Blueprint seeks to make Korea top 3 AI power, start 6G by 2030: The Information and Communications Strategy Committee on March 27 reviewed and finalized an integrated plan on creating an intelligent information society. (iClickArt) Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of this image is prohibited under copyright law. By Koh Hyunjeong An aggressive blueprint eyes Korea rising to the ranks of one of the world's top three artificial intelligence (AI) powers by 2028. The plan is to upgrade the national digital network focused on the transition of the n; 2026.03.31

Community-integrated care combines medical, nursing, welfare: Staff from Gyeonggi-do Province's visiting medical care center visit a patient's home to provide services. (Gyeonggi Provincial Office) By Kim Hyelin A "community-integrated care" system launched nationwide on March 27 provides needed care for senior citizens and disabled people at their homes instead of hospitals or medical facilities. A 2023 survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on elderly people found that 87.2% of respondents wanted to continue living at home as their pre; 2026.03.31

Nobel laureate writer Han Kang receives US book critics award: David Ebershoff, editor-in-chief of Hogarth Books, the American publisher of the English-language translation of Han Kang's "We Do Not Part," on March 26 reads Han's acceptance speech at the awards ceremony of the National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) in New York. (NBCC's YouTube channel) By Charles Audouin Nobel laureate novelist Hang Kang has won the National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) Award for fiction for her book "We Do Not Part." The NBCC on March 26 announced the book, jointly translated; 2026.03.30

Incentives eye tech-savvy int'l students settling in provinces: Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho (fifth from left in front row) on March 26 poses for a photo at the plaque presentation ceremony for universities selected to receive a development-type specialized technical department at the main conference room of Government Complex-Gwacheon in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do Province. (Ministry of Justice) By Lee Dasom The Ministry of Justice has launched a development-type specialized technical department at select junior colleges to cultivate international students; 2026.03.30

Seoul holds top 10 spot in financial competitiveness for 4th year: Seoul ranks eighth in global financial competitiveness, finishing in the top 10 for the fourth consecutive year. Shown is a night view of the Yeouido area of Seoul's Yeongdeungpo-gu District on Aug. 17, 2025. (Seoul Metropolitan Government) By Kim Seon Ah Seoul ranks eighth worldwide in financial competitiveness, staying in the top 10 for the fourth consecutive year. The Seoul Metropolitan Government on March 26 said the capital placed eighth among 137 world cities in the Global Financial Cen; 2026.03.30

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

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