Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Airfares set to skyrocket with record fuel surcharges as Iran war wreaks havoc on oil supply

Airfares are poised to skyrocket further next month as Korean carriers have raised fuel surcharges for May to record levels, driven by a surge in oil prices in the wake of the lingering Iran war.

2026-04-16

Korea has ample dollar liquidity to soften shocks to local currency, says BOK chief nominee

The Korean won has remained relatively weak in recent months, but the country has sufficient dollar liquidity to respond to external shocks, Shin Hyun-song, nominee for the head of Korea's central bank, said Wednesday.

2026-04-15

New patrol ships to possibly inherit hull numbers of warships engaged in naval battles against North Korea

The Korean navy is considering assigning the hull numbers of two decommissioned Chamsuri-class patrol boats to next-generation high-speed patrol ships in a bid to honor their role in naval skirmishes against North Korea in the Yellow Sea.

2026-04-12

North Korea's tests of 'soft-kill' weapons spark concern in Seoul

North Korea recently conducted tests of several kinds of warheads mounted to short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM), raising serious concerns that its advanced "soft-kill" military technology could neutralize opposing assets and strategies.

2026-04-09

Submarine fire breaks out at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard, one worker reported missing

A female worker went missing after a fire broke out in a Korean Navy submarine, ROKS Hong Beom-do, which was undergoing maintenance at a shipyard in Ulsan at afternoon on Thursday.

2026-04-09

Gov't designates 145 companies to lead K-food exports

The government has selected 145 prominent and emerging companies to spearhead food exports, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, as global demand for Korean cuisine is rapidly growing with the popularity of Korean culture.

2026-04-09

Won hits strongest level in a month following cease-fire agreement in Iran war

The won strengthened sharply against the dollar on Wednesday as the United States and Iran agreed upon a two-week cease-fire in their monthlong conflict.

2026-04-08

17 years after savage murder of ex-wife in Seoul bus terminal, prime suspect yet to be found

In June 2008, Hwang Joo-yeon murdered his ex-wife while their daughter waited in a truck. Despite being one of South Korea's most wanted fugitives for 17 years, Hwang has evaded capture.

2026-04-07

Fuel surcharges on domestic flights quadruple for Korean Air, Asiana as oil prices spike

Airfares on domestic routes have increased sharply as fuel surcharges have more than quadrupled in a month, driven by soaring global oil prices due to the Iran war, according to disclosures from two major full-service carriers on Monday.

2026-04-06

Lee expresses regret over drone flights by individuals into North Korea

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday expressed regret over drone flights by individuals into North Korea, saying that such behavior has caused unnecessary military tension with Pyongyang.

2026-04-06