South Korean parties agree to pass 90 noncontroversial bills, revise filibuster rules

Rival parties agreed to pass 90 noncontroversial bills at a National Assembly plenary session on Jan. 29, and to also take up a revision to the National Assembly Act that would change rules for filibusters. Cheon Jun-ho, the Democratic Party’s senior deputy floor leader for operations, and Yoo Sang-bum, the People Power Party’s counterpart, announced the agreement after meeting Tuesday at the National Assembly. Cheon told reporters that of 175 bills on the plenary agenda, the parties

January 28, 2026

Lee Jae Myung urges expanded defense, energy cooperation with Qatar in meeting with emir’s envoy

President Lee Jae Myung asked Qatar to expand cooperation with South Korea in areas including defense, the defense industry and energy, his office said Tuesday. Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kim Nam Jun said in a written briefing that Lee met in the morning with Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, a special envoy of Qatar’s emir. Lee said the envoy’s swift visit after last week’s phone call with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani showed “the two countries’ firm commitment to cooperation.

January 28, 2026

Blue House Says End of Multiple-Home Tax Surcharge Grace Period Follows Administrative Principles

Breaking: The Blue House said ending the grace period for heavier taxes on owners of multiple homes is a matter of administrative principle, adding it is reviewing whether to allow a one- to two-month extension.* This article has been translated by AI.

January 28, 2026

Kim Keon Hee Says She Accepts Court’s Stern Criticism, Apologizes for Concern

Breaking: Kim Keon Hee said she “humbly accepts” the court’s stern criticism and apologized for causing concern.* This article has been translated by AI.

January 28, 2026

South Korea’s Black Eagles Get First-Ever Refueling Support at Japan Air Base

South Korea’s Air Force aerobatic team, the Black Eagles, received refueling support at a Japan Air Self-Defense Force base. The Yomiuri Shimbun and other outlets reported that the team refueled Tuesday at the JASDF base in Naha, Okinawa. It was the first time the JASDF has provided refueling support to a South Korean Air Force aircraft. The aircraft departed from Wonju Air Base in Gangwon Province and arrived at Naha around 10 a.m., one after another. Pilots also met with JASDF personn

January 28, 2026

Kim Sei Young, Kim A Lim and Choi Hye Jin named among 15 LPGA players to watch in 2026

Kim Sei Young, Kim A Lim and Choi Hye Jin were named among 15 players to watch for the LPGA Tour’s upcoming 2026 season. Golf Digest announced its list on Tuesday (Korea time) ahead of the season opener. The three were the only South Korean players included. Kim Sei Young, ranked No. 9 in the world, is a 13-time LPGA winner. She won the BMW Ladies Championship in October last year to add her first title since November 2020. Golf Digest said Kim had one win and 10 top-10 finishes last sea

January 28, 2026

South Korea, U.S. Hold Third Visa Working Group Talks; B-1 Adds 'Specialized Trainers' Category

South Korean and U.S. government delegations held a third round of consultations under the “South Korea-U.S. Business Travel and Visa Working Group.” South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the meeting was held in Seoul on Jan. 28. The South Korean delegation was led by Kim Seon Young, director general for bilateral economic diplomacy, and the U.S. side included Jonathan Fritz, senior deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs. The U.S. side said a “Specialized Trainers” i

January 28, 2026

President Lee Calls for Broad Review of Capital Markets, Orders Exchange Reform

President Lee Jae Myung said South Korea should take a broad look at its capital markets and also ordered reforms at the exchange.* This article has been translated by AI.

January 28, 2026

South Korea’s presidential office says it is seeking calm tariff solution, cites Kim-Lutnick channel

Breaking: Cheong Wa Dae says it is calmly seeking solutions on tariffs; Kim Jeonggwan-Lutnick channel is important* This article has been translated by AI.

January 28, 2026

South Korea’s Blue House Says U.S. Frustrated by Delay in Korea-U.S. Special Law

Breaking: The Blue House said the United States appears frustrated that investment projects have been delayed due to a holdup in a special law related to the United States.* This article has been translated by AI.

January 28, 2026