South Korea

An Indian student’s video complaint about the difficulty of maintaining a vegetarian diet in South Korea has ignited online debate. The student cited Korea’s meat-centric cuisine and prevalence of pastries. While some Korean vegetarians agreed, many Koreans expressed confusion. Despite a smaller percentage of vegetarians in Korea (around 3%) compared to India (31-42%), the sheer number of Indian vegetarians (over 500 million) highlights the cultural and religious influences driving vegetarianism in India.

South Korea’s minimum hourly wage will rise to ₩10,320 ($7.80 USD) in 2026, a 2.9% increase. The minimum monthly wage will be ₩2,156,880 ($1,630 USD). Despite this, high living costs, especially for food items like watermelons (averaging $25 USD) and napa cabbage (up 68% monthly), significantly impact purchasing power. Many low-income Seoul residents struggle to save, and the middle class faces similar challenges compared to some Chinese workers. This illustrates the tension between wage growth and rising expenses.

Soaring temperatures in South Korea are driving up the prices of essential agricultural products. Watermelon prices jumped 17.6% to $25.50 USD, while napa cabbage, a key ingredient in kimchi, has surged 68% in a month. The price hikes have sparked online discussions, with some noting the disparity with cheaper watermelon prices in other countries, leading South Korean tourists abroad to prioritize enjoying the fruit.

China dominates global watermelon production, accounting for 60% of global output. This contrasts sharply with South Korea, where watermelons are considered a luxury. Recent heatwaves in South Korea have caused watermelon prices to surge, reaching approximately $22 USD each, a 36.5% increase year-over-year. Analysts predict further price increases, highlighting the disparity in watermelon affordability and availability between the two countries and raising questions about trade and climate change impacts on agricultural markets.

A South Korean BBQ restaurant on Ulleung Island is facing backlash after a blogger revealed alleged price gouging, charging a premium for fatty pork belly. The video went viral, sparking outrage among locals and tourists who accuse the restaurant of exploiting visitors. This incident highlights the need for tourists to be cautious, verify prices, and clarify fees before ordering to avoid negative experiences on the otherwise scenic island destination.

South Korea’s UNESCO cultural heritage nominations, including Kimchi and the Gangneung Danoje Festival, face setbacks. Five nominations are on a “pending withdrawal” list due to insufficient evidence of unique Korean origin. China has challenged these claims, presenting historical evidence suggesting earlier origins for practices like pickling, Danoje rituals, and traditional carpentry. UNESCO has requested South Korea provide independent evidence, but reportedly, the submitted documentation was inadequate. This development raises questions about South Korea’s cultural origin claims.

A heatwave in South Korea is causing agricultural devastation, leading to soaring prices for essential produce like watermelons, napa cabbage, and radishes. Watermelon prices have jumped 36.5% year-on-year and 22.5% in one week. Napa cabbage prices are up 27.4% weekly, and radishes 15.9%. Insufficient sunlight in June compounded the problem. The government plans to implement measures to stabilize supply and demand to address potential crop losses and control rising prices. Online, consumers are reacting to the increased prices.

China trailed Japan 0–2 at halftime in their EAFF Championship match on July 12, despite coach Jankovic starting offensive players like Wei Shihao and Wang Yudong. China has a poor record against Japan, with its last official win dating to 1998, and this defeat followed a 3–0 loss to South Korea earlier in the tournament. (60 words)

After China’s men’s football team lost 3-0 to South Korea in the East Asian Cup, social media attention shifted to their extensive luggage upon arrival. Responding to scrutiny, the Chinese Football Association clarified that the 51-member delegation carried 140 checked bags: 84 personal items and 56 essential equipment pieces (training, match, recovery gear). All were deemed necessary, and players assisted staff by carrying equipment to ease transit. This logistics effort was cited as routine for elite teams ensuring peak preparation and performance during international tournaments.

**Summary:** The US will impose 25% tariffs on all Japanese and South Korean imports starting August 1. This threatens global tech supply chains, especially memory chips where both nations dominate. Key exporters like Samsung, SK Hynix, Canon, Tokyo Electron, Renesas, and operations of US firms Micron/Western Digital face significant impact. Strict anti-circumvention rules and warnings against retaliation were issued. Companies manufacturing these goods within the US gain tariff exemption via expedited approvals.