The Korea Times

The Korea Times
My TimesLatest

Intensive search under way for 9 Koreans missing in Nepal floods

A Korean disaster relief team arrived in Nepal on Wednesday to help bolster the ongoing intensive search for nine Koreans and other victims missing in massive floods and landslides, the foreign ministry said. The 44-member Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), comprising personnel from the ministry, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and fire authorities, arrived in Kathmandu earlier in the day aboard an Air Force KC-330 Cygnus multirole tanker transport aircraft, according to the ministry. "The team plans to conduct search-and-rescue operations in cooperation with Nepali authorities and our dispatched government emergency response team," a ministry official said. "Its deployment is scheduled to last about 10 days but may be extended depending on conditions at the site," he added. The KDRT brought five rescue dogs and various types of advanced equipment, including high-resolution drones, devices for detecting buried victims through sound and video and thermal imaging detectors. The nine Koreans went missing after massive floods hit Nepal's Rasuwa district on Aug. 26 while the

2 MIN READ
Intensive search under way for 9 Koreans missing in Nepal floods thumbnail

Geobukseom, Oido make quiet case for West Sea

SIHEUNG, Gyeonggi Province — Local travelers who judge a destination by the number of attractions tend to look east, toward the deep blue water and fine sand beaches that fill summer travel supplements. The West Sea close to Seoul and its metropolitan area has long been treated as the consolation prize — flat, brown at low tide and governed by a tidal range that rearranges the shoreline twice a day. Yet, those who would like the coast for tranquility and reflection will find this stretch offering exactly that at a price nobody has thought to advertise. Siheung, a city of more than 500,000 in Gyeonggi Province, sits about 40 kilometers southwest of central Seoul and holds two coastal destinations — Geobukseom and Oido — of entirely opposite temperaments. Geobukseom, which literally translates as “Turtle Island,” is an island of marinas, surf lagoons and glass towers that has not yet filled up. Oido, some 10 minutes away, is a former island that has been grilling shellfish for day-trippers for decades. The "turtle" is not without its reason. Pull Geobukseom up on a map and the o

6 MIN READ
thumbnail

Foreign workers take on bigger roles in Korea's financial industry

Oleg Smagin's workday in Seoul looks much like that of his Korean colleagues. The 31-year-old Russian national works as a senior manager in JB Financial Group's AX Strategy Division at its Seoul office in Yeouido, the heart of Korea's financial district. His work involves market research, writing reports, attending meetings and keeping track of regulatory developments across the financial sector. He usually has lunch with his colleagues and joins after-work gatherings, a familiar part of Korean office culture. Having joined JB Financial in June 2025, Smagin focuses on finding new business opportunities related to digital assets. "My main task is to explore business strategies related to digital assets, particularly how assets such as stablecoins can be connected with existing financial services to create new products and services," Smagin said in a recent interview with The Korea Times, speaking in fluent Korean. Smagin first came to Korea as an exchange student in 2014 and eventually decided to settle here. His current role allows him to put his academic background in economics and previ

4 MIN READ
Foreign workers take on bigger roles in Korea's financial industry thumbnail

Gender minister nominee says aware of concerns over keeping Assembly seat

Gender Minister nominee Yong Hye-in said Wednesday she is aware of concerns over retaining her National Assembly seat to take her newly nominated position, sidestepping questions about calls for her to resign from parliament. Yong has faced growing calls to give up her parliamentary seat after she earlier said she would keep her seat even after being appointed to the Cabinet position, breaking from convention for proportional representatives. "I will well prepare for the confirmation hearing and deliver my thoughts after organizing them," she told reporters when asked about the calls to resign as lawmaker. "I am listening to the many worries and concerns." While lawmakers can double as members of the Cabinet, proportional representatives, like Yong, have customarily given up their parliamentary seats to take such posts. Yong, who is the sole lawmaker of the Basic Income Party, earlier highlighted that her party would become a non-parliamentary party should she resign as lawmaker.

1 MIN READ
Gender minister nominee says aware of concerns over keeping Assembly seat thumbnail

Lee says now is time to expand economic pie, rather than welfare

President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday it is unrealistic to pursue both economic growth and welfare expansion for now, stressing that priority should be placed on expanding the economic pie rather than welfare. The president wrote the message on his X account, uploading a media column that argued the government's budget bill for next year relatively lacked spending on "distribution." "Giving up growth while expanding welfare should never happen. Pursing the expansion of both growth and welfare is ideal but unrealistic," Lee wrote, adding, "Now is inevitably the time to focus on growth to expand the pie." The president still argued that the government has not cut back on welfare. "If we fail to recover sustained growth and head toward zero or negative growth, (economic) polarization would further worsen and could even lead to a decline in welfare," he said. The president added that the government is also paying attention to improving welfare policies and that more time would be needed for further measures. The previous day, the government proposed a record 820.9 trillion-won ($599 billion)

1 MIN READ
Lee says now is time to expand economic pie, rather than welfare thumbnail

InterviewKing's calls on universities to rethink essence of learning in AI era

LONDON — As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly reshapes higher education, universities face a challenge that goes far beyond simply bringing the technology into classrooms. King’s College London Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Shitij Kapur argues that the more fundamental task is to rethink the very nature of learning itself. “Universities need to look beyond how to use AI and ask what the essence of learning should be when machines can increasingly perform many of the cognitive tasks students have traditionally been trained to do,” Kapur said in an interview with The Korea Times. Rather than treating AI primarily as a challenge to academic integrity, he said universities should focus on whether traditional models of education — largely built around acquiring and demonstrating knowledge — are still sufficient in a world where machines can perform many cognitive tasks. That requires a shift in emphasis from knowledge-based learning toward experiences that develop students’ ability to apply what they know in real-world settings. “The big shift is from cognitive to

4 MIN READ
King's calls on universities to rethink essence of learning in AI era thumbnail

Samsung, LG to exhibit AI home ecosystem at IFA 2026

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics will exhibit their artificial intelligence (AI) home appliances at IFA 2026, Europe’s largest consumer electronics and home appliance trade show set to run from Friday to Tuesday in Berlin. Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it has set up its standalone booth at Humboldt Carre in downtown Berlin, rather than joining the event’s main venue at Messe Berlin. At the booth, which will operate from Wednesday to Sunday, Samsung will showcase its “AI Home,” which connects home appliances, services and energy management. Samsung said the exhibition will present a concept of “AI living,” focused not only on technological convenience but also on people’s daily lives and needs. The company will also showcase its 2026 TV lineup, including Micro RGB models. The TVs feature Vision AI Companion, a conversational AI technology that provides personalized content recommendations and context information without disrupting the viewing experience. The Bespoke AI Family Hub refrigerator uses camera-based AI Vision technology to automatically recognize food in

2 MIN READ
Samsung, LG to exhibit AI home ecosystem at IFA 2026 thumbnail

Number of foreign workers under Employment Permit System hits record high

The number of foreign workers staying in Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS) reached a record high of 287,424 this year, data showed Wednesday. The EPS allows small and medium-sized businesses facing labor shortages to hire nonprofessional foreign workers, who are issued E-9 visas. According to the data submitted by the labor ministry to Rep. Kim Wi-sang of the main opposition People Power Party, the number of foreign workers under the EPS reached the record figure as of July. The number has been on a steady rise from 159,463 in 2021 and 203,121 in 2022 to 247,191 in 2023, 271,925 in 2024 and 282,839 last year. By industry, 229,844 foreign workers, or an overwhelming 80 percent of the total, worked in the manufacturing sector. The agriculture and livestock sector accounted for 33,878 foreign workers, or 11.8 percent, followed by fisheries with 15,441 (5.4 percent), construction with 6,724 (2.3 percent) and services with 1,410 (0.5 percent). Rep. Kim said the excessive concentration of E-9 visa holders in the manufacturing sector underscores the need to overhaul the EPS, as the s

1 MIN READ
Number of foreign workers under Employment Permit System hits record high thumbnail

US Army acquisition chief visits Hanwha Aerospace in Changwon

The U.S. Army’s top acquisition official visited Hanwha Aerospace’s defense production sites in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, Aug. 26 to review the company’s manufacturing capabilities for artillery, rocket systems and other land-based defense platforms. Brent Ingraham, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, led the delegation during the visit. His visit followed Hanwha’s Aug. 18 deal with the U.S. Army to supply six prototype systems for the Mobile Tactical Cannon program, with an option for 12 additional systems. The delegation toured Hanwha’s K9 production line, where K9MH systems are currently being manufactured, and observed automated processes, including robotic welding, used in the production of the company’s artillery systems. The delegation also watched mobility demonstrations of the K9MH and K9A1 self-propelled howitzers and a demonstration of the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher. It also reviewed Hanwha’s broader portfolio of land-based defense systems. “Hanwha brings proven manufacturing capabilities and global product

2 MIN READ
US Army acquisition chief visits Hanwha Aerospace in Changwon thumbnail

Uzbekistan turns past to narrative for future

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — As the last light faded over New Tashkent on Friday, hundreds of drones rose into the sky, forming moving images for a celebration of Uzbekistan's 35th anniversary of independence. Music swept across the open-air venue. Uzbek dancers and musicians shared the stage with international stars, including British soprano Sarah Brightman, Italian tenor Alessandro Safina and Spanish tenor José Carreras. Giant 3D projections, robotics, lighting effects and an aerial display turned the evening into a carefully choreographed mixture of history, technology and spectacle. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev joined the ceremony and delivered a speech outlining an ambitious national agenda for the decade ahead. The country's official Independence Day falls on Sept. 1, but this year's principal celebrations were staged several days earlier. For nearly a week, international journalists in Uzbekistan had been observing a quiet effort to shape the country's image abroad. From Aug. 24 to 29, Tashkent and Samarkand hosted the international media forum “Islamic Civilization: A New Perspec

5 MIN READ
Uzbekistan turns past to narrative for future thumbnail

Chipotle brings burritos to Korea, and a familiar American anxiety

SEATTLE — For many Americans, ordering at Chipotle is practically muscle memory — rice, beans, protein, salsa, toppings. In Korea, some diners have a more immediate concern: How exactly are you supposed to order without holding up the line? Chipotle opened its first restaurant in Asia near Seoul's Gangnam Station this week, largely transplanting the American experience, including its signature build-your-own ordering system. Almost immediately, Korean social media filled with explainers on how to order, along with comparisons to Subway, another U.S. chain where customers move down the counter choosing ingredients as they go. “More nerve-racking than Subway,” one blogger wrote. Subway has long generated similar anxiety in Korea, spawning countless online tutorials explaining what to say, what to choose and in what order. “As someone who was scared of Subway, this is giving me PTSD,” one commenter said. Another had a simpler request: “Please introduce kiosks.” Part of the anxiety may come from having to make one choice after another while an employee waits for an answer and ot

2 MIN READ
Chipotle brings burritos to Korea, and a familiar American anxiety thumbnail

How Korea's national museum turned ancient artifacts into cosplay sensation

For one day, Korea’s most revered artifacts are no longer kept behind museum glass. Instead, they stride down runways, pose for selfies and perform choreography in front of crowds as golden Buddhist sculptures, smiling Silla-era roof tiles, Bronze Age bells and even a life-size map of the Korean Peninsula come to life through the National Museum of Korea’s cosplay contest. The relatively new tradition has become a distinctly Korean version of Halloween, when for one day in September, participants become the cultural treasures they love most. This year, “Dress Like a Museum” drew 275 teams and 643 participants — more than triple last year’s 83 entries — turning what began as a museum participation program two years ago into a fast-growing heritage fandom event. Contestants are not only asked to imitate heritage but also to bring it to life through their own storytelling. Echoing the contest’s poster slogan — “It is time to awaken the artifact sleeping inside you” — the event invites participants to discover a personal connection with heritage and give it a living f

3 MIN READ
How Korea's national museum turned ancient artifacts into cosplay sensation thumbnail

Police leadership overhauled in massive late-night reshuffle

The chief of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency was appointed deputy commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), police said Tuesday, effectively making him acting head of the national police force amid a prolonged vacancy in the top post. Kim Jong-chul was named to replace Yoo Jae-seong, who has served as acting KNPA commissioner for more than 20 months. The KNPA said it applied a regional avoidance principle in the reshuffle, under which senior officers are generally not assigned to their hometowns or regions where they have close ties, in an effort to strengthen impartiality and prevent corruption. As part of the reshuffle, 14 out of 18 national police agency chiefs in the city and province level, equivalent to 78 percent of the total, were replaced. Over 80 percent of senior superintendent general ranks were replaced in the personnel shakeup, according to officials. Ko Beom-seok was appointed the new chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, while Yu Seung-ryeol was promoted to head the Incheon Metropolitan Police chief. The KNPA said it plans to overhaul

1 MIN READ
Police leadership overhauled in massive late-night reshuffle thumbnail

Bolton sees possibility of Trump meeting Kim in Pyongyang, warns of summit risks

WASHINGTON — Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton on Tuesday raised the possibility of President Donald Trump meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang for a new summit, while noting the "very high" risk of renewed summitry between them. Bolton, who served as a top security aide to Trump from 2018-2019, made the remarks during an online forum as Trump has expressed his intention to meet Kim later this year. Trump held three meetings with Kim during his first term: the first in Singapore in June 2018, the second in Hanoi in February 2019 and the third at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom in June 2019. "I think Trump would look at Pyongyang because ... he's had the first meeting with the North Korean leader (in Singapore). So doing it again breaks no new ground. It's not a big PR stunt," he said during the forum hosted by the Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS). "He's been to the DMZ and walked in North Korea, so he can't do that again. So what else is there really except to go to Pyongyang?" he added, referring to the Panmunjom meeting inside

3 MIN READ
Bolton sees possibility of Trump meeting Kim in Pyongyang, warns of summit risks thumbnail

InterviewKorea looks to AI, drones, robots to make firefighting safer

Korea is moving toward a future firefighting system in which drones and robots enter hazardous zones first, artificial intelligence (AI) helps commanders make decisions and more advanced protective gear gives firefighters a better chance of surviving extreme conditions. “Drones and robots will be deployed to collect information on risks at the scene. Once they finish the task, AI will analyze it and provide commanders with the information they need,” Kim Yeon-sang, head of the National Fire Research Institute, said in a written interview with The Korea Times. “All this will enable faster and more accurate situational judgments.” The envisioned changes reflect a broader effort to adapt firefighting to increasingly complex emergencies, including high-rise blazes, electric vehicle fires — as seen in the 2024 Incheon underground parking garage fire, which damaged more than 900 vehicles — and large warehouse and logistics-center fires, such as the recent four-day blaze at a Coupang facility in Incheon. Kim said the institute is developing AI-assisted search drones, firefighting r

4 MIN READ
Korea looks to AI, drones, robots to make firefighting safer thumbnail

US military completes latest strikes against Iran, while Trump vows more for Tehran's retaliation

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military hit targets in Iran on Tuesday and Tehran fired missiles and drones at various sites across the region in response as hostilities flare once again in an intermittent war that has lasted more than six months. One U.S. strike hit a home hosting a wedding, killing five people and wounding dozens, local officials said. U.S. Central Command said in a statement Tuesday evening that it had completed the latest barrage against Iranian military targets including air defense sites, radar systems and maritime assets. The U.S. strikes followed others on Sunday that abruptly ended a month without military action and threatened to fully reignite a conflict that has spiked global oil prices and posed political problems for Republicans in November's midterm congressional elections. The renewed fighting comes after President Donald Trump had appeared to pivot toward trying to bend Iran to his will through economic sanctions. “If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not

4 MIN READ
US military completes latest strikes against Iran, while Trump vows more for Tehran's retaliation thumbnail

TUNEXX tunes in to single frequency on 2nd EP 'BLUE MODE'

There's a passage in the bridge of rookie boy band TUNEXX's new title track that the members simply call the "kill part." "If I mess it up, I'm the one who gets killed," Sungjun said. "If I actually pull it off, it's whoever's watching. I'm practicing hard so it lands the second way." It was a bold line in an otherwise pretty quiet morning. The seven-member rookie group met with The Korea Times in central Seoul on Aug. 20 for an interview ahead of its first comeback, in what was also the members' first official opportunity to speak directly with the press. Questions drew pauses. Answers sometimes trailed off halfway through and several members looked toward leader Dongkyu before speaking. They had, after all, debuted only five months earlier. TUNEXX will release its second EP, "BLUE MODE," on Sept. 2 at 6 p.m., marking the IST Entertainment group's first comeback since its March debut with "SET BY US ONLY." Dongkyu described the new four-track album as a contrast to the group's debut, which he characterized as a declaration of individuality. "If the last album felt like each of us saying,

3 MIN READ
TUNEXX tunes in to single frequency on 2nd EP 'BLUE MODE' thumbnail

Editor's Pick

[COVER STORY] Lee bets on same economic playbook despite Cabinet reshuffle

COVER STORY Lee bets on same economic playbook despite Cabinet reshuffle

President Lee Jae Myung is betting on the same economic playbook despite his Cabinet reshuffle, with career bureaucrats tapped to lead the ministries overseeing economic and housing policies, analysts said Monday. Lee on Sunday nominated Lee Hyoung-il, currently the first vice finance minister, for finance minister, and Hong Jee-sun, currently the second vice minister of land, infrastructure and transport, to lead the ministry. The two were among six ministerial nominees announced in the reshuffle. The changes come as both economic and housing policies have faced growing public criticism. The departures of Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Land Minister Kim Yun-duk were widely viewed as dismissals, with public sentiment turning against the Lee administration following the tax reform package and housing supply plans unveiled earlier this month. However, the president's choice of replacements suggests that he is seeking to reinforce rather than overhaul his policy direction. "The reshuffle of the economic policy team is about maintaining policy continuity while delivering tangible results,

2 MIN READ

Life in Korea

In its 5th year, Block Party wants to bring 'dank' back to Haebangchon

In its 5th year, Block Party wants to bring 'dank' back to Haebangchon

It's that time of year again, when live music and other performing arts take over spots throughout central Seoul's multicultural Haebangchon and Gyeongnidan neighborhoods. This year marks Block Party's fifth run, lasting from Sept. 11-13, and returning at the helm is Jamie Finn, who exudes equal parts confidence and flop sweat every time he organizes the festival. This year's festival will take place across over eight local venues, including Uplift, Boogie Woogie, Casa Amigo, Pet Sounds, Sub Riot, Togul, Dialogue and Dankyard. Every year, the list changes as new venues open and others close down, a sign of the area's changing character. "It’s a bit weird, isn’t it?" Finn said as he described the state of Haebangchon. "Like it’s still Haebangchon, but it feels a bit uncanny. There’s loads of fun new fancy-pants restaurants, but where’s the dank? Block Party is a pro-dank festival, and we would like to see the dank return to Haebangchon." The lineup for this year's Block Party combines a selection of favorites from past festivals, including Leenalchi, Cadejo and Drinking Boys and

4 MIN READ

Lifestyle

Daily food tracking linked to greater weight loss: study

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. People who make a habit of recording what they eat every day may lose more weight, according to a new study. Those who tracked their food intake nearly every day of the week lost an average of 11 percent of their initial body weight over six months. Researchers at MyNetDiary, a U.S.-based diet and weight-management app, analyzed six months of usage data from 5,132 app users to examine the relationship between food-tracking frequency and weight change. The participants had an average age of 42.1, and 72.8 percent were women. The researchers counted a day as a “food-tracking day” if a user entered at least one food item into the app. Participants were then grouped according to their average number of tracking days per week, and their weight changes were compared. The results showed a clear trend: The more frequently people recorded their food intake, the greater their weight loss tended to be. Those who tracked their food six to seven days a week lost an average of 11 percent of their initial body weight over six months. By comparison, those w

3 MIN READ
Daily food tracking linked to greater weight loss: study

K-Culture

Hyun Bin makes first variety show appearance in 23 years

A little-known connection between actor Hyun Bin and entertainer Yoo Jae-suk took the spotlight on SBS variety show "Whenever Possible," which aired Tuesday. The program visits people during short breaks in their daily routines, offering participants a chance to win prizes. In the episode, Hyun Bin and Woo Do-hwan appeared alongside hosts Yoo Jae-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok to promote their Disney+ series "Made in Korea." Yoo noted that Hyun Bin had "bulked up" and revealed that they used to work out at the same gym, adding that Hyun Bin "helped me train my triceps." Hyun Bin joked about Yoo's muscles and remarked on his "slimmer frame." Making his first variety show appearance in his 23-year career, Hyun Bin showed a competitive streak. He looked for gaps in the rules and even tried to negotiate with the production staff, leaving Yoo in disbelief at his drive. The cast visited a Samsung service center, where they met a man with a warm demeanor and quick wit. He revealed that his wife was a camera director who had worked with Yoo on the hit variety show "Family Outing." Yoo expressed delight upo

1 MIN READ
Hyun Bin makes first variety show appearance in 23 years

Celebrities

Actress Ji Ye-eun to marry dancer Vata in December

Actress Ji Ye-eun and dancer Vata will marry on Dec. 12 after about a year of dating, their agencies said Wednesday. Ji's agency, CP Entertainment, said the couple "have promised to share their lives based on deep trust." Vata's agency, Ara, also said the pair "will start a new journey as husband and wife," noting that they "have promised to become each other's most reliable companions based on deep trust and love." Born in 1994, the same-age couple first drew closer through their shared faith after meeting as entertainment industry colleagues, according to local media reports. They publicly confirmed their relationship in April and have been dating openly ever since. Ji debuted in 2017 with the web-based drama "How To" and later gained attention through appearances on TV variety shows, including "SNL Korea," "Running Man" and "Office Workers." Vata, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyun, is the leader of dance crew We Dem Boyz, which finished as runners-up on Mnet's "Street Man Fighter" in 2022. He has choreographed hit songs including Zico's "New Thing" and BLACKPINK member Jennie's "Like Jen

1 MIN READ
Actress Ji Ye-eun to marry dancer Vata in December

Get key insights on Korea from the members-only personalized news service My Times.

Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. Chipotle brings burritos to Korea, and a familiar American anxiety

  2. Police leadership overhauled in massive late-night reshuffle

  3. Korea dispatches disaster relief team to Nepal to support flood recovery efforts

  4. Bolton sees possibility of Trump meeting Kim in Pyongyang, warns of summit risks

  5. How Korea's national museum turned ancient artifacts into cosplay sensation

  6. Pusan, Chonnam, Chungnam national universities selected for '10 SNUs' initiative

  7. Rise of runner-friendly cafes show Koreans' new wellness trend

  8. Chipotle lands in Seoul, begins Asian expansion

  9. US military completes latest strikes against Iran, while Trump vows more for Tehran's retaliation

  10. Gender minister nominee refuses to give up lawmaker seat, sparking backlash

Video

Interesting contents

Taboola 후원링크