Over the past five years, there have been a total of 4,112 traffic accidents due to road icing.
Accidents are particularly concentrated in December and January, with more occurring on clear days.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety emphasized maintaining a safe distance on icy roads during winter.
The 2026 Korea Grand Sale opened on the 17th and will run until February 22 next year.
This event features participation from over 1,750 companies across various sectors including airlines, accommodation, and shopping.
Various experience programs and up to 96% discount benefits are offered for foreign tourists.
The Ministry of Industry has set regional economic growth as its top priority for next year and selected ‘5 Poles 3 Special Growth Engines’ industries for focused support.
By 2030, they plan to increase the number of AI factories nationwide to 500 and establish 15 AI leading models and 13 AI demonstration industrial complexes.
The ministry has set three policy directions for next year: regional economic growth, advanced manufacturing AI transformation, and maximizing national interests with new trade strategies.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will focus on fostering 10,000 youth local startups, supporting small business vouchers, and creating regional growth funds starting next year.
With the vision of restoring the growth ladder for SMEs, ventures, and small businesses, the ministry will pursue four major tasks and shift policies towards growth promotion and performance.
The ministry plans to concentrate policy resources in regions through expanded regional allocation and dedicated budgets, and establish regional innovation ecosystems through inter-ministerial collaboration.
The Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment plans to amend relevant laws and establish a special law to promote agricultural solar power, aiming to supply 100GW of renewable energy by 2030.
They will establish the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand and the 2040 Coal Power Transition Roadmap to promote decarbonized energy transition.
The ministry reported next year’s major work plan to realize a decarbonized civilization in Korea.
The Ministry of Personnel Management announced the conversion of the 9th grade civil service exam to the Public Service Aptitude Test (PSAT) and the establishment of an early promotion system for the 5th grade.
Regular inspections of high-ranking officials’ stock sales and blind trusts will be conducted, and the disciplinary period for stalking and pornography distribution will be extended to 10 years.
Personnel management will be reformed to focus on competency and performance from recruitment to position management, evaluation, and rewards.