Venezuela’s main airport partially resumes commercial flights after deadly earthquakes

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's main airport partially resumed commercial operations Tuesday, nearly 10 weeks after two devastating earthquakes struck the South American country. A temporary area with metal structures was erected in the parking lot of the Simon Bolívar International Airport, located in the Maiquetía area of ​​La Guaira state, to serve passengers while repairs continue. The airport, about 20 kilometers north of Caracas, was closed after severe damage to its runways, control

Sept. 2, 2026

Yim Jong-yong buys 5,000 Woori Financial shares

Woori Financial Group Chairman Yim Jong-ryong and 55 other senior executives have purchased company shares as the group expands its nonbanking operations and integrates its two life insurers. Yim bought 5,000 shares Aug. 24, shortly after Woori Financial completed its acquisition of Dongyang Life Insurance and announced plans to merge it with ABL Life Insurance, the company said Wednesday. The shares were purchased at 31,800 won ($23.26) apiece, bringing Yim's holdings to 15,000 shares. The othe

Sept. 2, 2026

&Team to return with 2nd EP backed by A-list creators

Boy group &Team shared the tracklist for its second EP in Korea on Tuesday via agency YX Labels. The new mini album is set for release on Sept. 8. “Mark on Me” will contain six tracks, including the title track co-written by Bensoon Boone. Producer and Hybe Chairman Bang Si-hyuk contributed to the B-side track “Good Boy.” The EP follows about ten months after the group's previous EP in Korea, “Back to Life,” which sold over a million copies and won first place on television music chart shows thr

Sept. 2, 2026

KRX chief courts CalPERS for bigger bet on Korea

Korea Exchange Chairman and CEO Jeong Eun-bo held talks with California Public Employees' Retirement System, or CalPERS, to promote greater investment in South Korea's capital markets, the bourse operator announced Wednesday. Jeong met with CalPERS Chief Investment Officer Stephen Gilmore. CalPERS is the largest public pension fund in the US, managing roughly $637.1 billion in assets as of June 30. During the meeting, Jeong highlighted the progress made in capital market reforms led by the gover

Sept. 2, 2026

W1tr AI unicorn Wrtn begins IPO preparations

South Korean AI startup Wrtn Technologies has begun preparations for an initial public offering, seeking capital to accelerate its overseas expansion after rapid growth in North America. Wrtn recently sent requests for proposals to major Korean securities firms to select lead underwriters, the company said Tuesday. It plans to appoint IPO advisers this month and map out the listing process, with a market debut targeted for 2028 or later. The preparations follow a 100 billion won ($73 million) Se

Sept. 2, 2026

Lee says now is time to expand economic pie, rather than welfare

President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday it is unrealistic to pursue both economic growth and welfare expansion for now, stressing that priority should be placed on expanding the economic pie rather than welfare. The president wrote the message on his X account, uploading a media column that argued the government's budget bill for next year relatively lacked spending on "distribution." "Giving up growth while expanding welfare should never happen. Pursing the expansion of both growth and welfare i

Sept. 2, 2026

Enhypen lands 1st entry on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100

Enhypen made Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart for the first time with its latest single “Bloody Paradise,” its agency Belift Lab said on Wednesday citing the chart dated Sept. 5. The single ranked at No. 23 on the chart of 25 songs that are close to making Billboard’s Hot 100. The Brazilian funk dance number ranked No. 12 and No. 32 on Billboard’s Global excl. US and Global 200 charts, both the team’s highest spots yet. In the UK, the song hit the Official Singles Top 100 at No.

Sept. 2, 2026

Education Ministry to correct Korean flag error in school textbook following backlash

South Korea’s Education Ministry has ordered the correction of a middle school textbook that depicts the Taegeukgi’s central symbol curving in the wrong direction. The ministry said late Tuesday that the publisher had prepared an erratum featuring the correct image and would post it on its website. Correction notices are expected to reach schools within a week. “The Education Ministry confirmed that the textbook contains an error in an image of the Korean flag, and we regret that the national fl

Sept. 2, 2026

G-Dragon's voice is now a 1.7-meter sculpture in Seoul

G-Dragon has been many things — K-pop legend, fashion icon, one-man brand — but rarely a subject of a work of art. At JN Gallery in Gangnam, southern Seoul, a sculpture derived from the singer's voice now stands 170 centimeters tall, cast in resin and steel and lit from within by LEDs. Named "PEACEMINUSONE" after the star's fashion brand, the artwork is the centerpiece of a solo exhibition by Korean artist Lee Kwan-young. The vertical column of light began with an in-person meeting, where Lee re

Sept. 2, 2026

Gender minister nominee says aware of concerns over keeping Assembly seat

Gender Minister nominee Yong Hye-in said Wednesday she is aware of concerns over retaining her National Assembly seat to take her newly nominated position, sidestepping questions about calls for her to resign from parliament. Yong has faced growing calls to give up her parliamentary seat after she earlier said she would keep her seat even after being appointed to the Cabinet position, breaking from convention for proportional representatives. "I will well prepare for the confirmation hearing and

Sept. 2, 2026

[Exclusive] Ateez to return in November

Ateez is preparing to return with new music in November, about four and a half months after the release of its hit "Bad," an industry source told The Korea Herald on Wednesday. "Ateez's comeback is currently scheduled for the second week of November," the source said on condition of anonymity. "Nov. 9 is currently being used as the comeback date for broadcast scheduling, rather than as the official release date, and the schedule could still change." Based on the group's recent release pattern, N

Sept. 2, 2026

Lindsay Clancy trial has US talking about postpartum depression. Korea is not so open

Expecting twins, Ahn Hye-young, 34, knew motherhood would be tough. But she did not expect the new phase of her life to weigh on her so heavily. She found herself feeling drained, struggling with mood swings and unhappy with herself. Her changing body was another source of frustration, adding to the overwhelming physical and emotional strain of caring for two newborns. “Exercise helped a little, but I could never fully get my old body back. Newborns need to be fed so often, and with household ch

Sept. 2, 2026

Cortis’ ‘Redred’ best K-pop song this summer: TikTok

Cortis’ breakout hit “Redred” topped TikTok's Songs of the Summer 2026 list for Korea, according to the platform on Wednesday. The ranking is based on music and videos that trended on the platform throughout the season. Cortis was also named Boyband of the Summer on the TikTok Summer Honours 2026 list. The five members thanked fans and listeners for choosing their song for special moments this summer, via label Big Hit Music. “Redred” is the lead single from Cortis' second EP “Greengreen,” which

Sept. 2, 2026

[Treasures from National Museum of Korea] Peonies on 10-panel folding screen

Period: Joseon era Dimensions: 145.0 × 58.0 cm (Each panel, folding screen) Peonies, admired for their large blossoms and brilliant colors, have long been known as the "king of flowers" and the "flower of wealth," symbolizing royalty, prosperity and nobility. A popular motif throughout the Joseon era, peonies became increasingly prominent in late Joseon paintings, often appearing without accompanying birds or plants and with fuller, more luxuriant blossoms. At the royal court, peony folding scre

Sept. 2, 2026

BOK says inflation to ease in Sept. but underlying pressures to persist

Inflation in September is expected to ease from the previous month as a base effect fades, but underlying price pressures will likely persist, particularly in core items, the central bank said Wednesday. "In August, the consumer price index rose at a faster rate than the previous month due to a base effect resulting from discount programs by a telecommunications company last year," Deputy Gov. Lee Ji-ho said during a meeting to review inflation trends. "In September, consumer price growth is exp

Sept. 2, 2026