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1. The South Korean government granted special presidential pardons Monday on the occasion of the Liberation Day anniversary tomorrow. A total of 2-thousand-176 people, including business tycoons such as Park Chan-koo, honorary chairman of Kumho Petrochemical Group, were given special pardons that will legally take effect at the beginning of Tuesday.

2. The U.S. State Department said Sunday that top diplomats of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan will hold discussions virtually on Monday evening. U.S. President Joe Biden is set to host a trilateral summit among leaders of the three nations at Camp David on August 18th.

3. At least 93 people have died from the wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, according to an August 12th update from the County of Maui, making it the U.S.’ deadliest wildfire outbreak in more than a century. Officials said Saturday night that canine teams have been able to scout only three percent of the disaster zone.

1. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters said Friday that South Korea had suffered a total of 361 cases of facility and flooding damage nationwide from Typhoon Khanun. A total of 15-thousand-862 people were evacuated due to the typhoon and 9-thousand-741 of them have returned to their homes so far.

2. The United Nations Security Council will meet publicly to discuss human rights abuses in North Korea next week, a move requested by South Korea, the U.S., and Japan. It will be the first formal public meeting on the issue since 2017.

3. Iran may free five detained U.S. citizens as part of a deal under which 6 billion U.S. dollars of Iranian assets in South Korea would be unfrozen. Iran's mission to the United Nations said the U.S. would release some Iranians from U.S. prisons as part of the deal.

1. The Korea Meteorological Administration said Typhoon Khanun made landfall on South Korea Thursday morning and is slowly moving north. The typhoon caused flooding and facility damage, and forced cancellations of 450 flights, 161 KTX high-speed trains, and closures of more than 490 roads and 178 sea routes nationwide.

2. U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed an executive order that will prohibit some U.S. investment in sensitive technology in China. South Korea said Thursday that the latest ban is expected to have only a limited impact on South Korean companies.

3. North's state media said Thursday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for bolstering war preparations in an "offensive" manner. Kim made the remarks while presiding over an enlarged meeting of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea the previous day.

1. The Korea Meteorological Administration said Wednesday that about 140 flights in South Korea were grounded on Jeju Island due to the approaching Typhoon Khanun. All passenger boat services from and to the island were also suspended.

2. South Korea’s Justice Ministry convened on Wednesday to begin a review of candidates for special pardons given by President Yoon Suk Yeol in time for Liberation day. A number of people that were convicted for bribery connected to the Park Geun-hye administration are speculated to be considered.

3. Belarus began military exercises Monday near its border with Poland and Lithuania, increasing tensions. Both NATO nations have said they are braced for provocations from Moscow and Minsk, while Poland sent additional troops to the border with Belarus on Tuesday.

1. South Korea’s culture ministry said Tuesday that the K-pop concert and closing ceremony for the 25th World Scout Jamboree will be held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Friday. The announcement came after about 36-thousand Jamboree participants left Saemangeum and relocated to new accommodations nationwide.

2. The Korea Meteorological Administration said Tuesday that typhoon Khanun is expected to make landfall on South Korea’s southern coast this week. Following nationwide heatwaves, the typhoon will put the entire country under its influence and dump heavy rains nationwide.

3. The Japanese government said Monday that they’re considering releasing wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean as early as late August. The specific date is expected to be determined after the trilateral summit between South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

1. The World Organization of the Scout Movement said Monday that an early departure will be planned for all participants in the 25th World Scout Jamboree due to inclement weather. The scouts are expected to leave the campsite in Saemangeum sequentially from Tuesday morning.

2. The South Korean police announced that they are investigating 187 online murder threats posted nationwide as of 7 AM, Monday, amid concerns of copycat crimes following a recent stabbing rampage in Seoul. 59 people are reportedly arrested in connection with posting such threats, of which 34 are minors.

3. Pope Francis announced on Sunday that South Korea’s capital Seoul will host the 2027 World Youth Day. World Youth Day brings together young Catholics from around the world in celebration of their faith.

1. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo presided over an extraordinary Cabinet meeting on Friday to approve the spending of reserve government funds to protect participants of the 25th World Scout Jamboree from the scorching heat wave. President Yoon Suk Yeol finalized the spending of 6-point-9 billion won or 5.2 million USD.

2. Former special counsel Park Young-soo was arrested late Thursday over corruption allegations connected to a high-profile property development scandal. Park is suspected of taking 800 million won or 610-thousand USD from private developers.

3. The United Nations Command said Thursday that North Korea has “responded” to efforts by the Command to discuss American soldier Travis King, who crossed into North Korea last month and is believed to be detained by Pyongyang.

1. Former special counsel Park Young-soo attended a court hearing on Thursday to determine whether to issue an arrest warrant for him over corruption allegations connected to a high-profile property development scandal.

2. Global financial stocks slumped on Wednesday, while U.S. 10 year Treasury yields ticked up, after Fitch Ratings downgraded the United States’ credit rating one notch from AAA to AA+ on Tuesday.

3. South Korea’s weather agency said Thursday that high temperatures climbed to 33 to 38 degrees Celsius nationwide. Lawmakers from both main parties called on the government to seek safety measures for participants at the 25th World Scout Jamboree.

1. Cho Hee-yeon, superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said Wednesday that starting next month parents in Seoul will be required to make a reservation before meeting or talking by phone with teachers to prevent teacher harassment by parents. The education office will also launch a pilot project to install camera monitored waiting rooms at some schools.

2. According to data from Statistics Korea on Wednesday, South Korea’s consumer price growth slowed for the sixth straight month in July to the lowest level in 25 months on the back of lower oil prices. Consumer prices rose 2-point-3 percent in July from a year earlier.

3. Intense heat continued to take over South Korea on Wednesday, sending daytime temperatures as high as 36 degrees Celsius. The weather agency reported that the heat warning remains at the highest level of “serious.” The 25th World Scout Jamboree, currently being held amid heat wave concerns, reported 400 cases of heat related illnesses.

1. According to the South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyundong, the upcoming trilateral summit between the leaders of S. Korea. U.S. and Japan at Camp David will serve as an opportunity for the leaders to have a casual meet up. The meeting will likely address a range of security and economic agenda, and whether or not the three countries will hold the trilateral summit on a regular basis.

2. South Korea's trade balance continued to stay in the black for the second straight month in July. According to data by the Industry Ministry on Tuesday, this is mainly because of rising auto exports and falling raw material prices.

3. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to eradicate “cartels” with vested interest in the construction industry, citing them as a reason behind poor construction practices. The pledge follows revelations that not enough reinforcing rods were used in building underground parking lots at apartment complexes nationwide.