**Description:**
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has backed a possible U.S.-North Korea summit, saying direct talks could help bring peace to the Korean Peninsula. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Lee said Donald Trump’s willingness to meet Kim Jong Un offers an opportunity to revive long-suspended dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang.


Trump reopens the door to a new meeting with Kim Jong Un

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, has warned of a stronger response to US-led military drills in the Asia-Pacific. She accused Washington and its allies of worsening tensions on the Korean Peninsula and described the Pacific Vanguard exercise near Guam as a threatening “war game”. Kim also said Pyongyang would mobilise available means if it believes its security and military sovereignty are seriously threatened. She reaffirmed North Korea’s commitment to strengthening its nuclear deterrent.

Kim Yo Jong accuses US of escalating tensions, warns of offensive response

Facing intense pressure from U.S. to help it secure the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea has now sent a fact-finding team to assess the situation in this strategic waterway. Meanwhile, Qatar warned of an industrial catastrophe if the crisis continues.

Qatar warns of 'industrial catastrophe', S Korea sends team to assess Hormuz situation

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto revealed that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked whether he would be willing to visit North Korea to help open dialogue. Prabowo said he would accept the request, highlighting Indonesia's balanced diplomatic approach.

Indonesian Prez Prabowo offers mediation in South-North Korea tensions

Despite posting its strongest quarterly results ever, south Korean entertainment giant HYBE has seen nearly 2 billion dollars wiped off its market value. The reason? Investors aren't questioning BTS' popularity; they're questioning how much money the company actually keeps from those blockbuster concerts.


BTS boom wipes $2 Bn off HYBE value 

South Korea's stock market has witnessed one of its sharpest reversals in recent history. After surging more than 130 percent between late 2025 and June 2026 on optimism around artificial intelligence,
the benchmark KOSPI index has now fallen over 40 percent from its peak in just about a month. The selloff has wiped out nearly 2 trillion dollars in market value, erasing massive investor wealth.

Market panic hits South Korea

South Korea is turning to artificial intelligence to help prevent suicides on Seoul's Han River bridges. AI-powered surveillance cameras can detect unusual behavior, such as someone lingering in high-risk areas, entering restricted zones, or approaching emergency suicide-prevention phones. The system instantly alerts first responders, enabling faster intervention in a country that continues to grapple with one of the world's highest suicide rates.

South Korea & Japan turns to AI to prevent suicides

Researchers from South Korea's KAIST and Stanford University have developed robotic clothing that helps people dress without using their hands or assistance from others. The technology uses soft, air-powered "vines" embedded in fabric that gently pull clothing into place. Scientists say the innovation could benefit semiconductor cleanrooms, emergency responders and people with limited mobility.

South Korea-US team unveils robotic technology that dresses the wearer

The South Korean action-horror film Colony (2026) has smashed multiple box office records to become the fastest film of 2026 to cross major viewership milestones. Directed by master of horror Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan), the blockbuster has achieved critical and commercial dominance both domestically and across pan-Asian markets.


'Colony' continues Yeon Sang-ho's box office streak

 A weak currency is proving to be a strong economic advantage for South Korea. As the Korean won remains under pressure, Chinese tourists are flocking to Seoul for luxury shopping, beauty treatments and duty-free bargains.


Chinese tourists fuel South Korea's retail boom

Hong Myung-bo resigned as head coach of South Korea on Sunday following the country's group-stage exit ​from the World Cup.
Hong made the announcement at the ‌team's training camp in Guadalajara after results on Saturday meant the Koreans would not advance to the last 32 as one of ​the eight third-placed finishers in the group phase.

FIFA World Cup 2026: South Korea coach Hong Myung-Bo quits after World Cup exit

South Korea's stock market just witnessed an unprecedented meltdown, now being termed as “Black Tuesday.” The benchmark KOSPI index plummeted by approximately 9.99 percent, marking its largest single-day points decline in history by shedding 910.71 points. The devastating crash was so sharp that it triggered a 20-minute bourse-wide trading halt, the 13th sell-side circuit breaker triggered this year.

South Korea's 'Black Tuesday': Why the KOSPI Suffered a Historic Stock Market Crash

FIFA World Cup 2026 is witnessing an unforgettable cultural love affair as South Korean football fans receive an incredibly warm welcome in Mexico, proving that the tournament is cementing a lifelong friendship. Watch how the shared passions for football and K-Pop have united these two nations in an unforgettable display of camaraderie.


FIFA World Cup 2026: Mexico and South Korea's Cultural Love Affair

A landslide triggered by torrential rain killed at least one person in South Korea, the national fire agency said Saturday.Three people were also missing after the landslide buried two houses in a village in southern Sancheong county, officials said, as heavy rain continued to pound the country."At least three people have been reported missing and we have recovered one body," an official at Sancheong county fire station told AFP.The official said that one person in their twenties, and a couple in their seventies were reported missing.Sancheong county told all residents Saturday to "evacuate immediately to a safe area".The county has a population of some 34,000 people.South Korea typically experiences monsoon rains in July, but the country's southern regions saw some of the heaviest hourly downpours on record this week, official weather data showed.The Ministry of Interior and Safety said Saturday at least four people have been killed in rain-related accidents and more than 7,000 forced to evacuate their homes.South Korea is regularly hit by flooding during the summer monsoon period, but is typically well-prepared and the death toll usually relatively low.Scientists say climate change has made weather events around the world more extreme and frequent.The country endured record-breaking rains and flooding in 2022 which killed at least 11 people.

Three people were also missing after the landslide buried two houses in a village in southern Sancheong county, officials said, as heavy rain continued to pound the country.

A landslide triggered by torrential rain killed at least one person in South Korea, the national fire agency said Saturday. Three people were also missing after the landslide buried two houses in a village in southern Sancheong county, officials said, as heavy rain continued to pound the country. "At least three people have been reported missing and we have recovered one body," an official at Sancheong county fire station told AFP. The official said that one person in their twenties, and a couple in their seventies were reported missing. Sancheong county told all residents Saturday to "evacuate immediately to a safe area". The county has a population of some 34,000 people. South Korea typically experiences monsoon rains in July, but the country's southern regions saw some of the heaviest hourly downpours on record this week, official weather data showed. The Ministry of Interior and Safety said Saturday at least four people have been killed in rain-related accidents and more than 7,000 forced to evacuate their homes. South Korea is regularly hit by flooding during the summer monsoon period, but is typically well-prepared and the death toll usually relatively low. Scientists say climate change has made weather events around the world more extreme and frequent. The country endured record-breaking rains and flooding in 2022 which killed at least 11 people.

Three people were also missing after the landslide buried two houses in a village in southern Sancheong county, officials said, as heavy rain continued to pound the country.

‘Evacuate immediately’: Deadly landslide hits South Korea as record rains trigger chaos

US President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on all imports from Japan and South Korea, accusing both nations of unfair trade practices. In official letters sent to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Trump said the new tariffs will take effect from 1 August. This marks the start of a fresh trade push. Earlier, Trump said that he plans to send “12, maybe 15” letters to major trading partners announcing new tariffs.&nbsp;Later, Trump announced 25% tariffs on Malaysia and Kazakhstan, 30% on South Africa, and 40% on Laos and Myanmar.White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Trump would sign an executive order on Monday formally delaying the original July 9 deadline to August 1."There will be additional letters in the coming days," Leavitt said, adding, "we are close" on some deals.The US has reached only two agreements so far, with Britain and Vietnam. &nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-it-s-no-one-s-been-arrested-o-clock-elon-musk-slams-trump-s-fbi-and-doj-over-epstein-memo-1751899376879">‘It’s no-one’s-been-arrested-o’clock’: Elon Musk slams Trump's FBI and DOJ over Epstein memo</a><h2>Letters accuse both countries of unfair trade deals</h2>Trump’s letters to the leaders of Japan and South Korea are nearly identical, blaming both nations for long-term trade imbalances with the US. He posted the full text of his message to Japan and South Korea on Truth Social.Here are excerpts from his letter to Japan<blockquote>“We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with Japan,” Trump wrote to Prime Minister Shigeru, “and have concluded that we must move away from these longterm, and very persistent, Trade Deficits engendered by Japan’s Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers.”“Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal. Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge Japan a Tariff of only 25% on any and all Japanese products sent into the United States, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs.”</blockquote><h2>No tariffs if companies move production to the US</h2>In the same letter, Trump urged Japanese firms to manufacture in the United States, promising fast-track approvals.<blockquote>“Goods transshipped to evade a higher Tariff will be subject to that higher Tariff. Please understand that the 25% number is far less than what is needed to eliminate the Trade Deficit disparity we have with your Country,” he wrote.“There will be no Tariff if Japan, or companies within your Country, decide to build or manufacture product within the United States and, in fact, we will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely, in other words, in a matter of weeks.”</blockquote><h2>More tariff letters expected soon</h2>The White House is expected to release more letters to other major US trading partners throughout the week, as part of what Trump describes as a new phase in his America First trade policy.&nbsp;&nbsp;Leavitt refused to disclose which other countries will receive the tariff letters, and said, "I'll let the president reveal those in very due time. Keep your eyes on Truth Social."&nbsp;

In official letters sent to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Trump said the new tariffs will take effect from 1 August.

US President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on all imports from Japan and South Korea, accusing both nations of unfair trade practices. In official letters sent to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Trump said the new tariffs will take effect from 1 August. This marks the start of a fresh trade push. Earlier, Trump said that he plans to send “12, maybe 15” letters to major trading partners announcing new tariffs. Later, Trump announced 25% tariffs on Malaysia and Kazakhstan, 30% on South Africa, and 40% on Laos and Myanmar. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Trump would sign an executive order on Monday formally delaying the original July 9 deadline to August 1. "There will be additional letters in the coming days," Leavitt said, adding, "we are close" on some deals. The US has reached only two agreements so far, with Britain and Vietnam. Also read: ‘It’s no-one’s-been-arrested-o’clock’: Elon Musk slams Trump's FBI and DOJ over Epstein memo Letters accuse both countries of unfair trade deals Trump’s letters to the leaders of Japan and South Korea are nearly identical, blaming both nations for long-term trade imbalances with the US. He posted the full text of his message to Japan and South Korea on Truth Social. Here are excerpts from his letter to Japan “We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with Japan,” Trump wrote to Prime Minister Shigeru, “and have concluded that we must move away from these longterm, and very persistent, Trade Deficits engendered by Japan’s Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers.” “Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal. Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge Japan a Tariff of only 25% on any and all Japanese products sent into the United States, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs.” No tariffs if companies move production to the US In the same letter, Trump urged Japanese firms to manufacture in the United States, promising fast-track approvals. “Goods transshipped to evade a higher Tariff will be subject to that higher Tariff. Please understand that the 25% number is far less than what is needed to eliminate the Trade Deficit disparity we have with your Country,” he wrote. “There will be no Tariff if Japan, or companies within your Country, decide to build or manufacture product within the United States and, in fact, we will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely, in other words, in a matter of weeks.” More tariff letters expected soon The White House is expected to release more letters to other major US trading partners throughout the week, as part of what Trump describes as a new phase in his America First trade policy. Leavitt refused to disclose which other countries will receive the tariff letters, and said, "I'll let the president reveal those in very due time. Keep your eyes on Truth Social."

In official letters sent to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Trump said the new tariffs will take effect from 1 August.

Trump kicks off new trade war with high tariffs on Japan, South Korea and five other countries

South&nbsp;Korea&#39;s&nbsp;Fair&nbsp;Trade&nbsp;Commission&nbsp;(FTC)&nbsp;is&nbsp;investigating&nbsp;&quot;some&nbsp;matters&quot;&nbsp;relating&nbsp;to&nbsp;tech&nbsp;giant&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;Inc,&nbsp;the&nbsp;head&nbsp;of&nbsp;the anti-competition&nbsp;body&nbsp;said&nbsp;during&nbsp;a&nbsp;parliamentary&nbsp;hearing,&nbsp;without&nbsp;disclosing&nbsp;further&nbsp;details. 
 
Speaking&nbsp;at&nbsp;the&nbsp;hearing&nbsp;on&nbsp;Tuesday, FTC Chairman Jeong Jae-chan declined to comment on the specifics of the regulator&#39;s investigation when asked to do so by a South Korean lawmaker.&nbsp; 
 
Domestic&nbsp;media&nbsp;reports&nbsp;said&nbsp;earlier&nbsp;this&nbsp;month&nbsp;the&nbsp;FTC&nbsp;was&nbsp;reviewing&nbsp;details&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;US&nbsp;firm&#39;s&nbsp;contracts&nbsp;with&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean&nbsp;mobile telecoms&nbsp;carriers. 
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Apple&nbsp;didn&#39;t&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;respond&nbsp;to&nbsp;a&nbsp;Reuters&nbsp;request&nbsp;for&nbsp;comment. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp; 
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FTC Chairman Jeong Jae-chan declined to comment on specifics

South Korea's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating "some matters" relating to tech giant Apple Inc, the head of the anti-competition body said during a parliamentary hearing, without disclosing further details. Speaking at the hearing on Tuesday, FTC Chairman Jeong Jae-chan declined to comment on the specifics of the regulator's investigation when asked to do so by a South Korean lawmaker. Domestic media reports said earlier this month the FTC was reviewing details of the US firm's contracts with South Korean mobile telecoms carriers. Apple didn't immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. (Reuters)

Tech?giant?Apple?Inc under investigation by South Korea's anti-competition body

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Trump reopens the door to a new meeting with Kim Jong Un

Kim Yo Jong accuses US of escalating tensions, warns of offensive response

Qatar warns of 'industrial catastrophe', S Korea sends team to assess Hormuz situation

Indonesian Prez Prabowo offers mediation in South-North Korea tensions

BTS boom wipes $2 Bn off HYBE value

Market panic hits South Korea

South Korea & Japan turns to AI to prevent suicides

South Korea-US team unveils robotic technology that dresses the wearer

'Colony' continues Yeon Sang-ho's box office streak

Chinese tourists fuel South Korea's retail boom

FIFA World Cup 2026: South Korea coach Hong Myung-Bo quits after World Cup exit

South Korea's 'Black Tuesday': Why the KOSPI Suffered a Historic Stock Market Crash

FIFA World Cup 2026: Mexico and South Korea's Cultural Love Affair

‘Evacuate immediately’: Deadly landslide hits South Korea as record rains trigger chaos

Trump kicks off new trade war with tariffs on Japan, S Korea and 5 more nations

Tech?giant?Apple?Inc under investigation by South Korea's anti-competition body