In March 2025, a massive wildfire devastated 99,289 hectares across five cities including Togat Village in Andong, Gyeongbuk.
Local youth group ‘Localgraphy May’ supported residents through government-backed recovery, documentation, and community programs.
Interaction between youth and villagers revitalized the community, with ongoing exhibitions and records planned for 2026.
The authority for direct investigations by prosecutors will be transferred to the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, while the Public Prosecution Office will focus on indictment and case maintenance.
The new agency will investigate nine major crimes including corruption, economic offenses, public officials, elections, defense projects, major disasters, drugs, national security, and cybercrime, with related bills open for public comment from January 12 to 26, 2024.
Key reforms include preventing abuse of prosecutorial powers, strengthening political neutrality, and ensuring organizational flexibility.
The disability pension in Korea will rise to a maximum of 439,700 KRW per month in 2026, with the basic amount increased by 7,190 KRW to 349,700 KRW.
The government is launching the ‘First Step Job Guarantee Center’ for unemployed youth and investing 576.2 billion KRW to supply 7,820 hydrogen vehicles.
Additional measures include preventing no-show losses, expanding home care medical centers, supporting workplace safety, and extending VAT payment deadlines for small businesses.
From 2026, the maximum monthly disability pension will increase to 439,700 KRW, and youth job support programs will expand.
The government will invest 576.2 billion KRW to supply 7,820 hydrogen vehicles, while strengthening industrial accident prevention and small business support.
Measures such as avian influenza control and a new intergovernmental vaccine task force will enhance public safety and welfare.
From January 2024, National Pension and Basic Pension payments have increased by 2.1%, with income standard limits to be raised from July.
Approximately 7.52 million National Pension recipients and 7.79 million Basic Pension recipients will receive the increased amounts.
The special rule for income standard determination is extended for three years, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare will revise related notices sequentially.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Science and ICT will operate a permanent R&D budget council starting this year.
Of the total 2024 R&D budget of KRW 35.5 trillion, 85.3% (KRW 30.5 trillion) is allocated to major R&D projects.
Both ministries aim to improve expertise and fiscal efficiency by expanding cooperation in the budget allocation process.