Journal of Korea

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Ian Werther

South Korea defines inter-floor noise rules for high-density apartments

An early-morning note posted inside a South Korean apartment building elevator has sparked debate about how much noise is acceptable in South Korea’s dense, multi-unit housing. The note requests residents to refrain from using a blender and other similar appliances around 6:30 am, saying the sound has been

Gunsan Shipyard Revival Moves Ahead under MASGA, Boosting Korea-US Shipbuilding Ties

EcoPrime Marine Pacific and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries have signed a memorandum of agreement to transfer assets of the Gunsan shipyard in North Jeolla Province, a move that would flag a restart of new shipbuilding at the facility. The sale price is expected to be in the range of 700

Korea Expands Government-Backed Housing Guarantees to About 100 Trillion Won Annually

The Korea Housing Finance Corporation (HUG) held a policy-focused meeting with the Korean Housing Construction Association and regional construction leaders in Seoul to discuss improvements to the agency’s guarantee programs intended to support housing supply. The event took place at the Seoul Housing Construction Hall and brought together HUG

Daejang-dong corruption: Prosecution drops appeal; appellate court can only uphold or reduce penalties

The appellate trial in the Daejang-dong private developers corruption case opened today, but the proceedings looked markedly different from a typical high-profile hearing. Prosecutors decided not to pursue an appeal, leaving only a single senior prosecutor in court. Defendants Kim Man-bae, Nam Wook, and Jeong Young-hak—who were convicted in

Baek Byung-dong, Pioneering Korean Composer, Dies at 90

Baek Byung-dong, a leading figure in Korean contemporary classical music, died on the 12th at age 90. Born in 1936 in Manchuria, he studied at Seoul National University’s College of Music and went on to study composition in Germany at Hannover under Yun I-sang. Over a career spanning six

South Korean Composer Baek Byung-dong, Pioneer of Modern Classical Music, Dies at 90

Baek Byung-dong, a pioneering figure in South Korea’s modern classical music and a former professor at Seoul National University, died on the 12th at age 90. The Korea Academy of Arts and Letters announced his death on the 13th. Baek was born in 1936 in Manchuria. After graduating from

Iran began laying mines in Strait of Hormuz, U.S. officials say.

New York Times reporting, citing U.S. government officials, says Iran began laying mines in the Hormuz Strait starting yesterday, using small boats. The report adds that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, beyond its regular warships, can mobilize thousands of small vessels for operations. The Hormuz Strait, a crucial chokepoint

South Korea Weekend Weather: Snow, Frost, Coastal Swells; Impacts U.S. Supply Chains

Daegwallyeong Pass in Gangwon Province, a high mountain route known for heavy snowfall, is blanketed in white as mid-March weather sets the scene for a weekend of cloudy skies across South Korea. Forecasters say Saturday and Sunday will be largely cloudy nationwide, with a mild but variable temperature profile that

Guterres Visits Beirut, Urges Immediate Ceasefire and Expanded Aid in Israel-Hezbollah Conflict

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Beirut on the 13th amid fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, and urged an immediate ceasefire and expanded humanitarian aid. In Beirut, Guterres appealed for emergency relief, calling for a total of about 308.3 million U.S. dollars in humanitarian

Won moves as Fed policy looms, impacting U.S. linked Korean supply chains.

The won–dollar exchange rate in Seoul's foreign-exchange market closed on the 13th at 3:30 pm local time. The brief note specifies the closing time but does not include the numerical rate in the text provided. The USD/KRW rate is a daily indicator of Korea'