South Korea, US, and Japan Form 'North Korea Containment Network' in Manila Amid North Korea-Russia-China Closeness
As North Korea continues to strengthen ties with Russia and China while skipping the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the region's only multilateral security dialogue, for the second consecutive year, the foreign ministers of South Korea, the US, and Japan gather in Manila today (22nd) to urgently discuss joint countermeasures against North Korea. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu will hold a foreign ministerial meeting in Manila today to address recent developments in North Korea-Russia and North Korea-China exchanges,
2026.07.22
President Lee calls for "urgent revision of single-stock leveraged ETFs"
President Lee Jae-myung has ordered swift regulatory improvements regarding single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which have been identified as a factor contributing to recent volatility in the domestic stock market. At a State Council meeting held at the presidential office on the 21st, President Lee stated that "comprehensive measures must be prepared swiftly and thoroughly" regarding single-stock leveraged ETFs.
2026.07.21
61-Hour Inferno Extinguished...Coupang Logistics Center, National Mobilization Order Partially Lifted
A massive fire that occurred at Coupang's 32nd Logistics Center in Seohaegu, Incheon, was brought under initial control after 61 hours, and this morning the national fire mobilization order was partially lifted, marking a major turning point in the prolonged all-out firefighting response. According to the Incheon Fire Department, the fire that broke out at 6:54 a.m. on July 18th was initially extinguished at 8 p.m. on July 20th after 61 hours. Subsequently, at 9:40 a.m. on July 21st, the national
2026.07.21
Domestic NPU for AI Inference Cores, Equipped in 50,000 Public Devices… Challenging Nvidia's Dominance
As the core axis of the artificial intelligence (AI) market shifts from 'training' to 'inference,' domestically produced neural processing units (NPUs) are rapidly emerging as a critical driver that will determine South Korea's AI sovereignty and industrial competitiveness. The government is launching large-scale NPU conversion projects in the public sector, while domestic companies are successfully applying services in real-life by combining homegrown NPUs and large language models (LLMs), marking a new chapter in AI supply chain self-reliance.
2026.07.19
6.4 billion in taxpayer money down the drain?... 'political special prosecutor' ultra-luxury office controversy intensifies
As the Lee Jae-myung administration's four special prosecutor teams, mired in controversy over insufficient investigative capacity, face strong criticism from the People Power Party today (19th) for squandering over 6.4 billion won in taxpayer money on office rental fees alone, a direct jab has been thrown stating 'you might as well set up offices at the Democratic Party headquarters or the Blue House instead.' The People Power Party pointed out that four special prosecutor teams—including the three major special prosecutors for insurrection, Kim Keon-hee, and the fallen Marine, as well as the second comprehensive special prosecutor—launched under the Lee Jae-myung administration
2026.07.19
Starbucks' 23,000 Workers Overturn 'Empathy Meeting,' Establish Labor Union...Shaking Up Coffee Industry
The voices of 23,000 workers hidden behind a simple cup of coffee have finally erupted. On July 16, 2026, Starbucks Korea workers directly confronted management operations marked by 'ignored demands and forced events' by establishing the country's first labor union in the franchise coffee industry. On the 16th, Starbucks Korea workers joined the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' National Chemical, Textile, Food and Industrial Workers' Union and established the 'Starbucks Chapter.'
2026.07.19
Coupang Fire Rages for Second Day, Both Ruling and Opposition Parties Unite on "Firefighter Safety First"
As the Incheon Coupang logistics center fire continues into its second day with firefighters battling the massive blaze, the ruling and opposition parties have made an unprecedented show of unity, earnestly praying for the safety and safe return of on-site personnel. The Coupang 32 logistics center in Seoknam-dong, Seohaegu, Incheon, which has been engulfed in fierce flames for the second consecutive day, has become a scene of chaos due to the massive fire. Extinguishing operations continue into their second day as firefighters engage in an all-night battle,
2026.07.19
Lee Jae-myung expands agricultural subsidies...making a bold move on food security
President Lee Jae-myung and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Song Mi-ryeong voiced unanimous calls through social media platform X for the need to expand domestic agricultural subsidies, pointing out that as of last year, per-farm subsidies for Korean farmers were only one-fifth of the European Union's level and half of Japan's level. Based on statements from high-ranking government officials on the 18th, Minister Song stated through her X account on July 17th, the previous day, regarding July 16
2026.07.18
Suspected Arson in Gangneung's Okcheon-dong Late at Night…Motorcycle Completely Destroyed in Mystery
A vehicle fire suspected to be arson occurred in downtown Okcheon-dong, Gangneung late at night, resulting in one motorcycle being completely destroyed and one sedan partially burned. The fire started around 11:04 p.m. the previous day on a road near Okcheon Elementary School in Okcheon-dong, Gangneung, Gangwon Province. The flames quickly engulfed a parked motorcycle, and spread to an adjacent parked sedan, burning part of the vehicle. Fortunately, there were no casualties
2026.07.18
President Lee Jae-myung Dismisses Allegations of Personal Data Sanctions Targeting Specific Companies
President Lee Jae-myung clearly stated at a ministerial briefing session held at the Blue House Yeongbingwan that personal data breach sanctions reinforcement measures are "not measures considering specific companies," emphasizing the fairness of related policies. On the second day of the ministerial briefing, President Lee clarified the government's official stance on the strengthened approach to personal data breach sanctions while reviewing the policy implementation status of major departments. Recently, some quarters have...
2026.07.16
Climate Response Committee Wields Budget 'Blade' for 2027... AI and Sunlight Villages Get Budget Boost, Fossil Fuels Face 'Axe'
The National Climate Crisis Response Committee has presented key directions for next year's climate budget, demanding significant budget increases for core carbon-neutral projects including 'renewable energy financial support (sunlight village income support)' and 'AI distributed power grid industry development.' The committee deliberated and passed the 2027 climate budget review results at its third plenary session (written) on this day, with key initiatives including ▲renewable energy financial support (sunlight village income support) ▲AI distributed power grid,
2026.07.16
154 Million Won Welfare Synergy! Yeoju City-SK Hynix, "Two Birds with One Stone" for Elderly Safety and Youth Self-Reliance
Yeoju City and SK Hynix have signed a business agreement for a welfare project investing 154 million won to support elderly safety and youth self-reliance, opening a new horizon where corporations and local communities together realize citizen-centered welfare. Yeoju City officially announced the signing of a business agreement with SK Hynix on July 16, 2026, for elderly and youth welfare support projects. Under this agreement, SK Hynix will invest 154 million won to support the region
2026.07.16
President Lee Jae-myung Directs Institutional Improvements for Single-Stock Leveraged ETFs
President Lee Jae-myung has instructed the rapid implementation of institutional improvements related to single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which have been identified as a factor contributing to recent volatility in the domestic stock market. During a briefing held at the Presidential Office on the 15th, President Lee instructed Chung Eun-bo, chairman of the Korea Exchange, to "promptly prepare supplementary measures," emphasizing the necessity of establishing plans for investor protection and market stabilization.
2026.07.15
Vancouver, Canada: A Special Meeting of K-Culture and Peaceful Unification
The Ministry of Unification will host a special cultural event featuring a message of peaceful unification in partnership with Vancouver's largest Korean cultural festival on July 18th in Vancouver, Canada. This event is expected to be a meaningful occasion to inform both overseas Koreans and local residents of the importance of peace on the Korean peninsula through cultural exchange. Planned under the name 'Overseas Koreans Peace and Unification Cultural Event,' the event will be held at Vancouver's Swangard Stadium. In particular, the current
2026.07.15
Lim Gwang-hyun "Full-scale Collection of Non-Tax Revenue Next Year"...National Tax Service's Role Significantly Expanded
The National Tax Service has begun in earnest to transition into an 'integrated financial revenue agency' that manages non-tax revenue scattered across various ministries in addition to tax collection. The plan is to enhance fiscal efficiency by expanding the agency's role beyond simple tax administration to manage overall national financial revenue.
2026.07.15