South Korea’s Law Firm Won Wins 3 Categories at ABLJ 2025 Korea Law Firm Awards

Law Firm Won said Jan. 28 it won three categories — defense industry, ESG and entertainment and sports — at the “Korea Law Firm Awards 2025,” announced by Asian Business Law Journal (ABLJ). ABLJ, a legal media outlet covering Asia, conducts annual surveys of companies and law firms in the region to select top performers. Won’s latest results extend its streak to two straight wins in ESG and three straight in entertainment and sports, while marking its first win in the defense industry ca

January 28, 2026

U.N. Command Says South Korea’s Proposed DMZ Law Violates Armistice

The U.N. Command said a ruling party-backed bill on the “peaceful use” of the Demilitarized Zone conflicts with the Korean War armistice. A U.N. Command official told reporters on Tuesday afternoon at the Dragon Hill Lodge Hotel on the Yongsan base that if the DMZ bill passes, it would “directly violate” the armistice and would be tantamount to the South Korean government declaring it is not subject to the agreement. The official said jurisdiction over the DMZ south of the Military D

January 28, 2026

Fire Reported in Cheonan’s Seobuk District; Residents Warned About Smoke

A fire broke out in Cheonan in South Chungcheong Province’s Seobuk District. Cheonan city sent an emergency text alert on Tuesday saying a fire was reported at about 5:17 p.m. at 661-2 Seonghwan-ri, Seonghwan-eup, Seobuk District. The city urged nearby residents to watch for smoke inhalation and asked drivers to take alternate routes. * This article has been translated by AI.

January 28, 2026

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, 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