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Democrats capture Congress in sweeping setback for Trump

WASHINGTON — Democrats captured majorities in both the Senate and House on Tuesday, scoring sweeping victories that reached deep into Republican strongholds as tens of millions of voters delivered a scathing rebuke to President Donald Trump. The size and breadth of the Democratic wave were still coming into focus, but the party prevailed in states long thought to be out of reach, including conservative bastions like South Carolina, Texas and Iowa. The Democratic wave underscored voters' deep frustration with Trump's stewardship of the economy and his decision to launch a war against Iran in February, which drove gas prices up sharply. In poll after poll, voters expressed anxiety about the cost of living and anger at the way Trump has handled the issue. In Kansas, Adam Hamilton, a megachurch pastor, became the first Democrat to win a Senate seat since the Great Depression nearly a century ago. In Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown claimed a seat that belonged to Vice President JD Vance two years ago, while Texas Democratic state Representative James Talarico withstood a barrage of outside spe

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Beyond sovereignty: Why OPCON transfer matters for South Korea's security

The long-standing debate over the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) is once again emerging as a contentious issue in the ROK-U.S. alliance. The Lee Jae Myung administration has repeatedly expressed its determination to accelerate the transfer, while the Trump administration remains reluctant, emphasizing the need to meet the agreed conditions. The fact that the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), at which the two sides were expected to discuss and finalize a roadmap for the transfer, has been postponed until next year suggests that their differences remain unresolved. There is a real possibility that the OPCON issue could become a source of friction in the alliance. The sensitivity and importance of this issue stem from its direct connection to two fundamental values: sovereignty and security. From the perspective of national sovereignty, the commander-in-chief should be able to exercise full command authority over the country's own armed forces. President Lee has also stressed that South Korea cannot continue to leave its military sovereignty in the hands of another co

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N. Korea fires unidentified projectile toward East Sea: JCS

North Korea fired multiple missiles toward the East Sea on Wednesday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, just days after it fired nearly a dozen short-range ballistic missiles. The missiles were launched from the Sondok area in South Hamgyong Province early Wednesday, the JCS said, adding that further analysis of specifications was under way in coordination with the United States. "Our military is monitoring the North's various movements under a robust South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture, and maintains the capabilities and readiness to respond overwhelmingly to any provocations," the JCS said in a notice to the press. A JCS official said it is analyzing the details while leaving open the possibility that the North may have fired different types of missiles at the same time. "We are analyzing the specifications while leaving open the possibility that the North fired various types of missiles," the official said, adding they are still looking into the exact types of missiles and their impact area. The latest launch came just days after the North fired around a dozen short-range bal

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IES Global eyes expansion of study abroad, internship programs in Korea

As Korea emerges as a popular destination for international students, global education organization Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) Global is looking to expand two-way student exchanges and internship opportunities, connecting more international students with Korea while opening new pathways for Korean students to gain experience abroad. In an interview with The Korea Times in September, IES Global President and CEO Gregory Hess emphasized that Korea is rapidly gaining ground as a study abroad destination for American students, attracting growing interest not only for its cultural appeal but also for its technological prowess and world-class universities. "Korea is one of the hot countries," he said. "Students are attracted not only to its culture, its entrepreneurial culture, the prominence of its products, but also the great universities that are here." While K-pop and Korean dramas often serve as an entry point for international students, Hess said Korea's appeal extends well beyond popular culture to its strengths in advanced technology and higher educati

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Viral 'text hip' trend boosts bookstore sales, brings literature to food aisles

For years after graduating from college, Park, an office worker in her early 30s, barely set foot in a bookstore. Having spent so much of her academic life buried in texts, she thought her days of reading for pleasure were behind her. Then came October 2024, when Han Kang, author of the International Booker Prize-winning novel “The Vegetarian,” became the first Asian woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. “I remember going to Kyobo’s Gwanghwamun branch and being overwhelmed by the crowds of people trying to get their hands on Han's books,” she said. “That’s when I realized reading didn’t have to feel like an obligation. It could be something you enjoy for its own sake and share with other people.” The experience was made all the more appealing by the growing array of literary accessories — from fabric book covers and book pouches to bookmarks, paperweights and decorative book rings — that added an aesthetic dimension to the hobby. Since then, visiting bookstores has become a regular pastime for Park. Her most recent visit, a week ago, was to pick up “Autobiog

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N. Korea says dialogue with US option but not must for national interest

North Korea said Wednesday that dialogue with the United States remains an option for peace, but that it would not be necessary for its own interest while again stressing the U.S.' accusation of its involvement in a major cryptocurrency theft as a sign of Washington's hostility toward Pyongyang. Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, made the remarks, saying the continued "hostile signal" by Washington was compelling the regime to reconsider the "true nature" of the U.S. "The choice for peace includes dialogue of course, but this is not surely equated with national interests for us," Kim said in a statement carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The remarks came a day after she rejected the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) findings that the regime was behind the theft of more than US$6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange. She earlier called the accusation a "grave political provocation" against the North. "The so-called 'cryptocurrency hacking case by the DPRK' is no more

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InterviewWhy more K-food brands need 'OU' for global markets

Companies seeking to expand into global markets like North America and Europe should consider applying for OU certification, a kosher label approved by the Orthodox Union, according to an associate of the oldest Orthodox Jewish organization in the United States. Steve Hong, certification sales agent for the New York City-based group operating OU Kosher worldwide, said that to get mainstream distribution in the U.S., Canada and Europe, Korean food firms should seek to certify their products with OU, the most widespread kosher certification label in those regions. He said over 1.3 million kosher products manufactured at 15,000 plants in 105 countries have been certified with OU. That is over 70 percent of all kosher products being distributed worldwide. Hong said the majority of kosher food products at Costco and Walmart stores in the U.S. are OU-labeled. According to OU Kosher, 71 percent of kosher products at 190 Ralph’s Supermarkets stores in California and 66 percent of kosher products at Stop & Shop stores in the northeastern U.S. have been certified by OU Kosher, while the remaind

3 MIN READ
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SGI announces quarterly dividend for 2 consecutive quarters

Seoul Guarantee Insurance (SGI) said Wednesday that it has decided on a quarterly dividend of 573 won ($0.42) in cash per common share. The dividend per share is set at approximately 1.3 percent of the stock price, with the total dividend payout amount of about 40 billion won. The record date for the dividend is Nov. 18 and the payment date is scheduled for Dec. 2. Following a dividend payout of 30 billion won in the previous quarter, SGI confirmed a quarterly cash dividend for the second consecutive quarter. In August, the company unveiled its "corporate value enhancement plan and implementation status for 2026," setting a target of over 200 billion won in shareholder returns for this year — representing a shareholder return ratio of at least 50 percent — and became the first in the industry to implement quarterly dividends. Both the dividend and the dividend per share have increased slightly compared to the previous quarter. Quarterly dividends are expected to provide shareholders with faster access to cash, creating more opportunities generating returns, including expanded chances

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ROUNDTABLE Korea must navigate US-China AI rivalry with strategic clarity: experts

With artificial intelligence (AI) emerging as a fiercely contested front in the intensifying rivalry between the United States and China, Korea faces a growing dilemma. The country is caught between Washington's dominance in frontier AI technologies and China's growing presence in the consumer market with open-weight and open-source models. To explore how Korea should navigate this geopolitical landscape, The Korea Times hosted a roundtable titled “Beyond U.S.-China AI race: Korea’s strategic edge,” which included the country’s leading experts. Participants included Kim Sung-han, former national security adviser and Korea University professor emeritus; Reform Party of Korea Rep. Lee Jun-seok; Lim Jong-in, former presidential cybersecurity adviser and Soongsil University AI committee chair; and Bone AI CEO Lee Do-kyung. Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin moderated the discussion. Kim stressed that Korea should distinguish between consumer AI and technologies used for national security, calling for high-level consultations between Cheong Wa Dae and the White House to defi

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InterviewEvery space has a story: Urbanplay connects people with local culture

In Korea, cafes are no longer just places to grab a cup of coffee. They are increasingly becoming cultural venues where visitors can discover local brands, browse curated products and exhibitions and sample menus developed in collaboration with local businesses. The shift extends beyond cafes, with retail spaces doubling as venues for exhibitions, performances and pop-up events. For Urbanplay CEO Hong Joo-seok, every space has a story of its own. He believes the value of a physical space lies not simply in its design, but in the experiences it offers and the stories it tells visitors. "It is important to carefully plan what kind of content visitors will experience and what services can keep them connected to a brand even after the experience ends," Hong said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. "We are not a company that simply designs the physical structure of a space. We plan the content inside it and design the user experience," he added. Founded in 2013, Urbanplay connects brands and local creators with audiences through physical spaces. Rather than designing buildings or interi

4 MIN READ
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Binance hackers used fake job interview in $6.3 bil. attack

PARIS/DETROIT — Hackers used a bogus job interview and software hidden in an advertisement to compromise the computers of two Binance software engineers before using a third's computer to drain $6.3 billion worth of crypto in last week's record heist, the exchange said on Tuesday. In its initial report on how hackers pulled off what could be the largest-ever financial theft, Binance detailed a multi-stage hacking endeavour that began in June and set off a series of security breaches culminating in the theft on Thursday. Even as Binance scrambled to lock down its system and freeze withdrawals after detecting the attack late on Thursday, the hackers were still making off with crypto from the exchange nearly four hours after the first theft, Binance said. The FBI has blamed a North Korean hacking group, a claim North Korea has rejected. Binance has said it is repaying all customers whose funds were stolen. The attack has raised questions about how hackers breached the world's largest crypto exchange after years of North Korea-linked attacks, which have grown in ambition and frequency, and

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Iran, US still far apart on deal to end war as Qatar pushes mediation

DUBAI — Iran and the United States are still far from a deal to end their war, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday, while mediator Qatar stepped up efforts to bridge differences and avert a renewed escalation after the U.S. midterm elections. Overnight, the United States carried out "defensive" strikes on Iran's Qeshm island targeting surface-to-air missiles used against U.S. assets, a U.S. official said. Another official said the strikes appeared limited and did not signal a return to major combat operations. U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday renewed threats of possible military action, telling Fox News Channel: "I'm not looking to ... kill lots of people. If we have to, we'll have to." Qatar has intensified mediation efforts amid fears the conflict launched by the United States and Israel in February could flare up again after Tuesday's midterms. "Mediators are working hard to narrow gaps between Tehran and Washington," the senior Iranian official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Qatari mediators travelled to Tehran on Monday night for talks on a version o

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N. Korea set for solo UNESCO taekwondo listing as S. Korea misses joint bid

South Korea, which led the global spread and modernization of taekwondo, is facing criticism over its delayed UNESCO listing effort, letting North Korea take the lead for the sport's early registration on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Although North Korea's listing does not block South Korea's move for its separate listing of the martial art, criticism is rising over Seoul's belated attempt to seek a co-listing with Pyongyang, which has remained unresponsive. According to a social media post on Monday by Huh Min, head of the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), North Korea’s application — titled "Taekwon-Do, traditional martial art in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" — is expected to receive a recommendation for inscription following an evaluation by UNESCO experts. While an evaluation body's recommendation is technically an advisory step, such assessments almost always lead to inscription. The final decision will be made during the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, scheduled to take place in Xiamen, China, Nov. 30 to Dec

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Gaon Cable expands US production capacity amid rising tariffs

Gaon Cable, a subsidiary of LS Cable & System, is gaining a competitive edge in the United States as Washington tightens tariffs on steel, aluminum and copper-related products, with its local manufacturing base helping it reduce tariff exposure and navigate supply chain uncertainties. The company is expanding its U.S. production capacity while broadening its business from artificial intelligence (AI) data centers to power transmission networks and power plants, positioning itself to tap growing demand for electricity infrastructure. Gaon Cable operates LSCUS, its U.S. production subsidiary, in Tarboro, North Carolina. It supplies power cables and bus ducts to global technology giants and AI cloud service providers, strengthening its foothold in the North American market. The company plans to invest approximately $50 million to add two production lines at its Tarboro facility, doubling its cable production capacity by 2027. Further expansion is under consideration depending on new orders and customers' investment plans. LSCUS' revenue is projected to rise from approximately 440 billion wo

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Lee questions multicultural benefits: Centrist outreach or political misstep?

President Lee Jae Myung’s repeated questioning of benefits for multicultural families has raised a question beyond policy fairness: Is he trying to broaden his appeal by challenging his own liberal base? Political analysts and other experts contacted by The Korea Times offered differing interpretations. Some viewed his remarks at official meetings and on social media as a deliberate effort to reclaim the political center. Others were less certain there was any coherent strategy. In the latest such remarks at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Lee said the government had a duty to support socially and economically disadvantaged people, but stressed that such assistance must also reflect the principles of fairness and reasonableness. “Even benefits that seem small or trivial can undermine public trust in the system if they continue without a reasonable basis,” he said. “This could not only undermine the foundations of sustainable policy but also give those seeking to incite hatred against vulnerable people a pretext for doing so.” Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon interpreted the remar

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Korea, Turkey deepen Sinop nuclear plant cooperation at Seoul summit

Korea and Turkey agreed to deepen cooperation on nuclear power plants during a bilateral summit in Seoul on Tuesday, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support Korean firms’ participation in Turkey’s planned Sinop project. President Lee Jae Myung and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also agreed to expand joint arms production, explore joint entry into third-country markets, boost trade and investment, broaden future growth cooperation and coordinate for Korean Peninsula peace and international stability. “With this MOU, we will be able to proactively help Korean companies participate in new Turkish nuclear power plant projects,” Lee said at a joint press announcement after the summit at Cheong Wa Dae, referring to the agreement on nuclear project financing cooperation. The MOU between the Export-Import Bank of Korea and Turkey’s nuclear energy corporation provides for project information exchanges, financing feasibility assessments and identification of potential funding opportunities. It builds on a nuclear energy cooperation MOU signed during Lee’s state v

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Seo Yea-ji to return to big screen after 5 years with 'Geumwoldo'

Actress Seo Yea-ji is set to return to the big screen after five years with the upcoming film "Geumwoldo," marking another step in her acting comeback following controversies surrounding her personal life. According to her agency, B.Wave Entertainment, on Wednesday, Seo has been cast as Kim Ji-hoo in "Geumwoldo," a mystery thriller inspired by an actual case of cannibalism recorded in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty. Set on a remote Korean island within an isolated community, the film will explore an unusual genre concept described as a "Korean-style vampire" story. It will be directed by Baek Dong-hoon, known for the film "Le Grand Chef 2: Kimchi Battle." Seo will play Kim Ji-hoo, a woman who travels to the remote island of Geumwoldo after receiving a message from her mother. Once there, she becomes entangled in a series of mysterious incidents and begins searching for the truth. The role is expected to place Seo at the center of the film's suspense as her character confronts unpredictable events and struggles against her fate. The project also marks another milestone in Seo's gradual r

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RESCENE returns with 'PULSE' after breakout year of K-pop underdog success

K-pop girl group RESCENE returned Tuesday with its fourth mini album, “PULSE,” hoping to build on a breakout year that saw its songs climb back up the charts and earn six music show wins. The five-member group — Woni, Liv, Minami, May and Zena — introduced the five-track release during a showcase at Blue Square in Seoul, ahead of its scheduled release at 6 p.m. The album arrives nearly a year after the group’s third EP, “Lip Bomb,” released Nov. 25 last year, and four months after its remake single, “Pretty Girl.” Liv said the months had passed quickly, with members buoyed by listeners’ support. “We worked hard together to repay everyone who waited for us,” she said. “We’ll show you RESCENE that has grown stronger and more mature.” “’PULSE’ signals that our hearts have begun beating strongly again and captures the pounding heartbeat of seeing a scene we’ve long imagined unfold before our eyes,” Woni said, describing the album. Lead single “With” follows someone who runs toward a person they have long dreamed of meeting. Moving from a lyrical open

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Editor's Pick

[COVER STORY] President, first lady to get new passports after personal data exposure

COVER STORY President, first lady to get new passports after personal data exposure

President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung are having new passports issued after their passport and other personal information were leaked, the foreign ministry said, Tuesday. The government and the police are investigating how the data was exposed, although they believe it was a leak, not an external cyberattack. “The foreign ministry is swiftly taking measures to ensure the smooth reissuance of passports for all affected individuals, including the president and first lady,” ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon said during a briefing. The measures came after it was known that sensitive personal information of 168 people who were aboard the presidential jet for Lee’s trip to Europe in June had been uploaded on a security-related paid website. The leak affected not only the presidential couple but also ranking officials, including then-chief of staff for policy Kim Yong-beom, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, current Prime Minister Han Seong-sook and several Cabinet members, as well as senior officials from Cheong Wa Dae and the foreign ministry, security personnel and

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Life in Korea

Han River autumn concert brings jazz, classical music, Korean favorites to Yeouido

Han River autumn concert brings jazz, classical music, Korean favorites to Yeouido

As autumn deepens in Seoul, the Han River will become an open-air concert hall Saturday, with four musical acts bringing classical, jazz and popular music to Yeouido for a free evening performance against the city's illuminated skyline. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday it will host Autumn Night on the Han River, Filled With Music at Yeouido Mulbit Stage in Yeouido Hangang Park, beginning 5 p.m. this Saturday. The approximately two-hour program will feature four acts: singer Choi Seung-yeol and Kim Chang-ki of the band Zoo, jazz duo Park Jeong-in and Lee Gyu-ri, vibraphone player Yoon Hyun-sang and string quartet Ensemble Allegri. Choi gained attention as a runner-up on the second season of the television program "Hidden Singer," where he performed songs by the late singer Kim Kwang-seok. Kim Chang-ki, a singer and songwriter who performed with Kim Kwang-seok in Zoo, wrote popular songs including "On the Street" and "I'll Love You." Park and Lee will offer jazz performances, while Yoon will move between classical, jazz and pop through vibraphone arrangements. Ensemble Allegri,

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Lifestyle

'Knockout drink' returns after 11 years, and young Koreans can't get enough

Captain Q, the legendary liquor brand, has made a comeback after 11 years, sparking a nationwide craze. For middle-aged and older consumers who enjoyed it in the past, the relaunch evokes nostalgia. For younger generations who never got to try it, the brand has become an object of curiosity, fueled by notorious hangover tales that have evolved into entertaining internet memes. The product is now so hard to find that it is reportedly changing hands on the secondhand market for several times its retail price. Captain Q was first launched in 1980 by Lotte Chilsung Beverage, then known as Lotte Liquor, and is considered one of the original mass-market Korean liquors. Such products were developed at a time when liquor imports were restricted. They were essentially imitation spirits made by blending neutral alcohol (ethanol) with coloring, flavoring and small amounts of liquor concentrates to mimic the taste and aroma of imported spirits. Captain Q was one such product, containing a small amount of rum concentrate. Its affordable price made it particularly popular among college students and

3 MIN READ
'Knockout drink' returns after 11 years, and young Koreans can't get enough

K-Culture

BTS concerts in Taiwan, Indonesia to be screened at movie theaters in over 80 countries

Two shows from K-pop supergroup BTS' upcoming tour in Taiwan and Jakarta will be livestreamed at movie theaters in more than 80 countries and regions, the group's agency said Tuesday. The live viewings will feature the group's second-day show in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on Nov. 21 and its third-day show in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Dec. 29, BigHit Music said in a notice posted on K-pop fan community platform Weverse. The Kaohsiung and Jakarta concerts will be shown on about 3,300 and 2,800 large screens worldwide, respectively. In South Korea, audiences can watch them at three major cinema chains — CGV, Lotte Cinema and Megabox. BigHit Music said screening times will be adjusted for different time zones, meaning viewers in some regions will watch delayed broadcasts one to two days later. The shows are part of the Asian leg of the group's "ARIRANG" tour, set to kick off in Kaohsiung on Nov. 19. The septet will hold a total of 15 performances across five cities that also include Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The group completed its South American tour in Sao Paulo late last month, selling o

1 MIN READ
BTS concerts in Taiwan, Indonesia to be screened at movie theaters in over 80 countries

Celebrities

Song Joong-ki's son steals attention with striking resemblance to actor dad

Actor Song Joong-ki has drawn attention after photos of a family outing with his wife, Katy Louise Saunders, and their two children spread across Chinese social media, with fans particularly surprised by how much his 3-year-old son has grown. Photos and witnes accounts of the family of four recently circulated on Chinese social media platforms, showing Song enjoying a casual outing with Saunders, their son and their daughter, who is approaching her second birthday. The family was spotted in an underground pedestrian passage leading to Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul. In the photos, Song is dressed casually and wearing a cap as he pushes a stroller. What particularly caught fans' attention was the couple's firstborn son, who has grown considerably and now appears to reach nearly his father's waist. According to eyewitness accounts, the boy displayed a cheerful, outgoing personality, smiling and greeting people around him. The couple's younger daughter reportedly sat quietly in the stroller, which Song pushed himself throughout the outing. Chinese social media users also pointed out the boy's re

1 MIN READ
Song Joong-ki's son steals attention with striking resemblance to actor dad

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Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. N. Korea set for solo UNESCO taekwondo listing as S. Korea misses joint bid

  2. Polls begin to close in midterm elections as voters pass judgment on Trump's second term

  3. Lee questions multicultural benefits: Centrist outreach or political misstep?

  4. N. Korea says dialogue with US option but not must for national interest

  5. Viral 'text hip' trend boosts bookstore sales, brings literature to food aisles

  6. Brunello Cucinelli founder under fire for 'inappropriate touching' of Chinese actress after Kim You-jung controversy

  7. Binance hackers used fake job interview in $6.3 bil. attack

  8. AI-built virtual Buddhist temple draws 1 mil. visitors in less than a week

  9. InterviewWhy more K-food brands need 'OU' for global markets

  10. Beyond sovereignty: Why OPCON transfer matters for South Korea's security

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