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1. A powerful 6-point-8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco on Friday night. It’s state TV reported that more than 2,100 people are confirmed dead as of Monday, and rescuers warn the toll is expected to rise. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was the strongest to hit the region around the ancient city of Marrakech in a century.

2. According to a South Korean government official, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un departed for Vladivostok to take part in summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

3. Several ruling party sources said Sunday that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is likely to replace three to four ministers, including defense and gender equality ministers, as early as this week. The announcement comes as President Yoon makes efforts to keep his policy momentum going in preparation for general elections slated for next April.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Indonesian President Joko Widodo agreed Friday to strengthen their countries’ security and economic partnership. President Yoon also said Friday that he is looking forward to his second G20 summit which will take place in New Delhi, India this weekend.

2. North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency, said Friday that North Korea has launched a newly built “tactical nuclear attack submarine” capable of carrying out an underwater nuclear attack. The submarine’s launching ceremony was held Wednesday, ahead of the country’s 75th founding anniversary.

3. South Korea’s current account was in the black in July for the third consecutive month. According to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Friday, the country’s current account surplus reached 3-point-58 billion U.S. dollars in July as imports dropped more than exports.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday attended the East Asia Summit which brought together the ASEAN bloc, China, the U.S. and others in Jakarta, Indonesia. Meanwhile on Thursday President Yoon and China’s Premier Li Qiang began talks on the sidelines.

2. The Korea Communications Commission announced Thursday that it will conduct an inspection of the fact-check systems of KBS, MBC, and JTBC in connection with the fake news reporting that caused controversy during the last presidential election. This inspection may expand to other broadcasters or broadcasting outlets if deemed necessary.

3. Samsung Electronics has not been included in the European Union’s new set of regulations designed to rein in the dominance of Big Tech companies. The European Commission announced on Wednesday that six multinational tech companies have been designated as so-called “gatekeepers” that must abide by strict rules under the bloc’s Digital Markets Act.

1. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday attended a South Korea-ASEAN summit in Jakarta to check on the current state of practical cooperation between the two sides. The same day, he will attend an ASEAN Plus Three summit involving the 10 member states, along with South Korea, Japan, and China.

2. The Japanese government has requested discussions with China regarding Beijing’s recent ban of all seafood imports from Japan, based on the provisions of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The Japanese foreign ministry also said on Monday that it submitted a counterargument to the World Trade Organization against China’s measures.

3. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Education, the September mock exam of the 2024 College Scholastic Ability Test, known as “{수능}suneung,” began nationwide on Wednesday. Wednesday’s mock evaluation is the only evaluation left before the actual CSAT, after the government announced its policy of excluding “killer questions.”

1. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday departed for Indonesia to attend annual summits involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) before traveling to India for a summit with leaders of the G20 major economies.

2. The U.S. ambassador in Seoul said Tuesday that North Korea and Russia appear to have sought closer military ties. The New York Times also reported that Kim Jong-un may travel to Russia next week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss a possible arms deal.

3. The Bank of Korea reported Tuesday that South Korea’s economy grew at a slightly faster pace in the second quarter of this year than three months earlier, despite a slump in exports. The country’s GDP, a key measure of economic growth, increased 0-point-6 percent on quarter in the April-June period.

1. School teachers held a demonstration in Seoul on Monday following the recent suicide of fellow teachers and to call for measures to prevent such tragedies. Some 30 elementary schools nationwide designated Monday a temporary holiday as too many teachers wanted to take a day off for the collective action, called "Public Education Stoppage Day."

2. The South Korean government on Monday introduced an all-encompassing support strategy that aims to diversify export items, markets, and strengthen the existing infrastructure. The measure comes as South Korea saw 11 consecutive months of declining exports, lasting from October 2022 to August 2023.

3. In a written interview with the Associated Press published Monday, South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol said he will urge world leaders to faithfully enforce U.N. sanctions on North Korea and deter the country’s illicit activities to fund its weapons program when he attends the ASEAN and G20 summits this week.

1. The final regular session of the 21st National Assembly began Friday afternoon to end on December 9th. The session will include the annual parliamentary inspection and interpellation along with a review of next year’s budget proposal. This regular session is the last such meeting ahead of April’s general election.

2. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Friday that the nation’s exports fell for the 11th consecutive month in August, mainly due to weak demand for semiconductors. Meanwhile, the country reported a trade surplus for the third straight month.

3. South Korea’s foreign ministry said Friday that the government has imposed unilateral sanctions on a North Korean company and five individuals involved in illicit financing for Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile development programs. North Korea’s {류경}Ryukyong Program Development and its chief were among those newly added to Seoul’s sanction list.

2. According to data from Statistics Korea, South Korea’s industrial output, retail sales, and facility investment all fell in July by point-seven percent from a month earlier. The three indicators lost ground at the same time for the first time since January.

3. South Korea’s military said Thursday that North Korea had fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, in apparent protest against combined military drills between South Korea and the U.S. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected the launches from an area around Sunan in Pyongyang late Wednesday night.

1. South Korea will lower the infectious disease level of COVID-19 to the lowest Level 4, the same as the influenza. The measure takes effect on August 31st. Following the transition, the rapid antigen test and PCR tests conducted at doctor’s offices will become paid services.

2. A revision of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act which eases restrictions on the gifts prices that can be provided to public officials will be enforced starting Wednesday. According to the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission on Tuesday, the price ceiling for the law will be raised to 300-thousand won, or roughly 227 U.S. dollars, from 200-thousand won.

3. According to Russian state news agency TASS on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to visit China in October, in time for the Belt and Road Forum. This would mark the first time Putin leaves Russia since the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest on alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

1. North Korea’s state-run KCNA reported Tuesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for bolstering naval forces. Kim visited the country’s navy command Sunday ahead of Navy Day, and stressed the navy should become a component of the country’s nuclear deterrence.

2. South Korea announced Tuesday its plan to seek a 656-point-9 trillion won, or roughly 495 billion U.S. dollar, budget for 2024. This is a 2-point-8 percent increase from the amount allocated for this year, and marks the lowest on-year rise since 2005 amid declining tax revenue and economic uncertainties.

3. The Korea Meteorological Administration said Tuesday that rain is expected nationwide until Wednesday as three typhoons are on course to pass waters near China and Japan. While the typhoons are expected to have no direct influence on the peninsula, their proximity may bring heavy rainstorms.