Elderly Population in South Korea Exceeds 20% for First Time Last year, the proportion of South Koreans aged 65 and older surpassed 20% for the first time. Meanwhile, the share of the working-age population, aged 15 to 64, fell below 70%, highlighting the ongoing demographic shifts due to low birth rates and aging.According to the National Data Agency's report on the '2025 Population and Housing Census' released on July 28, the total population as of November 1 last year was 51,817,000, an increase of 12,000 (0.02%) from the previous year. After two conse July 28, 2026

Labor Ministry Releases Comprehensive Guide for Youth Policies The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on July 28 that it will release a comprehensive guide titled 'Easy-to-Understand Youth Policies.zip' to help young people easily access and apply for government programs.The guide, set to be distributed starting July 29, includes information on job support programs, labor and safety knowledge, work-life balance systems, the Youth New Deal, as well as housing, education, finance, and welfare. It features QR codes for each policy, allowing users to co July 28, 2026

Labor Ministry to Inspect 1,000 Heat-Exposed Workplaces Amid Heat Wave The Ministry of Employment and Labor will conduct intensive inspections of 1,000 workplaces vulnerable to heat, including construction, shipbuilding, logistics, and manufacturing sectors. Work outdoors will be halted when the perceived temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius, and all outdoor work, except for emergency operations, will stop when temperatures reach 38 degrees.Starting from August 3 to 14, the ministry will focus on inspecting these heat-exposed workplaces and high-risk confined spa July 28, 2026

Fines Imposed for Non-Compliance with Emission Control Device Inspections The management of vehicles equipped with emission reduction devices will be strengthened. Owners who fail to undergo performance verification inspections will face fines based on the number of violations, and the exemption period for regular and detailed emission inspections will be shortened by vehicle type.The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on July 28 that it will issue a legislative notice for amendments to the enforcement decree and rules of the 'Air Quality Conservati July 28, 2026

Accelerating Power Supply for Honam Semiconductor Industrial Complex The government is launching a public-private working group to establish a power supply network for the Honam semiconductor industrial complex, aiming for operational readiness by 2030. The initiative seeks to expedite the permitting process in collaboration with local governments and regional environmental agencies to shorten the construction timeline for the first phase of power supply lines. On July 29, the Ministry of Environment and Energy will hold an inaugural meeting of the "Honam Semico July 28, 2026

Handball Venue Groups Urge Cooperation for Asian Games Preparation The handball venue at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, which was used as a ballot counting station during the June 3 local elections, has been under prolonged lockdown due to a shortage of ballot papers. In response, member organizations of the Korean Sports Council located at the venue have reiterated their appeal for access to their offices and the retrieval of essential materials.On the morning of July 28, these organizations held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication h July 28, 2026

President Lee Jae-myung Arrives in São Paulo for Business Roundtable 브라질을 국빈 방문 중인 이재명 대통령이 27일(현지시간) 브라질 최대 경제도시인 상파울루에 도착했다. 수도 브라질리아에서 정상외교를 마친 이 대통령은 상파울루에서 양국 기업인을 만나 경제·산업 협력을 구체화하는 경제 세일즈 외교를 이어간다. 이 대통령과 김혜경 여사를 태운 공군 1호기는 이날 오후 9시 34분께 상파울루 과룰류스 국제공항에 도착했다. 이 대통령은 오후 9시 49분께 공군 1호기 밖으로 나와 오른손을 들어 환영 인사들에게 인사했다. 김 여사는 이 대통령의 팔짱을 끼고 함께 트랩을 내려왔다. 공항에 July 28, 2026

Han Byeong-do and Shin Jang-sik Confirm Commitment to Prosecutorial Reform Han Byeong-do, the acting leader of the Democratic Party, and Shin Jang-sik, the new leader of the Justice Innovation Party, reaffirmed their shared goal of completing prosecutorial reform and addressing livelihood issues. The two parties announced their intention to discuss these matters collaboratively to expedite solutions for the public.During a meeting on the morning of July 28 at the National Assembly, Han and Shin agreed to establish a broader cooperative framework between their parties, July 28, 2026

Key Energy Costs Included in Subcontract Payment Regulations Key energy costs, including electricity, heat, and fuel, will now be included in the written documentation for subcontract payment adjustments. The reasons for exceptions to payment guarantees in construction subcontracting will be narrowed, eliminating provisions such as direct payment agreements with clients to minimize gaps in the payment guarantee system.The Fair Trade Commission announced that a revised enforcement decree for the Subcontracting Act passed the Cabinet meeting on the 28th.Wit July 28, 2026

Franchise Disclosure Documents to Include Average Penalties and Survival Rates Franchise disclosure documents will now include information on average penalties for contract termination and long-term survival rates. Additionally, the maximum fines imposed on franchisors that repeatedly violate the law will be increased. The Fair Trade Commission announced on July 28 that a revised enforcement decree for the Franchise Business Act has passed the Cabinet meeting. This amendment will be implemented starting January 1, 2027, alongside the announcement of the standard format f July 28, 2026