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News

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • Airlines on high alert over strengthening dollar, prolonged oil price hike

    Jun 14, 2026
    in News
    Airlines on high alert over strengthening dollar, prolonged oil price hike

    Korea’s aviation industry is facing severe headwinds, as a combination of high oil prices and a weakening Korean won is…

  • Funeral for Iran’s late supreme leader to begin July 4

    Jun 14, 2026
    in News
    Funeral for Iran’s late supreme leader to begin July 4

    ISLAMABAD — Funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be in July, the country’s state-run television…

  • Investigators to question election watchdog officials soon over local election ballot shortage

    Jun 14, 2026
    in News
    Investigators to question election watchdog officials soon over local election ballot shortage

    A joint team of police investigators and prosecutors will soon question election watchdog officials over shortages of ballot papers during…

    Question, Seoul
  • The AI revolution mirrors the green transition

    Jun 14, 2026
    in News
    The AI revolution mirrors the green transition

    CHICAGO/NEW YORK — The artificial intelligence (AI) race is already generating forces that are transforming the global economy. That makes…

  • Hanwha Aerospace launches independent safety committee following fatal fire

    Jun 14, 2026
    in News
    Hanwha Aerospace launches independent safety committee following fatal fire

    Hanwha Aerospace, a defense affiliate of Hanwha Group, said Sunday it has launched an independent committee to oversee the company’s…

    Daejeon, Seoul
  • Lee says S. Korea, Italy are ‘optimal partners’ for business cooperation

    Jun 13, 2026
    in News
    Lee says S. Korea, Italy are ‘optimal partners’ for business cooperation

    ROME — President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that South Korea and Italy are optimal partners for business cooperation and…

  • Pre-vacation diet strategy: Three habits you should change first

    Jun 13, 2026
    in News
    Pre-vacation diet strategy: Three habits you should change first

    Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. As summer vacation approaches, it’s easy to become anxious about your body shape…

    Suga
  • BLACKPINK’s Lisa headlines FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in US

    Jun 13, 2026
    in News
    BLACKPINK’s Lisa headlines FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in US

    Lisa of BLACKPINK delivered a spectacular performance at the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.…

    BTS, K-pop
  • HYBE apologizes for delay on 1st night of BTS world tour in Busan

    Jun 13, 2026
    in News
    HYBE apologizes for delay on 1st night of BTS world tour in Busan

    HYBE, the agency behind K-pop boy band BTS, issued a formal apology after the first night of the group’s world…

    apology, BTS, Busan, K-pop
  • K-content boom effect? Foreign arrivals to Korea jump 20 percent

    Jun 13, 2026
    in News
    K-content boom effect? 
 Foreign arrivals to Korea jump 20 percent

    The number of foreign visitors entering Korea surged by more than 20 percent in the first five months of this…

    travel
  • Seoul asks public to trade cars for bikes to cut carbon emissions, save fuel

    Jun 12, 2026
    in News
    Seoul asks public to trade cars for bikes to cut carbon emissions, save fuel

    Amid prolonged instability in the Middle East and growing volatility across global energy supply chains, municipal authorities in Seoul are…

    Seoul
  • Naver, Krafton team up to bring PUBG esports to bigger audiences

    Jun 12, 2026
    in News
    Naver, Krafton team up to bring PUBG esports to bigger audiences

    Korean internet giant Naver Corp. has entered into a strategic partnership with game developer Krafton to expand the media and…

    Naver
  • CJ CheilJedang, Samyang Foods climb in brand-value rankings as global appetite grows

    Jun 12, 2026
    in News
    CJ CheilJedang, Samyang Foods climb in brand-value rankings as global appetite grows

    Korea’s leading food manufacturers are solidifying their positions among the country’s most valuable corporate names, reflecting the food sector’s rising…

    automotive, CJ Cheiljedang, driver, Global Expansion, Samyang
  • Retrospective honors Japanese pastor who captured humanity of Seoul’s vanished shantytowns

    Jun 12, 2026
    in News
    Retrospective honors Japanese pastor who captured humanity of Seoul’s vanished shantytowns

    Long before Korea transformed into an economic juggernaut and a global cultural powerhouse, parts of its capital were defined by…

    Japan, Justice, Seoul
  • 1 in 4 Korean high school students sleep in class: report

    Jun 12, 2026
    in News
    1 in 4 Korean high school students sleep in class: report

    Korean high school students have one of the lowest long-term absenteeism rates among OECD countries, but their actual classroom participation…

    Question, Survey
  • Ex-KBO MVP Kim Do-yeong headlines Asian Games baseball roster

    Jun 11, 2026
    in News
    Ex-KBO MVP Kim Do-yeong headlines Asian Games baseball roster

    The 2024 Korean baseball league MVP Kim Do-yeong was selected to the national team for the upcoming Asian Games on…

    Japan, Kia, Military
  • Netflix hit inspires Korea tourism push aimed at turning viewers into visitors

    Jun 11, 2026
    in News
    Netflix hit inspires Korea tourism push aimed at turning viewers into visitors

    Korea is betting that the power of a Netflix hit can do more than entertain audiences — it can also…

    KT, squid game, Tourism, travel
  • Korea’s semiconductor future cannot be built on capital-centric thinking

    Jun 11, 2026
    in News
    Korea’s semiconductor future cannot be built on capital-centric thinking

    The debate over whether Korea’s leading semiconductor manufacturers should expand into the country’s southwestern region has exposed a deeper question…

    Controversy, Discussion, Question, Samsung, Samsung Electronics, Seoul, SK Hynix
  • Korea attracts $165 mil. investment from European firms, signs digital trade agreement with EU

    Jun 11, 2026
    in News
    Korea attracts $165 mil. investment from European firms, signs digital trade agreement with EU

    Korea has attracted a combined $165 million in foreign direct investment from four European companies and signed a digital trade…

    germany, LG, Putin, Seoul
  • Hyundai Motor, Kia unveil world’s 1st in-car UV sanitizer

    Jun 11, 2026
    in News
    Hyundai Motor, Kia unveil world’s 1st in-car UV sanitizer

    Hyundai Motor and affiliate Kia said Thursday they have developed what they describe as the world’s first ultraviolet (UV) sanitization…

    automotive, Hyundai, Kia
  • GM’s next big bet: Turning EVs into power plants on wheels

    Jun 10, 2026
    in News
    GM’s next big bet: Turning EVs into power plants on wheels

    General Motors is pushing the car beyond its form, unveiling a strategy that could transform electric vehicles into active participants…

    Putin
  • Second female PM

    Jun 10, 2026
    in News
    Second female PM

    Timing is often an unruly thing. Many pundits have stressed the importance of timing in life. What I mean to…

    history, Korean History, Naver, Stress
  • Journalists from 7 countries visit Sungkyunkwan University as part of Korea program

    Jun 10, 2026
    in News
    Journalists from 7 countries visit Sungkyunkwan University as part of Korea program

    A delegation of journalists from seven countries visited Sungkyunkwan University on June 4 to learn about Korea’s artificial intelligence (AI)…

  • Hyundai Motor brings FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign into Rocket League, Fortnite

    Jun 10, 2026
    in News
    Hyundai Motor brings FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign into Rocket League, Fortnite

    Hyundai Motor said Wednesday it has partnered with Epic Games to bring its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign into two…

    Hyundai
  • Korea pushes to make historic street markets more user-friendly

    Jun 10, 2026
    in News
    Korea pushes to make historic street markets more user-friendly

    Korea’s tourism authorities are turning their attention to traditional street markets, launching a standardized campaign Friday to target long-standing consumer…

    Busan, Tourism, travel
  • Ex-AOA member Jimin opens up about struggles ahead of new music release

    Jun 9, 2026
    in News
    Ex-AOA member Jimin opens up about struggles ahead of new music release

    Jimin, a former member of K-pop girl group AOA, has opened up about the emotional strain she has faced ahead…

    K-pop, Social Media
  • PM calls for crowd control measures ahead of BTS concert in Busan

    Jun 9, 2026
    in News
    PM calls for crowd control measures ahead of BTS concert in Busan

    Prime Minister Kim Min-seok told officials Tuesday to ensure crowd control and crack down on tourist overcharging, scalped tickets and…

    BTS, Busan, Seoul, Tourism
  • S. Korea, US to hold key strategic meeting on NK nuclear deterrence this week

    Jun 9, 2026
    in News
    S. Korea, US to hold key strategic meeting on NK nuclear deterrence this week

    South Korea and the United States will hold a meeting of their key nuclear deterrence body this week, Seoul’s defense…

    North Korea, Pyongyang, Seoul
  • Gangnam District to host riverside picnic concert with car-free street festival

    Jun 9, 2026
    in News
    Gangnam District to host riverside picnic concert with car-free street festival

    Gangnam District will host the “2026 Gangnam Picnic Concert x Garosu-gil Design Week” on Saturday, combining a free outdoor concert…

    K-pop, purpose
  • 6.1 magnitude earthquake near Cuba shakes buildings in Havana, Florida

    Jun 9, 2026
    in News
    6.1 magnitude earthquake near Cuba shakes buildings in Havana, Florida

    HAVANA — A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck near western Cuba on Monday afternoon, shaking buildings in Havana and Florida as…

    Social Media, Survey
  • Korea’s drug prevention efforts deserve greater recognition

    Jun 8, 2026
    in News
    Korea’s drug prevention efforts deserve greater recognition

    As we approach June 26, the United Nations’ International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Korea is once again…

  • Science ministry, Kakao meet to prevent service disruption ahead of strike

    Jun 8, 2026
    in News
    Science ministry, Kakao meet to prevent service disruption ahead of strike

    Officials from the science ministry and Kakao Corp. held a meeting Monday to ensure stable operations of major services provided…

    Kakao
  • Crisis of confidence at NEC

    Jun 8, 2026
    in News
    Crisis of confidence at NEC

    Olympic Park in southeastern Seoul’s affluent Songpa District has become the epicenter of democratic activism. Tens of thousands of voters,…

    Millennials, Seoul
  • Seoul city gov’t audits homestays as tourism booms

    Jun 8, 2026
    in News
    Seoul city gov’t audits homestays as tourism booms

    For a decade, Seoul has nudged its residents to open their doors to foreigners, turning spare bedrooms and historic hanok,…

    Korean House, Seoul, Tourism
  • Korea outpaces Japan in trash recycling, joint study shows

    Jun 8, 2026
    in News
    Korea outpaces Japan in trash recycling, joint study shows

    Korea and Japan published Monday a joint study establishing the first unified framework to directly compare the two nations’ waste…

    Cycling, Japan, study
  • Bithumb’s bitcoin payout blunder results in $1.6 mil. compensation

    Jun 7, 2026
    in News
    Bithumb’s bitcoin payout blunder results in $1.6 mil. compensation

    Korea’s major cryptocurrency exchanges have paid out billions of won in compensation for hacking incidents and system failures in recent…

    fail
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Latest Korean News

  • Global rate-hike cycle in view as central banks take on inflationSeptember 18, 2026
    FRANKFURT — The prospect of a new global interest rate-tightening… Read more: Global rate-hike cycle in view as central banks take on inflation
  • Wall St mixed as benchmark Treasury yields reach 5%, oil takes a pauseSeptember 18, 2026
    NEW YORK — Wall Street was mixed on Friday as… Read more: Wall St mixed as benchmark Treasury yields reach 5%, oil takes a pause
  • Early voting begins in US midterms that could shift control of CongressSeptember 18, 2026
    HENRICO, Va. — In-person voting for this year’s midterm elections… Read more: Early voting begins in US midterms that could shift control of Congress
  • Coupang turns to Taiwan as key hub for global growthSeptember 18, 2026
    Taiwan has emerged as a key strategic hub for Coupang’s… Read more: Coupang turns to Taiwan as key hub for global growth
  • Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairmanSeptember 18, 2026
    WASHINGTON — Influential U.S. billionaire investor Warren Buffett stepped down… Read more: Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman

Latest Community Feeds

  • which group is each company’s current biggest money maker?September 19, 2026
  • Are there any other successful soloist from iz*one besides Yena / how did Yena achieve solo success compared to her other members?September 19, 2026
  • WTF Are ya’ll doing with your 된장/쌈장/고추장 flip-top lids?September 19, 2026
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  • BESTie’s Love Options is going super viral in SK right nowSeptember 19, 2026
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  • Unchild’s (High Up second group and only act besides STAYC) comeback was suddenly postponed and the group has completely disappeared ever sinceSeptember 19, 2026
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  • The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian GamesSeptember 19, 2026
  • Foreign cards to work on Seoul buses from 2027September 19, 2026
  • Bronze Whaler shark spotted near Busan waterfront park prompts Coast Guard responseSeptember 19, 2026
  • My experience and thoughts after going to inkigayo as a foreignerSeptember 19, 2026
  • Has anybody been following Seo In Young YouTube / her journey the past couple months?September 19, 2026
  • Is it true that Jype lowkey fell off???????????September 18, 2026
  • IT GIRLS have changed, it’s time to accept it.September 18, 2026
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All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (25,836)
    • Community (19,263)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (5,212)
  • 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

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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