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COVER STORY USFK job platform takes Korea-US alliance from security to jobs

As Korean companies expand their footprint across the United States, securing qualified local workers has emerged as one of their biggest challenges. In an effort to help resolve this problem, a new recruitment platform is looking to a promising pool of candidates: former U.S. service members who have spent time in Korea. The USFK Job Platform, run by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in partnership with the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation, connects Korean companies operating in the U.S. with former and soon-to-retire U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) personnel. Lee Hyung-hee, vice chairman of the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry who led the initiative, said the idea grew out of a practical problem facing Korean businesses investing in the U.S. “In recent years, the number of Korean companies expanding into the U.S. has increased significantly and demand for local workers has risen rapidly, particularly in advanced industries such as semiconductors and batteries,” Lee told The Korea Times. “But one of the biggest difficulties these companies face is securing local work

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Chinese student found dead; man who reported her missing arrested as suspect

Police said Wednesday that a Chinese student who had been reported missing was found dead the previous day at the home of a fellow Chinese national in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, prompting the Chinese consulate to demand severe punishment for the perpetrator. Investigators said a Chinese man in his 30s, surnamed Jeong, was arrested as a suspect and is being questioned. The victim, a 25-year-old graduate student in Gyeongsan, was found at Jeong’s residence. According to police, the victim had returned to China during her summer break before coming back to Korea on Aug. 14 to attend her graduation ceremony on Aug. 20. She lost contact with her family and acquaintances on the day of the ceremony. Jeong reported her missing at about 7 p.m. the following day, identifying himself as the victim’s boyfriend. Jeong told police that she had told him she was going to Daegu, about 15 kilometers from Gyeongsan, but that he had since been unable to reach her. Suspicion later fell on Jeong after investigators noticed inconsistencies in his statements while questioning him initially as a witn

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'Breadflation' hits consumers as bakery chains hike prices

"I went to a bakery in Jongno District last weekend, and two pieces of bread and two cups of coffee cost more than 20,000 won ($14)," said Yang, a college student in her 20s. "These days, it feels like I often end up spending more on dessert than on a meal when I hang out with my friends," she said. For many Korean consumers, bread is no longer a cheap snack, as major bakery chains roll out a fresh wave of price hikes. Paris Baguette, the country's largest bakery chain, raised prices for 127 products by an average of 5 percent from Tuesday, including 86 types of bread and 41 cakes and desserts. Tous les Jours raised prices for 76 types of bread and cakes by an average of 8.2 percent from July 31, while Dunkin' raised prices for 39 types of donuts by an average of 6.5 percent from Aug. 2. SPC Samlip, a confectionery unit under SPC Group, is set to raise prices for around 50 bread products by an average of 9 percent from Sept. 1. The price increases are not limited to franchise chains. Prices at independent bakeries are also rising, with some products selling for more than 10,000 won. A post

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Land minister says additional greenbelt housing supply to be limited to Gyeonggi Province

Land Minister Kim Yun-duk said Wednesday the government's plan to provide additional housing by developing greenbelt areas will be limited to Gyeonggi Province, amid differences with the Seoul city government over housing supply measures in the capital. Kim made the remarks in response to questions over whether the ministry's upcoming plan to supply 73,000 new housing units would include sites in Seoul, ahead of a meeting with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to discuss housing supply in the capital and surrounding areas. "The 73,000 housing units will be supplied in Gyeonggi Province," Kim told reporters, effectively ruling out greenbelt areas in Seoul from the government's upcoming housing development plan. Earlier this month, the government announced plans to begin construction of 27,000 homes by 2030 through new housing development projects in Gangseo in western Seoul, as well as Namyangju and Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province. The land ministry also said it plans to announce additional development sites capable of accommodating more than 73,000 homes in late September, prompting speculation that u

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KOSPI inches up as corporate buying offsets foreign, retail sell-offs

The KOSPI edged higher Wednesday, buoyed by buying from corporate investors as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix stepped up share buyback plans, though cautious trading ahead of Nvidia’s earnings kept gains in check. The benchmark index opened at 6,727.25, down 0.23 percent from the previous session, and moved within a narrow range before picking up momentum in the afternoon. It ultimately closed at 6,808.21, up 0.97 percent. The gain came despite selling by both retail and foreign investors. Retail investors offloaded a net 2.25 trillion won ($1.63 billion) worth of shares, while foreign investors sold 105.2 billion won. Institutional investors, meanwhile, purchased a net 764.9 billion won. Corporate investors — companies that fall outside the individual, foreign and institutional investor categories — were the most notable buyers, purchasing a net 1.6 trillion won. The buying appeared to reflect in part purchases related to the share buyback programs announced by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Shares of the two semiconductor heavyweights rose 1.75 percent and 0.6 percent, respe

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ED Stanford Center exits IFEZ

Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) houses the international campuses of top foreign educational and research institutions. Host to international colleges such as SUNY Korea – Stony Brook University, University of Utah Asia campus, George Mason University and top research centers, Incheon Global Campus (IGC) in Songdo has been linked with the rise of a more global Korea. Recently, however, Stanford Center Korea said all research activities will conclude this year there as it gradually winds down operations due to budgetary and operational challenges. The center, which opened in June 2021, was engaged in "smart city" research projects on issues ranging from urban technology and sustainability to health care and social equity, serving as an academic bridge between the U.S. Silicon Valley and Korea. Despite its impending closure, the center's broader relationship with Korea will continue through other collaborations, according to Julie Greicius, associate dean for communications and alumni affairs at Stanford Engineering. But it is unclear what these collaborations will be, especially sinc

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Hyundai Motor to launch more than 100 new models by 2030

Hyundai Motor will launch more than 100 new models globally by 2030, as it seeks to navigate mounting challenges from tariffs in the United States, rising Chinese rivals and the industry's rapid shift toward future mobility. The automaker unveiled the plan Wednesday at its 2026 CEO Investor Day in Seoul, attended by investors, analysts and credit rating agencies. The new vehicle launches include full and partial model changes and derivatives. More than 18 of them will be entirely new models entering vehicle segments where Hyundai currently has no lineup. Hyundai Motor also presented a vision to expand beyond its traditional automotive business into autonomous driving and robotics, seeking to solidify its position as a physical artificial intelligence (AI) company. In the fourth quarter of this year, the company will supply the autonomous driving company Waymo with robotaxis based on the IONIQ 5 produced at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia. Hyundai Motor also plans to expand its contract manufacturing, or foundry, business in the autonomous vehicle sector. Starting

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Korean American activist warns Seoul against escalating Coupang row

A Korean American civic activist urged Seoul on Wednesday to avoid escalating its dispute with Coupang and quietly seek a resolution, warning that turning a corporate controversy into a bilateral confrontation with Washington could ultimately undermine South Korea’s national interests. “Regarding Coupang disputes with the United States, a corporate dispute has escalated into an inter-state conflict. The more South Korea stirs this up, the worse its position becomes — especially with an administration driven by an 'America First' agenda focused on protecting U.S. interests,” said Kim Dong-suk, executive committee chair of the Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC), during “The midterm election in the U.S. and the Korean Peninsula in 2026” forum hosted by the Kwanhun Club. “For the sake of the South Korean national interest, this needs to be buried as quickly as possible.” He argued that many U.S. lawmakers weighing in on the Coupang controversy have only a limited understanding of the company and are often influenced by lobbying efforts that portray American compani

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TikTok creators turn K-culture curiosity into real-world spending: survey

For global fans watching content creator Jittomeok, whose username is @daygamin on online platform TikTok, broadcast her Korean food "mukbangs," falling in love with K-culture no longer stops at the screen. Through live interactions with her 1.1 million followers — particularly across Southeast Asia — what begins as curiosity about a dish quickly transforms into everyday lifestyle choices, from buying Korean cosmetics in Thailand to booking flights to Seoul. Her story offers a vivid window into a broader cultural shift. Speaking as an invited guest at a press conference at the Hotel Eliena in Gangnam District, Seoul, Wednesday, Jittomeok described how short-form video is reshaping global cultural exchange. "I can genuinely feel the incredible popularity of K-beauty overseas," she said during the press conference held to unveil the K-Culture on TikTok: Driving Global Economic Impact report, reflecting on how her online interactions led to selling Korean beauty products in Thailand and securing advertising contracts abroad. "K-dramas and K-pop are already widely loved, but that interes

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Woman faces prosecution over ticket scalping involving BTS, other concerts

A woman in her 30s has been referred to the prosecution for allegedly using a software program to purchase concert tickets for popular singers, including BTS, and reselling them at a markup, police said Wednesday. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said the woman, whose identity was withheld, was sent to prosecutors without detention on Aug. 21 on charges of obstruction of business, and violating the information network and public performance laws. The scalping suspect is accused of using a macro program to fraudulently purchase about 2,600 concert ticket using accounts registered under the names of family members and acquaintances from April 2023 to March this year, and reselling them at higher prices. She is also suspected of using the same method to reserve nine tickets for BTS' Gwanghwamun concert on Feb. 23 but failed to resell them after being caught by police. The police uncovered her crime while intensively monitoring the ticket reservation process for the BTS concert in March. They have also applied for the forfeiture of 442 million won ($320,000) in criminal proceeds. The revi

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Samsung targets luxury mobility with battery, display supply for Genesis GV90

Samsung is strengthening its push into the luxury mobility market by supplying key components for Genesis’ flagship GV90, with Samsung Display’s premium OLED screens and Samsung SDI’s large battery cell powering the high-end electric SUV. The collaboration marks an expansion of cooperation between Samsung and Genesis, as both companies seek to capitalize on growing demand for premium electric vehicles (EVs) and sophisticated in-car experiences. Samsung Display is supplying two OLED displays for the GV90 — a 24.6-inch central Cinematic Display and 13.2-inch screens mounted on the backs of the front-seat headrests. The displays began shipping this month, according to the company. The centerpiece is the expandable 24.6-inch OLED display positioned at the center of the vehicle. It can operate as a 23.6-inch screen while driving, showing navigation, driving information and media. When the vehicle is parked, the screen rises 90 millimeters at the push of a button, expanding to its full 24.6-inch size. Self-emissive OLED displays are generally about 30 percent of the thickness and 70 pe

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Seoul to crack down on overpriced hotel rates ahead of major fireworks festival

Seoul plans to inspect hotels near Yeouido ahead of the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, targeting excessive room rates and cancellations that could leave visitors stranded as more than 1 million people are expected to attend. The city government and the Yeongdeungpo, Mapo and Yongsan district offices will conduct joint inspections from Sept. 1-3, focusing on hotels with views of the Sept. 5 festival. Officials will check whether hotels are complying with requirements to display room rates, including a rule that took effect July 14 requiring prices to be posted on online booking interfaces as well as at reception desks. Under the revised regulation, a first violation of the rate-posting requirement can now result in a five-day suspension of business, replacing the previous penalties of a warning or an order to make improvements. The city said inspectors will take administrative action when violations are found, with district health departments participating because they have authority over administrative penalties under public health regulations. Seoul will also monitor room rates

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Trump administration issues pause on visa appointments for applicants worldwide

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's administration has issued a pause on visa appointments for applicants around the world during an ongoing immigration crackdown by the U.S. government in the Republican leader's second term in the White House. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday that it launched a global training initiative at all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide and that appointments for visa services will be adjusted to accommodate the training. Trump has pursued an aggressive deportation drive and immigration crackdown that includes revocations of visas and green cards and rejection of applications over a. range of reasons like political opinions and pro-Palestinian protests against U.S. ally Israel's assault on Gaza. He says the crackdown aims to improve domestic security. The crackdown has faced some legal setbacks. A U.S. judge on Friday struck down a Trump administration policy suspending the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries, saying that the policy exceeded Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statutory authority. The State Depa

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Hanmi Pharm in spotlight as Korea's 1st obesity drug nears launch

Hanmi Pharmaceutical is gaining attention as it prepares to launch Korea’s first glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based obesity drug, Eppe, while also signing a licensing deal worth up to $2.3 billion for a separate obesity drug candidate. In recent weeks, a series of analysts at domestic brokerages have raised their price target on Hanmi Pharm, citing the company’s potential in obesity drugs. “We expect Hanmi Pharm’s corporate value to increase with the upcoming domestic approval and launch of efpeglenatide (Eppe), as well as the release of Phase 1 trial results for HM17321,” DS Securities analyst Kim Min-jeong said in a report on Tuesday, raising the company’s price target to 720,000 won ($519) from 680,000 won. Samsung Securities on Tuesday also raised its price target on Hanmi Pharm to 610,000 won, up from 500,000 won, citing the potential of HM17321. Eppe and HM17321 are key drugs and drug candidates in Hanmi Pharm’s obesity treatment pipeline. Eppe is a long-acting GLP-1 obesity treatment based on Lapscovery, Hanmi Pharm’s own platform technology. The drug was initial

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InterviewLSE says global challenges in AI era demand stronger social sciences, not just STEM

LONDON — As the global race for artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates, universities are pouring unprecedented investment into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). However, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) argues that the defining challenges of the AI age will not be solved by technology alone. Instead, the world's greatest challenges — from AI governance and climate change to inequality and declining public trust — will ultimately demand stronger social sciences. "All of the important issues and challenges around AI are social science problems," Larry Kramer, president and vice chancellor of LSE, said in a recent interview with The Korea Times at the school's campus. "The technology creates possibilities. Whether those possibilities become benefits or risks depends entirely on the choices society makes." Rather than joining the global race to produce more AI engineers, Kramer argued that universities should focus on the disciplines that determine how the technology is governed and applied in society. "Figuring out how to get the bene

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Global crypto rally sends trading volumes soaring at Korean exchanges

Trading volumes surged at Korean crypto exchanges in recent days after bitcoin and ethereum prices rebounded sharply, industry officials said Wednesday. The rebound is raising expectations that the recovery in crypto prices will translate into improved fee revenue for local exchanges, which have suffered weak earnings amid a prolonged trading slump. According to CoinMarketCap and other cryptocurrency data providers, daily trading volume on Upbit, the country’s largest crypto exchange, had hovered between 300 billion won ($217 million) and 600 billion won for a week before Aug. 20. It surpassed 1 trillion won on the afternoon of Aug. 20, when bitcoin approached $70,000, before reaching 4.61 trillion won as of 3 p.m. Saturday, nearly 10 times the level a week earlier. Trading volume has since moderated but remained at around 2 trillion won a day. Other won-denominated crypto exchanges also saw trading activity pick up over the weekend. Bithumb’s 24-hour trading volume exceeded 2 trillion won as of 3 p.m. Saturday, while Coinone, Korbit and GOPAX also recorded higher-than-usual trading v

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InterviewStray Kids' music chart milestone points to system, not luck, scholar says

Since its debut in 2018, K-pop boy band Stray Kids have released more than 20 albums, with all nine of their albums to make the Billboard 200 debuting at No. 1. — a first for any act. The group's latest release, "THIS & THAT," debuted atop the chart on Aug. 22. The eight-track EP also earned 369,000 equivalent album units in the week ending Aug. 13, according to Luminate. Traditional album sales accounted for 357,000 units, marking the biggest sales week of the group's career. By now, the pattern is familiar enough that the more interesting question is not how Stray Kids did it again, but why it keeps happening. Since its 2018 debut, the eight-member group has built its identity around an unusually high degree of creative control. Its inhouse producing unit 3RACHA — composed of members Bang Chan, Changbin and Han — writes and produces much of the group's music, while its relationship with its official fandom, STAY, has grown alongside its global reach. Those two elements have become central to understanding the group's sustained chart performance. Some 8,000 kilometers away from Seo

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Stray Kids' music chart milestone points to system, not luck, scholar says thumbnail

Editor's Pick

[COVER STORY] President pressed to change course as approval rating hits record low

COVER STORY President pressed to change course as approval rating hits record low

President Lee Jae Myung is grappling with a falling approval rating and no clear sign of a turnaround, as a string of disputed government-led initiatives continues to unsettle the public. This has prompted Cheong Wa Dae to pledge a renewed focus on livelihoods and tangible economic results. Disputes over policies have piled up rather than letting up, including controversies in the past weeks over a real estate tax overhaul, prosecution reform and a proposed merger of military academies. More recently, the controversies have spread to plans to build rental housing instead of parkland on a vast site in central Seoul’s Yongsan District, as well as the scaling back of South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises and Cheong Wa Dae’s clash with the Supreme Court over the nomination of new justices. Analysts said Tuesday that the president has limited options for making a breakthrough amid the disputed initiatives, as the public increasingly perceives them as threats to their economic interests and their access to justice and national security, rather than as ideological issues. The analysts s

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Life in Korea

Seoul invites families to free weekend circus classes

Seoul invites families to free weekend circus classes

Families looking to trade screen time for acrobatics can learn plate-spinning, juggling and aerial silks this autumn as Seoul opens a former water station for free weekend circus workshops. Beginning in September, the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture will host "Circus Picnic." This series of free, hands-on weekend workshops is designed to transform traditional big-top spectacle into an accessible family bonding experience. Held at the Seoul Street Arts Creation Center — a former water pump station repurposed into Korea's premier creative facility for circus and outdoor arts — the initiative invites parents and elementary school children to step off the sidelines and onto the practice mat. Professional instructors from the circus troupe Jumpers will guide small groups of up to five family members through fundamental circus disciplines, with 12 sessions running through November. The two-hour program emphasizes physical balance, non-competitive teamwork and shared play. Participants progress from basic juggling and plate-spinning exercises to beginner-level aerial silk maneuvers,

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Lifestyle

Enjoy seasonal figs with these healthy recipes

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. If you’re craving something sweet but are concerned about blood sugar or struggling with constipation, figs may be worth adding to your diet. Figs come into season in August and are soft and naturally sweet, while also providing dietary fiber, potassium, polyphenols and other nutrients. Fresh figs are generally a better choice than dried figs for those looking to keep their sugar and calorie intake in check. One of the main nutritional benefits of figs is their high dietary fiber content. Fiber helps add bulk to stool and retain water, supporting regular bowel movements. In a clinical trial involving people with functional constipation, participants who consumed fig paste for eight weeks experienced shorter intestinal transit times, along with improvements in stool consistency and abdominal discomfort. Figs also contain compounds that can serve as food for beneficial gut bacteria, potentially helping support a healthier intestinal environment. Worried about blood sugar? Choose fresh figs over dried Figs are also considered a relatively low-glyc

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Enjoy seasonal figs with these healthy recipes

K-Culture

Soyeon looks back on her 20s with first full-length solo album

Soyeon, the leader and producer of K-pop group i-dle, is returning to the solo stage with her first full-length album, “The Awesome Life,” five years after her last solo release. Cube Entertainment said Wednesday that it released an intro film for the album on i-dle’s official social media channels at midnight, coinciding with Soyeon’s birthday. The film follows Soyeon as she looks back on her life on her final birthday in her 20s, beginning with her first birthday party and moving through her trainee years, appearance on Mnet’s “Produce 101,” i-dle’s debut and her work as a producer. The video then turns to her present as she prepares her first full-length solo album, with phrases including “I always wanted to be new” and “I wanted to do better” appearing throughout. Soyeon said she had put off making a full-length solo album for quite some time. “If I look back on this album when I’m a grandmother, I think I’ll say, ‘Ah, it was really romantic,’” she said, asking fans to look forward to “The Awesome Life.” The film ends by revealing the album’s t

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Soyeon looks back on her 20s with first full-length solo album

Celebrities

NewJeans' Haerin returns to spotlight in new Dior photos amid hiatus

NewJeans member Haerin has offered fans a rare glimpse of herself amid the group's prolonged hiatus, appearing in new photos highlighting her continuing ties with luxury fashion house Dior. Several photos of Haerin were posted to NewJeans' official account Tuesday, showing the singer posing with perfume and flowers from Dior, for which she has served as an ambassador. Wearing a gray jacket paired with a light-colored skirt, Haerin sports long wavy hair and bright makeup, presenting a more mature look than the youthful image she had when NewJeans debuted in 2022. The photos drew particular attention as Haerin has largely remained out of the public eye since NewJeans suspended activities amid its dispute with agency Ador. They also signal that her relationship with Dior, which began before the group's hiatus, remains intact. Born in 2006, Haerin turned 20 this year. She has long attracted attention among K-pop fans for her distinctive features. NewJeans announced in November 2024 that it was terminating its exclusive contracts with Ador and later pursued independent activities. The group su

1 MIN READ
NewJeans' Haerin returns to spotlight in new Dior photos amid hiatus

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Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. US family dinner turns deadly: 8 killed, including children

  2. Korea's public delivery apps struggle to turn low fees into lasting loyalty

  3. Chinese student found dead; man who reported her missing arrested as suspect

  4. Could China's cabbage scandal hurt kimchi's booming popularity in US?

  5. Korea considers opening National Skills Competition to foreigners

  6. Expert says chance of Trump-Kim meeting is 'slim to none'

  7. Inside TikTok's transparency center: AI catches 97% of removed videos

  8. InterviewYLAB shifts to sustainable model after 'Teach You a Lesson' success

  9. Korea's births rise 6.7% to 254,300 in 2025

  10. InterviewLSE says global challenges in AI era demand stronger social sciences, not just STEM

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