Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Korea's official development assistance declines 3.9 percent to $3.87 billion in 2025

Korea's official development assistance (ODA) posted an on-year decrease of 3.9 percent to $3.87 billion in 2025, due to a weak exchange rate and reduced multilateral aid, the government said Friday.

2026-04-10

Stadiums, chip plants and cash: Campaign promises big on vision, short on feasibility in local elections

Grand promises of chip plants, domed stadiums and cash payouts are being touted in Korea’s local election campaigns, as candidates compete for voters’ attention with ambitious — and often improbable — visions of economic transformation.

2026-03-26

Hanwha Life Insurance revenue surges after separation of sales channels, product development

Hanwha Life Insurance said its revenue jumped more than sevenfold five years after separating its sales channels from product development as insurance companies shift their agent organizations into subsidiary-type general agencies.

2026-03-26

What the Gwangju-South Jeolla merger could mean for foreign residents

The city of Gwangju and the province of South Jeolla will merge into a single “special city” starting July 1, affecting not only 3.2 million Koreans in the region but also nearly 82,000 foreign residents.

2026-03-11

Samsung reports record $25.6B spent on R&D in 2025

Samsung Electronics said Tuesday it spent a record 37.7 trillion won on research and development in 2025 as part of its push to gain an early lead in the global race for next-generation AI chips.

2026-03-10

Asian countries should reduce gov't reliance for sustainable economic growth: BOK chief

Asian countries should reduce reliance on government-led industrial growth policies and adopt a risk-sharing approach involving private sector participation to sustain long-term growth, Korea's central bank chief said Thursday.

2026-03-05

North Korea's Kim cites 'upsurge' in national development during third day of ruling party congress

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un cited a new era of "upsurge" in national development as he reported works by the North's ruling party on the third day of its ninth congress, state media reported Sunday.

2026-02-22

North Korea's premier highlights leader Kim's regional development drive as top priority

North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song has highlighted the regional development initiative being pushed by leader Kim Jong-un as the state's top priority, calling on officials to devote themselves to the plans, its state media reported on Sunday.

2026-02-01

North Korea's Kim attends ceremony for this year's 1st regional development project

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a construction project, the first this year under his regional development drive, saying his policy will transform one-third of the country, state media said Friday.

2026-01-30

Gov't to spend $5.6B on science, ICT R&D this year

The Ministry of Science and ICT said Thursday it will invest 8.12 trillion won this year on research and development in science and information and communications technology.

2026-01-01