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InterviewDenuclearization can no longer be on agenda for US-NK talks: foreign policy expert

As signs emerge that the United States and North Korea may be inching toward renewed engagement, the question of where denuclearization fits into future talks is coming back into focus. U.S. President Donald Trump’s reluctance to say whether denuclearization remains the goal of renewed talks with North Korea could open the door to a different approach focused first on arms control and reductions, a veteran foreign policy expert said. “Denuclearization can no longer be on the agenda,” Moon Chung-in, a James Laney distinguished professor at Yonsei University, told The Korea Times in a written interview. “The DPRK will reject any call for dialogues and negotiations for denuclearization,” he added, referring to North Korea's formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Moon said conventional and nuclear arms control and reductions would therefore be most likely to be on the agenda for renewed talks. His remarks came as Trump sidestepped the question of denuclearization while intensifying his push to revive diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Asked on Wednesd

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NK leader's sister mocks Seoul for being forced to scale back 'war games'

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Thursday that Washington's recent decision to scale down the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise has placed Seoul "in a poor plight of canceling 'war games' it liked very much." Kim Yo-jong made the remarks in a statement as South Korea and the United States scaled down the summertime annual combined exercise after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the drills to be reduced. "Trump issued a sudden order to reduce the scale of the drill. This has placed Seoul in a poor plight of canceling 'war games' it liked very much," Kim said. Kim also said that President Lee Jae Myung's "double-dealing remarks" show the uneasiness and impatience of South Korea, referring to Lee's remarks that he respects the scaling down of the drills while also pledging for the "independent buildup of military capabilities." "It will be something like the first 'trouble' to the ROK, unprecedented in the history of U.S.-ROK joint military exercises, in the context that they have never seen the scale of war games reduced to become coreless after its

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US warns allies, China to back economic war on Iran

WASHINGTON — The United States on Thursday warned allies and China alike to join President Donald Trump's new campaign to isolate the Iranian economy and "collapse" the government in Tehran. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's comments underscored how Trump is shifting to economic rather than military pressure on Tehran as his unpopular war drags towards the six-month mark. Under pressure at home over the impact of the war and with crucial midterm elections looming, Trump had on Wednesday promised the "most crushing" economic operation ever against Iran. "It is going to work in Iran and we are going to collapse this regime," Bessent told U.S. broadcaster CNBC. Bessent underlined that Washington expects both allies and rivals to join the ramped-up campaign on Iran. "This is going to be the greatest coordinated economic isolation in the history of the world. And we are going to them and saying you are either with us or against us," he added in a message to allies. Asked whether the United States would pressure China, Bessent said that "many conversations are best to have in private," b

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Seoul watches Trump-Kim summit push as Pyongyang gives guarded response

South Korea is cautiously navigating a renewed push for United States-North Korea dialogue as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to revive summit diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, even as Pyongyang continues to flex its military capabilities and China urges Washington to abandon what it calls a hostile policy toward North Korea. Trump appears to be seeking to revive summit diplomacy with Kim, building on their meetings during his first term. He told reporters Wednesday that he expects to meet with the North Korean leader later this year. The U.S. president also offered an unusually specific assessment of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, saying Pyongyang possesses 57 “very powerful” nuclear weapons. The figure is substantially lower than Seoul’s latest assessment. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers Thursday that North Korea is estimated to possess between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, while the exact number is difficult to determine. Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader’s powerful sister, responded to Trump’s remarks Wednesday in a statement carried by the

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Chinese national gets 20 years for hacking accounts of BTS' Jung Kook, others

A Seoul court on Thursday sentenced a Chinese national to 20 years in prison for leading a hacking scheme targeting K-pop group BTS member Jung Kook and Korean business executives. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence to the Chinese national, surnamed Chun, on charges of fraud and violating the information network act, in connection with the theft of more than 38 billion won ($27.2 million) from the victims. "(Chun) targeted wealthy individuals and stole their assets," the court said. "The victims lost their assets despite bearing no fault, unlike in voice phishing scams." The court added that Chun has not shown genuine remorse for his wrongdoing. Chun was charged with collecting personal information as part of a criminal ring operating overseas, including in Thailand, from August 2023 to January 2025, activating mobile phones in the victims' names and transferring assets from their accounts. The investigation showed the targets included Jung Kook and a business tycoon of a major conglomerate. Sources, however, said the hacking group attempted to steal 8.4 billion won

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Seoul unveils plan to turn city into 24-hour destination

Seoul is preparing to stretch its nightlife well beyond dinner and drinks, with plans for late-night museum visits, hikes, temple meditation sessions, drone shows and food markets as part of a new push to turn the city into a 24-hour destination. The Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled the plan Thursday, targeting the hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. and integrating culture, tourism and commercial districts with expanded transportation services. The initiative comes as international tourists are staying longer and spending more in the capital. In the first half of this year, 8.23 million foreign tourists visited Seoul, up 21.3 percent from the same period last year. Their credit card spending reached 5.6 trillion won ($4 billion), up 56.8 percent. Under the plan, the city aims to generate an additional 5 trillion won in annual nighttime consumption and attract 30 million tourists within five years. Landmarks after dark The city will designate Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Mount Nam, Gwanghwamun and the Han River as its four major nighttime landmarks, tailoring content in each area to e

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Drinking trend shift: Why more young Koreans are avoiding company dinners

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. The culture of pressuring people to drink alcohol at company gatherings and social events is gradually disappearing. Yet in some workplaces and social groups, the practice still persists. Younger Koreans are drinking less than previous generations, and the traditional pattern of moving from soju at a first-round dinner to draft beer at a second round is also becoming less common. For some young workers, especially those grappling with a difficult job market, forced drinking at company dinners can be serious enough to make them consider leaving even after joining a small company. Korea's drinking culture is increasingly becoming a source of generational conflict. Older Koreans still drink heavily According to the 2025 Community Health Survey released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Sunday, monthly binge-drinking rates among men increased among those in their 60s and 70s over the past six years. Among women, the rate increased across all age groups in their 30s and older. OECD data also showed that Korea's monthly binge-drin

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Korea's growth outlook keeps improving, but people aren't feeling it

Lee Ji-eun, a clothing retailer in her 30s who runs a small shop in northeastern Seoul's Nowon District, says the country's improving growth outlook feels distant from what she sees in her own business, with foot traffic at her store yet to pick up. "It's hard to feel an economic recovery when prices are still so high. I've also been cutting back on cultural activities, leisure and other spending myself, so I can understand why consumers are cutting back," Lee said. For Park, an office worker in the manufacturing sector who lives in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, the economic growth driven by the semiconductor boom has done little to change her own financial situation. "My wages are the same, but when I hear about the big bonuses being paid at semiconductor companies, I feel kind of left behind," Park said. Shin, a small business owner in his 60s in Gyeonggi Province, said, "They say the economic figures are improving, but it's the big companies and exporters that are making the money. For people like us who make a living day to day, it feels like it's happening in another country." Their c

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EXPLAINER Why Yongsan Park is Seoul's newest housing battleground

The government is considering using Yongsan Park, a proposed green space planned for a former U.S. military garrison, as a site for new housing construction as it searches for ways to expand supply and contain surging home prices in Seoul — a political issue that is increasingly dragging down President Lee Jae Myung’s approval ratings. The idea has pitted the central government against Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who says the site should be preserved as the city’s last major green space. But the government says the 3-square-kilometer site in central Seoul — roughly the size of Yeouido — could be used to expand the housing supply for younger people struggling to afford a home in the capital. The government appears determined to press ahead with discussing redevelopment of the area. At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lee pushed back directly against Oh’s call for focusing more on redeveloping aging buildings, arguing that doing so could fuel speculative demand and trigger another sharp rise in home prices. Speaking before the National Assembly’s Land Infrastructure and Transport C

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Why you may look older after summer

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Summer takes a toll on more than just your energy levels. The intense sunlight and sweltering heat can also leave your skin looking more tired and aged. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is considered one of the main causes of premature skin aging. Strong UV exposure can damage elastin and collagen in the dermis, increasing the likelihood of age spots, fine lines and wrinkles. A healthy diet can help protect the skin from premature aging, while poor dietary habits may accelerate the process. Based on information from Healthline and other health and medical sources, here are some foods that may help slow skin aging. Why does skin look older after summer? Summer can accelerate skin aging in several ways. To maintain an average temperature of around 31 to 33 degrees Celsius, the skin expands its capillaries and releases heat. As the skin works to dissipate heat, sebum production can increase, pores may appear larger and moisture can be lost. Strong UV exposure also increases the risk of hyper-pigmentation. Research suggests that skin aging begins around t

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SK hynix labor, management reach tentative agreement for 2026 wages

Labor and management of SK hynix have reached a tentative agreement on 2026 wages, under which 60 percent of performance bonuses will be paid in treasury shares, the company said Thursday. SK hynix’s labor and management drew significant attention across the Korean industry last year when they agreed to use 10 percent of the company’s operating profit as a funding pool for performance bonuses and maintain the system for 10 years. Tensions escalated recently, however, after management proposed paying part of the bonuses in shares instead of entirely in cash, prompting the unions to threaten collective action. With the tentative agreement, the chipmaker has avoided immediate disruptions such as a general strike, but the risks of conflict remain because employees, dissatisfied with the decision, are moving to form a new union. SK hynix’s unions held delegate meetings on Thursday afternoon and informed union members that the tentative agreement calls for 60 percent of performance bonuses to be paid in treasury shares and the remaining 40 percent in cash. Of the portion paid in shares,

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KOSPI surges 5.9% as chipmakers rally on shareholder returns

The KOSPI surged past 6,800 on Thursday, as SK hynix and Samsung Electronics rallied on expectations for increased shareholder returns and easing U.S. Treasury yields boosted risk appetite. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 6,852.58, up 5.89 percent from the previous session. The index opened 3.23 percent higher and extended its advance, triggering a buying-side sidecar at 9:57 a.m. It was the 49th sidecar activation on KOSPI this year. Foreign investors bought a net 1.7 trillion won ($1.2 billion) of shares, while institutional and retail investors sold a net 219.5 billion won and 2.3 trillion won, respectively. SK hynix surged 12.73 percent to close at 1,691,000 won, while Samsung Electronics climbed 9.49 percent to 271,000 won, as expectations for stronger shareholder payouts fueled demand for the chipmakers. SK hynix announced a 40 trillion won share buyback and cancellation program after the previous session's close, helping reverse profit-taking pressure that had weighed on the stock following its recent rally. The company also strengthened its shareholder return policy, pledging to al

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Kakao Mobility pursues US IPO, seeks to raise $1 bil.

Kakao Mobility is pursuing a U.S. initial public offering (IPO) targeting about $1 billion in proceeds, about four years after its plans to list on the Korean stock market fell through. The mobility platform's parent company, Kakao, confirmed Thursday that Kakao Mobility had confidentially submitted draft registration documents to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 2 for a potential American depositary receipt (ADR) offering. However, the company said the offering size and other details have not yet been determined. A confidential submission allows a company to undergo SEC review before publicly disclosing detailed information about its offering. Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and UBS reportedly have been named as potential underwriters for the offering. The potential U.S. listing marks Kakao Mobility’s return to the IPO market after it shelved plans for a Korean listing in 2022. The company operates Kakao T, a mobility platform offering taxi-hailing, designated driver, parking and navigation services. Kakao Mobility had faced regulatory scrutiny and stirred contr

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AMCHAM hosts US Ambassador Steel for 1st business community meeting

The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) hosted U.S. Ambassador to Korea Michelle Steel for an executive breakfast roundtable at its office in Seoul on Thursday, marking Steel’s first official engagement with the U.S. business community in Korea since assuming her post. The small-group roundtable brought together a select group of senior executives from leading U.S. companies across key industries in Korea. Steel heard directly from business leaders operating in Korea and discussed priorities for continued cooperation between the U.S. Embassy and AMCHAM. The discussion focused on key opportunities and challenges facing U.S. companies in Korea. Participants explored ways sustained engagement could strengthen bilateral trade and investment while fostering a more competitive, predictable and globally aligned business environment. The meeting also addressed potential areas of collaboration between the U.S. Embassy and AMCHAM, including Freedom 250 initiatives commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. “We are delighted to welcome Ambassador Steel for her first of

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Seoul bans cicada harvesting over Chinese delicacy demand

These were the allegations made in multiple complaints filed in July last year through the Seoul Metropolitan Government's online civil complaints portal. The reports alleged that unauthorized harvesting of cicada nymphs by people described as Chinese nationals was occurring during the summer at Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park. To prevent a recurrence, the city took action this year. The Seoul Metropolitan Government recently put up warning banners in the Yeouido Saetgang area reading, "Do not collect cicada nymphs." A city official told News1 on Tuesday that while nymph collection was frequently reported there last year, the city has received no similar complaints this year and installed the banners as a precaution. Cicadas are neither endangered nor endemic to Korea, meaning they can generally be caught. However, the unauthorized harvesting of insects, including nymphs, in the Saetgang area violates the Seoul Metropolitan Government Framework Ordinance on Conservation and Use of Hangang Park, carrying a fine of 100,000 won ($72). The insects are reportedly harvested for food. In Chin

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Once-in-200-year rainfall becoming more frequent: Is Korea prepared?

Following the historical rainfall of nearly 1,000 millimeters dumped on Geoje over three days, urgent calls are made to change the country's weather disaster response system as such extreme rainfall is starting to become an annual event. During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Lee Jae Myung instructed officials to devise measures to revamp the country’s response system, citing the urgent need to modernize a system built around past climate conditions. Extreme rainfall becoming more frequent According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, a total of 968.1 millimeters of rain fell over Geoje over three days beginning last Saturday. At its peak, some 124.5 millimeters of rain fell just over one hour starting at 1:32 a.m. Monday, an intensity statistically expected only once every 200 years. Nearby Tongyeong also received 777.8 millimeters of rain between last Saturday and Tuesday. A climate analysis report released by the ministry showed that the number of incidents of heavy rainfall exceeding 50 millimeters per hour during a decade in the 1970s was ten; the number steadily g

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Police launch probe into suspected leak of data on presidential officials

Police have launched an investigation after detecting signs of a data leak involving personal information of presidential officials, the National Police Agency (NPA) said Thursday. The personal information of "key domestic figures," including presidential officials, appeared to have been compromised after a private certification agency's servers were hacked, according to the NPA. "While analyzing the hacked materials, (we) have confirmed that personal information of key domestic figures was included," the NPA said. It clarified that the presidential office's own servers were not breached. The compromised data is presumed to include basic contact details typically found on business cards, such as names and phone numbers.

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Rights watchdog intervenes after migrant worker faces deportation due to employer's error

For a migrant worker in Korea, a valid visa often comes down to administrative perfection. But when an employer fumbles the paperwork, it isn't the boss who faces expulsion — it's the laborer. The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission stepped in Thursday to rectify one case of such oversight. The watchdog agency formally expressed its opinion that a foreign employee, caught in administrative limbo due entirely to his employer's negligence, should have his reemployment permit granted. At the same time, the commission urged the Ministry of Employment and Labor to overhaul systemic loopholes that penalize faultless workers with deportation and undocumented status. Although legally nonbinding, the commission’s formal recommendations carry significant sway over regulatory policy. The case centers on an immigrant worker identified only as A, who entered Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS) on an E-9 visa — a program designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises fill crucial labor shortages. Since March 2024, the employee had been working at a manufacturing facility

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InterviewKorean food exports face tough battle in Vietnam

Korean food products have drawn global attention, with certain product labels like Buldak sparking a rare consumer frenzy and online fandom movement transcending nations and borders. From instant noodles to snacks, baked goods, fruit and manufactured seafood, Korean food products have become strategic items for retailers outside Korea. K-Market in Vietnam, a network of 150 directly managed medium-sized supermarkets, specializes in K-foods and other Korean products. The largest Korean-run retailer in the country also operates a logistics center in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, facilitating product distribution to stores in the country’s largest economic hubs in the northern and southern regions. Having run K-Market for 20 years, Chairman Ko Sang-goo, however, worries about the company’s future. At the battlefront in the country’s retail industry, the business guru compares himself to a Korean soldier fighting global retailers in Vietnam. He now sees Japanese and Chinese brands scaling up in the country’s retail sectors and increasing their market shares. To him, Korean products ar

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'Mousetrap' turns Korean folktale into Netflix thriller

The stolen-identity thriller "Mousetrap" is officially primed for its global Netflix debut. The webtoon-based series follows Moon-jae (Ryu Jun-yeol), a novelist who loses his name, face and life to a mysterious entity known as "the Rat." He teams up with No-ja (Sul Kyung-gu), a loan shark, and Sun-yong (Lee Kyu-hyung), a detective, embarking on a high-stakes hunt to uncover the identity of the Rat. Helmed by director Kim Hong-sun, who was acclaimed for stylized action and tension in the Netflix series “Dear Hongrang” (2025) and hit dramas “The Guest” (2018) and “Voice” (2017), the drama is inspired by the classic Korean folktale premise that "a rat becomes human after eating fingernails," promising to deliver psychological dread alongside genre-thriller suspense. "The work is motivated by the folktale of the fingernail-eating rat. It is a thriller about a man whose life has been stolen trying to reclaim his identity," director Kim introduced the drama during a press conference at Hotel Naru Seoul - MGallery in Mapo District, Seoul, Thursday. Kim added that the webtoon script

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Dongwha Pharm takes Whal Myung Su global with K.O.D.

Dongwha Pharm is taking its flagship digestive aid Whal Myung Su to the U.S. market, 129 years after the product was first developed in Korea. The pharmaceutical company said Thursday that it has launched a new Whal Myung Su 1897 product, branded as Korea Original Digestive (K.O.D.), for overseas consumers. It has also selected K-pop group CORTIS as its new global brand ambassador and plans to launch a global marketing campaign featuring the group. K.O.D. will be available at pharmacies and duty-free shops in Korea this month before hitting supermarkets, pharmacies and Olive Young stores in the United States from September. Dongwha Pharm will also operate a dedicated K.O.D. brand store on Amazon. Building on Whal Myung Su’s 129-year heritage dating back to 1897, K.O.D. is a food product with its taste and ingredients tailored to the preferences of overseas consumers. Dongwha Pharm is positioning K.O.D. around the message of a “new cultural code for enjoying K-food,” aiming to establish K.O.D. as part of a new after-meal ritual for consumers enjoying Korean cuisine. Dongwha Pharm pla

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Editor's Pick

[COVER STORY] Scaled-back drills cast uncertainty over OPCON transfer timeline

COVER STORY Scaled-back drills cast uncertainty over OPCON transfer timeline

The scaling back of South Korea-U.S. joint military drills, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s social media post calling for a reduction, has increased uncertainty in Seoul’s push for an earlier transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington, as the reduced exercise will likely limit the opportunity to evaluate Seoul’s readiness to lead the combined forces. The Lee Jae Myung administration has sought to advance verification of the Combined Forces Command’s Full Operational Capability (FOC) under South Korean leadership during the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise and use the results to discuss a target year for OPCON transfer at the next Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in October. But the reduced training is expected to complicate that plan, including the government’s efforts to pursue OPCON transfer around 2028. The allies on Wednesday announced that this year's UFS would end on Friday, six days earlier than its original Aug. 28 end date, while scaling back or adjusting some field training exercises. The move came after Trump asked his defe

3 MIN READ

Life in Korea

Busan launches multilingual emergency task force to protect foreign residents

Busan launches multilingual emergency task force to protect foreign residents

The Busan Metropolitan Government announced Thursday a sweeping cross-sector framework designed to safeguard non-Korean speakers during natural and human-made disasters, anchoring the initiative with a dedicated multilingual crisis translation force. Under an agreement signed at Busan City Hall, local authorities joined forces with regional emergency services, humanitarian relief agencies, academic researchers and foreign resident support networks. The cornerstone of this new coalition is the newly appointed Busan Disaster Response Interpreter Corps, a 30-member specialized team providing real-time support across 16 languages, including English, Mandarin, Japanese, Vietnamese and German. Busan officials said the push stems directly from the southern port city's rapidly shifting demographic landscape. As Korea’s principal maritime gateway and second-largest metropolis, Busan has long served as a bustling crossroads for international commerce, shipping, and global tourism. The coastal hub now houses more than 88,000 foreign residents, while welcoming more than 2.4 million international v

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Lifestyle

K-culture boom is reshaping Seoul's hotel market

Korean culture is driving a surge in foreign visitors to Seoul, reshaping the city's hotel market and leading hotel operators to upgrade facilities and rebrand their properties to attract higher-spending international travelers. In the first half of 2026, foreign arrivals to Korea reached a record 10.71 million, rising 21.3 percent from a year earlier, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. Unlike in the past, when group tours focused mainly on shopping, foreign tourists are now often visiting Korea for K-pop concerts, drama filming sites and medical services, leading to higher expectations for accommodation. "As K-culture continues to attract more international tourists to Korea, demand for various hotel options, ranging from budget accommodations to high-end luxury properties, will keep growing," an official at a hotel in Seoul said on condition of anonymity. Major hotel operators in Seoul are already shifting their business strategies to align with this changing trend. In June, Lotte Hotels & Resorts announced the rebranding of its flagship downtown hotel, Lotte Hotel Seoul, as

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K-culture boom is reshaping Seoul's hotel market

K-Culture

BTS' Grammys boycott signals reversed relationship between artists, award shows

The Recording Academy's changed stance over its new Asian pop music category after K-pop superstars BTS opted not to submit music for consideration for the 69th Grammy Awards has shown the shifting dynamics between artists and award organizers, according to critics and industry figures. While acknowledging that such a boycott was possible only because it came from BTS, one of the world's most influential acts today, they say the controversy revealed a relationship in which award shows need artists with vast fandoms more than the artists need them. The Academy announced the Asian pop music category on June 16 as one of five new awards for the 69th Grammys, open to singles and tracks that make meaningful use of one or more Asian languages. On July 29, all seven members of BTS posted identical statements saying they would not submit music for Grammy consideration, expressing hope that music could be heard and embraced for what it is, beyond region or language. As the row grew, Billboard reported Friday that the Recording Academy leadership consulted representatives across the K-pop, J-pop,

4 MIN READ
BTS' Grammys boycott signals reversed relationship between artists, award shows

Celebrities

SEVENTEEN's Vernon to drop new song marking enlistment

Vernon, a member of K-pop boy band SEVENTEEN, will release a new song Thursday, as he begins his mandatory military service. His solo single "I'll Be Back," is due out at 6 p.m., according to music industry sources. Last month, his agency, Pledis Entertainment, announced Vernon will receive basic training beginning Aug. 20 ahead of serving as a social service agent to fulfill his mandatory military service. Vernon made his debut as a rapper of SEVENTEEN in 2015. In June, he and member The8 launched a new subunit and released their first EP, "V8," which marked the sixth official unit within Seventeen.

1 MIN READ
SEVENTEEN's Vernon to drop new song marking enlistment

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Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. Chinese national gets 20 years for hacking accounts of BTS' Jung Kook, others

  2. InterviewDenuclearization can no longer be on agenda for US-NK talks: foreign policy expert

  3. EXPLAINER Why Yongsan Park is Seoul's newest housing battleground

  4. Seoul unveils plan to turn city into 24-hour destination

  5. K-culture boom is reshaping Seoul's hotel market

  6. Lee respects Trump's decision to promote dialogue with NK through scaled-back military exercises

  7. Seoul watches Trump-Kim summit push as Pyongyang gives guarded response

  8. Korea's growth outlook keeps improving, but people aren't feeling it

  9. NK fires barrage of short-range ballistic missiles despite Trump overture

  10. Seoul bans cicada harvesting over Chinese delicacy demand

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