Hotel Prices Surge Ahead of BTS Concert in Busan
As news broke that BTS would perform in Busan, hotels quickly became bustling with activity. Rooms were rapidly booked, and prices soared. Even before the concert began, complaints of 'overcharging' emerged.According to a survey by the Fair Trade Commission and the Korea Consumer Agency, the average hotel price for a one-night stay in Busan during the BTS concert weekend was 433,999 won, which is 2.4 times higher than the weekends before and after. Motels saw a 3.3-fold increase, while hotel pri
Italy at Frieze Exhibition Opens at Italian Embassy in Seoul
The Italian Embassy in Seoul and the Italian Cultural Institute hosted the opening of the exhibition Italy at Frieze: The Golden Trace on September 1 at the Italian ambassador's residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu. This year marks the third iteration of Italy at Frieze, which is part of the global art fair Frieze Seoul 2026, running from September 2 to 5.This year's exhibition is curated by Valentina Bucci, who has worked in both Europe and Korea, and features a collaboration with renowned cont
Korean Minister Proposes AI Standards at G20 Meeting
Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan proposed the establishment of artificial intelligence (AI) standards that reflect the needs and experiences of the industrial sector during the G20 meeting. He emphasized the need to balance AI innovation with intellectual property protection and highlighted the importance of enhancing global supply chain resilience through the transition to manufacturing AI.The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy reported that Minister Kim attended
Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin Advocates for Gender Equality as a Core Value
Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin emphasized on September 2 that "gender equality is an important value for ensuring that all citizens are respected without discrimination and have access to fair opportunities."In his remarks, Mayor Shin presented gender equality as a core value and expressed his commitment to enhancing tailored support based on family structures and living conditions, as well as strengthening women's socio-economic independence.On this day, Mayor Shin attended the '2026 Gender Equal
2026 GGGF Opens: South Korea Leads in Physical and Agent AI
Key to AI Nation: Youth Employment and Regulatory Reform "For South Korea to truly become a State of AI, regulations must be relaxed to allow new companies to emerge freely. The government needs to open up the initial market for youth-led startups in new industries such as AI, robotics, defense, and healthcare." On September 2, at the Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, the 18th Good Growth, Good Jobs Forum (2026 GGGF) hosted by Ajou Economic Newspaper featured lectures and discussions
Opposition Lawmaker Criticizes Prolonged Vacancy of Police Chief Position
Members of the People Power Party on the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee voiced strong criticism on September 2 regarding the prolonged vacancy of the police chief position, calling it "an abnormal situation."Kang Myung-gu, the opposition's committee representative, held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "The position has been vacant for 21 months since the suspension of former Chief Jo Ji-ho in December 2024, which amounts to 630 days."Kang raised concern
Acting Police Chief Kim Jong-cheol Visits Jeju to Address Missing Persons Cases
Kim Jong-cheol, the newly appointed acting chief of the National Police Agency, will visit the site of a long-term missing persons case in Jeju as his first official action. Following recent criticisms of the police's handling of missing persons cases, he aims to directly assess the response and command structure and initiate improvements.According to the National Police Agency on September 2, Kim will officially begin his duties by presiding over a national police command meeting at 9 a.m. on S
Electric Vehicle Charging Costs Change in September: Take Advantage on Weekends
Electric vehicle drivers should consider their charging times starting this month, as discounts on charging fees have resumed in September after being suspended during the summer.According to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), a 50% discount on the energy charge will be available for electric vehicle charging from 11 AM to 2 PM on weekends and holidays in September and October. The discount applies during the spring months of March to Ma
Floods in Nepal and China Claim 1,130 Lives as South Korea Sends Rescue Team
Flooding along the Nepal-China border has resulted in over 1,130 deaths, with approximately 4,400 people reported missing. As a week has passed since the disaster, the chances of finding survivors are diminishing. A South Korean emergency rescue team (KDRT) arrived in Nepal on September 2 to begin search and rescue operations for nine missing South Koreans.According to reports from AFP and Reuters, the Nepal Disaster Management Authority has confirmed at least 1,114 fatalities within Nepal. Incl
Russia and Japan Exchange Blame Over Deteriorating Relations
Russia and Japan are engaged in a diplomatic dispute, each blaming the other for the deterioration of their bilateral relations. Tensions have escalated amid joint military exercises between Japan, the United States, and Australia, intertwined with the territorial dispute over the four Kuril Islands, known in Japan as the Northern Territories.On September 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to reporters during his visit to Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, as