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News

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • NASA’s new moon mission is riskier than it should be

    Jan 22, 2026
    in News

    Wish them well. Next month, four astronauts are expected to board a space capsule called Orion, blast off on a…

    Warning
  • Seungri and the shadow of ‘Burning Sun’: New allegations in Cambodia

    Jan 22, 2026
    in News
    Seungri and the shadow of ‘Burning Sun’: New allegations in Cambodia

    Seungri, once one of the best-known K-pop stars and a former member of the idol group BigBang, was forced to…

    Crime, Discussion, Japan, K-pop, Scandal
  • Trump demands ‘immediate’ Greenland talks but rules out force

    Jan 22, 2026
    in News
    Trump demands ‘immediate’ Greenland talks but rules out force

    DAVOS, Switzerland — President Donald Trump demanded immediate talks on acquiring Greenland in a hardline speech at Davos Wednesday, but…

    Donald Trump, Military
  • Army’s Special Warfare Command stages wintertime drills

    Jan 22, 2026
    in News
    Army’s Special Warfare Command stages wintertime drills

    The Army’s Special Warfare Command has been staging intensive wintertime drills aimed at enhancing its special operations capabilities under extreme…

  • Korea to set up World Cup base camp in Guadalajara

    Jan 22, 2026
    in News
    Korea to set up World Cup base camp in Guadalajara

    Korea will have their base camp for the upcoming FIFA Cup in the western Mexican city of Guadalajara. The Korea…

    travel
  • Mexican president moves to ensure fair ticketing for historic BTS concert

    Jan 21, 2026
    in News
    Mexican president moves to ensure fair ticketing for historic BTS concert

    Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stepped in to tackle mounting concerns over ticket transparency for BTS’ Mexico City concerts, calling the…

    BTS, K-pop, request
  • President downplays US threat of 100% chip tariff

    Jan 21, 2026
    in News
    President downplays US threat of 100% chip tariff

    President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that Seoul does not take Washington’s recent threat to impose a 100 percent tariff…

    Donald Trump, Samsung, Samsung Electronics, Seoul, SK Hynix
  • Military advised to adopt RFID system in handling firearms to prevent accidents

    Jan 21, 2026
    in News
    Military advised to adopt RFID system in handling firearms to prevent accidents

    The military has been advised to swiftly adopt a radio frequency identification (RFID) system in handling firearms in a bid…

    identification, Military
  • Landfills go quiet as Seoul’s trash heads to incinerators — and other regions

    Jan 21, 2026
    in News
    Landfills go quiet as Seoul’s trash heads to incinerators — and other regions

    Seoul’s waste management system changed overnight on Jan. 1. Trucks that once lined up to dump mixed household waste at…

    Seoul
  • HD Hyundai seeks data-driven decision making with Palantir software deal in Davos

    Jan 21, 2026
    in News
    HD Hyundai seeks data-driven decision making with Palantir software deal in Davos

    HD Hyundai said Wednesday it signed an agreement with Palantir Technologies for additional purchases of the U.S. company’s software, aiming…

    Hyundai
  • Trump accepts fake Nobel Prize

    Jan 20, 2026
    in News
    Trump accepts fake Nobel Prize

    Trump accepts fake Nobel Prize

  • High exchange rates reshape holiday travel choices

    Jan 20, 2026
    in News
    High exchange rates reshape holiday travel choices

    Kim, who resides in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, had planned a trip to the United States during the Lunar New Year…

    family, Japan, Stress, travel
  • From barbecue to raw fish to instant noodles: Korean presidents’ distinct tastes in food

    Jan 20, 2026
    in News
    From barbecue to raw fish to instant noodles: Korean presidents’ distinct tastes in food

    More than 20 years of service across five presidents — that is the résumé of Cheon Sang-hyun, who recently appeared…

    history
  • Hanwha, Babcock pitch Korea-UK-Canada partnership for $43 bil. submarine deal

    Jan 20, 2026
    in News
    Hanwha, Babcock pitch Korea-UK-Canada partnership for $43 bil. submarine deal

    Hanwha Ocean and British defense firm Babcock have proposed a trilateral cooperative agreement between Korea, the United Kingdom and Canada…

    germany, history
  • Sharing what we have

    Jan 20, 2026
    in News
    Sharing what we have

    Director Kim Hyeon-ji’s documentary, “A Man Who Heals the City,” shows the life of Kim Jang-ha, who made large donations…

    Local News
  • I’ve been the ‘doctor on board’ during an in-flight emergency. Airlines need better medical kits

    Jan 19, 2026
    in News

    Every holiday season, millions of Americans hop on a plane to visit friends and family. Most people are anxious about…

    family, Medical, study
  • Guatemala declares state of siege after gang violence kills 7 police officers

    Jan 19, 2026
    in News
    Guatemala declares state of siege after gang violence kills 7 police officers

    GUATEMALA CITY — Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo declared a 30-day state of siege Sunday after suspected gang members in Guatemala’s…

  • Korean energy industry leaders head to Davos as Trump returns to WEF

    Jan 19, 2026
    in News
    Korean energy industry leaders head to Davos as Trump returns to WEF

    Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and the heads of Korea’s leading energy companies are attending this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF),…

    Hyundai, LG, POSCO, Samsung
  • Ex-Doosan chairman details human lives during 1st solo photo exhibition

    Jan 19, 2026
    in News
    Ex-Doosan chairman details human lives during 1st solo photo exhibition

    Park Yong-maan, a former chairman of Doosan Group, one of Korea’s oldest conglomerates, has made a surprising debut as a…

    family, Peace, Seoul
  • Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung spark global rom-com frenzy with ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’

    Jan 19, 2026
    in News
    Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung spark global rom-com frenzy with ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’

    Netflix’s new romantic comedy “Can This Love Be Translated?” is gaining rapid momentum here and abroad, fueled by the immense…

    Japan, Mystery
  • Snowboarder Choi Gaon earns 3rd World Cup title of season in Switzerland

    Jan 18, 2026
    in News
    Snowboarder Choi Gaon earns 3rd World Cup title of season in Switzerland

    Teen snowboarder Choi Gaon has claimed her third World Cup victory of the season, further solidifying her status as a…

    Japan
  • Trump vows tariffs on 8 European nations over Greenland

    Jan 18, 2026
    in News
    Trump vows tariffs on 8 European nations over Greenland

    WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday vowed to implement a wave of increasing tariffs on European allies until…

    Donald Trump, germany
  • Hyundai, Kia post record US market share in 2025 despite Trump tariffs

    Jan 18, 2026
    in News
    Hyundai, Kia post record US market share in 2025 despite Trump tariffs

    Hyundai Motor and its sister Kia posted a record combined market share in the United States in 2025, buoyed by…

    Hyundai, Kia
  • Banks’ dealing rooms become key marketing tool as KOSPI nears historic 5,000

    Jan 18, 2026
    in News
    Banks’ dealing rooms become key marketing tool as KOSPI nears historic 5,000

    Major commercial banks dealing rooms are becoming a key marketing tool as the benchmark KOSPI nears an unprecedented 5,000 points,…

    history, Seoul
  • Cardinals’ half-Korean pitcher O’Brien plans to pitch for Korea at WBC: report

    Jan 18, 2026
    in News
    Cardinals’ half-Korean pitcher O’Brien plans to pitch for Korea at WBC: report

    Riley O’Brien, the half-Korean pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, plans to pitch for Korea at the World Baseball Classic…

    Japan, Parents, travel
  • First bilingual edition brings poet Kim Yeong-nang to new readers

    Jan 17, 2026
    in News
    First bilingual edition brings poet Kim Yeong-nang to new readers

    There is a saying in Korea: “In the North, we have Kim So-wol; in the South, we have Kim Yeong-nang.”…

    Korean War
  • Nobel Peace Prize inseparable from laureate, award body says after Trump gets medal from Machado

    Jan 17, 2026
    in News
    Nobel Peace Prize inseparable from laureate, award body says after Trump gets medal from Machado

    OSLO — The Nobel Peace Prize remains inseparably linked to the person or organisation designated as the laureate, the Norwegian…

    Donald Trump, history, Peace
  • Learning Korea Without Korean

    Jan 17, 2026
    in News
    Learning Korea Without Korean

    More than once I’ve walked up to a counter in a coffee shop and seen the two people working there…

    coffee, Question
  • Former DPK lawmaker’s ex-aide appears before police again for bribery allegations

    Jan 17, 2026
    in News
    Former DPK lawmaker’s ex-aide appears before police again for bribery allegations

    A former aide to ex-ruling party Rep. Kang Sun-woo appeared before police Saturday to undergo questioning for a second time…

    Question, Seoul
  • Greenlanders put faith in Europe’s troops and US Congress

    Jan 17, 2026
    in News
    Greenlanders put faith in Europe’s troops and US Congress

    NUUK — Greenlanders were putting cautious hope in all-out efforts to contain U.S. President Donald Trump’s designs on their Arctic…

    Donald Trump, germany, Lawmakers, Military
  • S. Korea to simplify import procedures for N. Korean processed foods

    Jan 16, 2026
    in News
    S. Korea to simplify import procedures for N. Korean processed foods

    South Korea will simplify the import procedures for North Korean processed food in an effort to help resume inter-Korean trade…

    fail, Food Safety, Korean Food, North Korea
  • Citibank Korea accelerates AI adoption in daily workflows, enhances employee productivity

    Jan 16, 2026
    in News
    Citibank Korea accelerates AI adoption in daily workflows, enhances employee productivity

    Citibank Korea said Friday that it has begun the full deployment of Citi AI, Citi’s newly introduced artificial intelligence platform,…

    purpose
  • High-end apartment brand marketing faces consequences

    Jan 16, 2026
    in News
    High-end apartment brand marketing faces consequences

    The recent boom in high-end brand marketing in Korea’s apartment construction market has come at a cost as an increasing…

    POSCO, request, Seoul
  • Netflix to produce ‘Culinary Class Wars’ Season 3

    Jan 16, 2026
    in News
    Netflix to produce ‘Culinary Class Wars’ Season 3

    Netflix has confirmed production of the third season of its hit Korean cooking competition show “Culinary Class Wars.” Unlike the…

    Celebrity
  • Chung Ji-young’s ‘My Name’ invited to Berlin film fest

    Jan 16, 2026
    in News
    Chung Ji-young’s ‘My Name’ invited to Berlin film fest

    “My Name,” the latest film from director Chung Ji-young, has been invited to screen at the Berlin International Film Festival,…

    history, Jeju, Mystery
  • Hyundai Palisade wins 2026 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year

    Jan 15, 2026
    in News
    Hyundai Palisade wins 2026 North American Utility Vehicle of  the Year

    Hyundai Motor’s Palisade three-row flagship SUV has been named the 2026 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year for its…

    automotive, driver, Hyundai
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Latest Korean News

  • NASA’s new moon mission is riskier than it should beJanuary 22, 2026
    Wish them well. Next month, four astronauts are expected to… Read more: NASA’s new moon mission is riskier than it should be
  • Seungri and the shadow of ‘Burning Sun’: New allegations in CambodiaJanuary 22, 2026
    Seungri, once one of the best-known K-pop stars and a… Read more: Seungri and the shadow of ‘Burning Sun’: New allegations in Cambodia
  • Trump demands ‘immediate’ Greenland talks but rules out forceJanuary 22, 2026
    DAVOS, Switzerland — President Donald Trump demanded immediate talks on… Read more: Trump demands ‘immediate’ Greenland talks but rules out force
  • Army’s Special Warfare Command stages wintertime drillsJanuary 22, 2026
    The Army’s Special Warfare Command has been staging intensive wintertime… Read more: Army’s Special Warfare Command stages wintertime drills
  • Korea to set up World Cup base camp in GuadalajaraJanuary 22, 2026
    Korea will have their base camp for the upcoming FIFA… Read more: Korea to set up World Cup base camp in Guadalajara

Latest Community Feeds

  • Can I add chicken to a soondubu kit?January 22, 2026
  • Stupid kimchi questionJanuary 22, 2026
  • Thinly sliced oxtail from Korean Butchery in Queens, NYJanuary 22, 2026
  • Kimchi HelpJanuary 22, 2026
  • Late-night pepperoni pizza with garlic dip in koreaJanuary 22, 2026
  • Reducing oil from kimcheJanuary 22, 2026
  • This Is My Normal Korean LunchboxJanuary 22, 2026
  • Ever heard of Ge-guk-ji?January 22, 2026
  • Craving for Korean Food!!January 22, 2026
  • S. Korea becomes 1st nation to enact comprehensive law on safe AI usage | Yonhap News AgencyJanuary 22, 2026
  • South Korean GDP shrank in fourth quarter as fiscal stimulus fadesJanuary 22, 2026
  • Hyundai Union Rejects Robots Without Labor AgreementJanuary 22, 2026
  • Which idol’s vocal tone is ‘your’ personal favourite ??January 22, 2026
  • Pov: a kid on the list of bad kids on christmasJanuary 22, 2026
  • Been eating pretty bad for years, trying to get into the habit of regular food prepJanuary 22, 2026
  • South Korea’s Rice Consumption Drops to Record LowJanuary 22, 2026
  • Dog meat ban nears as fate of half million dogs unclearJanuary 22, 2026
  • (2nd LD) Ruling party proposes merger with minor Rebuilding Korea Party ahead of local elections | Yonhap News AgencyJanuary 22, 2026
  • Is it okay if I don’t put sugar in my japchaeJanuary 22, 2026
  • B-sides are having their moment in Korea right nowJanuary 22, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (17,189)
    • Community (12,153)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (4,029)
  • 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

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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