South Korea’s hospitality sector faces challenges as political turmoil sparks travel cancellations, raising concerns about safety and tourism recovery.
South Korea’s tourism industry, which contributed ₩84.7 trillion ($59.1 billion) or 3.8% of GDP in 2023, faces new challenges as political unrest deters visitors. The recent six-hour martial law, later rescinded, has led to some trip cancellations and a slight drop in hotel bookings.
Accor Group reported a 5% rise in cancellations, and the Korea Tourism Start-up Association noted declining bookings for early 2025. Hotels in Seoul, previously fully booked, now offer discounts to attract guests. Concerns extend to medical tourism, with some foreign patients cancelling appointments.
The "Korean Wave" of cultural exports and reputation for safety are key to South Korea’s tourism strategy, but ongoing protests could hinder growth in sectors like MICE tourism.
Experts believe the impact may be temporary if stability returns, while others remain optimistic about travel demand, particularly from China, South Korea’s largest visitor source.
South Korea’s Air Force chief, Lee Young-su, publicly apologized for a bombing accident last week in Pocheon, which injured 29 people. The incident occurred when fighter jets mistakenly dropped bombs on a civilian area.
South Korea’s acting President Choi Sang-mok said Monday the government will seek consultations with the U.S. on shipbuilding and energy cooperation, as economic ties remain a priority.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from detention on Saturday following a court decision that canceled his arrest warrant on insurrection charges.
In a bid to end a 13-month dispute that has seen thousands of trainee doctors walk off the job and medical students boycotting classes, South Korea’s education ministry announced on Friday that it will freeze the number of new medical students at approximately 3,000 per year.
A South Korean court on Friday cancelled the arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, potentially paving the way for his release from jail as he faces trial on insurrection charges related to a brief imposition of martial law.
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to troops in the western Kursk region on Wednesday, donning military fatigues and ordering forces to press forward with their advance to fully reclaim the area from Ukrainian control.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin to the White House on Wednesday for the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration, using the occasion to accuse Ireland of benefiting unfairly from U.S. trade policies.
NASA is set to launch a SpaceX rocket from Florida on Wednesday, sending a replacement crew to the International Space Station (ISS) while preparing to bring home two U.S. astronauts stranded in space for nine months after Boeing’s Starliner faced technical issues.
Ireland has committed €15 million ($16.3 million) to Brazil's Amazon Fund over the next three years, aiming to support efforts to combat deforestation in the world's largest tropical rainforest.
The world’s leading banking climate coalition is reassessing its membership rules following the departure of major banks and slower-than-expected progress on climate goals, its chair told Reuters.
President Donald Trump is preparing a new travel ban that could block entry for people from Afghanistan and Pakistan as early as next week. The move is part of an intensified immigration crackdown.
Italy’s League party urges the government to favour Starlink over French-led Eutelsat for satellite communication systems, citing Starlink's technological edge. The push comes amid delays in the EU’s IRIS² program, as Italy seeks secure communication solutions for officials.
XPeng Motors plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, becoming the first company globally to do so. CEO He Xiaopeng also highlighted advancements in autonomous driving and humanoid robotics as part of the company’s future tech initiatives.
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
The U.S. budget deficit reached $307 billion during President Donald Trump’s first full month in office, marking a 4% increase—an additional $11 billion—over the same period last year, according to the Treasury Department.
The European Commission’s plan to impose additional duties on up to 26 billion euros ($28 billion) of U.S. imports could significantly disrupt Europe’s livestock sector, which heavily relies on imported grains for animal feed, according to industry association FEFAC.
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to troops in the western Kursk region on Wednesday, donning military fatigues and ordering forces to press forward with their advance to fully reclaim the area from Ukrainian control.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin to the White House on Wednesday for the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration, using the occasion to accuse Ireland of benefiting unfairly from U.S. trade policies.
Ukraine’s acceptance of a U.S. ceasefire proposal has salvaged its strained ties with Washington, securing the resumption of military aid and intelligence sharing. However, fundamental issues in the conflict with Russia remain unresolved.
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to troops in the western Kursk region on Wednesday, donning military fatigues and ordering forces to press forward with their advance to fully reclaim the area from Ukrainian control.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin to the White House on Wednesday for the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration, using the occasion to accuse Ireland of benefiting unfairly from U.S. trade policies.
NASA is set to launch a SpaceX rocket from Florida on Wednesday, sending a replacement crew to the International Space Station (ISS) while preparing to bring home two U.S. astronauts stranded in space for nine months after Boeing’s Starliner faced technical issues.
Ireland has committed €15 million ($16.3 million) to Brazil's Amazon Fund over the next three years, aiming to support efforts to combat deforestation in the world's largest tropical rainforest.
The world’s leading banking climate coalition is reassessing its membership rules following the departure of major banks and slower-than-expected progress on climate goals, its chair told Reuters.
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