North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced intentions to strengthen the country's nuclear potential, enraged by joint military exercises between the US and South Korea. He called them a "provocation to war" and a "call for rapid expansion of nuclear potential."
South Korea's construction sector has been recognized as the most dangerous among OECD countries with a rate of 1. 6 deaths per 10,000 workers. This is twice the OECD average.
On August 16, the world celebrates a number of holidays, including Homeless Animals Day, International Geocaching Day, World Kite Day, and Men's Beauty Day. Also on this day, the Third Savior, or Nut Savior, is celebrated.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung proposed "peace without absorption" to North Korea, recognizing its political system and renouncing violent unification. He called for the restoration of the 2018 military agreement to reduce tensions, despite North Korea's recent rejection of reconciliation.
The sister of the DPRK leader, Kim Yo Jong, refuted Seoul's statements about the dismantling of North Korean loudspeakers on the border. She accused South Korea of excessive optimism and emphasized that Pyongyang has no intention of removing them.
Poland signed a $3. 8 billion agreement with the US to modernize 48 F-16 fighter jets. This will enhance the aircraft's compatibility with NATO and strengthen deterrence against potential aggression.
Former First Lady of South Korea Kim Keon-hee has been arrested on charges of fraud and bribery. The arrest followed the approval of a warrant by a Seoul court, particularly in connection with the Dior bag scandal.
New tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump have come into force, raising the average US tariff rate to 15. 2%. This is the highest figure since World War II, posing a new challenge for the global economy.
First Lady Olena Zelenska and Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha met with the Rector of Kobe Gakuin University in Japan. The institution joined the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, becoming the first participant from Japan in this initiative.
At Madrid's Barajas airport, an Iberia plane made an emergency landing after colliding with a vulture. The bird hit the plane and was then sucked into the left engine.
South Korea has begun dismantling loudspeakers that broadcast K-pop and propaganda into North Korea. This follows President Lee Jae-myung's order to cease broadcasts to de-escalate tensions.
Poland has signed a contract worth over 6 billion euros with South Korea for the purchase of an additional 180 K2 tanks, which will increase its tank fleet to 1,100 units. This will make the country one of the leading tank powers in NATO, surpassing the combined tank numbers of Great Britain, Germany, France, and Italy.
Kyrylo Budanov believes that Ukraine should prepare for life under a protracted threat, focusing on security models similar to those of Israel or South Korea. He denied the likelihood of a "Georgian scenario" for Ukraine, emphasizing the impossibility of returning towards Russia.
Son Heung-min, Tottenham captain, announced his departure from the club this summer. He is likely to continue his career at American club Los Angeles FC, with whom a deal is in the final stages.
US President Donald Trump has maintained a basic tariff rate of 10% for countries with a positive trade balance. For 40 countries with a trade deficit with the US, a minimum tariff of 15% has been set, and for Canada, the tariff has increased to 35%.
South Korea has set a new weather record: 22 consecutive days in July with night temperatures in Seoul exceeding 25°C. This year, 13 people have died from heat-related causes, three times more than last year.
Donald Trump announced a trade agreement with South Korea, which provides for 15% tariffs on imported goods. South Korea will invest $350 billion and purchase $100 billion worth of LNG.
President Trump will meet with a South Korean trade delegation to negotiate a tariff deal. South Korea is seeking to lower a 25% tariff set to take effect on August 1.
Pavlo Shamshyn, spokesman for the Kharkiv Joint Forces Operation Group, reported that Russian occupiers are bogged down near Pokrovsk, although the situation there remains difficult. He also commented on Reuters' information about the possible deployment of North Korean troops to Russia.
South Korea and the United States are nearing a trade agreement before August 1, when Washington will raise import tariffs. Seoul is considering concessions in agriculture, energy, and defense, and is also proposing at least $100 billion in US investments.
South Korean police raided the offices of K-pop agency HYBE over allegations that chairman Bang Si-hyuk provided false information to investors. The financial regulator referred him to the prosecutor's office for investigation into the company's activities during its stock market listing.
Ukrainian epee fencer Vlada Kharkova won a gold medal at the Fencing World Championships in Tbilisi. This is the first "gold" for Ukrainian women's epee fencing in 22 years.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa will meet with the leaders of Japan and China. In Tokyo, agreements on cooperation in the defense industry and economic security are planned to be signed, while no significant agreements are expected from the summit in Beijing.
In South Korea, rains eased after several days of floods and landslides that killed at least 18 people. Gapyeong recorded a record daily rainfall, exceeding the previous national record.
Spot gold prices rose 0. 6% to $3368.39 per ounce, while US gold futures rose 0.5% to $3376. This occurred amid a weakening dollar and expectations regarding trade talks and the Fed meeting.
US President Donald Trump may meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC event in South Korea. This comes amid attempts by Washington and Beijing to negotiate an end to the tariff war.
In South Korea, 10 people died and 9 went missing due to four days of heavy rains and landslides. The most affected area was Sancheong County, where 793.5 mm of precipitation fell.
In South Korea, torrential rains continue for the fourth day, leading to the death of at least four people and the evacuation of over 7,000 residents. 729 cases of damage to civilian infrastructure and 1014 cases of damage to private property have been recorded.
In South Korea, a teacher and a student's father were arrested for attempting to steal exam papers from a school in Andong. Their attempt was stopped by an alarm, and the police suspect previous incidents and bribery.
North Korea accused the United States of threatening regional peace by deploying strategic bombers over the Korean Peninsula for trilateral exercises. The exercises involved US, Japanese, and South Korean aircraft, demonstrating their ability to respond to security challenges.
