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Seoul

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • Happy Workers’ Day!

    May 1, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Happy Workers’ Day!

    https://ws.or.kr/article/11676 On August 6, 1987, Hyundai Group chairman Chung Ju-yung appeared at Hyundai Heavy Industries. The “king chairman” personally stepped…

    Busan, Democracy, Economic Miracle, history, Hyundai, Military, Politics, Protest, Samsung, Seoul
  • Union wants foreign language teachers to know their rights

    May 1, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Union wants foreign language teachers to know their rights

    She broke her foot, and still had to go to work. While her students were busy taking a test, she…

    Busan, Crime, daegu, Daejeon, Discrimination, fail, Japan, Jeju, Koreans, KT, Minimum Wage, Seoul, Stress, study
  • NO TRAGEDY, ALL GLORY: TWS Shinyu & Youngjae Own the Moment

    Apr 30, 2026
    in Feeds
    NO TRAGEDY, ALL GLORY: TWS Shinyu & Youngjae Own the Moment

    The Frame Before the Flash Before the shutter clicks, before the lights bloom white and the editorial world holds its…

    history, Japan, K-pop, Military, Photography, purpose, Seoul, Warning
  • Was Korea (thinking most about Seoul) more vibrant and lively in 90s/early 2000s?

    Apr 30, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I was watching some random footage from Seoul from the past and comparing to the same kind of video from…

    Seoul
  • Seoul goes green, planting 167 gardens across its urban landscape

    Apr 30, 2026
    in News
    Seoul goes green, planting 167 gardens across its urban landscape

    Seoul will host a large-scale international garden festival beginning Friday, showcasing hundreds of themed gardens across the city, organizers said…

    Seoul
  • Korea seeks to boost K-food exports with global certification drive

    Apr 30, 2026
    in News
    Korea seeks to boost K-food exports with global certification drive

    Korea is stepping up its push to expand K-food exports, rolling out a nationwide campaign to help companies navigate tightening…

    Food Safety, Seoul
  • ‘New neocons’ influence Trump as North Korea faces increased risk

    Apr 30, 2026
    in News
    ‘New neocons’ influence Trump as North Korea faces increased risk

    As a rift widens among Republicans over U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, a top Korean American leader said Seoul must recognize…

    Donald Trump, Korean American, Military, North Korea, Seoul
  • Korean Salt Bread is one of the best baked goods I’ve ever eaten

    Apr 30, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Korean Salt Bread is one of the best baked goods I’ve ever eaten

    I went to this bakery in Seoul, Artist Bakery, and oh man it’s SO GOOD. I didn’t expect it to…

    Seoul
  • New Zealand axes plan for WW2 comfort women statue after Japan’s protest

    Apr 29, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    New Zealand axes plan for WW2 comfort women statue after Japan’s protest

    Plans to erect a statue in New Zealand symbolising the so-called comfort women who were forced into sexual slavery by…

    BBC, Japan, Justice, Military, Peace, Prostitution, Protest, Seoul, Sex, World War
  • Seoul’s ambassador spouses association turns diplomatic life into cultural exchange

    Apr 29, 2026
    in News
    Seoul’s ambassador spouses association turns diplomatic life into cultural exchange

    Behind Seoul’s formal diplomatic circuit, a quieter kind of international engagement is taking shape. The Association of Spouses of Ambassadors…

    Seoul
  • Presidential Security Service holds elite training for UAE agents in long-standing cooperation

    Apr 29, 2026
    in News
    Presidential Security Service holds elite training for UAE agents in long-standing cooperation

    The Presidential Security Service (PSS) recently conducted a commissioned training in Seoul for presidential security agents from the United Arab…

    Military, Seoul
  • Anime/Games

    Apr 28, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Anime/Games

    Will I find an anime/Nintendo-style vibe (geek/nerd culture in general) in South Korea, or not? If so, is it mainly…

    Busan, Japan, Seoul
  • IT WAS NEVER OVER: I.O.I IS BACK AND THE LOOP HAS FINALLY CLOSED

    Apr 28, 2026
    in Feeds
    IT WAS NEVER OVER: I.O.I IS BACK AND THE LOOP HAS FINALLY CLOSED

    The Moment the Room Stood Still There’s a specific kind of silence that falls right before a fandom collectively loses…

    Japan, K-pop, LG, Photography, purpose, Question, Seoul, Teenager, Warning
  • Seoul is Asia’s most walkable city in 2026, according to locals

    Apr 28, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Seoul is Asia’s most walkable city in 2026, according to locals

    submitted by /u/self-fix2 [link] [comments]

    Seoul
  • Getting a driver’s license in just 1 month

    Apr 28, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Getting a driver’s license in just 1 month

    Hi everyone! I’m an international student living in Seoul, and I recently got my Korean driver’s license in less than…

    driver, Question, Seoul, Stress
  • Common scene in the cafe, Seoul, Korea.

    Apr 28, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Common scene in the cafe, Seoul, Korea.

    The owner of those stuff returned to the seat 15 minutes after this pic. 😅 submitted by /u/wkhani [link] [comments]

    Seoul
  • Korea to launch graduate school for literary translation by 2027

    Apr 28, 2026
    in News
    Korea to launch graduate school for literary translation by 2027

    Korea plans to open a new graduate school dedicated to literary translation by September 2027, creating a key engine for…

    Japan, Seoul
  • NARIN UNLATCHED: MEOVV’s Final Piece, Now Leading the Pack

    Apr 28, 2026
    in Feeds
    NARIN UNLATCHED: MEOVV’s Final Piece, Now Leading the Pack

    MEOVV’s Final Piece Steps Into Allure Korea x Golden Goose’s April 2026 Digital Cover — And Nothing Will Be the…

    Gen Z, Japan, K-pop, KT, Photography, purpose, Seoul, Stress
  • KiiiKiii x PANDORA: Every Key Unlocks a New Universe

    Apr 28, 2026
    in Feeds
    KiiiKiii x PANDORA: Every Key Unlocks a New Universe

    In a single year, KiiiKiii went from uncut gems to the undisputed jewels of fourth-gen K-pop — and their Marie…

    Gen Z, Japan, K-pop, Kakao, KT, Photography, purpose, Seoul, Social Media
  • Retail investors split over Samsung, SK hynix as KOSPI hits record high

    Apr 27, 2026
    in News
    Retail investors split over Samsung, SK hynix as KOSPI hits record high

    Park, an office worker in his 30s living in Seoul, has been agonizing for days over whether to sell part…

    Samsung, Samsung Electronics, Seoul, SK Hynix
  • Eat together, pay less: Rising prices fuel meetups where Koreans split bills

    Apr 27, 2026
    in News
    Eat together, pay less: Rising prices fuel meetups where Koreans split bills

    A 25-year-old woman surnamed Park, who lives in Seoul’s Guro District, recently met with people she connected with online to…

    Koreans, Pork, Seoul
  • aespa announces concert at Gocheok Sky Dome, only the 2nd girl group ever

    Apr 27, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    aespa announced their next tour, SYNK : Complæxity, and the first two nights are at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome. They’re…

    Seoul
  • South Korea’s Prime Minister has officially appointed NCT’s Doyoung as an ‘Ambassador of Life’ on April 24, 2026 for his contribution to the society.

    Apr 26, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    So proud of Doyoung! 💚 Doyoung was appointed by the Prime Minister Kim Min-seok as an Ambassador For SUICIDE PREVENTION…

    Seoul
  • Why China will see India’s latest defense deal with South Korea as ‘inevitably sensitive’

    Apr 26, 2026
    in News
    Why China will see India’s latest defense deal with South Korea as ‘inevitably sensitive’

    China would see India’s attempt to expand defense industry cooperation with South Korea in artillery and anti-aircraft guns as “inevitably…

    Seoul
  • 6 Korean universities break into Asia top 30 in THE rankings, but int’l outlook drags

    Apr 26, 2026
    in News
    6 Korean universities break into Asia top 30 in THE rankings, but int’l outlook drags

    Six Korean universities placed in the top 30 of the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Rankings 2026, buoyed by strong…

    Pohang, Seoul
  • Found Old School Gas Station in Seoul, ROK

    Apr 26, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Found Old School Gas Station in Seoul, ROK

    Walking around Seocho area near Supreme Court of Korea (대법원) and I saw an interesting Gas Station. The hose drops…

    Seoul
  • Korean yukhoe at Seoul’s Gwangjang Market — why it’s become a quiet favorite among Japanese travelers

    Apr 26, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Korean yukhoe at Seoul’s Gwangjang Market — why it’s become a quiet favorite among Japanese travelers

    Noticed an interesting trend on Japanese travel YouTube and Instagram lately: Gwangjang Market’s yukhoe (Korean raw beef tartare) keeps showing…

    Japan, Seoul, travel
  • aepsa just announced a new tour when their previous one hasn’t ended

    Apr 25, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    It is insane to me that it is even possible. aespa has been on their aexis tour since late 2025…

    Japan, Seoul, Tokyo
  • BM × KARD: The King Card Is Rewriting the Rules in 2026

    Apr 25, 2026
    in Feeds
    BM × KARD: The King Card Is Rewriting the Rules in 2026

    “I’m just too blatantly honest. It’s the L.A. in me — I was born and raised around people that are…

    Japan, K-pop, LG, Military, purpose, Seoul, Sex, Social Media
  • African writers share global insights on Afropolitanism, Black consciousness at Korea University

    Apr 25, 2026
    in News
    African writers share global insights on Afropolitanism, Black consciousness at Korea University

    Two prominent African writers engaged Korea University students in Seoul in a discussion on Afropolitanism and Black consciousness, offering global…

    Discussion, Perspectives, Seoul
  • Worxphere CEO on turning JobKorea into AI-led hiring platform

    Apr 25, 2026
    in News
    Worxphere CEO on turning JobKorea into AI-led hiring platform

    Three decades after launching one of Korea’s earliest online job platforms, JobKorea, its operator has rebranded itself as Worxphere, making…

    Seoul
  • $1 million bonuses: Chip giants soaring payouts to staff fan fears of widening inequality

    Apr 25, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    $1 million bonuses: Chip giants soaring payouts to staff fan fears of widening inequality

    SEOUL – In South Korea’s booming chip sector, bonuses that bullish forecasts suggest could soon approach US$900,000 (S$1.15 million) are…

    Seoul
  • Sunny afternoon in a typical Seoul apartment complex

    Apr 25, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Sunny afternoon in a typical Seoul apartment complex

    Just a peaceful walk in Seoul. Love the contrast between the blue sky and the concrete jungle. [r/pics](r/pics) [r/Seoul](r/Seoul) [r/CityPorn](r/CityPorn)…

    Peace, Seoul
  • Seoul Subway reports zero deaths last year, thanks to screen doors

    Apr 25, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Seoul Subway reports zero deaths last year, thanks to screen doors

    submitted by /u/chickenandliver [link] [comments]

    Seoul, Subway
  • Munmu King Steles of Silla

    Apr 24, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I was doing some research into the history of the Korean peninsula and some things deeply surprised me. In america…

    Baekje, family, Goryeo, history, Japan, Koreans, Seoul, Silla
  • Born to Voyage: Xdinary Heroes Rewrite the Stars

    Apr 24, 2026
    in Feeds
    Born to Voyage: Xdinary Heroes Rewrite the Stars

    Xdinary Heroes crash into 2026 with their boldest era yet — and the world is finally listening Somewhere between a…

    Japan, K-pop, Question, Seoul, Tokyo, travel
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Latest Korean News

  • Mirae Asset wins antitrust approval for Korbit dealJuly 9, 2026
    Mirae Asset Group said Thursday that its planned acquisition of… Read more: Mirae Asset wins antitrust approval for Korbit deal
  • Hyundai Card tests stablecoin in live cross-border corporate paymentJuly 9, 2026
    Hyundai Card has completed what it said was the first… Read more: Hyundai Card tests stablecoin in live cross-border corporate payment
  • NewJeans sued for alleged copyright infringement in USJuly 9, 2026
    K-pop group NewJeans’ hit song “ETA” has become the subject… Read more: NewJeans sued for alleged copyright infringement in US
  • KEZAD offers risk buffer for K-biz as Korea-UAE CEPA opens opportunitiesJuly 9, 2026
    As geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz persist, uncertainty… Read more: KEZAD offers risk buffer for K-biz as Korea-UAE CEPA opens opportunities
  • Neo-liberalism and women’s livesJuly 9, 2026
    The emergence of one-person households as the most common household… Read more: Neo-liberalism and women’s lives

Latest Community Feeds

  • Rescenes popularity/momentum and what that means for thier futuresJuly 9, 2026
  • What Are The Best Languages To Learn For A Global Group?July 9, 2026
  • Hybe survival shows (at least the ones I watched) favor the visuals and never let anyone who’s better than them (or clashes with them) debutJuly 9, 2026
  • Indonesia Drops KF-21 Co-Production, Will Buy Direct from South KoreaJuly 9, 2026
  • Kimchi, made in China: how South Korea’s national dish is being priced out at home | South KoreaJuly 9, 2026
  • What should I do about this GO situation?July 9, 2026
  • Can someone explain the downfall of i-dle?July 9, 2026
  • What Do You Think About Ssireum?July 9, 2026
  • After leaving one member, why the rest of the group faces harrasment?July 9, 2026
  • What’s a K-pop choreo that looks easy but actually a lot harder than it seems?July 9, 2026
  • South Korea’s Supreme Court upholds prison sentence for YoonJuly 9, 2026
  • [ANNOUNCEMENT] CHANGES TO BANNED TOPICSJuly 9, 2026
  • Why some fans do not get how parasocial relationships in kpop space works?July 9, 2026
  • Vietnamese outpace Chinese in arrivals to S. Korea for 1st time in 2025July 9, 2026
  • Five layered pork belly.July 9, 2026
  • GogiganjeongJuly 9, 2026
  • Non Korean, just love Korean foodJuly 9, 2026
  • First time making Kimchi help please!July 9, 2026
  • “Designing a Pokémon region based on Korea — what would you addJuly 9, 2026
  • Lee family accuses South Korea police of cover-up in Gwangju murder caseJuly 9, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (23,224)
    • Community (17,091)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (4,870)
  • 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