KROwnership & classification
Founded: 1953
Ownership
The Korea Herald is a Seoul-based English-language daily founded in August 1953 (originating from the government-linked Korean Information Service paper The Korean Republic) and published by Herald Corporation. In December 2002 businessman Hong Jung-wook acquired the then-distressed Herald Corporation and chaired it for years; in 2019 the group was sold to Jungheung Group, a large South Korean construction conglomerate, which now controls Herald Corporation and The Korea Herald.
Funding
It is a commercial outlet funded by advertising, subscriptions/circulation, events and its parent's other media and education businesses; it is no longer government-funded as it was in its 1950s origins.
Affiliation & stance
Today The Korea Herald is a privately owned, broadly centrist English-language daily; at the 2019 sale the buyer publicly pledged to preserve editorial independence. Although its distant origins were a state-information paper, it is now owned by a private corporate group (Jungheung) with no party or government control, so it is classed INDEPENDENT (CENTER lean, consistent with the site's guess).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 746
86/100
Factual
82/100
Objective
1119
Articles
1085
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
An Se-young captures 2nd career badminton world title
South Korean badminton player An Se-young won her second world title at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi, defeating Japan's Akane Yamaguchi in straight sets. This victory follows her first world title in 2023 and her Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games. An had previously been eliminated in the semifinals at the 2024 worlds but returned stronger this time, going undefeated in her six matches. She also extended her winning streak against Yamaguchi to six matches and improved her head-to-head record to 20-15. The win makes An the only South Korean singles player with a world title. Meanwhile, South Korea's Baek Hana and Lee So-hee won their first women's doubles world title in over three decades, marking a significant achievement for the country.
‘The Odyssey’ Imax run could end sooner than fans think
The Korea Herald reports that Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' is facing potential early removal from Imax screens in South Korea due to the country's screen quota system. The film, which was shot entirely with Imax cameras, has seen significant demand, particularly at CGV Yongsan, the largest Imax screen in Asia. As of Friday, the Imax screen at CGV Yongsan had already used 35 days of its required 73-day quota for Korean films, leaving only 38 days. With upcoming major releases like 'Dune: Part Three' and 'Avengers: Doomsday,' local media suggest 'The Odyssey' may stay in theaters for only about two more months. Industry supporters call for reforming the quota system to count Korean film screenings across entire theaters rather than individual screens, while some experts warn this change could negatively impact access to specialized screens for Korean films.
South Korean women's badminton doubles team captures world title
South Korean women's badminton doubles players Baek Hana and Lee So-hee won the world title at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi, defeating the Chinese pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning in straight sets. This victory marks South Korea's first success in this event in over 28 years, with the duo becoming only the second South Korean pair to achieve this feat. Their win follows a dominant performance where they took control early and maintained momentum throughout the match. Meanwhile, the men's doubles team failed to defend their title, and the women's singles final features top-ranked players An Se-young and Akane Yamaguchi.
Alcoholic beverage output falls to 27-year low
South Korea's alcoholic beverage production reached a 27-year low in 2025, with total output falling just below 2.99 million kiloliters. This marks the first time since 1998 that production has dipped below 3 million kiloliters. Beer shipments declined by 7.2% to 1.52 million kiloliters, while soju and takju saw continued drops, reaching 793,000 and 318,000 kiloliters respectively. The decline reflects broader shifts in consumer behavior, including increased health awareness, an aging population, and reduced social drinking habits. The industry is responding by promoting non-alcoholic and low-alcohol alternatives, as well as diverse flavored products.
New Chungju mayor embraces city's viral promotion playbook, in costume
Lee Dong-seok, the newly elected mayor of Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, has continued the city's trend of using unconventional social media strategies to promote local attractions. In a video where he dresses as a fictional character from the movie 'Wild Sing,' Lee lip-syncs to a song and promotes Chungju's charm, echoing the style of his predecessor's popular 'Chungju Man' campaign. The video, part of a series, includes previous efforts promoting local products like peaches and sweet potatoes. While the approach has garnered attention and some criticism for being overly entertaining, it reflects the city's strategy to engage younger audiences and attract residents. The mayor emphasized goals of economic development and youth engagement during his inauguration.
Former Bongeunsa head monk Myeongjin dies in Jeju diving accident
Ven. Myeongjin, a former head monk of Bongeunsa temple in Seoul and a reform advocate within South Korea's largest Buddhist order, died in a diving accident off Jeju Island. He was found floating near Haye Port and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Police determined he was freediving and found no evidence of foul play, opting against an autopsy. Myeongjin, who faced government surveillance during the Lee Myung-bak administration and was expelled from the Jogye Order in 2017, had fought for his reinstatement. His career included criticizing religious leadership and advocating for national apologies related to the Vietnam War.
US metal band Demon Hunter sues Netflix over 'KPop Demon Hunters' trademark
An American Christian metal band named Demon Hunter has filed a lawsuit against Netflix and AEG Presents, alleging trademark infringement due to the streaming platform's animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters.' The band claims that the film's title and associated live tour have caused consumer confusion, suggesting a connection between the film and the band. Demon Hunter, formed in 2000, holds trademarks for live entertainment services and recently sought protection for their recorded music and merchandise. The film 'KPop Demon Hunters' has been highly successful, becoming Netflix's most-watched movie with over 325 million views and winning Academy Awards for best animated feature and best original song. Netflix and AEG Presents have announced plans for a global concert tour inspired by the film, though specific details remain unannounced.
Netmarble chief to buy W374b Tencent stake to tighten control
Netmarble Chairman Bang Jun-hyuk has agreed to purchase 11.15 million shares from Han River Investment, a Tencent-affiliated entity, for 374 billion won ($270 million). This transaction will increase Bang's ownership stake in Netmarble from 24.93% to 38.34%, significantly reducing Han River Investment's holding to 4.69%. The move aims to eliminate potential selling pressure from Tencent-related shares and strengthen Bang's control. The deal, valued at a block-trade discount, is set to close on September 21. Netmarble stated the acquisition does not impact its ongoing collaboration with Tencent, which began in 2014. The transaction is a direct shareholder agreement, meaning Netmarble will not receive any proceeds.
BOK expected to raise S. Korea's 2026 growth estimate to over 3%: experts
Economic experts in South Korea anticipate that the Bank of Korea (BOK) will increase its growth forecast for 2026 from 2.6% to above 3%, citing robust semiconductor exports, government spending, and recovering domestic demand. A survey of six analysts by Yonhap News Agency suggests estimates range from 3.1% to 3.4%, with Nomura Securities projecting the highest at 3.4%. Analysts note the ongoing semiconductor boom and potential for continued growth through 2027, though some warn of possible market saturation. While most expect the BOK to revise the account surplus estimate upwards, there is cautious optimism due to recent declines in chip exports.
N. Korea to send more troops to Russia, but deployment not imminent: Seoul
South Korea's Defense Intelligence Agency reported that North Korea is preparing for a potential additional troop deployment to Russia, though no immediate action has been observed. The agency noted ongoing preparations within the North Korean military but emphasized there are no signs of an imminent deployment. This assessment comes amid speculation fueled by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's claims that North Korea planned to send over 30,000 troops to Russia, which Pyongyang has denied. The DIA estimated that more than 16,000 troops have already been deployed to Russia since October 2024, with significant casualties, and that North Korea has provided over 15 million rounds of artillery shells and various weapons systems, including short-range ballistic missiles. The agency also suggested that North Korean missiles may have improved in accuracy due to battlefield experiences and possible Russian technical assistance.
Police officer under arrest for prematurely closing missing person cases in Jeju
A police officer in Jeju Island, South Korea, has been placed under emergency arrest for allegedly closing missing person cases prematurely without verifying the individuals' safety. The officer is suspected of dereliction of duty, falsifying electronic records, and obstructing official duties through deception. This came to light after the body of a missing man was discovered, revealing that the officer had closed his case before confirming his status. The officer claimed to have spoken with the missing woman, Jang Mi-ran, but no call records were found. Authorities have launched a full-scale search for Jang, who has been missing for over three months. The National Office of Investigation and Prime Minister Han Seong-sook have emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the incident and measures to prevent similar occurrences.
South Korea sends first container ship through Arctic route
South Korea has launched its first trial voyage of a container ship through the Arctic shipping route, aiming to test the viability of this new trade path amid disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict. The 'PanStar Acro' ship, equipped for polar navigation, is traveling from Busan to Europe via the Arctic, potentially reducing travel distance by around 7,000 kilometers compared to traditional routes through the Suez Canal. This move comes after China's 'Dubai Tower' also took the Arctic route earlier this month. Experts suggest the Arctic route could become a more common alternative to Middle Eastern shipping lanes due to geopolitical tensions and technological advancements. However, there are concerns that using the route might involve Russian services, potentially violating Western sanctions against Russia.
Myanmar military strike kills 14 people at a Buddhist monastery, opposition group says
An airstrike by Myanmar's military on a Buddhist monastery in Sagaing Region killed 14 people participating in a meditation retreat, according to an opposition group and a local resident. The attack occurred in Swel Le Oh village, approximately 75 kilometers west of Mandalay, and reportedly involved two bombs dropped 15 minutes apart. At least 20 others were injured in the incident. This follows a pattern of frequent aerial strikes by the military targeting both armed pro-democracy forces and ethnic armed groups, which have resulted in numerous civilian casualties. The military has previously claimed it only attacks legitimate wartime targets, while opposition groups accuse them of targeting civilians. The attack coincides with ongoing conflict in Myanmar since the military coup in February 2021, and the UN-established Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar noted a significant increase in aerial attacks prior to and after recent elections.