South Korea in January 2026: the most important developments in society
South Korea in January 2026 saw several fires and a bus strike alongside social and demographic news. A fire broke out in Guryong Village in Seoul's Gangnam district on 16 January. Wildfires burned in Gwangyang, which was 80% contained on its second day, and in Busan, where firefighters battled the blaze for a second day on 22 January. Seoul bus drivers went on strike on 12 January, and the two-day walkout ended on 14 January, with service resuming on Thursday.
The government said on 20 January it would send students to 32 medical schools outside Seoul, with a 10-year commitment from graduates. On 28 January South Korea reported its fastest rise in births in 18 years amid a surge in marriages. Seoul saw fewer residents leaving and a net inflow of young adults. Nearly all Seoul students use generative AI, and President Lee said on 29 January that the country needs to prepare for polarization resulting from an AI-driven society.
Other items included a plan for each Seoul resident to cut one bag of trash, Radio Free Asia's decision to resume North Korea content, and the first case of foot-and-mouth disease of 2026, reported in Incheon on 31 January.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
Click a day in the chart above for that day's brief.