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COVER STORY Homeplus reopening draws crowds amid hopes, concerns

SEOUL/SEONGNAM, Gyeonggi Province — People started showing up in front of the main entrance of the Homeplus in southwestern Seoul's Gangseo District before its 10 a.m. opening Thursday. Some 30 minutes before, the crowd of mostly older adults began lining up in front of the local outlet. For the past 31 days, the store has remained closed as the company temporarily suspended operations due to a lack of operating funds during the rehabilitation process. The store is back in business after a Seoul court gave the cash-strapped retailer another chance, with the new deadline for court approval of its rehabilitation plan set for Sept. 4. One woman who lives in the vicinity said she had learned about the store’s reopening, noting that before the temporary closure of 67 outlets on July 13, shelves at the Homeplus Gangseo were nearly empty. “There were no eggs, no milk. But I still came here today because prices are often on sale and affordable,” she said. Fifteen minutes before opening, visitors were allowed inside the building. But when over 100 customers formed a queue in front of the

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Lee pushes for 'selective enlistment' to build smart, strong armed forces

President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday stressed the need for Korea to adopt a selective enlistment system to transform the country’s armed forces into a “smart, elite and powerful military” centered on advanced equipment and technology. The president reaffirmed his long-standing commitment to the revised system, which was one of his election campaign pledges. The proposed system would let individuals choose between serving as active-duty conscripts for 18-21 months or as technology-intensive noncommissioned officers for four or five years — a longer commitment than rank-and-file conscription, offset by incentives such as higher salaries meant to attract volunteers. The proposal, which aims to sustain the broader conscription model over the long term by expanding service options, comes as Korea continues to grapple with a dwindling population of military-age men. “Amid the persistently low birthrate, maintaining the current inefficient military structure centered on manpower and infantry is neither feasible nor desirable,” Lee said during a meeting with senior secretaries at Che

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Gov't rolls out plan to supply 230,000 new homes in Seoul metro area

The government unveiled a plan Thursday to add more than 230,000 homes across Seoul and surrounding Gyeonggi Province, as well as accelerating construction of already planned housing units, as part of President Lee Jae Myung's struggling efforts to tame rising home prices and rents. The government will designate new public housing districts and construct approximately 27,000 units in three locations. Western Seoul's Gangseo District will be the site of about 1,000 new units, while Namyangju and Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province will receive roughly 21,700 and 4,500 homes, respectively. The ministry plans to begin construction at the three sites within three to four years, and announce the remaining sites as soon as possible. The government also said it will move up the construction of 89,000 homes already scheduled to be built at sites including the Taereung military golf course in Nowon District, Seoul, and Seoul Racecourse Park in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. It will also cut the time needed to begin construction on public housing sites to 37 months from the current 68 months by streamlinin

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Despite fatal incident, Seoul unable to prevent swimming in Han River

A short distance from where swimmers enjoyed a Sunday morning swim in the Han River, a man had died just a week earlier, caught in a whirlpool created by a submerged weir. “Even the day before the incident, a couple of young people were swimming dangerously close to the sluice gates at the submerged weir,” said Sohn, 63, as he emerged from the river after swimming underneath Jamsil Bridge in Seoul. Even as he spoke, dozens of people could be seen swimming in the river on the southern side of the bridge. “This is one of the few places where people can swim in open water,” Sohn said. “The number of people coming here to swim has risen sharply since triathlons began gaining popularity last year.” But as more people take up open-water swimming as a hobby, serious safety concerns are being raised. The area near Jamsil Bridge was the scene of a fatal accident on Aug. 2, when a man in his 30s was caught in a whirlpool and pulled into the sluice gate. Beneath the bridge, close to the swimming area, is a submerged weir that regulates the flow of water downstream from the upper reaches

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Urban crow surge fuels blackouts, other accidents

More than 980 households in Busan lost power Sunday after a crow came into contact with electrical equipment, authorities said. The outage left residents without air conditioning for about an hour amid a record-breaking heat wave. This incident came only a day after another outage affected 986 households in the same city, which authorities also believe was caused by crows coming into contact with power facilities. On July 8, a similar incident also occurred in Seoul’s Mapo District, when a crow touched a high-voltage line on a utility pole, cutting power to 286 households. In some cases, the consequences are far more serious than a temporary loss of convenience. On June 30, a ready-mix concrete truck driver was severely injured after being electrocuted in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, when a crow’s contact with a utility pole caused a 22,900-volt power line to snap and fall onto his vehicle. These cases are part of a broader rise in crow-related problems as they become increasingly visible in urban areas, where they can build nests near power lines and forage in residential nei

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Bill Gates in Korea to discuss cooperation in next-generation nuclear reactors

SEOUL — American billionaire and founder of TerraPower Bill Gates arrived in South Korea on Thursday to meet with political and business leaders to discuss cooperation on next-generation nuclear reactors. Gates, who also chairs the Gates Foundation, landed aboard a private jet at Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul at around 9:20 p.m., according to people close to the matter. He last visited Seoul just about a year ago. While in Seoul, Gates is expected to have a string of meetings with key figures in political and business circles for discussions on expanding partnerships in small modular reactors (SMRs) and other areas. He is expected to meet Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on Friday and top business leaders, including SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and HD Hyundai Chairman Chung Ki-sun. Founded by Gates in 2006, TerraPower has been developing safer, more efficient and cost-effective nuclear energy reactors to provide a reliable source of clean energy amid rising grid demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. South Korea's SK Group is a major shareholder in Ter

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Starbucks Korea sinks into loss after 'Tank Day' promotional fiasco

Starbucks Korea operator SCK Company has swung to an operating loss in the second quarter, following a controversial promotional event that drew nationwide criticism for allegedly insulting victims of the bloody crackdowns on major pro-democracy uprisings in the 1980s, prompting some consumers to launch boycotts. During an earnings call Thursday, Emart, which operates SCK Company, said the coffee chain posted an operating loss of 18.4 billion won ($13 million) in the second quarter, swinging from 40.3 billion won of operating profit a year earlier. During the same period, net sales declined 6.1 percent to 747.3 billion won. The company attributed the loss to the absence of its Summer Frequency promotional event in June, but did not cite worsening consumer sentiment toward the brand or boycott attempts as factors. Starbucks Korea came under fire after it launched a promotion campaign for its tank-style tumblers, designating May 18 as “Tank Day.” The date marks the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju uprising, when pro-democracy demonstrators were brutally suppressed by military forces us

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Korean firm behind $2 mil. Trump payment to build golf club in Hanam

Base Group, a medium-sized Korean conglomerate that made headlines for paying $2 million to the Trump Organization, will establish Trump International Golf Club in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, the company said Thursday. In a press release, the company described the golf course as “the first Trump-brand golf development project in Northeast Asia” adding that the city of Hanam was chosen for its accessibility from the Seoul metropolitan area. In the release, Eric Trump, U.S. President Donald Trump’s second-oldest son and executive vice president of the Trump Organization, expressed his excitement to develop Trump International Golf Club Korea with Base Group and introduce the Trump brand to the Korean market for the first time. He said Korea is an extremely dynamic and sophisticated market, and the organization sees tremendous potential in creating a world-class Trump-branded golf course. “It will be a milestone for not only Base Group but also the domestic golf industry," Base Group Chairman Kim Sung-jib said. “We are delighted to introduce Trump International Golf Club Korea togeth

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Why new US ambassador visited Youngnak Church

New U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel has drawn attention by visiting Youngnak Church shortly after arriving in Seoul to assume her post. Behind her visit lies a deep family connection, intertwined with the historical roots of the venue as a sanctuary for North Korean refugees rebuilding their lives in the South. According to church officials and local reports, Steel visited the Protestant church in Jung District, central Seoul, right after arriving at Incheon International Airport on July 30. She returned to attend a Sunday service on Aug. 2, where church leaders introduced her to those attending the service. When asked by a local reporter whether she plans to attend services regularly, Steel gave a silent nod. A church official confirmed on Wednesday that Steel visited the venue accompanied by her aunt, who remains an active member of the church. "We understand that she visited with her aunt, who still attends our church," a church official told The Korea Times on condition of anonymity, citing privacy concerns. "While we cannot confirm whether she'll continue to attend, any

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Chip rally lifts KOSPI 3.56% in 4th straight gain

KOSPI surged 3.56 percent Thursday, extending its winning streak to four sessions as sharp gains in semiconductor heavyweights kept the index in positive territory. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 6,813.34, up 3.56 percent from the previous session. The index opened 2.96 percent higher and extended its gains throughout the session. Foreign and institutional investors bought a net 2.1 trillion won ($1.47 billion) and 680.9 billion won worth of shares, respectively. Retail investors, however, sold a net 2.73 trillion won worth of shares amid profit-taking. An overnight rally in U.S. semiconductor stocks spilled over into the Korean chip sector, boosting investor sentiment. SK hynix rose 5.92 percent to close at 1,593,000 won, while Samsung Electronics gained 4.89 percent to finish at 268,000 won. Samsung Electro-Mechanics also rallied after Morgan Stanley replaced Samsung Electronics with the company as its top pick and raised its target price to 2.62 million won from 2.56 million won. Shares jumped 12.58 percent to close at 1,503,000 won. Foreign investors' net selling pressure has eased con

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Drinking at Cheonggye Stream? It could cost you $70

Having a cold beer by the water at Cheonggye Stream may soon come with an unexpected price tag. Foreign tourists as well as local visitors could face fines for drinking or smoking along Seoul’s Cheonggye Stream, as the city moves to crack down on unruly behavior following a series of incidents that drew public criticism. Drinking, smoking, entering the water, cooking, sleeping outdoors, urinating and bringing pets to the stream area are already prohibited. But there has been no legal basis for imposing fines, leaving safety officers from the Seoul Facilities Corp. with little option beyond warning violators. A team of 40 safety officers currently patrols the full length of the stream in shifts. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to formally designate the entire 8.12-kilometer stretch from Cheonggye Plaza to where the stream meets Jungnang Stream as a no-smoking and no-drinking zone under the National Health Promotion Act and revise related ordinances so district officials can directly enforce the rules and begin imposing fines by the end of the year. Fines for drinking and smoking

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NK aims to deepen ties with China, Russia by criticizing nuclear projects of S. Korea, Japan: experts

North Korea’s recent criticisms against South Korea’s nuclear submarine plans and Japan’s consideration of non-nuclear policy revisions, coupled with its latest missile tests, are likely aimed at boosting ties with China and Russia and bolstering its nuclear narrative, experts said. They believe Pyongyang's recent actions were timed with the expected visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Seoul, as early as next week. In a commentary released by Pyongyang's state-run news outlet Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Wednesday, Jang Kum-chol, first vice minister of North Korea's foreign ministry, criticized Seoul’s nuclear-powered submarine development plan with the United States, saying, "South Korea’s push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines will inevitably trigger a nuclear domino effect across the Asia-Pacific region." The criticism came three months after Seoul unveiled in May the Jang Bogo N Program, an initiative to develop around three 8,000-ton nuclear-powered submarines. A piece published by the KCNA on Wednesday attributed to international affairs commentator R

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Fewer than 4 in 100 K-pop groups ever sell 300,000 of an album: study

Nearly half of Korean idol groups vanish within three years of debut, and only 3.55 percent ever sell 300,000 copies of a one album, an analysis of K-pop acts over the past three decades showed. The findings confirmed that while the K-pop industry has gone global, its rewards have narrowed to only a handful of names. The study was published late last month in the Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association by Kim Jeong-seop, a professor at the Graduate School of Cultural Industry & Arts at Sungshin Women's University. It covers all 1,182 groups registered with the Korea Popmusic Industry Association that debuted between 1996, the year boy band H.O.T. set the template for modern idol production, and the end of 2025. Soloists and coed acts were excluded, leaving 588 girl groups and 594 boy groups, with an average of 39.4 debuts a year. Ninety-seven groups, or 8.21 percent, have sold more than 100,000 copies of an album, the threshold at which a working fandom is generally considered to have formed. A total of 42 cleared 300,000, the figure the industry uses as the break-even point o

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Cities race to host public institutions as relocation push heats up

The government’s plan to relocate hundreds of public institutions outside the Seoul metropolitan area is gaining ground with President Lee Jae Myung throwing his support behind it, intensifying competition among municipalities seeking to host major organizations. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is drawing up a road map for the second round of relocations, reviewing roughly 350 institutions and their affiliates currently based in the capital region. The plan comes after the first round of relocations was completed in 2019. It could be outlined this month or by September at the latest, according to Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-duk. He added that the road map would then be reported to the president. The relocation drive gained further momentum from Lee’s repeated calls to group institutions in related sectors within the same regions. “Balanced regional development is a matter of national survival, so we cannot approach it by simply scattering institutions around,” Lee said in March. At a nationally televised news conference marking his fi

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Teacher disciplined for filming noisy students for 5 seconds, sparking 'emotional abuse' debate

A contract middle school teacher received disciplinary measures after filming a student making noise during class for five seconds, an action that education authorities concluded constituted emotional child abuse. The Office of Education in North Gyeongsang Province said Wednesday that a child abuse complaint was filed early last month against a contract teacher at a middle school in Yeongju. A subsequent investigation by education authorities found that the teacher, who had been working at the school since May and identified only as A, used a smartphone to film the classroom two to three times when students repeatedly refused to follow instructions and made noise during class. The teacher reportedly told the students that the videos, each lasting around five seconds, would be sent to their parents. However, the videos were not sent to the parents and were later deleted. After receiving the complaint, the education office convened a personnel advisory committee, during which A is said to have defended the action as an attempt to calm the class after the students continued to disobey ins

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Naver invests in US startup developing wave-powered AI data centers

Naver has invested in Panthalassa, a U.S. startup developing floating artificial intelligence (AI) data centers powered by ocean waves, as the tech giant moves to secure infrastructure to meet the rapidly growing demand for AI computing. The company on Thursday announced the investment without disclosing details such as the amount or the size of the stake it acquired. It said the investment is aimed at expanding its capabilities in next-generation AI data center technologies, including renewable energy-powered facilities. Founded in 2016, Panthalassa is a renewable energy startup developing floating data centers that use wave energy to generate electricity without relying on separate power plants or fuel, potentially helping meet the growing power demands of AI as demand for computing capacity surges. “Naver is rapidly securing differentiated data center infrastructure through global partnerships as we expand our business into AI data centers,” Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon said. “We will proactively invest in next-generation technologies such as wave-powered renewable energy AI data cen

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Korea's crypto regulation at crossroads as rules tighten, tax delay proposed

Korea’s cryptocurrency regulatory framework is reaching a crossroads, with rules tightening on one front while efforts are underway to delay taxation on investment gains. Financial authorities plan to expand the “travel rule” for crypto transactions to cover all transfers, requiring exchanges to collect and provide transaction information, while also tightening registration and screening requirements for virtual asset service providers. Meanwhile, a bill has been proposed to postpone the planned taxation of crypto investment gains by three years, reigniting debate over when such taxes should take effect. According to the Financial Services Commission, the country’s financial regulator, an amendment approved Tuesday by the Cabinet will extend the travel rule to all crypto transfers, including those below 1 million won ($705). Under current rules, exchanges are required to share transaction information only for transfers worth at least 1 million won. The change removes the threshold to prevent users from splitting transactions into smaller amounts to evade the rule. The revised rule

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'Human Error' finds creative possibility in imperfection at Buk-Seoul Museum of Art

The ideal of technology perfection meets the unruly realities of bodies, identities of human relationships in the Buk-Seoul Museum of Art’s new exhibition, “2026 Title Match Inhwan Oh vs. Seo Young Chang: Human Error.” The 13th edition of the museum’s annual title match exhibition, on view from Thursday through Oct. 25, brings together two Seoul-based contemporary artists whose practices differ in medium and generation but converge on a shared question: What remains distinctively human when technology is increasingly expected to be frictionless, efficient and even creative? The exhibition’s title borrows a term commonly used to identify mistakes caused by human limitations. Rather than treating human error — mistakes arising from physical or mental imperfection — as a defect to overcome, the exhibition reframes it as a condition of human existence and a source of creativity, curator Yoo Eun-soon said, spotlighting the two artists’ distinct efforts to disrupt and move beyond technological systems rather than simply conform to them. Oh, 61, presents “We’re Not One; Neit

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Mnet-born rock band Splayit turns survival show run into debut album

Splayit, the five-member K-rock band assembled through Mnet's global band-making survival show "Steal Heart Club," released its debut album "SPLAY : CHAPTER 01" Thursday, entering a local rock scene that has spent the past few years absorbing new arrivals at a steady clip. The band consists of vocalist Yoonchan, drummer Eunbin, keyboardist and sub-vocalist Kyunguk, guitarist Aydn and bassist Eunchan. The name combines "splay" and "play it," a nod to the members' stated aim of spreading out their individual charms through music. Hours before the debut album's drop at 6 p.m., the band played its first official stage at Ilchi Art Hall in Seoul's Gangnam District, where the members performed the album and spoke about their debut. "When I first heard we were debuting, I thought the five of us would make our journey so much fun," Yoonchan said. "I could see a clear concept and real synergy, so I was excited. I'm grateful to the fans and the staff who got us to this moment." Aydn said the name fit before it was even chosen. "It suited the kind of music we make and the ambitious direction we're h

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Editor's Pick

Koreans live long, but not happily, OECD data shows

Koreans live long, but not happily, OECD data shows

Korea ranked first in housing among 38 OECD countries but placed near the bottom in social connections and life satisfaction. The country ranked 19th overall, placing in the middle tier, as weak social ties and poor labor conditions dragged down quality of life despite generally strong material conditions. The findings were published Monday in an independent well-being assessment titled "Trends and Implications of the OECD Better Life Index" by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs. The calculation, based on the updated Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Better Life Index, compares quality of life across 11 dimensions, including housing, health, education, environment and social connections. The results varied widely across categories. While Korea ranked first in housing and second in knowledge and skills, it landed in the bottom tier in other areas, ranking 35th in subjective well-being, 36th in job quality and 37th in social connections. The housing domain was evaluated based on overcrowding and housing affordability. Korea scored 8.97 points to r

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Life in Korea

Nationwide rain forecast for long weekend to bring relief to drought-hit south

Nationwide rain forecast for long weekend to bring relief to drought-hit south

Rain is forecast across Korea over the upcoming three-day weekend, the national weather agency said Thursday, likely bringing relief to southern regions suffering from a severe drought. Sudden showers are forecast for inland parts of the country Saturday before nationwide rain over the next two days due to a low pressure system advancing from Shanghai, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The upcoming long weekend runs through Monday — an alternative holiday for Liberation Day, which falls on Saturday this year. The forecast comes as southern parts of the country, especially the southeastern province of South Gyeongsang, have seen water storage levels drop due to low precipitation in recent months. Between July 12 and Aug. 11, southern parts of the country received 58.5 millimeters of rain, roughly one-fourth of the long-term average of 241.9 mm over the cited period. Precipitation in South Gyeongsang and the southeastern cities of Busan and Ulsan totaled just 16.6 mm over the period, marking the lowest level for the timeframe since 1973, when the country establis

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Lifestyle

'Fashion disaster' flip-flops with socks become new summer trend among young Koreans

Despite the sweltering heat, open-toe socks designed for flip-flops are emerging as an unlikely fashion item. Flip-flops are traditionally worn with bare feet, but the convention-defying look is gaining attention as a new trend. The style is often marketed as open-toe or toeless socks. The design leaves the toes exposed while covering the instep. Versions come in cotton, knit and lace, with designs ranging from low-cut and ankle-length styles to split-toe versions resembling traditional Japanese tabi. The socks first emerged for practical reasons. Flip-flop straps can rub against the instep when worn on bare feet, and the fabric helps prevent chafing. Changing attitudes toward wearing socks with sandals have also helped the look gain acceptance. Once widely dismissed as a "fashion disaster," the combination has become a deliberate fashion statement. The socks leave pedicures visible while adding color and texture around the instep. Runway appearances have also raised their profile, with luxury brand Miu Miu presenting the look last year and Lemaire and Paloma Wool following this year. The

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'Fashion disaster' flip-flops with socks become new summer trend among young Koreans

K-Culture

Why is 2007 Korean monster film 'D-War' suddenly a Netflix hit in Europe?

Nearly two decades after its theatrical release, director Shim Hyung-rae’s 2007 science-fiction fantasy film "D-War" has surged on Netflix to spark renewed international interest. The film reached No. 2 on the streaming platform's movie charts in major European markets. According to data released by streaming rankings tracker FlixPatrol, "D-War" ranked No. 6 on its global Netflix movie chart on Aug. 8 and 9, before slipping to No. 9 on Tuesday. The film climbed to No. 2 in France, Germany and Italy. Shim directed and co-wrote the 2007 film, which blends the fantasy genre with traditional Korean elements. The movie features an "imugi," a mythical serpent from Korean folklore, and includes a regional version of the folk song "Arirang." During its original domestic run, "D-War" sold about 8.4 million tickets in Korean theaters. However, the film received mixed reviews upon release, with audiences and critics divided over its narrative execution and computer-generated effects. The unexpected chart revival began after the film was added to Netflix on Aug. 6. Foreign media have attributed th

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Why is 2007 Korean monster film 'D-War' suddenly a Netflix hit in Europe?

Celebrities

TWICE's Chaeyoung to leave JYP, vows to continue group activities

Chaeyoung of K-pop girl group TWICE announced Thursday she will leave JYP Entertainment to pursue solo projects while confirming that she will continue group activities even after leaving the agency. The 27-year-old singer said in a social media post that she wanted to inform fans first about her decision. "I plan to build my own music activities in my 'Lil Fantasy' world," Chaeyoung said, referring to the title of her debut solo album released last year. She thanked JYP staff and her fellow TWICE members for their support over the past 14 years. Chaeyoung did not disclose details about her new agency, saying discussions were ongoing. She stressed, however, that her activities as a TWICE member would remain unchanged. "I believe the reason I've received so much love is because of the time I've spent as TWICE, my roots," she said. Her departure follows that of bandmate Jeongyeon, who recently signed with Varo Entertainment, the agency of her older sister, actress Gong Seung-yeon. TWICE, one of K-pop's most successful girl groups, debuted in 2015 under JYP. The nine-member band has released m

1 MIN READ
TWICE's Chaeyoung to leave JYP, vows to continue group activities

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Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. COVER STORY Homeplus reopening draws crowds amid hopes, concerns

  2. Teacher disciplined for filming noisy students for 5 seconds, sparking 'emotional abuse' debate

  3. Drinking at Cheonggye Stream? It could cost you $70

  4. Gov't rolls out plan to supply 230,000 new homes in Seoul metro area

  5. Lee pushes for 'selective enlistment' to build smart, strong armed forces

  6. Starbucks Korea sinks into loss after 'Tank Day' promotional fiasco

  7. Urban crow surge fuels blackouts, other accidents

  8. Why has walking on a Seoul sidewalk become so complicated?

  9. Korean firm behind $2 mil. Trump payment to build golf club in Hanam

  10. Why new US ambassador visited Youngnak Church

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