South Korea

South Korea's military and the UN Command have opened a joint investigation into an explosion in the Korean Demilitarized Zone. The probe aims to determine the cause of the blast along the heavily fortified border between North and South Korea. Details about casualties or damage have not yet been confirmed as the inquiry gets underway.

South Korea's finance minister and the Bank of Korea governor have stressed the need for close policy coordination to address economic uncertainties. The two officials, responsible for fiscal and monetary policy respectively, said cooperation between the government and the central bank is essential as the economy faces headwinds such as exchange rate volatility and external risks.

South Korea has long avoided committing to any role in a potential conflict over Taiwan, but analysts and commentators argue that maintaining this discretion is becoming increasingly difficult. Rising regional tensions and pressure from allies are fuelling discussion in Seoul about whether its traditional stance of distance from Taiwan contingencies can be sustained.

South Korean golfer Tom Kim will follow up his Presidents Cup appearance by competing at the Asian Games, where a medal could earn him an exemption from South Korea's mandatory military service. The 21-year-old, a two-time PGA Tour winner, is among the high-profile athletes South Korea hopes will secure sporting exemptions. The move has drawn attention to the country's conscription rules for male athletes.

South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister Lee visited the Bank of Korea, with reports noting that official visits to the central bank have been rising. The trip comes amid heightened government attention to monetary policy and financial stability. Little detail beyond the visit itself has been confirmed, and officials have not outlined the full agenda or outcomes of the meeting.

China's industrial robotics sector continues to develop rapidly, with the country widely viewed as a major force in factory automation. Observers point to China's large-scale deployment of robots in manufacturing as reshaping global supply chains and competing with established robotics industries in Japan, Germany and South Korea.

South Korea's Democratic Party is consolidating its support behind Lee as his leadership faces its first major test from a difficult economic environment. Lee has built his political identity on compromise across party lines, but worsening conditions - including trade pressure, slowing growth and domestic cost-of-living strains - are raising questions about how long conciliatory politics can hold, both within his own party and among opponents.

Global carmakers are cutting electric vehicle prices in South Korea, turning the country into a frontline of an intensifying EV price war, according to KED Global. Aggressive discounting by international manufacturers is putting pressure on local prices and reshaping the competitive landscape in one of the world's most advanced EV markets.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung addressed the United Nations, with the appearance falling during the Chuseok harvest festival holiday. The overlap of a major presidential diplomatic moment with Korea's most important traditional holiday has drawn attention at home, as many Koreans marked the festival while following news of the president's speech on the international stage.

South Korean golfer Tom Kim will head straight from the Presidents Cup to the Asian Games, where a team or individual gold medal would earn him an exemption from South Korea's mandatory military service. The 21-year-old, a multiple PGA Tour winner, is among the highest-profile athletes representing South Korea at the Hangzhou Games, and fans are watching closely to see whether he can secure the exemption.

A survey indicates that 76% of startup workers in South Korea are calling for a flexible revision of the country's 52-hour workweek cap. Workers in the startup sector, known for irregular and intensive hours, argue the current rules do not fit their industry's demands. The findings add to an ongoing national debate over whether South Korea should loosen its legally mandated weekly working-hour limit.

A survey reported by Korean media finds that about 70% of startup officials support an overhaul of the workweek toward a flexible system. The finding puts the startup sector among the voices pushing for changes to rigid working-hour rules, a debate that has been active in South Korea over how to balance productivity, overtime limits and employee choice. Startup leaders appear broadly aligned with reform proposals.

South Korea's autumn apartment sales season opens after the Chuseok holiday, with about 38,000 units scheduled to be put up for sale in October. The fall supply wave is one of the busiest periods for new home listings, and buyers and industry watchers are tracking how demand absorbs the large volume of units coming to market this month.

South Korean officials are split over a proposal to serve airline-style meals to people awaiting deportation, according to the South China Morning Post. The plan has drawn internal disagreement over the cost and appropriateness of providing catered in-flight meals to detainees facing removal from the country.

Golfer Tom Kim is dealing with the possibility of an early exit from the Presidents Cup while pursuing an exemption from South Korea's mandatory military service. Reports say his participation could be cut short as the exemption matter is resolved. The issue has drawn attention because elite athletes in South Korea can earn military exemptions through major international achievements, and Kim's status is being closely followed by golf fans.

Live coverage of table tennis at the 2026 Asian Games is drawing viewers across multiple languages, with the sport labelled in Chinese, Japanese and Thai. The Aichi-Nagamoto Games in Japan are the next major multi-sport event in Asia, and table tennis is traditionally one of its most-watched disciplines, with strong followings in China, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.

South Korea's Kim Yuseong came from fourth place after the short program to win the women's title at the ISU Challenger Series Nepela Memorial 2026 in figure skating. Austrian skailer Sauter, who had been in contention, dropped to seventh in the final standings, capping a dramatic turnaround in the free skate in Bratislava.

South Korea is on track to collect a tax windfall that could exceed 50 trillion won above its annual revenue target, according to a Yonhap report. The unexpected surplus, likely driven by stronger-than-expected corporate and income tax receipts, gives the government fresh room for spending or fiscal consolidation. Analysts and officials are weighing how the money should be used amid ongoing budget debates.

South Korea's government under President Lee is restructuring its support for small and medium-sized enterprises, directing more funding toward technology development and startups while cutting back on loan programmes and job-related subsidies. The reorientation signals a policy preference for innovation-driven growth over traditional employment and financing support, and is drawing attention as businesses assess how the changes will affect their access to public assistance.

South Korean startup industry officials are calling for revisions to the country's 52-hour workweek rules, asking for more flexible arrangements for startup employees. The issue, reported by Chosun Ilbo, reflects ongoing tension in Korea between labor regulations limiting weekly hours and the startup sector's argument that rigid enforcement hampers innovation, competitiveness, and the unpredictable schedules typical of early-stage companies.