[Fertility fix] ① Exhibition of traditional childbirth culture: Amid the crisis of an entrenched demographic cliff, small but clear signs of hope have emerged. The number of births last year rose 6.8% from the year before. This three-part series looks at policies driving this resurgence in the number of babies amid the prolonged ultra-low birth rate and Korea's distinctive culture of childbirth. A family on April 7 looks at the nation's past and present baby carriers at the exhibition "Happy Birthday" held at the National Folk Museum of Korea in Seoul's J; 2026.04.14

New system eases verification of pet food nutritional standards: The Rural Development Administration (RDA) on April 8 said nutritional standards for pet food developed by its affiliate National Institute of Animal Science were incorporated into the official notice on related standards and specifications. (RDA) By Lee Dasom Verification of pet food meeting certain nutritional standards has become easier through a "complete food" label. The Rural Development Administration on April 8 said such standards developed by its affiliate National Institute of Anima; 2026.04.14

7 Middle Eastern states 'prioritize' crude oil supply to Korea: The National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on April 8 discuss the situation in the Middle East and related cooperation with the ambassadors of the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan. By Kim Seon Ah Ambassadors from seven Middle Eastern countries on April 7 reaffirmed the commitment of their governments to "prioritize the supply of crude oil from the Middle East to Korea" in a meeting with the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification C; 2026.04.14

Taste of palace life: K-Royal Cultural Festival opens on April 24: The K-Royal Culture Festival, held in spring and fall every year, attracted last year a record 1.37 million visitors. Shown is the opening ceremony of the spring event in April 2025 at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. By Charles Audouin Photos =Korea Heritage Service The 12th spring edition of the K-Royal Culture Festival, a celebration of traditional culture, runs from April 25 to May 3 around the five royal palaces and Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul. The opening ceremony is slat; 2026.04.14

Film 'My Name' recalls painful scars of 1947-54 Jeju incident: By Xu Aiying Video = Aura Pictures' official YouTube channel Director Chung Ji-young, who uses film to offer sharp insights on the hidden sides of history and society, is back with his latest work "My Name," which deals with the Jeju April 3 Incident, marked by uprisings and brutal suppressions on Jeju Island from 1947 to 1954. Chung and the movie's principal cast of Yeom Hye-ran, Shin Woo-bin, Choi Jun-woo and Park Ji-bin on April 2 spoke at a media screening and news conference at the multi; 2026.04.14

Chip exports help spur record February current account surplus: Wharf at Gwangyang Port in Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do Province (Yeosu-Gwangyang Port Authority) By Aisylu Akhmetzianova The current account in February marked a record-high surplus for the month buoyed by strong exports of semiconductors and other products. The Bank of Korea on April 8 released tentative data on balance of payments showing that the figure finished USD 23.19 billion in the black. By category, the trade balance (exports minus imports) drove the surge by finishing USD 23.36 billio; 2026.04.14

Major restrictions on inflight power banks to start on April 20: The number of portable chargers a passenger can carry on a flight from April 20 will be limited to two (maximum capacity of 160Wh), with their use to charge electronic devices or power banks to be strictly prohibited. (Yonhap News) By Lee Jihae The number of portable chargers a passenger can carry on a flight from April 20 will be limited to two (capacity of 160 watt hours or less). Charging a power bank using the plane's power outlet or using it to charge another electronic device during the; 2026.04.14

US missionary's letters describing 19th-century Korea unveiled: Scrolls of travel letters by American missionary Rosetta Sherwood Hall (Yanghwajin Archives) By Kang Gahui Firsthand accounts of 19th-century Korea written by an American missionary 136 years ago have been unveiled. To mark National Health Day, the National Archives of Korea (NAK) on April 7 put on public display for the first time the restored scrolls of travel letters by Rosetta Sherwood Hall housed at the Yanghwajin Archives. This travelogue meticulously recounts her life from the time sh; 2026.04.08

Effectuation of free trade accord with UAE moved up to May 1: President Lee Jae Myung (left), during his state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Nov. 18, 2025, attends a summit with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the presidential palace Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. (Cheong Wa Dae) By Yoo Yeon Gyeong The bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will take effect ahead of schedule on May 1. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources in Seoul on April 3 said Minister for Trad; 2026.04.08

Schedule for raising share of green power moved up from 2030: Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Sungwhan on April 6 announces his ministry's plan for energy transition at a news conference held at Government Complex-Seoul in the capital's Jongno-gu District. (Yonhap News) By Yoon Sojung Amid the energy crisis triggered by the war in the Middle East, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will move up its goal of supplying 100 gigawatts of renewable energy before the original 2030 deadline and raise the share of green power generati; 2026.04.08

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