Seoul: The Kyobo Book Center, known as Kyobo Mungo, opened its doors in the Kyobo Building located in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, in 1981, establishing itself as the largest and most renowned bookstore in South Korea. Today, the Kyobo Book Center boasts a total of 10 stores scattered across the country.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a military transportation plane crash in 1982 near Seongnam, just south of Seoul, resulted in the tragic loss of 53 soldiers. The following years saw significant developments in South Korea, including the successful testing of water flow through the restored Cheonggye Stream in 2005. The stream, which is 5.8 kilometers long and flows through downtown Seoul, had been covered with concrete for roads in 1948, after the country's liberation from Japan. The restoration project, initiated by then Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak in 2003, aimed to remove the elevated highway and revive the stream.
In 2012, South Korea and Mongolia took a step towards enhancing their bilateral relations by signing an agreement to streamline the visa process for each other's citizens. This agreement was aimed at boosting people-to-people exchanges and fostering economic cooperation. Meanwhile, in 2016, South Korean firms affected by the shutdown of a joint industrial complex in North Korea voiced dissatisfaction with government support measures, expressing that the provided aid was insufficient to cover their financial losses.
In the realm of sports, South Korean footballer Ki Sung-yueng marked a milestone in 2018 by appearing in his 100th international match during a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Held at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, the match saw Ki becoming the 10th South Korean to join the Century Club by FIFA's count, where he joined ranks with notable players like Cha Bum-kun and Hong Myung-bo, both of whom have 136 caps.
The year 2019 witnessed a significant legal development when the Ukrainian captain of a cruise ship was formally arrested following an arrest warrant issued by a Hungarian court. The warrant was related to a deadly collision that resulted in the deaths of 25 South Koreans, with one individual still missing.
Lastly, in 2022, South Koreans participated in nationwide local elections to elect mayors, governors, local council members, and regional education chiefs. The elections were significant for the newly inaugurated government of President Yoon Suk Yeol, as they could impact its ability to advance its agenda. The ruling People Power Party secured victories in 12 out of 17 key races for big city mayors and provincial governors, including Seoul, while the main opposition Democratic Party claimed five key races, particularly in its stronghold of the Jeolla provinces.