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News

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • Korea to take on Dominican Republic in quarterfinals

    Mar 12, 2026
    in News
    Korea to take on Dominican Republic in quarterfinals

    Korea will face the mighty Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) this week. The Dominican…

  • Retailers gear up for BTS concert with themed promotions

    Mar 12, 2026
    in News
    Retailers gear up for BTS concert with themed promotions

    Major offline retailers in Seoul are redecorating stores and stocking popular items as BTS is set to take center stage…

    BTS, K-pop, Lotte, Seoul, Shopping
  • BOK to maintain cautious monetary stance amid uncertainties over Middle East crisis

    Mar 12, 2026
    in News
    BOK to maintain cautious monetary stance amid uncertainties over Middle East crisis

    The central bank said Thursday it would maintain a cautious stance in conducting monetary policy in light of heightened economic…

  • N. Korea’s Kim, daughter test pistols together at munitions factory

    Mar 12, 2026
    in News
    N. Korea’s Kim, daughter test pistols together at munitions factory

    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a factory for light, portable munitions, where he and his teenage daughter tested pistols…

    Military, North Korea
  • Cambodia aims to shut down all online scam centers within weeks

    Mar 12, 2026
    in News
    Cambodia aims to shut down all online scam centers within weeks

    PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia hopes to shut down all of the country’s notorious online scam centers by the end…

    Crime, Question
  • China issues second warning on OpenClaw risks amid adoption frenzy

    Mar 11, 2026
    in News
    China issues second warning on OpenClaw risks amid adoption frenzy

    China’s cybersecurity agency on Tuesday issued a second warning about security and data risks tied to OpenClaw, despite a rush…

    Warning
  • Iran war will cost America billions

    Mar 11, 2026
    in News
    Iran war will cost America billions

    Iran war will cost America billions

  • IEA proposes largest ever oil release from strategic reserves, WSJ says

    Mar 11, 2026
    in News
    IEA proposes largest ever oil release from strategic reserves, WSJ says

    The International Energy Agency has proposed the largest release of oil reserves in its history to restrain soaring crude prices…

    G7, history, Protest, Ukraine
  • What to know about Strait of Hormuz, key passageway essential for global energy supply

    Mar 11, 2026
    in News
    What to know about Strait of Hormuz, key passageway essential for global energy supply

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United States says it has destroyed more than a dozen mine-laying Iranian vessels to…

    Donald Trump, Social Media
  • THAAD redeployment sparks fears of high altitude defense gap in South Korea

    Mar 11, 2026
    in News
    THAAD redeployment sparks fears of high altitude defense gap in South Korea

    The reported redeployment of parts of the United States’ Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system from South Korea to…

    Military, Question
  • China eyes cross-border corruption law. Will it blunt ‘long arm’ of the West?

    Mar 10, 2026
    in News
    China eyes cross-border corruption law. Will it blunt ‘long arm’ of the West?

    China will enact a law to combat cross-border corruption this year, according to the top legislature’s work report released on…

  • Chungnam National University sets sights on AI-powered campus transformation

    Mar 10, 2026
    in News
    Chungnam National University sets sights on AI-powered campus transformation

    As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes how universities teach and learn, Chungnam National University is setting its sights on becoming a…

    Question
  • S. Korea providing supplies to its stranded vessel in Strait of Hormuz: official

    Mar 10, 2026
    in News
    S. Korea providing supplies to its stranded vessel in Strait of Hormuz: official

    South Korea is in the process of providing supplies to one of its ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz…

  • Mercedes-Benz Korea fined $7.64 mil. over misleading EV battery information

    Mar 10, 2026
    in News
    Mercedes-Benz Korea fined $7.64 mil. over misleading EV battery information

    Mercedes-Benz Korea was slapped with a 12.23 billion won ($7.64 million) fine for misleading customers with false battery information on…

    Scandal
  • Turkish Gen. Yazıcı, a Korean War hero

    Mar 10, 2026
    in News
    Turkish Gen. Yazıcı, a Korean War hero

    Whenever I pass through Yeouido, the subtly exotic Ankara Park (Sister Park) catches my eye. Established on May 1, 1977,…

    Korean War, Koreans, Military, Seoul
  • Listed companies move to secure management-friendly directors ahead of revised corporate act

    Mar 9, 2026
    in News
    Listed companies move to secure management-friendly directors ahead of revised corporate act

    Multiple publicly traded companies appear to be leveraging upcoming general meetings to secure management-friendly outside directors before tougher board accountability…

    family
  • Hyundai Motor, Samsung Insurance to lead gov’t self-driving testing

    Mar 9, 2026
    in News
    Hyundai Motor, Samsung Insurance to lead gov’t self-driving testing

    Hyundai Motor Company and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance will lead the government’s first citywide autonomous vehicle testing this year,…

    Hyundai, Samsung
  • British politics today involve turbulence and change

    Mar 9, 2026
    in News
    British politics today involve turbulence and change

    In Britain, the small Green Party has won its first by-election. A by-election is held between general elections when a…

    Politics
  • When you’re the only woman in the room

    Mar 9, 2026
    in News
    When you’re the only woman in the room

    In recognition of International Women’s Day, it’s worth reflecting on a professional dynamic that often goes unspoken from being the…

    Discussion
  • Families of Jeju Air crash victims protest discovery of additional remains

    Mar 9, 2026
    in News
    Families of Jeju Air crash victims protest discovery of additional remains

    The bereaved families of the victims of the Jeju Air plane crash in late 2024 on Monday protested the recent…

    Jeju, Protest, Punishment, Seoul
  • Tablets replace heavy textbooks at universities as e-book sales quadruple

    Mar 8, 2026
    in News
    Tablets replace heavy textbooks at universities as e-book sales quadruple

    University students in Korea are increasingly swapping heavy printed textbooks for tablets and laptops, as e-book sales of course materials…

  • China FM blasts Middle East war, urges US to manage ties

    Mar 8, 2026
    in News
    China FM blasts Middle East war, urges US to manage ties

    BEIJING — China’s top diplomat condemned on Sunday the war in the Middle East and urged the United States to…

    Donald Trump, Ukraine
  • Airlift operations at USFK base signal possible shift of assets to Middle East

    Mar 8, 2026
    in News
    Airlift operations at USFK base signal possible shift of assets to Middle East

    Recent U.S. military airlift activity at a major air base in South Korea has drawn attention to the possibility that…

    Military
  • Fuel price rise slows amid speculation of price cap system

    Mar 8, 2026
    in News
    Fuel price rise slows amid speculation of price cap system

    Gasoline and diesel prices rose moderately Sunday as the government considers adopting a price cap system amid concerns over rising…

    Seoul
  • Shortstop ready to shake off tough loss to Japan

    Mar 8, 2026
    in News
    Shortstop ready to shake off tough loss to Japan

    TOKYO — Korean shortstop Kim Ju-won said Sunday he and his teammates will keep their heads high for the rest…

    Japan, Tokyo
  • Carmakers expand sports marketing to enhance corporate image

    Mar 7, 2026
    in News
    Carmakers expand sports marketing to enhance corporate image

    Major automakers are ramping up sports marketing campaigns, as they seek to strengthen brand recognition and reinforce premium images by…

    Genesis, Hyundai
  • [TEST DRIVE] Renault Korea’s Filante set to take on Santa Fe, Sorento

    Mar 7, 2026
    in News
    [TEST DRIVE] Renault Korea’s Filante set to take on Santa Fe, Sorento

    GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — Renault Korea’s new crossover Filante places comfort and refinement at the center of its identity,…

    Hyundai, Kia
  • Wartime data evacuation: Data saved but at what cost?

    Mar 7, 2026
    in News
    Wartime data evacuation: Data saved but at what cost?

    Modern wars, as illustrated by the U.S.-Israel strikes against Iran, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have expanded the scope of…

    Discussion, Ukraine
  • BLACKPINK’s ‘Deadline’ lands at No. 11 on British Official Albums Chart

    Mar 7, 2026
    in News
    BLACKPINK’s ‘Deadline’ lands at No. 11 on British Official Albums Chart

    K-pop girl group BLACKPINK has entered the top 100 of Britain’s Official Albums Chart with its third EP, “Deadline.” The…

    K-pop
  • Koreans evacuate from Qatar, Jordan with embassy assistance amid Middle East crisis

    Mar 7, 2026
    in News
    Koreans evacuate from Qatar, Jordan with embassy assistance amid Middle East crisis

    Korean nationals stranded across the Middle East in the wake of the regional conflict are continuing to evacuate to safer…

    Koreans, travel
  • Dubai-Incheon direct flights resume after Iran conflict disruption

    Mar 6, 2026
    in News
    Dubai-Incheon direct flights resume after Iran conflict disruption

    Direct flights from Dubai to Incheon resumed Friday after being suspended amid escalating military conflict in the Middle East. The…

    Military
  • Finance ministry holds meeting on Korean economy with global investors

    Mar 6, 2026
    in News
    Finance ministry holds meeting on Korean economy with global investors

    The Ministry of Finance and Economy said Friday it held a meeting this week with global institutional investors in Hong…

  • Korea posts 5th-largest current account surplus in January: BOK

    Mar 6, 2026
    in News
    Korea posts 5th-largest current account surplus in January: BOK

    Korea recorded its fifth-largest monthly current account surplus in January, driven by a semiconductor upcycle and strong exports, central bank…

    history
  • No photos, no objects: Tino Sehgal’s art exists only when you’re there

    Mar 6, 2026
    in News
    No photos, no objects: Tino Sehgal’s art exists only when you’re there

    As an arts reporter, you learn to live with a certain inadequacy: Whatever words you lay down on the page…

  • Preorders for Galaxy S26 series hit 1.35 mil. in Korea

    Mar 6, 2026
    in News
    Preorders for Galaxy S26 series hit 1.35 mil. in Korea

    Samsung Electronics said Friday preorders for its Galaxy S26 series smartphones in Korea reached 1.35 million, setting a new record…

    Samsung, Samsung Electronics
  • Haitian man dies in US immigration custody with untreated toothache, brother says

    Mar 5, 2026
    in News
    Haitian man dies in US immigration custody with untreated toothache, brother says

    FLORENCE, Ariz. — A Haitian man confined at an Arizona immigration detention center for months died at a hospital Monday…

    Medical
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Latest Korean News

  • Korea to take on Dominican Republic in quarterfinalsMarch 12, 2026
    Korea will face the mighty Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals… Read more: Korea to take on Dominican Republic in quarterfinals
  • Retailers gear up for BTS concert with themed promotionsMarch 12, 2026
    Major offline retailers in Seoul are redecorating stores and stocking… Read more: Retailers gear up for BTS concert with themed promotions
  • BOK to maintain cautious monetary stance amid uncertainties over Middle East crisisMarch 12, 2026
    The central bank said Thursday it would maintain a cautious… Read more: BOK to maintain cautious monetary stance amid uncertainties over Middle East crisis
  • N. Korea’s Kim, daughter test pistols together at munitions factoryMarch 12, 2026
    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a factory for light,… Read more: N. Korea’s Kim, daughter test pistols together at munitions factory
  • Cambodia aims to shut down all online scam centers within weeksMarch 12, 2026
    PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia hopes to shut down all… Read more: Cambodia aims to shut down all online scam centers within weeks

Latest Community Feeds

  • Why Koreans’ Spice Scale Is Kinda Weird = Shin RamyunMarch 12, 2026
  • If you liked “THAT’S A NO NO” by ITZY, try listening to-March 12, 2026
  • BLACKPINK’s Missed Comeback opportunity…March 12, 2026
  • KiiiKiii’s biggest weakness right now is their vocalsMarch 12, 2026
  • This is too good. Any other similar recommendations?March 12, 2026
  • What would your predictions be for this year 4th gen boygroups?March 12, 2026
  • Heartbreak BTS, Mood Boost TWICE……..March 12, 2026
  • Nongshim, Samyang to cut ramyeon prices in line with gov’t cost stabilization effortsMarch 12, 2026
  • Spicy pork bulgogiMarch 12, 2026
  • POV: Lunch Time in Korea 🇰🇷March 12, 2026
  • Dissertation about kpop culture influence on brandMarch 12, 2026
  • South Korea passes special bill to implement its $350 billion U.S. investment pledgeMarch 12, 2026
  • NMIXX’s recent South America trip should be studiedMarch 12, 2026
  • I’m not even an Engene but I still cried about the Heeseung newsMarch 12, 2026
  • Convenience store garlic sausage hot bar.March 12, 2026
  • Korea National Oil Corp chief apologizes for steep price hikes at gov’t-run stationsMarch 12, 2026
  • Dolsot bibimbap 😋March 12, 2026
  • What I ate for meals in Korea Part 21 🍚March 12, 2026
  • What are your favorite 5th gen boy groups?March 12, 2026
  • Korean Gul Jin-Jjam-Ppong RamyunMarch 12, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (18,548)
    • Community (13,172)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (4,274)
  • History (41)
  • People (16)

History of Korea

  • Exploring Ancient Korea: A Journey into Pre-HistoryOctober 12, 2017
    Introduction to Pre-Historic Korea The timeline of ancient Korea before documented history is a fascinating yet challenging area of study.… Read more: Exploring Ancient Korea: A Journey into Pre-History
  • The Rise and Fall of Go Joseon and the Emergence of the Three KingdomsOctober 19, 2017
    Introduction to Go Joseon The Go Joseon dynasty, often considered a pivotal era in Korean history, emerged around the end… Read more: The Rise and Fall of Go Joseon and the Emergence of the Three Kingdoms
  • The Rise and Fall of Korea’s Three Kingdoms: A Story of Power, Conflict, and UnificationNovember 30, 2017
    Introduction to the Three Kingdoms The Three Kingdoms period in Korea, encompassing approximately from the 1st century BCE to the… Read more: The Rise and Fall of Korea’s Three Kingdoms: A Story of Power, Conflict, and Unification
  • Choe Chi-wonFebruary 14, 2018
    Introduction to Choe Chi-won Choe Chi-won, born in 857, stands as a notable figure in Korean history, specifically during the… Read more: Choe Chi-won
  • King Gwanggaeto the GreatMay 14, 2018
    Introduction to King Gwanggaeto King Gwanggaeto the Great, a pivotal figure in Korean history, ruled from 395 to 413 CE… Read more: King Gwanggaeto the Great
  • Won HyoOctober 14, 2018
    Introduction to Won Hyo Won Hyo, a prominent figure in Korean history, is celebrated for his profound impact on the… Read more: Won Hyo
  • Jang BogoApril 14, 2019
    Introduction to Jang Bogo Jang Bogo, a prominent historical figure from the Silla Dynasty, played a pivotal role in shaping… Read more: Jang Bogo
  • GyebaekApril 14, 2019
    Introduction to Gyebaek Gyebaek is a prominent historical figure in Korean history, particularly known for his role as a general… Read more: Gyebaek
  • King MuryeongSeptember 14, 2019
    Introduction to King Muryeong King Muryeong, reigning from 501 to 523 AD, stands as one of the most influential monarchs… Read more: King Muryeong
  • The Rise and Fall of the Goryeo Dynasty: A Precursor to the Joseon EraJanuary 3, 2020
    Introduction to the Goryeo Dynasty The Goryeo Dynasty, established in 918 AD by the notable general Wang Geon, marks a… Read more: The Rise and Fall of the Goryeo Dynasty: A Precursor to the Joseon Era

Open Korea

Open Korea

Korean Identities Beyond Borders

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Helplines in Korea

112  | Police

Call to report life-threatening situations and emergencies requiring law enforcement. Text service and location tracking service is also available.

119 | Fire & Ambulance

The fire department and health emergencies requiring ambulance service. There’s also an English reporting section on their website.

182 | Missing Persons & Stolen Vehicles

This line is also used for non-emergency reports and requests such as inquiring about the cost of a fine for a traffic violation, information on car licenses, and how to contact officers in charge of specific cases.

1339 | Korea Center for Disease Control (KCDC) Foreigner Helpline

Particularly useful during the 2015 MERS scare, the KCDC provides foreigners with information about first-aid and diseases in English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Mongolian.

1366 | Seoul Women’s Help Hotline

Not necessarily English-friendly and not outside of Seoul, this 24-hour service immediate response line for women involved in domestic abuse, sexual violence or prostitution should still be kept handy.

1330 | Korea Tourism Organization’s Travel Helpline

Tourism and translation services. The service is available 24/7 and provides information on tourist sites, transportation, restaurants, and more.

120 | Seoul Municipal Government Info

The Seoul “Dasan” helpline provides information on restaurants (Korean and international cuisines), transportation (bus, subway, taxi, etc.), Korean language schools, interpretation services, legal consulting, lost items, volunteer services, daily living in Seoul, and tourism. Available languages are Chinese, English, Japanese, Mongolian and Vietnamese from 9 am to 10 pm.

1345 | Immigration

Foreign resident can to ask just about any immigration-related question. Keep in mind that they tend to be on the negative side, as it’s the safer way for them to answer. Tip: Get their name and information so that if you visit the immigration office and get a different story you can tell them that you were told otherwise…

1331 | National Human Rights Commission of Korea

Call here to get information on human rights laws and social justice in Korea, as well as get assistance with filing a complaint and even receive counseling.

110 | National Government Call Center

This phone number is available for the public to call and inquire about anything from government policy to civil complaints. Available in 20 different languages.

Useful Official Links on Korea

Korean Arts

  • Archive of Gugak 국악아카이브
  • Artsnet 미술포탈 아츠넷
  • Digital Archive of Performing Arts 공연예술 디지털 아카이브
  • Intangible Heritage Digital Archive 무형유산 디지털 아카이브
  • Korea Digital Archives for the Arts 한국예술디지털아카이브
  • National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea 국립현대미술관
  • ​National Museum of Korea 국립중앙박물관
  • Seoul Photo Archives 서울사진아카이브

Korean Cinema

  • HANCINEMA The Korean Movie & Drama Database
  • Intangible Heritage Digital Archive 무형유산 디지털 아카이브
  • KMDb 한국영화데이터베이스
  • Korea Digital Archives for the Arts 한국예술디지털아카이브
  • Korean Annual Box Office Results 영화진흥위원회 박스오피스
  • Korean Film Archive 한국영상자료원
  • Korean Film Archive YouTube Channel
  • Korean Film Biz Zone
  • Korean Film Council 한국영화진흥위원회
  • KTV National Record Film 한국정책방송원 e영상역사관
  • North Korean film 북한영화 (통일부 북한자료센타)

Language & Literature

  • The Academy of Korean Studies 한국학 중앙 연구원
  • DLKL (한국 문학 디지털 도서관) by 한국문학번역원Digital Library of Korean Literature
  • The Korea Comparative Literature Association 한국비교문학회
  • The Korean Association of Language Sciences 한국언어과학회
  • Korean Literature Archive
  • Korean Literature Author Data Service
  • Korean Literature E-books in Multiple Languages
  • The Learned Society of Modern Korean Literature 한국현대문학회
  • The Modern Linguistic Society of Korea 한국현대언어학회
  • The Society of Korean Oral Literature 한국 구비 문학회
  • 국어 능력 인증 시험 (한국언어문화연구원)
  • 근대 문학 종합 목록 (국립 중앙 도서관)A comprehensive database for Korean modern literature. The site provides a search for authors and titles.
  • 한국 고전 종합 DB
  • 한글 학회 (Korean Language Society)

Statistical Sources

Government sources

  • Statistics Korea (KOSTAT 통계청)
  • Korean Statistical Information Sources (KOSIS 국가통계포털)
  • Open DATA Portal (공공 데이터 포털)

Themed statistics

  • Korean Social Science Data Archive (KOSSDA) 한국사회과학자료원
  • North Korean Statistics 북한통계 (KOISS)
  • 경제통계시스템 (Economic Statistics System)
  • 국가교육통계정보센터 (Korea National Center for Education Statistics & Information)
  • 노동통계 (Labour Statistics)
  • Media Statistics (Korea Press Foundation)
  • Trade Statistics (수출입통계, 관세청 Korea Customs Service)

History related sources

  • 한국역사정보통합시스템 (국사편찬워원회)
  • 한국사 데이터베이스
  • Kyujanggak Institute (규장각 한국학 연구원)Seoul National University Kyujanggak Institute for Korean studies
  • 한국학 디지털 아카이브
  • The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty 조선 왕조 실록
  • The Daily Records of Royal Secretariat of Joseon Dynasty 승정원 일기
  • 朝鮮王朝実録 (東京大学東洋文化研究所)
  • Korean Image Archive (한국 이미지 자료원)2,400 historic, original photographs of Korea (primarily focus on images captured pre-1970, and 35mm color slides) are available for research, presentation, lectures and other forms of scholarly works.
  • Sajin Taehan Min’guk (사진 대한민국)a collection of photographic records that vividly capture the people’s daily lives and social changes.
  • Academy of Korean Studies [한국학 디지털 아카이브]

Bibliographies and Indexes

  • 한국학술지인용색인 Korea Citation Index
  • KORCIS: 한국 고문헌 종합 목록 (국립중앙도서관)Korean Old and Rare Collection Information System
  • 近代朝鮮関係書籍データベース (東京大学東洋文化研究所)
  • 한국 잡지 박물관 DB