South Korea
2,513 stories
Korea to apply zero tariffs on LNG, LPG under quota scheme to tackle inflation
Korea plans to apply zero tariff rates on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) within quotas in the second half of 2026 as the country seeks to tame inflation amid lingering global energy price volatility, the finance ministry said Thursday. The Ministry of Finance and Economy said tariff rates on LNG, LPG and crude oil used for the production of LPG will be lowered to zero in the second half, noting the measure is expected to help stabilize consumer prices by lowering utility and transportation costs. The government earlier planned to lower tariff rates on LNG to 2 percent in the third quarter and 1 percent in the fourth quarter while dropping those on LPG and crude used for LPG production to 1 percent in the second half. "We conduct commissioned research every year on whether the tariff-rate quota system puts downward pressure on consumer prices, and the findings consistently show that it has had such an effect in the energy sector," a ministry official said. Korea's consumer prices rose 3.1 percent in May from a year earlier amid global energy price volatility
18 Jun 2026
Lee posts Trump selfie, reveals golf invitation
President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday that US President Donald Trump proposed playing golf together and gave him his signing pen during their meetings at the Group of Seven summit in France. Posting on X while returning from his trip to Europe, Lee shared a selfie with Trump and a photo of the pen, saying the two leaders discussed South Korea-US relations and peace on the Korean Peninsula. “I had a deep conversation with President Trump for 90 minutes about peace on the Korean Peninsula and Sout
18 Jun 2026
Korean universities rise in QS rankings as internationalization, graduates' reputation improve
Korea's universities have climbed in world rankings, backed by improvement in internationalization and graduates' reputation with employers. But they still lag behind Asia's top performers due to weak academic reputation and research impact, a global ranking agency said. Korea saw 43 universities place in the QS World University Rankings 2027, with four in the global top 100 and seven in the top 200. Their improvement was reflected in rising numbers, with 53 percent of the universities reaching higher rankings than the previous assessment and only 18 percent falling. This marks the third-best net improvement in Asia behind Hong Kong and mainland China, where 78 percent and 72 percent of schools showed rises in the rankings. Among Korean schools, Seoul National University (SNU) topped the national rankings, placing 38th globally, followed by Yonsei University at 42nd and Korea University at 52nd. The dominance of the three universities, known in Korea as “SKY,” remained intact but the gap is narrowing. While SNU held steady in the global top 50, Yonsei University and Korea University h
17 Jun 2026
Pentagon renames Indo-Pacific Command back to Pacific Command
The US Defense Department has renamed US Indo-Pacific Command back to US Pacific Command (USPACOM), saying that restoring the legacy USPACOM designation honors the Hawaii-headquartered command's deep historical roots. In a release posted on the command's website on Tuesday, the Pentagon announced the name change, a little over eight years after the command was renamed the Indo-Pacific Command -- a change that came as Washington recognized the growing strategic importance of both the Indian and P
17 Jun 2026
Korea, Yonsei universities hit record highs as gap narrows in QS global rankings
The gap between South Korea’s top three universities narrowed in the latest QS World University Rankings, with Yonsei University and Korea University reaching their highest-ever positions, according to the 2027 report released by Quacquarelli Symonds. Seoul National University, the country’s highest-ranked institution, retained its global position at No. 38, remaining within the top 50, according to the global higher education analytics firm. Yonsei University climbed from No. 50 last year to No
17 Jun 2026
Court issues arrest warrants for ex-Shincheonji officials over suspected ties to PPP
A Seoul court on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for three former senior officials of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a nonmainstream religious sect, over suspicions they forced followers to join the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) between 2021 and 2024. The hearings for Goh Dong-ahn, former No. 2 leader of Shincheonji, and two other former officials took place at the Seoul Central District Court earlier in the day after a joint prosecution and police team filed for their arrest warrants Friday. The court granted the warrants following the hearing, citing concerns that the suspects could destroy evidence and flee. The three are accused of violating the Political Parties Act that bans forcing people to join or quit political parties. The former officials are suspected of forcing Shincheonji members to join the PPP to influence the results of the party's primaries held between 2021 and 2024 ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections at the time. South Korea held a presidential election in 2022 and parliamentary elections in 2024. The joint investigation team believes that
17 Jun 2026
KHNP selects candidate sites for new nuclear reactors
The state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) said Wednesday it has picked candidate sites to host two new nuclear reactors to be built by 2038. Yeongdeok, about 349 kilometers southeast of Seoul, was selected as the candidate site for two nuclear plants with a total of 2.8GW capacity, and Gijang, Busan's northeastern county, was picked as the site to host a 0.7GW-generating small nuclear modular reactor (SMR). The move came as the government confirmed plans to build two large-scale nuclear reactors between 2037 and 2038. Reversing an earlier stance opposing the construction of new nuclear power plants, the government decided earlier this year to stick to the country's plan to build additional nuclear reactors, citing growing power demand driven by the growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) sector and the need to increase the use of clean energy. The two candidate cities have shown interest in hosting the new nuclear reactors, according to the nuclear power operator.
17 Jun 2026
2 Koreas, not external actors, should lead peninsular issues: unification minister
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Wednesday that South and North Korea, not outside powers, should lead in resolving security issues on the Korean Peninsula. "The leading players on Korean Peninsula issues are South and North Korea. That is the constant," Chung said at the fourth meeting of the ministry's peace advisory council held at the Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue. "Other countries are only variables," Chung said, "But they have come to override the constant. That is a tragedy."
17 Jun 2026
Trump vows to play role in advancing Korean Peninsula issues: Seoul official
US President Donald Trump expressed his commitment to playing a role in advancing Korean Peninsula issues while speaking with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Group of Seven (G7) summit, a senior presidential official said Wednesday. Trump made such a pledge while exchanging remarks with Lee, who sat next to him during an official G7 dinner the previous day, according to Oh Hyun-joo, third deputy national security adviser. "President Trump expressed a strong will to play a necessary r
17 Jun 2026
KHNP picks Yeongdeok, Gijang for new nuclear projects
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power announced Wednesday that the sites selected for two new large-scale nuclear reactors and one small modular reactor are Yeongdeok in North Gyeongsang Province and Gijang in Busan, respectively. The decision was made following a comprehensive review by a site selection committee composed of external experts. The committee evaluated candidate locations in Yeongdeok and Ulju, Ulsan, which had bid to host the large-scale reactors, as well as Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Prov
17 Jun 2026
Defense ministry to redraw Civilian Control Line near inter-Korean border
The Ministry of National Defense unveiled Wednesday a sweeping overhaul of military facility regulations, including plans to redraw the Civilian Control Line and release portions of military protection zones near border areas. The measures are expected to ease or remove restrictions across approximately 720 square kilometers, an area roughly 240 times the size of Yeouido, Seoul’s main financial district. The move reflects changes in the security environment, including a shrinking pool of military conscripts and advances in weapons systems, according to the ministry. Announcing the plan, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back described the initiative as a major overhaul of a long-standing regulatory framework. “Today, the defense ministry seeks to present a milestone that changes the paradigm of military facility regulations maintained for decades,” Ahn said. He added that regulatory reform had become “an inevitable choice” to respond to changing security conditions and allow the military to focus on its core missions. At the center of the plan is a proposed adjustment of the Civilian Con
17 Jun 2026
Seoul mayor faces 18-month prison request over campaign polls
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon faced a request for an 18-month prison sentence Wednesday over allegations that he illegally arranged for a supporter to pay for opinion polls during his 2021 mayoral campaign. The request was made by a special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki during Oh’s final hearing at the Seoul Central District Court. The team also sought forfeiture of 33 million won ($22,000). Oh is accused of instructing Kim Han-jung, a supporter, to pay for opinion polls conducted by political broke
17 Jun 2026
Korea unveils plan to transform regional universities into tech hubs
d Korea’s push to rebalance growth beyond the capital region took a major step forward Wednesday as the government unveiled a plan to select three flagship national universities for intensive support, aiming to transform them into regional powerhouses tied directly to strategic industries and artificial intelligence (AI). The Ministry of Education said that it finalized its 2026 package support university selection plan during an interagency meeting at Government Complex Sejong. The initiative is part of the government’s “10 Seoul National Universities” strategy, which seeks to strengthen flagship national universities as hubs linking industry, academia, research institutions and local governments. Under the plan, three universities will be chosen this year for concentrated support across undergraduate education, graduate programs and research institutes connected to regional growth engines and AI development. The ministry said the selected universities, together with partner institutions participating in a regional university-sharing system, are expected to receive roughly 100 bi
17 Jun 2026
PPP urges dismissal of Seoul police chief over senior police official's alleged violence against lawmaker's aide
The floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Wednesday called for the immediate dismissal of the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA), accusing a senior police official of using physical force against a legislative aide earlier this week. "The head of the SMPA's security division committed violence by twisting the arm of a National Assembly aide and grabbed him by the neck during a lawmakers' visit," PPP floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig said at a general meeting of the party's lawmakers. "President Lee Jae Myung must immediately dismiss the SMPA chief and the head of its security division," he added. On Tuesday, an apparent scuffle broke out as PPP lawmakers visited the SMPA to protest remarks by Park Jeong-bo, the agency's chief, who warned that demonstrators protesting the ballot shortages reported during the June 3 local elections could face serious consequences if they "take part in illegal activities and are found to be accomplices." A video posted online by a PPP lawmaker showing the brief scuffle involving the senior police official and the aide d
17 Jun 2026
Ballot shortage issue fuels PPP infighting
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) is descending into open infighting over how far to push its challenge to the local elections after ballot shortages in several key electorates caused disruptions to voting, with PPP Chairman Jang Dong-hyeok facing mounting calls to step down and accusations that he is using the controversy to prolong his own political career. At the center of the dispute is the leadership’s decision to lodge election complaints seeking partial revotes in seven constituencies where ballot papers ran out for the June 3 elections, followed by Jang’s move to escalate a demand for a nationwide rerun. Senior party members such as Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and floor leader Rep. Jeong Jeom-sig have dismissed Jang’s remarks, saying they are his own personal stance rather than a party position. Jang made a social media post Tuesday, writing, “The goal is clear. A nationwide rerun. The petitions are only the beginning.” Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Oh — who himself scraped through to win the Seoul mayoral race by a narrow margin — said Jang’s leaders
17 Jun 2026
Shinsegae official questioned over Starbucks Korea's 'Tank Day' promotion
Police said Wednesday they were questioning the head of Shinsegae Group's audit team over allegations that its affiliate Starbucks Korea insulted victims of the 1980 pro-democracy movement in Gwangju with its controversial marketing campaign. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency called in Yang Jong-hwan to question the results of the group's weeklong internal inspection of the incident in May. Starbucks Korea, operated by E-Mart Inc., launched an online "Tank Day" promotion on May 18, the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy movement. The coffee franchise launched a discount event for "Tank" tumbler sets, along with the controversial phrase, "Put it on the table with a sound of 'Tak!'" The promotional event drew criticism, as the word "tank" evoked memories of the military violently clamping down on pro-democracy protesters. The word "Tak" also sparked backlash, as it reminded people of student activist Park Jong-cheol, who died in 1987 after being tortured. Announcing the results of the internal probe last month, Shinsegae Group said it found no evidence backing allegations that
17 Jun 2026
Defense ministry to redraw Civilian Control Line near border
The Ministry of National Defense unveiled Wednesday a sweeping overhaul of military facility regulations, including plans to redraw the Civilian Control Line and release portions of military protection zones near border areas. The measures are expected to ease or remove restrictions across approximately 720 square kilometers, an area roughly 240 times the size of Yeouido, Seoul’s main financial district. The move reflects changes in the security environment, including a shrinking pool of military conscripts and advances in weapons systems, according to the ministry. Announcing the plan, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back described the initiative as a major overhaul of a long-standing regulatory framework. “Today, the defense ministry seeks to present a milestone that changes the paradigm of military facility regulations maintained for decades,” Ahn said. He added that regulatory reform had become “an inevitable choice” to respond to changing security conditions and allow the military to focus on its core missions. At the center of the plan is a proposed adjustment of the Civilian Con
17 Jun 2026
18-month prison term sought for Seoul mayor on charges of accepting illegal funds
A special counsel team on Wednesday sought an 18-month prison term for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on charges of accepting illegal political funds in connection with opinion polls he received ahead of the mayoral by-election in 2021. The team of special counsel Min Joong-ki also sought a forfeiture of 33 million won ($21,800) at the Seoul Central District Court after indicting Oh in December on charges of violating the Political Funds Act. Oh is suspected of having his political supporter, Kim Han-jung, make payments for opinion poll results he received on 10 occasions from self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the by-election in April 2021, which he won. "Despite being in a position to follow the Political Funds Act more than anyone else as a prominent politician, Mayor Oh undermined the legislative purpose of ensuring transparency of political funds by making a third person pay for costs of opinion polls closely related to political activities without following legal procedures," the team said. The team also sought a one-year prison term for Kim, Oh's supporter, and former Se
17 Jun 2026
Springtime in Pyongyang: Inside the DPRK’s post-pandemic reality
By Hyungwon Kang While much of the world focuses on the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Korean War — which began in 1950 — remains quietly unresolved. Held in check only by a fragile 73-year-old armistice, millions on both sides of the Demilitarized Zone continue to live under a perpetual state of war. As a bilingual, Korean-born North American photojournalist, I have spent decades documenting this divided peninsula. After more than three years of negotiations following the publica
17 Jun 2026
Court holds arrest warrant hearings for ex-Shincheonji officials over suspected ties to PPP
A Seoul court on Wednesday held arrest warrant hearings for three former senior officials of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a nonmainstream religious sect, over suspicions they forced followers to join the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) between 2021 and 2024. The hearings for Goh Dong-ahn, former No. 2 leader of Shincheonji, and two other former officials took place at the Seoul Central District Court after a joint prosecution and police team filed for their arrest warrants Friday. The court is expected to have its decision as early as later Wednesday. The three are accused of violating the Political Parties Act that bans forcing people to join or quit political parties. The former officials are suspected of forcing Shincheonji members to join the PPP to influence the results of the party's primaries held between 2021 and 2024 ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections at the time. Korea held a presidential election in 2022 and parliamentary elections in 2024. The joint investigation team believes that more than 50,000 Shincheonji followers joined the PPP as a result. Th
17 Jun 2026
Court increases sentence for Korean husband who poured boiling water on Thai wife
A Korean man who intentionally poured boiling water on his Thai wife’s face, leaving her with severe burns, received a prison sentence longer than the term sought by prosecutors. Judge Kim Jun-young of the Uijeongbu District Court on Tuesday sentenced a Korean man in his 40s, identified only as “A,” to three and a half years in prison on charges of special bodily injury. A was indicted on charges of pouring boiling water from an electric kettle onto the face and neck of his Thai wife, who is in her 30s, while she was asleep at their apartment in Howon-dong on Dec. 3, 2025. He initially claimed that he tripped and spilled the water accidentally, but later admitted to the charge during the trial and appealed for leniency. “Deliberately pouring boiling water onto his sleeping wife’s face was a violent crime that would be difficult for an ordinary person to comprehend,” Judge Kim said in the ruling, adding that the victim had suffered “considerable physical and psychological trauma.” The court also pointed to the victim’s vulnerable circumstances at the time of the attack.
17 Jun 2026
Kookmin University to run master’s program jointly with International University Sports Federation
Kookmin University has signed an agreement with the International University Sports Federation (FISU) to jointly develop and operate a new master’s degree program in sports education, the school said Tuesday. The agreement was signed by Kookmin University President Jeong Seung-ryul and FISU Secretary General and CEO Matthias Remund at the university campus in northern Seoul on Monday. Kookmin University Foundation Chairman Kim Ji-yong and FISU Master Director Delise O’Meally also attended the signing ceremony. “This agreement marks a meaningful starting point that will expand the connection between international university sports and higher education, extending beyond a conventional institutional partnership,” Jeong said. “We expect the combination of Kookmin University’s educational capabilities and FISU’s global platform to create synergy in nurturing future leaders in the sports field.” After the ceremony, officials of the university’s College of Physical Education and the FISU held a working-level meeting to discuss how to launch and run the FISU master’s program. T
17 Jun 2026
US-Iran cease-fire raises new questions for Seoul
The US-Iran ceasefire agreement is set to ease economic pressure on South Korea, but observers say the deal could present Seoul with a new set of challenges ranging from military contributions to pressure to participate in a multibillion-dollar reconstruction initiative. US President Donald Trump said this week that the Strait of Hormuz would be "completely open" from Friday, as Washington and Tehran prepared to formally sign a ceasefire memorandum of understanding in Geneva. US officials have d
17 Jun 2026
Lee pitches Korea’s role in bolstering Canada’s security
President Lee Jae Myung pledged South Korea’s readiness to help strengthen Canada’s security capabilities during talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Seoul’s presidential office said on Wednesday. Lee met Carney on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Evian, France, where the two leaders agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in defense, security, energy and critical minerals, according to the presidential office. “Amid a reshaping of the global order, South Ko
17 Jun 2026
Unlike in France, Korea’s unions back higher retirement age. Why?
In many advanced economies, efforts to raise the retirement age have triggered fierce opposition from labor unions, as seen in France in recent years. In South Korea, the opposite is happening. The country's two largest labor federations have joined forces to demand a higher retirement age, arguing that workers face a growing income cliff between retirement and pension eligibility. The debate reflects the pressure facing the world's fastest-aging society: People are being pushed out of work befo
17 Jun 2026
Seoul to ease military restrictions near inter-Korean border
South Korea's land-use restrictions near the inter-Korean border are to be eased, opening up as much as 260 square kilometers for civilian use and development, the Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday. The move, which will ease restrictions in an area just under half the size of Seoul, is part of the Lee Jae Myung administration’s push for civil-military coexistence. Seoul is about 605 square kilometers. Under the plans, the Defense Ministry will ease military land-use restrictions near t
17 Jun 2026
Korean researchers develop blood and urine test for early colorectal cancer detection
A research team at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) has developed a plasmonics-based liquid biopsy platform capable of detecting cancer-related gene mutations in the blood and urine of patients with early-stage colorectal cancer, paving the way for less invasive cancer diagnosis, KIMS said Wednesday. The research team, led by Lee Min-young, senior researcher at the Advanced Bio and Healthcare Materials Research Division, and Park Sung-kyu, director of the Global Top Research Consortium, developed a new testing platform capable of detecting KRAS mutations, a key genetic driver of colorectal cancer, with very high sensitivity. To test the technology, the researchers analyzed tumor tissue as well as matching blood and urine samples from patients with stage 0 and stage 1 colorectal cancer. The results showed more than 90 percent agreement across the different sample types, suggesting that the method could serve as a reliable alternative to conventional tissue biopsies. The study builds on KIMS' earlier work detecting lung cancer-related gene mutations in blood samples. This t
17 Jun 2026
'I don’t make coins': Korean YouTuber Kwak Tube dragged into crypto debacle
South Korean YouTuber Kwak Tube suffered collateral damage in the fallout from a cryptocurrency crash after a Hong Kong-based project founder replaced his social media profile photo with an image of the creator. The confusion followed a hack targeting Humanity Protocol, a cryptocurrency project whose token recently lost more than 80 percent of its value, leaving investors facing heavy losses. As criticism mounted online, Humanity Protocol founder Terrence Kwok changed his profile picture to a ph
17 Jun 2026
Three 12-year-old boys sent to juvenile facility under rare emergency order
Three 12-year-old boys, who are exempt from criminal punishment because of their age, have been placed in a juvenile classification review center under rare emergency measures taken by law enforcement. Officials at Cheonan Dongnam Police Station said Wednesday that the boys are being held at the facility, which temporarily houses and assesses underage offenders before a court makes a decision on their case. The assessment can significantly affect the court’s decision. The three elementary school
17 Jun 2026
National data management standard, virtual asset income tax elimination
Proposed Bill: Framework Act on National Data Proposed by Rep. Jo Seoung-lae (Democratic Party of Korea) Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Software Promotion Act Proposed by Rep. Lee Jeong-heon (Democratic Party of Korea) Pending Bill: Partial Amendment to the Income Tax Act Proposed by Rep. Song Eon-seog (People Power Party) Promulgated Bill: Enforcement Rule of the Occupational Safety and Health Act Competent Authority: Ministry of Employment and Labor Administrative Announcement: Partia
17 Jun 2026
Lee asks Trump to lead peaceful resolution of North Korea issue during brief G7 meet
President Lee Jae Myung held a brief exchange with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit Tuesday, during which Lee asked Trump to help lead efforts toward a peaceful resolution of North Korean issues, according to the presidential office here. The two leaders spoke for about 30 seconds during a group photo session for participating leaders at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. According to a written briefing by Lee's spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, Trump initi
17 Jun 2026
Stock bonuses triple at Korea’s top companies
Stock-based compensation at Korea’s top listed companies more than tripled year-on-year in the first five months of the year, driven largely by major chipmakers and the growing use of restricted stock units, a report showed Wednesday. Executives and employees at Korea’s 100 largest companies by market capitalization received a combined 2.3 trillion won ($1.5 billion) in stock-based compensation between January and May, according to corporate tracker CEO Score. The amount was 3.3 times higher tha
17 Jun 2026
University of Seoul holds youth flag football championship
The University of Seoul and the Korea American Football Association (KAFA) co-hosted a flag football championship for youth and children at the university’s campus in northeastern Seoul, June 6. The university said the 2026 University of Seoul President’s Cup Youth and Children Flag Football Championship was organized to promote the development and popularization of flag football. “American football and flag football are sports that emphasize teamwork and collaboration,” said Won Yong-kul, president of the university. “I hope this championship will provide all participating young athletes with cherished memories and serve as an opportunity for them to take another step forward in their growth.” “With flag football having been adopted as an official sport for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, we expect significant growth potential for the sport in Korea as well. KAFA has set a goal of developing 1,000 flag football teams nationwide,” said KAFA Managing Director Hong Dong-hyuck. He added, “We ask the University of Seoul to continue supporting the establishment and expansion
17 Jun 2026
BHC chicken cooking class open to foreigners
Cook your own batch of BHC’s iconic sweet and salty Purinkle chicken. Seoul Gangdong Foreign Resident Center is inviting 25 people to join a cooking class with BHC, one of Korea’s most popular chicken franchises with more than 2,000 stores nationwide. Foreign residents of all ages who are interested in cooking Korean chicken are eligible to apply. Both children and adults can join. The class will be conducted in Korean, so participants are expected to understand the instructor’s directions. In t
17 Jun 2026
Transit card upgrade promises to take guesswork out of commuting
Commuters in Seoul are about to get a major upgrade to their wallets, courtesy of a bureaucratic marriage designed to eliminate transit card confusion. Starting July 1, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is merging its wildly popular, unlimited transit pass — the Climate Card — with the federal government’s nationwide discount program, "Modu Card" (also known as the K-Pass). The result is a turbocharged hybrid dubbed the "Climate Card Plus." For the past two years, local straphangers have been forced to play an exhausting game of transit math. Commuters had to weigh whether they traveled enough to justify Seoul’s fixed-rate unlimited card or if they were better off using the federal government's pay-as-you-go cashback system. The new "Plus" card solves this dilemma by introducing a touch of automated logic: It calculates your monthly journeys and automatically applies whichever billing method saves you more money. If your monthly transit bill stays below 62,000 won ($45), the card acts like a federal K-Pass, refunding a baseline of 20 percent of your expenses — and up to 53.3 pe
17 Jun 2026
Registration for free summer concert opens in Seoul
A mini summer concert is coming to Seoul for a dazzling summer night. “Dear Summer, Seoul” invites people to make unforgettable memories with friends, family and loved ones. The concert will be held July 3 at Assa Art Hall, near Magongnaru Station on Line No. 9. Registration is open to everyone who wants to enjoy performances ranging from NANTA to K-pop, hip-hop and rock. Tickets are free, but registration is required. Up to two tickets are available per registration, and seats will be offered o
17 Jun 2026
Dead fish washing up on Korea's east coast may be linked to tuna surge, warming seas
An unusual sequence of fish die-offs along South Korea's east coast is raising questions about whether one of the region's most productive fishing grounds is undergoing a significant ecological shift. Officials and local media said Wednesday that hundreds of fish, including mackerel and herring, were found dead along Yeongok Beach in Gangwon Province. Some carcasses were seen floating offshore before being pushed onto the sand by waves, leaving behind a strong odor and prompting complaints from
17 Jun 2026
Is it okay to click-clack keycap keychains in public?
What began as a popular stress-relief accessory is quickly becoming a source of frustration in subways, offices and other shared spaces. As keycap keychains gain popularity among younger people, complaints about their constant clicking and clacking are also growing. Keycap keychains are small keyboard-inspired gadgets that click when pressed. They come in various designs and provide tactile feedback and audible clicks, making them popular as stress-relief and fidget items. However, many people s
17 Jun 2026
Your soundproof car windows could trap you, new study finds
Automakers have increasingly turned to laminated acoustic glass to drown out highway noise and keep modern cabins whisper-quiet. While excellent for a peaceful commute, a new study by Korea's National Institute of Fire Service reveals that this luxury upgrade poses a hidden danger during an underwater emergency. The very material designed to protect you from exterior noise could trap you inside a sinking vehicle. The classic automotive survival playbook — grabbing the seat headrest and smashing the side window with its metal prongs — is dangerously outdated. The institute's survival simulations showed that on standard tempered glass, using a headrest prong is incredibly difficult because the car's rubber molding and window frame absorb the brunt of the impact. However, if you use a dedicated emergency tool like a rescue hammer or a spring-loaded punch, tempered glass shatters relatively easily, provided you avoid the center and aim repeatedly for the corners. If your vehicle is equipped with laminated acoustic glass, you are facing a literal brick wall. Because of a tough, plastic s
17 Jun 2026
PPP to file petitions challenging local election results
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) was set to file election petitions with the election watchdog Wednesday over a shortage of ballots reported during the June 3 local elections. The PPP is considering filing petitions in up to nine metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races, including in six regions where the shortage of ballots were initially reported, a party official told Yonhap News Agency. The PPP will hold a general meeting of its lawmakers at 2 p.m. to discuss details before filing the petitions. Under Article 219 of the Public Election Act, election petitions for the local elections must be filed within 14 days of the election date. If the National Election Commission accepts the petitions, a revote must be held within 30 days from the date the decision is notified. If rejected, the PPP could take the case to court. On Monday, PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok convened an emergency supreme council meeting and decided to file election petitions in six regions — Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Incheon, Ulsan, Busan and Gwangju-South Jeolla Province. The PPP is mulling adding three m
17 Jun 2026
Korea joins Europe in landmark joint review of biopharmaceuticals
In a milestone move toward cross-border regulatory alignment, Korea’s drug safety watchdog said Wednesday that it completed its first international joint review of a biopharmaceutical product alongside European and global regulators. The breakthrough is poised to substantially ease the regulatory bottleneck for multinational pharmaceutical companies seeking multimarket approvals. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said that its evaluation arm, the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, concluded a simultaneous scientific assessment under the "Opening our Procedures at EMA to Non-EU authorities" (OPEN) framework. Spearheaded by the European Medicines Agency, the initiative brought together regulatory experts from Korea, Switzerland and the World Health Organization to jointly review a changes-to-permits application for a recombinant biological medicine. Launched initially as a pilot in 2020 to accelerate the evaluation of COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines, the OPEN program operates by standardizing evaluation requirements across participating countries. Historically,
17 Jun 2026
New suicide prevention chief puts responsibility on state
Korea must treat suicide not as an individual failing but as a government responsibility, said Jung Yoon-soon, chairman of the state-run Korea Life Respect and Hope Foundation. In a recent interview with The Korea Times, Jung, who took office last month, pointed to the persistently high number of Korean people who take their own lives. The rate has consistently been higher than other OECD member countries since 2003, and Jung said that blaming individuals’ “personal problems” is not tenable. “This is not about a few people making bad choices,” Jung said. “It is a structural failure, and the government must take primary responsibility for fixing it.” According to official data, the 2024 suicide rate was 29.1 per 100,000 people, with 14,872 deaths — an average of 41 lives lost every day. Although preliminary figures for 2025 suggest a modest decline of around 6.5 percent, Jung cautioned against premature optimism. Fixing it requires a whole-of-government response, he noted. The suicide rate should be read not just as a mental health statistic but as a key indicator of how K
17 Jun 2026
Korea to deepen police ties with Thailand, Malaysia to combat transnational crime
Korea is ramping up law enforcement cooperation with Thailand and Malaysia to address cross-border syndicates involved in online scams, cyber gambling and illicit drug trafficking. The Korean National Police Agency said Wednesday that Park Jun-sung, director general of the International Bureau, met with foreign affairs officers from the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok. The bilateral talks aimed to fortify joint strategies against a "balloon effect," where criminal syndicates shift locations across national borders following localized law enforcement crackdowns. Both nations formalized plans to enhance operational collaboration. Key initiatives include tracking major fugitives, exchanging data on evolving criminal methodologies, ensuring the safety of overseas nationals and broadening Official Development Assistance programs in public safety. The meeting builds on reciprocal successes in high-profile extraditions. Law enforcement officials lauded the recent arrest and extradition of a Korean drug-trafficking suspect named Choi Byung-min, also known as the "Cheongdam CEO," from Thailand, alon
17 Jun 2026
Korean stroke expert elected to World Stroke Organization board
Professor Kim Beom-joon of the department of neurology at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital has been elected to the board of directors of the World Stroke Organization (WSO), marking an achievement for Korea’s stroke research community. According to Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Kim will serve on the WSO board as a representative of the Korean Stroke Society. His four-year term is scheduled to begin in October. "Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and reducing that burden depends on collaboration that crosses borders, disciplines, and health systems," Kim wrote on his LinkedIn posting. "I am grateful for the chance to contribute to that effort on a global stage and to help carry the voice of the Korean and Asia-Pacific stroke community into it." The WSO is the world’s largest international academic organization dedicated to stroke. It plays a leading role in establishing global standards across stroke prevention, treatment, research, education and health care policy. The organization’s board of directors serves as its
17 Jun 2026
Former Marines, special forces teachers volunteer for real-life 'Teach You a Lesson' team
Korea’s debate over classroom disruptions is so urgent that a vigilante-style Netflix drama is shaping policy, prompting Gyeonggi Province education superintendent-elect Ahn Min-seok to cite the series and emphasize the need to protect teachers' authority and students' right to learn. Ahn appeared on Korean broadcaster CBS Radio on Tuesday to discuss the hit series "Teach You a Lesson." Noting the Netflix series' popularity, Ahn said he met the minister of education Monday. "The minister told me he watched up to the fifth episode. I think it is time for the ministry to make a decision as well," Ahn said. The series centers on the fictional Korean Educational Rights Protection Bureau, but Ahn stressed its methods cannot be replicated. "The drama's bureau cannot exist in reality, and we must never use violent punishment," Ahn said. Instead, Ahn proposed creating a teacher protection agency to protect teachers and students. Ahn said he received messages from educators volunteering to become real-life versions of Na Hwa-jin, the drama's protagonist and the fictional bureau inspector played by
17 Jun 2026
Police to investigate woman over solo blockade of vote counting center entry
Police plan to investigate a woman who staged a solo blockade of a gymnasium used as a ballot-counting center for the June 3 local elections in southern Seoul, officials said Wednesday. The woman, whose identity was not immediately known, prevented sports officials from entering the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium on Tuesday by physically blocking the entrance after protesters, who have blocked access to the facility while demanding a re-run of the local elections on June 3, agreed to let them inside. Sports groups under the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee have been unable to access their offices inside the gymnasium since June 5, when the protesters began a blockade to prevent the removal of ballot boxes. The Seoul Songpa Police Station said it plans to investigate the woman who stood in front of one of the gymnasium's gates and refused to move until measures were taken for the preservation of ballots and ballot boxes inside. The sports officials ultimately withdrew from the scene after the solo blockade continued for about two hours. Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the main opposition People
17 Jun 2026
Netflix’s ‘Teach You a Lesson’ turns teachers’ rights into real policy debate
Newly elected Gyeonggi Provincial Education Superintendent Ahn Min-seok on Sunday called for a public debate on creating a teachers’ rights protection bureau, turning a fictional agency from Netflix’s hit drama “Teach You a Lesson” into a real-life policy proposal. The proposal has pushed the drama’s central question into the real world: whether schools need stronger institutional protection for teachers, or whether a punishment-centered approach risks further damaging the trust among teachers,
17 Jun 2026
Sejong University wins A+ rating in Seoul RISE Project evaluation
Sejong University has received an A+ rating, an excellent grade, in the first-year evaluation of the Seoul Regional Innovation System and Education (RISE) Project. The university said Tuesday that its RISE Project was highly recognized in the evaluation for its strong alignment between the Seoul RISE Project’s strategy and the school’s own implementation strategy. In addition, the university scored high marks for exceeding most of its performance goals compared with the targets through systematic performance management. The evaluation was the first official performance assessment conducted for 28 universities participating in the Seoul RISE Project. It was aimed at comprehensively reviewing the achievement of performance goals and the implementation processes of each university, while improving participants’ project management system and fostering collaborative outcomes between municipal authorities and universities. The Seoul RISE Project is a Seoul Metropolitan Government-supported program aimed at strengthening cooperation among universities, industries and communities. It seeks
17 Jun 2026
Is Korean office life really like K-dramas?
Have you ever wondered whether Korean workplaces are really like those shown in Korean TV dramas? Seoul Global Center is holding a free live webinar on Saturday to share the realities of Korean office culture. The Zoom lecture will walk participants through the complex positions and titles used in Korean companies, the formal and casual language native speakers use at work and the realities behind overtime and company dinners in Korea. Participants will also learn how to give a one-minute self-i
17 Jun 2026
Gov't to ease civilian-restricted inter-Korean border boundaries for wider public access
The defense ministry on Wednesday rolled out a plan to ease the boundaries of the military-controlled buffer zone along the inter-Korean border to allow wider civilian access and spur regional growth. The Civilian Control Line (CCL), a buffer zone that lies within 10 kilometers south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) that runs through the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas, will be reduced to an average of 6 km in distance, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said in a briefing. "The CCL was established to restrict civilian access and guarantee military operations, but there have been growing calls for a need to complement its actual control measures," Ahn said. "We have come up with an adjustment plan for the CCL to adapt to future security environments amid shrinking military manpower, while ensuring operational conditions," he said. The CCL was established in the wake of the 1950-53 Korean War to restrict public access and protect military installations along the heavily fortified inter-Korean border. It currently extends up to 7 km south of the MDL along the western front an
17 Jun 2026
Foreign tourist spending in S. Korea tops 2 tr won for 1st time in May
Monthly spending by foreign tourists in South Korea exceeded 2 trillion won ($1.32 billion) for the first time in May, data showed Wednesday. Credit card spending by inbound travelers reached 2.12 trillion won in May, up 67.1 percent from a year earlier, according to the data from the Korea Tourism Organization. The increase marks the fastest growth rate since 2023. Spending by Chinese tourists more than tripled, compared with the same month last year, the data showed. By sector, shopping record
17 Jun 2026
Navy chief stresses expanding use of AI tech to lead future warfare
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul said Wednesday the Navy is pushing to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology across its operations to prepare for future warfare and increase operational efficiency. Kim made the remarks during a seminar on the Navy's vision to accelerate its AI transformation by adopting innovative AI-related technologies from the private sector, according to the service. "The Navy has drawn up a comprehensive AI transformation plan and is reinforcing related organizations to enable the swift and proactive adoption of AI technologies across all mission domains," Kim said in his opening speech, while vowing to develop an AI-driven manned and unmanned teaming combat systems. The seminar, which included discussions on intelligent information, cyberspace and electromagnetic capabilities, brought together some 900 personnel from the defense ministry, academia and the private sector.
17 Jun 2026
Govt. to review tax incentives for young workers at SMEs: finance minister
South Korea will review measures to offer income tax cuts for young workers at small and medium-sized enterprises in line with efforts to revitalize regional economies, the finance minister said. "We will review applying differentiated income tax reduction rates and benefit periods for workers at SMEs," Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol told reporters during a press event held in the southwestern city of Gwangju on Tuesday. "In order to achieve economic growth led by regional areas, we will review
17 Jun 2026
Navy chief stresses expanding use of AI tech to lead future warfare
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul said Wednesday the Navy is pushing to expand the use of artificial intelligence technology across its operations to prepare for future warfare and increase operational efficiency. Kim made the remarks during a seminar on the Navy's vision to accelerate its AI transformation by adopting innovative AI-related technologies from the private sector, according to the service. "The Navy has drawn up a comprehensive AI transformation plan and is reinforcing
17 Jun 2026
Brief Lee–Trump encounter at G7 touches on North Korea
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung attended the Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Tuesday and had a brief encounter with US President Donald Trump during a photo session. Emmanuel Macron, president of host France, welcomed Lee to the summit venue. The South Korean president responded, "I am so happy," after Macron asked, "How are you?" During a subsequent group photo session for leaders of participating countries, Lee had a brief encounter with Trump for about 30 seconds, a
16 Jun 2026
Lee calls for efforts to advance S. Korea-Germany ties to 'new level'
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held bilateral talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in France on Tuesday, calling for efforts to advance their countries' bilateral relations to an unprecedented level. The two leaders met on the sidelines of a Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, as Lee attended the event for the second consecutive year as the leader of an invited country. "I think South Korea and Germany are countries that could cooperate in many fields and create synerg
16 Jun 2026
Lee says ties with Canada advancing quickly in mutually beneficial manner
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday, saying bilateral ties are advancing briskly in a mutually beneficial manner. The meeting came on the sidelines of a Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains, which Lee is attending for the second consecutive year as the head of an invited country. The two leaders met ahead of Canada's expected selection of a preferred bidder for its submarine acquisition project, worth 60 trillion-won ($39.8 bill
16 Jun 2026
[Graphic News] Population movement up 6% on property market boom
The number of South Koreans relocating to new regions moved up 6.3 percent in April from a year earlier amid the growing number of houses traded in the country, data showed. Around 506,000 people changed residences in April, up 30,000 from a year earlier, according to the data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics. The rising number of people changing residences came amid the recent rebound in the country's housing market. The number of homes bought and sold in March came to 71,975, up 7 perc
16 Jun 2026
Busan rock band Daisy Gun wants you to put down the phone
When you go to a concert these days, it seems like everyone around you has their cellphone out — capturing what everyone else is recording, messaging friends or maybe just doomscrolling on social media. With the new single "Square Eyes," the Busan-based rock band Daisy Gun takes aim at this culture that is consumed through smart devices. "It's a bit of a political number, and is basically about how people spend too much time on their phones making them susceptible to a whole lot of nonsense," Louis Cilliers, the band's South African guitarist and vocalist, told The Korea Times. "After a few heated arguments about not trusting everything you read online, I started writing the lyrics with the idea of disinformation spreading through social media. People are very comfortable in their echo chambers and are naive enough to believe anyone with a strong enough rhetoric." He added that the lyrics also touch on our overreliance on phones. "There's a phrase in the chorus, 'with square eyes, and a turtleneck,' that references the posture that develops from the overuse of phones," he said. But he wa
16 Jun 2026
Why do Korean protesters wave American flags?
SEATTLE — As protests over South Korea's ballot shortage controversy continue, many foreign observers are asking an unusual question: Why are American flags being waved at a protest over a Korean election? Images from the demonstrations show participants carrying U.S. flags alongside South Korean national flags, renewing a long-running debate over the symbolism of the Stars and Stripes in Korean politics. The question has surfaced across social media platforms including Reddit, X and Threads, where expatriates and international observers have debated why a foreign flag has become a recurring feature at some Korean political rallies. "It's so bizarre seeing so many American flags," one user wrote. "It's not really about America," one commenter responded, arguing that the flag has come to symbolize anti-communism and conservative political identity in South Korea. Others pointed to the history of the U.S.-South Korea alliance and the Korean War, saying the flag has long been associated with support for the alliance and opposition to North Korea. Several commenters said the symbolism has ev
16 Jun 2026