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  Number of single-person households exceed 30% in S. Korea as traditional family structures decline SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - South Korea's residential landscape has undergone a radical atomization over the last 40 years, with the number of households nearly tripling even as population growth stalled. A report released Saturday by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs reveals that the traditional multi-generational family has been largely replaced by individuals living alone and elderly couples. According to the report, "Trends and Implications of Household February 28, 2026
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  Trump calls for rehearing on tariff ruling as South Korean firms seek massive refunds SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) questioned whether the Supreme Court could revisit its decision to strike down his administration's tariff authority, a move that comes as South Korean exporters and other global firms prepare to seek billions of dollars in refunds. Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump expressed frustration with the February 20 ruling, which invalidated reciprocal tariffs he had imposed under the February 28, 2026
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  K-wave at a high tide; ripples of dissent surface in ASEAN SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - At a moment when the Korean Wave appears once again near its global crest — with artists climbing international charts and anticipation building ahead of BTS’s March 21 return at Gwanghwamun — a quieter, less comfortable current has begun to surface in one of Hallyu’s most enduring strongholds: Southeast Asia. On Monday, an X user posted a terse declaration of disillusionment. “I used to really like Korea. But what happened February 27, 2026
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  Korea, Japan end lower Fri after stunning February SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - Asian equities diverged Friday as chip-heavy markets in South Korea and Japan retreated following a reassessment of AI earnings momentum, while sentiment improved modestly in China-related markets ahead of next week’s pivotal Two Sessions. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI fell 1.0 percent, or 63.14 points, to close at 6,244.13, after swinging between a high of 6,347.4 and a low of 6,153.9. The pullback followed a near-uninterrupted rally since Feb. 9. February 27, 2026
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  How South Koreans celebrate Lunar New Year's first full moon SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - Markets are bustling with shoppers as the first full moon of the lunar year, known as Daeboreum, approaches. As Daeboreum, a day when people traditionally pray for health and a good harvest falls next Tuesday, Gyeongdong Market, one of the largest farmers' markets in Seoul, was packed with shoppers on Friday. Stores and stalls there were selling a variety of nuts such as walnuts, peanuts, pine nuts, and ginkgo nuts, tempting shoppers. In an age-o February 27, 2026
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  Korea's one-winged rally: stock and economy reliant on chips SEOUL, Feb 27 (AJP) - From eye-popping KOSPI gains — more than doubling since the start of 2025 — to growth rebounding toward a potential rate of around 2 percent, South Korea’s economy appears, at first glance, to be regaining momentum. But strip away the semiconductor effect, and the underlying picture remains fragile. After an almost uninterrupted rally since year-end, the benchmark KOSPI briefly traded above 6,300 this week — only a month aft February 27, 2026
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  British Ambassador tours Hanwha Ocean's shipyard in Geoje SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - British Ambassador to Seoul Colin Crooks visited Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje on Friday. According to the shipbuilder, Crooks inspected a diesel-electric Jang Bogo-class submarine currently under construction during a tour of the shipyard. Thursday's visit was made to review the status of cooperation, as Hanwha Ocean is participating in the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) through a strategic partnership with British defense firm February 27, 2026
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  BTS Comeback D-22: The story behind Gwanghwamun SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - Today’s Gyeongbokgung is often the first breath Seoul offers to the world. Tourists in flowing hanbok pass beneath Gwanghwamun, their silk sleeves catching early-spring light. Cameras rise in unison at the changing of the royal guards. On the stone terrace of Geunjeongjeon, the old wooden eaves frame a startling horizon — beyond them, the clean axis of modern Seoul. For many visitors who first encountered Korea through K-dra February 27, 2026
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  Asian Culture Calendar SEOUL, February 27 (AJP) - Dec. 5 - Mar. 15 Garden of Morning Calm Winter Lights Festival 2026 Mar. 15 Seoul Marathon 2026 Mar. 14 - 16 Jeju Fire Festival Mar. 29 - Apr. 6 Jinhae Gunhangje Festival Japan Mar. 1 Konomiya Naked Festival Mar. 6 Umekoji Handicrafts Market Feb.1 - May 24 Kyoto Nippon Festival 2026 Mar. 9 - 22 Grand Sumo Tournament 2026 Hong Kong Mar. 21 Complex Live! Mar. 27 - 29 Art Basel Hong Kong Feb. 27 - Mar. 30 The 54th Hong Kong Arts Fes February 27, 2026
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  Korean Economy/Business Calendar SEOUL, Feb 27 (AJP) - Mar. 2–5 (Mon–Thu) MWC 2026 Barcelona - Over 180 Korean companies Mar. 4 (Wed) Jan. 2026 Industrial Activity Trends - Ministry of Data and Statistics Mar. 6 (Fri) Jan. 2026 Balance of Payments (Preliminary) - Bank of Korea February 2026 Consumer Price Trends - Ministry of Data and Statistics Mar. 17 (Tue) Feb. 2026 Export/Import Price & Trade Indexes (Preliminary) - Bank of Korea Mar. 18 (Wed) Feb. 2026 Employmen February 27, 2026