South Korea

Sungkyunkwan Professor Named Asian Young Scientist Fellow for Breakthrough Biomedical Research

SEOUL, South Korea — A South Korean biomedical engineer whose research is pushing the boundaries of soft, electrically conductive materials has been selected as one of the 12 recipients of the 2026 Asian Young Scientist Fellowship, placing her among a new generation of researchers gaining recognition for potentially transformative work in science. Mikyung Shin, an associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, was named an Asian Young Scientist Fello

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South Korea

South Korea Opens a First-of-Its-Kind Island Expo — 61 Days, 30 Countries and a Bigger Vision for the Future

South Korea Opens Massive Yeosu World Island Fair as 61-Day Global Showcase Begins YEOSU, South Korea — South Korea has officially opened the 2026 World Island Fair Yeosu, turning the southern coastal city of Yeosu into the center of a global conversation about islands, oceans, sustainability and the future of maritime industries. The international event opened Saturday, Sept. 5, and will run for 61 days through Nov. 4, with exhibitions, cultural performances and hands-on programs spread acros

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South Korea

South Korea’s Missing-Person System Under Fire: 90% of Unsolved Cases Involve Adults — Then Police Discovered What Happened in Jeju

South Korea’s missing-person system is facing mounting scrutiny after new government data showed that more than 90% of unresolved disappearance cases involved adults without dementia or other legally protected conditions. The figures have emerged as a widening police scandal in Jeju raises fresh questions about whether the country’s current system gives ordinary adults enough protection when they disappear. According to data from the National Police Agency cited by Rep. Lim Ho-seon of the ruli

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Politics

Lee Jae Myung Heads to France as South Korea Weighs a High-Stakes Hormuz Role — Will Seoul Finally Make Its Move?

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has departed for France for a four-day state visit that could become more consequential than a routine diplomatic trip, with talks expected to cover security, nuclear energy, advanced technology—and potentially South Korea's role in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Lee left Seoul on Sunday for a visit running through September 9. He is scheduled to co-chair the Lumière Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday in Saint-Paul-de-Vence bef

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Entertainment

South Korea’s Dementia Rate Could Top 10% by 2040 — But the Bigger Crisis May Be What Comes Next

South Korea is facing a rapidly growing dementia challenge, with the government projecting that more than one in 10 people aged 65 and older could be living with dementia by 2040. The projection, reported by The Korea Herald and based on an analysis by the Ministry of Health and Welfare using national population projections and dementia prevalence data, puts the estimated dementia prevalence among Koreans aged 65 and above at 10.34% in 2040. The rate is projected to rise further to 11.81% by 20

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Business

LG Family Feud Takes Another Turn: Court Rejects Koo Kwang-mo Adoption Break — What Happens Next?

SEOUL — A bitter family dispute inside South Korea’s LG Group has taken another dramatic turn after a Seoul court rejected a legal attempt to sever the adoption relationship between LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and his adoptive mother, Kim Young-sik. The Seoul Family Court on Sept. 3 dismissed Kim’s petition seeking judicial dissolution of her adoptive relationship with Koo. The court did not disclose its specific reasoning when the ruling was announced. The decision means Koo Kwang-mo’s leg

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Business

South Korea’s Won Surges, But Companies Are Hoarding Dollars — Here’s What’s Really Happening

South Korea’s won has staged a dramatic recovery against the U.S. dollar, but instead of rushing to convert their dollar holdings, Korean companies are building up their foreign-currency deposits to record levels. Dollar deposits at five major South Korean banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup — reached approximately $76.98 billion as of Sept. 3, the highest level since the banks began compiling comparable data in May 2021, according to financial industry data reported by Yon

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Lifestyle

South Korea’s Household Loans Finally Fall After 6 Months — But the Debt Problem Isn’t Over Yet

South Korea’s major banks have recorded their first monthly decline in household loans in six months, signaling that tighter lending controls are beginning to put the brakes on borrowing even as demand for mortgages remains strong. The combined household-loan balance at the country’s five largest commercial banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup — stood at 781.39 trillion won ($580.49 billion) as of Sept. 3, down 727.6 billion won from the end of August, according to data comp

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Entertainment

Kim Soo-hyun Faces Fresh Fan Backlash as Overseas K-pop Fans Demand His Removal From Major Awards Shows

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun is facing renewed criticism from some international K-pop fans following confirmation that he will appear at two major entertainment awards shows later this year. The latest backlash comes as the actor's public comeback gathers momentum after more than a year away from major activities in South Korea amid allegations concerning his past relationship with late actress Kim Sae-ron. According to reports from The Korea Herald and The Straits Times, organizers have c

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China

Miss World 2026 Coronation Night Underway in Vietnam—Then the Philippines’ Asia Rose Simpson Makes the Cut

NHA TRANG, Vietnam — The highly anticipated Miss World 2026 coronation night has officially begun in Vietnam, with 111 delegates from around the world competing for the coveted blue crown in the pageant's 75th Anniversary Edition. The grand finale is taking place at April 2 Square in Nha Trang, where thousands of spectators are watching the outdoor spectacle unfold. The event marks the culmination of weeks of competitions, advocacy activities, cultural showcases and challenges involving contest

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