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COVER STORY Coupang issue becomes bellwether for Korea's treatment of US firms: ex-AMCHAM chief

Korea risks damaging its economic ties with the United States, as perceived discrimination against American companies, most prominently Coupang, fuels a growing backlash in Washington that U.S. firms are being unfairly targeted, said Tami Overby, a former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM). “Many American observers increasingly see Korea's treatment of Coupang as a bellwether for how it treats successful American firms operating in its market,” Overby said Monday in a written interview with The Korea Times. After nearly four decades of observing Korea-U.S. economic ties, Overby said Washington is increasingly doubting whether Seoul remains committed to the principle of nondiscriminatory treatment for American businesses. She cautioned that mounting regulatory disputes could erode the trust underpinning bilateral economic cooperation at a critical time when the two countries are negotiating major investment commitments and U.S. tariffs. “Credibility depends not on statements but on outcomes,” she said, arguing that Korean authorities must demonstrate t

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[COVER STORY] Coupang issue becomes bellwether for Korea's treatment of US firms: ex-AMCHAM chief thumbnail

Lydia Ko denies giving golf lessons to first lady amid political controversy

Golfer Lydia Ko denied any involvement in an alleged golf outing with first lady Kim Hea Kyung, Monday, following claims by an opposition lawmaker that the first lady had received golf lessons from a prominent professional golfer on the day of a deadly fire in Seoul. "I was attending an official event hosted by a sponsor on the date in question and had absolutely no connection to the matter reported," Ko wrote on social media. "I intend to take legal action, as appropriate, against articles or social media posts that spread unverified false information or damage my reputation." Earlier that morning, Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the main opposition People Power Party alleged that the first lady had received private golf lessons from the professional golfer at Taereung Golf Club in Seoul on Oct. 20, the day a man in his 70s set fire to two buildings in Seoul's southern Yeoksam-dong. The fire left five people seriously injured and 14 others with minor injuries. He claimed to have obtained video footage and other evidence to support his allegations. It was not the first time Joo had accused members o

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4 years on, Itaewon businesses face Halloween with mixed expectations

The streets of Itaewon have gone through several iterations over the years — not just the place itself but the meaning attached to it. If you ask someone from the early 2000s or even the 2010s, they would paint a completely different landscape from the Itaewon that exists today. Itaewon is going through a period of social reconstruction, fueled by several factors — the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Halloween crowd crush, U.S. military redeployment out of nearby Yongsan Garrison, commercial redevelopment and, the hot issue at the moment, the tightened restrictions placed on Itaewon businesses. Lasting impact Despite the heavy political atmosphere that lays over Itaewon like dark clouds before a storm, there are some local business owners who feel optimistic about its future. Linus Kim, who has operated Linus BBQ for more than a decade, expects the Halloween nightlife to be stronger than in the years immediately after the crowd crush tragedy. “Itaewon’s nightlife has seen a significant resurgence over the past year, driven partly by a new generation that came of age during COVID and

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Football fan reportedly shouts racist remark at Son Heung-min after MLS match

WASHINGTON — An apparent supporter of Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) has been spotted shouting an allegedly racist remark at South Korean football star Son Heung-min following a Major League Soccer (MLS) match, a U.S. media outlet reported Monday. The New York Post published a report on a video circulating on social media, in which a football fan wearing LAFC clothing repeatedly shouted "ni hao," a Chinese word meaning hello, toward Son after the match against the Los Angeles Galaxy held on Sunday. The video drew accusations of racism on social media, with the outlet describing it as an incident of "insensitive and racist microaggression." It was not immediately clear whether LAFC or MLS had responded to the incident. Some fans have called for the person in question to have his season ticket holder status revoked if holding season tickets. The former Totteham Hotspur star disclosed in the past of facing racism while playing overseas. In 2024, the Korea Football Association asked FIFA to strengthen punishments for racist behavior in the sport.

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KB Kookmin Bank finds 2,091 more people affected by data leak

KB Kookmin Bank said Monday an additional 2,091 people were found to have had their personal information compromised in a hacking incident early this month. The discovery increased the total number of people affected to 2,210 after 119 people were confirmed on Oct. 2 to have had their personal data leaked. The additional people comprise 1,631 customers and 460 company executives and employees, the bank said. The increase was not caused by any additional hacking attacks and was discovered through a close examination of data and processes connected to the system that initially came under attack, it said. "We are sincerely sorry to our customers for not having been able to determine (the scale) perfectly in the early stages," a bank official said. "We will do our best to prevent a recurrence and protect our customers." The bank had earlier said the leaked information included the names, phone numbers and addresses of the 119 people. KB Kookmin was one of more than a dozen financial institutions that suffered back-to-back hacking cases early this month.

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HRW urges Korea to ease restrictions on proposed abortion pill rules

WASHINGTON — Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged South Korea to ensure wider access to abortion pills as the country moves to formally introduce the medication next year, describing the initiative as an important step but warning that restrictions could make abortion services inaccessible. In a press release issued Sunday, the New York-based international human rights group said the Seoul government's plan to formally introduce medication abortion in 2027 would help address a longstanding regulatory gap but criticized proposed restrictions on its use. "Allowing the use of abortion pills is an important step, but South Korean lawmakers need to ensure that regulations aren't so restrictive that abortions are inaccessible and unaffordable," Susanne Bergsten, acting women's rights research assistant at HRW, said in the release. "South Korea's National Assembly should swiftly align abortion legislation with international human rights standards to protect patients and providers," she added. Last month, the South Korean government announced a plan to formally allow the use of abortion pills by

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1 in 10 Korean adults used obesity drugs in 2025: report

One in 10 adults in Korea used or was prescribed obesity drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro in the past year, with younger generations reporting higher usage and one-third of respondents saying they would use such drugs in the future. According to the “2026 Korea Wellness Report” released Sunday by KB Financial Group, 10.3 percent of the 2,000 men and women aged 25 to 69 who were surveyed in July and August said they used or were prescribed GLP-1 obesity drugs in the past year. The drugs mimic hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar to aid weight loss. By generation, Generation Z, born after 1995, had the highest usage rate at 16.5 percent, followed by millennials at 14.2 percent, Generation X at 7.7 percent and baby boomers at 2.9 percent. Usage was higher among men at 11.6 percent than women at 9 percent, but women were more aware of the drugs at 83.1 percent than men at 73 percent. Asked about future use, 33.9 percent of respondents said they would use obesity drugs if circumstances allowed, with the share rising to 39.7 percent among Gen Z, who cited “appearance and bod

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Korea unlikely to join CPTPP by 2030

President Lee Jae Myung said Monday that Korea is unlikely to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) during his term, but stressed the need to lay the groundwork despite political criticism, while protecting farmers and fishers from losses. Speaking at a meeting with representatives from the farming, livestock, forestry and fisheries sectors at Cheong Wa Dae, Lee said joining the mega trade bloc requires approval from every member country, making negotiations potentially lengthy. The CPTPP comprises 12 countries, including major economies such as Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. It accounts for about 15 percent of global gross domestic product, making it one of the world’s largest free trade blocs. “Even if we pursue CPTPP membership, it is far more likely that a final agreement will not be reached during my term,” Lee said, referring to his single five-year presidency, which ends in June 2030. “Nevertheless, for the country as a whole, we have to do the groundwork despite some criticism so we can move to the next sta

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French minister says Halloween protests could turn violent

PARIS — French authorities are bracing for more street unrest next weekend despite a huge security operation that helped contain nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Monday. The protests, which have rattled President Emmanuel Macron's government for weeks, show little sign of easing after violence nine days ago engulfed dozens of cities, leading to fears the state had lost control of the streets. In response to the turmoil, the interior ministry deployed 70,000 police for Saturday's demonstrations, which unions called to denounce the high cost of living and public services. The movement has grown far beyond initial student discontent, drawing in trade unions and"yellow vest" activists, known for their high-visibility jackets and mass demonstrations against economic pressures including high fuel costs. Far-right gangs confront far-left activists Nunez said the huge police presence prevented a repeat of violence seen earlier this month, but asked by BFM TV on Monday whether he expected further disturbances during demonstrations planned for October

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Korea seeks to complete key OPCON verification, set transfer year by Dec.

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said Monday that Seoul is working with Washington to complete the second stage of verification for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) and agree on a target year for the handover by the end of 2026. Kang also said the three conditions previously agreed upon by the allies remain valid, despite recent remarks by Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, suggesting that the standards for meeting those conditions may need to change. “We are closely consulting with the U.S. to complete the full operational capability (FOC) verification and determine a target year for the transfer,” Kang told lawmakers during a parliamentary audit of the defense ministry. He was responding to Rep. Kim Byung-joo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, who called for the allies to agree on a transfer timeline at their annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), expected to take place in the United States in December. The FOC assessment is the second stage of a three-phase verification process to assess whether the future Combined Forces Command, led

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Gimbap becomes onigiri: How Japan remade 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo'

Gimbap has become onigiri, a revolving door has been replaced by an escalator and even Woo Young-woo's signature greeting has received a Japanese makeover. "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," the Korean drama that became a global hit in 2022 with its story of an autistic rookie lawyer with an extraordinary memory, has been remade for Japanese television — retaining much of the original while adapting some of its most recognizable details for a new audience. "Extraordinary Attorney Minami," which premiered Oct. 19 on Kansai TV and the Fuji TV network, is a remake of the ENA drama that aired in Korea in 2022. The Japanese adaptation follows Minamida Minami, a rookie lawyer on the autism spectrum, as she navigates prejudice, relationships and legal cases. But while the basic premise remains familiar, everyday details have been reworked to fit Japanese culture and life. Perhaps the most immediately recognizable change involves food. Woo Young-woo, played by Park Eun-bin in the Korean original, famously loves gimbap, the Korean dish of rice and various fillings rolled in dried seaweed. In the Japa

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1 in 10 residents of Korea in their 20s, 30s have migrant backgrounds: data

Nearly one in 10 residents of Korea in their 20s and 30s comes from a migrant background as of last year, government figures showed Monday. The overall population with migrant backgrounds grew by nearly 100,000, offsetting a decline in Korean nationals without such backgrounds and driving a modest increase in the country’s total population. People with migrant backgrounds accounted for 10 percent of all residents in their 20s and 9.5 percent of those in their 30s, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics’ population statistics for 2025. Migrant-background residents are defined as those who are migrants themselves or have at least one parent with a migrant background. The group encompasses foreign nationals and Korean citizens, including those who gained citizenship through naturalization or legal recognition of parentage, second-generation immigrants, North Korean defectors and their children. The figures were compiled from 27 types of administrative data held by 13 agencies, including resident registration, foreign national registration and nationality acquisition records. T

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KOSPI falls as investors remain cautious ahead of chip earnings

The benchmark KOSPI fell Monday as renewed tensions in the Middle East sent oil prices higher, while investors remained cautious ahead of earnings announcements from Korea's major chipmakers later this week. The KOSPI closed at 5,469.47, down 1.46 percent, or 80.83 points, from the previous session. Foreign investors sold a net 6.955 trillion won ($5.26 billion) worth of shares, while institutional and retail investors bought a net 6.11 trillion won and 474 billion won, respectively. Blue-chip stocks also closed lower. SK hynix fell 2,000 won to 1,275,000 won, while Samsung Electronics dropped 2,500 won to 213,000 won. Renewed tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment, with reports that U.S. President Donald Trump was considering resuming strikes on Iran, fueling concerns over escalating conflicts. Brent crude futures hovered around $115 a barrel after rising about 6 percent last week on fears of disruptions to energy supplies. Investors also turned cautious ahead of earnings reports from Korea's two major chipmakers. SK hynix is scheduled to report its third-quarter result

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Korea to allow 5-year pet ownership ban for serious animal abusers

Korea will allow courts to ban people convicted of serious animal abuse from keeping pets for up to five years under an amended Animal Protection Act, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Monday. The amendment will take effect in October next year. Animals whose owners are indicted for abuse may remain in protective custody until a final judgment is issued. Offenders will also face restrictions on adopting animals from local governments. Owners who violate basic animal care requirements could face fines of up to 1 million won ($760), including for keeping pets on leashes shorter than two meters or failing to provide shelter from extreme temperatures. Failing to retrieve animals from boarding facilities or veterinary clinics will constitute abandonment. Local governments may also take protective custody of animals left unattended following disasters or the death or disappearance of their owners. Pet breeders must renew their licenses every five years, subject to inspections of their facilities and staffing. Pet businesses posing as rescue shelters will face restriction

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US asset managers retreat from Korea-linked leveraged ETFs

U.S. asset managers are pulling back from leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to Korean companies, liquidating existing products and scrapping planned launches as a local stock market downturn dampens investor appetite, industry officials said Monday. Tradr ETFs, a brand of U.S. asset manager AXS Investments, decided on Oct. 20 to delist two funds offering leveraged long and short exposure to SK hynix's Nasdaq-listed American depositary receipts (ADR), according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The funds, Tradr 2X Long SK hynix and Tradr 2X Short SK hynix, will cease trading on Nov. 5, with liquidation and cash distributions based on their net asset values expected on or around Nov. 12. The closures come just three months after the funds were launched. Industry officials said the move may reflect limited prospects for gaining market share and difficulties attracting anticipated trading volumes and assets under management. The two funds had combined net assets of just over $2 million as of Friday. Competition has also intensified as multiple asset mana

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ILLIT does math on one-sided love in 5th EP 'BREAK EVEN'

After years of singing about charging toward a crush, ILLIT has finally run the numbers and found that the feelings were never reciprocated. The HYBE girl group turns that realization into a playful "arrest warrant" on its fifth EP, "BREAK EVEN," released Monday. The EP follows the group as it comes to terms with how one-sided its devotion had been. It likens the frustration of getting back far less than it gave to a "break-even point," and the lead track, "You're Under Arrest," puts that frustration on trial. Four of the group's five members, Wonhee, Yunah, Minju and Iroha, talked about making the album at a media showcase held the same day at Blue Square's Woori WON Banking Hall in Yongsan District, Seoul. Moka, who has been on hiatus since June due to health issues, is sitting out promotions for this EP as well. "Since we're coming back after 'It's Me' did so well, we wanted to show an even better side of ourselves," Wonhee said. "I worked on this album with so much conviction that I can call it my all-time favorite." "Because the song has such a distinct concept, we paid attention to

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Brazil's Lula wins historic fourth term, Flavio Bolsonaro refuses to concede

SAO PAULO — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won a historic fourth term on Sunday, the country's electoral court said, in a shock result that defied polls, precedent and global anti-incumbent sentiment to put the brakes on a wave of right-wing election victories across Latin America. However, his opponent Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, refused to accept defeat and said he would ask for the result to be annulled due to a Sunday ruling from a Supreme Court justice that extended voting for two hours. Bolsonaro led the election's first round but lost in the runoff by over 4 million votes, rattling Brazilian financial markets which had bet on his victory. His refusal to concede defeat has echoes of his father's reaction after losing to Lula in 2022. Jair Bolsonaro never accepted his loss and was later sentenced by the Supreme Court to 27-years in prison for plotting a coup to remain in power. The scale of Flavio Bolsonaro's loss to Lula — by more than twice his father's losing margin — and the fact his campaign also asked for a

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Korea's Q2 current account surplus tops Germany, Japan combined on chip boom

Korea’s current account surplus exceeded the combined total of manufacturing powerhouses Germany and Japan in the second quarter of this year for the first time since comparable data for all three countries became available in 1996, data showed Sunday. Booming semiconductor exports have pushed the trade surplus to record highs, while expanding overseas investments have boosted dividend and interest income. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects Korea's current account surplus to rank second globally behind China this year, with the largest increase among 190 countries. However, experts warned that a global slowdown in artificial intelligence (AI) investment or increased supply from rival chip exporters could threaten the gains, highlighting the need to diversify the country's industrial base. According to IMF data compiled by the Bank of Korea (BOK), Korea posted a current account surplus of $116.6 billion in the second quarter, ranking second behind China among 36 major economies for which data was available. Germany ranked third with $52.3 billion, followed by Japan with $50.6

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Korean stars are done staying silent as Yunho tells disrespectful fans to 'leave'

Korean celebrities are increasingly refusing to stay silent when confronted with angry fans, online criticism and rumors — marking a shift from an era when stars often left controversies for their agencies to handle. TVXQ's Yunho, singer and actor Son Dam-bi and singer and television personality Lee Ji-hye have all recently pushed back directly against criticism, using fan platforms, social media comments and YouTube to draw their own lines. Yunho drew particular attention after clashing with some fans on Bubble, a paid messaging platform that allows K-pop stars to communicate directly with subscribers. Some fans complained that he was not communicating frequently enough despite the service requiring a paid subscription. "I'm sorry, but it's OK if you can't understand," Yunho said. "I'm trying to come on Bubble as much as I can, and I'm sorry if I can't satisfy you, but I think this is the best I can do. Please don't provoke me for no reason." When a fan responded that because Bubble was a paid service, he should communicate at least once a month and said his previous visit had been in

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Seoul to light up Han River with 2,000-drone Marvel show on Halloween

Seoul will hold its final drone light show of the year over the Han River on Saturday with a Marvel theme. A record 2,000 drones will be used, the city government said. The 15-minute show, titled “Marvel Special,” will begin at 8:30 p.m. at Ttukseom Hangang Park in eastern Seoul. Drones will recreate Iron Man and other Marvel characters, as well as iconic scenes from the films, set to music. The city launched the drone shows in 2023 as part of its push to make the Han River a nighttime attraction. The effort supports its tourism goals of drawing 30 million foreign visitors a year, raising per-person spending to 3 million won ($2,100), extending average stays to seven days and achieving a 70 percent revisit rate. The seven shows held so far this year through Oct. 9 drew about 197,000 people. That is an average of about 28,000 per show, more than 2.5 times the 2023 average of 11,000. Foreign nationals made up 34.6 percent of the 125,358 viewers at the five shows in the first half. On show days, card spending at nearby businesses rose 39 percent, while spending by foreign nationals jum

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Editor's Pick

[COVER STORY] Kim Jong-un's China trip reaffirms 'blood ties' as Beijing watches Moscow

COVER STORY Kim Jong-un's China trip reaffirms 'blood ties' as Beijing watches Moscow

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s trip to the Chinese border city of Dandong, made days before the anniversary of Chinese troops entering the 1950-53 Korean War, was aimed at reaffirming the historic blood ties between the two countries at a moment when Pyongyang’s alignment with Moscow has drawn Beijing’s attention, experts said. North's state-run Rodong Sinmun on Sunday reported Kim's visit to the Memorial Hall of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea in Dandong the previous day. The state media repeatedly emphasized Kim's paying tribute to fallen Chinese troops, remembering their shared history of fighting alongside North Korean forces and preserving ties forged in blood. Kang Dong-wan, a professor of North Korean studies at Dong-A University, said the focus on China’s role in the war was deliberate, coming after a period in which the Beijing relationship had weakened relative to Pyongyang’s deepening partnership with Moscow, including the North’s troop deployment to Russia. "Kim's decision to visit the Memorial Hall among other possible destinations appears to

3 MIN READ

Life in Korea

Seoul to light up Han River with 2,000-drone Marvel show on Halloween

Seoul to light up Han River with 2,000-drone Marvel show on Halloween

Seoul will hold its final drone light show of the year over the Han River on Saturday with a Marvel theme. A record 2,000 drones will be used, the city government said. The 15-minute show, titled “Marvel Special,” will begin at 8:30 p.m. at Ttukseom Hangang Park in eastern Seoul. Drones will recreate Iron Man and other Marvel characters, as well as iconic scenes from the films, set to music. The city launched the drone shows in 2023 as part of its push to make the Han River a nighttime attraction. The effort supports its tourism goals of drawing 30 million foreign visitors a year, raising per-person spending to 3 million won ($2,100), extending average stays to seven days and achieving a 70 percent revisit rate. The seven shows held so far this year through Oct. 9 drew about 197,000 people. That is an average of about 28,000 per show, more than 2.5 times the 2023 average of 11,000. Foreign nationals made up 34.6 percent of the 125,358 viewers at the five shows in the first half. On show days, card spending at nearby businesses rose 39 percent, while spending by foreign nationals jum

2 MIN READ

Lifestyle

Pharmacies emerge as new K-beauty stops for foreign tourists

In Seoul's bustling Namdaemun Market, a group of American tourists stepped out of a pharmacy and opened their shopping bags to show their haul: a box of Bacchus energy drinks and three packages of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) skin care products. Inside, other foreign shoppers queued at the counters with acne treatments, scar gels and cosmetics in hand. Pharmacists in white coats scanned their purchases at the registers. Scenes like this are becoming increasingly common as Korean pharmacies emerge as a new stop on the K-beauty tourism route. Foreign visitors are seeking both over-the-counter (OTC) dermatological drugs available only at pharmacies and pharmacy-sold cosmetics promoted through social media. “Foreign tourists now account for 40 to 50 percent of our sales,” Park Jun-sun, who runs one of the pharmacies in Namdaemun Market, told The Korea Times. “There weren’t that many when I opened two years ago, but the number suddenly started rising about a year ago.” Even at larger pharmacies that cater mainly to Korean customers, foreign shoppers have become more visible. Staff

3 MIN READ
Pharmacies emerge as new K-beauty stops for foreign tourists

K-Culture

Netflix marks 10 years in Korea, unveiling new star-studded lineup

Netflix marked a decade of service in Korea with Netflix Janchi, a two-day fan festival held Saturday and Sunday in Seoul that brought together fans, actors, creators and executives to celebrate 10 years of Korean storytelling reaching global audiences. At the event, held at Oil Tank Culture Park in Seoul's Mapo District, key figures who led the global K-content phenomenon over the past decade through hit series such as "Squid Game" (2021), "KPop Demon Hunters" (2025) and "D.P." (2021) gathered to reflect on their journey as Netflix heralded a new leap forward for Korean original programming. During a panel looking back at iconic moments from "Squid Game" and sharing behind-the-scenes stories, lead actor Lee Jung-jae reflected on the cultural impact of the global phenomenon. "The moment that touched my heart most deeply was when fans living overseas told me, 'I am so proud to be Asian, to be Korean,'" Lee said. "It was immensely gratifying to receive emotions beyond imagination just from starring in a single series." Co-star Lee Byung-hun also recalled the massive global reaction to the

4 MIN READ
Netflix marks 10 years in Korea, unveiling new star-studded lineup

Celebrities

ATEEZ's San opens up about how he built up muscular physique

ATEEZ member San, now known powerful stage presence, opened up about how he built up his muscular physique. The K-pop star shared the story behind his physical transformation on Saturday's episode of MBC's variety show "The Manager," which offered a glimpse into ATEEZ's daily life. San's physique has drawn particular attention this year following the release of ATEEZ's "BAD" in June. A choreography sequence performed by San near the end of the song, nicknamed the "chest dance," generated buzz among fans. During the episode, San headed to the gym, where his manager said working out has become an almost daily routine. "San is really serious about taking care of his body, so he works out almost every day," the manager said. "He even works out every day when we're staying at hotels." But San said his muscular build did not come naturally, recalling his slender frame around the time of his debut in 2018. Fellow ATEEZ member Hongjoong said San had been self-conscious about his body when he was younger. "San had a complex about it when he was young," Hongjoong said. "That's why he worked out incre

2 MIN READ
ATEEZ's San opens up about how he built up muscular physique

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Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. Korea to sell idle Argentine farm from Park Chung-hee era after nearly 50 years

  2. COVER STORY Coupang issue becomes bellwether for Korea's treatment of US firms: ex-AMCHAM chief

  3. Woman in military custody over unauthorized entry into restricted front-line border area

  4. Drug suspect repatriated from Ghana after 22 years on the run

  5. 1 in 10 Korean adults used obesity drugs in 2025: report

  6. Lydia Ko denies giving golf lessons to first lady amid political controversy

  7. Korea seeks to complete key OPCON verification, set transfer year by Dec.

  8. Seoul to light up Han River with 2,000-drone Marvel show on Halloween

  9. 1 in 10 residents of Korea in their 20s, 30s have migrant backgrounds: data

  10. Korea to allow 5-year pet ownership ban for serious animal abusers

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