South Korea

1. Science and tech28 Oct

   South Korea fines Google and Apple over app store payment practices

   South Korea's media regulator fined Google 42.9 billion won and Apple 20.8 billion won over how their app stores handle payments. They must let Korean developers use outside payment links.

   Background fact, details

   Background fact: South Korea's capital is Seoul and its currency is the won

   Details

   South Korea's media regulator, the Korea Media and Communications Commission, on 28 October 2026 fined Google 42.9 billion won and Apple 20.8 billion won, about 63.7 billion won in total, over app store payment practices. The two firms must let Korean developers use external payment links in their apps and improve their app review procedures.

   • Korea Media and Communications Commission imposed the fines on 28 October 2026
   • Google fined 42.9 billion won; Apple fined about 20.8 billion won
   • Combined fine about 63.7 billion won (about USD 47.6 million per Korea Times; dollar figures vary by outlet)
   • Firms ordered to allow external payment links and improve app review

   New to this? NGT, SEBI, CCPA, NCLT: are they courts or offices? 4 min
2. International19 Apr

   South Korean President Lee Jae-myung makes state visit to India

   South Korean President Lee Jae-myung visited India from 19 to 21 April 2026. The two countries set a USD 50 billion trade target for 2030, and South Korea joined the International Solar Alliance and India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.

   Exam angle, details

   Exam angle: Seoul is South Korea's capital; India-Korea CEPA since 2010; IPOI announced by Modi in 2019.

   Details

   South Korean President Lee Jae-myung made a state visit to India on 19-21 April, with talks with Modi on 20 April. The two sides announced a Joint Strategic Vision for 2026-2030, a goal of USD 50 billion trade by 2030 with an upgraded CEPA, and Korea joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the International Solar Alliance.

   • Visit 19-21 April 2026; bilateral talks on 20 April
   • Joint Strategic Vision for the Special Strategic Partnership, 2026-2030
   • Aim to raise trade to USD 50 billion by 2030 with an upgraded CEPA
   • South Korea joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA)
   • A new ministerial Industrial Cooperation Committee created; several MoUs on shipbuilding, ports, science and technology and more

   New to this? Exports, imports, tariffs and trade deals: what is India actually agreeing to? 5 min

Sources

Sources

1. The Korea Times
2. Seoul Economic Daily
3. The Korea Herald
4. The Wire
5. All India Radio
6. The Statesman

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