The Korea Times

N. Korea conducts underwater test of new precision-guided torpedo using AI : KCNA

North Korea said Saturday it has conducted an underwater test of a new precision-guided torpedo weapon system, noting that the test heralds a "significant" change in the North's naval capabilities. North Korea test-fired the Zam-2.0 super-speed precision-guided torpedo weapon system Thursday to confirm the successful technical upgrade of the weapon, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). It did not disclose further details of the weapon. Key national defense officials who oversaw the weapon test assessed that it "served as a great success foreseeing a significant change in the actual development of the Navy," the KCNA said. North Korea said artificial intelligence (AI) technology was applied to the target detection and the guidance function of the torpedo. "The test proved the core technology for raising the efficiency of propulsion and the performance of rocket propulsion devices," the KCNA said, adding more than 180 rounds of related tests have been conducted over the past five years. North Korea has been pushing to strengthen its naval capabilities with weapon tests. Pyongy

Army chief proposes deploying robots in DMZ in talks with Brunson

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Kyu-ha has called for the deployment of robots and drones for dangerous missions in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), saying he raised the idea with the top U.S. commander in Korea, following a land mine explosion that injured three South Korean soldiers last month. Kim said Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, agreed that unmanned systems could help keep troops out of harm’s way, although both commanders recognized the risks of operating them near the inter-Korean border. “After the incident, I told Gen. Brunson that sending our personnel into the DMZ involves dangers and difficulties, and that robots and drones should go in instead,” Kim said at an Army policy briefing at the Yangpyeong General Training Ground in Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. “He agreed,” Kim said, adding that they also shared the view that the systems must be thoroughly tested before deployment. On Sept. 21, three South Korean service members were injured when a North Korean anti-personnel land mine exploded during an operation near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL)

COVER STORY Wider Cheonghae mission may suck Korea into US war on Iran: expert

US envoy highlights role of S. Korean investment in creating American jobs

WASHINGTON — U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel has highlighted the role of South Korean investment in strengthening the U.S. economy and creating American jobs, expressing hope for expanded economic cooperation between the two countries. Steel made the remarks in a post on X after attending a plenary meeting of the U.S.-Korea and Korea-U.S. Business Council, hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries on Thursday. "Korean investment continues to strengthen the U.S. economy, support American jobs and deepen commercial ties between our two countries," she wrote. "We look forward to building on this momentum and creating even more opportunities for investment and shared growth between our two nations," she added. Her remarks underscored Washington's emphasis on attracting South Korean investment following the announcement by Seoul and Washington of details of South Korea's planned $200 billion investment in the U.S., part of a broader $350 billion commitment in exchange for lower U.S. tariffs on South Korean goods.

Pyongyang rejects Seoul's hypersonic test claims, justifies own arms buildup

North Korea renewed its attack on South Korea's recent hypersonic weapon test Friday, rejecting Seoul's explanation that advanced materials prevented the weapon from showing burn marks and using the South's weapons development to justify its own arms buildup. The latest dispute comes as the two Koreas offer conflicting assessments of the technology demonstrated in South Korea's first test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle on Oct. 8. North Korea initially questioned the test's success, arguing the vehicle must have failed to reach hypersonic speeds because photos showed no soot on its surface. Seoul's defense ministry countered that the vehicle was equipped with advanced thermal-protection technology and that visible soot was not necessarily expected during hypersonic flight. On Friday, Pyongyang fired back at the defense, calling Seoul's explanation "far-fetched." "It's not a matter of heat-resistant materials or thermal protection performance," Kim Jong-sik, a vice department head of the Workers' Party Central Committee, said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency. S

Police release identity of Incheon stabbing suspect

Police on Friday released the identity of a suspect accused of carrying out a knife attack at a major commercial complex in Incheon that injured eight people earlier this week. The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency released the suspect's name, Choi Choong-rak; his age, 59; and his mugshot after holding a committee meeting to review whether to publicly disclose his personal information. The police said the panel unanimously approved the release, citing "the brutality of the crime, the severity of the harm caused and the availability of sufficient evidence." Choi's personal information will be posted on the police agency's website from Friday through Nov. 16. He is suspected of attempting to kill 10 people at the commercial complex in Incheon, about 30 kilometers west of Seoul, on Tuesday, wielding knives in both hands. The attack left eight people injured, including one who remains unconscious after suffering cardiac arrest. The other two people escaped unharmed. During police questioning, Choi cited his dissatisfaction with medical treatment at a local hospital as the motive for the atta

'Pray for wealth': Seoul Buddhist temple becomes Gen Z hot spot

When visited on Oct. 6, Bongeun Temple in southern Seoul's affluent Gangnam District was bustling with young people, just as rumors of its sudden rise as a hot spot among Gen Z suggested. Nearly half of the visitors appeared to be in their 20s or 30s. Mostly couples and groups of friends, they prayed before Buddhist statues and took commemorative photos, leisurely enjoying the tranquil autumn atmosphere of the temple grounds. Kim Yeo-reum, 25, who visited the temple with a friend, said she had taken a half-day off work to come on a weekday after hearing that the temple had become so popular that it was packed on holidays. “I even ran into an elementary school classmate here today for the first time since graduation,” she said. “We went to elementary school together in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, which is quite far from Bongeun Temple, so I was surprised to see that so many people were coming here.” Bongeun Temple, with a history spanning more than 1,000 years, has emerged as a popular destination among younger generations. Its prime location in the heart of Gangnam has long made

Samsung, SK hynix sell-off excessive as memory outlook stays strong: analysts

The recent steep sell-off in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix shares has been excessive, driven by a lack of buying support in the Korean market and weaker investor confidence rather than deteriorating earnings, market watchers said Friday. Shares of the two semiconductor giants have fallen sharply this month amid a broader rout in the benchmark KOSPI, despite rising earnings forecasts fueled by strong artificial intelligence (AI) demand and tightening memory supply. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix shares plunged 23.9 percent and 31.5 percent, respectively, over seven consecutive trading sessions starting Oct. 6, while KOSPI shed 1,449.52 points, or 21 percent. On Friday, the market recovered some ground, with Samsung rising 2.62 percent and SK hynix gaining 0.79 percent as KOSPI rebounded 2.05 percent, snapping a seven-session losing streak. Analysts say the widening gap between share prices and fundamentals has pushed valuations for the two chipmakers to relatively low levels. "The recent sharp declines in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are an excessive correction driven more by a la

Lee renews constitutional revision push, urging lawmakers to honor democracy's bloody history

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday called for the spirit of Korea’s landmark pro-democracy uprisings to be enshrined in the Constitution, describing it as “the least we can do to ensure we never forget our people’s sacrifices to defend democracy and national sovereignty.” Speaking at Busan City Hall during a ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising, Lee renewed his push for constitutional revision and urged the National Assembly to begin discussions without further delay. The Busan-Masan Uprising was a series of demonstrations that began Oct. 16, 1979 and lasted five days, as students and citizens in the southeastern cities of Busan and Masan — the latter now part of Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province — rose up against then-President Park Chung-hee’s dictatorial regime. “The Busan-Masan Uprising did more than bring an end to a dictatorship,” he said, tracing its legacy through subsequent pro-democracy movements, including the Gwangju Uprising in 1980, the June Democratic Uprising of 1987 and protests against the Dec. 3, 2024 martial

AI glasses raise cheating fears ahead of CSAT, putting teachers under pressure

A crackdown on cheating using artificial intelligence (AI)-powered smart glasses is raising concerns over mounting pressure on teachers tasked with detecting the devices, with the college entrance exam just a month away. The Ministry of Education plans to require exam supervisors to inspect all test takers wearing glasses before each session of this year's College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), or Suneung, as part of efforts to prevent AI-assisted cheating. Under the rules, even possessing smart glasses without using them will be considered cheating. Violators will have their exam results invalidated and be barred from taking Suneung the following year. The tougher measures come amid a series of cheating cases involving AI glasses during recent university entrance exams. On Oct. 10, a student was caught wearing smart glasses during an entrance exam at Yonsei University. Although exam supervisors had checked students before the test began, the student reportedly switched glasses afterward, evading detection until later in the test. A similar case was reported at the University of Seoul on

WINNER's Song Min-ho to reenlist over negligence in mandatory service

Song Min-ho, a member of K-pop boy band WINNER, will be required to reenlist in the military after a court found him guilty of not showing up for work during his alternative mandatory service, the military manpower agency said Friday. Song was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, on charges of failing to appear at his duty station for 102 days during his term as a social service agent between March 2023 and December 2024. The Seoul Western District Court handed down the ruling Oct. 1, and the decision was finalized as Song did not appeal the verdict. The Military Manpower Administration (MMA) said the reenlistment of Song was confirmed as the ruling was finalized without appeal. A defendant has two weeks to appeal a court's ruling. "We plan to comprehensively review the exact period of the reenlistment and his next duty station based on the ruling, and notify Song of the results," an MMA official said.

CJ, Daou Kiwoom may team up for JoongAng Ilbo bid

Speculation is growing that CJ Group could team up with Daou Kiwoom Group to bid for control of JoongAng Ilbo, as the newspaper publisher seeks a buyer amid a liquidity crisis at its parent group. According to industry sources Friday, CJ is reportedly considering forming a consortium with Daou Kiwoom to participate in the final round of bidding for the newspaper. The deadline for final bids is on Oct. 19. CJ holds a 9.24 percent stake in JoongAng Ilbo through its affiliate CJ OliveNetworks, potentially giving the group an existing foothold in the acquisition process. JoongAng Ilbo entered a workout program in July amid liquidity pressures at some affiliates of JoongAng Group. The newspaper publisher is pursuing the sale of its management rights and other restructuring measures to restore its financial health. The company said in a statement on Sept. 29 that it aims to select a preferred bidder by the end of October. Six companies reportedly participated in the preliminary bidding last month: Global Sae-A, Geumbo Development, Daou Technology, Orion, OK Financial Group and eBroadcasting. A w

Stronger won fuels fears of earnings misses among Korean exporters

Korea’s leading exporters face a growing risk of missing third-quarter earnings expectations as a sharp appreciation of the won erodes the local-currency value of sales generated in dollars, market analysts said Friday. The currency shift has prompted brokerages to lower their profit estimates for major exporters. A weaker won benefited exporters in the second quarter, when the won-dollar exchange rate averaged 1,502 won per dollar. That advantage has since faded, with the rate falling 12.7 percent from 1,549.4 at the end of June to 1,352.9 at the end of September, squeezing profitability. The won strengthened further Friday, closing onshore trading at 1,331.4 won per dollar, up 13.2 won from the previous session. When the won strengthens against the dollar, dollar-denominated revenue and profits are worth less in won terms. The appreciation can also make Korean products less competitive on price in global markets. Companies are increasingly concerned that their results could fall short of even the lowered consensus estimates, with some fearing substantial earnings misses. Automakers, wh

Uzbek man in 2009 taxi murder case granted retrial after 16 years

An Uzbek man who spent more than 16 years behind bars serving a life sentence for robbery-murder and other charges was released Thursday after a court granted him a retrial, citing serious problems with the police investigation that led to his conviction. Bozorov Akmal, 37, walked out of Changwon Prison Thursday evening, after the Changwon District Court suspended the enforcement of his sentence pending a final ruling in the retrial. He tearfully reunited with his father, who was waiting outside the prison. “I have suffered greatly, feeling that I was wrongfully imprisoned. But at the same time, I am truly sorry for the great pain this could cause the victim’s family,” said Akmal. “I will speak truthfully throughout the remaining court proceedings.” The case dates back to March 24, 2009, when a taxi driver in his 50s was found murdered inside a taxi parked in an alley in Myeongseo-dong, Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. On July 6 that year, police arrested three people, including Akmal, then 19, in connection with a separate taxi robbery. Police subsequently identified Akma

Tesla's new Roadster turns in air with SpaceX thrusters, won't land until 2028

SAN FRANCISCO — Tesla unveiled a redesigned Roadster powered with rocket-style thrusters on Thursday and said it would start production in 2028, more than a decade after it first showed a next-generation version of its electric sports car. The white two-seater vehicle, developed in collaboration with CEO Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX, drove upside down on a ramp using a suction system, turned in the air and landed using built-in thrusters. Later in the event it used the thrusters to jump over a truck and other vehicles, twisting in the air during the maneuver. Some watchers saw the collaboration as Musk drumming up interest in a merger of the two big companies he controls, an idea he has explored by discussing their overlap. The reveal gives Tesla a showpiece car after years of missed Roadster deadlines, but it comes as the company shifts its focus to self-driving technology and robotics, and days before third-quarter results that analysts say matter more to investors. "It was an engineering flex with no commercial value beyond embarrassing traditional car makers," Gene Munster, ma

Korea's 1st homegrown obesity drug likely to intensify price competition

Korea’s first homegrown obesity drug could shake up a market dominated by Mounjaro and Wegovy, an industry official said, as more Koreans travel to Japan to obtain cheaper Mounjaro and bring it home illegally, driven by the high cost of obesity treatments in Korea. Chung Sang-won, director of pharmacy innovation at the Korea Pharmaceutical Association, said the launch of Eppe, Korea’s first domestically developed glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based obesity treatment, could intensify price competition, as seen in China. “The price of Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro fell by as much as 66 percent in China earlier this year, from 1,758 yuan ($262) to 599 yuan. Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy also saw a substantial price drop,” Chung said. The price cuts came amid intensifying competition in China, where domestically developed GLP-1-based obesity treatments have entered the market. In 2025, Innovent Biologics’ mazdutide, a dual glucagon and GLP-1 receptor agonist, received approval from Chinese authorities, adding to competition in the country’s obesity drug market. Sciwind Biosciences’ ecnogl

Suspect in Incheon knife attack attends arrest warrant hearing

A man accused of injuring eight people in a knife attack at a commercial complex in Incheon earlier this week attended an arrest warrant hearing on Friday. The hearing began at 2 p.m. at the Incheon District Court after prosecutors requested an arrest warrant for the suspect on charges of attempted murder and carrying weapons in public spaces. The 59-year-old man is suspected of attempting to kill 10 people with knives attached to both of his hands at the shopping complex in Incheon, just west of Seoul, on Tuesday. The attack left eight people injured, including one who remains unconscious after suffering cardiac arrest. The two others escaped unharmed. The suspect reportedly has 10 prior convictions, two of them attempted murder. "I am sorry," the suspect said while walking toward the court for his hearing, noting he has made a serious mistake. According to police, the man has cited his frustration over his medical treatment at a local hospital as the motive for the attack. He had staged a one-man protest in front of the hospital for 2 1/2 months since August. During those protests, the

National Pension Service sees losses mount as Korean stocks plunge

The National Pension Service (NPS) is facing growing scrutiny over its investment decisions as a sharp slump in the local stock market raises concerns about mounting valuation losses to the public pension fund. The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) demanded a parliamentary investigation into whether political considerations played a role in the fund's decision-making. NPS Chairman Kim Sung-joo denied any political motivation, saying the fund management committee reaches decisions through a democratic consensus process. Figures the NPS provided to lawmakers put the fund’s total asset value at 1,684.2 trillion won ($1.26 trillion) at the end of July, a drop of 181.4 trillion won from 1,865.6 trillion won a month earlier. About 125 trillion won of that decline came from a reduction in cumulative gains on Korean stocks. Opposition lawmakers said the decline was equivalent to about 8.3 million won per pension subscriber. KOSPI’s slide in recent months was a major factor behind the decline. KOSPI touched 9,000 in June before plunging to around 6,600 by the end of July. After further

Why young Koreans are embracing the 'rich girl' aesthetic

“The style of a rich girl who has nothing left to buy, even when she goes shopping at a department store.” That is how social media users have described “Hyunbaek core,” a new trend that has recently emerged among people in their 20s and 30s. The term combines “Hyunbaek,” a shortened name for Hyundai Department Store, with “core,” which refers to the defining concept or aesthetic of a style. The look evokes a wealthy young woman one might encounter at Hyundai Department Store, characterized by an air of indifference toward shopping and an understated yet distinctly luxurious aura. Hyunbaek core pursues quiet luxury, which subtly expresses economic ease through high-end materials like silk or cashmere rather than flaunting wealth with flashy designer logos. It seems similar to the existing "old money" trend — which sought a traditional upper-class vibe — but has some differences. While it emphasizes formality, Hyunbaek Core is marked by a much more relaxed, effortless aesthetic. Previous fashion trends, such as ballet core and poet core, have drawn inspiration from pa

99,000 homes break ground in greater Seoul; gov't eyes 80% of annual target

Construction has begun on about 99,000 homes in greater Seoul so far this year, less than 40 percent of the annual target, with the figure expected to reach only around 80 percent of the goal by year-end, the government said Friday. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Office for Government Policy Coordination released an updated housing supply outlook amid growing concerns over rising home prices, and a tightening rental market in Seoul and surrounding areas. The government earlier announced a broader housing supply plan to begin construction on more than 1.5 million homes in the 2026-30 period to address supply shortages and ease upward pressure on property prices. For this year, the government has set a target of starting construction on 268,000 homes, including 62,000 public housing units. As of the second week of October, construction had begun on approximately 99,000 homes, accounting for just 37 percent of the annual target, according to the ministry. Despite the sluggish pace, the government projected that between 218,000 and 235,000 units would break ground

Hearts2Hearts deepens fan connection with intimate live showcase

Rookie K-pop girl group Hearts2Hearts is continuing its upward trajectory, offering fans an intimate look into their musical journey through a newly released live performance series and video podcast. The eight-member act — comprising Jiwoo, Carmen, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian and Ye-on — recently took the stage for their exclusive Spotify CLOSER event, becoming the first musical act featured in the platform's new series designed to spotlight promising Korean artists. During the intimate showcase, the group treated their fandom, known as S2U, to a mix of unreleased live stages and candid conversations, creating a personal space that bridged the distance between the artists and their audience. Official performance videos of the group's first-ever live renditions of "ICONIC HEART (Korean Version)," "Baby Steps" and a special acoustic arrangement of "Butterflies" were released online alongside a full video podcast of the evening's talk session. The podcast captures the members sharing behind-the-scenes studio anecdotes and personal stories. "Our name represents a promise to connect wi