Author: Seoul Reporter

The partitions of the primary constructing of Seonghwa College are stained and uncared for, on this July 2024 file photograph. The varsity was closed in 2012. Korea Instances photograph by Kim Jin-youngAs Korea’s annual variety of first graders is projected to fall under 300,000 for the primary time this yr, consultants warn that higher-education establishments throughout the nation are headed for a brutal shakeout, with many unlikely to outlive the approaching decade.Specialists say the steep decline in births seen for the reason that 2000s is now transferring into the college system, with the variety of youngsters getting into elementary college…

President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan shake arms earlier than their expanded summit assembly held in Nara, Japan, on Jan. 13, 2026. (Kim Tae-hyeong/Hankyoreh) Throughout their summit on Tuesday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi vowed to pursue future-oriented cooperation geared toward creating bilateral relations and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula and regional stability. “The scenario is difficult and troublesome, however for all of the uncomfortable features, there are additionally snug and good features as effectively,” Lee stated in the course of the two leaders’ expanded…

Finance minister Koo Yun-cheol presides over a gathering on the Authorities Advanced Seoul, Jan. 7. Joint Press CorpsFinance Minister Koo Yun-cheol on Wednesday underscored what he referred to as “one-sided” actions within the overseas change price amid the continued depreciation of the Korean gained, stressing the necessity to ease supply-demand imbalances.Koo made the remarks in a prerecorded opening deal with delivered at a symposium on the overseas change market hosted by the Korean Financial Affiliation. He’s at present visiting the USA to attend a ministerial-level assembly.”Regardless of the nation posting a report excessive present account surplus, volatility within the overseas…

Unification Minister Chung Dong-yong speaks to ministry workers, Jan. 2. YonhapSouth Korea will take motion equivalent to the outcomes of its ongoing investigation into drone incursions alleged by North Korea, the unification minister mentioned Wednesday.Unification Minister Chung Dong-young made the remarks at a coverage briefing by companies affiliated with the ministry, a day after Kim Yo-jong, the highly effective sister of North Korean chief Kim Jong-un, once more demanded that Seoul apologize for violating the North’s sovereignty.On Saturday, North Korea’s navy accused Seoul of sending drones carrying surveillance tools throughout the border in September and on Jan. 4, claiming the…

A minimum of 22 folks have been killed and greater than 60 injured after a building crane collapsed onto a shifting passenger practice in Thailand, officers mentioned Wednesday.The incident occurred round 9 a.m. in Ban Thanon Khot, in Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeast of Bangkok. Eight individuals are in crucial situation, largely affected by head, chest and belly accidents, whereas one other 56 have been taken to hospital for remedy, officers from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Well being mentioned in an announcement.

Protesters attend a rally in Zuerich, Switzerland, Tuesday, in help of the mass demonstrations in Iran in opposition to the federal government. Nationwide anti-government protests, triggered by financial disaster and political repression, have taken place throughout Iran since December 2025, regardless of heavy crackdowns. EPA-YonhapAmid intensifying and infrequently lethal crackdowns on anti-government demonstrations in Tehran and round Iran, some Iranian residents in Korea are pleading for each Korean authorities and citizen help for the Iranian folks.For Niusha, an Iranian nationwide who has lived in Korea for six years, the present disaster has sparked questions on Korea’s function in worldwide affairs.“I…

The constructing of Kyowon Group in central Seoul / YonhapKorean cybersecurity authorities estimate that round 9.6 million accounts might have been affected by a current cyberattack at Kyowon Group, a neighborhood schooling service supplier, knowledgeable sources mentioned Wednesday.The estimate by a authorities investigation staff that features the Korea Web & Safety Company comes after Kyowon Group reported a potential breach on Monday, saying it had detected traces of a ransomware assault.Kyowon mentioned it grew to become conscious of irregular actions in its inner system Saturday and later recognized a potential information breach.The authorities estimate that 600 of the corporate’s 800…

SoluM CI (Photograph courtesy of SoluM Co.) SoluM Co., an organization specializing in digital gadget element manufacturing, has been sued by activist fund Align Companions Asset Administration for invalidation of latest share issuance associated to the 120 billion received scale redeemable convertible most well-liked shares (RCPS) issued final 12 months. In line with the Korea Alternate on Jan. 13, SoluM disclosed the day before today that Align Companions filed a lawsuit claiming invalidation of latest share issuance. Particularly, the content material requests invalidation of the brand new share issuance for six million shares of Sort…

Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung star within the Netflix collection “Can This Love Be Translated?” / Courtesy of Netflix. Star tv writers with devoted fan bases are lining as much as return to Korea’s small display this 12 months, providing authentic tales at a time when diversifications of webtoons and net novels dominate the drama market.Somewhat than counting on acquainted mental property, they’re betting on character-driven narratives and distinct authorial voices — a technique that has already generated buzz amongst viewers and business watchers.’Pure, fairy tale-like writing’The primary to return are Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, the “Hong sisters,” who’re…

Kbank’s constructing in Jung-gu, central Seoul (Picture courtesy of Kbank) Kbank introduced on Jan. 13 that it has submitted a securities registration assertion to the Monetary Providers Fee for itemizing on the KOSPI market and has launched into the full-scale public providing course of. Kbank, which is the primary on-line financial institution in Korea, will elevate a complete of 60 million shares by way of this public providing. This consists of 30 million new shares and 30 million present shares on the market. The hoped-for providing value band (vary) is from 8,300 received to 9,500 received.…