1992 – Kim Ki‑hoon wins South Korea’s first Winter Olympic gold in the men’s 1,000‑metre short‑track event, marking a historic sports milestone [7].

1994 – Director Chang Sun‑woo’s film “Hwaeomgyeong” receives the Alfred Bauer Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival, highlighting Korean cinema on the world stage [7].

1998 – The G‑7 pledges US$1 billion in aid to help South Korea recover from the Asian financial crisis, underscoring early international support for the economy [7].

2006 – South and North Korean Red Cross officials resume bilateral talks, a rare diplomatic engagement despite broader inter‑Korean stalemate [7].

2008 – Korean courts fine Lone Star Funds and Korea Exchange Bank 25 billion won each for stock‑manipulation related to KEB’s 2003 credit‑card takeover, reflecting heightened regulatory enforcement [7].

2013 – Samsung founder Lee Kun‑hee wins inheritance lawsuits worth over 4 trillion won, a landmark legal victory shaping corporate succession [7].

2018 – The September 19, 2018 inter‑Korean military pact creates a no‑fly zone (15 km east, 10 km west of the DMZ) to curb aerial incidents and build confidence [4][5][6].

2020 – A chartered plane evacuates 333 South Korean citizens from Wuhan amid the COVID‑19 outbreak, demonstrating rapid emergency response [7].

2023 – North Korea formally scraps the 2018 no‑fly‑zone agreement after a South Korean spy‑satellite launch, ending the pact’s legal basis [8].

June 2024 – The Yoon Suk‑yeol administration suspends the 2018 inter‑Korean pact, citing North Korean balloon campaigns and a disputed spy‑satellite launch as security provocations [8][9].

June 2025 – President Lee Jae‑Myung assumes office, pledges to restore the suspended no‑fly zone and “highly appreciates” Seoul’s effort to curb civilian drone incursions [8][9].

Dec 7‑8 2025 – Judges nationwide convene to discuss judicial reform bills, while the presidential office backs a special insurrection‑court division despite constitutional concerns [19][20].

Dec 19 2025 – President Lee urges “preemptive and proactive steps” to ease hostilities with the North and build trust, speaking at a foreign‑affairs and unification briefing [18]; U.S. FK commander Gen. Xavier Brunson warns the DMZ “should not be politicized” [18]; the new Public Growth Fund (₩150 trillion) targets AI, chips and batteries [18].

Dec 20 2025 – The government announces plans to ease sanctions on North Korea and promote Wonsan‑Kalma tourism, while Lee stresses the unification ministry’s role in building trust and cites North Korea’s “triple fences” [17]; officials hint the ICO ban could be lifted as early as next year [17].

Dec 23 2025 – The ruling Democratic Party pushes through the Information and Communications Network Act amid misuse concerns, advances an insurrection‑tribunal bill, and backs an anti‑fake‑news measure, sparking debate over civil liberties [16].

Jan 1 2026 – Editorials argue Seoul can no longer rely on a simple U.S.–China balance, warn of “America First” diplomacy, note a bribery probe into the ruling party, and highlight K‑culture exports surpassing ₩200 trillion [15].

Jan 3 2026 – President Lee reiterates the One‑China policy, proposes an annual summit with Xi, and raises China’s ban on Korean content and a Yellow Sea structure as agenda items for the upcoming Lee‑Xi meeting [14]; AI reshapes the job market while labor rules stay unchanged [14]; KOSPI opens at 4,309 points [14].

Jan 20 2026 – The government prepares legislation to protect roughly 8.7 million gig workers; Lee labels a civilian drone flight into North Korea “an act to start war” [13]; tax incentives of up to 40 % target growth‑fund investors [13].

Jan 23 2026 – President Lee calls for public backing of a five‑hub regional growth plan and three special self‑governing provinces during a Ulsan town hall [12]; three civilians involved in alleged drone flights receive travel bans [12]; a raid targets special counsel Min Joong‑ki’s office over a bribery probe [12].

Feb 5 2026 – President Lee meets young scientists to discuss expanding alternative military service options, signaling a possible overhaul of conscription [10]; Prime Minister Kim orders a probe into abuse at a disability facility [10]; South Korea assumes the chair of the FORGE critical‑minerals initiative through June 2026 [10]; Defense Minister Ahn discusses submarine cooperation with Canada [10]; KRX chief forecasts the KOSPI could exceed 6,000 with 24‑hour trading [10].

Feb 18 2026 – Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young announces a review to reinstate the 2018 no‑fly zone, citing recent civilian drone incursions and pledging tougher penalties and amendments to the Inter‑Korean Relations Act [4][5][6]; the move reflects President Lee’s security stance ahead of a ruling‑party congress [4].

Feb 19 2026 – The Defense Ministry says it will restore the no‑fly zone while preserving military readiness, consulting the United States on UAV and satellite alternatives [8][9]; North Korea’s Kim Yo‑jong says she “highly appreciates” Seoul’s pledge to prevent further drone incursions [8][9]; the ninth Korea‑EU High‑Level Dialogue occurs, with EU Deputy Secretary‑General Olof Skoog promising “active support” for Seoul’s peace agenda [3]; Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Eui‑hye discusses expanding security and digital cooperation with the EU [3].

Feb 20 2026 – Unification Minister Chung meets EU Deputy Secretary‑General Olof Skoog, formally requesting European backing for South Korea’s peace initiatives and the no‑fly‑zone restoration [2]; Chung expresses regret over civilian drones sent north, describing the flights as a violation of North Korean sovereignty [2].

Feb 24 2026 – Yonhap’s compiled headlines show Democratic Party newcomers prioritize livelihoods over ideology, Lee Jae‑Myung’s fan group splits from Kim Eo‑jun, local‑election tension rises over the North Chungcheong‑Daejeon merger, South Korea upgrades ties with Brazil to a strategic partnership, and economic reports note 92 % of middle‑schoolers fail a reading‑speed test while memory‑semiconductor output leads globally [1].