Dec 2024 – Former President Yoon Suk Yeol declares a brief martial‑law decree, a move later judged an illegal attempt to seize power and cited in multiple court cases [1].

2025 – Exports of K‑pop albums surpass US$300 million, reaching US$301.7 million and marking a 3.4 % rise year‑over‑year, underscoring the sector’s global demand [4].

Jan 8, 2026 – The KOSPI closes at a fresh record of 4,552.37, extending a five‑day rally as investors favor heavy‑industry and defense stocks despite profit‑taking pressures [6].

Jan 8, 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung says his recent China visit “has cemented a foundation for fully restoring relations with Beijing,” signaling a diplomatic push to normalise ties [6].

Jan 8, 2026 – The Defense Counterintelligence Command is slated for dismantling after investigators link the unit to Yoon’s 2024 martial‑law bid, marking a major institutional reform [6].

Jan 8, 2026 – Seoul Central District Court schedules an arrest‑warrant hearing for MBK Partners chairman Kim Byung‑ju and three executives over alleged Homeplus fraud, reflecting heightened corporate‑governance scrutiny [6].

Jan 8, 2026 – The Supreme Court upholds lower‑court rulings that strip two Democratic Party lawmakers of seats for under‑reporting assets in the April 2024 election, tightening enforcement of election‑law violations [6].

Jan 8, 2026 – Cambodian authorities extradite Prince Group chairman Chen Zhi to China after South Korean sanctions over kidnapping‑linked online job scams, illustrating expanding regional cooperation against transnational crime [6].

Jan 16, 2026 – Former President Yoon Suk Yeol receives a five‑year prison term for obstruction tied to his December 2024 martial‑law declaration, the first sentencing on those charges [5].

Jan 16, 2026 – A city bus crashes near Seodaemun Station, seriously injuring two and lightly injuring eleven others, prompting a police investigation into the cause [5].

Jan 16, 2026 – A fire in Seoul’s Guryong shantytown displaces about 200 residents; the blaze is contained with no reported casualties [5].

Jan 16, 2026 – The KOSPI closes at a record 4,840.74, extending an 11‑day gain streak driven by semiconductor shares while the won weakens against the dollar [5].

Jan 16, 2026 – The unification and foreign ministries launch a regular vice‑ministerial consultative channel to coordinate North‑Korea policy, aiming for more coherent diplomatic engagement [5].

Jan 16, 2026 – President Lee convenes a bipartisan luncheon with ruling DP, opposition PPP and five minor parties to seek cross‑party cooperation on state affairs amid political tension [4].

Jan 16, 2026 – Seoul stocks open above 4,800 at 4,807.36, marking the 11th consecutive session of gains and reinforcing market optimism [4].

Jan 16, 2026 – North Korea prepares large‑scale youth events for the 80th anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League, a showcase ahead of a key party congress later in the year [4].

Jan 22, 2026 – The KOSPI briefly spikes above 5,000 intraday before closing at 4,952.53, propelled by an AI‑driven semiconductor rally that highlights market sensitivity to tech demand [3].

Jan 22, 2026 – Seoul city conditionally approves BTS’s comeback show in Gwanghwamun Square for March, pending compliance with safety standards, signaling cultural confidence post‑pandemic [3].

Jan 22, 2026 – South Korea enacts the AI Basic Act, the world’s first comprehensive AI regulatory framework, taking effect to curb misinformation and other AI‑related risks [3].

Jan 22, 2026 – Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young vows to resume inter‑Korean exchanges through mutually beneficial, multilateral projects, indicating a shift toward engagement [3].

Jan 22, 2026 – An opposition lawmaker urges diplomatic action to repatriate two North Korean POWs held in Ukraine, calling for a special envoy to Kyiv [3].

Feb 19, 2026 – A Seoul court sentences ex‑President Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment for leading the 2024 insurrection; prosecutors had sought the death penalty, underscoring the severity of the case [2].

Feb 19, 2026 – The KOSPI climbs to an all‑time high of 5,677.25, up 3.09 %, driven by semiconductor and AI optimism, while the won continues to weaken [2].

Feb 19, 2026 – President Lee calls for harsher sanctions on covert price‑collusion schemes in commodities such as sugar, flour, school uniforms and housing, linking the effort to broader home‑price controls [2].

Feb 19, 2026 – Naver Pay restores full service around 4:30 p.m. after a midday outage that blocked reward‑balance checks and payments, stabilising the mobile‑payment market [2].

Feb 20, 2026 – The KOSPI reaches a record 5,803.53, up 2.31 %, reflecting investor optimism about upcoming pro‑business measures despite a weakening won [1].

Feb 20, 2026 – Former President Yoon apologizes for the hardship caused by his brief martial‑law decree, stating it “aimed solely to protect the nation,” a rare admission following his life‑sentence [1].

Feb 20, 2026 – Presidential spokesperson Kim Nam‑joon resigns to contest the Incheon Gyeyang‑B district seat in the June 2026 local elections, highlighting the political fallout from recent scandals [1].

Feb 20, 2026 – President Lee pledges intensified R&D support for scientists and engineers at a KAIST commencement ceremony, aiming to reinforce research foundations amid rapid technological change [1].

June 2026 (planned) – Local elections will include the Incheon Gyeyang‑B district race in which former spokesperson Kim Nam‑joon runs, potentially reshaping the ruling party’s parliamentary strength [1].

March 2026 (planned) – BTS’s comeback concert in Gwanghwamun Square proceeds pending safety compliance, marking a high‑profile cultural event in the capital [3].

Later 2026 (planned) – North Korea’s party congress follows the youth‑league anniversary celebrations, a key political milestone that may influence inter‑Korean relations [4].