The Korea Times

The Korea Times
My TimesLatest

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon acquitted in political funds case

An appeals court on Friday acquitted Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon of political funding charges linked to opinion polls conducted ahead of his 2021 election, overturning a local court conviction that threatened his tenure and political future. The Seoul High Court panel, led by Judge Ku Hoi-geun, reversed a July ruling that fined Oh 10 million won ($7,500) and ordered him to forfeit 21 million won — a sentence that would have cost him his mayoral post had it become final. The case centered on allegations that Oh commissioned opinion polls from political broker Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election and had his supporter, a businessman named Kim Han-jung, pay for them. The charges involved 10 polls and payments totaling 33 million won. The central dispute was whether Oh had requested the polls and knew that Kim was paying for them. “Myung’s testimony is the only direct evidence on the central issue in this case, but it is inconsistent overall and conflicts with objective circumstances on numerous points, making it difficult to believe,” the judge said. “It is diffic

2 MIN READ
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon acquitted in political funds case thumbnail

BreakingS. Korea proposes military talks with N. Korea over border conflict issue

South Korea on Friday proposed to hold military talks with North Korea to prevent accidental clashes stemming from unclear border lines in the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). The proposal comes as tensions along the border continue to escalate after three South Korean soldiers clearing a patrol route were injured in a North Korean mine explosion south of the MDL within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) amid Pyongyang's so-called border fortifications. “South Korea's defense ministry is formally proposing official military talks with North Korea. Seoul aims to verify the precise location of the land border, restore military hotlines and discuss measures to prevent accidental clashes in border areas,” Kim Hong-chul, director general for defense policy at the Ministry of National Defense, said in a statement. “The United Nations Command (UNC) can also join the discussion if necessary, with specific dates and venues to be arranged through Panmunjeom." The ministry said it has closely watched North Korean troops construct roads and fences and plant mines and cross the MDL over the course of

2 MIN READ
thumbnail

Why Gemini is at the center of Korean politics

Gemini, the generative artificial intelligence (AI) by Google, has become the center of Korean politics in recent days, as President Lee Jae Myung and opposition politicians used the tool to defend their logic in the debate over investigative body chiefs’ attendance at Cabinet meetings. The debate turned a dispute over investigative independence into a political contest over AI-generated responses, with high-profile opposition lawmakers citing Gemini on issues ranging from Cabinet attendance to whether Lee’s suspended criminal trials should resume. The AI use battle began when Lee posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday under the heading, “I asked Gemini,” posting the AI assistant's answers to reject criticism of his decision to have the heads of the newly launched Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCIA) and the Prosecution Service attend Cabinet meetings. His posting came after SCIA’s inaugural chief Kim Ji-yong took part in Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, presided over by Lee. The opposition bloc criticized Kim's attendance, saying it would undermine the investigative bo

3 MIN READ
Why Gemini is at the center of Korean politics thumbnail

Suspected N. Korean IT worker found at S. Korean firm under false identity for 1st time

Police are investigating North Korean information technology (IT) workers suspected of taking jobs at a South Korean company under false identities, the first time authorities have disclosed such a case. The case raises concern that wages earned through such employment are funding Pyongyang’s weapons development, amid a recent large-scale U.S. crackdown on similar remote employment fraud. Police said Thursday that they independently detected one suspected case last year in which a North Korean IT worker fraudulently took a job. The worker was reportedly hired by a private South Korean company and carried out development work. Police are tracing the amount and method of payments while also probing possible organized links. North Korean IT workers are increasingly landing remote jobs at global companies under forged identities and with fast-evolving artificial intelligence (AI) tools, funneling their earnings to Pyongyang. In July, 11 countries, including South Korea, the United States and Japan, issued an alert warning that North Korea relies on a network of skilled IT workers to fund i

2 MIN READ
Suspected N. Korean IT worker found at S. Korean firm under false identity for 1st time thumbnail

SK hynix bucks AI sell-off after scrapping Solidigm IPO review

SK hynix bucked a broader sell-off in artificial intelligence (AI)-related stocks, Friday, helping drive a rebound in the benchmark KOSPI after the chipmaker said it had dropped its review of a potential U.S. listing of Solidigm, its NAND flash memory subsidiary. Shares of SK hynix closed at 1,277,000 won ($963.48), up 4.42 percent, while Samsung Electronics rose 0.47 percent to 215,500 won. KOSPI came under pressure after a rout in AI-related stocks on Wall Street overnight. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunged 6.72 percent, with Nvidia, Micron, SanDisk and Intel among the biggest decliners. Korea's benchmark index tumbled more than 4 percent in morning trading, briefly sinking to the 5,300 level, before staging a sharp rebound and reversing its losses later in the session. It closed at 5,550.30, up 0.3 percent. Net buying by retail and institutional investors helped offset selling by foreign investors, who unloaded nearly 1 trillion won worth of shares on a net basis. Retail and institutional investors bought a net 52 billion won and 872 billion won worth of shares, respectivel

2 MIN READ
SK hynix bucks AI sell-off after scrapping Solidigm IPO review thumbnail

USFK has no access policy change yet amid reported BYD car ban at US base in Japan

The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said on Friday there are no changes to policies regarding entry restrictions on Chinese vehicles, following U.S. Forces Japan’s (USFJ) reported decision to ban vehicles made by Chinese electric car giant BYD from entering one of its bases amid security concerns. According to Yonhap News Agency, Friday, USFJ decided to ban electric vehicles made by BYD from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa starting Oct. 26. The air base is the U.S.' largest overseas installation and serves as a key strategic hub for regional defense against security threats from China, Russia and North Korea. The ban is widely seen as an effort to prevent intelligence leaks of sensitive military operations, according to the report. The Japanese air base is home to the 18th Wing of the U.S. Fifth Air Force, hosting tactical fighter aircrafts, radar systems and ammunition stockpiles. Speculations were mounting that the BYD ban may expand to other major bases in the country and potentially extend to USFK, the report added. However, there is no sign so far that the USFK has adopted such measures. “U.

2 MIN READ
USFK has no access policy change yet amid reported BYD car ban at US base in Japan thumbnail

Middle schooler bitten by pet cobra, spotlighting illegal exotic pet ownership

A middle school student bitten by a cobra while trying to trade it illegally has been caught by police, raising concerns about illegal ownership of wild animals. According to the police, a 14-year-old boy in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, was bitten on the back of his hand by a cobra Tuesday, prompting an emergency call to 119. He showed signs of paralysis and was airlifted to the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, where he received anti-venom treatment. The bite reportedly occurred when he took the cobra out of its cage to sell it to another person. The snake was a forest cobra, which he had obtained through an online community. The species is a designated wild animal under the Wildlife Protection and Management Act, and trading or keeping it is prohibited in principle. Police plan to investigate how the cobra was traded before deciding whether to formally book him. This is the latest case of someone in Korea being caught illegally keeping dangerous wild animals. In July, a crocodile caught in a stream in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, was identified as a Si

1 MIN READ
Middle schooler bitten by pet cobra, spotlighting illegal exotic pet ownership thumbnail

Financial industry heavyweights compete to head banking lobby

With the Korea Federation of Banks (KFB) set to appoint its next chairman, several former financial executives and regulators are emerging as potential candidates to take the helm of the country’s leading banking lobby, according to industry officials on Friday. The federation represents 23 full members — commercial, regional and internet-only lenders — as well as 33 associate members, comprising branches of foreign banks. The incumbent, Cho Yong-byoung, is due to leave office on Nov. 30. Yoon Jong-kyoo, former chairman of KB Financial Group, has long been viewed as a front-runner. He served as a vice chairman at accounting firm Samil PwC and president of KB Kookmin Bank before leading KB Financial from 2014 to 2023, overseeing major acquisitions including LIG Insurance and Hyundai Securities. But the prospect of another KB Financial veteran taking a top post at a financial industry association has drawn growing resistance. The concern has intensified after Lee Dong-chul, a former KB Financial vice chairman, took the helm of the Credit Finance Association this year, followed by Kim

2 MIN READ
Financial industry heavyweights compete to head banking lobby thumbnail

InterviewThriller master Jeong You-jeong trades terror for tenderness in 'Bonobo'

Korean novelist Jeong You-jeong has carried the nickname "Stephen King of Korea" for more than a decade, thanks to her psychological thrillers that probe the darkest corners of human nature. But when the novelist, who was wearing a bright yellow cardigan and an even brighter smile, arrived for an interview in eastern Seoul's Seongsu-dong on Thursday, she looked nothing like the writer behind some of the country's most unsettling bestsellers. The cheerfulness, Jeong explained with a laugh, comes from long stretches of solitude. Once she begins a novel, she rarely leaves home, so the rare occasions that bring her out into the world tend to leave her in high spirits and full of things to say. "Once I start writing a book, I'm the type who holes up at home and never goes out," she said. "I'm alone all day for a year or two, so whenever I do come out, I can't stop talking." This time, the occasion was "Bonobo," the English translation of her 2019 novel, published in Britain by Honford Star this month. Translated by Brother Anthony, also known by his Korean name An Seon-jae, it is the first of

4 MIN READ
Thriller master Jeong You-jeong trades terror for tenderness in 'Bonobo' thumbnail

InterviewAfter 35 years of searching, activist still fights indifferent system for Korea's missing

Na Joo-bong has spent 35 years searching for missing people. For him, the recent case of a Jeju police officer who prematurely closed multiple missing persons cases was no surprise. “Among 262 police stations in Korea, many lack missing persons investigation teams. It’s a department officers avoid, since the work spans missing children and adults, as well as runaways, with a heavy caseload and little to show for the effort,” said Na, 69, chief of the National Organization of Finding Missing Children and Family. The severity of the problem came to light in August, when the Jeju officer was found to have closed the case of Jang Mi-ran, a 37-year-old woman missing for months, without confirming her whereabouts. Jang’s remains were later found, and the officer admitted to closing multiple such cases to avoid the extra workload involved in keeping them open. The case has raised public awareness of missing adults, but the current Act on the Protection and Support of Missing Children only covers people who went missing before turning 18, along with people with intellectual disabilities

4 MIN READ
After 35 years of searching, activist still fights indifferent system for Korea's missing thumbnail

China's humanoids go job hunting amid Korea's bets on physical AI

Chinese humanoid robot makers are accelerating efforts to gain a foothold in Korea, moving beyond dance performances and showroom displays to factory trials and other commercial applications as Seoul beefs up investment in physical artificial intelligence (AI). A string of Chinese robotics companies have flexed their muscles or announced projects in the country this year, including Hong Kong-listed Ubtech, startup Anyverse Dynamics, Shanghai-based Agibot and leading robot maker Unitree. “China’s new generation of robot companies has global DNA and naturally looks overseas, and Korea is one of the most important markets in Asia-Pacific,” said Ethan Qi, an associate director covering robotics at Counterpoint Research. The absence of locally built humanoids available at scale has created an opening for Chinese suppliers, he added. Early footprint Representatives of Galaxy Robot Park, a robot-themed entertainment venue in Seoul, agreed to buy Ubtech’s lifelike U1 model after attending its debut in Shenzhen in June, according to Sean Qin, overseas head of the company's commercial robo

5 MIN READ
China's humanoids go job hunting amid Korea's bets on physical AI thumbnail

Sumi Jo looks back on her life in music on 40th year of int'l debut

World-renowned soprano Sumi Jo met local audiences at the Berlin Philharmonie’s main concert hall on Thursday, marking the 40th anniversary of her debut. In an interview with Hankook Ilbo a day before the concert, Jo said, “From the beginning of my career, I held firmly to my identity as a soprano from Korea,” adding, “I had a strong desire for my country to prosper faster than I did.” After leaving for Italy to study in 1983, Jo made her debut on Oct. 26, 1986, as Gilda in Verdi’s opera “Rigoletto” at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste, Italy. Although she has since spent much of her life in Europe, her affection for Korea has remained exceptional. During preparations for the concert, she even spontaneously suggested playing the "janggu," a traditional Korean drum, onstage the following day. Jo is also deeply interested in nurturing young musicians. She holds an international competition named after her in France and travels around the world to give master classes. “I want to introduce more Asian musicians, including those from Korea, China and Japan, to Europe,” she said.

3 MIN READ
Sumi Jo looks back on her life in music on 40th year of int'l debut thumbnail

KEPCO wins UNLEASH award for 2nd straight year

Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) has won the UNLEASH Learning and Development Award for the second consecutive year, becoming the first Korean company to achieve the feat and reaffirming its global competitiveness in human resource development (HRD), the state-run utility said Friday. The award was presented at UNLEASH World 2026, a major human resources development conference, in Paris on Thursday (local time), according to KEPCO. Established in 2016 by the European Association for People Management and U.K.-based HR technology group UNLEASH, the award recognizes excellence in human resource development, based on its strategic impact, organizational role and contribution to business performance. The recognition follows KEPCO's consecutive wins at the ATD Awards, organized by the U.S.-based Association for Talent Development, over the past two years, further demonstrating the company's expertise in employee training and talent management. KEPCO said evaluators recognized its alignment of HRD with business strategy, data-driven personalized training and integration of HRD with human res

2 MIN READ
KEPCO wins UNLEASH award for 2nd straight year thumbnail

Koramco at 25: From birth of Korean REITs to $45 bil. powerhouse

Koramco REITs Management and Trust, established in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis to help Korean companies restructure their real estate holdings, has grown into a leading real estate investment manager with 60 trillion won ($45.3 billion) in assets under management. The company said Friday that it held a ceremony marking its 25th anniversary, as it seeks to expand overseas and strengthen its position in Korea's real estate investment market. In the aftermath of the financial crisis, Korean companies faced pressure to sell property assets to shore up their balance sheets, but the country lacked the investors and financial infrastructure needed to absorb large-scale real estate sales. To facilitate the transactions and stabilize the market, the government enacted the Real Estate Investment Company Act in 2001. Koramco was established in October that year as Korea's first real estate investment trust (REIT) asset management company. Since then, Koramco has helped develop Korea's real estate finance market, expanding beyond restructuring-focused REITs into listed REITs, real es

2 MIN READ
Koramco at 25: From birth of Korean REITs to $45 bil. powerhouse thumbnail

Lee urges reform of outdated regulations hampering growth of advanced industries

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday urged prompt and bold reform of outdated regulations that hamper the growth of new technologies or advanced industries, calling it an essential task in the country's drive for global industrial leadership. The president made the call at the second plenary meeting of the regulation rationalization committee, aimed at easing regulations to help nurture advanced industries and ensure balanced development, both of which are key initiatives of the Lee administration. "Rationalizing regulations is an essential task in establishing an irreplaceable Republic of Korea," Lee said, reiterating his administration's push to establish global leadership in advanced industries. The president said new regulations would still be needed and should even be strengthened to protect people's lives and safety, as well as social fairness and transparency, but any outdated regulations hampering growth should be promptly reformed. "Outdated, inconvenient regulations that block new technologies and the development of new industries should be reformed promptly and boldly," he said. T

1 MIN READ
Lee urges reform of outdated regulations hampering growth of advanced industries thumbnail

EU sees Korea as 'trusted partner' in evolving Indo-Pacific strategy

The European Union (EU) has sharpened its Indo-Pacific strategy around three core priorities — security, economic security and climate action — as geopolitical tensions reshape the bloc’s approach to the region, according to the EU special envoy. Maria Castillo Fernandez, European External Action Service's Special Envoy of the European Union for the Indo-Pacific, said the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy, launched in 2021, initially covered a broad range of areas but has since grown more focused in response to a changing security landscape. "Security in Europe is interconnected to what is happening on security in the Indo-Pacific," she said, pointing to military cooperation between Russia, China and North Korea. The first pillar also includes maritime security, freedom of navigation and protection of critical maritime infrastructure from hybrid threats — concerns that have grown more urgent following recent tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint through which a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes. The second pillar is economic securi

3 MIN READ
EU sees Korea as 'trusted partner' in evolving Indo-Pacific strategy thumbnail

KSD channels $1.17 mil. funding this year into regional talent, startups in Busan

The Korea Securities Depository (KSD) has directed funding toward social welfare and innovative businesses, contributing an average of around 1.78 billion won ($1.34 million) annually from 2023 to 2025 and 1.55 billion won for this year, the state-run agency said Friday. Headquartered in Busan, KSD focuses much of its social contribution work on developing local talent, helping young people become financially independent and strengthening the regional economy. Its programs range from scholarships and job training to funding for social enterprises, startups and small and midsize businesses. One such effort is the Open Campus, which introduces university students to KSD’s work and career opportunities in the securities industry. Participants learn about its core functions, including securities settlement, get information on recruitment and speak with current employees. Launched in 2019 with 35 students from five universities, it has grown to 60 students from 12 universities this year. Since 2025, the program has been part of a wider initiative to strengthen Busan’s financial-sector tal

2 MIN READ
KSD channels $1.17 mil. funding this year into regional talent, startups in Busan thumbnail

Over 80 production houses, 95,000 people in Korea involved in Netflix content over past 10 years

Netflix has worked with over 80 Korean production houses and more than 95,000 staff, cast members and production crew behind the scenes over the past ten years since the U.S. content streaming platform launched services here, the company said Friday. The data was unveiled on a special webpage created to mark the company's 10-year anniversary since its entry into Korea. According to the webpage, Netflix was the lead producer or the co-producer of more than 200 Korean original titles since starting Korean services in 2016. They were filmed at more than 100 domestic locations, including cities and villages, the company said. Some 80 percent of subscribers worldwide had watched Korean content, while more than 200 originals made here were included in Netflix's global top 10 list since it started compiling such data in 2021. Netflix also said that one out of three Korean originals were works from a first-time director or writer. A total of 122 partners, including dubbing studios and subtitle specialists worked with Netflix for the localization of Korean content during the cited period, the str

1 MIN READ
Over 80 production houses, 95,000 people in Korea involved in Netflix content over past 10 years thumbnail

Editor's Pick

[COVER STORY] Kids on stage: How young is too young to debut in K-pop?

COVER STORY Kids on stage: How young is too young to debut in K-pop?

A2O LITE, a K-pop act that debuted last week, gained attention not only because its debut single "Neon" topped Melon's Top 100 chart about 29 hours after its release, but also due to the fact that three of the nine members — Ayune, Oa and Aijing — are 13 years old. The group, launched by former SM Entertainment chief producer Lee Soo-man through A2O Entertainment, held its debut showcase on Oct. 12 and released its first single the following day. All nine members are minors. The lineup, which notably consisted of members born in 2013, has revived a question K-pop has long left unresolved — whether Korea's protections for child performers, built largely around weekly hour caps and contract clauses, are adequate for children who reach the stage before finishing middle school. Early debuts are nothing new, least of all for Lee. Solo singer BoA debuted under him at the age of 13 in 2000, while SHINee's Taemin and f(x)'s Krystal were 14 when they debuted in 2008 and 2009, respectively. NCT DREAM debuted in 2016 with its youngest members at 14. Culture critic Jung Duk-hyun said Lee's app

4 MIN READ

Life in Korea

African architect's career break leads to unexpected modeling fame in Korea

African architect's career break leads to unexpected modeling fame in Korea

For Tanoé Akouba Leïla Olivia, modeling was the last thing on her mind when she came to Korea, because she was certain about her aspirations of working as an architect. Her professional training in interior design and 3D visualization in the U.K., Italy and Spain cemented her commitment to the field, until a career break in Korea made her rethink her path and eventually become a full-time model. Born in Cote d’Ivoire to an Ivorian father and Malian mother, Leïla spent her early childhood traveling between countries due to the nature of her parents’ work. Her childhood was filled with memories of the bright streets of Manchester, the antique avenues of Spain and the bustling roads of Italy. From time to time, she would find herself enjoying the flavorful food in Nigeria and exploring the historical and colorful streets of Togo and Senegal. This lifestyle led her to consider herself “un enfant du monde” — a French expression meaning “child of the world.” After completing her internship in Marbella and Valencia, she took a big leap and moved to China to work as a 3D visua

6 MIN READ

Lifestyle

Rarely opened gate links 2 Seoul palaces for exclusive night tours

Visitors will be able to walk between Changdeok Palace and Changgyeong Palace in central Seoul at night next month through a gate that is normally closed to the public, as part of a ticketed night tour, the Korea Heritage Service said Wednesday. The tour, called “Donggwol Dongnak,” runs from Nov. 10-15. It is organized by the agency’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Center and the Korea Heritage Agency. The two palaces were together known as Donggwol, or the “Eastern Palaces,” during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) because they stood east of Gyeongbok Palace, the main royal palace. The 110-minute program combines a guided tour of both palaces with free time to explore their rear gardens. Guides playing court painters from Dohwaseo, the Joseon-era royal bureau of painting, will lead participants through major halls of Changgyeong Palace and the rear garden of Changdeok Palace. Short plays about historical figures linked to each site will be staged at four stops along the route. During the free-viewing time, participants can pass through Yeongchunmun, a gate between the palaces’ rear g

2 MIN READ
Rarely opened gate links 2 Seoul palaces for exclusive night tours

K-Culture

IVE turns Seoul's futuristic DDP into K-pop comeback stage

Seoul is transforming one of its most iconic architectural landmarks into a high-octane venue for K-pop, partnering with girl group IVE to launch its latest comeback campaign at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in an effort to turn global fandom into tourism revenues and longer hotel stays. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Design Foundation are supporting the campaign, titled “DIVE IN TO LIGHT,” which began Monday at DDP and runs through Nov. 30. The building’s exterior displays special videos featuring IVE, with a more elaborate presentation planned to coincide with the release of the group’s new album on Monday, when synchronized laser effects and lighting will accompany its new music. A promotional booth is operating at DDP from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. through Nov. 1, featuring album-themed photo zones and displays of hero masks worn by IVE members. Visitors who post photos of the installations and DDP’s outdoor media displays on social media can receive commemorative postcards created through the collaboration, while Honey Presso, a cafe inside DDP Market, is offering

2 MIN READ
IVE turns Seoul's futuristic DDP into K-pop comeback stage

Celebrities

TWICE's Jihyo leaves JYP after 21 years to launch own agency

Jihyo, a member of K-pop girl group TWICE, said Wednesday she has left JYP Entertainment to establish her own agency. In a handwritten letter posted on social media, Jihyo said she had ended her contract with JYP, where she had been for 21 years since childhood. "I have established Emithaus," she wrote. "Through this new home, I hope to freely explore even the possibilities within myself that I have yet to discover." The 29-year-old singer added, "I will approach every future choice and activity with greater care and a stronger sense of responsibility, as I step out of a familiar environment and continue my work in a new way." Jihyo plans to pursue her solo music career under the new agency while continuing activities with TWICE. JYP Entertainment, one of Korea's major K-pop agencies, had managed Jihyo since she joined the company as a trainee before TWICE's 2015 debut.

1 MIN READ
TWICE's Jihyo leaves JYP after 21 years to launch own agency

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

Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. China's humanoids go job hunting amid Korea's bets on physical AI

  2. InterviewAfter 35 years of searching, activist still fights indifferent system for Korea's missing

  3. SK hynix halts Solidigm IPO plan amid regulatory pressure

  4. Vanished without a trace: Korea's most mystifying unsolved missing person cases

  5. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon acquitted in political funds case

  6. Seoul offers no response to US Eighth Army commander remarks on broader USFK role

  7. BreakingS. Korea proposes military talks with N. Korea over border conflict issue

  8. Seoul mulls 'proportionate measure' over Pyongyang's loudspeaker threat

  9. Trump-Kim summit unlikely in near future amid N. Korean demands: US experts

  10. AI, drones guard nightlife districts as Seoul ramps up Halloween safety measures

Video

Interesting contents

Taboola 후원링크