South Korea does not legally allow same-sex marriages or civil partnerships, but the census, which takes place every five years, offers an opportunity for greater recognition and visibility of the LGBT community in data, which is used to influence domestic policy.

A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea across the rivals' heavily fortified border on Sunday, South Korea's military said. The military took the custody of the soldier who crossed the central portion of the land border,

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Monday the country will devote a "larger-than-expected budget" in defence and aerospace research until 2030 as it seeks to build the world's fourth-largest defence industry.