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POW transfer, DMZ blast complicate Lee's peace initiative

President Lee Jae Myung’s trip to the United Nations and Mexico, where he emphasized peace on the Korean Peninsula and renewed U.S.-North Korea dialogue, was overshadowed at home by controversy over the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war and a suspected land mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Experts said the incidents drew attention to the challenges facing Lee’s peace initiative as Pyongyang maintains its hostile stance toward Seoul. They also questioned whether renewed U.S.-North Korea talks would adequately address South Korea’s security concerns. Nam Sung-wook, a professor at Sookmyung Women’s University, said North Korea would be unlikely to respond positively to peace overtures under normal circumstances, and that the incidents have likely added to the tension. “I don’t think North Korea would have shown much enthusiasm toward the Lee Jae Myung government even if these two incidents had not happened,” Nam said. “North Korea is already playing a bigger game with President Trump.” Nam said Pyongyang is more interested in negotiating directly

3 MIN READ
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S. Korean military, UNC conduct joint probe on DMZ blast site: JCS

South Korea's military has conducted a joint on-site investigation with the U.N. Command (UNC) into the cause of a suspected mine blast inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) last week, with further probes planned, officials said Sunday. A survey team comprising some 40 personnel reached the vicinity of the suspected explosion site inside the DMZ but failed to reach the actual site of the incident, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a text message sent to reporters. The joint probe comes just six days after the explosion occurred south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) separating the two Koreas, leaving two officers seriously injured. The survey team — comprising South Korean troops, the UNC's Military Armistice Commission and relevant investigative agencies — inspected the area using mine detectors and conducted route-clearance operations in the DMZ from around 9 a.m. until sundown, according to the JCS. However, the team decided to resume the operation at a later date, citing the high risk posed by the possibility of unidentified land mines in the area and the extreme fatigu

2 MIN READ
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Chip-driven growth faces headwinds from weak domestic demand, high oil prices

Korea's economy is expected to maintain strong growth in the fourth quarter on the back of robust semiconductor exports, but weak domestic demand and rising oil prices are emerging as renewed risks, analysts said Sunday. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recently raised its 2026 economic growth forecast for Korea to 3.7 percent from its June forecast of 2.6 percent, citing strong industrial production and export growth. The latest projection, announced Wednesday, represents a 1.1 percentage-point increase, the largest upward revision among the group of 20 major economies. On the same day, the Asian Development Bank also raised its growth forecast for Korea to 3.2 percent from its July projection of 2.6 percent, citing strong exports and corporate earnings amid the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Strong export growth, driven largely by semiconductors, has been a key factor behind the positive outlook. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, Korea's exports reached a record $98.25 billion in August, up 68.7 percent from a year earlier. S

2 MIN READ
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Review'The Ordinary Jackpot' turns lottery windfall into workplace catharsis, not escape

What would you do if you won the lottery? For many office workers, the answer would be to quit their job. The Tving’s new workplace drama "The Ordinary Jackpot" begins with that familiar dream, but quickly turns it into something much more realistic. Its protagonist wins big and shows up to work anyway, using his newfound money not to abandon his career, but to stop unfair treatment at his workplace. Based on a popular web novel of the same title, the 10-epidose series follows Gong Eun-tae (Lee Jun-hyuk), the youngest team leader at an apparel company. Gong earned his title through sheer diligence, but his fast promotion left him facing disdain from older colleagues. Tired of office politics and approaching burnout, his routine life takes an unexpected turn when he unthikingly purchases a lottery ticket and hits a jackpot of around 1.3 billion won ($960,000). The windfall is not enough to retire forever, but the money serves as a solid financial safety net. Rather than resigning, Gong uses the prize money as a psychological shield, walking back into the office the next morning with the

2 MIN READ
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Korea's US investment triggers 2nd wave of orders for ESS, power gear makers

Korea’s planned power infrastructure investment in the United States could generate a second wave of orders for Korean battery and power equipment makers, as surging electricity consumption from artificial intelligence (AI) data centers drives demand for energy storage systems (ESS) and grid equipment. Last week, the Korean government announced its first U.S. strategic investment project, part of a $350 billion investment package. The project worth $22.3 billion is centered on building a natural gas-fired power plant in Encinal, Texas, to meet rising electricity demand from semiconductor plants and AI data centers. The project is also expected to create additional demand for equipment needed to store, distribute and stabilize power, enabling relevant system makers to attract more orders from the world’s largest economy. ESS is one of the largest pillar under the project. Korean battery makers — LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK On — identify ESS as their major revenue areas while the electric vehicle industry is stuck in a chasm. ESS can store electricity when demand is low

2 MIN READ
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Asian Games S. Korea wins gold in men's street skateboarding at Asian Games

South Korea's 17-year-old skateboarder Kang Jun-i won the gold medal in the men's street event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Sunday, becoming the first South Korean to win an Asiad title in skateboarding. Kang scored 180.85 points in the event's final at Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, some 35 kilometers south of the main host city of Nagoya, Japan. He edged out two Japanese skateboarders, Toa Sasaki and Ginwoo Onodera, who earned 172.35 and 168.11, respectively. Skateboarding made its Asian Games debut in 2018. Skateboarding involves riders performing tricks, with competitors judged on the difficulty, execution and originality of their tricks. Athletes compete in two disciplines: street, where they perform tricks on a course featuring stairs, rails and other obstacles, and park, where they compete on a course with complex shapes and transitions. In the run section, where skaters perform a series of tricks using obstacles on the course, Kang scored 88.45 points on his third attempt. In the trick section, where skaters perform individual tricks to showcase their skills, Kang failed to compl

1 MIN READ
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Korea-Japan Festival turns 20 in Tokyo with K-pop makeovers, hanbok

TOKYO — Hundreds of Japanese visitors lined up outside the Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo each morning from Friday through Sunday, eager to try on hanbok (Korean traditional attire), get K-pop-inspired makeovers and meet young Koreans face-to-face at the annual Korea-Japan Festival. Drawing visitors ranging from young adults to families, the three-day festival offered hands-on experiences designed to showcase both contemporary trends and traditional Korean culture. Visitors could speak directly with young volunteers from Korea and Japan, experience professional K-pop-style makeovers and take part in cultural activities. Organizers expect nearly 6,000 visitors across the three days of the festival. This year marked the festival's 20th anniversary, with the event having launched in 2005 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan. In a departure from previous years, the event moved from Hibiya Park to the Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo as organizers experimented with a new format. The indoor venue allowed the festival to place greater emphasis o

3 MIN READ
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Expert advises against drastic measures to shed off weight gained during Chuseok

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. While many people look forward to the Chuseok holiday, some worry about what they will see on the scale, with generous servings of "jeon," or pan-fried battered dishes, braised short ribs, "japchae," or stir-fried glass noodles, and "songpyeon," or half-moon-shaped rice cakes, at every meal having long been a usual sight during family gatherings. But an expert advised against extreme approaches to weight management. “There is no need to repeatedly adjust your weight by fasting before and after the holiday, either to avoid Chuseok food staples altogether or out of guilt over eating too much,” Kwon Young-geun, a professor at the Obesity and Metabolism Center at Korea University Anam Hospital, said in an interview on Wednesday, ahead of the Chuseok holiday. “The priority is to naturally return to your usual eating and activity patterns after the holiday.” During the holiday, people tend to eat more carbohydrates and salty food than usual. When carbohydrate intake is high, excess glucose is stored in the liver and muscles in the form of gly

2 MIN READ
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Chip boom set to push Korea's excess tax revenue above $37 billion

Korea is on track to collect more than 50 trillion won ($37 billion) more in tax revenue than projected earlier this year, as robust earnings in the semiconductor sector are set to bolster coffers, according to government insiders Sunday. The excess tax revenue could also substantially increase the resources available for the Future Fund, a new fiscal vehicle included in the government’s 2027 budget proposal, potentially exceeding 200 trillion won in total. The Ministry of Finance and Economy is scheduled to unveil an updated forecast for 2026 national tax revenue Wednesday, together with its August tax collection data. The government had already revised its annual tax revenue forecast upward when it drew up the supplementary budget passed by the National Assembly in April. The estimate was raised by 25.2 trillion won to 415.4 trillion won from 390.2 trillion won under the original budget. Should tax receipts exceed the revised estimate by more than 50 trillion won, annual national tax revenue would rise to about 465.4 trillion won. That would easily eclipse the previous record of 395.

3 MIN READ
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Hanwha Aerospace apologizes over controversial hiring guidelines

Hanwha Aerospace has apologized for hiring guidelines that restricted experienced-hire applicants based on age and educational background, pledging to discipline those responsible and overhaul its recruitment process to prevent similar incidents. CEO Lee Boo-hwan issued an apology on the company website on Sunday, saying it was unacceptable to restrict applicants’ opportunities based on personal attributes. “There should never have been guidelines that could limit applicants’ opportunities based on personal factors such as education and age, which are unrelated to job performance,” Lee said. The labor ministry launched an inspection on Sept. 16 over allegations that Hanwha Aerospace had prepared and distributed guidelines specifying age ranges and universities for experienced-hire positions to human resources executives and hiring managers. Lee said the guidelines “directly violated” the company’s principles of open hiring and equal opportunity, adding that he took the matter very seriously. “This was a clear failure on our part, as incorrect guidelines were distributed to

2 MIN READ
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Iran insists on diplomatic solution after Trump rejects peace plan

WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS/CAIRO — Iran on Sunday insisted that only diplomacy can solve its conflict with the United States and Israel after U.S. President Donald Trump said he rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end fighting. "Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on these conditions being met," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on social media. "Only a negotiated solution can get them out of this deadlock." Iran announced a peace proposal earlier this week at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, saying it had been transmitted to the Americans via Qatari mediators. Trump on Saturday said he rejected the plan and argued that desperation drives the Iranians’ push for an agreement on the key waterway. "They want to make a deal to open the Hormuz Strait immediately because they're losing so badly," Trump told reporters at the White House. Despite Trump's public statements, mediators facilitating U.S.-Iran talks with the United States have not officially relayed a U.S. rejection of the plan, ac

3 MIN READ
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InterviewFormer Auction founder brings AI, decades of travel data to new app

Planning to visit Osaka with your family this fall? That could mean hours spent booking flights and accommodations and putting together a list of destinations in advance. A new travel app aims to make that process easier. Oh Hyuk, CEO of local tour company Les Vacances and the pioneer who founded Auction, Korea's first e-commerce platform in 1998, has taken on a new challenge in the travel industry with Vacance, an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted travel platform. The app generates an itinerary based on travelers' schedules. Users can also review flight and accommodation recommendations within the same app. Unveiled this month, the app aims to revolutionize how people explore the world. It combines proprietary technology with human verified travel data accumulated over two decades by Les Vacances, allowing it to move far beyond simple itinerary generation. In a recent interview with The Korea Times, the veteran developer explained how his app stands out by keeping inaccurate travel information out. "General AI attempts to answer every question, but we dive deep into the single problem

2 MIN READ
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At Insa Historic Sites Museum, heritage is preserved through destruction

Some of the world's oldest extant movable metal type is on display at a new museum in central Seoul, and entry is free of charge for anyone who wants to see it. However, Insa Historic Sites Museum comes across as surprisingly modest in how it displays these remarkable pieces of typographic history. The museum's collection includes 441 examples of movable metal type, selected from approximately 1,700 replicas of the originals found at the site. This includes "gabinja," originally cast in 1434, predating Johannes Gutenberg's own movable metal type by almost two decades. There are also replicas of "eulyuja" type, cast originally in 1465, representing the oldest known surviving metal types bearing examples of Hangeul, or Korean characters. Hundreds of the little metal pieces were unearthed during a 2020-21 archaeological survey and subsequent excavation. Such surveys are a mandatory part of the redevelopment process, which wiped out the southeastern corner of downtown Seoul's historic Insa-dong neighborhood to make way for G1 Seoul, a new office building that houses the museum in its basem

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Parental leave falls at Samsung, SK hynix as hefty bonuses loom

Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both saw their parental leave rates decline in the first half of this year, marking the first time the two companies have recorded simultaneous declines, as expectations for hefty performance-based bonuses grow amid a semiconductor boom. The decline comes as both companies are expected to post record-high profits this year, with employees potentially eligible for bonuses worth hundreds of millions of won as the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven demand for memory chips fuels a semiconductor supercycle. According to the companies’ half-year reports, Samsung Electronics’ parental leave rate among employees with children born during the year stood at 35.5 percent in the first half, down from 36.2 percent a year earlier. The rate fell for both men and women. The rate for men taking parental leave rate dropped to 11.2 percent from 12.4 percent in the same period the year before, while the rate for women fell to 88.2 percent from 94.3 percent. At SK hynix, the parental leave rate among employees with children of elementary school age or younger fell to 3.2

2 MIN READ
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US issuance of nonimmigrant visas for Koreans falls by 8%

The United States' issuance of nonimmigrant visas for Koreans fell nearly 8 percent from a year earlier in 2025 following the inauguration of the new U.S. President Donald Trump administration, data analyzed by a lawmaker's office showed Sunday. The office of Rep. Hong Kee-won of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said it recently analyzed U.S. State Department data on visa issuance per country and found that 68,130 nonimmigrant visas had been issued to Koreans last year, down 7.95 percent from 74,015 issued in 2024 during former President Joe Biden's administration. The number fell across most categories, including the B-1 business visa and the B-2 tourism visa. During the months following last September's surprise detention of hundreds of Korean workers in the U.S. state of Georgia, however, the numbers appeared to grow, according to the lawmaker's office. In December, Korea and the U.S. launched a visa support desk at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to help Korean companies investing in the U.S. with smoother entry procedures. The State Department data showed average monthly B-1 and B-2 vi

2 MIN READ
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Fruitful reunion: Jeon Do-yeon reemerges as Lee Chang-dong's muse in 'Possible Love'

Director Lee Chang-dong’s new film, “Possible Love,” is generating buzz at international film festivals and meeting audiences in Korea. Alongside the attention surrounding the film, much of the discussion has focused on its lead actress, Jeon Do-yeon. Critics have praised the on-screen chemistry she brings to her reunion with Lee, nearly 20 years after their acclaimed collaboration on “Secret Sunshine.” Released in select theaters on Wednesday, the film “Possible Love” follows two couples — a laid-off worker and his wife, and a documentary filmmaker and her husband — who meet to make a documentary and confront their contrasting lives and hidden desires. Jeon plays Mi-ok, the wife of Ho-seok (Sol Kyung-gu), a laid-off worker who takes a job at a mask factory to support her husband and son after he loses his livelihood. As she becomes entangled with Ye-ji (Jo Yeo-jeong), who approaches the couple to document their lives, and Ye-ji’s husband, Sang-woo (Zo In-sung), Mi-ok struggles to contain her turbulent emotions before eventually letting them erupt. “Possible Love”

3 MIN READ
Fruitful reunion: Jeon Do-yeon reemerges as Lee Chang-dong's muse in 'Possible Love' thumbnail

Scammers impersonate financial chiefs to lure retail investors online

Impersonating prominent figures such as Bank of Korea (BOK) Gov. Shin Hyun-song on social media has emerged as a common tactic among investment scammers, who use fake profiles to lure retail investors into unauthorized investment chat rooms and pitch investment opportunities. The accounts use the officials' names, photos and career histories to appear legitimate, and promote investment-related content that could be linked to illegal investment schemes. Most recently, a fake account posing as Shin appeared on Threads, writing about economic trends and investment information. The account did not publicly recommend specific stocks but encouraged users to send messages in order to join a group chat. Users who entered the chat room were reportedly told they could receive stock recommendations and were asked to provide personal information. The BOK requested the platform operator remove the fake account, which was suspended within a few hours. "It is difficult to identify impersonation accounts in advance, but we will continue monitoring and take immediate action once they are found," a BOK off

2 MIN READ
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Editor's Pick

Global students choose Seoul for dynamic opportunities, safety despite high costs, competition

Global students choose Seoul for dynamic opportunities, safety despite high costs, competition

Seoul is increasingly becoming a top destination for international students, driven by its high level of safety, efficient public services and rich culture, according to a recent survey conducted by The Korea Times among its Global Supporters. In the survey, international students shared their firsthand experiences of studying and living in the Korean capital. They said the city has various appealing points, but at the same time, pointed out challenges like expensive housing costs, intense competition and limited institutional support. The survey findings show a broader shift in global education trends. British newspaper Financial Times recently reported that Seoul is surging in popularity among international students as the capital city offers a unique lifestyle and relatively manageable living costs compared to major Western cities such as New York, London and Paris. Why students pick Seoul Safety, administrative efficiency and a dynamic academic environment emerged as primary reasons for choosing Seoul over other global study destinations. To capture the insights and lived realities o

4 MIN READ

Life in Korea

Korean 'yajang' culture explained: Guide to outdoor dining in Seoul

Korean 'yajang' culture explained: Guide to outdoor dining in Seoul

“Not going to 'yajang' in this weather should be a crime,” Koreans jokingly say whenever a crisp, breezy evening arrives — a seasonal call to trade indoor dining rooms for plastic chairs, sizzling grills and conversations held in lively streets. By 7 p.m. on Monday in Seoul’s Jongno 3-ga area, the saying seemed to have become reality. Red and blue plastic tables were set up in narrow alleys, providing a place for college students, office workers still in shirts and slacks, couples and older diners to sit shoulder to shoulder as they grilled thick slices of pork belly, clinking together their glasses of beer, soju and makgeolli in the early autumn air. Nearby, indoor restaurants and bars offered warm lighting, carefully selected furniture and sleek interiors. But it was the more humble tables outside, in front of old storefronts and streets that looked like they had been unchanged for decades, that drew the longest lines. This is “yajang,” shorthand for an outdoor business space. In everyday Korean, it broadly refers to casual outdoor dining and drinking, which can encompass

4 MIN READ

Lifestyle

Traditional Korean wrapping cloth 'bojagi' wins over younger generations

A noticeable change has emerged among the gift sets flooding the market around Chuseok holidays: a sharp increase in traditional "bojagi" wrapping. From trendy coffee brands and fruit-filled rice cakes popular among the MZ Generation — a term encompassing Millennials and Generation Z — to renowned dessert shops, a growing range of fashionable products is being wrapped in bojagi, a traditional Korean wrapping cloth. Gone is the dated look of the gold-colored satin cloth that once accompanied holiday gift sets. Instead, a variety of materials and contemporary color palettes have helped shed the cloth's old-fashioned image. Bojagi refers to a square piece of fabric used to wrap, store or transport items. At a time when bags, plastic packaging and cardboard boxes were uncommon, bojagi was an essential household item. But as Korea modernized, it seemed destined to become a relic of the past. More recently, it was largely reserved for formal occasions, such as weddings and holiday gift-giving, thanks to its symbolism of conveying good fortune. The resurgence of bojagi wrapping is largely

3 MIN READ
Traditional Korean wrapping cloth 'bojagi' wins over younger generations

K-Culture

'The Assassin(s)' claims Chuseok box office crown as admissions top 1.3 mil.

The Chuseok holiday box office has found its clear winner. Director Hur Jin-ho's historical thriller "The Assassin(s)" held the top spot for four consecutive days since its Sept. 23 release, drawing 432,341 admissions on Saturday alone to garner a total of over 1.3 million, according to data from the Korean Film Council. “The Assassin(s)” has also topped advance ticket sales for eight straight days as of Sunday morning. That streak began well before its theatrical premiere and has not been challenged by any other Chuseok title, including the casino crime sequel "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub." Opening on the same day, the "Tazza" sequel attracted 663,140 viewers through Saturday to take a distant second place. Starring Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho, "The Assassin(s)" reimagines the investigation into the 1974 shooting that killed first lady Yuk Young-soo. The story follows courageous journalists and detectives who risk their careers and safety to expose the truth behind the attack. Crossing the 1 million admissions milestone just four days after release, the film is on track

2 MIN READ
'The Assassin(s)' claims Chuseok box office crown as admissions top 1.3 mil.

Celebrities

Oh Yoon-ah shares Chuseok recipes with less sugar, more veggies

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Actress Oh Yoon-ah has introduced protein-rich diet recipes for Chuseok as the country celebrates the holiday, during which food plays a central role in family celebrations. Oh recently shared recipes for "galbi-jjim," or braised short ribs, and steamed vegetables in a video posted on her YouTube channel. The key to turning galbi-jjim, a Chuseok staple, into a diet-friendly dish lies in the ingredients used to add sweetness. Oh said she uses no sugar at all and instead adds alternative sweeteners like oligosaccharide syrup and green plum syrup. She also makes the marinade by blending pear and onion. She added that she prefers to season the dish on the salty side rather than make it particularly sweet. Her steamed vegetable recipe was also simple and focused on nutrition. She first seasons the meat with cooking wine and salt before grilling it, then cuts her choice of vegetables diagonally and steams them before serving them with a sauce. Oh explained that cutting vegetables diagonally helps them cook thoroughly even when the pieces are large. H

2 MIN READ
Oh Yoon-ah shares Chuseok recipes with less sugar, more veggies

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Top 10 Stories

  1. POW transfer, DMZ blast complicate Lee's peace initiative

  2. Asian Games S. Korea wins gold in men's street skateboarding at Asian Games

  3. Korea's tourism balance swings to deficit in July after 4 months of surplus

  4. Chipotle's Seoul store uses long-grain rice developed by Sejong University professor

  5. Parental leave falls at Samsung, SK hynix as hefty bonuses loom

  6. Korea's US investment triggers 2nd wave of orders for ESS, power gear makers

  7. Chip-driven growth faces headwinds from weak domestic demand, high oil prices

  8. Lee heads home after wrapping up state visit to Mexico

  9. Chip boom set to push Korea's excess tax revenue above $37 billion

  10. Iran insists on diplomatic solution after Trump rejects peace plan

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