Digital map of regions related to folk song 'Arirang' released: The Voluntary Agency Network of Korea on April 29 announced the release of its Arirang Digital Map to promote Korean cultural heritage related to the iconic folk song "Arirang," which is attracting growing global interest. (Screen capture from map) By Lee Jihae The Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK), a cyber diplomatic mission, has launched a digital campaign to promote the country's cultural heritage to mark the Arirang World Tour of K-pop sensation BTS. VANK on April 29 said, "We are; 2026.04.30

Grad translation school opening in 2027 to hawk Korean literature: A news conference for the Literature Translation Institute of Korea's launch of a committee to set up a graduate school on April 28 is held at the serviced residence Fraser Place Namdaemun in Seoul's Jung-gu District. By Kim Seon Ah Photos = Literature Translation Institute of Korea A graduate school of translation will be set up in fall next year to train professional translators of Korean literature and cultural content. The Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea), an affiliat; 2026.04.30

Acceleration of plastic-free policy eyes 30% drop in use by 2030: People help clean up a beach by collecting plastic waste. (iClickArt) Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of this image is prohibited under copyright law. By Kim Seon Ah New measures seek to reduce the use of plastic and shift toward a circular economy focused on recycled materials. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment on April 28 said Minister Kim Sungwhan reported this plan to a Cabinet meeting that day. The initiative is one of President Lee Jae Myung's key agendas to b; 2026.04.30

Exhibition honors works of late 'artist of light' Bang Hai Ja: Artist Bang Hai Ja in 2020 works at her studio in the southern French village of Ajoux. (Chung Jaejoon) By Charles Audouin A retrospective exhibition of the works of the late artist Bang Hai Ja (1937-2022), whose creative world spanned both Korea and France, opened on April 24 at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea's (MMCA) branch in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do Province. Marking the 140th anniversary of diplomacy between Korea and France, the display features 67 of her w; 2026.04.29

Google to open its first overseas AI Campus in Seoul within 2026: President Lee Jae Myung (right) on April 27 takes a photo with Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google affiliate Google DeepMind, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. (Cheong Wa Dae) By Charles Audouin Google this year will open an AI (Artificial Intelligence) Campus in Seoul, Cheong Wa Dae announced on April 27. This will be the first such facility set up outside of the U.K. President Lee Jae Myung on the same day hosted talks with Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, a London-; 2026.04.29

OECD adopts skin safety model as alternative to animal testing: On the right is KeraSkin, a 3D human skin model developed by the Korea Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods created from epidermal keratinocytes from human skin tissue. (Screen capture from center's official website) By Hong Angie The reliability of human skin models made in Korea has gained recognition abroad. The National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, an affiliate of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, on April 27 said alternative method of animal testing for a; 2026.04.29

Stock market breaks KRW 6,000T in value, 270% jump in 1 year: The Korea Exchange on April 27 said the main stock price index KOSPI closed at 6,615.03, up 139.40 points (2.15%) from the previous trading day as shown on the electronic board at the dealing room of Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul's Jung-gu District. (Yonhap News) By Kang Gahui The value of the domestic stock market has surpassed KRW 6,000 trillion for the first time, an incredible 270% jump in just over a year largely led by a semiconductor-driven rally. The Korea Exchange on April 27 said; 2026.04.29

President pledges firm pursuit of peaceful coexistence with NK: President Lee Jae Myung on April 9 chairs a meeting with his senior secretaries and aides at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. (Cheong Wa Dae) By Lee Dasom President Lee Jae Myung on April 27 said, "My administration will steadfastly pursue a policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula." He said this in a congratulatory speech read by Hong Ik-pyo, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, at a ceremony marking the eighth anniversary of the April 27 Panmunjeom Declaration of 2018 a; 2026.04.29

Univ. of Oxford to open Korean studies center as early as fall: The University of Oxford of the U.K. on April 25 announced plans to open a Korean studies center as early as fall. (University's official Facebook page) By Lee Jihae The University of Oxford in the U.K. will open a center for Korean studies including Hallyu (Korean Wave). The school on April 25 announced this at the opening ceremony for the university's Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. The Oxford University Centre for Regional Studies is an academic institution that confers master’s and; 2026.04.29

'High fuel price subsidies' launched, to pay out up to KRW 600K: The distribution of "relief funds for high oil prices" was launched on April 27. Shown are people at a community center in Seoul's Gangseo-gu District applying for the funds. (Yonhap News) By Margareth Theresia The launch of "relief funds for high oil prices" has a cap of KRW 600,000 per person, with foreign residents who are eligible to receive them as well. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety on April 27 began accepting applications both online and offline for the subsidies. The date fo; 2026.04.29

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