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After interviewing 42 death row inmates, researcher believes capital punishment should end

Every weekday before 1997, death row inmates in Korea braced themselves between 6 and 9 a.m. — the hours when executions could happen. If 9 a.m. passed uneventfully, they felt relief. Then they went to sleep wondering if the next morning would be their last. No one has been executed since Dec. 30, 1997, but 56 people remain on death row — 52 in Ministry of Justice correctional facilities and four in military prisons. Kim Dae-keun, a research fellow at the Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice, interviewed 42 of them. "Most of them were ashamed, distressed or regretful about what they did," Kim said in an interview with The Korea Times. "I imagine they were brutal and frightening when they committed their crimes. But many I met in prison now were older, frail men." Oct. 10 marks World Day Against the Death Penalty, an annual international observance calling for the abolition of executions as judicial punishment. In Korea, the day arrives with the death penalty still on the books but widely regarded as unenforceable. Most inmates now believe executions will not resume — a beli

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US expects S. Korea to 'uphold' alliance standards amid intelligence cooperation concerns: senior official

WASHINGTON — A senior U.S. official said Friday that Washington expects Seoul to "uphold" the standards of their decadeslong alliance, amid heightened concerns over apparent friction in the countries' intelligence cooperation. "We expect the ROK to uphold the standards of our decadeslong alliance, in particular concerning matters of intelligence and counterintelligence," the senior U.S. administration official told Yonhap News Agency in a written statement, referring to South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. The statement was provided in response to an inquiry from Yonhap News Agency regarding the state of bilateral intelligence cooperation. The remarks follow growing speculation over bilateral friction after South Korea's National Intelligence Service acknowledged it was excluded from a June trilateral meeting, also involving Japan, on North Korean cyber threats. Local media reports indicated the agency was left out at Washington's request. South Korea and the United States have faced signs of friction in the intelligence field after Seoul Unification Minister Chung Dong-

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6 apps for learning Korean: Which ones are most useful?

Hangeul Day celebrates the creation and excellence of the Korean alphabet. To mark the holiday this year, I tested six of the most popular apps for learning Korean, based on Google Play downloads, to discern which are actually worth a download — and perhaps more importantly, your phone’s precious memory space. I’m at an upper-intermediate level in Korean, but it’s taken years to reach this point. I’ve taken lessons here and there and downloaded apps to improve my fluency. Remembering where I was when I downloaded my first language app, Drops, gave me a good point of reference. I’m well aware of how quickly apps start to feel tedious or too far removed from actual language lessons. I tried to keep the comparison as simple as possible. Each app had to specialize in Korean, rather than offering various languages. I tested each on an iPhone, using the Apple App Store versions, and focused primarily on content accessible for free. The results here are a personal reflection on my overall experience and reflect how I felt about each app. BNR BNR has a simple, polished interface usin

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In Seoul's trendiest district, local leaders push back against corporate chain stores

Over the past decade, the former industrial district of Seongsu-dong — often dubbed the "Brooklyn of Seoul" for its mix of repurposed factories and youth culture — has transformed from a quiet grid of red-brick shoe workshops and auto repair shops into Korea’s epicenter of cool. Trendy local boutiques, coffee roasters and pop-up stores have drawn massive crowds of fashion-conscious youth and international tourists. But as real estate prices soar, local authorities are stepping in to protect the district from becoming another generic commercial strip. Starting this December, Seongdong District in eastern Seoul will expand its strict ban on new corporate megachains and large franchises to key arterial streets in Seongsu-dong, including Bangsongdae Street and parts of Yeomujang Street. First introduced along the nearby Seoul Forest Road to curb gentrification, the regulations restrict large corporate franchises across three specific sectors: standard restaurants, cafes and bakeries. The policy stems from hard-learned lessons elsewhere in the capital. Once-vibrant enclaves — like Gar

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Busan chefs turn local flavors into signature dining experience

Known worldwide for its bustling fish markets and pristine beaches, Korea’s southern port city of Busan is reframing its local food culture through a modern, unified lens. The Busan Metropolitan Government unveiled two new signature meal sets, Friday, termed Busan Bansang, at the Busan International Food Expo, running through Sunday. The initiative transforms three years of culinary research and 72 standalone recipes into complete, elevated set-meal experiences designed for local restaurants and international tourism. Created by a coalition of 16 local chefs specializing in Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Western cuisines, the new menus reimagine traditional multidish dining using regional coastal ingredients. Rather than developing isolated dishes, the culinary team integrated long-standing local flavors into cohesive, multicourse meal sets tailored for modern diners. The two featured options, titled Busan Landscape Table and Busan Nature Table, pair classic Korean formats with modern techniques. Highlights include clam and seaweed pot rice sourced from Myeongji and Gijang, pork ribs,

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Police expand financial hacking probe team to 43, add forensic specialists

Police have expanded the team investigating a recent series of hacking attacks on financial institutions to 43 members from the previous 28, adding specialists in digital forensics and international cooperation. The National Office of Investigation, the investigative arm of the Korean National Police Agency, announced the reinforcement Friday. “We are investigating thoroughly, securing relevant data and analyzing the affected systems,” police said, adding that they are also pursuing international cooperation, including blocking the servers used in the attacks. Data leaks have been confirmed at seven financial firms, including major commercial banks, and police opened a formal investigation on Tuesday. The announcement came amid questions over whether the case will be handed to the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA), which launched Oct. 2 and took over the investigation of major crimes, including cybercrime, from the now-abolished prosecutors’ office. Under the law governing the SCIA, police and other investigative bodies must notify the agency immediately when they judge a c

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How the US plan to livestream an execution compares with global practice

The U.S. military plans to livestream the Dec. 3 execution by firing squad of Nidal Hasan, the former Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. If carried out as planned, death penalty experts said it would mark the first known broadcast or livestream of a lawful execution. Executions are generally conducted behind prison walls, and internet platforms and governments have spent years trying to limit the circulation of violent execution footage. Has a lawful execution ever been livestreamed or broadcast to the public before? Death penalty experts consulted by Reuters said they were unaware of any previous lawful execution that had been livestreamed or broadcast to a public audience. Execution footage has occasionally emerged after the event. The hanging of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in 2006, for example, was seen around the world after official and unofficial recordings circulated online and through broadcasters, though it was not shown live. Broadcasts and livestreams today are common for court proceedings, parliamentary debates and other stat

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Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay wins the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in international justice

OSLO, Norway — Former U.N. human rights chief Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a judge on the International Court of Justice, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in Oslo, Norway. The South Africa-born Pillay, 85 years old, was recognized for her efforts to promote peace and international law, said Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Pillay’s work “is a source of hope and inspiration to all those who seek to bring about a more peaceful world,” Watne Frydnes said announcing her win. Watne Frydnes said the committee had not yet been able to reach Pillay to inform her she had received the peace prize, which is often considered the most prestigious honor on the planet. “At a time when the number of wars and conflicts is rising, and when judges and institutions of international law are under political attack, the Nobel Committee wishes to issue a reminder that the ability to resolve conflicts without force or violence is dependent on the international rule of law,” the committee wrote in a news release. “An international legal system in which war criminals

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InterviewLearning Korean? 3 people share what works for them

As Korea celebrates Hangeul Day's 100th anniversary this month, The Korea Times asked three people learning Korean what drew them to the language, where they struggle now and which study habits have worked best for them. They range from a beginner in the United States to advanced speakers pursuing graduate degrees in Seoul. Name: Adrian Adams Level: Beginner Study tip: Constant exposure, repetition and practice For Adrian Adams, a 22-year-old church secretary in Springfield, Missouri, Korean began as a way to fill the long days of the COVID-19 lockdowns, when a friend recommended a few BTS songs and K-dramas. Adam's interest quickly became something more than a pastime. "Korean culture is so beautiful and intricate," Adams said. "I was amazed by the respect and beauty found in the spoken language." Wanting to understand what the singers and actors were actually saying, Adams started learning in 2022 by following Korean teachers on social media and picking up Hangeul through YouTube videos, then hired a tutor to prepare for a trip to Korea that Adams' parents gave as a surprise high school g

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Bill proposed to end blanket military service exemption for Asian Games champions

A bill has been proposed in the National Assembly to end the automatic military service exemption for Asian Games gold medalists, following controversy sparked by Korean participants in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games. The bill, submitted by Rep. Joo Ho-young and nine other lawmakers of the main opposition People Power Party, seeks to remove Asian Games gold medals as a standalone qualification for alternative military service under the arts and sports personnel program. The program, under the Military Service Act, allows eligible athletes to fulfill their military obligations by continuing their sporting careers rather than serving on active duty. Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists currently qualify. The bill would retain eligibility for Olympic medalists. It would also create a route for people recognized as having significantly enhanced the country’s international standing through achievements in arts or sports to qualify with Cabinet approval. “In some Asian Games sports, the composition of teams and standards of competition vary considerably. Yet gold medalists uniform

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Spy agency snub raises US alliance concerns in S. Korea

A recent snub of Seoul's spy agency during a trilateral meeting with Washington and Tokyo has heightened concerns over possible friction in the South Korea-U.S. alliance, sources said Friday. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) on Thursday acknowledged that it had been excluded from the June meeting on North Korean cyber threats, after a news report said the agency had been left out at Washington's request. While the NIS downplayed the incident, the exclusion has fueled concerns over bilateral ties, with continued reports of friction between the two partners. Earlier in the day, the industry ministry dismissed a local news report alleging U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had voiced distrust of the NIS during bilateral negotiations on strategic investment projects. In light of the reports, a senior ruling bloc insider acknowledged that "various issues" between the two sides have had an impact on overall bilateral ties. "It is not good for bilateral relations to be shaky like this," the official told Yonhap News Agency by phone. "It is never desirable for problems to arise in the

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Soldigm IPO rumor puts hynix chairman back under scrutiny

Controversy has resurfaced over SK hynix’s reported efforts to list its NAND flash memory subsidiary Solidigm in the U.S., after reports said the company had selected lead managers for an initial public offering (IPO), despite repeatedly maintaining that “nothing has been confirmed.” In an effort to protect retail investors, Korean financial regulators have introduced rules that prohibit parent-subsidiary listings in the domestic market in principle while allowing exceptions under certain conditions. However, because Solidigm is seeking an overseas listing, the case has raised questions over whether SK hynix could face regulatory penalties if it fails to comply with shareholder protection requirements. Bloomberg reported Thursday that Solidigm has selected Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley as lead underwriters for its planned IPO in the U.S. next year. The offering, if pursued, is expected to raise approximately $10 billion and value the NAND flash memory maker at up to $100 billion. Solidigm's parent company, memory chip giant SK hynix, has maintained that no decision has been mad

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S. Korea urges N. Korea to take 'responsible measures' over mine explosion incident at UN

South Korea urged North Korea to take "responsible measures" Thursday at the United Nations, accusing Pyongyang of violating the Armistice Agreement by deliberately planting a land mine that injured three South Korean soldiers near the inter-Korean border last month. During a committee meeting of the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, South Korean Ambassador to the U.N. Cha Ji-hoon said a joint investigation by the South Korean military and the United Nations Command (UNC) confirmed that a Sept. 21 explosion was caused by a land mine deliberately planted by North Korean forces south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) separating the two Koreas. "A joint on-site investigation by ROK military and the UNC supported by forensic analysis confirmed that the explosion was caused by a landmine deliberately planted by DPRK forces south of the military demarcation line," Cha said, referring to the two Koreas by their official names, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, respectively. Cha said the incident constituted a clear violation of the A

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Rooftop craft beers, local flavors bring Munich magic to southeastern Seoul

For most of the year, Garak Market in southeastern Seoul is a whirlwind of wholesale frenzy, where trucks loaded with fresh produce, seafood and meat rattle past early-morning traders. But come mid-October, the capital’s sprawling food hub drops its gritty commercial exterior, sets up a rooftop lawn and pops the top on a distinctly Bavarian tradition. Starting Oct. 16, the Seoul Agricultural & Marine Products Corporation will host the third annual Garak Oktoberfest. Held on the third-floor Sky Park atop Garak Mall, the three-day festival will transform the massive market complex into an airy rooftop beer garden through Oct. 18. While Munich relies on centuries-old brewing traditions, Garak puts a uniquely local spin on the autumn classic. Pairing independent craft brews with bites sourced straight from the market below, visitors can sip cold lagers alongside freshly prepared seafood, local grilled meats and colorful street food spreads. The festival kicks off with a lively neighborhood parade leading up to the venue. Across the weekend, visitors can look forward to live music, lawn gam

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Lee's approval rating remains at 37%: poll

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating held steady at 37 percent this week, with disapproval falling to 51 percent, a poll showed Friday. Positive assessment of Lee's performance remained unchanged from the last poll conducted three weeks earlier, according to the Gallup Korea survey conducted from Tuesday through Thursday on 1,000 people aged 18 and older. Lee's disapproval rating fell 5 percentage points from 56 percent in the previous poll. Among those who positively assessed Lee's performance, 24 percent cited foreign affairs, followed by economic and livelihood issues at 14 percent. Among those who negatively assessed his performance, 18 percent cited his real estate policies, followed by defense, security and North Korea policy at 15 percent. Support for the ruling Democratic Party fell 5 percentage points from the previous survey to 35 percent, marking the lowest since the launch of Lee's administration in June last year. Support for the main opposition People Power Party fell 1 percentage point to 26 percent. The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points

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Back to part-time jobs: Athletes in less popular sports face harsh realities

For athletes in less popular sports, life after the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games can be harsh. Once the competition is over, they must return to demanding jobs to make a living. Kim Geon-myeong, 32, a member of Korea’s kabaddi team, worked as a sanitation worker while preparing for the Asian Games, squeezing in training sessions before and after work even after making the national team. He took up kabaddi at the suggestion of Lee Jang-gun, 34, a senior from his university and one of the country’s leading players. After failing to make the national team for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Kim considered his career options before taking a job as a sanitation worker for the Geumjeong District Office in Busan. There are no professional kabaddi teams in Korea. National team members hold different jobs, making it difficult even to coordinate team training sessions. Korean kabaddi gained public attention after winning silver at the 2018 Asian Games and Lee, its most recognizable player, appeared on television variety shows. However, the sport’s infrastructure remains und

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Korea's premier ceramics festival invites visitors to touch clay

Visitors to one of Asia’s foremost ceramic celebrations are doing much more than admiring gallery displays this autumn — they are sinking their hands into wet clay and embarking on interactive treasure hunts. At Icheon Cerapia, the main hub of the 2026 Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale, the Korea Ceramic Foundation has launched a series of hands-on community events running through Nov. 1. Designed to make traditional and contemporary ceramic arts approachable for general audiences, the weekend festivities invite families, couples and art lovers to actively participate in the creative process. Located in Gyeonggi Province, just an hour south of Seoul, Icheon has served as the heartland of Korean pottery for centuries. The region played a pivotal role in the production of Joseon-era white porcelain and Goryeo celadon, leveraging its rich natural clay deposits and historic kiln sites. Today, the Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale bridges cultural heritage with modern artistic expression, drawing ceramicists and collectors from around the globe. Among the standout interactive

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Rescue dog finds woman missing for 4 days on Gangwon mountain

A rescue dog has found a woman who was missing for four days on a mountain in Gangwon Province, helping emergency workers bring her to safety, fire authorities said Friday. The woman, 62, whose identity is being withheld, had lost her way after entering Mount Maebong on Oct. 4 in Inje County, according to Gangwon State Fire Headquarters. Dandi, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, was deployed to assist in the search at the request of police. At around 12:46 p.m. Thursday — just about two and half hours later — the dog was able to locate the missing person. When found, the woman had a leg injury. She showed signs of dehydration and exhaustion, but remained fully conscious, according to fire officials. Finding her was a critical step, but the rugged mountain terrain also posed a challenge for the rescue operation. Fire authorities dispatched a helicopter to the site to help bring her to safety. At around 2:10 p.m., she was handed over to an ambulance crew, approximately an hour and 24 minutes after Dandi found her. Born in February 2022, Dandi entered service as a rescue dog in April last ye

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Korea honors Filipino worker killed in factory explosion

Korea has honored a Filipino worker killed in August in a factory explosion, marking the third case under its initiative to support bereaved migrant workers’ families here. The Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (K-COMWEL), a government agency responsible for administering industrial accident insurance, said Friday that it had helped the family of the worker bring his remains back to the Philippines. The worker, identified by the agency as Jisrael, died Aug. 28 in an explosion and fire at a factory manufacturing paint ingredients in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. “He worked diligently for his family, even in unfamiliar surroundings, living a life marked by a deep sense of responsibility and devotion,” K-COMWEL President Park Seung-heup said in a letter presented at the memorial service held at Incheon International Airport on Thursday. “K-COMWEL and the Republic of Korea will never forget his dedicated efforts and the legacy he leaves behind. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.” Park then presented the bereaved family with a co

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US keeps S. Korea in Tier 1 group for human trafficking elimination efforts for 3rd straight year

The U.S. State Department has kept South Korea in the highest tier of countries in terms of anti-human trafficking efforts for the third consecutive year, while maintaining North Korea in the lowest category over state-sponsored forced labor practices, a department report showed Thursday. The department released the 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, where South Korea was listed in the Tier 1 group of 33 countries and territories, including the United States, Britain, Taiwan, France, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Israel and Denmark. In its tier placement, the report cited various efforts by Seoul, including increasing investigations and convictions, updating guidelines to provide potential victims with access to emergency support among other efforts. "The government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period. Therefore, the ROK remained on Tier 1," the report said, referring to South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. However, the report also noted that weak sentencing undermined accountability for traffickers in South Korea, while con

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No. of Chinese boats fishing illegally near NLL more than double despite crackdown

The number of Chinese fishing boats operating illegally near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea has more than doubled since the government announced a sweeping crackdown in late August, the Korea Coast Guard said Friday. About 190 Chinese boats were operating near the de facto inter-Korean sea border early this month, up from about 80 in late August. The figure is 50 fewer than the 240 counted a year earlier, and the number of boats typically rises during the autumn fishing season. The Coast Guard and the ministries of foreign affairs, unification, national defense and oceans and fisheries announced joint measures Aug. 27. They included deploying more Coast Guard special operations personnel, forcibly removing illegal fishing gear, installing artificial structures to block illegal fishing and revising the law to penalize vessels that anchor for purposes unrelated to passage. The Coast Guard said at the time that its goal was to drive all Chinese fishing boats out of the area. Foreign vessels are banned from fishing in the waters, but Chinese boats exploit the division of the Ko

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Teachers turn classrooms into social media stages, sometimes exposing students without consent

A Korean elementary school teacher known for dancing has amassed nearly 100,000 YouTube subscribers. An Instagram Reel showing the teacher dancing to a K-pop song with fellow teachers in a school hallway has drawn more than 9 million views. Social media is already awash with videos of skilled dancers, but the teacher has carved out a distinctive niche as a "teacher who dances in the classroom," gaining popularity comparable to that of some K-pop idols. So-called "Ssaemstagram" content — a Korean coinage combining "teacher" and "Instagram" — is expanding beyond school life to encompass nearly every aspect of teachers' daily routines. What began largely as a way to share teaching ideas has broadened to include school lunch menus and teachers' lounge chatter, as well as OOTD, or "outfit of the day," posts showcasing fashion and makeup and videos of after-work exercise routines. While such content can help teachers communicate with students, concerns are growing as posts increasingly focus on personal branding, including appearance and lifestyle, rather than professional expertise. Criti

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Majority of Americans support S. Korea's nuclear-powered submarine project: poll

WASHINGTON — Nearly six in 10 Americans support South Korea's project to develop nuclear-powered submarines, a survey showed Thursday, while a strong majority oppose Seoul acquiring nuclear weapons. The survey, conducted jointly by the Washington-based Korea Economic Institute of America and data analytics firm YouGov among 1,207 American adults from Aug. 21-Sept. 1, found that 58 percent supported South Korea's development of nuclear-powered submarines, with 42 percent opposing it. Support was broadly bipartisan, with 56 percent of self-identifying Democrats and 64 percent of Republicans backing the development of the submarines. Among independents, 62 percent expressed support. South Korea is pushing to build conventionally armed, nuclear-propelled submarines following security agreements reached during a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in October of last year. Public support for nuclear-powered submarines, however, did not extend into support for South Korea possessing nuclear weapons, with 71 percent of those polled opposing Seoul developing n

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Editor's Pick

[EXPLAINER] How AI emerged as new threat in Korea's bank hacking crisis

EXPLAINER How AI emerged as new threat in Korea's bank hacking crisis

Hackers once had to manually test security defenses, identify vulnerabilities and work out how to exploit them. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) can do much of that work, requiring little human input. That possibility is at the center of Korea's latest security crisis in the financial sector, as investigators have found traces of an AI-powered autonomous penetration-testing tool in a series of recent cyberattacks on the country's major banks. Since last week, Shinhan Bank, KB Kookmin Bank, Hana Bank, Yegaram Savings Bank and BNK Busan Bank have all reported data breaches, while Woori Bank and NH NongHyup Bank have detected signs of hacking attempts, though no data leaks were confirmed. Shinhan Bank reported that about 25,000 customers were affected, with personal information including names, phone numbers, annual income and loan limits exposed. KB Kookmin reported 119 affected customers, while Hana Bank said personal information belonging to 89 customers was exposed. The hacking spree has drawn particular concern after investigators reportedly found traces of an AI-powered tool known as

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Life in Korea

Seoul Museum of History extends evening hours with autumn exhibitions, performances

Seoul Museum of History extends evening hours with autumn exhibitions, performances

The Seoul Museum of History is turning autumn evenings into an invitation to linger, with exhibitions, hands-on workshops, performances and traditional market stalls running into the night. The museum has extended its evening hours through Nov. 30, keeping its permanent and special exhibition galleries, city model theater and Seoul History Archives open until 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The expanded hours, which began Sept. 15, are accompanied by programs designed to give visitors new ways to experience Seoul’s history and culture after work and on weekends. A traditional market called Seoyeokbak Jajetgeori will run Friday through Sunday, with stalls inspired by Joseon-era markets offering traditional crafts, cultural goods, food and drinks. On Friday and Saturday, the market will remain open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., while Sunday’s hours will run until 5 p.m. The museum will also host Exhibition Night Talk, in which curators who organized exhibitions explain their themes and introduce key artifacts directly to visitors. Seoul Urban Planning Grand View

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Lifestyle

Forget waking up at dawn: Young Koreans are embracing 'sleep maxxing'

Forget waking up before dawn to squeeze in another hour of self-improvement. For a growing number of young Koreans, getting ahead now means getting better sleep. The "miracle morning" trend, which encouraged people to wake up early and devote the extra hours to exercise, studying and other forms of self-development, once swept through Korea. Now, a contrasting wellness trend known as "sleep maxxing" is drawing attention among younger generations. The term combines "sleep" with "maxxing," internet slang for maximizing or optimizing something. Rather than simply trying to sleep longer, followers seek to improve sleep quality by systematically adjusting everything from daily habits to their bedroom environment. Kang, a 30-year-old office worker, is among those willing to spend money in pursuit of a better night's sleep. A smartwatch tracks total sleep time and the proportion of deep sleep, while supplements are part of a routine aimed at relaxation. A sleep mask and earplugs have also become bedtime essentials. "There were many days when I was exhausted but couldn't actually fall asleep onc

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Forget waking up at dawn: Young Koreans are embracing 'sleep maxxing'

K-Culture

BTS to kick off first-ever Peru concerts as Lima rolls out 'BTS Avenue'

Global K-pop sensation BTS will launch its first-ever concerts in Peru on Wednesday (local time), as the capital Lima rolled out a weeklong "BTS Avenue" and purple-lit landmarks to honor the group's historic visit. BigHit Music said the septet will perform at Estadio San Marcos in Lima on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday as part of its "Arirang" world tour. It marks the band's first shows in the South American country since its 2013 debut. To mark the occasion, the city's Santiago de Surco district temporarily renamed Sacramento Street as "BTS Avenue" from Oct. 5-11, installing signs along the route. Arco Morisco, a landmark structure in the district's Friendship Park, was illuminated in the group's signature color of purple on Monday and will host daily light shows through Sunday, while the Fountain of Fantasy at Lima's Fountain Park will run a BTS-themed show with music, lights and water screens during the same period. BTS opened the South American leg of the tour with two-day shows at Estadio Nemesio Camacho El Campin in Bogota last weekend, attracting around 100,000 fans.

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BTS to kick off first-ever Peru concerts as Lima rolls out 'BTS Avenue'

Celebrities

'I Live Alone' viewers captivated by actor who lives in 90-year-old home

Actor Kim Min has won praise from viewers after revealing his unconventional daily life and personal philosophy on MBC's reality show "I Live Alone." Beyond the intensity he has shown in acting roles, Kim displayed a free-spirited side as he filled his days with home repairs, martial arts and hands-on projects. But it was his outlook on life — particularly his belief that being "cool" comes from how a person spends their time rather than their looks — that resonated most with viewers. The Oct. 2 episode of "I Live Alone" offered a glimpse into Kim's life in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, where he has lived alone for 28 years. He resides in a roughly 90-year-old house whose distinctive atmosphere and unconventional setup immediately drew attention. Kim began his day by running a generator for electricity and tearing into an entire baguette. He repaired a damaged floor himself with cement, worked on woodworking projects and practiced martial arts. Despite living in surroundings that might seem inconvenient to others, Kim appeared perfectly at ease, making and repairing what he needed

2 MIN READ
'I Live Alone' viewers captivated by actor who lives in 90-year-old home

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

Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. Bill proposed to end blanket military service exemption for Asian Games champions

  2. 7.7 magnitude earthquake shakes Panama, prompting evacuations

  3. Korea honors Filipino worker killed in factory explosion

  4. Police expand financial hacking probe team to 43, add forensic specialists

  5. Outrage over US military plan to livestream firing squad execution

  6. How the US plan to livestream an execution compares with global practice

  7. Back to part-time jobs: Athletes in less popular sports face harsh realities

  8. N. Korean leader's sister again pushes back against Seoul's medical aid offer

  9. Rescue dog finds woman missing for 4 days on Gangwon mountain

  10. Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay wins the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in international justice

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