Author: Seoul Reporter

Seoul experiences a sharp morning chill, with temperatures plunging to minus 8 degrees Celsius in Gwanak-gu on Monday, the 9th. A powerful cold wave persists nationwide through tomorrow, triggering widespread frost and initial snowfalls.Temperatures Plunge Across South KoreaForecasts indicate the nation records its coldest morning temperatures yet, ranging from minus 15 degrees to minus 3 degrees Celsius. Regions including northern and southern Gyeonggi inland areas, Gangwon’s inland and mountainous zones, Chungcheong inland, Jeonbuk’s northern east, Gyeongbuk region, and parts of southern Gyeongnam see their first snow patches.Major urban areas nationwide develop frost by Monday morning. Inland locations face even harsher…

Asan Woori Bank clinched a hard-fought 63-57 overtime victory against Busan BNK in a regular-season matchup of the 2025-2026 WKBL campaign at Sajik Indoor Gymnasium. Kim Dan-bi dominated with a Korean single-game record 42 points, propelling Woori Bank to third place in the standings. Kim Dan-bi’s Unstoppable Performance Kim Dan-bi proved unguardable, erupting for 42 points in a one-woman show that overwhelmed BNK’s defense. Despite efforts from Park Hye-jin (15 points), Kim So-nia (15 points), and Lee So-hui (11 points), BNK failed to contain the star forward. Woori Bank controlled the paint and limited BNK’s shooting efficiency throughout the contest.…

Firefighters battle a persistent wildfire at the entrance to Munmudaewang Mountain in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk Province, where gale-force winds obscure visibility to the point that even snowflakes cannot penetrate. The blaze, which ignited on the afternoon of February 8, continues to spread, heightening anxiety among local residents. Intense Firefighting Operations Underway Regional firefighting teams deploy helicopters for water drops and foam application directly on the flames. Crews scoop water from nearby reservoirs and scatter retardant along access roads to contain the inferno. On mountain ridges, firefighters hike steep terrain, drenched in sweat, to spray suppressant on hotspots. Many have scaled the…

Hanwha Eagles ace Moon Dong-ju returned to South Korea early from spring training in Australia after experiencing shoulder pain during a bullpen session. Medical evaluations confirm inflammation rather than a severe tear, allowing for a quick recovery.Early Departure and DiagnosisMoon Dong-ju arrived back via Incheon International Airport on January 23 following the incident at camp. He entered the country on January 6 and received domestic treatment after pain emerged in his right shoulder during pitching practice. Joining the team on January 9, subsequent exams revealed inflammation, ruling out a major injury.A Hanwha official stated, “Pain arose in the right shoulder…

The 2026 Fall/Winter Seoul Fashion Week kicked off on February 8 at Seoul’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), featuring the opening of the highly anticipated 321 show.Event OverviewCentered at the iconic DDP, the weeklong event through February 8 showcases fashion shows from 15 brands, trade exhibitions highlighting 92 brands, the Seoul Fashion Forum, and interactive citizen participation programs.Star SpotlightActress Lee Hwa-yeon turned heads on the black carpet, captivating attendees with her signature gentle smile.

The Hanwha Eagles departed for their Australia spring training camp via Incheon International Airport on January 23, with catcher Choi Jae-hoon heading to the departure gate. Injury Details Choi Jae-hoon sustained a right hand fracture during morning defensive drills on January 8. Medical scans confirmed the injury, projecting a recovery timeline of 3-4 weeks. Last Season’s Performance In 121 games last year, Choi Jae-hoon posted a .286 batting average, 1 home run, 35 RBIs, and an OPS of .767. As a 29-year veteran with national team experience, he aimed to secure his catching role through strong play. Impact on Hanwha…

Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, has issued a firm deadline for the Democratic Party of Korea’s merger proposal. He announced on February 8 that the party will consider the merger off if no official and public response arrives by February 13, the start of the holiday period.Urgent Call During National Assembly MeetingSpeaking at a strategy session in the National Assembly’s planning hall, Cho Kuk pressed the Democratic Party to finalize its official position before the holiday begins. “Decide the Democratic Party’s public stance by the day before February 13,” he stated.He emphasized, “If no official or public…

Heavy snowfall battered Jeju Island on February 8, forcing Jeju International Airport to suspend operations for snow removal. Nearly 100 flights faced cancellations as visibility plummeted and snow accumulated rapidly.Airport Operations HaltedAs of 10 a.m., dense snow blanketed the region, with Jeju Airport recording about 1 cm of snow on runways despite ongoing clearance efforts. Snowfall began early morning, intensifying into a blizzard that extended suspension until 11 a.m.From midnight to 8 a.m., the airport area saw 20.8 cm of accumulation. Nearby stations reported Seogwipo Jeju-gasiri at 12.3 cm, Seogwipo Pyeongsan at 9.7 cm, and central Jeju at 3.5 cm.Officials…

Lotte Department Store in China rolled out an extensive promotional campaign aimed at international tourists during the Spring Festival, spanning nine days from February 15 to 23. The initiative focused on K-content marketing through dedicated corners highlighting Korean beauty and fashion experiences.K-Beauty Promotions Captivate ShoppersFrom January 13 to March 3, foreign customers purchasing at least 300,000 won worth of goods at flagship, branch, and suburban stores received an exclusive gift set from MU:Z, a Lotte jewelry subsidiary. The set featured a special selection of ‘Sinra’s Beauty Soap Set,’ drawing significant interest.Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu buzzed with excitement over Lotte’s…

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warns that upcoming negotiations with the United States will not prevent uranium enrichment activities, despite expectations of a second round of talks.Key Statements at International ForumSpeaking at an international forum on U.S.-Iran nuclear cooperation, bilateral relations, and Israeli airstrikes, Araghchi highlighted positive outcomes from prior discussions. However, he stressed that the threat of military conflict remains palpable.Araghchi noted that dialogue offers the sole avenue to influence outcomes, with U.S. representatives also participating in informal meetings. Iran’s policy remains firm, advocating for swift follow-up talks without altering its core positions.Uranium Enrichment StanceAddressing uranium enrichment directly, Araghchi…