Politics
- Physician shortage intensifies: 594 regional public healthcare institutions across the country are without a single physician, and the government is facing challenges in filling these vacancies.
- Kim Jong-un-Yoon Suk-yeol tension: Kim Jong-un criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol’s strong stance on North Korea’s nuclear weapons, escalating military tensions between the two Koreas.
Society
- Seoul World Fireworks Festival safety concerns: With 1 million people expected to gather for the Seoul World Fireworks Festival and Seoul Light Han River Festival on October 5 at Yeouido Han River Park, there are concerns about potential safety accidents.
- Seoul apartment price decline: The average price of apartments in Seoul fell below 1.2 billion won in two months, mainly due to a decrease in high-end new apartment transactions.
- Convenience store owner convicted of sexual assault: A convenience store owner who sexually assaulted a 20-year-old part-time worker and tried to cover it up by offering a raise was sentenced to prison in the appeals court.
- Dispute over Ulleungdo’s mislabeling: Controversy arose when a famous overseas site mistakenly labeled Ulleungdo as Japanese territory, sparking a backlash from the Korean public.
Economy
- Samsung expands ad-based streaming service: Samsung is expanding its ad-based streaming service ‘Samsung TV Plus’ in the U.S., offering 4,000 hours of free K-content, aiming for a global market presence.
- Seoul apartment price decline: The average apartment price in Seoul dropped below 1.2 billion won in August, attributed to a reduction in high-end new apartment transactions.
- Home loan demand rises on rate cut expectations: The demand for home mortgages has increased in domestic banks due to expectations of interest rate cuts, with many loans being used for living expenses rather than home purchases.
- Korea Zinc management conflict intensifies: The management dispute between MBK Partners and Chairman Choi Yoon-beom of Korea Zinc has escalated, drawing significant attention from shareholders.
Technology/IT
- Samsung Galaxy bootloop issue: Older Samsung Galaxy smartphones have been experiencing bootloop problems after a software update, causing widespread user dissatisfaction and prompting urgent calls for a fix.
- Baldur’s Gate 3 console update: Larian Studios has released patch 7 for Baldur’s Gate 3 on consoles, introducing new endings and mod support, receiving positive feedback from players.
- Unreal Engine 5.5 release: Epic Games unveiled Unreal Engine 5.5 and a new royalty policy, generating considerable interest among game developers.
- Naver shares ad revenue with short-form video creators: Naver will begin sharing ad revenue with all ‘Clip Creators’ next year as it expands into the short-form video market.
International
- Israel-Iran tensions rise: Israel is reportedly considering striking Iranian oil facilities, raising tensions in the Middle East, while the U.S. continues to hold discussions on the matter.
- UK woman faces hair loss after multiple COVID-19 infections: A British woman has highlighted her struggle with severe hair loss after contracting COVID-19 multiple times, drawing public attention.
- Tesla recalls Cybertrucks: Tesla has recalled 27,000 Cybertrucks in the U.S., citing defects in the newly launched electric pickup trucks.
- Total solar eclipse observed at Easter Island: A total solar eclipse was observed in parts of the southern hemisphere, including Easter Island in Chile, capturing the attention of both astronomers and the general public.
Sports
- KBO League sets attendance record in 2024: The 2024 KBO League attracted 10.88 million spectators, surpassing the 10 million mark for the first time in its 43-year history.
- Doosan Bears eliminated without postseason victory: The Doosan Bears failed to win a single game in the postseason for two consecutive years, disappointing fans after their early exit.
- League of Legends World Championship Swiss Stage begins: The 2024 League of Legends World Championship Swiss Stage runs from October 3 to 13, with teams advancing to the quarterfinals based on their wins.
- Com2uS updates ‘Living Legend’ players: Com2uS has added ‘Living Legend’ player cards to ‘Com2uS Pro Baseball 2024,’ featuring legendary KBO League players in the game.
Culture
- 2NE1 returns for a 10-year reunion concert: Girl group 2NE1 will celebrate their 15th anniversary with a full reunion concert at Seoul’s Olympic Park, marking their first performance together in 10 years, raising fans’ anticipation.
- Netflix’s ‘Culinary Class Wars’ gains popularity: Netflix’s cooking competition show ‘Culinary Class Wars’ has become hugely popular, with sales of cookbooks by contestants skyrocketing.
- Pianist Yunchan Lim wins two Gramophone Awards: Pianist Yunchan Lim became the first Korean to win two awards at the prestigious Gramophone Classical Music Awards in the UK, achieving a historic milestone.
- Dazzling dress at Busan International Film Festival: Actress Soo-hyun made headlines with her stunning fashion at the Busan International Film Festival, earning her the title of fashion icon and garnering attention at the event.