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Personal information of Lee, presidential staff leaked: report

Personal information of President Lee Jae Myung and presidential staff has been leaked, a local broadcaster reported Monday, with the presidential office saying it had already taken measures in response. According to KBS, the personal information of 168 people, including Lee, staff from Cheong Wa Dae and the foreign ministry, along with reporters covering the presidential office, was posted on a website in a file titled "List of passengers (Republic of Korea-Belgium)." The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea. The list appeared related to passengers who traveled aboard the presidential plane during Lee's trip to Belgium, Italy and France in June. KBS reported that the file was available for download and was even posted on June 2 ahead of Lee's trip. The information included Korean and English names, affiliations, positions, dates of birth, passport numbers and their expiration dates. "We were aware of the contents of the report in advance and took measures in response," the presidential office said, adding that other organizations, including the foreign ministry, would als

1 MIN READ
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Unwanted ballots worry Korean green card holders amid US voting crackdown

SEATTLE — With the Trump administration stepping up its crackdown on noncitizen voting ahead of Tuesday's midterm elections, some Korean green card holders are worried that receiving election ballots they never requested could land them in immigration trouble. Across online forums and social media discussions, including Korean-American communities, green card holders have shared accounts of receiving ballots or voter-registration materials despite not being U.S. citizens. "I'm a green card holder, but ballots come to my house every time," one user wrote. Another said she and her husband, both green card holders, had received jury summonses, and that her husband had also received election-related mail. The accounts have prompted discussions about how noncitizens end up receiving election materials and whether mistakes involving voter registration could jeopardize their green cards or future citizenship applications. Some users expressed concern that they may have been registered without realizing it, while others questioned how permanent residents could be unaware that only U.S. citizens

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New cyberattack on supermarket fridges sweeps across Europe

STOCKHOLM/BRUSSELS/LONDON — A hacking attack on European supermarkets spread across the continent on Monday, hitting fridges and freezers from Sweden to Belgium and forcing stores to throw away food in an incident that echoed a similar attack in France last month. The attack, which raised temperatures in refrigerator and freezer units at dozens of stores, hit supermarket groups Ahold Delhaize and Colruyt in Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as Swedish grocers ICA and Coop. Furniture-to-meatballs retailer IKEA also saw at least one store affected. "Everything is destroyed," Engla Ingwall, sales manager at an ICA franchise store in Stockholm, told Reuters during a visit to the store on Monday, adding the attack occurred at 2 a.m. (0100 GMT) but was only noticed hours later. "There has been a cyberattack and all our freezers reached 50 degrees (Celsius)." A spokesperson for privately held ICA said the company was aware that a "limited number of stores were affected by an incident overnight, which impacted their refrigeration and freezer systems". The latest incidents follow an attack in Fran

4 MIN READ
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Top court upholds antitrust watchdog's $13.8 mil. fine on Broadcom

Korea's top court has upheld the country's antitrust watchdog's decision to impose an 18.6 billion won ($13.8 million) fine on U.S. chipmaker Broadcom Inc. for unfair business practices against Samsung Electronics, sources said Monday. According to the sources, the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a lower court ruling against Broadcom in a lawsuit the U.S. company filed against the Fair Trade Commission (FTC). In 2023, the FTC fined Broadcom for using its superior position to force Samsung to sign a long-term agreement in 2020. According to the watchdog, Broadcom compelled Samsung to purchase at least $760 million worth of its smartphone parts annually from 2021 to 2023 and required the South Korean tech giant to compensate for any shortfall if its purchases fell below that amount. Broadcom filed a lawsuit challenging the FTC's decision in November 2023. In May, however, the Seoul High Court ruled against Broadcom, finding the fine justified. An FTC decision, when challenged, is reviewed by the Seoul High Court, whose ruling can be appealed to the Supreme Court.

1 MIN READ
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Incheon airport's network fiasco raises questions over crisis readiness

Incheon International Airport’s latest check-in disruption has exposed its vulnerability to failures at external network providers, prompting calls for stronger contingency systems. The outage began around 4:30 a.m. Friday, when connectivity problems hit the global network of U.S.-based aviation communications provider ARINC, disrupting check-in operations at 13 airlines across both terminals. It delayed 38 flights and left around 1,200 passengers waiting at the airport, according to Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC). By the afternoon, ticketing operations at China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Air China had nearly ground to a halt, forcing them to switch to manual procedures. The latest network fiasco clearly shows a structural vulnerability in airport operations. International airports and airlines rely on global IT providers to exchange passenger and reservation information, coordinate check-in procedures and issue boarding passes. Such platforms allow carriers to operate across multiple airports without building entirely separate systems at each location. Ho

3 MIN READ
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Traditional music teachers exploited authority to sexually abuse students: Court records

Sex crimes in the traditional Korean music community persist, fueled by the enormous influence teachers wield over students’ future careers and the close-knit, insular nature of the industry. Following the Hankook Ilbo’s in-depth coverage of sexual exploitation in the traditional music scene, victims continued to come forward with accounts of widespread sexual harassment and assault. Court rulings also revealed disturbing details of the crimes. An analysis by the Hankook Ilbo of court rulings from 2010 to 2026 involving sexual offenses committed by traditional music instructors who abused their positions of authority over students found that seven of the 11 cases involved underage victims. In four of those cases, the victims were younger than 13. Cases involving adult victims also revealed how perpetrators exploited their control over students’ future careers to subject them to repeated abuse. Even as they suffered, victims found it difficult to speak out, and some eventually left the traditional music community altogether. The crimes typically took place in lesson rooms or class

5 MIN READ
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COVER STORY Migrant communities push back against Lee's 'reverse discrimination' framing

People from multicultural families and migrant rights advocates are pushing back against President Lee Jae Myung’s recent suggestion that certain support policies could amount to “reverse discrimination,” warning that his remarks risk deepening social divisions and reinforcing prejudice. While acknowledging that Lee may have intended to address fairness in welfare provisions and labor shortages in rural areas, they say his language risks portraying migrants as undeserving beneficiaries. Speaking to The Korea Times, they urged the president to exercise greater care, adding that his words carry particular weight in shaping public attitudes toward migrant communities. At a Cabinet meeting on Oct. 27, Lee said bringing in foreign workers “does not greatly benefit the national economy,” arguing that they “send all their wages back to their home countries.” In subsequent social media posts, he questioned whether government policies should “go beyond” protecting multicultural families from disadvantages to granting them better treatment, citing priority access to public postp

3 MIN READ
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Korea swaps drone command for smaller agency focused on development, procurement

South Korea has replaced its military drone operations command with a smaller agency focused on developing drone capabilities and speeding up procurement, shifting operational responsibilities to individual service branches. The Ministry of National Defense held a ceremony Monday in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, to mark the launch of the Defense Drone Agency, which officially began operations Sunday. The restructuring reduces the staff from about 280 at the former headquarters to 100 at the new agency, while increasing the proportion of personnel at the field-grade officer level or above from 17 percent to more than 50 percent. The new organization will focus on planning drone requirements, testing technology and helping the military acquire equipment more quickly. Unlike the former Drone Operations Command, which conducted missions using its own units, the new agency will not command combat operations. Its operational units and assets are being transferred to the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. Under the previous arrangement, the services primarily used drones for surveillance and recon

3 MIN READ
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Korea's beloved actors leave behind generations of viewers

Korea’s most beloved veteran actors are leaving behind a deep sense of loss among audiences who grew up watching them on television and in movie theaters. The deaths of Lee Soon-jae, Ahn Sung-ki and Choi Bool-am within less than a year have marked the loss of three towering figures who helped shape Korea’s popular culture for decades. Each made a different contribution to the entertainment industry, but all became household names whose presence extended far beyond their performances. In Korea, they are often called “the nation’s favorite actors,” a term reserved for performers who have earned the affection and respect of generations of audiences. Their popularity went beyond fame. Through the characters they portrayed and the stories they brought into Korean homes, they became familiar companions in the everyday lives of millions. Choi Bool-am: Father figure for many Koreans Choi, widely remembered as Korea’s ideal on-screen father, died at a hospital in western Seoul on Oct. 29. He was 87. For generations of viewers, Choi was more than an actor playing a father. He came to em

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HYBE data breach exposes employee medical records, financial details

HYBE, the music agency behind K-pop group BTS, disclosed a cyberattack that exposed personal information of current and former employees and business partners, including resident registration numbers, credit card numbers and medical records. In an apology posted on its website, Oct. 18, the company said an internal security inspection detected unauthorized access through an outside vendor’s document preview software linked to its electronic approval system. Further investigation found similar access to its expense management system. According to the apology, the breaches occurred Sept. 12-13 and Oct. 3-5. Compromised information also included passport numbers, bank account details, addresses and phone numbers. The company did not disclose how many people were affected. “We deeply apologize for the concern caused by the personal information leak,” HYBE said in the notice. The company also said it blocked the attackers’ internet addresses and access routes, reported the incident to the Korea Internet and Security Agency and the Personal Information Protection Commission, and was no

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Korea, India hold inaugural meeting of economic security dialogue

Korea and India held the inaugural meeting of their economic security dialogue in Seoul on Monday to discuss ways to maintain the momentum of their cooperation in stabilizing supply chains and advancing cooperation in advanced technologies, Seoul's presidential office said. Monday's meeting was held as a follow-up to the Korean and Indian leaders' summit in April, during which they agreed to launch the dialogue to enhance supply chain resilience and advance cooperation in cutting-edge technologies. Song Ki-ho, vice chief of Cheong Wa Dae's National Security Office, represented Korea at the dialogue, while India was represented by Pavan Kapoor, deputy national security adviser of India, according to the presidential office. During the meeting, the two sides explored ways to maintain the momentum of their cooperation in stabilizing supply chains, advance cooperation in the advanced technology sector and jointly respond to shifts in the global economic security environment, Cheong Wa Dae said. The two countries also discussed ways to develop and implement partnerships in shipbuilding, shipp

1 MIN READ
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Finance minister, Hyundai Motor chief discuss EV policies: sources

Korea's finance minister met with the head of Hyundai Motor Group to discuss ways to develop the country's electric vehicle (EV) industry, along with government tax incentives for the sector, sources said Monday. Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il met with Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung for around 20 minutes ahead of a roundtable held on the day at the company's research center in Hwaseong, south of Seoul, according to the sources. During the meeting, the two also exchanged views on applying tax cuts for EVs produced in the country, the sources said. The finance ministry said Lee was also briefed by Hyundai Motor Group on its plans to develop next-generation EVs and autonomous vehicles. The roundtable, attended by representatives from other automakers, was part of the government's efforts to gather industry views on EVs and autonomous driving technology. "EVs are the next battleground for the country to revive its growth potential," Lee said during the roundtable, stressing that the country needs to secure technologies in line with those of advanced nations within two or thr

1 MIN READ
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Doubts on AI investment to test Korean economy

Growing concerns over the sustainability of the global artificial intelligence (AI) investment boom are translating into mounting financing pressures on major tech companies, raising fears that a slowdown in AI spending could deal an outsized blow to Korea's semiconductor-dependent economy. Tech giants such as Google, Meta and Amazon are heavily relying on debt to finance their massive capital expenditures, as borrowing costs continue to rise. This also adds pressure to the fundraising plans of AI developers such as OpenAI and Anthropic. This could eventually slow the pace of AI investment and weigh on memory chip prices, potentially sending shock waves through Korea's broader economy, which heavily relies on corporate tax revenue from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Google's parent company Alphabet disclosed on Wednesday that its capital expenditures amounted to 121.4 percent of the cash generated from operating activities, meaning the company spent more on investments, mostly in AI infrastructure, than it generated from its operations. Its free cash flow (FCF) remained negative for t

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GS E&C data breach exposes blind spots in Korea's smart apartments

When Park, a 56-year-old homemaker living in an apartment complex in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, heard that GS Engineering & Construction (GS E&C) had recently detected unauthorized access to a system containing residents’ personal information, the news struck a nerve. “Sure, I’ve had my personal information exposed in the Coupang and SK Telecom data breaches, among many others. Over time, I found myself becoming less concerned. Everyone seemed to be getting hit, and it felt like I was just another number in a database,” she said. This time, however, it felt much closer to home, quite literally. “The information involved could reveal details about my own household. Our apartment complex, like many newer developments, relies on smart home services for everyday tasks. We use an app to track package deliveries and vehicle entry and exit, another to access the building, and I hear the sports center is introducing facial recognition for entry. If that kind of information gets exposed, it feels like someone might actually be able to track my every move.” Her concerns point to a growi

3 MIN READ
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Korean travelers favor nearby Asia as Europe, North America lose ground

Lee Ji-yeon, an office worker in her 30s, traveled solo to Japan's Kyoto in early October. She had considered destinations such as Canada and Australia, but ultimately opted for a shorter trip closer to home. "It was difficult for me to take a long day off work, and considering the cost of airfare, I thought it would make more sense to take a short trip to a nearby country," she said. A Seoul resident in her 60s surnamed Park is planning a trip to Hong Kong with friends in December. "Long-distance travel has become physically demanding for me, so I ruled out destinations in Europe and North America. Traveling to other Asian countries is more convenient," Park said. Their choices reflect a broader shift in Koreans' overseas travel habits. Japan and China are attracting a growing share of Korean travelers, while Europe and North America are losing ground, according to data released Monday. An analysis by BC Card of Koreans' overseas travel spending found that Asia accounted for 74.3 percent of their overseas travel spending in the first half of this year, from 60.4 percent in the same period

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Major disaster could open door to N. Korea talks, Japanese disaster expert says

A major natural disaster in North Korea could create an opening for engagement with the isolated regime through humanitarian aid, according to a Japanese disaster expert who once coordinated with North Korean officials at the United Nations. He noted that the U.N. had discussed such an approach and that disasters have helped thaw relations elsewhere. “In the event of a major disaster in North Korea, neighboring countries — including China, South Korea, Russia and Japan — could potentially provide humanitarian assistance,” Yuichi Ono, professor at Tohoku University and deputy director of International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), said during a meeting with South Korean reporters visiting Japan as part of a South Korea-Japan journalists’ exchange program on Oct. 23, according to the joint press corps. He said the idea has been raised within the U.N. itself. “We actually discussed within the U.N. whether a major disaster might serve as a catalyst for the country to open its doors,” he said. “Statistically speaking, it’s only a matter of time before Nor

2 MIN READ
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Democrats, Trump hold final rallies before midterm elections

WASHINGTON — Democrats teed up final get-out-the-vote rallies Monday on the eve of midterm elections where they expect to win at least partial control of Congress and impose political constraints on President Donald Trump for the first time in two years. Rallies -- including by star Democratic Senate candidates James Talarico in Texas and Adam Hamilton in Kansas -- were capping a campaign of breathtaking tension and bitterness. For his closing argument, Trump chose a speech in Washington at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool -- a landmark that has become synonymous with the 80-year-old president's obsessive, controversial drive to redevelop the US capital. "We're going to win," he said on Sunday. Polls, however, show that Democrats are near certain to take the majority from Republicans in the House of Representatives and have a real shot at winning the currently Republican Senate. Even winning just the House would mean Democrats have voting power over the federal budget and would lead powerful committees able to investigate alleged corruption under Trump, the Epstein files and other e

2 MIN READ
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Busan Fireworks Festival to light up Gwangalli Beach Saturday

Korea’s southern port city of Busan will host its massive annual fireworks display Saturday along Gwangalli Beach, illuminating the landmark Gwangan Bridge across the bay, city officials said Monday. The hourlong show starts at 7 p.m. Fireworks will be launched from three spots, Gwangalli Beach, Igidae Park and Dongbaek Island, to give the show more depth. The program will open with a 15-minute show by China’s Sunny Fireworks. It will be followed by a 30-minute show by Korea’s Hanwha Corp. on the theme “Busan’s dream,” featuring 25-inch shells, waterfall-style “Niagara” fireworks and multimedia lighting on the bridge. A five-minute “curtain call” display will then offer thanks citizens and festival staff. Before the fireworks show, the Black Eagles, the Korean Air Force’s aerobatic team, will put on an air show at 4 p.m., alongside beach events and busking by local indie bands. The city will offer some 17,000 paid seats. About 3,000 more seats than last year have been added, all set aside for foreign tourists and sold through overseas travel agencies and online trav

2 MIN READ
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Editor's Pick

[COVER STORY] North Korea has every incentive to keep stealing crypto, analysts say

COVER STORY North Korea has every incentive to keep stealing crypto, analysts say

The $6.36 billion cryptocurrency heist targeting Binance has exposed a troubling reality for the digital asset industry: North Korea is increasingly exploiting security vulnerabilities to bankroll Pyongyang's military ambitions. The stolen amount is equivalent to 22 percent of North Korea's 2025 gross domestic product, making the attack the largest cryptocurrency theft on record and one of the biggest financial crimes in history. Analysts warned Sunday that it is unlikely to be the last. "We're dealing with sophisticated adversaries who may have substantial resources, years of patience and objectives that extend well beyond financial gain," said Michael O'Loughlin, managing partner of Argonautic Global and board member of Blockchain Ireland. Proceeds from cryptocurrency theft have become an increasingly important source of funding for cash-strapped North Korea, alongside an estimated $22 billion in foreign income generated since 2022 through its support for Russia's war in Ukraine. The stolen funds could help finance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, as well as efforts to modern

3 MIN READ

Life in Korea

dbBOOKS warehouse sale brings English-language readers together

dbBOOKS warehouse sale brings English-language readers together

Twice a year, a cavernous basement warehouse in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong opens its doors to bibliophiles looking for something beyond the usual bookstore experience. Its shelves are packed with English-language books at discount prices, and visitors are invited not only to browse and buy, but also to exchange books and meet fellow readers. The Welcome to Our Warehouse (WOW) Family Sale, organized by English-language book distributor dbBOOKS, returns this Saturday and Sunday with its familiar mix of warehouse bargains and community events. This year's program includes a book talk with award-winning Korean novelist You-jeong Jeong, author of "Bonobo," which was recently published in English translation, as well as a book swap. For dbBOOKS, the sale has turned into something more than just a way to move books off warehouse shelves. The company operates as a wholesaler, importer, distributor and retailer, supplying books to major Korean online and physical retailers. Its catalogue ranges from popular fiction to children's books, encyclopedias and nonfiction. With around 35 employees, it maint

4 MIN READ

Lifestyle

Love hotteok? Here's how the sugary, oil-fried snack can affect your diet

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Comedian Shin Bong-sun, who has drawn attention for her slimmer figure, turned down even a tempting snack to stay on track with her diet. Shin recently posted a photo of a black plastic bag on social media, writing, “Hotteok my older sister bought me from Namdaemun. I won't eat it.” She also shared a full-body photo taken at a gym, saying she was playing tennis and attending a personal training session. Shin previously revealed that she had lost 11 kilograms in just 100 days. She has since continued to exercise regularly and manage her diet. Hotteok: A calorie bomb with sugar and oil Hotteok is a snack made by filling wheat flour dough with a sweet filling and cooking it in oil. The carbohydrates in the dough, combined with sugar and oil, make the snack high in calories. Its calorie content varies depending on its size, filling ingredients and the amount of oil used during cooking. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's food nutrition database, hotteok containing nuts has 314 kilocalories per 100 grams. Eating a 150-gram hotteok

2 MIN READ
Love hotteok? Here's how the sugary, oil-fried snack can affect your diet

K-Culture

Son Suk-ku, Park Bo-young cast as couple in upcoming rom-com

Actors Son Suk-ku and Park Bo-young have been cast as a mysterious couple who must kiss every day to survive in an upcoming fantasy romantic comedy film, its distributor said Monday. Titled "Kiss for Tomorrow," the film follows married couple Ji-kyung (Son) and Oh-seong (Park), who are unexpectedly separated during a cruise trip and set out on a quest to reunite, according to NEW. The film combines time loop and adventure elements, it added. Director Kang Hyeong-cheol, known for the films "Sunny" (2011), "Tazza: The Hidden Card" (2014) and "Swing Kids" (2018), helms the film. Kang also directed "Scandal Makers" (2008), starring Park.

1 MIN READ
Son Suk-ku, Park Bo-young cast as couple in upcoming rom-com

Celebrities

Jennie transforms into Suki for Halloween — and Devon Aoki herself approves

BLACKPINK's Jennie brought an iconic Y2K movie character back to life for Halloween — and even won the approval of the actress who originally played her. Jennie shared a series of photos on social media Sunday with the caption, "sukiiiiiiiii," revealing her transformation into Suki, Devon Aoki's fan-favorite character from the 2003 film "2 Fast 2 Furious." The K-pop star wore the costume while attending Kendall Jenner's birthday and Halloween party at a bar in Los Angeles. Jennie recreated Suki's unmistakable Y2K look with a purple crop top, hot pink miniskirt, long straight hair and an elaborate statement belt. She completed the homage by posing in front of a red sports car, echoing the car-centered aesthetic of the "Fast & Furious" franchise. Her take on the character quickly drew attention online, but one reaction stood out above the rest. Aoki herself appeared in the comments under Jennie's post, writing, "Awww love this!!!" Suki, played by the actress and model, became one of the most recognizable female characters from the early years of the "Fast & Furious" franchise. Her colorful

1 MIN READ
Jennie transforms into Suki for Halloween — and Devon Aoki herself approves

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Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. Family, fellow actors bid farewell to iconic actor Choi Bool-am

  2. Korean travelers favor nearby Asia as Europe, North America lose ground

  3. Incheon airport's network fiasco raises questions over crisis readiness

  4. COVER STORY Migrant communities push back against Lee's 'reverse discrimination' framing

  5. Korea swaps drone command for smaller agency focused on development, procurement

  6. Gov't tightens grip on illegal foreign delivery riders amid nearly 17-fold surge in cases

  7. Lee pitches future-oriented fund as he seeks parliamentary support for record-high budget

  8. Paradox of Korean soft power

  9. GS E&C data breach exposes blind spots in Korea's smart apartments

  10. Seoul mayor says to review next year's marathons from 'scratch' after severe traffic disruptions

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