Natural Heritage: South Korea designated two fossil finds as natural monuments: a Boseong ornithopod dinosaur skeleton (with an internationally recognized “Korea” scientific name) and a Yeosu pig-nosed turtle fossil, highlighting rare evidence of past life on the peninsula. Climate & Health: Korea’s winter may turn milder despite a sudden cold snap, with El Niño conditions expected to persist—an important reminder as the country also grapples with heat impacts and shifting seasonal risks. Marine Life Under Pressure: A new study warns Japanese flying squid in the East Sea are spawning in warming waters, but larvae are hitting record-low levels, pointing to a recruitment crisis that standard fisheries data may miss. Seoul Water & Heat Resilience: With Seoul facing extreme heat conditions and heat-related ER visits, the city’s cooling-and-safety response is back in focus for residents and visitors. Energy Transition Watch: Hyundai Steel broke ground on a $5.8B U.S. electric arc furnace mill, but construction is paused pending an air permit review—showing how environmental approvals can shape timelines for low-carbon industrial projects. Local Environment Events: Seoul plans a Han River cleanup festival for Resource Circulation Day and is running upcycling events to give discarded items second lives.