People pose in a pampas grass field at Daejeo Ecological Park in Busan on Sept. 10.YONHAP
Happy Thursday! Here are the stories you need to know in Korea.
In today's news, we look into why people move to the right on Korean escalators, with the left lane open for those looking to surge ahead of the pack at speed.
In other stories, we check out the Spotify pop-up in Seoul, touting unique experiences for music fans. Meanwhile, counterfeit K-beauty items are appearing online in a bid to cash in on the lucrative market.
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Today's top story
KOREA
Stand right, walk left: Can Korea's unwritten escalator rule ever be changed?
On escalators all around Korea, stationary lines form on the right while the left remains open for those hurrying past. It's a familiar scene in a country where commuters routinely jostle past one another during rush hour.
No sign told them to stand on the right. Korean law does not, either. In fact, the Elevator Safety Management Act requires passengers not to walk or run on moving escalators — precisely the activity for which the left side was being kept clear. The law carries no separate penalty for violating that provision and says nothing about which side passengers should occupy.
Still, the stand-right, walk-left convention operates as one of Korea's most consistently observed unwritten rules.
Drink Diplo's tea, try Riize's snacks at Spotify's 'Best Place to Be a Fan'
The four-day Seoul event pairs live performances with interactive rooms and personalized fan experiences featuring artists including Riize, Diplo and Dynamicduo.
49 foreign diplomats in Korea escaped prosecution in last 5 years: Data
Government data show dozens of foreign diplomats avoided prosecution over five years under diplomatic immunity, with allegations including theft, assault and sexual violence.
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Westinghouse stake emerges as new but potentially risky option in Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation talks
Seoul is considering a joint venture with U.S. nuclear giant Westinghouse to build eight U.S. reactors, which would advance Korea's export goals but also could bring substantial risk. Read more
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Korean Air color and logo, Asiana name: Mix seen on jet as merger nears
An Asiana Airbus A321 now wears Korean Air’s light-blue livery as the carriers move toward their Dec. 17 integration. Read more
![Caption: 이재명 대통령과 트럼프 대통령 (뉴욕=연합뉴스) 한상균 기자 = 유엔 총회 참석차 미국을 방문 중인 이재명 대통령이 22일(현지시간) 뉴욕 한 호텔에서 도널드 트럼프 미국 대통령과 정상회담을 하고 있다. 2026.9.23 [공동취재 제공. 재판매 및 DB 금지] xyz@yna.co.kr/2026-09-23 11:20:41/](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12911213.jpg?imageId=12911213&panox=0.00&panoy=0.00&panow=100.00&panoh=100.00&heightx=0.00&heighty=0.00&heightw=100.00&heighth=100.00&width=960&height=720&format=webp&format=jpg)
