They say the daily commute in South Korea is the longest in the world — an average of about 1 hour and 48 minutes each way. That’s 40 minutes more than the global average of 1 hour 08 minutes.
According to the Korea Herald, a 34-year-old man named Lee Han‑soo says his door-to-desk commute takes nearly 2½ hours every day.
11/2025 Flu cases in Korea are rising quickly this month, with health officials warning of an early 독감 (flu) 유행 (epidemic). The number of patients showing flu-like symptoms more than doubled compared to last week, especially among children.
South Korea is rolling out a nationwide ban on mobile phones in school classrooms starting March 2026, aiming to curb social media addiction among students.
Seoul’s art scene is abuzz as Frieze Seoul 2025 is unfolds this September, bringing over 120 galleries from more than 30 countries to COEX in Gangnam. Visitors can explore innovative 작품 (jakpum, artworks) ranging from cutting-edge installation art to retrospectives of masters like Lee Bul and Kim Tschang-Yeul.
South Korea is increasingly focusing on 문화 (munhwa – culture) as a new driver of growth. In 2024, cultural exports—including 웹툰 (webtoon), 문학 (munhak – literature), 미용 (miyong – beauty), and food products—generated over $10 billion.
Even as 가을 (autumn) approaches, South Korea is enduring a late-season 폭염 (heatwave), with temperatures soaring above 35°C in many regions. The 기상청 (KMA) has issued 폭염주의보 (heatwave advisories) and 폭염경보 (heatwave warnings), urging residents to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities during peak hours.
South Korea is making headlines as it balances its advanced technology with heavy reliance on fossil fuels—in 2025, about 60% (육십 퍼센트) of its energy still comes from coal and gas, while renewables (신재생에너지) make up only 9% (구 퍼센트).
