[K-matrimony] ① Tradition of uniting families, not just spouses: Amid changing social attitudes toward matrimony, the number of marriages in Korea is increasing. The figure hit about 240,000 last year, the highest in seven years. The domestic culture and institution of marriage are also evolving in blending traditional and modern customs and practices. Korea.net explores trends in Korean marriage culture through the series "Seoulmates." Visitors on May 23 view historical wedding records at the Ulsan Museum exhibition "Ulsan Wedding Chronicles." By Hong; 2026.06.11

Economic, trade cooperation agreement with Jordan takes effect: Ambassador to Jordan Kim Pil-woo (right) and Jordanian Minister of Industry and Commerce Yarub Qudah in Amman, Jordan, on March 30 pose for a photo after signing a bilateral agreement on economic and trade cooperation. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) By Yoo Yeon Gyeong A bilateral agreement with Jordan on economic and trade cooperation has taken effect. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul on June 9 officially announced the effectuation of the accord. The deal serves as the basic framework; 2026.06.11

Plan dangles KRW 350M funding offer to woo int'l sci-tech talent: The Ministry of Science and ICT on June 8 announced its final selection of new projects for its program Brain Pool and Brain Pool+ as part of the initiative Brain to Korea. (iClickArt) Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of this image is prohibited under copyright law. By Koh Hyunjeong The Ministry of Science and ICT has stepped up efforts to bolster the country's global research competitiveness by expanding recruiting of top-tier science and technology personnel from abroad. The min; 2026.06.11

Vocalist wins global opera contest, ballerino triumphs in Finland: Bass Park Sungmin (center) on June 7 poses for photos after winning first prize at this year's International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition in Jurmala, Latvia. (Event's official website) By Lee Dasom Two rising stars in opera and ballet have won prestigious competitions in Europe. Bass-baritone Park Sungmin on June 7 won first place at the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition in Jurmala, Latvia, the event's official website said. Park is the third straight Korean; 2026.06.11

Team develops sustainable, low-cost tech for space debris removal: Kim Min-ki, a principal researcher at Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) in Daejeon, explains an orbital departure device that can capture and remove space debris. (KARI) By Koh Hyunjeong Debris orbiting Earth is a new threat created by the space industry. Defunct satellites and rocket debris travel at speeds over 8 km per second, jeopardizing the safety of spacecraft and astronauts. Thus collisions with space debris, once only seen in movies, have emerged as a real-world problem. The; 2026.06.11

Economic growth in Q1 beats forecasts at 1.8%, GNI rises 9.2%: The Bank of Korea on June 9 released preliminary data on national income in the first quarter showing growth of 1.8% in gross domestic product. Shown is Singamman Pier at Busan North Port in Busan's Nam-gu District. (Busan Port Authority) By Kim Seon Ah The economy grew 1.8% in the first quarter this year from the fourth last year, driven by surging exports led by semiconductors and higher facility investment. Gross national income (GNI), which measures the aggregate income of all residents o; 2026.06.11

An a tear: badminton star wins year's 5th title at Indonesia Open: The world's top female badminton player An Se Young on June 7 screams with joy after winning the women's single title at the Indonesia Open in Jakarta. (Yonhap News) By Koh Hyunjeong An Se Young, the world's top female badminton player, on June 7 secured her second straight women's singles title at the Indonesia Open. This marked her second championship in two weeks after her victory at the Singapore Open on May 31. The superstar on June 7 defeated Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in straight sets (; 2026.06.10

Addition of 4 tidal flats to domestic World Heritage site 'likely': The Korea Heritage Service and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on June 5 said the International Union for Conservation of Nature recommended to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee the addition of "Korea Getbol, Korea's Tidal Flats Phase II" to the World Heritage list. The photo shows the gaetbeol (getbol) tidal flat in Goheung-gun County, Jeollanam-do Province. (Goheung County Office) By Margareth Theresia Four domestic tidal flats are expected to be added to a UNESCO World Heritage site; 2026.06.10

Jan.-April current account surplus exceeds USD 100B, 2nd in world: The current account surplus from January through April eclipsed USD 100 billion. Shown is the container terminal at Gwangyang Port in Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do Province. (Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority) By Aisylu Akhmetzianova The current account surplus in April hit USD 28.29 billion, pushing the cumulative black figure for the first four months of the year to over USD 100 billion. The Bank of Korea on June 5 released tentative data on the international balance of payments showing that the Apr; 2026.06.10

Korea beats El Salvador, 1-0, in final friendly before World Cup: Lee Dong-gyeong at South Field of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, on June 3 celebrates his goal on a free kick in the 57th minute against El Salvador in Korea's last warmup before the FIFA World Cup soccer finals in North America. (Yonhap News) By Yoo Yeon Gyeong The national soccer team has edged El Salvador, 1-0, in its final tuneup ahead of the FIFA World Cup soccer finals in North America. Led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, the Taegeuk Warriors on June 3 prevailed 1-0 at South Fiel; 2026.06.10

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