South Korea
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Lee floats ranked-choice voting for presidential elections
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday raised the prospect of introducing a preferential voting system alongside runoff elections for presidential and other major races. Lee thrust ranked-choice voting into the spotlight as the ruling Democratic Party of Korea kicked off internal voting to choose its National Assembly speaker nominee through a preferential runoff process. “If South Korea introduces a runoff voting system for presidential and other elections, discussions will likely follo
11 May 2026
Gwangju stabbing death prompts student calls for stronger safety
Grief over the death of a high school student in a suspected random stabbing attack is spreading across South Korea, with students nationwide issuing statements. Students have condemned the incident and called for a thorough police investigation, stronger safety measures and responsible media coverage. The case occurred in Gwangju at around midnight on May 5. A 24-year-old suspect surnamed Jang allegedly stabbed the student, who did not know him, and seriously injured another high school student
11 May 2026
Police clear ex-first lady of wrongdoing over naval ship party
Police said Monday they will not pursue charges against former first lady Kim Keon Hee over a party held aboard a naval ship in 2023. Kim and her husband, ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, have been under investigation for allegedly using military assets for private purposes during the naval ship party at the Jinhae Naval Base in August 2023. A special police investigation team said in a notice to the press that they decided to close the case without pursuing charges due to a lack of evidence. The team has been looking into various corruption allegations involving the former first lady that were previously unresolved by a special counsel team. Police did, however, refer Kim Yong-hyun, a former chief of the Presidential Security Service, to the prosecution on suspicions of instigating abuse of power, along with his former deputy Kim Seong-hoon for abusing power by organizing the party. The former deputy chief of the security service is accused of instructing staff to purchase premium fish, install karaoke equipment and prepare firecrackers for the party, among other allegations.
11 May 2026
Lovebugs return to Korea earlier this year
Lovebugs — small, black-bodied flies named for the way mated pairs fly while attached to each other — are expected to swarm Korea slightly earlier than last year and for a shorter period due to higher temperatures, the state forest science institute said Monday. The National Institute of Forest Science forecast the outbreak will begin on June 15, two days earlier than last year, and end on June 29, with activity peaking on June 24. Last year's major outbreak lasted from June 17 to July 4 — a longer window that suggests this year's swarms may be denser over a more concentrated period. “It is slightly earlier than last year and the reflection of higher spring temperatures recently,” the agency said in a statement. The insects are cold-blooded, meaning their growth rate varies depending on ambient temperatures. The agency added that the continued warm weather appears to have accelerated their development from larvae to pupae to adults, bringing forward the expected outbreak. The analysis is based on 439 records from the online platforms iNaturalist and Naturing and daily temperatu
11 May 2026
Rival parties spar over gov't response to attack on Korean vessel in Hormuz
Rival parties stood at odds Monday over the government's response to a strike on a Korean-operated cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, with the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) accusing the government of downplaying what it called an Iranian attack. Tensions between the ruling and opposition parties escalated after a Korean investigation team concluded that two "unidentified airborne objects" caused an explosion and fire aboard the Panama-flagged cargo vessel HMM Namu, operated by Korean shipping firm HMM, in the conflict-hit strait last week. "Our government earlier insisted there were low chances that the vessel had come under attack," PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok said during a meeting of the party's supreme council, slamming the government for failing to identify Iran as being behind the attack. "Now that the strike has been confirmed, it is saying it will not prejudge who was behind the attack. (The government) has no willingness whatsoever to protect the safety and property of the people," Jang added. The PPP leader also argued that Iranian state media has already acknowledg
11 May 2026
S. Korea to return 28 smuggled turtles to Vietnam
South Korean wildlife authorities will hand over 28 turtles from four endangered species to Vietnam on Tuesday, returning them to the country from which they were smuggled. The transfer marks Korea’s seventh wildlife repatriation case under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. According to the National Institute of Ecology, the turtles include four Indochinese box turtles and two Bourret’s box turtles, both of which are critically endangered on the
11 May 2026
Seoul’s Jung District launches 1st disaster manual for int'l residents, visitors
As international tourism figures climb to prepandemic heights, a central district in Seoul is moving to close a critical gap in emergency services: how to care for foreigners when disaster strikes. On Monday, Jung District announced the creation of the nation’s first comprehensive "Foreigner Disaster Response Manual." The initiative marks a significant shift in local governance, moving beyond simple notifications to a specialized, multistage protocol designed to navigate the linguistic and bureaucratic hurdles that often leave non-Koreans vulnerable during crises. The new manual divides disaster response into three pillars: initial intervention, logistical support and financial compensation. While previous national guidelines focused largely on reporting basic casualties, Jung District’s protocol mandates the immediate tracking of passport details, visa statuses and flight schedules to be shared with embassies. Communication serves as the backbone of the plan. In a city where emergency alerts often flash across phone screens exclusively in Korean, the district will now mandate Engli
11 May 2026
Korea seeks next breakout export as global drive intensifies for K-goods
From royal-themed wine stoppers to keyboards inspired by traditional temple paintings, Korea is launching a nationwide search to find its next breakout cultural export. The Korea Tourism Organization announced Monday the opening of the "2026 Korea Tourism Souvenir Contest," a high-stakes competition aimed at transforming local craftsmanship into global commodities. Under the slogan "K-Goods, Heading to the World," the government-backed agency is seeking to identify souvenirs that can capture the same international fervor currently enjoyed by the country’s music and cinema. The competition is divided into two categories: a general section focusing on national icons and a local specialty section designed to highlight the distinct history and nature of Korea’s diverse provinces. The stakes for participants are significant. A total of 25 winners will be selected, with the top Presidential Award carrying a 10 million won prize ($6,790). This year’s contest features a notable pivot toward international appeal. Organizers have tripled the number of "Global Popularity Awards" — voted on
11 May 2026
Nat'l Police Agency to train Southeast Asian investigators to combat online scams
Korean police are launching a specialized training program this month for law enforcement officials from Laos and Cambodia, part of a broader effort to dismantle the growing network of online scams and cybercrime syndicates operating across Southeast Asia. The initiative, conducted under the "K-Police Wave" project, will bring 20 investigators to Korea for intensive technical workshops. Ten middle managers from the Lao General Department of Police are scheduled to train through May 23, followed by 10 investigators from Cambodia’s "Korea Desk" and intelligence units, who will attend sessions at the National Police University and other facilities through the end of the month. The curriculum is designed to address the increasingly sophisticated methods used by transnational criminal organizations that have found a foothold in the region. During the training, participants will focus on advanced technical skills including the tracking of hidden criminal proceeds and the monitoring of complex cryptocurrency transactions. The program also provides specialized tactics for investigating onlin
11 May 2026
Police to scale back riot police at rally, protest sites
Police said Monday they will reduce the presence of riot police at rallies and demonstrations and grant organizers greater autonomy. Under the revised policy, organizers of assemblies and demonstrations will bear greater responsibility for maintaining order, while police will take a "reactive and supplementary role" focused on supporting order maintenance and ensuring safety. Park Jun-hyun, chief of the Korean National Police Agency's Situational Intelligence Division, unveiled the new policy during a forum on improving assembly and demonstration culture at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Seoul. Except for essential needs, mobile police units will be deployed at all times to public safety sectors, such as crime prevention and response, and crowd and disaster management, Park said. "The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has piloted the new policy since Feb. 19. Although the number of rallies held between February and April was similar to previous years, the deployment of riot police decreased by 62 percent from a year earlier," said Park, adding there were no illegal or v
11 May 2026
Seoul aims to strengthen cultural aspects in foreign aid
South Korea aims to strengthen the cultural capabilities of the recipients of Seoul's foreign aid, leveraging its status as a global cultural powerhouse, the government announced Monday. The country seeks projects that will allow recipients to expand their cultural and arts education, build cultural complexes, train content artists, support creative industries and digitize cultural heritage. This is part of South Korea's plan to select the cultural sector as one of the two new priorities in the
11 May 2026
South Korea, NATO hold 2nd defense industry consultative meeting
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration and NATO held their second defense industry consultative meeting on Monday, discussing ways to expand cooperation in areas including interoperability, ammunition and space projects, according to DAPA. The meeting, held at the Government Complex Gwacheon in Gyeonggi Province, was jointly led by DAPA’s international cooperation chief and NATO Assistant Secretary-General for Defense Investment Tarja Jaakkola. The consultative body was launche
11 May 2026
Lovebugs to emerge earlier, in denser swarms this year
South Korea is expected to see lovebugs emerge in large numbers slightly earlier this year, with the adult population forecast to peak around the same date as last year, according to local media reports citing the National Institute of Forest Science under the Korea Forest Service. Lovebugs, or Plecia nearctica as they are more formally known, are expected to reach adulthood en masse between June 15 and 29, with their numbers peaking on June 24, local daily Seoul Shinmun reported. The forecast p
11 May 2026
Korea pushes pet healthcare overhaul to unlock insurance market
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) officially launched the Animal Medical System Improvement Task Force on April 29, shifting pet healthcare from a market-driven system toward a more state-managed framework. The move is central to the Lee Jae Myung administration’s pledge to lower costs for the country’s 15 million pet owners. The reform seeks to standardize veterinary medical data to enable the development of a functioning insurance market. The pet insurance sector now generates roughly $88 million in annual premiums but remains stuck at a 2.1 percent penetration rate. The absence of fee transparency has prevented insurers from accurately pricing risk, leaving the market trapped in a low-trust equilibrium. The veterinary community has signaled strong resistance. Many argue that a standardized fee structure could undermine professional autonomy and fail to account for varying overheads of individual clinics. Whether the task force can bring veterinarians into the system, rather than against it, will determine whether the reform can move beyond policy design i
11 May 2026
Defense ministry signals providing 'necessary support' for Hormuz ship probe
The defense ministry said Monday it will provide "necessary support" for follow-up steps in an investigation into the recent explosion and fire on a Korean-operated cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, after an initial probe determined it had been hit by an external attack. Announcing the results of the probe Sunday, Seoul said two unidentified flying objects struck the vessel on May 4, causing a 5-by-7-meter breach in the ship's stern. The government said it plans to collect debris of the engine and other equipment for further analysis. "We are in communication with relevant ministries and agencies based on the confirmed facts and will continue to provide necessary support," Lee Kyung-ho, deputy defense ministry spokesperson, said in a regular press briefing. Lee was responding to a question about whether the findings will expand the scope of the military's involvement in the investigation. Seoul has dispatched a seven-member team of officials from maritime and firefighting authorities to investigate the vessel, now anchored at a port in Dubai. The military is said to have assisted in th
11 May 2026
Seoul remains cautious on Hormuz vessel strike as tensions spill into politics
South Korea maintained a cautious stance Monday regarding the strike on a South Korean-operated vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, saying further analysis was needed before determining responsibility. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Monday said additional examination was required regarding last week’s strike on the Panama-flagged cargo vessel HMM Namu. The Foreign Ministry said Sunday that a joint government investigation had found that two “unidentified airborne objects” caused the explosion and fi
11 May 2026
Goyang festival showcases Colombian flowers
Colombia showcased its vibrant floral industry at the 2026 International Horticulture Goyang Korea festival. Through IHK 2026, one of South Korea’s major spring flower exhibitions held annually at Ilsan Lake Park from April 24 to May 10, the Colombian Embassy in Seoul ran a Colombian Pavilion to reach a broader base of Korean consumers. Colombian flower exports to South Korea have surged since the signing of a Korea-Colombia free trade agreement, strengthening its position as a leading supplier
11 May 2026
Applications for portable safety alarm jump in Seoul
Demand for Seoul's portable emergency alarm device, "Ansim Help Me," has surged following recent violent crime cases, with more than 110,000 units distributed since the program was introduced in 2024, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday. The city said applications for the device spiked after a high school student was killed in Gwangju in a case that led to the arrest of a man in his 20s about 11 hours later. According to the city government, daily applications for the device averaged a
11 May 2026
Korea, NATO deepen ties as Seoul’s global defense stature grows
Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) hosted the second Korea-NATO Defense Industry Consultative Meeting at the Government Complex Gwacheon Sunday, the agency said. The session was co-chaired by DAPA's director of international cooperation, Kim Tae-kon, and Tarja Jaakkola, NATO's assistant secretary general for Defence Industry, Innovation and Armaments. The two sides exchanged information on areas of potential cooperation and discussed ways to expand defense industry collaboration. Korea has rapidly emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing defense exporters, securing multibillion dollar contracts for tanks, howitzers and fighter jets with countries spanning Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Korea used the meeting to stress that access to NATO standards is critical for domestic defense companies seeking to build interoperability with NATO weapons systems — a priority the alliance has emphasized. NATO's delegation in turn asked Korea to participate in multilateral cooperation projects it is pursuing in the areas of ammunition and space. The meeting was t
11 May 2026
7 in 10 int'l students in Korea work in low-skilled service jobs: report
About 7 in 10 international students in Korea who work part time are concentrated in low-skilled service positions such as restaurants and hospitality jobs, with only a marginal share employed in roles related to their field of study. According to a study on the socioeconomic impact of the inflow of international students in Korea released by the Migration Research and Training Center on Monday, 71.1 percent of student workers were employed in the food and accommodation sector. The share climbed to 81.6 percent among undergraduates aged 19 to 24. The results also showed regional disparities. The share of international students working in food and accommodation jobs exceeded 80 percent in areas including Gwangju, Incheon, Busan and South Chungcheong and Gyeonggi provinces. This pattern appears to be driven by the factors that international students prioritize when choosing part-time work. Only 2.4 percent said they consider alignment with their field of study or desired career path as a key factor. Instead, the most important consideration was working hours compatible with their studies,
11 May 2026
Seoul cuts daily trash by 29 tons as recycling drive gains traction
Seoul residents are throwing away less and recycling more, offering an early sign that an ambitious campaign to shrink household waste in one of the world’s most densely populated capitals may be starting to work. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said a two-month evaluation of its “10 Million Citizens Waste Diet Project” found that daily household waste dropped by 29 tons compared with the same period last year, while recyclable waste collection increased by 60 tons a day. The assessment covered all 25 district offices across the city from February through March and measured performance in four categories: household waste reduction, recycling increases, citizen participation and district-specific initiatives. City officials said the results reflected a growing shift in public behavior as local governments experimented with tailored recycling programs and waste-cutting campaigns. In Eunpyeong District, officials reduced trash generated at festivals and public events by introducing reusable tableware systems operated by specialty vendors. Yeongdeungpo District created a separate rep
11 May 2026
King Sejong’s legacy meets inventor of Korean braille
A new exhibition opening Thursday in Yeoju draws a striking parallel across five centuries of Korean history: the creation of Hangeul by King Sejong and the invention of Korean braille by educator Bak Du-seong during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule over Korea. The special exhibition, titled “Hangeul and Korean Braille,” will run from Thursday through July 19 at the History and Culture Museum of King Sejong in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, marking the 100th anniversary of Hunmaengjeongeum, the Korean Braille system, named as a clever play on Hunminjeongeum (the original name for Hangeul, the Korean alphabet). Organized by the Historic Site of King Sejong Management Office under the Korea Heritage Service in collaboration with the disability advocacy group Your Way, the exhibition explores how Bak’s work echoed King Sejong’s vision of expanding literacy and access to knowledge. Bak, who taught visually impaired students at Jesaengwon under Japan's colonial rule over Korea, secretly developed a six-dot Korean braille system with his students and unveiled Hunmaengjeongeum on Nov. 4, 1926.
11 May 2026
Ahn Gyu-back visits Washington for first Pentagon talks as defense minister
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back arrived in Washington on Monday for his first official visit to the United States since taking office, with wartime operational control transfer and maritime security expected to top the agenda in talks with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. According to defense sources, Ahn entered the US through Washington Dulles International Airport earlier in the day and was escorted out through a restricted protocol route used for senior Pentagon officials and VI
11 May 2026
Gen Z soldiers' plastic surgeries strain Korea's military readiness
First Lt. Kim, a platoon leader at a front-line South Korean Army unit in the capital region, faced a unique command challenge early this year. He excluded a corporal from critical cold-weather training because the soldier returned from leave with a swollen, unhealed nose from a rhinoplasty procedure. "I was flustered because he underwent a nose job without saying a word right before the training," Kim said. He added that he sidelined the soldier out of fear that the unhealed wound would cause medical complications in the field. Kim's dilemma is not an isolated incident. A growing trend of elective cosmetic surgery among active duty Korean soldiers, fueled by rising military pay and aggressive clinic marketing, is causing operational disruptions, exposing a critical gap in military regulations. The trend is also triggering resentment among peers who must cover the workload while recovering soldiers receive special accommodations. Plastic surgery in the military is not new. Historically, units tolerated the practice when soldiers used long leaves in their final months of service to undergo
11 May 2026
Korean destroyer to join 250th anniversary US naval fleet review
The Korean destroyer Munmu the Great departed for the United States Monday, beginning a trans-Pacific voyage to join a massive international naval assembly marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The 4,400-ton DDH-II class vessel slipped its moorings at the Jeju Naval Base Monday afternoon. It is headed for New York, where it will serve as Korea’s representative at the International Fleet Review from July 3 to 8. The event is expected to be a historic display of maritime cooperation, featuring approximately 100 vessels from 50 nations, including the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and Spain. For Seoul, the mission is as much about industrial diplomacy as it is about naval tradition. The Korean Navy has outfitted the destroyer’s hangar with a dedicated maritime defense promotional booth. As Korea seeks to cement its position as a top-tier global arms exporter, the ship will act as a floating showroom, marketing Korean-made naval systems and vessel technologies at various ports of call, including stops in Mexico and Colombia. "There is a great sense of pride among the cr
11 May 2026
Defense chiefs of Korea, US to hold talks amid OPCON transfer push, Hormuz ship issue
The top defense chiefs of Korea and the United States were set to hold talks in Washington on Monday, focusing on advancing the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington to Seoul and Korea's push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back will meet U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to discuss follow-up steps on the OPCON transition and nuclear-powered submarines, in line with the agreements reached between the leaders and at high-level security talks last year, Seoul officials said. The upcoming talks also come a day after Korea determined a strike by two unidentified flying objects was behind the May 4 explosion and fire on a Korean-operated cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The issue could be raised in Monday's talks. Korea is seeking to retake wartime OPCON before the Lee Jae Myung government's five-year term ends in 2030, reportedly targeting 2028 for the transfer while U.S. President Donald Trump is in office. However, signs of differing views between the allies have emerged after U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Xavier Brunson t
11 May 2026
Korea leads overhaul of nursing education in Central Asia
Korea’s expansion of its higher education exports continued as Kyung Hee University and the World Health Organization (WHO) convened nursing leaders from across Central Asia, a move that reflects Seoul’s increasing involvement in global health education. The seventh International Nursing Forum opened at the Kyrgyz State Medical Academy under the theme “Prospects for Nursing and Midwifery Beyond Borders.” The gathering brought together officials from Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Innovation, the Korean Embassy and nursing experts from five Central Asian nations: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. The forum, jointly organized by Kyung Hee University’s international cooperation team and the WHO, is a component of Korea’s education-focused official development assistance. By sharing pedagogical frameworks and clinical standards, Seoul is establishing a role in medical training for a region historically influenced by Soviet-era educational structures. According to the Ministry of Education, the discussions focused on policy
11 May 2026
Incheon deploys native-language safety training to protect foreign industrial workers
Incheon metropolitan authorities and the city’s foreign worker support center are launching a targeted safety campaign this year designed to curb workplace casualties among international laborers by providing training in their native languages. The initiative, formally known as the "2026 Regional Serious Accident Prevention Blind Spot Elimination Support Project," addresses a stark reality in Korea’s industrial sector: Foreign workers are often disproportionately exposed to hazards because of language barriers that render standard safety manuals and warnings ineffective. By utilizing native-language interpreters, the program seeks to bridge this communication gap and provide workers with the practical tools necessary to navigate high-risk environments. The training kicked off in late April with workers from Myanmar. The rollout continued with Filipino laborers on May 10 and is slated to expand to Nepalese, Indonesian and Vietnamese groups throughout the summer months. Rather than relying on abstract theories, the curriculum focuses on forensic analysis of actual industrial accidents
11 May 2026
Half of teachers report more classroom disruptions
More than half of teachers in Seoul say classroom disruptions involving students in emotional or behavioral distress have increased over the past year, according to a survey released Monday by a city-affiliated education think tank. The Seoul Education Research & Information Institute surveyed 2,485 elementary, middle and high school teachers in the capital from Sept. 15 to 19. Of them, 52.6 percent said disruptions by “students in emotional and behavioral crisis” had become more frequent in 202
11 May 2026
K-food goes high-tech: Korea sees surge in health and wellness food patents
In a country where the national palate is increasingly viewed as a high-value export, Korea’s culinary innovations are moving from the dinner table to the patent office. Over the last decade, the race to claim intellectual property in the food sector has surged, driven by a global obsession with K-food and a domestic pivot toward "functional" wellness, according to data released Sunday by the Ministry of Intellectual Property. Between 2016 and 2025, more than 46,000 food-related patents were filed in Korea, with the pace accelerating to more than 5,000 applications annually over the last three years. The most aggressive growth has not been in traditional recipes, but in "health functional foods" — products designed to offer medicinal benefits beyond basic nutrition. This category saw a 3.3-fold increase in filings over the decade, growing at a compound annual rate of over 14 percent. The drive is particularly focused on the body’s defenses. Patents for antioxidant and immunity-boosting technologies led the pack, followed closely by innovations in digestive health and cognitive enh
11 May 2026
Bird’s-eye view of Baekdusan's strata
North Korea’s official tourism website has uploaded drone footage of the strata of Baekdusan, the 2,744-meter-high mountain. The tallest mountain on the Korean Peninsula has historically been regarded as sacred by Koreans. The video shows layers of rock surrounding Heaven Lake, the volcanic crater lake at the mountain’s peak, as well as towering rocky cliffs rising above the landscape along the border between North Korea and China. The North Korean website, operated by the country’s tourism auth
11 May 2026
Seoul opens applications for Korea Migrants' Song Festival
Foreign residents in Korea with a love for singing are invited to take the stage at the 2026 Korea Migrants’ Song Festival. Open to migrant workers, international students, naturalized citizens and members of multicultural families, the competition asks applicants to perform one verse of a Korean song as part of the audition process. The Seoul preliminary round will take place on July 19 at the Seoul Foreign Resident Center Auditorium. Successful applicants will advance to the final preliminary
11 May 2026
Multilingual interpreters wanted at Seoul counseling center
The Seoul Counseling Center for Migrant Women is recruiting multilingual volunteers to provide interpretation and translation support for migrant women and multicultural families in Korea. The center, which operates with support from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, offers counseling and emergency assistance on issues including domestic violence, sexual violence, legal disputes, visa concerns and family conflict. Volunteers will assist with interpretation, translation and counseling support se
11 May 2026
[Obituary] Lee Seon-jae, lifelong advocate for women’s education, dies at 90
Lee Seon-jae, principal of Ilsung Women’s Middle and High School and a lifelong advocate for women’s education, died Sunday. He was 90. For more than half a century, Lee devoted himself to providing education for women who had missed out on schooling because of poverty, war or family circumstances. Born in 1936 in Kaesong, in what is now North Korea, Lee fled to Seoul in 1951 during the Korean War. As a teenager, he was able to continue his studies with help from those around him, an experience
11 May 2026
Korea still ‘too exclusive’ toward foreigners, immigration lawyers’ chief says
South Korea needs to make its immigration system more flexible if it wants to retain foreign talent and reduce cases in which foreign workers are pushed into undocumented status, the newly elected head of the Korean Immigration Lawyers Association said. Park Bum-il, who was elected president of the group on April 28, said the country remains “too exclusive” toward foreign nationals despite a growing foreign population. “I think it is difficult to say South Korea is very open to foreigners,” Park
11 May 2026
Lost in the job search? Seoul has free 1-on-1 counseling for international students
For many international students in Korea, preparing for employment can feel like navigating an entirely different culture, from unfamiliar resume formats and networking expectations to complex visa concerns. To help ease the transition, the Seoul Global Student Center has opened applications for the second round of its free one-on-one online career counseling program for foreign students in Seoul. The program offers personalized consultations in Korean, English and Chinese through Google Meet. S
11 May 2026
‘He’s handsome’: Anger over online reactions to purported photo of Gwangju murder suspect
Photos purportedly showing the suspect in the fatal stabbing of a high school student in Gwangju have spread rapidly online, but comments that focused on the man’s appearance rather than the crime have sparked public anger. The images circulating online included what appeared to be the man’s graduation photos and more recent pictures, along with unverified personal information, including claims that his father is a police officer. Authorities have not confirmed whether the photos are actually of
11 May 2026
Korea to roll out 2nd round of cash aid to over 36 mil. people amid Mideast crisis
Korea will roll out a second batch of cash assistance for the bottom 70 percent of income earners, or about 36 million people, next week, officials said Monday, in an effort to ease financial strains caused by rising fuel prices amid the war in the Middle East. Last month, the National Assembly approved a 26.2 trillion-won ($17.8 billion) extra budget bill to address the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict, which includes the introduction of the cash assistance plan. Under the first program launched in April, the government handed out up to 600,000 won to recipients of basic livelihood security and other vulnerable groups. The government will begin accepting applications next Monday for the second round of the assistance program. Eligible individuals living in the broader Seoul area will receive 100,000 won, while those in areas with declining populations may receive up to 150,000 won each. Assistance eligibility will be determined by a household's national health insurance payment in March this year. For single-person households, those who paid 130,000 won or less will be eli
11 May 2026
Search enters second day for missing child at Cheongsong’s Juwangsan National Park
Search operations are continuing Monday after an 11-year-old boy went missing at Juwangsan National Park in North Gyeongsang Province. According to the North Gyeongsang Fire Service Headquarters, the boy visited Daejeonsa, a temple inside the national park, with his family after departing from his home in Daegu on Sunday afternoon. He later set out alone on a hike toward the park’s 720-meter main peak. The trail from the temple to the summit stretches about 2-3 kilometers and usually takes an ad
11 May 2026
Lee pledges to build nation of fair opportunities for all, shared prosperity
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday pledged to build a nation where all people have fair opportunities and share prosperity, reaffirming his commitment to reducing social disparities. Lee made the remarks in a speech commemorating the 1894 Tonghak Peasant Revolution at a ceremony at the National Museum of Korea in central Seoul, which was read by Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young on his behalf. A horde of peasant farmers who followed Donghak, a Neo-Confucian movement, rose up against the feudal system at the time to demand justice and to protect national sovereignty from Japanese invasion. Lee said his vision for government reflects the spirit of the movement's pursuit of social harmony, adding his administration will do its utmost to build a compassionate society, in which people, as the "genuine owners of the country," enjoy their rightful rights and share in the fruits of growth. "Together with you, I will build a Republic of Korea in which all people enjoy fair opportunities and live prosperously, without any neighbors left behind," the president noted.
11 May 2026
Spring rain expected nationwide through Tuesday
The stretch of sunny spring weather is expected to briefly give way to rain from Monday afternoon across most parts of the country, with thunderstorms and small hail forecast in some regions. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on Monday, rain is expected to begin across roughly the top two-thirds of the country, before expanding to South Jeolla Province, South Gyeongsang Province and Jeju Island later in the day. The rain will ease in most parts of the country by Tuesday aftern
11 May 2026
Main opposition slams gov't for not identifying Iran behind attack on Korean vessel
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Monday criticized the government for downplaying a strike on a Korean-operated cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz and refraining from describing it as an Iranian attack. A Korean investigation team has concluded that two "unidentified airborne objects" caused an explosion and fire aboard the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Namu, operated by Korean shipping firm HMM Co., in the conflict-hit strait last week. "Our government earlier insisted there were low chances that the vessel had come under attack," PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok said during a meeting of the party's supreme council. "Now that the strike has been confirmed, it is saying it will not prejudge who was behind the attack. "(The government) has no willingness whatsoever to protect the safety and property of the people," he added. Jang also argued that Iranian state media has already acknowledged the attacks. "It's like the attacker is making a confession, and the person who got hit is denying it," he said. Last week, Iran's state-run Press TV published a commentary piece implying that t
11 May 2026
Gov't to crack down on fraudulent 'perfect score' apartment application winners
The government will look into all "perfect-score" winners in apartment applications since July last year to see if any foul play was involved, officials said Monday, amid complaints that perfect scores should be rare in principle but too many such cases have been reported. In Korea, those wanting to buy newly built apartments should file applications in usually highly competitive processes, and winners are determined by lottery weighted by points based on how long they have been living without owning homes and how many dependents are in their families. The system is designed to give priority to those in real need of homes. Perfect scores should be rare because the size of a family living together for the full score is seven, which is not common in a nation where household sizes have become increasingly smaller. But the Office for Government Policy Coordination said Monday that the country has seen a series of "unrealistic" score winners recently. "We will carry out an intensive inspection of fraudulent applicants in cooperation with related ministries and agencies," the office said in a
11 May 2026
Woman who stole buns for husband with dementia gets help
An woman in her 80s who stole five red bean buns for her ailing husband will receive government support instead of facing criminal punishment, police said Monday. Officers at Goyang Police Station received a theft report at around 2 p.m. on April 2 involving an elderly woman who had taken five sweet red bean buns without paying. She was found to be a recipient of National Basic Livelihood Security benefits, a state welfare program that subsidizes living costs for low-income households. Police al
11 May 2026
[Event for expats] Driver’s license class for Seoul foreign residents
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will offer basic theory and road safety classes for foreign residents in Seoul to help them obtain a Korean driver’s license. The course covers key information needed for the written exam, the first stage of Korea’s three-step driver’s license test. The program consists of four hours of classes, split into two-hour sessions over two days. Classes will be offered in Korean, English, Chinese and Vietnamese at the Dobong and Gangseo driver’s license examination
11 May 2026
FM Cho says further, closer examination needed into strike on S. Korean vessel in Hormuz
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Monday a closer examination is needed regarding a recent strike on a South Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, as the government has yet to determine who was responsible for the incident. The remarks came after the foreign ministry said Sunday that the strike by two "unidentified airborne objects" was found to have caused an explosion and fire aboard the Panama-flagged cargo ship HMM Namu, operated by the South Korean major shipping firm HMM Co., last week, anno
11 May 2026
Search enters 2nd day for missing boy in mountain park
Authorities were searching for a missing elementary school student for the second day Monday after he disappeared while visiting a mountain park with his family. The 11-year-old visited a Buddhist temple in Juwangsan National Park, about 280 kilometers southeast of Seoul, with his family Sunday afternoon and went missing after hiking alone to the park's main peak, according to police and rescue workers. His parents notified the 119 rescue services and police at 5:53 p.m., as their son, who had set out on the hike without a mobile phone, did not return even after a considerable amount of time had passed. In response, the rescue team and police mobilized personnel and equipment to conduct a search operation but were unable to confirm his whereabouts. They deployed 96 personnel, one helicopter and equipment for the operation Monday. They said that a review of surveillance footage from within the park found no signs that his disappearance was linked to a crime. The boy, who is about 145 centimeters tall and on the thin side, was reportedly wearing a Samsung Lions uniform on the day of his dis
11 May 2026
Lee's approval rating inches up to 59.7%
President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rebounded slightly to 59.7 percent on a strong stock rally and economic achievements, a survey showed Monday. According to the survey conducted by Realmeter and commissioned by EKN newspaper among 2,007 respondents aged 18 and older, the positive assessment of his job performance gained 0.2 percentage point from a week earlier. Negative assessments added 0.7 percentage point to 35.7 percent over the cited period, while 4.6 percent said they were unsure. Lee's approval rating had remained above 60 percent for seven consecutive weeks since the second week of March before slipping to 59.5 percent in the previous survey. Realmeter said economic achievements, such as the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index surpassing the 7,500 mark and the current account surplus reaching a record high, helped drive up Lee's approval rating, but political issues, including the National Assembly's failure to pass a constitutional amendment bill amid a standoff between the rival parties, offset positive sentiment. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) push
11 May 2026
Lee's approval rating inches up to 59.7%
President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rebounded slightly to 59.7 percent on a strong stock rally and economic achievements, a survey showed Monday. According to the survey conducted by Realmeter and commissioned by EKN newspaper among 2,007 respondents aged 18 and older, the positive assessment of his job performance gained 0.2 percentage point from a week earlier. Negative assessments added 0.7 percentage point to 35.7 percent over the cited period, while 4.6 percent said they were unsure.
11 May 2026
S. Korea inks deal to export more Chunmoo rocket launchers to Estonia
South Korea has signed a deal to export an additional three units of its Chunmoo rocket launchers to Estonia under the two countries' framework arrangement for the long-term supply of Korea's multiple launch rocket system to the Eastern European country, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency said Monday. Under the government-to-government contract between KOTRA and the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments, Hanwha Aerospace Co. will supply three Chunmoo rocket launchers and related equip
11 May 2026
Confirmed strike on vessel may reshape Seoul's stance on joining US-led Hormuz mission: experts
The confirmed strike by unidentified objects on a South Korean-operated cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz is expected to give Seoul grounds to consider joining US-led missions aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation in the strait, experts said Sunday. Releasing the results of a government investigation, the foreign ministry said two "unidentified flying objects" were confirmed to have struck the cargo vessel, the Namu, one after the other in the Strait of Hormuz last Monday. The Panama-fl
10 May 2026
Seoul concludes HMM vessel in Hormuz hit by ‘external strike,’ weighs response
A South Korean government investigation has concluded that “unidentified airborne objects” struck a South Korean-operated cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week, causing an explosion and fire aboard the ship, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday, while stopping short of identifying who was responsible for the attack. Following the announcement, Cheong Wa Dae said a working-level meeting of the National Security Council was held Sunday with officials from the oceans ministry and other relevan
10 May 2026
Bessent says will visit Seoul ahead of Trump-Xi summit
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent plans to visit South Korea before heading to China for a US-China summit, his social media post showed Monday. "I will depart on Monday for a quick series of meetings in both Japan and South Korea. ... On Wednesday, I will stop in Seoul for a discussion with Vice Premier He Lifeng of China, before continuing on to Beijing for the Leaders' Summit between President Trump and President Xi," he said on X, formerly Twitter. Diplomatic sources here earlier confirmed
10 May 2026
dbBOOKS holds spring warehouse sale for English titles
The dbBOOKS Welcome to Our Warehouse (WOW) Family Sale has become a twice-yearly highlight for the reading community in Seoul and beyond. Opening its doors to the book buying public for two days, dbBOOKS offers hundreds of thousands of books in English for sale. There are also activities planned, including a panel discussion about Korean literature translation, and a book swap. The expert panel, titled "The Art, Science, and Outlook of K-Lit in Translation," will start at 4 p.m. on Saturday. It features Literature Translation Institute of Korea Managing Director Park Chan-woo, author Lee Suhyeon, author and translator Anton Hur, translator Sean Lin Halbert, Honford Star co-founder Taylor Bradley and book content creator (and Korea Times reviewer) Faye Leung. "To thank our customers for coming to WOW, we like to organize sideline events on the rooftop to make the visit more than just a shopping opportunity," said Katch Hahm, data protection officer of dbBOOKS, who will serve as moderator. "While we all love K-Lit as readers, we could enhance that appreciation by considering the many thing
10 May 2026
74 countries, one plaza: Seoul Friendship Festival marks 30 years of bringing world closer
Choi Yun-ho had never been to Poland despite dating his Polish girlfriend Pola for a year. On Saturday, this year's Seoul Friendship Festival brought a taste of her homeland to him. “It's difficult to find a restaurant in Korea that serves proper Polish food,” the 30-year-old told The Korea Times after biting into kielbasa, a Polish smoked sausage, at one of the festival's food booths. For Pola, 30, the festival was more than a taste of home. “It's not just food. There are embassy booths where you can learn about different countries. We did a quiz about Poland and won some postcards,” she said. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, this year's Seoul Friendship Festival took place Saturday and Sunday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul, bringing together embassies from 74 countries under the slogan “30 Years with the World, Bridging Cultures Together.” First held in 1996, the festival promotes cultural exchange between Seoul and cities worldwide, drawing about 160,000 visitors last year to DDP, one of Seoul's most visited landmarks. “When the festival first took root in
10 May 2026
Korea's child rights agency data mishandling draws ire from overseas adoptees
A recent data breach at the National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC), exposing sensitive personal records of adoptees, is drawing criticism from overseas adoptee groups and raising questions about the agency's credibility. The breach, which the NCRC said occurred between April 30 and May 2, came to light when prospective adoptive parents checking their application status on the newly launched online tracking system discovered that other people's adoption records were visible. The center notified affected individuals by email on May 3. Overseas adoptees say the incident is part of a broader pattern of the agency falling short of international standards in safeguarding personal data and handling adoption records. David Castlen, a Korean adoptee based in the United States and director of IT and cybersecurity at the United States Korean Rights Group (USKRG), said his individual breach notice — which he accessed on May 5 — showed it had exposed a wide range of identity-linked data, including his name, date of birth, photograph, adoption records, passport information, place of b
10 May 2026
Cheong Wa Dae holds working-level NSC meeting over findings on HMM vessel explosion in Strait of Hormuz
Cheong Wa Dae held a working-level meeting of the National Security Council on Sunday, the presidential office said, possibly to discuss the outcome of an investigation into the recent explosion and fire on a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The NSC meeting was attended by officials from the oceans ministry and other relevant agencies, according to Cheong Wa Dae. It did not offer any other information. An investigation by a seven-member government team has concluded that two
10 May 2026
Seoul concludes 'external strike' caused explosion on HMM vessel in Hormuz
A South Korean investigation team has concluded that a strike by "unidentified airborne objects" caused the explosion and fire aboard a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week, the foreign ministry said Sunday. "The investigation confirmed that unidentified airborne objects struck the stern of the HMM (vessel)," the foreign ministry said in a released statement. The announcement follows an on-site investigation by a seven-member government team into the explosion and fire
10 May 2026
[Breaking] Korean-operated vessel in Hormuz was struck by unidentified flying object: Seoul
A Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unidentified flying object earlier this month, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said Sunday, following a joint government investigation into a fire aboard the ship. According to the ministry, a seven-member joint government investigation team conducted an on-site probe Friday into the HMM Namu, a Panama-flagged bulk carrier operated by South Korean shipping company HMM. The investigation found that an unidentified flying object struck the
10 May 2026
AI fruit affair videos stir backlash after chicken brand copies trend
Artificial intelligence-generated videos featuring personified fruits caught in affairs and broken relationships are drawing millions of views on Korean social media, turning bizarre melodrama into one of the latest short-form trends. But the trend is now facing scrutiny after a major fried chicken franchise copied the format in an advertisement, then deleted the video and apologized following criticism that it had borrowed from provocative content easily accessible to children. Pelicana, a nati
10 May 2026