Seoul: The Kyobo Book Center, South Korea's largest and most renowned bookstore, opened its doors in 1981 in the Kyobo Building located in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul. Since its inception, the bookstore has expanded to boast ten stores nationwide, serving as a cultural landmark for book enthusiasts in the country.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the following year, in 1982, South Korea faced a tragic incident when a military transportation plane crashed near Seongnam, just south of Seoul, resulting in the deaths of fifty-three soldiers. This event marked one of the significant aviation tragedies in the nation's history.
In 2005, efforts to restore the Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul were successfully tested. The 5.8-kilometer stream, which had been covered with concrete for roads in 1948, was part of a restoration project initiated in July 2003 by then Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak. This project involved removing the elevated highway to bring back the natural flow of the creek through downtown Seoul.
The year 2012 saw South Korea and Mongolia signing an agreement aimed at simplifying the visa process for each other's citizens, intending to enhance people-to-people exchanges and strengthen economic ties.
In 2016, South Korean companies affected by the prolonged closure of a joint industrial complex in North Korea voiced dissatisfaction with the government's support measures. They argued that the partial aid provided was insufficient to cover their financial losses.
In sports, 2018 marked a significant milestone for South Korean footballer Ki Sung-yueng, who appeared in his 100th international match during a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina. This achievement made him the 10th South Korean to enter the Century Club by FIFA's count, joining the ranks of players like Cha Bum-kun and Hong Myung-bo.
The year 2019 witnessed a legal development when the Ukrainian captain of a cruise ship was formally arrested following a Hungarian court's issuance of an arrest warrant. This was in connection with a deadly collision that resulted in the deaths of 25 South Koreans, with one person still missing.
In a significant political event in 2022, South Koreans participated in nationwide local elections to elect mayors, governors, local council members, and regional education chiefs. The ruling People Power Party secured victories in 12 out of 17 key races for big city mayors and provincial governors, including Seoul. Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party won five key races, predominantly in the Jeolla provinces, which is considered its stronghold. These elections were crucial for determining the potential of President Yoon Suk Yeol's newly inaugurated government to effectively implement its agenda.