. The commission said it has accused the hospital’s director and administrative chief of professional negligence resulting in death, following an investigation into Bangudae Hospital. At least five patients died at the facility be

Renault Korea said Tuesday it will launch its first software-defined vehicle in South Korea in 2027, while its Busan plant will manufacture electric vehicles in 2028, as part of a broader push to transform the Korean unit into a hub for the French carmaker’s premium vehicle and future mobility. Speaking at his first press conference since taking office in September, Renault Korea CEO Nicolas Paris announced the company’s plans to introduce one new model every year through 2029 under Renault Grou

South Korea’s military is moving to adopt artificial intelligence and robotic systems in combat support units — including maintenance, logistics and medical services — as it seeks to offset a shrinking pool of conscripts amid falling birth rates. According to military officials on Tuesday, the Army Logistics Command has commissioned a study on how to apply AI-powered robotic systems to manned-unmanned integrated combat support, and is currently selecting a research institute. “The introduction o

North Korea appears to have completed a building at its Yongbyon nuclear complex that is likely intended for uranium enrichment, according to a US think tank. Beyond Parallel, a North Korea-focused project of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Monday that satellite imagery indicates the facility in Yongbyon, North Pyongan Province, has been externally completed and is nearing operational readiness. The assessment follows a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency in

Samsung Electronics' labor union is seeking 15 percent of the company's annual operating profit as performance bonuses, a demand that could total 45 trillion won ($30.3 billion) and surpass the chipmaker's entire research and development spending last year. The union raised its target from 10 percent after Samsung posted 57.2 trillion won in first-quarter operating profit on April 7, a 755 percent year-on-year surge that marked the largest quarterly profit in Korean corporate history. With domes

Shares of major K-pop agencies are under pressure, as slowing growth and weakening profitability dampen investor sentiment. Hybe, the agency behind BTS, traded at 248,250 won ($168) as of 2 p.m. Tuesday, down 0.7 percent from the previous session, according to the Korea Exchange. The stock rallied earlier in the year on expectations of a BTS comeback-driven boost, hitting a 52-week intraday high of 405,500 won on Feb. 13. However, gains have since reversed, with the share price nearly halving fr

Taemin of Shinee delivered a commanding solo performance at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, becoming the first Korean male solo artist to perform an official solo set at the global music event. Taking the Mojave stage, Taemin led a roughly 50-minute set that highlighted both his artistic identity and stagecraft. The performance opened with a striking visual sequence, as Taemin emerged from a large egg-shaped structure — a symbolic representation of breaking free from imposed constraint

Korean TV is continuing its golden age of dating shows, fueled by low production costs, growing audience appetites for authenticity, and the thrill of living vicariously through others' romances. Among the shows widely credited with igniting the genre’s explosive rise, "Heart Signal" returns for a fifth season this month, marking nearly a decade on air. The show has carved out a distinct identity over the years, favoring quiet, emotionally resonant moments over the heightened sensuality of shows

US President Donald Trump has nominated former congresswoman Michelle Park Steel as the next US ambassador to South Korea, according to a nomination submitted to the Senate on Tuesday. Steel, a Korean American Republican who represented California for two terms in the House of Representatives, would fill a diplomatic post that has remained vacant since former Ambassador Philip Goldberg departed Seoul in January 2025. A presidential office official here, speaking on condition of anonymity, said t

Three men in their 20s have been indicted for shooting three dogs with BB guns and inflicting severe injuries, prosecutors said Monday. The attack took place at around 1 a.m. on June 8, 2025, when the suspects allegedly trespassed onto a restaurant property in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, and targeted three dogs tied in the yard. They fired plastic pellets at close range, aiming at the animals’ eyes. One dog later had an eye removed due to the injuries. Another dog died the following day, b

South Korea will ban hoarding of key petrochemical feedstocks and products starting Wednesday, the government said, as the Iran war raises the risk of further supply disruptions. The industry and finance ministries said in a joint statement Tuesday that they will issue and enforce the ban from midnight. Supply disruptions are already starting to hit parts of the petrochemical market, as rising naphtha prices driven by Middle East tensions push up costs, squeeze production and heighten worries ab

A delegation of ambassadors representing 30 countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization visited South Korea this week for talks on defense cooperation and regional security, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. The delegation — composed of members of the North Atlantic Council, NATO’s principal decision-making body — is in Seoul from Monday to Wednesday. It plans to explore ways to expand cooperation with South Korea, as both sides seek closer coordination in response to evolving security

A civic group staged a protest outside the presidential office on Tuesday, accusing the government of a “crackdown” on a Korean peace activist after authorities invalidated the passport of Kim Ah-hyun, effectively blocking her attempt to travel to the Gaza Strip. Members of Thousand Madleens to Gaza urged the Foreign Ministry to rescind the passport invalidation and withdraw its order requiring Kim to surrender her passport, while stressing the need for peace advocacy amid conflicts around the w

South Korea’s state-funded universities have spent heavily on consulting and data services from global ranking agencies, as scrutiny grows over efforts to boost their standings. An analysis of consulting contracts related to ranking strategies over the past decade at nine regional flagship national universities, released Tuesday by Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Park Sung-joon, found that some schools spent tens to hundreds of millions of won on services from British ranking firms Quacquarelli S

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday proposed a nationwide campaign to address tourism malpractices and revitalize regional tourism through coordinated local efforts, invoking the spirit of the New Village Movement launched in the 1970s. “The biggest obstacle to regional or domestic tourism is, in a way, our everyday culture,” Lee said during a weekly Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. “Overcharging, looking down on foreigners — that has improved a lot these days, but overcharging still se

Boris Becker’s 1989 US Open men’s singles championship trophy sold for $357,546 (520 million won), US sports media ESPN reported Tuesday. According to the report, the sale marks the second-highest price ever paid for a tennis-related item at auction. The all-time record stands at $540,000, set in February when Novak Djokovic’s racket used during his 2012 Australian Open victory was sold. The trophy from Becker’s 1989 triumph also set a record as the most expensive tennis championship trophy ever

What did the king’s army look like as it lined up before him more than 230 years ago? In 1795, King Jeongjo, often seen as a key figure behind what some call a “Joseon renaissance” in scholarship and culture, visited Hwaseong to pay respects to his late father and to celebrate his mother’s 60th birthday. The eight-day journey from the capital, Hanyang (present-day Seoul), to Hwaseong is recorded in detail in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, royal protocols known as uigwe and paintings. Now, the

eBay Japan said Monday it held the “2026 Qoo10 Japan Mega Debut Awards” to mark the first anniversary of its Mega Debut program and unveil future strategies. The company launched the Mega Debut initiative in April 2025 to discover and support emerging beauty brands, following its announcement at the “2025 Qoo10 Japan K-Beauty Mega Conference” in Seoul to foster 200 indie K-beauty brands. Through the program, new brands have been introduced to Japanese consumers on a weekly basis, with comprehens

The Indian Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday honored Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and a towering figure in the country's social justice movement, commemorating the 136th anniversary of his birth. Ambedkar served as independent India's first law minister and is regarded as a foundational pillar of Indian democracy. The event featured a screening of the documentary "Mooknayak: Voice of the Voiceless," highlighting Ambedkar's life, struggles and enduring lega

South Korea’s National Pension Service saw the value of its domestic equity holdings nearly triple over the past year, with more than half of the gains concentrated in two tech giants — Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. According to data released Tuesday by Leaders Index, which analyzed 267 listed firms in which the NPS holds stakes of at least 5 percent, the pension fund’s equity holdings rose to 353.3 trillion won ($240 billion) as of April 10, from 129.2 trillion won at the end of 2024. The i

South Korea has shared information with Iran on vessels linked to Seoul that remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, diplomatic sources said Tuesday, in a potential sign the government is moving toward negotiations with Tehran to secure safe passage amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran. The move comes as Chung Byung-ha, a special envoy to Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, is visiting Iran for consultations with senior officials on key issues, including maritime transit and the safety of So

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday took an apparent jab at the opposition bloc in a continuation of controversy surrounding his social media posts, accusing the critics of meddling in affairs beyond their depth. In a post titled “Those Who Kibitz in Myeonginjeon Because They Play a Bit of Gomoku,” Lee appeared to take aim at opposition politicians who have criticized his social media posts concerning alleged human rights violations in the Middle East. "Gomoku" is a board game often considered to

Endangered species and wild birds are returning to the Han River in central Seoul, signaling improving ecological stability in one of the city’s most heavily urbanized areas. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said that recent monitoring confirmed breeding and habitat activity across multiple species, including herons incubating eggs as well as endangered mammals such as otters and leopard cats. At Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park, four herons were observed incubating eggs, while more than 100 ca

The Lee Jae Myung administration is set to take the first step toward building a second presidential office in Sejong, as part of its push to establish the city as South Korea’s administrative capital, according to Cheong Wa Dae. Lee Kyu-youn, senior presidential secretary for public relations and communication, announced Tuesday that the South Korean government will issue a tender for site preparation work for the president second office on Wednesday. The project will cover a 350,000-square-met

SK Group said Tuesday it has used AI to recreate the voices and likeness of its founding leaders in a five-minute video shared with employees, as the conglomerate celebrates its 73rd anniversary. The video, which began screening Monday on a media wall at the group’s Seoul headquarters and across internal channels, weaves together quotes and business annecdotes based on archival materials from the late founder Chey Jong-gun and his successor Chey Jong-hyon. Beginning with the reconstruction of Su

Co-founder and CEO of Circle Jeremy Allaire visited South Korea, which is one of the world's biggest markets for crypto trading, to woo partners and users ahead of the official launch of its newest settlement technology, Arc. "We're also expanding in other areas that could be powerful for the Korean financial ecosystem, such as Arc, which we are launching commercially this year," said Allaire during a press briefing Monday. Arc is a financial settlement rail based on blockchain technology. Circl

South Korean AI semiconductor startup DeepX is positioning its mass-produced DX-M1 chip as a low-power, cost-efficient alternative to Nvidia’s on-device GPUs as it seeks to gain ground in the emerging physical AI market. The company said DX-M1 operates at an average power consumption of just 2 to 3 watts, delivering about 20 times higher power efficiency than Nvidia’s Jetson Orin for comparable workloads while costing roughly one-tenth as much. DeepX added that it has secured production yields e

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday urged parties involved in the Middle East war to seek peace as tensions simmered, underscoring the importance of universal human rights. Lee made the remarks while presiding over a weekly Cabinet meeting combined with the fifth emergency economic review meeting on Tuesday at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. “It appears that ceasefire negotiations over the Middle East conflict held over the weekend failed to reach a meaningful agreement,” Lee said. “Although talks are ex

The US military began a blockade of Iran's ports, angering Tehran and adding uncertainty around the crucial waterway, although hopes for dialogue to end ‌the war provided some relief to oil markets where benchmark prices fell below $100 Tuesday. After a breakdown of weekend talks in Islamabad between the two adversaries, a US official said there was continued engagement and forward motion on trying to get to an agreement. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also said efforts were still under

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump had two bags of McDonald's delivered to the Oval Office on Monday by a DoorDash driver he tipped $100, using his favorite food and a reality TV flourish to promote a tax policy he says has meant big rebates for Americans who earn gratuities. Sharon Simmons, dressed in a "DoorDash Grandma" T-shirt, walked up to the Oval Office's exterior door and knocked as media cameras rolled. Trump popped out and said, "Hello. Nice to see you," before proclaiming, "Loo

At first, Son Ah-seop didn't believe the rumors. While still a member of the Hanwha Eagles on Monday, Son started getting calls and texts from friends about a possible trade to another team in the Korea Baseball Organization. Son himself hadn't heard anything from the front office, so he just dismissed such speculation. And yet, the ground was fertile for a change of scenery for Son. Through Sunday, Son, the career KBO hits leader with 2,618, only had one at-bat for the Eagles this year, a pinch

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers Tuesday he has yet to receive an official request from the United States for support regarding operations around the Strait of Hormuz. Ahn's remarks came amid a US blockade of Iranian ports after peace talks between Washington and Tehran broke down over the weekend. "There has yet to be an official letter or request," Ahn said during a parliamentary defense committee session. "If a request is made, (we) intend to take part in various cooperation and c

Works by three Korean authors, including two novels by Bora Chung — "Red Sword" and "The Midnight Timetable" — have been named finalists in the new translated novel category of the 2026 Locus Awards. The two books were translated into English by Anton Hur. Established in 1971 by Charles N. Brown, founder of the science fiction magazine Locus, the Locus Awards recognize excellence in science fiction and fantasy literature. Winners are selected through a reader survey conducted by the magazine, co

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Tuesday called for caution against fake news generated with artificial intelligence, as the 50-day countdown began for the June local election. In his address to the nation to call for fair elections, Kim said AI-generated fake news poses a grave threat to the country's democracy because the technology has developed to the degree that generated images or videos blur reality. "As generative AI technology rapidly evolves, the election environment is fundamentally cha

Standard Chartered plans to extend its digital asset offering to affluent clients this year, a move that adds a new dimension to the bank's push to deepen its wealth management business in South Korea and broader Asia. Samir Subberwal, Standard Chartered Bank's global head of wealth solutions, retail products and data and analytics, said the bank sees custody, rather than simple access to crypto, as the core differentiator as digital assets move further into mainstream wealth conversations. "Ban

South Korea’s discount-store chain Daiso, operated by Asung Daiso, topped 4 trillion won ($3 billion) in sales for the first time last year, fueled by rising demand for budget-friendly goods amid prolonged inflation. The company posted 4.53 trillion won in revenue and 442.4 billion won in operating profit on Tuesday, up 13.4 percent and 19.2 percent, respectively, from a year earlier. Expanded offerings in cosmetics, fashion and health supplements helped drive the growth, while seasonal lines su

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission said Tuesday it is reviewing whether a room upgrade at a postpartum care center, offered to the wife of travel YouTuber Kwak Joon-bin, may have violated the country's anti-graft law. This comes after an online complaint was made on Friday, requesting a review of whether Kwak's benefit falls under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The petitioner also called for clearer guidelines, noting that the upgrade appeared to have been offered in excha

Cheon Seon-ran’s sci-fi bestseller "A Thousand Blues" has been adapted into a webtoon, set to be serialized on the reading platform Millie’s Library. Set in a near future where humanoid robots have become part of everyday life, the heartwarming novel follows the story of a humanoid jockey Collie and its racehorse facing euthanasia due to failing joints. Their uncertain journey becomes intertwined with that of two sisters who step in to help. The book has been translated and published in more tha

Girl group Nmixx is set to return with its fifth EP, “Heavy Serenade,” on May 11, marking its first release in about seven months. JYP Entertainment unveiled a promotional scheduler unveiled Monday outlines a series of teaser content leading up to the release. The rollout will begin with an album trailer on April 21, followed by a tracklist and motion poster on April 22. Promotional photos will be released on April 24 and 25, along with a special promotional website on April 26. Additional conte

Despite several recent high-profile accidents that claimed multiple lives, South Korea recorded its lowest number of workplace deaths in the first quarter since 2022, data showed Tuesday. A total of 113 workers died in industrial accidents during the first three months of 2026, down 17.5 percent from 137 a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Employment and Labor data. The figure marks the lowest first-quarter tally since the government began compiling the current set of statistics in 2022

Sometimes, a marriage breaks down beyond repair, leaving separation as the only option. Even relationships once strong enough to cross borders are no exception. Divorces between Korean and foreign spouses accounted for 7.1 percent of all divorces in South Korea in 2025, totaling about 6,000 cases, up 4.2 percent from a year earlier. As a growing number of such cases lead to prolonged and complex legal battles requiring extensive information and support, foreign nationals often find themselves na

South Korean police raided a factory in Hwaseong on Tuesday as part of an investigation into a workplace assault that left a Thai migrant worker seriously injured after being struck with compressed air equipment. Police said about 20 investigators were dispatched to the coating factory in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, at around 8 a.m. to secure evidence related to the case. The raid targeted the business premises of a man in his 60s suspected of injuring the worker. The operation comes a week aft

Hyundai Motor is making its boldest attempt in years to win back Chinese consumers, betting on China-tailored Ioniq electric vehicles to fuel a comeback in the world’s largest automotive market. Last week, Hyundai officially introduced its flagship EV brand Ioniq to the Chinese market, unveiling two concept cars at a brand launch event: the Ioniq Venus sedan and the Earth sport utility vehicle. Hyundai is gearing up to roll out a broader electrification strategy and debut its mass-production Ion

South Korea is experiencing the sharpest decline in workforce participation among young men in the OECD, as structural shifts — including rising female employment and rapid adoption of artificial intelligence — reshape the labor market. According to a Bank of Korea report released Tuesday, the labor force participation rate for men aged 25 to 34 fell to 82.3 percent in 2025, down 7.6 percentage points from 2000 — the steepest decline among all age groups in Korea and far exceeding the average am

LG AI Research said Tuesday it is teaming up with London Stock Exchange Group and Kiwoom Securities to launch an artificial intelligence-powered investment service that explains not only what to buy, but why — a first for Korea’s retail market. The three companies signed a strategic agreement in Seoul on Monday to integrate LG’s financial AI agent into Kiwoom’s retail trading platform, aiming to deliver stock-level forecasts alongside plain-language explanations tailored for individual investors

Returning to Korea about a year and a half after a sold-out recital in 2024, pianist Lang Lang frames his upcoming Seoul performance around a single idea: honesty. The recital, set for April 28 at the Seoul Arts Center, spans a wide stylistic range — from selections drawn from his 2025 album "Piano Book 2," a collection that moves between classical staples such as Mozart and Beethoven and more contemporary repertoire, to the philosophical weight of Beethoven’s late sonatas and the sun-drenched r

Tomorrow X Together met some 3,000 fans during a comeback showcase for its eighth EP, “7th Year: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns,” in Seoul, Monday. The roughly 80-minute event brought together fans selected through a raffle system and was livestreamed via fan platform Weverse and Hybe Labels’ YouTube channel. Fans from 188 countries and regions, including South Korea, the US, Japan and China, tuned in to watch the showcase. The new EP marks the group’s first release since renewing its contr

A local delivery agency operator is under investigation for allegedly hiring dozens of foreign nationals without proper work visas and registering them under the names of Korean citizens, the Seoul Immigration Office said Tuesday. The 31-year-old suspect is accused of employing 67 foreign delivery workers between May and January, collecting a 5.5 percent commission from their earnings while also charging each worker between 200,000 won ($134) and 250,000 won, according to the office’s special in

A South Korean court on Tuesday fined a 33-year-old driver 5 million won ($3,374) for fatally striking a man who was lying in the road at night. The Gwangju District Court found the defendant guilty of negligent driving, while taking into account that the accident may have been difficult to foresee and that he had separately paid 200 million won ($134,889) in settlement to the victim’s family. The driver fatally struck a 72-year-old man with a passenger car at around 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2024, a

Hyundai Motor Group said Tuesday it is participating in the 2026 Semafor World Economy, held this week at the Conrad Hotel in Washington. Hosted by Semafor, the forum brings together global CEOs and leaders from the public and private sectors to discuss economic trends and business strategies. Hyundai Motor Group is presenting its future mobility vision through track sessions and roundtables, while its premium brand Genesis is participating as a sponsor. Key executives attending include Executiv