Reader's Digest: presidential palace, teachers’ authority, and military service exemptions for BTS

Editor's Note

Our apologies for the late publication of this week’s newsletter. The reason for the delay was an internet outage that affected our editorial process.

Last week, we saw the consumer price growth data for August raise hopes that inflation may have reached its peak in Korea, and the historically low ratings for President Yoon Suk-yeol rebound while the ruling party is still in disarray after the suspension of their former chair. Meanwhile, people flocked to South Korea’s largest-ever art market that brought together a combined 350 galleries from around the world and which, according to some, even outshone the LA and NY art markets. We hope everyone has been enjoying the summery weather while it lasted - we are back to a more extreme climate, with the potentially most destructive typhoon in decades expected to hit the country on Tuesday. Read on to see what else caught the KOMMON members’ attention in the news last week.

Reader's Digest

Yoon likely to move into new residence early next month

(The Korea Herald)

After much controversy – which KOMMON covered here – President Yoon Suk-yeol is finally set to move into a newly designed presidential palace. Since his inauguration, Yoon has been commuting from his apartment in the swanky Acrovista (아크로비스타) apartment complex in southern Seoul.

Viral video of student misbehaving rekindles debate on teachers’ authority in Korea

(The Hankyoreh)

Cell phone videos captured in a South Chungcheong Province (충청남도) school is making headlines for depicting students flagrantly misbehaving. One video depicts a shirtless male student watching TikTok videos in class, while another shows a student laying down in front of the class while an educator attempts to teach.

Exhibit of disabled artists' works launches project to turn Cheong Wa Dae into art center

(Yonhap News)

With President Yoon no longer living at the Blue House (청와대) the old compound has been turned into a cultural space open to the public. Through September 19, an exhibition of artwork created by artists with physical disabilities will be on display.

The Best and Worst Moments of the 2022 MTV VMAs

(Variety)

K-pop girl group BLACKPINK found great success at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, both performing and also receiving awards. However, U.S.-based publication Variety got into hot water for alleging that BLACKPINK was caught lip-syncing during their performance, although fans dispute the allegations.

Covid test no longer required to fly into Korea

(Korea JoongAng Daily)

The Korean government has finally lifted the pre-arrival Covid-19 test requirement for inbound travelers. This applies to Koreans and non-Koreans, regardless of vaccination status. Everyone must still get a PCR test within 24 h following of landing, however, which Korean nationals and long-term foreign residents can do for free at their local public health center, and short-term visitors for a fee at the airport Covid-19 testing sites or a local medical institute.

South Korean actor Yoo Joo-eun leaves heartbreaking note before her death at age 27

(Nextshark)

Sadly, news broke this week that actor Yoo Joo-eun (유주은) committed suicide. She was best known for roles in the dramas Big Forest (빅 포레스트) and Joseon Survival Period (조선생존기) in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Military service exemptions for BTS become political football

(The Korea Times)

The question whether the members of BTS should be exempted from mandatory military service has been on the table for some time now, and it seems with Jin, at 29 the group's oldest member, having to enlist before his upcoming birthday on Dec. 4 this year, a decision would be welcomed not just by fans. The Defense Ministry has decided to conduct a survey and stated it will take its results into consideration, as well as other factors including the national interest.