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Breaking news
Midnight Deal Saves Seoul: Bus Strike Collapses, 7,018 Buses Roll at Dawn
Seoul’s city bus services are set to return to normal from the first bus on January 15 after labor and management reached a last-minute agreement, bringing an end to a two-day strike that disrupted commuting across the capital. The Seoul City Bus Labor Union and the Seoul City Bus Transport Association finalized a wage and collective agreement shortly before midnight on January 14, following more than nine hours of negotiations at a special mediation meeting held by the Seoul
2 min read
₩100 Billion Gift, One Explosive Question: Can Controversial CEOs Buy Moral Legitimacy?
A massive ₩100 billion donation to Seoul National University has ignited a nationwide debate in South Korea, not over the scale of the contribution, but over whether a donor’s ethical record should matter when accepting such a gift. On January 13, Hong Beom-jun, CEO of the education publishing company Goodbook Sinsago, donated the funds to Seoul National University, stating that the purpose was to support researchers and students in the natural sciences and help cultivate fut
3 min read
Switch Your Carrier, Get 1 Million? Korea’s Telecom Subsidy War Explodes as Customers Rush to Move
South Korea’s mobile telecom market has entered a full-scale subsidy war, with cash incentives reaching as high as ₩1 million for customers who switch carriers. The aggressive competition was triggered by KT’s decision to waive contract cancellation fees, prompting rival operators to roll out unprecedented promotions to attract defecting users. According to industry sources, SK Telecom is offering subsidies of up to ₩1 million, alongside payback events that refund the first m
2 min read
Lifestyle
From Campus to Illegal Stay: One in Ten Foreign Students in Korea Falls Out of Legal Status
More than one in ten foreign students who entered South Korea to study at universities or language institutes have become undocumented residents, raising concerns that the country’s international student policy has focused on expansion rather than stability. A recent academic report shows that the number of undocumented residents who originally entered Korea on student-related visas has increased more than fivefold over the past decade, with Vietnamese nationals accounting fo
2 min read
Give Up Your Driver’s License, Get Paid”: Korean City Offers Up to ₩1.8 Million to Senior Drivers Who Voluntarily Quit Driving
A local government in South Korea is drawing attention with a policy that offers substantial financial support to elderly drivers who voluntarily surrender their driver’s licenses. Gongju City in South Chungcheong Province announced that it will provide transportation subsidies of up to ₩1.8 million to eligible senior residents as part of an effort to prevent traffic accidents involving older drivers. According to the city on January 13, the program targets residents aged 70
1 min read
A Village Powered by Sunshine: How a Rural Community Earns $7,500 a Month from Solar Energy
Goyang-ri, Yeoju, South Korea, A small rural village in South Korea is drawing national attention for a community-led solar power model that generates steady income while funding shared welfare services for residents. Goyang-ri, located in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, is home to about 70 households and 120 residents. By installing solar panels on community-owned assets such as the village hall, warehouses, sports facilities, and parking areas, the village operates six solar powe
2 min read
K-trends
BTS Picks Busan for Historic World Tour Stop — Is the City Finally Ready for a Global K-Pop Stage?
Busan is buzzing with excitement after news broke that BTS will perform in the city as part of their first full-group world tour in four years, a move that is already reigniting debate over whether South Korea’s second-largest city has a venue capable of hosting global-scale K-pop events. According to BigHit Music, BTS will kick off their new world tour in April at Goyang Sports Complex before traveling across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia, with a total of 79
2 min read
Switch Your Carrier, Get 1 Million? Korea’s Telecom Subsidy War Explodes as Customers Rush to Move
South Korea’s mobile telecom market has entered a full-scale subsidy war, with cash incentives reaching as high as ₩1 million for customers who switch carriers. The aggressive competition was triggered by KT’s decision to waive contract cancellation fees, prompting rival operators to roll out unprecedented promotions to attract defecting users. According to industry sources, SK Telecom is offering subsidies of up to ₩1 million, alongside payback events that refund the first m
2 min read
NewJeans Is Still in My Heart’: Danielle Breaks Silence as ₩43 Billion Lawsuit Looms
Danielle, a former member of the girl group NewJeans, has spoken publicly for the first time since being notified of contract termination by her agency ADOR, amid an ongoing legal dispute involving a ₩43 billion damages lawsuit. On Jan. 7, Danielle addressed fans through a live broadcast on social media, sharing her thoughts and current situation following the termination of her exclusive contract. The broadcast, which lasted approximately nine minutes, was streamed via her p
1 min read
Recent Posts
From Campus to Illegal Stay: One in Ten Foreign Students in Korea Falls Out of Legal Status
More than one in ten foreign students who entered South Korea to study at universities or language institutes have become undocumented residents, raising concerns that the country’s international student policy has focused on expansion rather than stability. A recent academic report shows that the number of undocumented residents who originally entered Korea on student-related visas has increased more than fivefold over the past decade, with Vietnamese nationals accounting fo
2 min read
A New Road Opens for Korean Cars: Korea–UK FTA Deal Sparks Fresh Hopes for Export Growth
South Korea’s automotive industry has welcomed the conclusion of the improved Korea–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), viewing it as a major turning point that could significantly expand access to the British market and strengthen export competitiveness, particularly for future mobility vehicles such as electric cars. Industry groups say the agreement, finalized in December, comes at a critical time as global trade conditions become more uncertain and competition intensifies in k
2 min read
No Cash, No Entry? Bali’s Plan to Screen Tourists’ Bank Accounts Sparks Global Debate
Bali, one of the world’s most popular honeymoon and resort destinations, is facing growing controversy after local authorities confirmed they are considering a new rule that would require foreign tourists to submit proof of their financial status before entering the island. According to international media reports, the Bali provincial government is reviewing a draft regulation that would obligate overseas visitors to disclose bank account balances from the past three months,
2 min read
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