The Korea Times

The Korea Times
My TimesLatest

Xi's planned Pyongyang visit reflects China’s influence bid, NK's nuclear ambitions

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to Pyongyang is drawing attention not only as his first trip to North Korea in seven years, but also because it reflects the different strategic goals Beijing and Pyongyang hope to pursue through closer ties. Xi was scheduled to arrive Monday for a two-day visit — his first to the North Korean capital since June 2019 — coming nine months after he met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Beijing during events marking the 80th anniversary of China's victory in World War II. Analysts say Beijing is seeking to reassert its influence over North Korea at a time when Pyongyang has deepened military cooperation with Russia and accelerated the expansion of its nuclear arsenal. Pyongyang, meanwhile, appears intent on using the summit to widen diplomatic space for its claim to permanent status as a nuclear-armed state. Seoul has publicly expressed hope that Beijing will play a constructive role in issues related to the Korean Peninsula. The Ministry of Unification has likewise said it hopes Xi’s visit will contribute to peace and coexistence in No

3 MIN READ
Xi's planned Pyongyang visit reflects China’s influence bid, NK's nuclear ambitions thumbnail

Starbucks HQ apologizes over 'Tank Day' controversy

Starbucks headquarters in the United States formally apologized over the controversial “Tank Day” promotion, which sparked widespread criticism for its perceived association with the May 18 Gwangju Uprising. The May 18 Foundation said Sunday that it had received a written response from the company, in which Starbucks expressed its regret, saying, “We are truly sorry,” and described the promotion as “an unacceptable marketing incident.” In an email obtained by The Korea Times, Starbucks acknowledged the hurt caused by the promotion. “We understand the deep pain and offense this has caused, particularly for those who honor the victims, their families, and all who contributed to Korea’s democratization.” On June 1, the foundation and three associations representing victims of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising sent a letter of protest to Starbucks headquarters, demanding a corporate-level investigation, disciplinary action against Starbucks Korea, an official apology and measures to prevent similar incidents. In the letter, the groups said Starbucks Korea had seriously violated t

2 MIN READ
thumbnail

Lee expresses deep regret over ballot shortage, orders thorough investigation

President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday expressed deep regret over ballot shortages that disrupted last week's local elections and ordered the launch of a thorough joint investigation by prosecutors and police into the matter. "The people's right to vote is a constitutional right that must not be restricted or infringed upon for any reason, and this is a serious issue that undermines the foundation of popular sovereignty," Lee wrote in a message on X, formerly Twitter, calling the National Election Commission (NEC) "an institution that lost public trust." "As a citizen and as the president responsible for the government, I express my deep regret." He requested the National Assembly launch a parliamentary inquiry to clearly determine what happened, devise measures to prevent a recurrence and discuss institutional reforms for the election watchdog. "The government will also take all possible measures at the executive level in light of the gravity of the situation," he said. "I have instructed the formation of a joint investigation task force involving prosecutors and police to clearly establish

2 MIN READ
Lee expresses deep regret over ballot shortage, orders thorough investigation thumbnail

SK, Nvidia deepen AI alliance at another Kkanbu Chicken meetup

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met with SK’s senior executives at a fried chicken restaurant in Seoul, Sunday evening, for what industry watchers expect to be a wide-ranging discussion on their deepening artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation. Led by SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, key executives from the group’s cash-cow affiliates attended the symbolic gathering with the head of the world’s most valuable company at a Kkanbu Chicken restaurant — the same venue where Huang dined with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun last October. Alongside Chey, SK hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung and SK Telecom CEO Jung Jai-hun also attended the casual dinner with Huang, which was reportedly arranged at the Nvidia chief's request. They discussed a wide range of AI partnerships in areas such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM), AI semiconductors, data center infrastructures and physical AI. With both Nvidia and SK Group paying particular attention to smart factories, both sides are also expected to bring up the agenda on the dialogue table. SK h

2 MIN READ
SK, Nvidia deepen AI alliance at another Kkanbu Chicken meetup thumbnail

SMEs Minister Han Seong-sook tapped as new PM

President Lee Jae Myung nominated Han Seong-sook, the current minister of small and medium-sized enterprises and startups and a former Naver chief executive, to serve as Korea’s next prime minister. The nomination places one of the country’s most prominent tech executives at the center of the Lee administration’s efforts to promote innovation-led growth and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across the economy. Before entering government, Han built her career in the tech sector. Born in 1967, Han graduated from Sookmyung Women's University with a degree in English language and literature and began her career as a journalist for an IT publication. She joined portal site Empas as a founding member in 1997. She went on to hold a series of leadership positions at NHN and Naver — including head of the search business division and head of Naver's service division — before becoming Naver's first female CEO in 2017. During her five years at the helm, Han is credited with driving the company’s growth by expanding Naver’s business beyond its traditional search e

2 MIN READ
SMEs Minister Han Seong-sook tapped as new PM thumbnail

Top policymakers vow stern action against speculative FX market activities as won weakens

Top economic and financial policymakers on Sunday pledged to take stern action against market-disruptive activities and speculative trading amid a weakening Korean won. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and other heads of financial authorities made the joint remarks during an emergency meeting on reviewing the volatile foreign exchange market, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The meeting was attended by Bank of Korea Gov. Shin Hyun-song, Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Lee Eog-weon and Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) Gov. Lee Chan-jin. The Korean won has fallen to its weakest level against the U.S. dollar since 2009 in recent days, due mainly to heavy net selling of foreign investors amid fading expectations of a diplomatic solution to the war in the Middle East. On Friday, the won was quoted at 1,539.1 won per dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 9.4 won from the previous session, marking the weakest level since March 9, 2009. The finance ministry said participants expressed concerns that heightened market volatility could weigh on the Korean economy, adding, "We will

2 MIN READ
Top policymakers vow stern action against speculative FX market activities as won weakens thumbnail

Seoul result denies both major parties outright victory in local elections

The aftermath of Korea’s June 3 local elections has produced an unusual political landscape, with neither the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) nor the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) able to claim an unequivocal victory. While the ruling party dominated the nationwide race for metropolitan and provincial governor posts, the PPP retained the Seoul mayoralty and secured several key strategic districts, complicating efforts by either side to frame the election as a clear mandate. On paper, the DPK emerged as the clear winner. The party captured 12 of the nation’s 16 metropolitan and provincial chief executive posts, reinforcing its dominance in local government. Such a result would traditionally be regarded as a sweeping mandate. Yet internal debate quickly followed as party members questioned whether the outcome fully reflected public support. Much of the scrutiny has focused on the Seoul mayoral race, where the DPK failed to win control of the capital, the country’s largest and most politically influential local office. The loss, combined with defeats in a few by-elec

2 MIN READ
Seoul result denies both major parties outright victory in local elections thumbnail

Bithumb's bitcoin payout blunder results in $1.6 mil. compensation

Korea's major cryptocurrency exchanges have paid out billions of won in compensation for hacking incidents and system failures in recent years, data showed Sunday, with Bithumb reimbursing users about 2.5 billion won ($1.6 million) following the erroneous distribution of 620,000 bitcoins earlier this year. According to data submitted by the Financial Supervisory Service and major cryptocurrency exchanges to Rep. Lee Hun-seung of the main opposition People Power Party, one of the costliest incidents involved Bithumb, following an accidental bitcoin crediting incident in February. An employee mistakenly entered bitcoin instead of Korean won when processing rewards for a promotional event, resulting in the erroneous distribution of about 620,000 bitcoins to 249 users. The error triggered sharp price distortions, prompting Bithumb to compensate affected users. In a separate case, Upbit paid about 790 million won in compensation following a security breach in November 2025. Upbit said Solana-based assets worth about 44.5 billion won were transferred to unauthorized external wallets within 54

2 MIN READ
Bithumb's bitcoin payout blunder results in $1.6 mil. compensation thumbnail

Gov't to expand education subsidies for low-income multicultural youth

The government will provide education subsidies starting this month to children aged seven to 18 from low-income multicultural families, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said, Sunday. The initiative aims to expand educational opportunities, narrow learning gaps and support career development among multicultural youth. The subsidies will amount to 400,000 won ($256.52) per year for elementary school students, 500,000 won for middle school students and 600,000 won for high school students. They will be provided in August through NH NongHyup card points, following an eligibility review. Recipients can use subsidies for educational expenses, including learning materials, study room fees, vocational training and certification programs. Applications will be accepted through June 30 at local family centers and multicultural family support centers in applicants’ districts of residence. Families must submit an application form along with supporting documents, including identification, a family relations certificate, a resident registration record and proof of health insurance payments

1 MIN READ
Gov't to expand education subsidies for low-income multicultural youth thumbnail

Rome hosts dual taekwondo tournaments, pairing youth festival with Grand Prix

ROME — The historic Foro Italico complex has transformed into a sprawling, dual-level arena for global taekwondo this weekend, running Europe’s largest youth martial arts tournament concurrently with an elite international Grand Prix. The Kim and Liù tournament has drawn a formidable field of approximately 2,000 children between the ages of 6 and 11 from across Europe. Named after two fictional characters from an educational comic book created nearly two decades ago by the Italian Taekwondo Federation, the event operates as an immersive youth sports festival, blending the intensity of technical form competitions and age-bracketed sparring with foundational educational activities. Far more than just a grassroots festival, the tournament has long served as the essential incubator for Italy's national team. It was at previous Kim and Liù events that current titans of the sport — including Olympic medalist Vito Dell'Aquila and world champion Simone Alessio — took their very first competitive steps. Operating under the bold theme "Taekwondo to the Future!" this year’s edition pus

2 MIN READ
Rome hosts dual taekwondo tournaments, pairing youth festival with Grand Prix thumbnail

Explainer: What are babydoll dresses and why are they controversial?

Olivia Rodrigo's third studio album "You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love" drops on June 12. The American pop princess has been teasing her new era for months, with a fresh aesthetic defined by bubblegum pink and babydoll dresses, a wardrobe choice some have deemed controversial and which has largely overshadowed any other discourse around the album. Rodrigo, 23, kicked off the next phase of her career by donning an off-the-shoulder blouse and matching bloomer shorts from Chloe's pre-fall 2026 collection for the music video of the album's lead single, "Drop Dead", and unveiled a Target-exclusive version of the album cover in which she wears an Anna Sui babydoll dress. She wore a similar dress by French label Generation78 for her Spotify Billions Club live performance in Barcelona on May 8. Some social media users slammed her outfit choices as "inappropriate" and "problematic", going so far as to claim she was presenting herself as a "sexualized child". Rodrigo herself finally weighed in on the controversy, calling out her critics for the "weird" rhetoric in a recent episode of The

3 MIN READ
Explainer: What are babydoll dresses and why are they controversial? thumbnail

S. Korean retail investors sell over $641 bil. in overseas stocks in 1st week of June

South Korean retail investors sold over 1 trillion won ($641 billion) worth of overseas stocks in the first week of June, data showed Sunday, suggesting their possible return to the local stock market amid record-breaking gains led by semiconductor shares. Local retailers sold a net $793.67 million worth of foreign stocks from Monday through Friday, continuing their net selling streak that began in April, according to the data from the Korea Securities Depository (KSD). The figure far surpassed the net selling of $469 million in April and approached the $939.77 million recorded in May. If the trend continues through the end of this month, the net selling streak will extend to a third consecutive month for the first time since the April-July period of 2023. The selling streak, which has continued despite record highs in the three major U.S. stock indexes -- the S&P 500, the Nasdaq and the Dow Jones Industrial Average -- has fueled expectations that the Korean retail investors may return to the domestic stock market. South Korea's benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) hit a hi

1 MIN READ
S. Korean retail investors sell over $641 bil. in overseas stocks in 1st week of June thumbnail

Lost in translation no more: Jeju polishes its signs for foreign visitors

A mistranslated sign can turn a simple vacation into a labyrinth of confusing detours. Now, Jeju Island is taking aim at the linguistic errors that officials say have long frustrated international visitors to Korea’s premier resort destination. Jeju Special Self-Governing Province said Friday that it will launch a comprehensive audit of its multilingual information systems. The initiative follows an analysis of overseas social media channels last year, which identified garbled foreign language signage as a recurring grievance among travelers. To ensure the review reflects the actual perspective of outsiders, the province and the Jeju Tourism Organization are partnering with Jeju National University’s Smart Tourism Research Support Center. Together, they are recruiting a specialized monitoring team of foreign students representing English, Japanese and Chinese-speaking communities. Beginning this month, the seven-member task force will conduct sweeping on-site inspections across the island’s tourism infrastructure. Their itinerary spans both public and private attractions, includin

2 MIN READ
Lost in translation no more: Jeju polishes its signs for foreign visitors thumbnail

German, Russian visual artists explore Korea through art and everyday experience

A group of international artists studying and living in Korea recently came together to present "Sweet Bread," a group art exhibit currently on display at KOTE in central Seoul's Insa-dong neighborhood, inspired by their experiences as foreigners navigating life in Korea. The exhibition is a collaboration between four art students from Germany and a photographer from Russia, who display a visual reflection of everyday life encounters in Korea, resulting in shifts in perception, habits and attention. Their collective perspective as outsiders allows them to reread everyday visual and digital stimuli as simultaneously seductive, soothing and excessive. Laila Kamil from the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig, who came to Korea on an exchange program with Chung-Ang University, said their group was formed from friendships through university studies. Several of the artists met in sculpture classes at Chung-Ang University, while others had known each other previously in Germany. “Our group initially applied to several open calls for exhibitions but received little response. Eventually, through con

4 MIN READ
German, Russian visual artists explore Korea through art and everyday experience thumbnail

InterviewAfter 3,000 autopsies in nearly 30 years, Yoo sees life as movie

Having examined more than 3,000 bodies since 1999, Yoo Seong-ho, a professor of forensic medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine, has come to believe that life is like a movie. “A good death is living a good life,” Yoo said in an interview with The Korea Times. “Think of it like a film where the story is a mess from the start. If only the ending has a twist, people will hate it.” Every Monday and Friday, Yoo performs autopsies referred by nine police precincts across Seoul from Jongno District to Yongsan District. In 2024, some 359,000 people died in Korea, most of them in hospitals under medical care and therefore not requiring an autopsy. The cases that come to Yoo are those where the cause of death is unknown or suspicious. Depending on the criteria, that amounts to between 30,000 and 50,000 a year, of which around 9,000 actually go to autopsy. Of Korea's 54 forensic pathologists, 34 work at the National Forensic Service (NFS) and 20 at universities, each handling roughly 180 cases a year. Among them, Yoo may be the most publicly recognized, running the YouTu

3 MIN READ
After 3,000 autopsies in nearly 30 years, Yoo sees life as movie thumbnail

Won hits 17-year low after breaking 1,560 against US dollar

The Korean won weakened beyond the 1,560-per-dollar mark in overnight trading Friday and early Saturday, falling to its lowest level in 17 years as a stronger dollar and continued foreign selling weighed on the currency. The exchange rate climbed as high as 1,561.5 won per dollar in overnight trading before ending at 1,559.0. The move marked the weakest level for the won since March 2009 during the global financial crisis. The won had already weakened to 1,549.1 per dollar during regular trading Friday before the exchange rate closed the daytime session at 1,539.1 won per dollar. It then accelerated sharply after the release of stronger-than-expected U.S. employment data, breaking through the psychologically significant 1,550 and 1,560 levels in succession. Market watchers attributed the latest surge in the exchange rate to a combination of factors, including a stronger dollar, continued foreign selling of Korean equities and concerns over the economic impact of the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. The U.S. jobs report reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve could keep int

2 MIN READ
Won hits 17-year low after breaking 1,560 against US dollar thumbnail

2026 local elections

Final tally for local elections completed after counting omitted ballots

Final tally for local elections completed after counting omitted ballots

The final vote count for this week's local elections was completed Friday, two days after a shortage of ballot papers disrupted voting at over a dozen polling stations in Seoul. Election officials declared the final tally for the June 3 vote after reflecting the results from two ballot boxes that were counted belatedly due to a blockade staged by protesters alleging election fraud. Earlier in the day, police dispersed a crowd of protesters and secured the ballot boxes, containing around 2,000 ballots, at a polling station in Seoul's Songpa Ward. Friday's tally did not significantly alter the election results, including the razor-thin Seoul mayoral race. The final count showed that incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party won with 49.22 percent of the vote, defeating Chong Won-o of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea by 1.15 percentage points, or 60,259 votes. During Wednesday's elections, ballot shortages were reported at polling stations in Seoul, including in the southeastern wards of Songpa and Gangnam, prompting temporary suspensions of voting there.

1 MIN READ

Editor's Pick

China’s AI chip demand pushes Korea into rare surplus with top trade partner

China’s AI chip demand pushes Korea into rare surplus with top trade partner

HONG KONG — Korea has emerged as a rare bright spot among East Asian economies trading with China, as booming demand for memory chips pushes its balance with its largest trading partner back into a surplus. The country's trade position with China had strengthened steadily this year, swinging from a $764 million deficit in December 2025 to a $1.1 billion surplus in February, before widening further to $3.8 billion in May, according to data from Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The turnaround has been driven largely by semiconductor shipments to China, as the global AI boom fuels demand for memory chips. The surge had tightened supply and sent prices sharply higher, with 16 gigabyte DDR5 memory chips up 682 percent and NAND flash memory prices up 807 percent, according to Morgan Stanley. In May, Korea's semiconductor exports to China jumped 243 percent from a year earlier, the ministry's data showed. Korea’s improving position stands in sharp contrast to that of other East Asian economies, where rising Chinese competitiveness and shifting technology supply chains have

2 MIN READ

Life in Korea

Seoul’s Hangang Bus ferry service expands route to serve garden expo crowds

Seoul’s Hangang Bus ferry service expands route to serve garden expo crowds

Hoping to capitalize on a massive surge in public interest, Seoul officials said Friday that the city's newly rebooted river ferry service will add a critical new stop at Seoul Forest to bring visitors to the international garden exhibition. Starting Monday, June 8, the Hangang Bus will stop at the newly minted Seoul Forest pier 16 times a day through the end of October. The addition alters the eastern corridor of the municipal ferry network between Jamsil and Yeouido, creating a scenic transit alternative for an event that has quickly captured the capital’s attention. The Seoul International Garden Show, which opened May 1 on a sprawling 710,000-square-meter site in eastern Seoul, has cemented its status as one of the city's most successful public initiatives. After drawing over 10 million visitors last year, this year’s iteration crossed the one-million-visitor threshold just six days after opening. To maintain safety and efficiency during the route expansion, the city is restructuring the eastern line to alternate stops between the Oksu and Apgujeong piers. Under this alternating

2 MIN READ

Lifestyle

Can late-night run offset overeating? Actor Lee Jong-suk’s workout sparks interest

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Actor Lee Jong-suk worked up a sweat with a late-night run after enjoying a series of indulgent meals during a recent trip to Italy. In a vlog uploaded to his YouTube channel, Lee documented his visit to Florence and Milan, where he attended fashion events for a luxury brand. The actor's food-filled journey began even before departure. At the airport lounge, he enjoyed a generous meal and continued eating aboard his flight, consuming pizza, beef tenderloin steak with potato croquettes, cheese and biscuits, chocolate ice cream, instant noodles and an eel rice bowl. Afterward, he joked that he felt sleepy from a blood sugar spike and admitted he was uncomfortably full. Upon arriving in Florence, Lee ordered room-service pasta before attending a fashion show. Later, while sightseeing at Milan’s iconic Milan Cathedral, he treated himself to gelato. As the food-focused vlog continued, Lee appeared slightly embarrassed by his appetite. “Celebrities probably shouldn’t eat everything they want before a scheduled event,” he said. “I feel like I

3 MIN READ
Can late-night run offset overeating? Actor Lee Jong-suk’s workout sparks interest

K-Culture

ReviewNetflix drama 'Teach You a Lesson' serves as reality check for Korea’s broken education system

Netflix’s new series "Teach You a Lesson" exposes a Korean education system so fundamentally fractured that it feels like a dystopian thriller. Yet the story, based on a webtoon, strikes a painfully real chord. Gone are the days when the primary headline was overzealous teachers abusing students with corporal punishment. Today, the pendulum has swung to the opposite extreme. Guided by a cultural climate that fiercely prioritizes student rights and coddles aggressive parents, the classroom has devolved. Disruptive students openly mock their instructors, while educators are left utterly powerless, forced into willful ignorance just to survive the school day. It is against this grim, real-world backdrop that the series launches its ultimate power fantasy. The show tracks the Korean Educational Rights Protection Bureau, a government-sanctioned vigilante squad deployed to salvage classrooms ruined by boundary-crossing teenagers and toxic parents. Anatomy of a broken classroom The drama anchors its stakes immediately through Gyeong-min, a high schooler systematically ostracized by his entire

3 MIN READ
Netflix drama 'Teach You a Lesson' serves as reality check for Korea’s broken education system

Celebrities

Go Youn-jung turns an ice cream bite into a viral photo shoot moment

Actress Go Youn-jung has once again proven that even the most ordinary moments can look like a magazine spread. On Friday, Go shared several photos on social media, giving fans a glimpse into her everyday life. The images quickly drew attention online, with many praising the actress's effortless charm and natural beauty. One photo shows Go enjoying an ice cream cone on the street. Far from striking a glamorous pose, she scrunches up her entire face while taking a bite, creating a playful and relatable moment that amused fans. Despite the exaggerated expression, the actress still managed to look as though she had stepped out of a coming-of-age film. Her naturally styled bangs and casual outfit added to the laid-back atmosphere, highlighting a softer side of the star often seen in polished on-screen roles. Go also shared several candid street photos showing her wearing sunglasses on top of her head and holding a cup of coffee. Flashing mischievous expressions and playful poses, she showcased a youthful and approachable image. In another photo, the actress is seen gently petting a dog outside

1 MIN READ
Go Youn-jung turns an ice cream bite into a viral photo shoot moment

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

Opinion

Top 10 Stories

  1. Lost in translation no more: Jeju polishes its signs for foreign visitors

  2. SMEs Minister Han Seong-sook tapped as new PM

  3. Starbucks HQ apologizes over 'Tank Day' controversy

  4. Gov't to expand education subsidies for low-income multicultural youth

  5. Xi's planned Pyongyang visit reflects China’s influence bid, NK's nuclear ambitions

  6. Seoul result denies both major parties outright victory in local elections

  7. NK leader's sister says Pyongyang's nuclear status 'irreversible'

  8. German, Russian visual artists explore Korea through art and everyday experience

  9. Thousands rally for 3rd day demanding new election over ballot shortages

  10. S. Korean retail investors sell over $641 bil. in overseas stocks in 1st week of June

Video

Interesting contents

Taboola 후원링크