High School Teachers Prefer Performance Assessments Over Written Exams A survey of high school teachers responsible for common subjects revealed that the proportion of performance assessments in written and essay-type evaluations is over 10% higher than that of written exams. Additionally, teachers expressed a strong preference for individual feedback on student performance levels in essay-type evaluations. On June 15, the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation published 'Education Data Talk,' which visualizes key findings from various educational data. This June 15, 2026

China Embraces 'Morning World Cup' Culture Amid Time Zone Differences On June 12, at the Nantiemen (South Heaven Gate) on the summit of Taishan in Shandong Province, hikers and soccer fans gathered in front of a large screen to watch the opening match of the North America World Cup between Mexico and South Africa while waiting for the sunrise. This scene was shared on China's social media platform Xiaohongshu. As the World Cup takes place in North America, which is over 10 hours behind China, a new viewing culture known as the "Morning World Cup" has emerge June 15, 2026

Character IP Collaborations Transforming the Beauty Industry The beauty industry is witnessing a surge in character intellectual property (IP) collaborations that extend beyond packaging design to encompass pop-ups, merchandise, and immersive brand experiences. As market differentiation through product functionality becomes increasingly challenging, brands are leveraging the worlds and fandoms of characters to connect with younger consumers. According to industry sources, Amorepacific is hosting the "2026 Summer Amore Sale Festa" on its officia June 15, 2026

Hermann Hesse's Humor: A New Collection Reveals a Different Side Don't Take It Too Seriously = Written by Hermann Hesse, translated by Bae Myung-ja, published by Pika. This collection features previously unpublished works by Hermann Hesse, known for classics such as Demian, Under the Wheel, and Siddhartha. It compiles prose, poetry, and essays that have not been introduced in South Korea until now, showcasing another side of Hesse, often referred to as the 'symbol of solitude.' R.J. Hume, a long-time friend of Hesse, described him as an 'old child an June 15, 2026

Special Prosecutor Requests Na Kyung-won to Appear Over Allegations of Obstructing Yoon's Arrest The second special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, is investigating remaining allegations related to the three major cases: insurrection, Kim Geon-hee, and Chae Sang-byeong. The team has requested Na Kyung-won, a member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party, to appear regarding allegations of obstructing the arrest of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, but received a response indicating she would submit written answers instead. The request for Kim Geon-hee's appearance June 15, 2026

Understanding the U.S.-Iran Conflict: A Clash of Civilizations On June 15, 2026, the United States and Iran declared an end to a 106-day war. On the surface, it appeared to be a victory for the U.S., given its status as the world's strongest military power and Iran's long-standing economic sanctions. The U.S. deployed aircraft carrier strike groups, stealth fighters, satellites, and AI-based intelligence systems, while Israel contributed its formidable military capabilities in the region. In contrast, Iran had been under severe economic sanctions and intern June 15, 2026

Construction of Taean-Anseong Expressway Moves Forward with 2031 Groundbreaking Target The construction of the Taean-Anseong expressway, which will connect the western Chungcheong region with the Seoul metropolitan area, is set to move forward. The project has gained momentum after passing a private investment feasibility study. On June 15, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that the Taean-Anseong expressway project recently passed the feasibility study for private investment. The government plans to initiate subsequent procedures, including a str June 15, 2026

Understanding Iran: A Nation Beyond Oil and Military Might Iran is not just a country in the Middle East. It is the land of Cyrus the Great, a nation that stood against Rome for 700 years, and a civilization that connected East and West through the Silk Road. However, history alone cannot fully explain modern Iran. The true forces driving Iran are not merely military power, oil, or nuclear development programs. Instead, they stem from deeper spiritual foundations, religious worldviews, and a collective memory accumulated over thousands of years. In this June 15, 2026

BBQ Donates Over 10,000 Chickens to Local Communities by May 2026 Genesis BBQ Group has donated over 10,000 chickens to local communities through various charitable activities from January to May 2026. On June 15, BBQ announced that it contributed more than 10,000 chickens through programs such as 'Chicken University Good Donation,' 'Family Chicken Relay,' and 'Visiting Chicken Relay' during this period. The Chicken University Good Donation program, which began in 1999, is BBQ's flagship social contribution initiative, now in its 27th year. It involves June 15, 2026

Seoul Apartment Prices Exceed 60 Million Won per Pyong Amid Supply Shortage The average sale price of private apartments in Seoul has surpassed 60 million won per pyong (approximately 3.3 square meters) for the first time in history. This increase is attributed to the ongoing supply of high-priced units in key areas of the city. According to the Korea Housing & Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG) on June 15, the average sale price of private apartments in Seoul reached 19.22 million won per square meter as of May. When converted to a per pyong basis, this amounts t June 15, 2026