Gyeongsan Family Center Launches Soccer Program to Encourage Fathers’ Child Care GYEONGSAN, South Korea — The Gyeongsan Family Center in North Gyeongsang Province is running its 2026 neighborhood fathers class, “Goal-Kicking Kids and Dads,” to encourage fathers to take a more active role in child care and strengthen bonds with their children. The program targets fathers and their children ages 7 to 9. It began in April and will run through October for a total of 23 sessions. Along with play, it includes instruction to help fathers better understand child-rearing base April 21, 2026

PM Kim Min-seok orders fast rollout of extra budget, including aid for high oil prices Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on April 21 ordered officials to closely check how 243 local governments are drafting supplementary budgets so that funding for 20 projects — including support for damage from high oil prices — can be executed quickly. In opening remarks at the 17th Cabinet meeting and the eighth emergency economy headquarters meeting at the Government Complex Seoul, Kim said “speed is the lifeblood” of what he called a “wartime supplementary budget.” He urged relevant minist April 21, 2026

South Korea Elevates National Tourism Strategy Council to Presidential Level South Korea will move its top tourism policy body, the National Tourism Strategy Council, from the prime minister’s office to the president’s office, a step aimed at developing tourism as a national strategic industry. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said April 21 that the Cabinet approved revisions to the Tourism Promotion Act reflecting the change. With the amendment, the council will be formally run under a president-led system, strengthening its standing. Its mandate will April 21, 2026

Jeonbuk Gov. Kim Kwan-young inspects Jeongeup biotech sites, children's 'Miracle Playground' Kim Kwan-young, governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, visited Jeongeup on the 21st to inspect advanced bio industry sites and a children’s play facility known as the “Miracle Playground,” the province said. The trip was aimed at reviewing on-the-ground preparations for workforce training and technology commercialization support in advanced bio, a sector where Jeonbuk says it has a competitive edge, and at checking local living conditions for children. Kim first toured the P April 21, 2026

Hanwha Aerospace Raises Stake in KAI as LIG-LS Consortium Emerges as Dark Horse Korea Aerospace Industries’ long-discussed privatization is drawing renewed attention as potential bidders position themselves for a possible takeover of the country’s only aircraft manufacturer. According to the industry on the 22nd, Hanwha Aerospace said in its business report that it holds 4,864,000 KAI common shares, a 4.41% stake. Including the 0.58% held by affiliate Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Group’s combined stake totals 4.99%, making it KAI’s fourth-largest shareholder. Industry wa April 21, 2026

Lee urges shift from Seoul-centric tourism as 80% of foreign visitors cluster in capital President Lee Jae-myung said on the 24th that South Korea must move beyond an imbalance in which 80% of foreign tourists concentrate in Seoul, calling for a major shift toward locally led, region-centered tourism. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting he chaired at Cheong Wa Dae, Lee said that, boosted by the global boom in “K-culture,” the number of overseas visitors last year came close to 19 million, setting a new all-time high. He added that foreigner spending at duty-free shops and department April 21, 2026

South Korea to Auction 18 Trillion Won in Treasury Bonds in February; Issue 10 Trillion Won in Fiscal Bills The Ministry of Finance and Economy said on the 29th it will issue about 18 trillion won in Treasury bonds next month through competitive auctions open to primary dealers and other participants. The February auction plan is up 2 trillion won from January’s 16 trillion won. Planned issuance by maturity is: 3.1 trillion won in 2-year notes, 3.1 trillion won in 3-year notes, 3.0 trillion won in 5-year notes, 2.6 trillion won in 10-year notes, 500 billion won in 20-year bonds, 4.7 trillion wo April 21, 2026

Shinhan Bank to Back OCI Holdings Growth Plans With Malaysia Unit Dollar Loan Shinhan Bank said it will provide financial support for OCI Holdings’ future growth businesses, offering not only direct financing but also a range of solutions aimed at strengthening the company’s competitiveness in global markets. The bank said Tuesday it signed a business agreement with OCI Holdings on “productive finance support and joint cooperation for future growth.” Under the agreement, the two sides will expand financing and arrange funding for capital investment and working cap April 21, 2026

Mortgage Balances at South Korea’s Top Banks Hit 2026 High as Homebuyers Rush In Mortgage loan balances at South Korea’s five largest commercial banks rose by more than 5 billion won in about two weeks, as borrowers rushed to extend loans ahead of tighter rules and as spring moving demand picked up. According to the financial sector on the 21st, mortgage balances at KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup stood at 610.8792 trillion won as of April 16. That was up 5.453 billion won from the end of last month and the highest level this year. The five banks’ mo April 21, 2026

Samsung Biologics Makes Debut at AACR, Targeting Early-Stage Oncology Clients Samsung Biologics is taking part for the first time in the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), one of the world’s largest cancer conferences. With AACR focused on preclinical and early clinical-stage research, the company aims to promote its contract research, development and manufacturing (CRDMO) capabilities and win clients in the early phases of drug development. According to the industry on April 20, AACR is considered one of the world’s three major cancer meetings, alon April 20, 2026