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Soccer
[Graphic News] New rules at the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has introduced several rule changes aimed at reducing time-wasting and increasing active playing time. Among the most notable measures were stricter limits on throw-ins, goal kicks and substitutions, as FIFA sought to improve match flow and discourage tactical delays.
June 15, 2026 - 08:00:00
Soccer
[Graphic News] World Cup by the numbers

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest ever, featuring 48 teams, 104 games and three host nations: the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA expanded the tournament from 32 teams, adding more group-stage matches and a new round of 32 in the knockout stage. The United States will host 78 of the games, including all quarterfinals, semifinals and the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Mexico and Canada will each stage 13 games, with Mexico hosting the opening match on June 11 in Mexico C
June 11, 2026 - 08:00:00
WorldNews
[Graphic News] Wine consumption slides in 2025

Global wine consumption fell 2.7 percent last year to 208 million hectoliters, marking a 14 percent decline since 2018, according to the International Organization of Vine and Wine. The downturn was driven by inflation, weakened purchasing power, shifting lifestyles and social habits, as well as declining alcohol consumption among younger generations. Nine of the world’s top 10 wine markets recorded lower sales volumes last year, with the United States, France and China leading the declines. In
June 10, 2026 - 08:00:00
Social Affairs
[Graphic News] Infertility treatments rise nearly 40% in 4 years

Infertility treatment procedures in South Korea rose nearly 40 percent over four years, according to data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. A total of 203,101 procedures, including discontinued cycles, were performed in 2023, up 38.9 percent from 146,354 in 2019. By procedure type, artificial insemination fell 12.2 percent to 31,591 cases over the cited period, while in vitro fertilization jumped 55.4 percent to 171,510 cases. Single-cause infertility accounted for 67.5 pe
June 9, 2026 - 08:00:00
Soccer
[Graphic News] Korea World Cup kits rank 21st, 35th

ESPN has ranked the 48 kits for the 2026 FIFA World Cup based on visual appeal, placing South Korea’s uniforms in the middle-to-lower tier of the list. The national team's away kit ranked 21st, while its home kit came in 35th. The lavender away kit drew praise for its distinctive color scheme and glow-in-the-dark logo, though it fell short of the top tier. The red-and-black home kit, inspired by a tiger motif, was considered a solid design but lacked the originality to stand out among the tourna
June 8, 2026 - 08:00:00
WorldNews
[Graphic News] S. Korea TOEIC ranking rises to 5th in Asia

South Korea’s average TOEIC score rose to 682 last year, up four points from a year earlier and ranking 17th among 39 countries and fifth in Asia, according to the Korea TOEIC Committee under YBM. The Test of English for International Communication, better known as TOEIC, is a standardized English-language test widely used to assess workplace English proficiency among non-native speakers. Germany recorded the highest average score at 851, followed by Lebanon at 850, Belgium at 780, Italy at 776
June 3, 2026 - 08:00:00
Social Affairs
[Graphic News] 3 in 4 young Koreans have no religion

About 3 out of 4 South Koreans in their 20s have no religious affiliation, underscoring rising disinterest among younger generations and a broader trend of religious aging, according to survey data. A Gallup Korea survey found that 40 percent of Korean adults currently identify as religious -- 18 percent Protestant, 16 percent Buddhist and 6 percent Catholic. The share of religious adults rose from 44 percent in 1983 to a peak of 54 percent in 2004, before declining to 37 percent in 2022 and reb
June 2, 2026 - 08:00:00
Soccer
[Graphic News] South Korea finalizes 26-man World Cup squad

South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo unveiled his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pledging that the Taegeuk Warriors would enter the tournament with the mentality of “challengers.” Son Heung-min, Asia’s top striker and a South Korean soccer icon, was named to the squad alongside key Europe-based players including Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain, Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich and Lee Jae-sung of Mainz. Son is set to appear in his fourth consecutive World Cup following the 2014 Brazil
June 1, 2026 - 08:00:00
Social Affairs
[Graphic News] Foreign residents drive domestic travel

Foreign residents in South Korea are becoming an important part of the country’s domestic tourism market, according to a report released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization. A survey of 1,000 foreign residents found that 69.1 percent took same-day trips and 58.8 percent traveled overnight between November 2024 and October 2025. Respondents averaged 3.7 day trips and two overnight trips per year. Nature and scenic destinations were the most popular tr
May 29, 2026 - 08:00:00
Social Affairs
[Graphic News] Mideast conflict raises living costs, service prices

The war in the Middle East has driven oil product prices up by more than 20 percent, with the impact spreading to service costs such as car repairs, laundry fees and airfares. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics, the cost-of-living index rose 2.9 percent on-year in April, while personal service prices gained 3.2 percent. The cost-of-living index, based on 144 commonly purchased items, had remained relatively stable until earlier this year, but has recently accelerated toward the 3 p
May 28, 2026 - 08:00:00
Social Affairs
[Graphic News] Half of upper elementary students use smart devices for over 2 hours

Nearly one in two upper-grade elementary school students use smart devices, such as smartphones and tablets, for more than two hours a day after school, a survey showed. The Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union surveyed 2,804 elementary school students in grades 4 through 6 from April 9-22. Nearly half of them, or 49.2 percent, said they use smart devices for more than two hours after school. Specifically, 21.1 percent reported using smart devices for two to three hours, followed by 15.9
May 27, 2026 - 08:00:00
Social Affairs
[Graphic News] Generational divide grows over pet-friendly restaurants

Though pet-friendly restaurants have continued to spread across South Korea, a recent survey showed widening generational differences over dining with pets in public spaces. According to a survey of 1,000 adults nationwide conducted by market research firm Embrain Trendmonitor, only 28.5 percent supported expanding pet-friendly restaurants, while 62.6 percent expected conflict between pet owners and non-pet owners. Another 70.6 percent said there is not enough social consensus on the issue. The
May 21, 2026 - 08:00:00
Social Affairs
[Graphic News] Half of farming population is over 65

South Korea’s farming, forestry and fisheries communities are aging rapidly, with more than half now aged 65 or older, according to government data. The Ministry of Data and Statistics said about 2.58 million people live in households related to the sectors, accounting for roughly 5 percent of the country’s population. The number of households stood at around 1.27 million. Small households continued to rise in rural areas, with one- and two-person households making up about 80 percent of the tot
May 20, 2026 - 08:00:00
WorldNews
[Graphic News] Foreign patients in Korea top 2m for first time

The number of international patients visiting South Korea surpassed 2 million for the first time last year, setting a new record, government data showed. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2.01 million overseas patients sought medical treatment in Korea in 2025, the highest figure since related statistics began in 2009. After falling to around 110,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number has rebounded sharply since 2023, posting record highs for three consecutive years. Patient
May 19, 2026 - 08:00:00
Social Affairs
[Graphic News] Field trips fade in Seoul schools

Only 3 in 10 elementary, middle and high schools in Seoul have conducted or planned field trips this year, according to data from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, highlighting a sharp decline in student experiential learning programs. As of 2026, just 407 out of 1,331 schools, or 31 percent, planned one-day experiential learning activities, down significantly from 86 percent in 2023. Participation has fallen precipitously in recent years. The decline comes as many teachers have grown
May 18, 2026 - 08:00:00