Nat'l Museum of Korea reopens its calligraphy-painting gallery: An irworobongdo, a traditional folding screen showing the sun, moon and five mountain peaks representing the king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), is shown on Feb. 25 at the reopened Calligraphy and Painting Gallery of the National Museum of Korea in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. (Lee Jeongwoo) By Charles Audouin The National Museum of Korea has reopened its Calligraphy and Painting Gallery after a hiatus of six months. Calligraphy and painting both use brush, ink and paper. In East Asia,; 2026.02.27

Visitors from Indonesia, China, SE Asia to get entry benefits: President Lee Jae Myung (center), Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (second from the left) and the heads of related ministries on Feb. 25 pose for a photo with Hotel Shilla CEO Lee Boo-jin (third from left) and Italian Chamber of Commerce in Korea Vice Chairman Alberto Mondi (third from right) at an expanded meeting on national tourism strategy under the theme "K-Tourism, Embracing the World" at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. By Hong Angie Photos = Cheong Wa Dae New initiatives seek to; 2026.02.27

Survey to cover over 1,000 independence movement sites abroad: This photo of pro-independence activists Kim Koo (Gu) (left) and Yun Bong-gil was taken in 1932. (Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs) By Koh Hyunjeong A government study will cover all sites related to Korea's pro-independence movement scattered around the world. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on Feb. 25 announced its planned launch next month of a fact-finding study of 1,032 such sites in 24 countries including China, Japan and the U.S. The Korea Independence Movement; 2026.02.27

No. of births in 2025 breaks 15-year high at 254,500: data: The number of babies born last year rose for the second straight year as the total fertility rate returned to the 0.8 level for the first time in four years. Shown is a nurse on Dec. 26, 2025, at the neonatal unit of Cha University Ilsan Medical Center in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do Province. (Yonhap News) By Kang Gahui The number of newborns in the country last year rose for the second straight year, with the total fertility rate (TFR) returning to the 0.8 level for the first time in four years. The; 2026.02.27

Volume of IPR applications sets January record with 56,458: The Ministry of Intellectual Property on Feb. 24 announced 56,458 applications for intellectual property rights were filed last month. Shown is a demonstration on Jan. 29 of a remote-controlled tower crane in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do Province. (Hyundai Motor Group) By Margareth Theresia The number of applications for intellectual property rights (IPR) last month reached a record high for January. The Ministry of Intellectual Property on Feb. 24 reported 56,458 such applications were filed last m; 2026.02.27

Lova-bull run: surging stock market breaks 6,000 for 1st time: Dealers on Feb. 25 celebrate the main stock market KOSPI's historic crossing of 6,000 in front of the electronic billboard at the dealing room of Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul's Jung-gu District. (Yonhap News) By Kim Hyelin The main stock index KOSPI on Feb. 25 broke 6,000 for the first time in history. The index rose a record-high 1,000 points in just over a month since surpassing 5,000 during trading on Jan. 22. The Korea Exchange said KOSPI opened at 6,022.7, up 0.89% (53.06) from the p; 2026.02.27

Growth of cosmetics exports to S. America to get Brazil's help: The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Feb. 24 announced its signing with the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the regulation of health-related products on the occasion of the bilateral summit in Seoul. (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) By Lee Dasom The country will boost its beauty and cosmetics exports to Central and South America with the help of Brazil, the region's largest market. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Feb.; 2026.02.27

Diplomat pledges more aid for int'l refugee, health crises: Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jina (right) on Feb. 24 takes a photo with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih in Geneva, Switzerland. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) By Kim Seon Ah The government will further expand its international role to respond to the exacerbating global refugee and health crises. Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jina, on a visit to Geneva to attend the annual session of the United Nations (U.N.) Human Rights Council, on Feb.; 2026.02.27

[Olympics wrap-up] Korea places 13th, advances in snow events: The national team for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy on Feb. 22 poses for a group photo at the squad's official disbanding ceremony. By Margareth Theresia Photos = Korean Sport & Olympic Committee The closing ceremony of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy on Feb. 22 ended the 17-day tournament. From Feb. 6-22, about 2,900 athletes from each country's national Olympic committee engaged in intense competition. Korea finished 13th in overall with 10 medals, with 71; 2026.02.25

Joint team develops longer lasting, safer lithium metal battery: This artificial intelligence-generated image shows how a lithium metal battery can suppress dendrite growth through the addition of thiophene to an electrolyte. (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) By Charles Audouin A research team has developed a core technology to accelerate the commercial application of the state-of-the-art lithium-metal batteries. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) on Feb. 24 said its joint project with Korea University develop; 2026.02.25

KOREAN NET

Information Center