The Korea Times

The Korea Times
My TimesLatest

Stitching Korean spirit: Costume designer reimagines hanbok for world stage

Lee Jin-hee, the mastermind behind the costume designs of countless dramas, films and theatrical productions, first encountered costume design during her studies at college, where she majored in stage design. Captivated by the spirit embedded in traditional Korean attire, she has carved out a distinguished career as a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) designer. The designer, who is now teaching at the Korea National University of Arts, made a name for herself through her work on hit dramas such as "Love in the Moonlight" (2016) and "My Dearest" (2023), as well as films such as "The Treacherous" (2015) and "The Great Battle" (2018). In 2020, her artistry earned her the Costume Design Award at the Grand Bell Awards. In 2024, she held a solo exhibition by invitation at the Korean Cultural Center in New York, and last year, she unveiled 15 hanbok pieces integrating artificial intelligence (AI) at a fashion show celebrating the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Most recently, she served as the chief costume designer for the local musi

5 MIN READ
Stitching Korean spirit: Costume designer reimagines hanbok for world stage thumbnail

US military says it struck multiple targets in Iran as ceasefire is strained by 2nd day of attacks

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The U.S. military said Saturday it had struck multiple targets in Iran at President Donald Trump’s direction, continuing a string of attacks that have shaken the war’s uneasy ceasefire. U.S. Central Command, in a post to social media, said that U.S. military aircraft targeted Iranian military “surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities” following an attack on a merchant vessel early on Saturday morning. The ongoing strikes in the Persian Gulf show the danger of the Iran war again spinning out of control, even after Iran and the U.S. reached an interim deal to try and agree on a final accord to end the conflict. In a social media post, Trump said the U.S. had “struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN!” He warned of a point where the U.S. may no longer be able to be reasonable “and will be forced to militarily complete the job." “If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no

4 MIN READ
thumbnail

Korean researchers seek opportunities overseas despite record funding

When Choi Jae-hyung (a pseudonym), a 29-year-old doctoral student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, made a surprise visit to Korea in December, he attended a get-together with his former classmates. The regular group consisted of 10 alumni who entered Seoul National University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering the same year. But the mood that night was subdued. “Are you also not going to come back to Korea after getting your doctorate?” one classmate, who was working on his Ph.D., asked Choi. Choi hesitated, then nodded. “There are more opportunities, and the pay is better,” he said, comparing the United States with Korea. Another classmate, who listened quietly, asked, “Why did I go into engineering? I should have tried applying to medical school.” For Choi and his peers, staying in engineering once seemed natural. Even as half of their peers switched to medical school, they continued studying engineering. But by the time of their reunion, only Choi and four of his classmates remained on the engineering track. Others went to medical school or law school, jo

6 MIN READ
Korean researchers seek opportunities overseas despite record funding thumbnail

Exiled Vietnamese prince sparks tourism push into rural Korea

Looking to disperse international tourism beyond the crowded streets of Seoul, Korea is mining an ancient, forgotten royal connection to lure travelers from its top tourism market: Vietnam. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on Friday a new initiative to develop historical travel routes centered around Bonghwa, a quiet mountainous county in North Gyeongsang Province. While seemingly an unlikely destination for international visitors, Bonghwa holds a unique position in regional diplomacy. It is the final resting place of Prince Ly Long Tuong, a scion of Vietnam’s Ly Dynasty who fled a palace coup in the 13th century, crossed the sea to the Goryeo Kingdom and established a lineage in Korea that survives to this day. Following a bilateral summit in April where Vietnamese officials highlighted Bonghwa as a symbol of shared history, Seoul is moving to institutionalize the narrative. The government plans to link a developing cultural site called K-Vietnam Valley with nearby UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the ancient wooden temples of Buseoksa and the traditional

2 MIN READ
Exiled Vietnamese prince sparks tourism push into rural Korea thumbnail

A mother's journey after her son's organ donation saved 3 lives

First came a thunderous crash. Then someone frantically calling emergency services. “It’s terrible. People are lying everywhere. You need to come now!” Choi Seo-young, 56, was inside a produce shop buying groceries for her husband’s birthday when she heard the sound. A terrible thought flashed through her mind — her son was standing outside the store. She rushed out. A scene of devastation unfolded before her eyes. Stalls had been smashed apart. Shards of glass lay scattered across the street. People were sprawled on the ground, some with limbs twisted at grotesque angles, bleeding and moaning in pain. Her 23-year-old son was nowhere to be seen. “Young-in, where are you?” Frantically calling his name, Choi rushed through the marketplace. She soon found her son lying outside a butcher shop two doors down from where he had been standing. His face was covered in blood; as were the cabbages and scallions scattered around him. One hand was still gripping the grocery bag he had offered to carry, saying it was too heavy for his mother. Tears immediately swelled upon seeing the sight

7 MIN READ
A mother's journey after her son's organ donation saved 3 lives thumbnail

Korea clinging to last spot to qualify for knockouts

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — With one matchday left in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup, Korea are clinging to the last spot to sneak into the knockout phase. Korea are eighth among the 12 third-place countries after Groups G, H and I completed their play Friday across Mexico, Canada and the United States. They are now battling for one of three remaining knockout tickets. With the tournament now featuring 48 teams, up from 32, eight best third-place teams will advance to the knockout stage, along with the top two countries from each of the 12 groups. The group stage will end Saturday with matches for teams in Groups J, K and L. The goal difference is the first tiebreaker among third-place nations, followed by goals scored. Korea finished third in Group A on three points from a win and two losses. They defeated Czechia 2-1 on June 11 but lost to Mexico 1-0 seven days later. A win or a draw against South Africa on Wednesday would have sent Korea into the round of 32 as the Group A runner-up, but Korea instead lost 1-0. Korea began Friday sixth in the standings for third-place nations but dr

2 MIN READ
Korea clinging to last spot to qualify for knockouts thumbnail

Nearly 10 Chinese, Russian military aircraft briefly enter Korea's air defense zone: JCS

Nearly 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft briefly entered and left Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ) above the country's eastern and southern waters, Korea's military said Saturday. The Chinese and Russian military aircraft did not violate Korea's airspace, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), adding that it detected the aircraft before they entered the air defense zone. The Korean military dispatched Air Force fighter jets to prepare for any possible contingencies. The air defense zone is not territorial airspace but is delineated to call on foreign planes to identify themselves so as to prevent accidental clashes. The brief entry appears to have occurred during joint air drills between the two countries, according to a JCS official.

1 MIN READ
Nearly 10 Chinese, Russian military aircraft briefly enter Korea's air defense zone: JCS thumbnail

EXPLAINER What Lee Jae Myung's selective enlistment plan means for Korea's shrinking military

Korea has one of the lowest birthrates in the world and a mandatory military service requirement that has shaped the lives of virtually every man in the country for generations. Now those two facts are on a collision course. Every able-bodied Korean man between the ages of 18 and 38 is required by law to serve in the military. Most undergo a physical examination around age 19 and complete their service in their 20s, typically spending 18 months as rank-and-file personnel in the Army or Marine Corps, or slightly longer, in the Navy for 20 months or the Air Force for 21 months. Those who qualify and apply can serve instead as noncommissioned officers (NCOs) — a rank between enlisted personnel and commissioned officers — or as commissioned officers, with initial commitments of four and three years, respectively. But because the rank-and-file route is relatively shorter and requires no selection process, most conscripts take it, despite the limited personal freedom, a strict environment and a long history of hazing and violence within military units. The system was designed for a country

4 MIN READ
[EXPLAINER] What Lee Jae Myung's selective enlistment plan means for Korea's shrinking military thumbnail

Japan's defense chief in Korea for deeper defense ties

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrived in Korea, Saturday, for talks with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, as the two countries seek to step up cooperation and exchanges at the defense level. Koizumi's two-day trip to Seoul — his first in his current capacity — comes amid a continued positive momentum in bilateral relations and reciprocates Ahn's visit to Yokosuka near Tokyo in January for bilateral talks. Koizumi began his trip by visiting the Seoul National Cemetery and paying respects to fallen soldiers. Later in the day, Koizumi was set to join Ahn on a visit to an Air Force base in the eastern provincial city of Wonju, home to Korea's Black Eagles aerobatic team. Their visit to the unit draws attention because Japan had rejected Korea's request for refueling support for the Black Eagles en route to an air show in Dubai in November last year. It took issue with one of the team's aircraft after it took part in a routine drill over Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo, over which Japan has long laid territorial claims. Ahn and Koizumi agreed to settle the issue during their

2 MIN READ
Japan's defense chief in Korea for deeper defense ties thumbnail

2 more Korean vessels clear Strait of Hormuz

Two additional Korean vessels have cleared the Strait of Hormuz after being stranded there for months amid the conflict in the Middle East, the oceans ministry said Saturday. "Two vessels operated by Korean shipping companies, which had been waiting inside the Strait of Hormuz, are sailing normally after passing through the strait," a ministry official said. They were among the 26 Korea-related vessels that had been stranded in the strait after Iran blocked shipping routes in the waterway in late February amid its conflict with the United States and Israel. The first two of them cleared the strait during the conflict with Iranian assistance, while the remaining vessels were leaving the waterway one by one after the U.S. and Iran signed a ceasefire deal earlier this month. The latest passage left three Korea-related vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, including the HMM Namu, which sustained damage in Iranian-linked missile attacks and is undergoing repairs at a port in Dubai. Four Korean crew members were aboard the two vessels that recently cleared the strait, but neither vessel is

1 MIN READ
2 more Korean vessels clear Strait of Hormuz thumbnail

Mystical night at seaside arboretum built by former US intelligence officer

A faint sea mist blankets the forest floor, thick with broad ferns. Patches of earth show through the dense undergrowth, while fragmented rays of sunlight filter through the thick maple branches overhead. The clock has just turned 6 a.m. The hour is too early even for the most popular destinations to be crowded with travelers. The same is true where I stand, at one of Korea’s best-known arboretums overlooking the sea. Across its vast 589,429-square-meter grounds, not a single soul is in sight. Only the distant horns of ships entering port and the calls of birds overhead echo through the trees. It is a rare, tranquil privilege that only those who begin their day at Chollipo Arboretum in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, can enjoy. It is well known as “a garden overlooking the sea” and “an arboretum where visitors can spend the night.” The arboretum has other rarities as well. It is Korea’s first private arboretum. It was built on a salt-laden coast, an unusual setting for an arboretum. And it was founded by the first American to become a naturalized Korean citizen. Born an Am

8 MIN READ
Mystical night at seaside arboretum built by former US intelligence officer thumbnail

Overcrowded and overheated, Korean prisons become intolerable for both inmates and officers

With a metallic click, cold metal cuffs close around both wrists. “You are now in custody.” Suddenly, moving one’s arms freely becomes impossible. The discomfort sets in quickly, as even scratching one’s head becomes an awkward struggle inside the moving prison transport van. But after passing through a firmly shut iron gate and arriving at Cheongju Women’s Prison, where pale yellow buildings surround a small exercise yard, the handcuffs suddenly seem like the least of one’s problems. Inside one of the prison’s shared cells, the space is so cramped and crowded that there is barely enough room to stretch out an arm, even after the handcuffs are removed. The grim reality is that Cheongju Women’s Prison is considered to be in better condition than most prisons in the country. As Korea’s only correctional facility exclusively for women, it is generally regarded as one of the better-equipped institutions. Yet even here, the persistent problem of overcrowding proved impossible to escape. The Cheongju Women's Prison was designed to accommodate 619 inmates at 100 percent capacity

4 MIN READ
Overcrowded and overheated, Korean prisons become intolerable for both inmates and officers thumbnail

Seoul anoints masters of quilting technique, silver inlaying to preserve traditional crafts

In a bid to safeguard Korea’s vanishing artisan heritage, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has designated two women to lifelong honors in the traditional crafts of geometric silk quilting and intricate metal inlaying, the city said Friday. Kim Yun-sun, a veteran artisan who has spent more than 40 years resurrecting a nearly forgotten textile art, was named as the city's first official master of "saeksilnubi" (colored thread quilting). Concurrently, Shin Seon-i, an internationally recognized metalworker, was appointed as a certified "transmission educator" for "ipsajang" (iron-inlaying), an elite status that tasks her with training the next generation in a craft whose survival remains economically precarious. Kim’s designation as a master — a title reserved for those who can flawlessly replicate historic techniques — recognizes a four-decade dedication that began in 1980, when she stumbled upon her grandfather’s antique tobacco pouch. Captivated by its raised, corded geometric patterns, she began analyzing museum relics and buying up marketplace antiques to reverse-engineer t

2 MIN READ
Seoul anoints masters of quilting technique, silver inlaying to preserve traditional crafts thumbnail

Uncovering stories of Cheonggye Stream’s restoration

At his final lecture for Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) Korea on Dec. 10, 2003, Horace Grant Underwood II shared stories of the past while discussing late Joseon-era and colonial-era photos. At one point, he came to a photo of Cheonggye Stream in the early 20th century and commented on the still-unrealized plan to uncover the waterway: “They say they want to return it to being a clean stream. It was never a clean stream!” Indeed, within a few decades of establishing Seoul as the capital in 1394, the newly founded Joseon government had come to rely on Cheonggye Stream as the city's principal conduit to flush waste out of the city. Attempts to cover the stream began during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule, but really took off in the late 1950s, when, over a period of two decades, the stream was covered in stages for a distance of 6 kilometers. Atop this was built an elevated expressway, the first section of which opened in 1969, seven years before it was completed. A well-known section of the covered stream was Hwanghak-dong Flea Market, which had grown to hundreds of stalls, many of

4 MIN READ
Uncovering stories of Cheonggye Stream’s restoration thumbnail

Body changes spark pregnancy rumors, exposing intrusive scrutiny of female celebrities

Recent pregnancy rumors surrounding female celebrities have once again highlighted the intense scrutiny placed on women's bodies. Online posts speculating that an actress or singer is pregnant often spread rapidly after photos show her wearing loose-fitting clothing or appearing slightly different from before. Such rumors are no longer limited to married celebrities but have also targeted women who are merely engaged or preparing for marriage. Actor Shin Min-a became the latest target after attending the press screening of the film Eyes on June 15. Some internet users claimed she appeared fuller-faced than in the past and speculated that she was expecting a child. The rumors echoed similar speculation that surfaced after her marriage to actor Kim Woo-bin last November, when online users pointed to what they described as a "swollen" appearance. Her agency dismissed both rumors as completely unfounded. Shin is far from the only celebrity to face such speculation. Singer Ailee also found herself at the center of pregnancy rumors after appearing at a recent event wearing a loose-fitting outf

3 MIN READ
Body changes spark pregnancy rumors, exposing intrusive scrutiny of female celebrities thumbnail

Korea cuts fuel price cap by 150 won per liter as oil prices retreat

Korea will lower its fuel price cap by 150 won ($0.09) per liter starting Saturday, reflecting the recent decline in global crude oil prices and easing tensions in the Middle East, the government said Friday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced that the seventh round of the country's fuel price cap system will take effect at midnight Saturday, lowering the ceiling for gasoline, diesel and kerosene by 150 won per liter from the previous level. The move came after Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said earlier Friday that the government would adjust the cap system while maintaining emergency measures aimed at stabilizing consumer prices. "The government will adjust the emergency measures currently in place in phases by closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and the Korean economy," Koo said during a meeting of economy-related ministers. Under the new cap, refiners will be allowed to supply gasoline at up to 1,784 won per liter, diesel at 1,773 won and kerosene at 1,380 won. The government expects retail fuel prices at gas stations to fall from the low-2,000 won

2 MIN READ
Korea cuts fuel price cap by 150 won per liter as oil prices retreat thumbnail

2 foreigners flee to Brunei after vandalizing Busan subway

Police said Friday they have identified and are pursuing two foreign nationals accused of vandalizing a subway train with graffiti at a rail depot in Busan before fleeing to another country. The Busan Gangseo Police Station said the suspects are an Australian man in his 20s and a Belgian man in his 30s, facing charges of trespassing and property damage. They allegedly entered the depot in Gangseo District at around 2:51 a.m. on Tuesday and spray-painted a two-car subway train. CCTV footage showed them scaling a fence before carrying out the graffiti attack. Officers said the painting itself took only about three minutes, although the two men remained inside the depot for roughly 18 minutes before leaving. After the incident, the suspects boarded a KTX train bound for Seoul. Police believe they deliberately attempted to evade detection by wearing face masks, changing clothes multiple times, paying with cash and getting off at different locations. Investigators said the pair flew to Brunei the following day. Police tracked their movements by reviewing CCTV footage before confirming through

1 MIN READ
2 foreigners flee to Brunei after vandalizing Busan subway thumbnail

Editor's Pick

[ON FAKE NEWS] The fine line between policing facts and silencing critics

ON FAKE NEWS The fine line between policing facts and silencing critics

New revisions to the Information and Communications Network Act, which will take effect in July, will hand Korea one of the most decisive legal tools yet devised against online falsehoods. For a country that has watched deepfakes and manipulated clips spread faster than fact-checkers can debunk them, this is surely a step worth welcoming. But it also deserves to be implemented with care, so that a sound principle does not curdle into overreach. The revision targets influential online information producers, such as YouTubers with more than 100,000 subscribers or creators averaging over 100,000 monthly views. If such creators knowingly spread false or fabricated information and cause harm, they now face punitive financial damages of up to five times the loss incurred. Large platforms, defined as those with over a million daily users on average, must also establish formal reporting and response systems for disinformation. The case for action is persuasive. The Hyundai Research Institute has estimated that fake news costs the Korean economy roughly 30 trillion won annually, about 1.9 perce

4 MIN READ

Life in Korea

How Korea's strict waste management confuses new foreign residents

How Korea's strict waste management confuses new foreign residents

“Are onion skins not food waste?” “Do I have to remove the cap from a glass bottle before throwing it out?” These questions came quickly during a waste sorting workshop for international students at Dongguk University’s Hyehwa Hall in central Seoul on June 17. About 20 participants followed the session in Korean and English, learning how to sort general waste, food waste and recyclables, as well as when to put trash out for collection. Many nodded as instructors explained rules that can feel routine to Koreans but confusing to newcomers. Cristina, 31, from Peru, said the system was difficult to understand when she first arrived because waste is not separated the same way in her home country. “In Peru, we don’t sort trash, so when I first came to Korea, I didn’t know what counted as general waste and what could be recycled,” she said. “I thought I had gotten used to waste sorting after living here for two years, but this was the first time I learned that chicken bones should go into general waste, not food waste.” Tan Yong Xin, 22, from Malaysia, who has been living

3 MIN READ

Lifestyle

Summer's superfood: How tomatoes support heart, skin and bone health

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Tomatoes are now in peak season. Packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, they have been linked to a variety of health benefits, from lowering the risk of certain cancers to supporting heart health and healthy blood sugar levels. Botanically, tomatoes are classified as fruits because they develop from the flower of the plant after fertilization. In the culinary world, however, they are typically treated as vegetables and are widely used in salads, sauces and soups. Tomatoes are among the most popular foods worldwide thanks to their impressive nutritional profile. They are rich in vitamins C and K, folate, potassium and dietary fiber, while also providing antioxidants such as lycopene, beta-carotene, lutein and choline. In Korea, tomato season generally runs from May through September, with the sweetest and most flavorful tomatoes harvested between June and August. Grown under abundant summer sunshine, they are at their nutritional peak during this period. Based on information from the U.S. health and medical website Healthline and other

2 MIN READ
Summer's superfood: How tomatoes support heart, skin and bone health

K-Culture

K-pop rookie CORTIS' debut album racks up 600 mil. Spotify streams

K-pop boy band CORTIS' debut album, "Color Outside the Lines," has surpassed 600 million streams on Spotify, the group's agency said Thursday. The feat comes after the album surpassed the 100 million mark a month after its release in September, according to BigHit Music. Physical album sales have so far reached 2.1 million units, it added. The five-member group's second EP, "GreenGreen," ranked No. 61 on the Billboard 200 in the latest tracking week, after peaking at No. 3 last month.

1 MIN READ
K-pop rookie CORTIS' debut album racks up 600 mil. Spotify streams

Celebrities

Figure skating legend Kim Yuna shares candid reflection in fourth year of marriage

Former figure skater Kim Yuna shared heartfelt thoughts about what marriage has meant to her. On June 26, Elle Korea's YouTube channel uploaded a video titled "Queen Yuna's Flirting Tips?" In the video, Kim hosted a "Counseling Corner," where she listened to viewers' concerns and offered advice. One viewer asked, "Everyone around me is married, but I'm still unsure about getting married. What does marriage mean to you?" Kim replied, "I haven't been married for very long either, so I still feel like a beginner when it comes to talking about the meaning of marriage." Kim married Forestella member Ko Woo-rim, who is five years younger than her, in 2022. Speaking about her husband, she said, "It feels like I've gained someone I can always talk to and lean on — a true companion." She continued, "We're also each other's legal guardians, but beyond simply being a husband and wife, I've come to realize that we're people who protect one another. It feels very reassuring to have someone like that by my side." Meanwhile, comments Ko Woo-rim made earlier about why he decided to marry Kim have also dr

2 MIN READ
Figure skating legend Kim Yuna shares candid reflection in fourth year of marriage

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

Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. Korea clinging to last spot to qualify for knockouts

  2. Nearly 10 Chinese, Russian military aircraft briefly enter Korea's air defense zone: JCS

  3. Mystical night at seaside arboretum built by former US intelligence officer

  4. Iranian drones attack Bahrain; ship is struck in strait after US airstrikes on Iran

  5. Japan's defense chief in Korea for deeper defense ties

  6. A mother's journey after her son's organ donation saved 3 lives

  7. Korean researchers seek opportunities overseas despite record funding

  8. Latte Stage Capitalism

  9. 2 more Korean vessels clear Strait of Hormuz

  10. Stitching Korean spirit: Costume designer reimagines hanbok for world stage

Video

Interesting contents

Taboola 후원링크