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Jeonnam-Gwangju universities launch semiconductor majors ahead of planned tech cluster

Universities in southwestern Korea are stepping up efforts to cultivate talent for emerging industries as government and private sector plans to build semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) clusters in the area take shape. Universities across Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City, including Chonnam National University, are launching new programs and expanding training in semiconductor and AI-related fields, backed by the government’s broader push to strengthen regional universities. Chonnam National University, recently selected for the government’s “10 Seoul National Universities” initiative, plans to establish a new college specializing in advanced industries with an annual intake of 300 students. Starting in March 2028, the college will offer programs in advanced semiconductors and future energy. The university also plans to provide student support comparable to that of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) as it seeks to nurture researchers for future industries. It will expand educati

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Can Chinese entertainment surpass Korean wave in Southeast Asia?

Union Mall, a major shopping center in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district, is widely considered one of the city’s most popular hangouts for fans of K-pop and Korean culture, with a nonstop stream of fan-organized events and advertisements celebrating Korean stars. But a visit last Sunday offered a glimpse of something else: the growing influence of Chinese entertainment challenging Korean content’s dominance. LED screens on six towering pillars stretching from the first to the sixth floor were covered with images of one man: Yang Yang, a top Chinese actor known as one of the country’s “Big Four.” To celebrate his birthday on Wednesday, his Thai fan community, known as “Yangmao,” or “wool,” had rented every digital advertising screen in the mall. A birthday pop-up booth was set up in a prime spot next to the escalator. Fans wearing T-shirts bearing Yang Yang’s face took photos of themselves in front of a life-size cutout and wrote birthday cards in fluent Chinese. The event, which ran from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and attracted hundreds of people, was organized entirely by fans

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Korea, US to hold high-level defense talks amid Hormuz deployment consideration

Korea and the United States plan to hold their senior-level regular defense talks this week, the defense ministry said Monday, amid Seoul weighing military deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. The biannual Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) will be held in the southeastern port city of Busan from Wednesday through Friday, according to the ministry. Kim Hong-cheol, deputy defense minister for policy, and George Lemeur, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of war for East Asia, will lead the talks, along with other key defense and foreign affairs officials. "The meeting is expected to discuss a wide range of pending security issues, including (Seoul's) retaking of wartime operational control (OPCON), joint defense posture and cooperation in shipbuilding," the ministry said. The allies did not specify, but they are widely expected to discuss the possibility of Seoul's military deployment to the Strait of Hormuz amid Washington's pressure on Korea to join efforts to secure the crucial waterway. Korea sent a team tasked with assessing the security situation near the Strait of Hormuz to th

2 MIN READ
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President Lee's approval rating hits new low amid controversy over Cabinet reshuffle: poll

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating fell to the lowest level since he took office, marking the ninth consecutive week of decline, a poll showed Monday. In the poll conducted on 2,515 adults from Monday to Friday by Realmeter and commissioned by the EKN newspaper, 33.8 percent positively assessed Lee's handling of state affairs, down 3.6 percentage points from the previous week. His disapproval rating rose 3.8 percentage points to 63.3 percent. Realmeter attributed the decline in Lee's approval rating to negative public sentiment over controversies surrounding his recent Cabinet reshuffle, the possible deployment of military assets to the Strait of Hormuz and uncertainty over real estate policies. The pollster also cited a sharp drop in support among liberal voters and those in their 20s, with support from those aged 18 to 29 falling 10.2 percentage points. Lee's picks for justice minister and gender equality minister have been at the center of controversy in recent weeks. Rep. Yong Hye-in of the minor Basic Income Party, who was tapped as the new minister of gender equality, stepped

2 MIN READ
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Strategic leadership and successful reforms — key achievements in Uzbekistan's politics

Over the past eight years, Uzbekistan has undergone a profound transformation, significantly strengthening its statehood, becoming more open to the outside world and confidently establishing itself as a reliable and constructive partner in the region. At the heart of these changes lies the strategic and visionary leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which has served as the foundation for large-scale reforms and the beginning of a new era in the country’s political, social and economic life. From the very first days of his presidency, Mirziyoyev set a clear priority: the construction of a strong, just and open state, where the interests of the citizens are placed at the center. The reform program has encompassed nearly all areas of life, from improving public administration to modernizing the education system, from supporting entrepreneurship to strengthening social protection mechanisms. Particular attention has been paid not only to formal changes, but also to genuine transformations of state institutions, enhancing transparency and fostering trust between the state and soci

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Looking beyond Seoul, Korea targets Chinese tourists via regional airport gateways

Korea is making a decisive push to redefine its tourism landscape by movin travelers beyond the well-trodden streets of Seoul. To transform regional airports into vibrant international gateways, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) recently hosted an ambitious multiregion familiarization tour designed to showcase the heart of the country. The weeklong initiative brought together 112 key decision-makers from China’s top 100 travel agencies, media outlets and online platforms. Coming from major hubs including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang and Chengdu, participants were split into six specialized groups. Each group followed a route tailored around direct arrival and departure access through regional international airports, offering a seamless travel model that connects incoming flights directly to nearby provincial highlights. Delegates ventured into Gyeongju, Gimhae, Daejeon, Samcheok, Jeju and Cheonan. Along the way, they immersed themselves in the local food scene and enjoyed natural landscapes and heritage sites. Representatives

2 MIN READ
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New attacks in Hormuz, Saudi test nerves as war's spread worsens oil disruption

ADEN/DUBAI — New strikes on Saudi Arabia and on ships in the Gulf tested nerves in the Middle East on Sunday, after an attack on a Saudi oil pipeline and an advance by Yemen's Houthis threatened to worsen the wartime disruption to global energy supplies. Oil traders were expecting prices to rise again when markets reopen on Monday, following the weekend developments that jeopardise supplies from the world's biggest exporter, Saudi Arabia. The British maritime security agency UKMTO said on Sunday that a vessel had been struck by a projectile as it moved through the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire and forcing the crew to be evacuated. Iran, for its part, said one person was killed and four crew wounded aboard an Iranian commercial vessel struck off its coast. In Saudi Arabia, state media released video of damage to homes and a mosque from the purported latest cross-border attack by the Houthis, in Jazan province in the south. The Houthis claimed separately to have struck a Saudi military base in a neighbouring province. Southern Saudi cities have experienced regular alerts since last we

4 MIN READ
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Korean clubs start Champions League as underdogs

There was once a time when football fans in Korea could look ahead to the AFC Champions League Elite with the expectation that a K League team would lift the trophy — or at least that one or two Korean clubs would challenge deep into the competition. Still, the Land of the Morning Calm has 12 Asian wins with Saudi Arabia and Japan next with eight each. But few believe 12 will become 13. There is hope that the Pohang Steelers, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors or Daejeon Hana Citizen can go all the way, but it would be a surprise. The K League is no longer the top dog and has fallen down the football club rankings. On the surface, the opening round looks familiar as the competition begins on Tuesday. Pohang, a three-time champion, travels to China to face Beijing Guoan. Jeonbuk, a two-time winner, hosts Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol, while Daejeon faces Kyoto Sanga, another Japanese opponent. The 32 teams are divided into two regional league tables, one in the east and one in the west. The top eight teams from each region advance to the round of 16, with the quarter-finals, semifinals and final to fol

2 MIN READ
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Same table, different meals: Korean food's draw is participation

One of the questions visitors ask me most often is why Koreans share their side dishes. First-timers walking into a Korean restaurant are often caught off guard. They ordered one dish, and within minutes the table fills with kimchi, seasoned vegetables and pickles. None of it lands on their own plate. It all goes to the middle of the table and belongs to everyone. Most visitors view this as part of Korea's sharing culture. They are not wrong, but every time the question comes up, I tell a slightly different story. What sets Korean cuisine, or "hansik," apart is not that people share dishes. It is that people sharing one table can eat entirely different meals. A few years ago I shared a meal with a journalist from Austria. She is a vegetarian, yet I had managed to arrange the meeting at a Korean barbecue restaurant of all places — still, the meal went smoothly. The table filled up with rice, soup, leafy greens, and side dishes. She asked me how to eat ssam, a traditional kind of lettuce wrap, and then asked whether any side dish should not be put inside. I told her none was. A little

4 MIN READ
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Byeon Woo-seok's rise: $9.4 million luxury home bought in cash after ad blitz

Actor Byeon Woo-seok has reportedly purchased a luxury residence in Seoul for 13 billion won ($9.4 million) entirely in cash, drawing attention to his dramatic financial rise just two years after becoming one of Korea's most sought-after stars. Byeon purchased a 235-square-meter unit at Hannam The Hill in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District in central Seoul in May. He reportedly paid the remaining balance on Sept. 2 and completed the transfer of ownership. Property records reportedly show no separate mortgage registered on the home, leading to speculation that Byeon purchased the property without taking out a loan. Hannam The Hill, built on the former site of Dankook University, is one of Seoul's best-known luxury residential complexes. A number of high-profile Korean celebrities, including actors So Ji-sub and Lee Yo-won, as well as BTS members RM and Jimin, are known to have lived there. The purchase is drawing particular attention because of how quickly Byeon's career has transformed his status. The former model spent years building his acting career before becoming a breakout star through t

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Seoul Design International Forum to explore life-centered urban future

Seoul will bring together architects, designers, scientists and urban policy experts this week to explore how a life-centered approach to design can shape more vital cities. The 2026 Seoul Design International Forum will be held on Tuesday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza under the theme, “Vital Cities: Designing New Possibilities for Life.” The free event will run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will be livestreamed through the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Korean- and English-language YouTube channels. The forum, now in its seventh year, comes as the capital seeks to broaden its approach from human-centered design to what city officials describe as life-centered design — an approach that considers people alongside plants, animals and other living things that coexist in urban spaces. “Human-centered design has long been important, but there is now growing discussion of life-centered design, a concept that emphasizes the coexistence of people with other living organisms in urban environments,” Choi In-kyu, director-general at the city’s design policy bureau, told The Korea Times. The

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US ambassador, Seoul's vice FM discuss implementation of summit agreements

U.S. Ambassador to Korea Michelle Steel said Monday she met with Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina to discuss the implementation of agreements on trade and security reached by the two countries' presidents last year. In a post on X, Steel said she had "a great meeting" with Kim "to discuss the implementation of our Presidents' agreements from the Joint Fact Sheet." In a separate post on X, Kim also said that she had the pleasure of meeting Steel for the first time on Monday. "With her extensive experience and her genuine understanding of Korean society, I am confident that Ambassador Steel will play a vital role as a bridge between our two countries," the vice minister said. The joint fact sheet, adopted after last year's summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump, covers a range of bilateral commitments on trade, investment and security, including Korea's $350 billion investment pledge in the United States. Under the agreement, the two countries are discussing revisions to the Korea-U.S. nuclear energy agreement, known as the 123 Agreement, to allow Korea

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1st US project under tariff pact nears finish line

Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said Sunday that Korea's first investment project in the United States under last year's bilateral tariff agreement is nearing a deal but still needs further negotiations. The minister made the remarks at Incheon International Airport upon arrival from his three-day trip to the U.S., where he worked to finalize details of Seoul's first U.S. investment project related to the tariff agreement with U.S. officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. In return for lowering U.S. reciprocal tariff rates from 25 percent to 15 percent, Seoul committed last year to investing $350 billion in the U.S., including $150 billion in the shipbuilding sector. "There are still a number of issues remaining ... I plan to discuss (them with the U.S. side) via video again early this week," Kim told reporters, without elaborating on the remaining issues. "It is true that we have come close to an agreement on many issues, but there remain differences," he said. "It is not over until we finally sign (the deal)." The minister said Seoul seeks to seal the deal within this wee

1 MIN READ
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Korea's nuclear-powered submarines could take on broader Indo-Pacific role

As South Korea moves ahead with plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, the debate is shifting from whether the country needs them to where and how they should operate. South Korean military experts say Seoul has a strong case for acquiring nuclear-powered submarines to counter North Korea, even if their initial mission is focused on waters around the Korean Peninsula. Over time, however, they expect the submarines’ role to expand into the broader Indo-Pacific, from protecting vital sea lanes to supporting undersea cooperation with the United States. The assessments come after a U.S. Navy official said last week that South Korea needs a clear security rationale and concept of operations for the costly assets, reviving questions over whether Seoul needs nuclear-powered submarines if they are to operate mainly close to home. Moon Keun-sik, a submarine expert who formerly headed the nuclear-powered submarine project team at Navy Headquarters and is now a professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy at Hanyang University in Seoul, said that argument overlooks the ability of nucl

3 MIN READ
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Hyundai Motor Group targets hands-free urban driving by 2029

Hyundai Motor Group plans to start mass-producing vehicles capable of hands-free autonomous driving in urban areas in the second half of 2029, while launching vehicles using Nvidia’s validated autonomous driving technology a year earlier. The group unveiled the road map Friday during an autonomous driving media day at the headquarters of 42dot, its autonomous driving software subsidiary in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. The strategy centers on a two-track approach: using Nvidia’s technology to accelerate commercialization while developing its own autonomous driving system to secure long-term technological independence. The group plans to apply Nvidia’s vehicle AI computing platform and autonomous driving software to Level 2+ vehicles in the first half of 2028 and Level 2++ vehicles in the second half. Level 2+ allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel on highways, while Level 2++ extends hands-free driving to urban roads. At the same time, the group is advancing Atria AI, its proprietary end-to-end (E2E) autonomous driving system jointly developed by its Advanced Vehicle Platf

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Finance minister nominee backs January crypto tax rollout despite industry, opposition pushback

The nominee to head the Ministry of Finance and Economy expressed his intention on Sunday to implement the cryptocurrency tax next January as scheduled, despite pushback from both industry players and opposition lawmakers. In written materials submitted to the National Assembly ahead of a confirmation hearing slated for Tuesday, Lee Hyoung-il, who currently serves as first vice finance minister, noted that specific tax rules would be finalized through a National Tax Service public notice by year-end, ensuring taxpayers face no confusion when filing. He also defended classifying crypto asset income as miscellaneous income under the current tax framework, calling it an “appropriate” approach to applying taxpayer-friendly measures, such as a basic deduction and a single tax rate. “Given that stock trades involving major shareholders, foreign equities and unlisted shares, along with transaction taxes, are already subject to taxation, extending tax rules to crypto assets is essential for tax fairness,” he said. The crypto tax regime treats profits from transferring or lending digital

3 MIN READ
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More young Koreans look to stocks, bonds as retirement nest egg

A Seoul office worker surnamed Park has been setting aside 1 million won ($744) from her monthly paycheck for retirement since early this year, after friends and colleagues encouraged her to start investing. She puts the money into two types of retirement accounts — a pension savings account and an Individual Retirement Pension (IRP) — with most of her savings invested in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking the S&P 500. She makes her ETF purchases automatically each month rather than trying to time the market based on currency or stock price movements. “Before, I was just paying into the national pension and my bank savings accounts. But I started to worry that I wasn’t doing enough to build up my assets,” the 32-year-old said. News that the national pension fund could run out sooner than expected as Korea’s birthrate falls and its population ages only heightened her concerns. “That was around the time people around me started encouraging me to invest, so I decided to give it a try,” she said. “I’m thinking of this as building my own pension over time. I want to kee

3 MIN READ
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Editor's Pick

[WEEKENDER] Foreign victims shut out of Korea's 'jeonse' fraud relief efforts

WEEKENDER Foreign victims shut out of Korea's 'jeonse' fraud relief efforts

At the start of 2022, Nan Ming-ji, a 40-year-old with Chinese citizenship, moved with his parents into a home in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. The family put down a 140 million won ($104,000) deposit — money his parents had saved since arriving in Korea two decades ago. It was no small sum. But under the country’s distinct “jeonse” system, such large upfront deposits have long been the norm. Instead of paying monthly rent, tenants put down a lump sum that is returned in full when the lease ends. For landlords, the deposits provide access to a large pool of capital they can invest or earn interest on. In October 2023, Nan’s father found a notice saying their home was being put up for auction. Just weeks later, the family learned that their landlord owned several other buildings in his wife’s and brother-in-law’s names. Those properties, too, had been flagged for auction. The family had fallen victim to a form of jeonse fraud that has spread rapidly across Korea over the past decade. Some landlords used deposits from multiple tenants to acquire properties with little of their ow

4 MIN READ

Life in Korea

Half Local magazine brings fresh perspective on Seoul through 1st print issue

Half Local magazine brings fresh perspective on Seoul through 1st print issue

It can often feel overwhelming to look up social media recommendations for things to do in Seoul. There are aesthetic cafes tucked away in Seongsu-dong, where visitors might wait 40 minutes for a seat, or the latest “must-visit” Korean beauty store that has taken over Instagram. But for those who live in Seoul, those sites aren't necessarily part of the city they know and love. Enter Half Local, a media project exploring Seoul’s communities, neighborhoods and creative stories, offering a glimpse of the city beyond the trends that dominate social media. After initially sharing its stories online, Half Local is now entering the world of print with the release of its first physical magazine. Created by longtime British foreign resident Ella Kaill alongside Korean photographer Harry Heo, the first issue brings together a collection of stories built around a simple idea: being close enough to understand Korea, but far enough away to still see it with fresh eyes. After studying Korean in university, Kaill moved to the country in 2019 and gradually became immersed in its culture and ever

3 MIN READ

Lifestyle

From vitamin C to fiber: Nutritional benefits of fresh jujubes

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Fresh jujubes are now in season, offering a brief taste of early fall. Unlike dried jujubes, fresh ones contain plenty of water and have a crisp, apple-like texture, making them an easy snack to enjoy. They are also rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber, making them a good choice for an early-autumn snack that combines flavor and nutrition. Fresh jujubes are known for containing considerably more vitamin C than apples. Vitamin C is an antioxidant nutrient that helps maintain normal immune function and protect cells from oxidative damage. It is also essential for collagen production, which helps maintain healthy skin, gums and blood vessels. The skin contains antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavonoids, while the dietary fiber in the flesh can support bowel movements and regularity. Jujubes also provide potassium, which can help the body excrete excess sodium and support healthy blood pressure. Because fresh jujubes are typically eaten with their skin on, they can provide a wider range of nutrients. The easiest way to enjoy fresh jujubes is t

2 MIN READ
From vitamin C to fiber: Nutritional benefits of fresh jujubes

K-Culture

Riize to release 2nd studio album next spring

K-pop boy group Riize will release its second full-length album in spring 2027, preceded by a prologue single next month, SM Entertainment, the group's label, said Monday. The six-member act, which marked its third anniversary this month, also unveiled the schedule during a two-day fan meet-and-greet at Incheon's Inspire Arena on Saturday and Sunday. Ahead of the 2027 album, Riize will drop a prologue single on Oct. 26, SM said in a release. At the fan event, the group performed hit tracks, including "Do Your Dance," "Fly Up" and "Get a Guitar," alongside solo stages by individual members. "It has 'already' been three years, yet it also feels like 'just' three years," the group was quoted as telling its fans. "We are excited for all the things we will achieve together with Briize. We hope to keep going for a long time — even up to our 300th anniversary," it added, using the name of its fandom.

1 MIN READ
Riize to release 2nd studio album next spring

Celebrities

No more fixating on numbers: Comedians open up about regaining weight

Comedians Hong Yoon-hwa and Kim Shin-young are opening up about regaining weight after major weight-loss journeys, showing how their priorities have shifted toward health and happiness rather than maintaining a certain number on the scale. Hong Yoon-hwa appeared as a special guest on SBS’ entertainment program “Same Bed, Different Dreams 2: You Are My Destiny” on Sept. 8. When Hong appeared on the show, fellow comedian Kim Sook pointed out her changed physique. Hong jokingly acknowledged the change while touching a gold bracelet on her wrist, saying, “It’s gotten a little tight, hasn’t it?” The bracelet was a gift from her husband, comedian Kim Min-ki, after Hong successfully lost 40 kilograms. At the time, Kim reportedly purchased the gold bracelet in a single payment for approximately 9.55 million won ($6,900), drawing considerable attention. The bracelet was seen fitting much more snugly around her wrist recently, prompting interest from the panelists. When Lee Ji-hye asked Hong about her current condition, she smiled and replied, “I’ve been enjoying life a little mo

2 MIN READ
No more fixating on numbers: Comedians open up about regaining weight

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Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. Korea's nuclear-powered submarines could take on broader Indo-Pacific role

  2. Jeonnam-Gwangju universities launch semiconductor majors ahead of planned tech cluster

  3. Same table, different meals: Korean food's draw is participation

  4. Korea prevails in $196 mil. investor-state dispute against Chinese investor

  5. More young Koreans look to stocks, bonds as retirement nest egg

  6. Blondie & Garfield - September 14, 2026

  7. N. Korea reports latest missile launches, calling it strike drill

  8. Hyundai Motor Group targets hands-free urban driving by 2029

  9. New attacks in Hormuz, Saudi test nerves as war's spread worsens oil disruption

  10. ED Yong's resignation and lessons for Lee gov't

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