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South Korea and China have agreed to simplify the origin certification process and expand cooperation on services and investment under their bilateral FTA, following the 15th round of follow-up negotiations in Beijing. The two sides also pledged enhanced protection for South Korean content.
President Lee Jae Myung vowed to build a Korean Peninsula free from the fear of war, marking the 76th anniversary of the Korean War outbreak. He also pledged sustained efforts to engage North Korea and replace the armistice with a peace regime, while reaffirming nonaggression toward Pyongyang.
During a Washington visit, South Korea’s Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee urged U.S. lawmakers to support Seoul’s nuclear-powered submarine program, including the acquisition of low-enriched uranium, and the planned transfer of wartime operational control. The trip also included a bilateral defense industry conference and a Pentagon meeting with a U.S. defense official.
South Korean-operated vessels continue to clear the Strait of Hormuz following the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, with the total number of exits reaching 11 as of late June. Officials report 13 South Korean-linked ships remain in the waterway, and the HMM Namu is expected to depart in late July after repairs.
South Korean stocks opened sharply higher on Thursday, buoyed by semiconductor gains following Micron Technology's stronger-than-expected earnings, a day after the KOSPI defied Wall Street losses to advance. Yonhap reported the KOSPI added 232.40 points at Thursday's opening bell.
South Korean stocks opened sharply higher on Thursday, driven by strong earnings from US memory chipmaker Micron Technology, with the KOSPI jumping 5.61 percent. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix led gains, though the surge triggered a temporary halt in program trading.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance have both rejected any tolls on the Strait of Hormuz, with Vance emphasizing that international waterways must remain free. The statements come amid a 60-day negotiation period between Washington and Tehran, while South Korea-linked ships remain trapped in the strait.
SK hynix plans to raise up to 45.45 trillion won through a stock offering tied to the listing of its American depositary receipts on the Nasdaq, with proceeds earmarked for chip production facilities in South Korea and EUV equipment. The company has resubmitted an amended registration with the U.S. SEC, and the listing is expected to be the largest-ever U.S. equity debut by a foreign company.
South Korea will hold a ceremony on Thursday marking the 76th anniversary of the Korean War, honoring troops and conferring military honors, according to the veterans ministry. A separate event this week commemorates 242 Korean students from Japan who fought for U.N. forces but were denied re-entry to Japan after the war.
South Korea's benchmark KOSPI rebounded 3.26% on Wednesday, closing at 8,471.02 after heavy foreign selling briefly pushed it near the 8,000 level. Retail and institutional buying, particularly in semiconductor shares, drove the recovery, though caution persisted ahead of Micron's earnings and U.S. inflation data.
President Lee Jae Myung visited a front-line Marine Corps unit on Yeonpyeong Island, vowing strong deterrence and reform of military service. He also pledged a peaceful Korean Peninsula free from war fears at a ceremony marking the 76th anniversary of the Korean War.
Seoul's city council has approved an ordinance to provide free bus rides for residents aged 70 and over, a move also tied to discussions on raising the free subway age. The policy, a campaign pledge by Mayor Oh Se-hoon, aims to support seniors in areas without subway access while addressing Seoul Metro's financial deficit.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met in Seoul to review bilateral cooperation and exchange views on the Middle East. The discussions focused on follow-up measures from the April summit and enhancing ties in economy, defense, and technology. Jaishankar also spoke at the Jeju Forum, calling for greater opportunities for the Global South.
South Korean police are investigating a break-in at a ballot-counting center in Seoul amid ongoing protests over the June 3 local elections, while also summoning a woman who staged a solo blockade at the same venue. The incidents are linked to demonstrations demanding a rerun of the elections due to ballot shortages on election day.
Lee Man-hee, founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, has been indicted on charges of forcing over 56,000 followers to join South Korea's main opposition People Power Party to influence party elections. A Seoul court granted an arrest warrant in June, and his trial is set to begin July 24.
South Korea's military has taken a North Korean soldier into custody after he crossed the heavily fortified border, in what is believed to be a rare defection. The incident marks the fourth such crossing since the Lee Jae Myung administration began last year, raising questions about border security and defection routes.
Lee Jung-hoo hit his fifth home run of the season, a career-long 414-foot blast, as the San Francisco Giants beat the Athletics 3-1. The South Korean outfielder raised his batting average to .331, second-best in MLB.
Two Korean American lawmakers emphasized their dedication to strengthening U.S.-South Korea ties, addressing economic challenges and regional security. Sen. Andy Kim and Rep. Young Kim spoke at separate events, with Kim highlighting shipbuilding investments and Young Kim calling for trilateral deterrence against North Korea, China, and Russia.
The United Nations Command has stated that North Korea's recent fencing and landmine operations along the inter-Korean border do not violate the Armistice Agreement, countering South Korea's claims. The UNC says the activities fall under 'Civil Administration' and are exempt as long as they remain north of the Military Demarcation Line without heavy weapons.
Two Yonhap reports from late June 2026 detail South Korean-operated vessels exiting the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S.-Iran ceasefire. One report says eight ships carrying 37 sailors left, reducing remaining ships to five; the other says four ships with 26 sailors left, with 18 remaining. Tehran has agreed to waive transit fees for 60 days.