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A 'palace guard' stands for tourists in front of the snow-covered Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul
Image: Jung Yeon-je/AFP/Getty Images

South Korea

South Korea is a country in east Asia on the southern portion of the Korean peninsula. It has a population of over 51 million and is a major player in global trade, particularly in the technology and automotive sectors.

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All Content on this topic

three animated female characters point their fingers

"KPop Demon Hunters" — Netflix hit upends stereotypes

A team of superheroes, not a girl group: The animated movie "KPop Demon Hunters" portrays K-pop idols as demon hunters.
MusicSeptember 3, 2025
Jens Castrop sits on the bench in a Borussia Mönchengladbach training jersey and looks right of camera

Naturalized player signals new era for South Korean football

Jens Castrop may become the first South Korea player to have switched nationality, but may have to do national service.
SoccerSeptember 3, 2025
This photo shows a North Korean soldier standing guard in a watch tower next to a giant loudspeaker (R), near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas

South Korea halts anti-North radio broadcasts

South Korea has stopped the broadcast of a propaganda radio program into North Korea.
ConflictsSeptember 1, 2025
South Korea's former first lady Kim Keon Hee, wife of impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol, arrives at a court to attend a hearing

South Korea's ex-first lady charged with bribery

The bribery charges mark the first time a former first lady has been indicted in South Korea.
CrimeAugust 29, 2025
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a visit to a shipyard owned by South Korean business conglomerate Hanwha Group in Philadelphia

North Korean media blasts South Korea's Lee as 'hypocrite'

North Korea has criticized South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for his comments on denuclearization.
ConflictsAugust 27, 2025
US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 25, 2025

Trump hosts South Korea's Lee, discussing North Korea, trade

Lee Jae Myung praised Trump as a "peacemaker," as the US president said he also wanted another meeting with North Korea.
PoliticsAugust 25, 2025
Lee Jae Myung and Shigeru Ishiba shake hands for the press in front of South Korean and Japanese flags

Japan and South Korea hope to be friends again

South Korea's Lee Jae Myung and Japan's Shigeru Ishiba tried to leave old feuds behind at a Tokyo summit.
PoliticsAugust 25, 2025
A North Korean flag flutters in the wind as a South Korean army soldier stands guard at the border villages of Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea

North Korea protests warning shots at border with South

Pyongyang has accused Seoul forces of provocation after troops fired during a tense incident along the demarcation line.
ConflictsAugust 23, 2025
Performers in South Korean military costumes in front of a wall of South Korean flags

Low birth rates shrink South Korea's military

A new report has warned that South Korea is short tens of thousands of troops, casting doubt on defense readiness.
PoliticsAugust 18, 202501:16 min
Soldiers and tanks pointing weapons during joint South Korea-US drills

South Korea, US begin joint military exercises

The joint drills come at a time when Trump is eyeing higher payments for the US troops stationed in South Korea.
ConflictsAugust 18, 2025
A fan wears a shark hat at a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington on September 29, 2019

South Korea's top court rejects 'Baby Shark' copyright claim

The catchy tune known for its "doo doo doo doo doo doo" hook was not plagiarized, the court ruled.
Law and JusticeAugust 14, 2025
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, alongside Kim Yo Jong, his sister and a senior official of the ruling Workers Party, attends a meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae In at the House of Peace on the South Korean side of the border village of Panmunjeom

North Korea denies removing propaganda loudspeakers

South Korea had previously reported loudspeakers had been removed on the northern side of the border.
ConflictsAugust 14, 2025
Kim Keon Hee in court

South Korea arrests wife of impeached former president Yoon

Kim Keon Hee is accused of bribery, stock fraud among others. This came due to fears she would destroy evidence.
CrimeAugust 13, 2025
North Korean propaganda speaker (top C) behind a South Korean military guard post (L) seen across the Demilitarized Zone

North Korea starts to dismantle border loudspeakers

The move has come days after Seoul removed its own sound amplifiers in a bid to ease tensions.
ConflictsAugust 9, 2025
Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol and wife Kim Keon Hee

South Korea: Arrest warrant sought for ex-first lady Kim

If granted, the warrant for Yoon's wife would mark South Korea’s first arrest of both a former president and first lady.
PoliticsAugust 7, 2025
South Korean military personnel remove loudspeakers for propaganda broadcasting in Paju, South Korea, on May 1, 2018

South Korea removes loudspeakers on border with North

The move comes as Lee Jae-myung's new government in South Korea seeks to normalize its relations with Pyongyang.
PoliticsAugust 4, 2025
Kim Yo Jong speaking at microphones during North Korean national meeting

North Korea: Kim Jong Un's sister rejects South's overtures

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister says there is "nothing to discuss," despite conciliatory moves from Seoul.
PoliticsJuly 28, 2025
A woman speaking to a man holds a red cocktail at a bar

Tattoo tech may help detect drink spiking

A Korean group has developed a discreet "tattoo" that could quickly identify drinks spiked with date rape drugs.
TechnologyJuly 23, 2025
A damaged convenience store building washed away after heavy rains in Gapyeong, South Korea

South Korea: Death toll from rains rises to 14

At least 14 killed after torrential rains this week triggered landslides and destroyed homes.
CatastropheJuly 20, 2025
Four women sing and dance from a platform.

Blackpink: New single 'Jump' recalls Love Parade classic

As the K-pop group releases a first new song in three years, a look the Blackpink global phenomenon.
CultureJuly 15, 2025
Yoon, man in suit and tie in court setting

South Korea's ex-President Yoon detained again

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is back in a solitary cell after a court approved a new arrest warrant.
Law and JusticeJuly 10, 2025
A wooden boat carrying North Korean individuals move northward in the East Sea

South Korea repatriates 6 North Korean fishermen

Seoul said six fishermen from the North were returned after they drifted into South Korean territorial waters.
PoliticsJuly 9, 2025
Disgraced former South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol appears at the Seoul High Prosecutors Office on July 5, 2025.

Did South Korea's ex-leader try to goad North into conflict?

Prosecutors have reportedly found evidence that former president Yoon Suk Yeol deployed drones to provoke Pyongyang.
PoliticsJuly 7, 2025
A North Korean flag flutters in the wind as a South Korean army soldier stands guard at the border villages of Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022.

North Korean man makes rare direct land crossing to South

The apparent defection is unusual because most people escape via China, not the direct frontier between the two Koreas.
ConflictsJuly 4, 2025
Map of the United States of America, with several red dots marking locations, and the words "charging deserts" with arrows in the bottom left corner

EV charging 'deserts' hold back industry growth

Even EV hotspots have charging deserts. Why were they missed – and how can we fix them?
Nature and EnvironmentJune 27, 202511:54 min
BTS member Suga on January 12, 2023.

BTS member Suga completes South Korea's military duty

A comeback of BTS is expected now that Suga, the final BTS member, has been discharged from the military service.
MusicJune 21, 2025
A composite image shows three female DW correspondents, two of them (L, R) holding DW microphones

How critically are land rights discussed in your country?

Our correspondents in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa explain why land rights remain a controversial topic.
Human RightsJune 16, 202503:04 min
The "Global Us" show logo is seen between a male head with curly hair (bottom) and a female head (top, pictured upside down) blowing up a blue balloon

Resistance and transformation: Courage to change — Global Us

South Korea's women's movement fights the patriarchy - and munching worms inspire solutions to plastic waste.
Nature and EnvironmentJune 13, 202526:04 min
South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung takes his oath during his inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 4, 2025

South Korea: Can new president end 'revenge politics'?

Each of the previous six South Korean presidents has faced criminal investigations during or after leaving office.
PoliticsJune 12, 2025
South Korean soldiers work on a loudspeaker that is set up for propaganda broadcasts during a military drill near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, South Korea, in this handout picture provided by the Defense Ministry and released on June 9, 2024

South Korea halts propaganda broadcasts along border

South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung ordered the discontinuation of the loudspeakers to "promote peace."
PoliticsJune 12, 2025
Jimin and Jung Kook on June 11, 2025.

K-pop: BTS stars Jimin, Jung Kook complete military service

With all members completing their mandatory service this month, BTS is expected to reunite in 2025.
MusicJune 11, 2025
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends an event with international business representatives at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday, March 28, 2025

China's Xi calls for stronger ties with South Korea

Xi said a healthy relationship between China and South Korea would lead to both regional and global peace.
PoliticsJune 10, 2025
South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung delivers a speech after taking his oath during his inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul

South Korea divided, troubled as Lee Jae-myung takes over

New President Lee Jae-myung may find his honeymoon period brief as he tackles multiple issues both at home and abroad.
PoliticsJune 4, 2025
Lee Jae-myung celebrates Budhha's birthday in Seoul by holding his hands together

South Korea's foreign policy battles wait for new president

The winner of the upcoming election will need to navigate Seoul's ties with the US, China, North Korea and Japan.
PoliticsMay 28, 2025
4 women walk down street, dressed casually; the 2 flanking group have arms crossed

Resistance through no sex: The 4B movement in South Korea

The South Korean movement represents a radical rejection of patriarchy: no sex, no dating, no marriage, no children.
EqualityMay 17, 202512:33 min
Fishing boats on a beach at Yongbun, North Korea (file photo)

North Korea's 'accidental defectors' stuck south of border

After their boat was washed south of the maritime boundary, two North Korean fishermen say they want to return home.
ConflictsMay 17, 2025
Kim Moon-soo speaks during a debate in Seoul on May 8, 2025.

South Korea: Conservatives reinstate presidential candidate

A vote took place to make former PM Han Duck-soo the candidate, which failed to pass.
PoliticsMay 11, 2025
A robot behind the wheel of a car

What will mobility look like in the future?

Advanced sensor and camera technology makes remote-controlled cars and autonomous driving possible.
Digital WorldMay 9, 202512:34 min
Presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung attends an event of the Buddha's Era 2569 birthday at Jogye Temple in Seoul, South Korea

South Korea: Is Lee Jae-myung set for presidency?

The candidate of South Korea's main opposition party has been handed a political lifeline.
PoliticsMay 8, 2025
People sit and stand around a large TV screen in South Korea on May 8, 2025, showing missiles fired by North Korea flying across a clear blue sky.

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles, says Seoul

North Korea fired what appeared to be multiple short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast, South Korea said.
PoliticsMay 8, 2025
Three elderly women wearing wetsuits pictured on a rocky coastline

Korea's Haenyeo women divers developed genetic superpower

The Haenyeo deep divers are genetically unique among the locals of Jeju Island off the South Korean coast.
ScienceMay 6, 2025
Former Labor Minister Kim Moon Soo on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

South Korea: Kim Moon Soo wins conservative nomination

The People Power Party has nominated Kim Moon Soo as its candidate for snap elections.
PoliticsMay 3, 2025
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo

South Korea's ex-leader Han enters bid for presidency

Han Duck-soo resigned as acting president Thursday and indicated he sought more responsibility.
PoliticsMay 2, 2025
South Korean acting President Han Duck-soo

South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo resigns

Local media report Han is expected to launch a campaign for the presidency on Friday.
PoliticsMay 1, 2025
South Korea's former President Yoon Suk Yeol lifts his hand in greeting as he is released from detention on March 8, 2025

South Korea's ex-president Yoon indicted for abuse of power

South Korea's ex President Yoon Suk Yeol is to be additionally indicted for abuse of authority, Yonhap news agency says.
PoliticsMay 1, 2025
Elderly men cry and embrace at the Mount Kumgang resort on August 24, 2018

North Korea dismantles symbols of reconciliation with South

As Pyongyang deepens ties with Moscow, it is tearing down symbols of past reconcilliation efforts with Seoul.
ConflictsApril 30, 2025
South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks during an online New Year news conference with local and foreign journalists at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea

South Korea: Former President Moon indicted for bribery

Moon Jae-in led South Korea from 2017 to 2022.
PoliticsApril 24, 2025
People celebrate after South Korean parliament passed a second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol (December 2024 file)

South Korea deeply divided ahead of June election

Still shaken by Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law crisis, South Korea is heading into a bitterly divided election on June 3.
PoliticsApril 23, 2025
Kim Min-jae battling for the ball with Inter Milan's Marcus Thuram

Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae pushed beyond his limit

Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae has come under heavy criticism, but his form represents a deeper issue in football.
SportsApril 17, 2025
A B-1B bomber flying over South Korea

North Korea warns US after air drill on Kim Il Sung birthday

North Korea regarded the joint military exercise between the US and South Korea as a rehearsal for an attack against it.
ConflictsApril 17, 2025