Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

USTR report focuses on Korea's AI procurement, digital regulation and forced labor issues

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has released an annual report on foreign trade barriers that cited Korea's AI procurement practice, digital regulations and forced labor-linked issues.

2026-04-01

Gov't offers incentives for reporting suspected ticket scalping ahead of BTS concerts, KBO season

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is encouraging the public to report suspected ticket scalping as part of a broader crackdown ahead of major events, including the BTS concerts and the opening of the KBO season later this month.

2026-03-12

The property divide: Real estate drives Korea's widening wealth gap

The top 20 percent of households in Korea held about 65 percent of the country’s total net assets last year, while the bottom 40 percent accounted for only 4.8 percent, according to a new analysis released on Friday.

2026-03-09

Japanese men adopt Korean idol makeup and grooming trends as K-beauty's influence expands

A grooming trend that emphasizes a natural-looking appearance like Korean male idols is spreading among young men in Japan, and K-beauty is playing a central role, a local newspaper reported.

2026-03-09

Happiness eludes Koreans despite national income increases, quality of life report says

Koreans are earning more than ever, but fewer are satisfied with their income — the first drop in a decade, a new government report shows. Negative emotions have risen to levels similar to those seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.

2026-03-09

Women's rights group finds that one woman per day was killed or attacked in 2025

At least 137 women were killed by their male partners last year, according to the Korea Women’s Hot-Line. When including those who survived murder attempts, an average of one woman per day was either killed or at risk of being killed.

2026-03-08

Coupang reports Q4 revenue increase while operating profit sharply declines

Coupang posted a fourth quarter revenue of $8.8 billion last year, up 11 percent from a year earlier, while operating profit plunged 97 percent over the same period.

2026-02-27

Exports projected to rise nearly 13% in Q1 on robust chip demand: Exim Bank

Korea's exports are expected to increase by nearly 13 percent from a year earlier in the first quarter, driven by strong global demand for semiconductors, the state-run Export-Import Bank of Korea said Wednesday.

2026-02-04

More young Koreans opt out of labor market amid AI shift, weak growth: BOK

The number of young Koreans who are neither working nor seeking employment has surged in recent years, raising concerns about structural strains in the labor market, a central bank report showed Tuesday.

2026-01-20

Overall exports soar thanks to chips and cars, but steel and machinery are falling further behind

Korea’s exports surpassed $700 billion for the first time, marking a major milestone — but a report analyzing the past seven years of international trade has revealed growing disparities in competitiveness between export categories.

2026-01-16