Culture minister proposes 2027-28 as 'Korea-China Tourism Year': Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young (left) and Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli on June 27 shake hands after the plenary session of the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Tourism Ministerial Meeting at Macao Complex in Macao. (Heo Man-jin, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) By Charles Audouin The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed jointly designating 2027-28 as "Korea-China Tourism Year" to mark the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperat; 2026.07.02

Construction of 2nd space center announced, work to start in 2028: Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) Administrator Oh Taeseog on June 24 discusses pending issues at a news conference held at his agency's headquarters in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province. (KASA) By Charles Audouin Photos = Charles Audouin As the fifth launch of the domestically developed rocket Nuri (KSLV-II) is set for September, the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) is pushing ahead with the construction of a second space center. "The assembly of the three stages of the Nuri-5 rock; 2026.07.02

Domestic startup specializes in physical AI usable in real world: The photo on May 21 shows Woochi Bot, a performance-style humanoid robot that assists the operations of an event or exhibition, developed by a domestic physical artificial intelligence (AI) company, Maum AI, at the headquarters of the firm in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi-do Province. By Margareth Theresia The era of physical artificial intelligence (AI) is one in which AI decides and acts beyond the digital space. Physical AI perceives its surrounding environment through sensors, moves in a roboti; 2026.07.02

Peru's highway plan adopts building of Korean-style smart roads: The Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communications in Lima on June 25 holds a ceremony for the announcement of a master plan for smart road management of national highways. (Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communications) By Aisylu Akhmetzianova Peru has officially adopted a master plan for the construction of smart roads with official development assistance (ODA) from Korea. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in Seoul on June 28 said the Peruvian Ministry of Transport a; 2026.07.02

Defense chief, Japan agree to expand exchanges, cooperation in AI: Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-Back (left) and Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi on June 28 review a motorcade at the opening ceremony of their bilateral summit at the Ministry of National Defense's parade ground in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. (Ministry's official Facebook page) By Lee Jihae The Ministry of National Defense will expand bilateral exchanges with Japan and boost bilateral cooperation in cutting-edge technology and science. The ministry on June 28 said Minister; 2026.07.02

[Unsung valor] ③ 2 European veterans who loved folk song 'Arirang': Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul (fourth from left in back row) on June 15 poses for a group photo with British veterans of the Korean War including Colin Thackery (second from left in front row) at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. (Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs) By Yoon Sojung Video = Hanwha Two European veterans of the Korean War have promoted "Arirang," Korea's iconic folk song, as a symbol of honor and peace: Colin Thackery of Britain and the late Gilb; 2026.06.29

Korea for 1st time leads world's largest multilateral naval drill: U.S. Navy and Marine personnel on June 21 line up on the amphibious assault ship USS Essex as it arrives at the port of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to participate in the Rim of the Pacific exercise. (U.S. Department of War) By Margareth Theresia This year's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, the world's largest multinational naval drill, began on June 24 in Hawaii. The U.S. Department of War said the 30th edition of the operation officially began with the opening ceremony in Hawaii that day. Th; 2026.06.29

Not out yet: Korea still eyes WC advance via third-place bracket: Striker Hwang Hee-chan (middle) on June 25 takes on a defender in Korea's final Group A game against South Africa in the FIFA World Cup soccer finals at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico. (Korea Football Association) By Lee Jihae The national soccer team has finished third in Group A at the FIFA World Cup after its upset loss to South Africa. But Korea can still advance to the knockout round under a new system for the eight best third-place finishers among the 12 groups. Led by head coa; 2026.06.29

Spreading Hallyu's radiance: Korea Beauty Festival opens in Seoul: By Kim Seon Ah Video = Visit Korea A festival highlighting the country's cosmetics and beauty sector, a major point of interest among foreign visitors, has opened in Seoul. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization on June 24 announced their joint hosting of the Korea Beauty Festival through July 19 at the tourism promotional center HiKR Ground in Seoul's Jung-gu District. The third edition of the annual event has as its theme "All About Beauty" to introdu; 2026.06.29

[Unsung valor] ② Documentary honors Dutch veterans of Korean War: A screening of the documentary "Dutch Soldiers in the Korean War: Documenting the Living History," a joint production by the Dutch Embassy in Seoul and photographer Hyeon Rami (Hyo-jae), is held on June 23 at Seoul Art Cinema in Seoul's Jung-gu District. The film shows the journey of Hyeon chronicling his moments with eight Dutch veterans of the Korean War, beginning with his arrival on Oct. 12 last year at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. By Yoon Sojung and Lee Ji Yae Photos = Park Daejin "It w; 2026.06.29

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