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News

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • 60 Minutes

    Jun 7, 2026
    in News
    60 Minutes

    60 Minutes

  • Kore-eda explores human nature, imagination in ‘Sheep in the Box’

    Jun 7, 2026
    in News
    Kore-eda explores human nature, imagination in ‘Sheep in the Box’

    Renowned Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda has focused on the concept of unseen imagination as the ultimate message of his new…

    Japan, Parents, Seoul
  • [PHOTOS] Jensen Huang draws celebrity welcome in Korea

    Jun 7, 2026
    in News
    [PHOTOS] Jensen Huang draws celebrity welcome in Korea

    Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang signs autographs for people welcoming him at the Seoul Gimpo Business Aviation Center in Seoul’s Gangseo…

    Celebrity, Nvidia, Seoul
  • Sustainable energy supply chain

    Jun 7, 2026
    in News
    Sustainable energy supply chain

    From May 20, the Asian Leadership Conference (ALC) convened in Seoul. Often described as Korea’s answer to the Davos forum,…

    Seoul, Survey, Ukraine
  • Korean players arrive in Mexico base camp ahead of World Cup

    Jun 6, 2026
    in News
    Korean players arrive in Mexico base camp ahead of World Cup

    GUADALAJARA, Mexico — The Korean men’s national football team arrived in their FIFA World Cup base camp in Mexico on…

    Son Heung-min
  • Former BTS music producer to attend music conference next week

    Jun 6, 2026
    in News
    Former BTS music producer to attend music conference next week

    K-pop music producer Alex Karlsson, who has made music for boy group BTS, will speak at a music conference slated…

    BTS, K-pop, Seoul
  • Protest against ballot paper shortages enters 2nd day, demanding new election

    Jun 6, 2026
    in News
    Protest against ballot paper shortages enters 2nd day, demanding new election

    Protests over ballot shortages entered their second day Saturday, with thousands encircling a vote-counting facility in eastern Seoul and demanding…

    Protest, Seoul
  • US approves potential sale of JDAM precision bombs to Korea

    Jun 6, 2026
    in News
    US approves potential sale of JDAM precision bombs to Korea

    WASHINGTON — The U.S. government has authorized a potential sale to Korea of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) precision bombs…

    Military, request
  • How plogging turns eco-anxiety into lifestyle for young Koreans

    Jun 6, 2026
    in News
    How plogging turns eco-anxiety into lifestyle for young Koreans

    As Koreans brace for another sweltering summer, a grim joke has taken hold in casual conversation: “This will be the…

    Koreans, Protest, study
  • ‘Korea means trust’: EU lawmaker sees growing role for parliamentary diplomacy

    Jun 5, 2026
    in News
    ‘Korea means trust’: EU lawmaker sees growing role for parliamentary diplomacy

    The European Parliament and South Korea’s National Assembly should play a greater role in strengthening bilateral ties as Seoul and…

    Seoul, Stress
  • Samil PwC, PwC Consulting announce leadership appointments amid AI push

    Jun 5, 2026
    in News
    Samil PwC, PwC Consulting announce leadership appointments amid AI push

    Samil PwC, Korea’s largest accounting firm by revenue, and its consulting affiliate, PwC Consulting, announced a new slate of leadership…

  • PM highlights need for probe, if necessary, to look into ballot shortage

    Jun 5, 2026
    in News
    PM highlights need for probe, if necessary, to look into ballot shortage

    Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Friday that a parliamentary investigation or an independent counsel probe should be used, if necessary,…

    Democracy, Seoul, Social Media
  • BTS members’ military boot camp stories draw fan attention

    Jun 5, 2026
    in News
    BTS members’ military boot camp stories draw fan attention

    A BTS member surprised and intrigued fans after leaving a comment on social media videos that described what he was…

    BTS, Military, Social Media
  • Samyang’s Buldak ramyeon tops 10 bil. units sold, $4.5 bil. in cumulative sales

    Jun 5, 2026
    in News
    Samyang’s Buldak ramyeon tops 10 bil. units sold, $4.5 bil. in cumulative sales

    Samyang Foods Inc. said Friday that cumulative sales of its Buldak ramyeon series have exceeded 10 billion units and 7…

    germany, Japan, Samyang
  • Getting laid off without severance pay

    Jun 4, 2026
    in News
    Getting laid off without severance pay

    Getting laid off without severance pay

  • Hyundai Glovis to establish European vehicle logistics hub in Amsterdam

    Jun 4, 2026
    in News
    Hyundai Glovis to establish European vehicle logistics hub in Amsterdam

    Hyundai Glovis will establish a finished-vehicle supply chain hub at the Port of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, in a move…

    automotive, Hyundai
  • Police identify over 4,000 election law suspects in local election crackdown

    Jun 4, 2026
    in News
    Police identify over 4,000 election law suspects in local election crackdown

    Police have identified more than 4,000 people suspected of violating the election law since February in connection with the June…

    Crime
  • Starbucks regains top spot on KakaoTalk gift rankings after ‘Tank Day’ controversy

    Jun 4, 2026
    in News
    Starbucks regains top spot on KakaoTalk gift rankings after ‘Tank Day’ controversy

    Starbucks has reclaimed the No. 1 position in KakaoTalk’s mobile gift voucher rankings after a sharp decline triggered by controversy…

    coffee, Controversy, Kakao
  • Seoul expands safety net for small shops fighting inflation

    Jun 4, 2026
    in News
    Seoul expands safety net for small shops fighting inflation

    Inside a modest neighborhood diner in central Seoul, the price of a bowl of kimchi stew has held steady despite…

    Kimchi, Seoul
  • Korean Gen Z falls hard for Taeko Onuki, Japanese city pop and J-rock

    Jun 3, 2026
    in News
    Korean Gen Z falls hard for Taeko Onuki, Japanese city pop and J-rock

    “Thank you. This is my first concert in Korea.” Taeko Onuki stood before the cheering crowd in Incheon, more than…

    Gen Z, Japan
  • Can Korean cinema sustain its rebound?

    Jun 3, 2026
    in News
    Can Korean cinema sustain its rebound?

    After years of struggling to recover from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea’s film industry is finally showing signs…

    history
  • BTS vs. price gouging? Gov’t steps in before Busan shows

    Jun 3, 2026
    in News
    BTS vs. price gouging? Gov’t steps in before Busan shows

    Korean authorities are moving to crack down on alleged hotel price gouging and reservation abuses after BTS members publicly criticized…

    BTS, Busan, K-pop, Survey
  • Tteokbokki simmers around world at Dookki restaurants

    Jun 3, 2026
    in News
    Tteokbokki simmers around world at Dookki restaurants

    SEONGNAM, Gyeonggi Province — Tteokbokki, a rice cake dish simmered in red-hot pepper paste, was at first notorious for its…

    Fame, Koreans, Question
  • KEPCO wins $1.4 bil. Saudi cogeneration project from Aramco

    Jun 3, 2026
    in News
    KEPCO wins $1.4 bil. Saudi cogeneration project from Aramco

    Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) has secured another cogeneration project in Saudi Arabia, strengthening its foothold in the Middle East’s…

  • Consumer prices hit 26-month high, fueling rate hike expectations

    Jun 2, 2026
    in News
    Consumer prices hit 26-month high, fueling rate hike expectations

    Korea’s consumer inflation accelerated to a 26-month high in May, driven by soaring oil prices amid the ongoing conflict in…

    Ukraine
  • HanmiGlobal to host global summit on AI-driven future of project management

    Jun 2, 2026
    in News
    HanmiGlobal to host global summit on AI-driven future of project management

    Construction project management (PM) firm HanmiGlobal will host an international summit on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven innovation in the industry this…

    POSCO, Seoul
  • Korea declares yellow-throated marten endangered species as habitats shrink

    Jun 2, 2026
    in News
    Korea declares yellow-throated marten endangered species as habitats shrink

    To glimpse a marten, known as”dambi” in Korean, moving through the misty ridges of the Baekdudaegan mountain range is to…

  • Korean struggles reflected in dueling renditions of Chekhov classic

    Jun 2, 2026
    in News
    Korean struggles reflected in dueling renditions of Chekhov classic

    Two versions of an unhappy uncle have drawn Korean theatergoers this May, as Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” arrived in Seoul…

    Celebrity, Koreans, LG, Peace, Seoul
  • Whole foods vs. supplements: Which is better for nutrient intake?

    Jun 2, 2026
    in News
    Whole foods vs. supplements: Which is better for nutrient intake?

    Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com Getting essential nutrients such as vitamins, iron, folate and dietary fiber from food…

    Medical
  • Overshadowed by KOSPI rally, bank stocks pin hopes on rate hikes

    Jun 1, 2026
    in News
    Overshadowed by KOSPI rally, bank stocks pin hopes on rate hikes

    Banking stocks have largely remained on the sidelines despite the KOSPI’s record-setting rally this year, according to Korea Exchange (KRX)…

  • Confusion grows over CU’s purported offline expansion in China

    Jun 1, 2026
    in News
    Confusion grows over CU’s purported offline expansion in China

    Confusion emerged over CU’s purported offline store plan in the Chinese market, as a local distributor suggested that Korea’s largest…

    Social Media
  • Actor Park Ji-hoon recommends hand gripper to relieve stress

    Jun 1, 2026
    in News
    Actor Park Ji-hoon recommends hand gripper to relieve stress

    Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Singer and actor Park Ji-hoon recently revealed that one of the items he…

    Fame, K-pop, Stress
  • Workers at Celltrion launch first union in company’s history

    Jun 1, 2026
    in News
    Workers at Celltrion launch first union in company’s history

    Workers at Celltrion, a Korean bio firm, launched a labor union for the first time in the company’s history, demanding…

    history
  • Samsung Electronics’ market cap surpasses $1.32 tril.

    Jun 1, 2026
    in News
    Samsung Electronics’ market cap surpasses $1.32 tril.

    The market capitalization of top-cap Samsung Electronics surpassed 2 quadrillion won ($1.32 trillion) for the first time Monday, the bourse…

    Samsung, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix
  • The dilemma of Korean food

    May 31, 2026
    in News
    The dilemma of Korean food

    A few days ago, we were having lunch after a Sunday worship service at a Korean church, when a discussion…

    Discussion, Korean Food, Koreans, Question
  • Nvidia CEO’s visit to Korea stokes hopes on physical AI collaboration

    May 31, 2026
    in News
    Nvidia CEO’s visit to Korea stokes hopes on physical AI collaboration

    Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is set to visit Korea this week, stoking expectations over the artificial intelligence (AI) platform company’s…

    Hyundai, Nvidia, Samsung, Samsung Electronics, Seoul, SK Hynix
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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
  • Korean marinated olives 🫒September 19, 2026
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  • Carrot kimchiSeptember 19, 2026
  • spicy marinated crabSeptember 19, 2026
  • 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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  • How can Kpop be popular in the Western world like in BTS/Blackpink prime again?September 19, 2026
  • 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
  • Why does your favorite group mean so much to you?September 18, 2026

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

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