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  • Vietnamese arrivals in Korea surpass Chinese for first time
    Vietnamese arrivals in Korea surpass Chinese for first time SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - Viet Nam overtook China as the largest source of foreign arrivals in South Korea last year as Vietnamese workers continued to enter the country while more Chinese nationals left, government data showed Thursday. Figures released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics showed 98,000 Vietnamese nationals arrived in South Korea in 2025, edging past 94,000 arrivals from China. A year earlier, China still led by a wide margin, with 112,000 arrivals compared with Viet Nam's 88,000. China, long South Korea's largest source of foreign arrivals, also posted a net outflow of migrants in 2025 after recording a net inflow the previous year. Visa data suggest the shift was largely driven by employment migration. Nearly half of Vietnamese arrivals entered on work visas, and that share continued to rise. Chinese arrivals, by contrast, relied more heavily on overseas Korean and student visas, while the share entering on employment visas declined. The shift also came as overall migration into South Korea slowed. Foreign arrivals fell from a year earlier while departures increased, reducing the net inflow of foreign nationals to about half the previous year's level. The sharpest decline came in short-term visits, with visa-free entries dropping by nearly half. Combined with a smaller net inflow of South Korean nationals, net population growth from migration fell by more than 40 percent from a year earlier. Elsewhere, Nepal and Uzbekistan continued to post solid net inflows, while Thailand's net outflow widened for a second straight year, reversing a trend seen in 2022 when it ranked among the countries with the largest net inflows. South Koreans also showed a clear generational divide in migration patterns. People in their 20s, along with children under 10, remained more likely to leave the country than return. From their 30s onward, however, the pattern reversed, with people in their 50s recording the largest net inflow of any age group. Although the gap narrowed slightly from a year earlier, overall cross-border movement among South Korean nationals declined in 2025. 2026-07-09 17:14:31
  • Hanyang Cyber University Graduate School Accepting Applications for Second Round of 2026 Admissions
    Hanyang Cyber University Graduate School Accepting Applications for Second Round of 2026 Admissions Hanyang Cyber University is recruiting new students for its master's and doctoral programs, allowing students to earn degrees without the constraints of time and space.As the largest cyber university in South Korea, Hanyang Cyber University announced on July 9 that it will accept applications for the second round of admissions for the 2026 academic year until July 24. This includes master's and doctoral programs in the general graduate school and the business school.The second round of admissions is being conducted to fill remaining spots in certain programs from the first round, which took place from May 18 to June 19.In the general graduate school, the second round will recruit a total of 10 students for the doctoral programs in the Department of Architectural Urban Engineering and the Department of Law and Public Administration under the regular admission category. Additionally, it will accept 8 students for the military-sponsored doctoral program, 209 for the industry-sponsored master's program, 83 for the industry-sponsored doctoral program, 230 for the international student master's program, and 99 for the international student doctoral program.The business school will accept 27 master's and 2 doctoral students in the Department of Business Administration (Marketing Track, Finance, Accounting, and Tax Track, IT Management Track, Advertising and Media Track) under the regular admission category. For the special admission categories, it will recruit 6 master's and 1 doctoral student for the military-sponsored program, 79 master's and 14 doctoral students for the industry-sponsored program, and 83 master's and 20 doctoral students for the international student program.For the military-sponsored program, only military personnel and civil servants from the Army, Navy, and Air Force who have received educational recommendations can apply. They will benefit from a waiver of the admission fee and a 50% reduction in tuition. The industry-sponsored program is available only to those currently employed at institutions with which the university has a sponsorship agreement, offering a waiver of the admission fee and a 30% reduction in tuition. The international student program is open only to students whose parents are both foreigners, providing a 30% tuition reduction for one year.The application schedule includes the submission of application forms and supporting documents by 9 PM on July 24. Successful candidates will be announced on the university's website at 10 AM on July 29. Video interviews will be conducted from August 1 to 2, and final admissions will be announced at 10 AM on August 5. Registration will take place from 10 AM on August 5 to 5 PM on August 7.The selection process consists of a first document evaluation and a second oral evaluation. For the master's program, the first document evaluation will consider undergraduate grades and a study (research) plan, while the second oral evaluation will be conducted via video for those who pass the first round. For the doctoral program, the first document evaluation will assess undergraduate and master's grades and a study (research) plan, with the second oral evaluation also conducted via video for successful candidates from the first round. The study (research) plan must detail the applicant's motivation, experience, special skills, future academic and research plans, and career goals. The oral evaluation will assess the suitability of the applicant's field of study, expertise, academic and research plans, and career goals.Eligibility for the master's program requires applicants to have obtained a bachelor's degree from a domestic or foreign university (including those expected to graduate by August 31, 2026). For the doctoral program, applicants must have obtained a master's degree from a domestic or foreign graduate school (including those expected to graduate). Dual applications and cross-applications are not permitted. Graduates from foreign universities can only apply if they have graduated from institutions recognized by their respective countries. 2026-07-09 17:12:00
  • KOSPI Rises After Four Days of Decline, Reclaims 7,290 Level
    KOSPI Rises After Four Days of Decline, Reclaims 7,290 Level The KOSPI index rebounded on the back of bargain hunting in semiconductor stocks, successfully recovering after four days of decline. It opened with a surge of over 3%, but geopolitical risks in the Middle East and profit-taking led to a significant reduction in gains by the end of the trading session.According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI closed at 7,291.91, up 45.12 points (0.62%) from the previous trading day.The index started the day at 7,486.64, up 239.85 points (3.31%), buoyed by a rebound in U.S. semiconductor stocks and perceptions of oversold conditions prompting bargain hunting. However, uncertainties stemming from the Middle East and increased market volatility caused the index to lose some of its gains, fluctuating in the upper 7,200 range before closing at 7,290.On Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange closed mixed as buying interest returned for semiconductor stocks that had recently seen sharp declines. Companies like Micron (up 1.11%), SanDisk (up 6.77%), and NVIDIA (up 3.65%) contributed to improved investor sentiment in South Korea's semiconductor sector.In the securities market, foreign and institutional investors made net purchases of 305.5 billion won and 1.8663 trillion won, respectively, helping to lift the index. In contrast, individual investors sold a net 2.1176 trillion won.Among the top market capitalization stocks, Samsung Electronics (up 0.18%), SK Hynix (up 5.30%), SK Square (up 4.49%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (up 0.95%), and KB Financial (up 0.23%) closed higher. Conversely, Hyundai Motor (down 3.68%), LG Energy Solution (down 0.63%), Samsung Life Insurance (down 5.78%), Samsung C&T (down 4.18%), and Samsung Biologics (down 2.79%) ended lower.The KOSDAQ index also rose, closing at 794.00, up 9.00 points (1.15%).In the KOSDAQ market, foreign and institutional investors made net purchases of 46.4 billion won and 321.1 billion won, while individual investors sold a net 360.1 billion won.Among the top KOSDAQ stocks, EcoPro (up 1.79%), Rainbow Robotics (up 0.58%), JUSUNG Engineering (up 11.50%), Kolon TissueGene (up 0.34%), HLB (up 4.19%), Rino Technology (up 1.16%), Wonik IPS (up 2.14%), and Samchundang Pharm (up 2.06%) saw gains. In contrast, Alteogen (down 4.31%) and EcoPro BM (down 0.98%) faced declines.Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, noted, "The domestic market opened higher due to the influx of bargain hunting in the semiconductor sector, but continued noise from the Middle East and market volatility led to fluctuations without a clear direction. The geopolitical uncertainty, including mixed statements from President Trump regarding Iran and news of additional airstrikes, has dampened investor sentiment."He added, "While there has been some improvement in investor sentiment due to bargain hunting in the recently plummeted semiconductor sector, profit-taking pressures remain. For the time being, uncertainties surrounding the Middle East risks and the semiconductor market may increase market volatility."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 17:08:00
  • Ruling Party Proposes Special Prosecutor Law for Election Commission Investigation
    Ruling Party Proposes Special Prosecutor Law for Election Commission Investigation The Democratic Party has proposed a special prosecutor law to investigate the "shortage of ballots" incident that occurred during the June 3 local elections, designating the National Election Commission as the target of the investigation and specifying a third-party recommendation for the special prosecutor.On the afternoon of July 9, Democratic Party spokespersons Kim Seong-hwa and Lee Joo-hee submitted the special prosecutor law to the National Assembly, with Han Byeong-do serving as the lead sponsor.After the submission, Lee Joo-hee spoke to reporters about the rationale behind the proposal, stating, "We decided to propose the special prosecutor law to expedite the investigation in line with the ongoing push for a national assembly inquiry into the Election Commission."Lee explained that the recommendation authority for the special prosecutor would be granted to a third party, saying, "The Korean Association of Law Professors, the Association of Law Schools, and the Korean Bar Association will each recommend one candidate. The president will then appoint one of them."She further detailed the scope and duration of the investigation, noting, "Thirty prosecutors will be dispatched, along with 70 public officials. Five special prosecutors and 50 special investigators are expected to join. We aim to complete the investigation within 90 days after a 20-day preparation period. The proposal also includes provisions for extensions, similar to existing special prosecutor laws."However, Lee clarified that it is unlikely individual public officials will be included in the investigation, stating, "The Election Commission is an independent body under the constitution. It is uncertain whether there will be additional matters to verify against the government regarding the work of an independent body. If any related officials engaged in problematic actions, they could be included in the investigation scope."Additionally, the Democratic Party reiterated its call for cooperation from the People Power Party to ensure the swift processing of the special prosecutor law.Lee emphasized, "The special prosecutor law for the Election Commission is something that the opposition party has actively advocated for. Naturally, we will prioritize discussions with the opposition party. The subsequent procedures in the plenary session may vary depending on the content and circumstances of the negotiations."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 17:08:00
  • Il Yang Pharmaceuticals Noltec Plus Continues Growth, Prescription Amounts Surge 205% in One Year
    Il Yang Pharmaceutical's Noltec Plus Continues Growth, Prescription Amounts Surge 205% in One Year Il Yang Pharmaceutical's Noltec Plus is maintaining its growth trajectory and expanding its presence in the next-generation gastrointestinal disease treatment market.The company announced on July 9 that the outpatient prescription amount for Noltec Plus reached 2.4 billion won in the second quarter of this year, marking a 13.7% increase from the first quarter.According to the pharmaceutical market research firm UBIST, the monthly prescription amount for Noltec Plus rose from approximately 300 million won in June of last year to 860 million won during the same period this year, representing an increase of over 205% year-on-year.The 'Noltec (Noltec + Noltec Plus) product line' also saw its monthly prescription amount reach 4.5 billion won in June, a 15.6% increase compared to the same month last year, indicating that the synergy within the Noltec product line is becoming more pronounced.Noltec Plus is a combination drug that combines the domestic new drug Noltec (ilaprazole) with the antacid sodium bicarbonate, which has received approval for short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis. This is the first combination drug introduced in about 16 years since the launch of Noltec, characterized by maintaining existing therapeutic effects while enhancing the speed of action.According to the company, Noltec Plus is designed to temporarily adjust the acidity in the stomach with the antacid to facilitate the rapid absorption of ilaprazole. It allows for quick onset of action and can be used in the treatment of erosive esophagitis accompanied by mucosal damage.Notably, Noltec Plus demonstrated the best results in the key pharmacodynamic evaluation parameter of integrated gastric acid reduction among proton pump inhibitor (PPI) combination drugs. The time to reach maximum blood concentration also showed comparable or superior indicators compared to potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CAB) and existing PPI combination drugs, proving its excellent pharmacodynamic profile.An Il Yang Pharmaceutical official stated, "We will expand our engagement with healthcare professionals through symposiums and academic marketing activities, and we aim to enhance our competitiveness in the gastrointestinal disease treatment market based on robust data from Noltec and Noltec Plus."Meanwhile, the company is accelerating the normalization of its local business by resuming exports of its flagship ginseng drink, Wonbidi, to China.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 17:04:00
  • Summer rainy season starts in Korea
    Summer rainy season starts in Korea SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - Heavy rain fell across the Seoul metropolitan area and other parts of central South Korea on Wednesday as the country entered a period of so-called "monsoon heat," in which the rainy season overlaps with extreme summer temperatures. This year's monsoon arrived later than usual, causing the rainy season and heat wave to coincide. High humidity from persistent rainfall, followed by intense sunshine after the rain clears, is expected to drive the heat index significantly higher in the coming days. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), heavy rain advisories were issued for central regions while heat wave advisories remained in effect for southern areas. KMA also issued this year's first tropical night advisories for parts of North Gyeongsang Province, where nighttime temperatures are expected to remain above 25 degrees Celsius. Rain is forecast to continue across the greater Seoul area and Gangwon Province through Thursday morning before moving northward. As the North Pacific High expands over the Korean Peninsula later this week, hot and humid conditions are expected to intensify nationwide, with daytime highs reaching up to 36 degrees Celsius over the weekend. High humidity is also expected to increase the perceived temperature, while tropical nights are likely to become more widespread. 2026-07-09 17:00:08
  • Hong Myung-bo to testify at National Assembly hearing
    Hong Myung-bo to testify at National Assembly hearing SEOUL, July 09 (AJP) - Former South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo issued a new public apology Thursday over the national team's early exit from the 2026 World Cup, saying he would appear before a parliamentary hearing if called and take full responsibility for the result. The statement was released through the Hong Myung-bo Scholarship Foundation, a charity the 57-year-old 2002 World Cup hero himself chairs. It was made public on the day the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee voted to hold a hearing on issues surrounding the Korea Football Association and named Hong as a witness. The hearing is scheduled for July 22. It was Hong's second public apology since South Korea was eliminated in the World Cup group stage on June 28. He resigned and apologized at a news conference in Mexico the following day, June 29, but took no questions and largely disappeared from public view afterward. South Korea entered the final day of group play needing help from elsewhere after a 1-0 loss to South Africa on June 25 left the team with one win, two losses and a goal difference of -1. A late win by Uzbekistan over the Democratic Republic of Congo would have been enough to send South Korea through, and Uzbekistan led 1-0 before conceding three second-half goals to lose 3-1. A draw in a separate match between Algeria and Austria pushed South Korea's ranking among third-place finishers down further, and the team finished 10th among the group's third-place teams, one spot outside the eight that advanced to the round of 32 — South Korea's first group-stage exit from a World Cup in eight years. In Thursday's statement, Hong again apologized to Korean football fans and said the responsibility for the result was his alone. "I failed to deliver the result people expected at the World Cup," Hong said. "All responsibility for that result belongs to me as head coach." Hong said he had spent a long time considering what to say after stepping down. His first instinct, he said, was to accept the result and remain silent, since he believed the outcome was his to bear. But he said that it became harder to justify as time passed, with claims not grounded in fact circulating as though they were true and players and staff who had worked alongside him getting caught up in speculation. Hong also addressed criticism over his decision to leave for the United States just two days after returning to South Korea from the World Cup, a move that had fueled accusations that he was trying to dodge accountability. "Staying in the United States was not a choice made to avoid or turn away from the result," he said. "There were threats against me and my family at the time, along with concerns about our safety, and I had to protect my family." He said he had not intended to avoid his responsibilities as head coach or avoid facing the public. Hong closed the statement by turning to the hearing. He said that if the hearing is meant to explain the World Cup result to the public, then he should be the person standing there. "If a hearing is held, the person who should be there is me," he said. "I will answer every question without avoiding anything." Hong ended the statement with another apology, saying he would take every word of the public's criticism seriously. 2026-07-09 16:57:44
  • Education Forum Calls for Strengthening Teacher Rights Amid Rising Legal Challenges
    Education Forum Calls for Strengthening Teacher Rights Amid Rising Legal Challenges The education sector is grappling with the alarming transformation of classrooms into battlegrounds for frivolous lawsuits and complaints. The National Education Commission and the Korea Education Development Institute (KEDI) held a joint forum urging a fundamental paradigm shift that recognizes teachers as professionals and restores trust within the education community. Presenters at the forum analyzed the unreported suffering of teachers and called for a more robust and structured safety net. The forum, titled 'Strengthening Protection for Teachers' Educational Activities through Community Collaboration,' took place at the Korea Press Center at 2 p.m. on July 9. The event aimed to address the recent surge in false child abuse reports and malicious complaints against teachers, discussing effective alternatives. Key attendees included Cha Jeong-in, chair of the National Education Commission, Ko Young-sun, KEDI president, Yoo Kyung-hoon, head of KEDI's elementary and secondary education research division, and Professor Jang Deok-ho from Konkuk University.Cha Jeong-in and Ko Young-sun: "Teacher Rights Are a National Responsibility and a Starting Point for Restoring Trust"In his opening remarks, Cha Jeong-in emphasized that "if legitimate educational activities are not protected, education becomes impossible, and this ultimately harms all children." He pointed out that the current issues surrounding teacher rights are a result of problems created by society, stating, "We can solve this ourselves." He urged policymakers and administrators to communicate and collaborate with a singular goal, expressing hope that visible changes could be felt within two years and structurally established within five years. Cha also expressed his commitment to actively consult with relevant education departments, envisioning a future where schools transform into communities of love, respect, and friendship. Ko Young-sun echoed these sentiments in his welcoming address, diagnosing the most serious challenge in today's educational environment as the decline of community culture and trust among members. He stressed that protecting teachers' educational activities must go beyond strengthening laws and regulations, starting with restoring healthy relationships among community members.Yoo Kyung-hoon: "Despite System Improvements, Anxiety Persists... Legalization Undermines Professionalism"Yoo Kyung-hoon, the first presenter, exposed the hidden anxieties of teachers in his presentation on 'The Status of Educational Activity Violations and Policy Responses.' According to Yoo, the number of meetings held by the Teacher Protection Committee rose from 4,234 in 2024 to 2,189 in just the first half of 2025, indicating that violations are not decreasing. Despite the establishment of five laws for teacher protection, 68.9% of teachers still express constant concern about complaints and reports, while 65.8% feel their educational activities are not protected. Moreover, 34.8% of middle school teachers do not report incidents of harm, reflecting a pervasive sense of helplessness that reporting is futile. Yoo identified five key characteristics of the current state of educational activity violations: 1) Pre-event anxiety and intimidation, 2) Personalization of conflict responsibility, 3) Inconsistency in support systems for complex student needs, 4) Connection to school organizational culture and work structure, and 5) Expanding discussions beyond the framework of conflicting rights to restore trust. He emphasized, "Regardless of the outcome of disciplinary actions, the moment a child abuse report is filed, a teacher's daily life halts, forcing them into defensive teaching. We must redefine teacher rights as 'relational rights' that protect both students' right to learn and the public nature of education."Professor Jang Deok-ho: "We Must Completely Shift from an 'Administrative Empowerment' to a 'Teacher Empowerment' Paradigm"In his keynote address, Professor Jang Deok-ho explored the causes of the teacher rights crisis, attributing it to social structural changes and the trend of legalizing education. He noted that the emergence of the 'Alpha Generation' with short attention spans, combined with the overprotection from 'helicopter parents,' has made guidance increasingly challenging for teachers. Meanwhile, Korean teachers endure the highest levels of administrative work in the OECD, averaging six hours per week, alongside significant stress from parental complaints, while collaboration among colleagues remains at the lowest levels, creating a 'high burden, low cooperation' environment. To overcome these challenges, Jang presented 15 key tasks identified by the National Education Commission's Teacher Rights Recovery Committee, including clarifying the emotional abuse concept in child welfare laws, revising school violence prevention laws, and enhancing practical leadership among administrators. He stressed, "In the current 'administrative empowerment' system, where the administrative line dictates the curriculum, teachers are relegated to mere administrative workers. We must fundamentally shift to a 'teacher empowerment' system where teachers become the primary interpreters of the curriculum based on their expertise to regain lost educational authority and trust."Nine Experts Gather to Forge Practical SolutionsFollowing the presentations, a discussion session was held, moderated by Kim Seong-yeol, an honorary professor at Gyeongnam National University and former president of the Korean Educational Association. Nine panelists, including teachers, parents, union representatives, and academic experts, engaged in intense discussions on protecting teacher rights and normalizing public education. Panelists included: 1) Jo Jae-beom, chair of the Teacher Rights Committee of the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (Pungdeok Elementary School teacher), 2) Jeon Eun-young, representative of the National Innovative Education Parents Network (National Education Commission member), 3) Jang Se-rin, former member of the National Education Commission's High School Education Special Committee (Geumgu Elementary School teacher), 4) Kim Eun-hye, co-representative of the Home and Child Protection Association, 5) Lee Soo-il, policy planning director of the National Teachers' Union, 6) Choi Jong-seon, policy director of the Association of Education Superintendents of Korea, 7) Lee Hee-hyun, head of the Student and Parent Research Division at KEDI, 8) Kim Young-sik, former member of the National Education Commission's Special Committee on School Community Recovery (Deokyang Middle School teacher), and 9) Kim Byeong-chan, senior vice president of the Korean Educational Association (professor at Kyung Hee University), who represented various stakeholders in seeking practical solidarity measures to build a trusted school community.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 16:48:00
  • Vietnam National Team Defeats Yongin FC in Second Training Match
    Vietnam National Team Defeats Yongin FC in Second Training Match Vietnam's national football team, under coach Kim Sang-sik, accelerated their preparations during a training camp in South Korea by defeating Yongin FC 2-1 in their second practice match. The team utilized completely different lineups for each half, allowing them to assess both competitiveness and tactical execution despite the victory.According to the Vietnam Football Federation, the match took place on July 8 in Incheon, South Korea, and was viewed as a more specialized test compared to their first practice match. Coach Kim rotated the entire squad, giving various players the opportunity to gain match experience and evaluate how different combinations executed their tactics.Yongin FC started strong, controlling possession and applying pressure on Vietnam's defense. The Korean team, featuring Brazilian forwards Gabriel Tigran and newly joined Bich Nhu, launched aggressive attacks early on.Despite the pressure, Vietnam broke the deadlock in the 9th minute when Nguyen Hai Long capitalized on a chance in the penalty area, scoring with a powerful shot. This goal boosted Vietnam's confidence and allowed them to control the game's tempo.Hai Long continued to be a key player, creating another opportunity in the 20th minute with a dribble down the left flank, but Yongin's goalkeeper managed to thwart the ensuing shot from Phan Khuong.Yongin FC regained their focus late in the first half, equalizing in the 42nd minute after a smooth attacking sequence, ending the first half at 1-1.In the second half, Coach Kim made a complete lineup change to test another combination. Both teams maintained a high pace, with several intense contests. Vietnam consistently created attacking opportunities, looking to regain the lead.The winning goal came in the 75th minute when Nguyen Suan Son leaped high to head the ball into the net, securing a 2-1 victory for Vietnam.This match was significant not only for the result but also for tactical evaluation. The coaching staff assessed the team's gameplay and the chemistry among different combinations against a more professional opponent. They also gathered data on various tactical options as they prepare for the ASEAN Cup 2026.However, analysts caution against over-optimism regarding the victory, noting that Yongin FC currently sits 12th in K League 2 with 16 points. The true test will come on July 13 against Gangwon FC, a strong team currently ranked third in K League 1 with 27 points. This match is expected to provide a clearer assessment of Vietnam's position ahead of the ASEAN Cup 2026.Meanwhile, the Vietnam national team will continue their training in Incheon before facing Gangwon FC in their final practice match on July 13. This match will serve as a crucial rehearsal before they return home and prepare for an international friendly against Myanmar and the ASEAN Championship 2026.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-09 16:48:00
  • Newlyweds Should Consider Marriage Gift Tax Exemption: How to Maximize Benefits
    Newlyweds Should Consider Marriage Gift Tax Exemption: How to Maximize Benefits Last month, 28-year-old office worker Kim struggled for a long time to secure funds for a rental home. Taking out a loan posed limits and interest burdens. He discovered that utilizing the 'gift' option could allow him to receive substantial support from his parents without incurring any gift tax through the marriage gift tax exemption. With a total of 320 million won received from both sets of parents, Kim and his spouse were able to alleviate their concerns about rental costs.Recently, more newlyweds are using the marriage gift tax exemption as a means to secure housing funds. This exemption, which took effect on January 1, 2024, allows individuals to receive up to 150 million won tax-free from direct ancestors, such as parents or grandparents, in addition to the existing 50 million won exemption for adult children over a ten-year period. By applying the exemption for both the bride and groom, along with the additional relative exemption of 10 million won each, couples can receive a maximum of 320 million won without tax liability. This exemption applies to gifts received within two years before and after the marriage registration date. For instance, if a couple registers their marriage on July 10 this year, gifts received from July 10, 2024, to July 10, 2028, will qualify. This applies equally to first marriages and remarriages.Lee Jeom-ok, head of the tax team at Shinhan Financial Group, stated, "The marriage exemption can be utilized up to a lifetime limit of 100 million won, making it a popular choice for newlyweds looking to cover housing costs such as home purchases or rental deposits. Recently, consultations have increasingly focused on maximizing tax benefits by combining the marriage exemption with other gifts rather than solely relying on it." She added, "The marriage exemption applies not only to gifts from parents but also from grandparents and other direct ancestors. There have been numerous cases where grandparents' gifts are considered in light of inheritance tax planning."How significant is the tax-saving effect of the marriage gift tax exemption? Assuming a child with no prior gift history receives 150 million won from their parents, applying the marriage exemption would mean that both the basic exemption of 50 million won and the marriage exemption of 100 million won are applied, resulting in a taxable amount of zero. Consequently, no gift tax would be incurred. In contrast, without the marriage exemption, only the basic exemption of 50 million won would be recognized, leading to a taxable amount of 100 million won. In this case, the calculated tax would be 10 million won, and even after applying the tax credit for timely reporting, the couple would still face a gift tax burden of approximately 9.7 million won.Experts advise that understanding existing gift history is as crucial as the marriage exemption itself. While the marriage exemption is an additional benefit, gifts received from the same individual within the last ten years are subject to cumulative taxation. If the basic exemption of 50 million won has already been utilized, the taxable amount could be larger than expected, making prior verification necessary. Even if no gift tax is incurred, it is advisable to file a report, as the gift tax return and gift contract can serve as important documentation during future funding plan submissions or source of funds verification processes. Lee emphasized, "To qualify for the marriage exemption, gifts should be received after confirming the marriage intent through invitations, and the marriage registration should occur within two years thereafter. Note that the marriage exemption and childbirth gift exemption cannot be applied simultaneously; one must be chosen." 2026-07-09 16:44:00