New AI rules take effect in South Korea SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - Stricter regulations on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) took effect across industries on Tuesday, requiring businesses to disclose the use of generative AI and label AI-generated content. Under the regulations as part of the so-called "AI Basic Act," the country's first legal framework for artificial intelligence, companies developing or operating AI services must notify users when generative AI is used and label AI-generated content. July 21, 2026

Seoul braces for more monsoon rain after heavy downpours overnight SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - All major streams across Seoul were closed on Tuesday after heavy overnight downpours prompted the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) to issue a heavy rain advisory for parts of the capital. Such an advisory is issued when rainfall of 60 millimeters or more is expected within three hours, or 110 millimeters or more within 12 hours. Eunpyeong district in northwestern Seoul recorded the highest rainfall so far this season, with accumulated precipit July 21, 2026

Coupang warehouse fire in Incheon contained after three-day battle SEOUL, July 21 (AJP) - A massive fire at e-commerce giant Coupang's logistics center in Incheon was brought under control on Monday night after burning for about 61 hours, with firefighters continuing efforts to extinguish the remaining flames. According to fire authorities and emergency officials in Incheon, the fire, which broke out at around 6:50 a.m. last Saturday on the sixth floor of the eight-story logistics center in Seoknam-dong, was largely contained at around 8 p.m. July 21, 2026

Gov't to provide additional disaster relief for flood-hit regions SEOUL, July 20 (AJP) - An additional 1.6 billion won (US$1.07 million) in emergency disaster relief funds will be provided to regions hit by last weekend's torrential rains, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said on Monday. The affected areas include Gyeonggi, Gangwon and North Gyeongsang provinces, where heavy downpours between last Friday and Sunday washed out roads, triggered mudslides and flooded homes, forcing some residents to evacuate. The funds will be used fo July 20, 2026

Seoul's top-tier apartments remain far more expensive than elsewhere in South Korea SEOUL, July 20 (AJP) - Buying a top-tier apartment in Seoul now requires at least 4.65 billion won, according to an analysis by real estate platform Zigbang. The minimum price needed to rank among Seoul's top 1 percent most expensive apartments reached 4.65 billion won (US$3.10 million) in the first half of this year, while the average transaction price for those homes stood at 6.36 billion won. But both the minimum and average prices slightly eased after reaching record July 20, 2026

Motorists in their 50s and older own half of all registered vehicles SEOUL, July 20 (AJP) - Half of all registered vehicles in South Korea, excluding those owned by corporations and other entities, are now held by people aged 50 and older, according to data released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Monday. The number of motorists in their 50s and older stood at 13.40 million, accounting for 50.2 percent of the 26.68 million privately registered vehicles as of the end of June. More specifically, those in their 50s owned th July 20, 2026

Residents near Coupang warehouse ordered to evacuate as blaze continues SEOUL, July 20 (AJP) - Authorities ordered residents living near e-commerce giant Coupang's logistics center in Incheon there to evacuate late Sunday amid concerns that the fire-damaged building could partially collapse, as firefighters continue to battle a massive blaze that has raged for more than two days. The fire, which broke out at around 6:50 a.m. last Saturday on the sixth floor of the eight-story logistics center in Seoknam-dong, Incheon, spread to the seventh floor and July 20, 2026

South Korea's GDP per capita estimated to near $40,000 this year SEOUL, July 19 (AJP) - South Korea's gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is forecast to approach US$40,000 this year, supported by strong exports led by an artificial intelligence (AI)-fueled semiconductor boom, according to data from financial authorities released on Sunday. The country's GDP per capita is projected to reach $39,164 this year, up $2,750 or 7.6 percent from a year earlier, marking the largest annual increase in about five years. The projected growth w July 19, 2026

Firefighters still battle to contain major blaze at Coupang logistics center in Incheon SEOUL, July 19 (AJP) - Firefighters are still battling a major blaze at e-commerce giant Coupang's logistics center in Incheon on Sunday, more than 24 hours after the fire broke out on the facility the previous day. The fire broke out at about 6:50 a.m. on the sixth floor of the multi-story storage center in Seoknam-dong, Incheon. Authorities said the flames later spread to the seventh floor, complicating efforts to contain the blaze. One firefighter was hospitalized after in July 19, 2026

North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Hui arrives in Moscow for official visit SEOUL, July 18 (AJP) - North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui arrived in Moscow on Saturday for an official visit at the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Russian state media reported. Russia's Foreign Ministry said Choe was visiting Moscow at Lavrov's invitation, according to RIA Novosti. Details of the purpose of the trip and her schedule have not been disclosed. The visit comes as Pyongyang and Moscow deepen political and military ties und July 18, 2026