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Foreign population tops 4% as Korea grapples with aging workforce

The share of foreign residents in Korea's population exceeded 4 percent for the first time in 2025, government data showed Tuesday, as growth in the foreign population offset a decline in Korean nationals and kept the country's overall population from shrinking. According to the annual census released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics, the number of foreign residents stood at 2.11 million as of November 2025, up 66,000, or 3.2 percent, from a year earlier. They accounted for 4.1 percent of Korea's total population of 51.82 million. Their share has risen steadily from 3.2 percent in 2021 to 3.4 percent in 2022, 3.7 percent in 2023 and 3.9 percent in 2024. The figures cover registered foreign residents who have stayed in Korea for more than three months. While the number of Korean nationals fell by 54,000, or 0.1 percent, to 49.71 million, growth in the foreign population kept the country's total population from shrinking. The overall population rose by 12,000, or 0.02 percent, from a year earlier. "The increase in the overall population was driven by growth in the foreign population d

3 MIN READ
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No. of foreign tourists exceeds 10 mil. in 1st half

Korea is on track to achieve its ambitious annual target of attracting over 22 million overseas visitors this year, driven by a strong rebound in travel numbers for the first half of the year and aggressive government measures to stamp out unfair business practices targeting tourists. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism released data showing that the nation welcomed 10.71 million foreign visitors from January to June. The milestone was buoyed by a sharp monthly surge in June, when 1.99 million overseas tourists visited the country, up 23.1 percent from the same month last year. The steady influx bolsters prospects for reaching the government’s target of 22 million to 23 million foreign tourists for this year. A report released by the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute last month projected foreign arrivals to reach 22 million this year, marking a 16.2 percent increase from 2025. Visitor numbers from key markets grew strongly in June. China led the arrivals with 650,000 visitors, followed by Japan with 350,000 and Taiwan with 220,000. Southeast Asian nations, the Am

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'Black Tuesday': Seoul stocks crash over 10% as chip rout deepens

Korea's benchmark KOSPI plunged more than 10 percent Tuesday as a global semiconductor sell-off and concerns over intensifying competition from China's ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) hammered chip stocks. KOSPI closed at 6023.63, down 10.84 percent from the previous session. It opened at 6400.27, or 5.26 percent lower, and extended losses throughout the session, briefly falling below the 6,000-point mark in afternoon trading. Heavy selling triggered a sell-side sidecar on the main bourse at 9:06 a.m., according to the Korea Exchange, marking the 22nd such sidecar this year. As losses deepened, a circuit breaker was activated at 10:14 a.m., halting trading for KOSPI-listed shares for 20 minutes. Foreign investors led the sell-off, offloading a net 4.98 trillion won ($3.41 billion) worth of shares. Retail investors were net buyers of 4.32 trillion won, while institutional investors purchased a net 638.7 billion won, but their buying was insufficient to offset the heavy foreign selling. Chipmakers bore the brunt of the sell-off. SK hynix plunged 14.65 percent to 1.55 million won, while

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Korea honors Myanmar worker killed in industrial accident

Korea has honored a Myanmar worker killed in an industrial accident here, as the state moves to formalize support for the bereaved families of foreign laborers. The Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (K-COMWEL), a government agency responsible for administering industrial accident insurance, held a support program for families of migrant workers killed on the job at Incheon International Airport, Tuesday, for the widow of Aung Min Oo. Aung Min Oo is a Myanmar national who died on July 1 after being caught in a conveyor belt at a KTX railway expansion site in Asan, South Chungcheong Province. His family traveled to Korea to accompany his remains home. K-COMWEL said staff guided Aung Min Oo's widow through industrial accident compensation procedures and the repatriation process. Before her departure, the agency set up a memorial space and a private waiting area at the airport where she could pay her respects. A short remembrance service was held, during which officials delivered a letter of condolence and a consolation payment funded by employee donations. Staff accompanied

2 MIN READ
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US bill targets foreign officials over alleged discrimination against American firms

A bill that could bar foreign officials accused of discriminating against American companies from entering the United States has been introduced, carrying potential implications for Korea-U.S. relations by citing the Korean government's investigation into e-commerce platform Coupang over its massive customer data breach as a key example. U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner on Thursday (local time) filed the bill, or the proposed No Racketeers on Our Shores Act, which seeks to impose an entry ban for foreign officials “who weaponize the government to discriminate against American companies.” According to a fact sheet on the bill, it would amend the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act to deny entry to, or deport, foreign government officials who engage in economic discrimination against American individuals or companies. It targets officials who use government authority to impose investigations, fines, taxes, licensing decisions or other regulatory measures on American businesses more harshly than on similarly situated domestic or non-U.S. companies. Baumgartner cited Coupang’s case as a

3 MIN READ
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Korea sees record number of tropical nights so far this summer

Korea has logged a record number of tropical nights so far this summer as an unrelenting heat wave continues to grip the nation, the state weather agency said Tuesday. The nationwide average number of tropical nights reached 7.8 between June 1 and July 27, marking the highest figure for the period since 1973, when the country established a nationwide weather observation network, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). A tropical night refers to a phenomenon when nighttime temperatures stay above 25 C. During that period, the nation's average daily temperature stood at 24.2 C — the second highest figure since 1973 — only behind last year's 24.8 C. The weather agency attributed the heat wave to hot and humid air flowing into the country under the influence of the North Pacific High pressure system. The KMA warned the country is expected to experience hotter weather, with daytime temperatures to range between 33 and 39 C from Aug. 1 to 7. The southeastern city of Daegu is expected to log 39 C every day during the weeklong period. The city recorded its all-time high tem

1 MIN READ
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Why justice minister remains at odds with ruling party over prosecution reform

Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho remains at odds with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) over the final stage of the administration's proposed prosecution reform, risking his Cabinet post in defense of prosecutors' supplementary investigative powers. Jung and the DPK share the broader goal of prosecution reform — one of President Lee Jae Myung's signature policy agendas — which seeks to separate prosecutors' long-held powers to both press charges and conduct investigations. Where they diverge is over the details. Jung argues that prosecutors should retain supplementary investigative powers as a limited tool to verify evidence and address shortcomings in police investigations, while the DPK insists the authority must be abolished entirely, citing a long-standing pattern of prosecutors' abuse of powers. "Supplementary investigations are not investigations in the conventional sense," the justice minister said earlier this year. “To properly decide whether to indict and sustain a prosecution, prosecutors need a mechanism to support those decisions.” He went on to say that withou

2 MIN READ
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Strike threats add to earnings woes for Korean carmakers

Korean carmakers are facing mounting labor unrest, as stalled wage negotiations raise the risk of widespread strikes that could further undermine their earnings already hit by slowing global demand and lingering tariff pressures from the United States. Following ongoing walkouts at Hyundai Motor, both Kia and Renault Korea have now secured the legal right to strike after government-led mediation efforts failed. The prospect of prolonged work stoppages comes as domestic automakers are reporting weaker second-quarter earnings and preparing for summer factory shutdowns. Additional production disruptions in the third quarter could weigh heavily on carmakers’ profitability and ripple through parts suppliers and logistics companies. Kia's labor union obtained the legal right to strike on Monday after the National Labor Relations Commission ruled that mediation had failed. If the union proceeds with industrial action, it would end the company's five-year streak of concluding annual wage negotiations without a strike. The union is demanding a 149,600 won ($102) increase in monthly base pay, a p

2 MIN READ
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Lawmakers seek to ban animal abusers from owning pets

Lawmakers are moving to close a loophole that fails to stop animal abusers from keeping or adopting new pets even after serious cruelty cases. Under proposed amendments to the Animal Protection Act, submitted recently by Rep. Han Zee-a and nine other legislators of the main opposition People Power Party, animal abusers would be restricted from keeping their animals or adopting new ones for a certain period. “Under the current law, there are provisions to punish those who abuse animals. However, institutional measures to restrict abusers from keeping animals again are not sufficient, and concerns about repeated abuse have been raised,” the lawmakers said in the proposal. Under the bill, courts would be given authority to impose an animal keeping ban when sentencing abusers, preventing them from owning or adopting pets for a set period. Animal rights activists have long called for Korea to follow other countries such as Germany and Britain in barring abusers from owning or keeping animals, not just punishing cruelty. The bill also calls for strengthening protections for animals before a

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Lee, Lula agree to boost Korea-Brazil cooperation, work to resume Korea-Mercosur FTA talks

SAO PAOLO — Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva agreed to further enhance their countries' strategic partnership, also stressing the need to resume negotiations for a free trade deal between Korea and the South American trade bloc Mercosur, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Tuesday. Lee and Lula met Monday in Brasilia, their second bilateral summit this year following their February meeting in Seoul. The two leaders adopted a joint statement, in which they stressed the need to further enhance their countries' cooperation as strategic partners linking South America and Asia that will help both sides tackle various complex challenges in the international community, the spokesperson said in a release. They had agreed to upgrade their countries' relationship to a strategic partnership when they last met in February. Lee and his Brazilian counterpart also highlighted the need to resume negotiations for a trade pact between Korea and Mercosur, to which Brazil is a member. To this end, the leaders agreed to launch a joint working group tha

3 MIN READ
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McDonald's and local farmers: Fast food helps fight rural shrinkage in Korea

In the quiet agricultural expanse of Chungju, local farmers have long cultivated waxy sweet corn — a regional treasure prized for its delicate texture and subtle sweetness. Now, that homegrown staple is making an unlikely leap from roadside market stalls directly into the fast-food mainstream across Korea. Under a public-private pact signed Monday between the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, McDonald’s Korea and four regional municipalities, global fast food is being harnessed as an engine for rural economic revival. Announced at Government Complex Seoul, the agreement connects corporate product design with local produce to inject vitality into shrinking agricultural communities, spanning Chungju in North Chungcheong Province, Hongcheon in Gangwon Province, and Jinju and Changnyeong in South Gyeongsang Province. At the core of the initiative is McDonald’s long-running “Taste of Korea” campaign, which has sourced domestic crops since 2021. Under the expanded partnership, nationwide McDonald’s locations will launch a featured hamburger highlighting Chungju waxy corn, along

2 MIN READ
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Yoon Suk Yeol received $1.15 mil. in prison deposits over 1 year, 6.3 times presidential salary

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol received more than 1.7 billion won ($1.15 million) in prison deposits over the past year, more than six times the president's salary this year of 271 million won. According to the office of Rep. Park Eun-jung of the Rebuilding Korea Party, Tuesday, the inmate who received the most prison deposits at the Seoul Detention Center from July 10, 2025 to July 10, 2026 received 1,714,700,137 won. The inmate is reportedly Yoon. Yoon was returned to detention in July last year and received the deposits over 39,829 transactions. The total is about 13 times that of the second-highest recipient at the Seoul Detention Center, who received 131 million won. Yoon withdrew 99.46 percent of the total in 511 transactions. Former first lady Kim Keon Hee, meanwhile, topped the list of prison deposit recipients at the Seoul Nambu Detention Center from Aug. 12 last year to July 10 this year, receiving 171 million won. Kim received prison deposits 8,119 times during the period and withdrew 94.5 percent of the total in 92 transactions. Yoon and Kim are believed to have transferred th

2 MIN READ
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JYP's new girl group OURBIRTHDAY completes 7-member lineup

A new girl group launched by a subsidiary of K-pop powerhouse JYP Entertainment has finalized its seven-member lineup ahead of an official debut, the group's label said Tuesday. OURBIRTHDAY, managed by INNIT Entertainment, introduced four more members, Kuk Cho-rok, Shin Hye-won, U and Kilala, following the release of concept photos for the single "HUNGRY (Side B)" on the group's social media channels. The four join Cho Hye-jin, Baby and Achiraya, who began activities last week with the digital single "HUNGRY (Side A)." The label has described the two releases as a phased predebut, an uncommon rollout in the K-pop industry, where groups typically debut as a complete unit. OURBIRTHDAY is the first girl group associated with JYP Entertainment since NMIXX debuted in 2022. The group's name reflects its aim to make ordinary days feel as special as birthdays, according to the label. The multinational group was first teased through animated characters and a superhero-themed animation series that withheld the members' identities, drawing speculation among fans over whether the project was a virtu

2 MIN READ
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InterviewSeoul's new Arisu head aims to export trust in tap water

Kwon Min, the new head of Seoul Arisu, wants the city’s expertise in safe tap water to travel well beyond Korea’s capital, helping other overseas cities build reliable water systems while further deepening trust at home. Kwon, who assumed the position earlier this month, said the city is committed to sharing its technology and know-how with partner cities where simply turning on the faucet can still be a health risk. His remarks come as trust in Seoul’s tap water reaches a record high: A recent survey found that 75 percent of residents now drink straight from the tap — a level of trust officials say reflects many years of investment in water quality and pipe replacement. But safe tap water is still a distant goal in many parts of the world, which is why Kwon wants Arisu’s hard-won trust to become an exportable asset, bringing trust to places like Laos and Tanzania. “If any city needs our technology and our know-how, we should help wherever our capacity allows,” he said in an interview with The Korea Times, adding that drinking water is more fundamental than almost anything

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'Okay! Madam: Bon Voyage' delivers bigger action, laughs on high seas

The 2020 action-comedy hit "Okay! Madam" returns with a grander scale as former secret agent Mi-young (Uhm Jung-hwa) takes her high-octane moves on a luxury cruise ship. "Okay! Madam: Bon Voyage" follows the former agent and her family whose peaceful ocean vacation turns into a chaotic rescue operation after a ruthless criminal syndicate hijacks their vessel in the middle of the ocean. Expanding on the original setup, the sequel mixes fun physical humor with even more exciting action scenes. Uhm delivers a standout performance as she performs sharp martial arts and underwater scenes that go beyond plain slapstick. Director Lee Cheol-ha expressed deep relief and joy while introducing the sequel. "I had planned a three-part series from the very beginning, and it took six full years to present this second installment," Lee said after the premiere on Monday. "I am deeply grateful and moved that our actors joined us again to enrich this film, and I sincerely hope it performs well so we can realize our dream of making the third installment." Uhm also expressed her excitement about reprising the

2 MIN READ
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Decision on stalled sale of SK Siltron likely to come this week

Talks between SK Group and Doosan Group over the sale of a controlling stake in SK Siltron are expected to conclude this week, seven months after Doosan Corp. was selected as the preferred bidder. According to industry officials on Tuesday, SK Inc. is considering putting the sale of its 70.6 percent stake in silicon wafer maker SK Siltron on the agenda for its board meeting on Friday. As part of its portfolio reorganization, SK Group selected Doosan Corp. as the preferred bidder for the stake in December last year. The two sides were initially anticipated to reach a sale and purchase agreement within the first half of this year, but both repeatedly said in regulatory filings that a definitive agreement had not yet been finalized. At the time, SK Siltron was valued at around 5 trillion won ($3.4 billion). This year, however, the value of silicon wafers has increased as a result of the semiconductor upcycle, with the company's valuation now estimated at around 7 trillion won, prompting SK to put the agreement on hold. SK Siltron is the world's third-largest silicon wafer maker by revenue,

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Editor's Pick

Why saunas are suddenly cool among young Koreans

Why saunas are suddenly cool among young Koreans

At 2 p.m. on July 21, the clientele at the charcoal-fired jjimjilbang, a Korean bathhouse and sauna complex in Seoul's Seodaemun District, looked a little different from the normal visitors. Of the 36 visitors relaxing in the bathhouse's standard-issue lounge clothing, 21 were young adults in their 20s and 30s. Kim Geum-sook, 68, a snack bar employee who has worked at the facility for 16 years, said, "It is the first time so many young people have visited like this." She added that the influx is breathing new life into an industry battered by closures during the pandemic. From private rooms to social gatherings Long associated with middle-aged and older customers, saunas are shedding their dated image. Young adults are recasting them as a prime location for trendy wellness rituals, driving a cultural revival that has turned traditional bathhouses into fashionable social spaces. This shift is especially visible online, where a new class of sauna influencers posts reviews and documents their trips to saunas Korea and neighboring Japan. Dedicated accessories, including personalized sauna ha

3 MIN READ

Life in Korea

Seoul extends nighttime balloon rides as demand for city views soars

Seoul extends nighttime balloon rides as demand for city views soars

As darkness settles over the Han River, the capital’s skyline is giving international visitors and late-night strollers another reason to look up. Seoul municipal authorities said Tuesday that SEOULDAL, the city's signature tethered moon-balloon attraction in Yeouido Park, will extend its weekend operating hours until 11 p.m. from August through October. The push to stretch the city's nightlife economy comes as city officials seek to convert surging interest in Korean urban culture into longer tourist stays. Suspended roughly 130 meters above Yeouido, the giant helium-filled tethered balloon offers 360-degree panoramic views of the illuminated metropolis — stretching from the shimmering curves of the Han River and Nodeul Island to the iconic silhouette of N Seoul Tower. Under the new schedule, Friday and Saturday flights will operate an extra hour closer to midnight, while Sunday through Thursday flights will maintain their regular schedule from noon until 10:00 p.m. The decision to extend late-night access reflects a broader initiative by local tourism authorities to capitalize on c

2 MIN READ

Lifestyle

Korean seaweed soup powers Amal Clooney's morning routine

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Amal Clooney has drawn attention for eating Korean seaweed soup for breakfast. The Daily Mail reported that the international human rights lawyer, 48, starts her day with the Korean soup, which is made with brown seaweed, sesame oil and garlic. Her lunches include lean protein. The couple hired private chef Viviana Frizzi in 2013 to manage their meals, and a reporter who previously visited their home said the chef prepared a lunch of salad, spaghetti with turkey meatballs and chicken breast with lemon sauce. Low calories, high fiber aid weight loss Clooney's morning miyeokguk routine aids weight loss. The soup contains abundant dietary fiber that promotes gut health and fullness. A standard 300-gram serving prepared with beef or dried pollock contains only 70 to 120 calories. The dish also provides essential minerals. It is high in iron to help prevent anemia, rich in magnesium and calcium to support nerve and bone health, and packed with iodine, which is essential for thyroid hormone production. Add protein while reducing sodium Although seaweed

2 MIN READ
Korean seaweed soup powers Amal Clooney's morning routine

K-Culture

InterviewKARD disbands after 10 years, but members insist story is not over

The four members of KARD are reluctant to use the word "disbandment." By any common definition, it applies. The co-ed group's contract with DSP Media expires at the end of this year, and the agency announced earlier this month that one final album and world tour would conclude KARD's journey. But sitting down with The Korea Times for an interview at a cafe in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, Tuesday, the members wanted the word understood on their own terms. "The four of us still want to make music together, but that would just happen in a new environment," Jiwoo said. "I think the misunderstanding was understandable, but there are no plans for us to say goodbye and part ways entirely." J.Seph, the group's rapper, said even his young nephew called to ask. "I explained, like anyone else, I belong to a company, and I'm tied to that company by a contract. The point where that contract ends has simply arrived." In other words, KARD as fans have known it for a decade, a DSP Media act, is ending. What the members refuse to let go of are each other. Nothing concrete is decided, they admit, but

4 MIN READ
KARD disbands after 10 years, but members insist story is not over

Celebrities

TWICE's Jihyo hints at difficult decision as JYP contract renewal talks continue

TWICE leader Jihyo has shared an emotional message with fans as her contract renewal discussions with JYP Entertainment continue, raising speculation about whether she will extend her 21-year relationship with the agency. On Monday, Jihyo posted a lengthy message on the fan communication platform Bubble. "I could simply chat with ONCE about everyday things, but my heart still feels so heavy that I can't bring myself to talk as if nothing is happening," she said. ONCE is the name of TWICE's official fandom. "I've been thinking a lot and being very cautious before coming to Bubble, but I'll do my best to resolve everything properly and let you know as soon as possible so that ONCE won't have to wait too long," she added. "As the person responsible for my own life, I'll carefully and wisely think things through before making my decision. Just as you always have, I hope you'll continue to support me and trust me." Jihyo also reassured fans of her commitment to the group. "I truly love and cherish TWICE, and I believe ONCE will understand that from my heart alone." "I'm sorry it's been so long

1 MIN READ
TWICE's Jihyo hints at difficult decision as JYP contract renewal talks continue

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Opinion

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Top 10 Stories

  1. Korea to adopt tougher penalties for overcharging in tourism sector

  2. Foreign population tops 4% as Korea grapples with aging workforce

  3. 'Black Tuesday': Seoul stocks crash over 10% as chip rout deepens

  4. Tremor of Japan earthquake felt in parts of Korea: authorities

  5. No. of foreign tourists exceeds 10 mil. in 1st half

  6. Why Korea's weather agency forecast 50 mm of rain when just 3.5 mm fell — and why it keeps missing the mark

  7. McDonald's and local farmers: Fast food helps fight rural shrinkage in Korea

  8. Korea sees record number of tropical nights so far this summer

  9. Yoon Suk Yeol received $1.15 mil. in prison deposits over 1 year, 6.3 times presidential salary

  10. Korea honors Myanmar worker killed in industrial accident

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