South Korea

Joongang Ilbo | English | News | Jan. 16, 2026 | Accidents

Muan International Airport violated Korean aviation safety regulations by maintaining a bird strike prevention zone limited to a 5-kilometer radius, less than half of the legally required 13 kilometers. This was revealed during an investigation into the Jeju Air crash on December 29, 2024, which killed 179 people. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport mandates that airports assess bird habitats and movement patterns within a 13-kilometer radius to properly manage bird strike risks, a requirement Muan Airport failed to meet.

Additionally, the engine model on the crashed Boeing 737-800 had been subject to five mandatory safety improvement directives between November 2020 and March 2024, including one urgent action. These Airworthiness Directives require inspections and repairs to address unsafe conditions. A parliamentary special committee investigating the crash plans to conduct briefings, on-site inspections, and hearings with witnesses and victims’ families before issuing a final report by late January 2026.

The localizer, a navigational aid at Muan Airport, also came under scrutiny for exacerbating the crash impact. Initially deemed compliant with regulations by the transport ministry, it was later found to fail safety standards. Simulations suggested that replacing the concrete embankment housing the localizer with a frangible structure could have prevented serious injuries. The Jeju Air aircraft belly-landed, struck the localizer’s concrete embankment, and exploded, marking the deadliest air accident in Korean history.

Hankyoreh - E | English | News | Jan. 16, 2026 | Shifting Geopolitical Alliances

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met during a summit in Nara, Japan, where they committed to advancing future-oriented cooperation to strengthen bilateral relations, promote peace on the Korean Peninsula, and enhance regional stability. Both leaders acknowledged the complexities in their relationship but emphasized the potential for finding common ground and building a better future through collaboration.

The summit marked progress on historical issues, with both countries agreeing to conduct joint DNA testing to verify the identities of victims from the 1942 Chosei coal mine disaster, which involved the forced mobilization of Korean workers by Japan during its occupation. President Lee described this as a meaningful step forward on sensitive historical matters.

In addition to historical and diplomatic efforts, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and pledged to maintain close coordination on North Korea policy. Discussions also covered broader regional and global issues, underscoring the importance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the United States for regional peace and stability.

Prime Minister Takaichi expressed appreciation for South Korea’s support regarding the immediate resolution of the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea. The summit also included in-depth talks on supply chain cooperation. The meeting began with a small group of advisors before expanding to more officials, concluding with a joint statement and a banquet held later that evening.

쿠팡 '탈팡' 현실화됐나…정보유출 후 일평균 매출 7% '뚝'

Hankyung | Local Language | News | Jan. 16, 2026 | Cyber Attacks and Data Loss

Following a large-scale personal information leak at Coupang on November 20, 2025, the company experienced a confirmed decline in sales, reflecting the "Talpang" phenomenon where consumers withdraw from the platform. An analysis of payment data from November to December showed that average daily sales dropped by 7.11%, from about 78.7 billion won before the leak to 73.1 billion won afterward, representing a daily reduction of approximately 5.6 billion won.

This sales decline occurred despite December being the peak season for the distribution industry. Typically, year-end sales rise due to gift demand and events; however, Coupang's daily average sales in December fell by 5.16% compared to November, eliminating the usual "year-end special" effect. This contrasts sharply with Coupang's previously strong growth, as the company reported 21% year-on-year revenue growth in Q4 2024, reaching $8 billion in quarterly revenue.

Lawmaker Cha Gyu-geun attributed the drop to a loss of customer trust following the personal information leak and the company's inadequate response, which he said triggered collective consumer resistance. He called for urgent institutional measures to treat personal information protection as essential for business survival, advocating for the introduction of class-action litigation and punitive damages to hold companies accountable for negligence in such cases.