Bill seeks to secure egg supply for vaccine production

A bill to establish a legal basis for the production of eggs used as raw materials for vaccines was proposed Monday, in a bid to secure a stable supply of high-quality vaccine ingredients. People Power Party Rep. Cho Kyoung-tae proposed a revision to the Livestock Industry Act to create a legal category for vaccine layer farms, distinguishing them from other livestock farms. Under the current act, there is no separate legal definition for farms that produce eggs used in the production of essent

2026-07-28 15:32:08:00

Hyundai Motor to sponsor vehicles at Korea-Central Asia Summit 2026

The Preparatory Office for the First Korea-Central Asia Summit 2026 signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyundai Motor Company on Monday over vehicle support for the summit set for September. According to the MOU, Hyundai Motor will provide 33 vehicles during the summit to ensure safe and smooth transportation for foreign dignitaries, their spouses and minister-level officials from the five Central Asia countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. "The summit

2026-07-27 17:48:29:00

Opposition chairman says Lee's e-voting proposal 'like fox guarding henhouse'

Main opposition People Power Party's chairman Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok on Sunday criticized President Lee Jae Myung for raising the possibility of electronic voting for overseas Koreans, saying it could undermine the integrity of the country's voting system. Jang wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday that Lee should not discuss changing the overseas voting system, accusing the president of "taking away the people's right to vote." "People do not trust the current voting system," Jang wrote. "A computin

2026-07-26 15:25:20:00

Over 300 people removed from jobs over military service refusal since 2017

More than 300 people have lost their jobs over the past nine years after refusing their mandatory military service, according to a report from the Military Manpower Administration. The MMA requested the dismissal of 329 conscientious objectors between 2017 and the first half of 2026. The number of dismissal requests has increased sharply in recent years, based on information disclosed through a local media outlet. Under the Military Service Act, the head of a government agency, local government

2026-07-26 13:23:33:00

Lee orders review of 'marriage penalty' in housing policies

The government is looking into "marriage penalties" in housing financing, and will roll out measures to address the issue, President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday. Speaking at Thursday's real estate policy forum, Lee said that he is aware of the issue and has instructed the Prime Minister's Office to conduct a comprehensive investigation to ensure that married couples would not face disadvantages in purchasing or renting homes or in applying for housing subscriptions. "Regarding the issue of 'marr

2026-07-23 17:00:13:00

N. Korea spy agency's expansion signals new stance toward S. Korea: report

North Korea's expansion of its intelligence agency implies that the state views South Korea as one of several hostile states alongside Japan and the US, according to a report released Wednesday by the Korea Institute for National Unification. The report, based on the first enlarged meeting of the ninth Central Military Commission held July 9, underscores North Korea's efforts to increase the functions and responsibilities of the General Reconnaissance Information Bureau by expanding its missions

2026-07-22 13:50:00:00

Bill seeks to strengthen embassy support for Korean companies abroad

A bill was proposed Tuesday to establish a legal basis for South Korea's diplomatic missions to shore up Korean companies' overseas operations. Proposed by Rep. Kim Gunn of the People Power Party, the "K-business Support Bill" would allow Korean embassies and consulates to assist companies operating overseas by providing information essential to business activities. This includes local economic and industrial trends, as well as changes to local laws, regulations and administrative procedures. Th

2026-07-21 16:43:35:00

Defense Ministry to change restrictions on military protection zones

The Ministry of National Defense announced Tuesday that it will change the restrictions on military zones covering 29 square kilometers of land nationwide. The ministry said that the measures, which take effect Wednesday, will ease or cancel restrictions on military protection zones with limited development. The change will affect 8.63 square kilometers of land in restricted protection zones, 0.02 square kilometers of land in controlled protection zones, and 20.52 square kilometers of land in f

2026-07-21 14:48:46:00

Former ruling party chief likens leadership race to 'gang assault'

Rep. Jung Chung-rae, a candidate to lead the Democratic Party of Korea, on Monday said that he was being subjected to a "three-against-one gang assault" in the party leadership race, but that party members are showing their support through election contributions. Jung wrote on Facebook on Monday suggesting that rivals are joining forces against him and he hopes for an eventual one-on-one fight, appealing to his followers for support. "Just as one vote is given to one voter, I hope every fight

2026-07-20 18:43:23:00

'Frozen' comes to Seoul with K-pop accent, creative team says

The Broadway musical "Frozen" arrives in Seoul next month the way it has everywhere else in the world — and, its creative team insists, unlike anywhere else. Ahead of the Disney musical's Korean-language premiere on Aug. 13 at the Charlotte Theatre, four members of the international creative team said the production stays true to the original, while still taking on uniquely Korean qualities, from a K-pop-inflected sound to a lineup of six actors sharing lead roles. "We try to keep the production

2026-07-17 16:28:22:00