World Heritage event in Busan adopts shrine-inspired symbol: Official emblem of UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Busan slated for July (Korea Heritage Service) By Lee Jihae The UNESCO World Heritage Committee session slated for July in Busan has adopted an emblem inspired by the roof of Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul. The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) on March 25 unveiled the symbol for use at the 48th session. The emblem features the shape and colors of the tiled roof of the shrine's Jeongjeon Hall. The roof's distinctive curved lines, stretching r; 2026.03.30

Total fertility rate nears 1 after almost 27,000 births in Jan.: The number of births in January hit 26,916. Shown are the first babies born this year on Jan. 1 with their fathers at Cha University Gangnam Medical Center in Seoul's Gangnam-gu District. (Cha University Gangnam Medical Center) By Aisylu Akhmetzianova The number of births in January hit 26,916, the highest for the month since 30,271 in January 2019. The Ministry of Data and Statistics on March 25 released data on January population trends showing that the figure rose 11.7% or 2,817 year on ye; 2026.03.30

Nation's first green hydrogen plant powered by sun goes online: Samsung C&T on March 25 announced its completion of a green hydrogen plant (pictured) linked to solar power generation in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. (Samsung C&T) By Charles Audouin The nation's first off-grid clean hydrogen plant exclusively powered by renewable energy has begun operations Samsung C&T on March 25 announced its completion of a green hydrogen facility linked to solar power generation in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, whose construction began in 2023; 2026.03.30

National parks in 2025 attract 2.05M foreign visitors: data: National parks nationwide last year attracted 2.05 million foreign visitors. Shown is spring scenery at Bukhansan National Park in Seoul. (Korea National Park Service) By Margareth Theresia The country's national parks last year attracted 2.05 million foreign visitors. The Korea National Park Service under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment on March 25 released statistics saying 1.13 million tourists from overseas and 920,000 expats visited such parks last year. Hallasan Nationa; 2026.03.27

Strategy eyes Korea as world's top quantum chip maker by 2035: First Vice Minister of Science and ICT Koo Hyuk Chae (center) on March 19 explains the national strategy to develop quantum technology at a policy briefing for foreign media at Korea Press Center in Seoul's Jung-gu District. (Ministry of Science and ICT) By Margareth Theresia The Ministry of Science and ICT has released a strategy to make Korea the world's top manufacturer of quantum chips by 2035 through the development of 10,000 professionals and 2,000 companies in the sector. The ministry; 2026.03.27

Setup of 2,500 solar-powered income villages planned by 2030: Solar collector (iClickArt) Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of this image is prohibited under copyright law. By Koh Hyunjeong The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will designate over 500 "sunshine income villages" this year for eventual expansion to over 2,500 by 2030. The ministry on March 24 announced this as part of a plan to build more such villages at a Cabinet meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environ; 2026.03.27

Ministry urges Japan to retract Dokdo claims in new textbooks: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 24 issued a strong protest against Japan's renewed territorial claim to Dokdo Island contained in newly released high school textbooks, demanding an immediate correction. (Dokdo Management Office) By Kang Gahui The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 24 filed a strong protest against high school textbooks in Japan containing territorial claims to Korea's easternmost island of Dokdo, demanding an immediate correction. The ministry through a spokesperso; 2026.03.27

Think tank pledges accelerated efforts vs. deadly Nipah virus: The deadly Nipah virus can cause acute encephalitis upon infection and has a high fatality rate, with no commercialized vaccines or treatments. (iClickArt) Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of this image is prohibited under copyright law. By Margareth Theresia The National Institute of Health (NIH) is speeding up its development of treatments and vaccines against the deadly Nipah virus, a high-risk zoonotic disease with a fatality rate as high as 75%. At the inaugural Science Media; 2026.03.27

Integrated medical-nursing care at home to start from March 27: An integrated community care system from March 27 will be launched nationwide. Shown is First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Seuran on March 5 announcing the system's implementation at Government Complex-Seoul in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. (Ministry of Health and Welfare) By Xu Aiying An integrated community care system nationwide will start on March 27 to allow senior citizens and disabled people to spend their later years where they have lived their whole lives rather than at hospi; 2026.03.27

7 scientists picked for 'cradle of Nobel laureates' program: Seven domestic scientists have been selected for the Human Frontier Science Program, which promotes joint global research in the life sciences (iClick) *This photo is protected under copyright law and unauthorized reproduction and redistribution are strictly prohibited. By Kim Hyelin The Ministry of Science and ICT on March 22 said seven domestic researchers have been selected for the famous Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), which promotes joint global research in the life sciences. Foun; 2026.03.24

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