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Anna J. Park

Korea Times Politics & City Reporter

Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.

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People & Events

Flowers foster Korea-Japan friendship at exhibition in Seoul

The Japanese Embassy in Seoul opened a special flower exhibition Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the Ohara School of Ikebana's Seoul chapter, presenting ikebana, or the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement, as a symbol of cultural exchange between the two countries. Organized jointly by the embassy and the Ohara School Seoul Chapter, the two-day exhibition runs through Thursday at the embassy's Public Information and Culture Center in central Seoul. The event commemorates the ten-year anniversarry of the establishment of the Seoul branch and highlights the role of traditional arts in fostering people-to-people exchanges. Ikebana dates back centuries and emphasizes harmony, balance and the beauty of nature over elaborate decoration. The Ohara School, one of Japan's leading ikebana institutions, was founded in 1895 and is particularly renowned for its "moribana" style, which recreates natural landscapes using seasonal flowers and branches set in shallow containers. The exhibition features more than 50 floral arrangements by 42 artists from the Ohara School's Seoul and

17h agoBy Anna J. Park
Flowers foster Korea-Japan friendship at exhibition in Seoul
Books

German author reflects on kindness, loss and caring for aging parents

German author Volker Kitz met readers in Seoul Thursday, during the 2026 Seoul International Book Fair, sharing the deeply personal story behind his Der Spiegel bestseller "Aging Parents: On Caretaking and the Time We Have Left" — a direct translation from its German title — newly published in Korea under the title "I Decided to Be Kind to You Until the End." Invited by the German Embassy in Korea and Korean publisher Gimmyoung, it was Kitz 's first visit to Korea. The Berlin-based writer, lawyer and columnist has authored 10 books, with "The Laws of the Mind" selling more than 100,000 copies in Korea. The latest book draws on Kitz's experience caring for his father, who lived with dementia. Introducing the event, a Gimmyoung editor said the book initially appeared to be about aging parents and caregiving, but ultimately revealed itself to be a meditation on kindness. “Although we cannot stop our parents from growing old or stop time itself, what we can choose is our attitude,” the editor said. “And in this book, that attitude is kindness.” Kitz opened the event by reciting t

Jun 26, 2026By Anna J. Park
German author reflects on kindness, loss and caring for aging parents
Companies

GC Wellbeing secures rights to obesity treatment RZL-012 for Korean market

Korean health care company GC Wellbeing signed a strategic partnership agreement with U.S.-Israeli biotechnology firm Raziel Therapeutics to commercialize a localized obesity treatment in Korea. The agreement, finalized Thursday at the BIO International Convention 2026 in San Diego, California — the world's largest biotechnology industry event — grants GC Wellbeing exclusive commercialization rights for RZL-012 in Korea. GC Wellbeing will also participate as both a strategic and financial investor in Raziel Therapeutics. The two companies said the partnership would combine Raziel's innovative technology with GC Wellbeing's commercialization capabilities to create new growth opportunities in the rapidly expanding medical aesthetics and obesity treatment markets. The ceremony was attended by Raziel Therapeutics Chairman Philip Shayson and CEO Alan Blumenfeld. GC Wellbeing was represented by CEO Kim Sang-hyun, who reaffirmed the company's commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership. Kim Hyo-jun, chairman of Future Consulting Group and former chairman of BMW Group Korea, also a

Jun 26, 2026By Anna J. Park
GC Wellbeing secures rights to obesity treatment RZL-012 for Korean market
North Korea

Civic groups oppose unification minister's 'two-state' approach

Civic organizations advocating the reunification of the Korean Peninsula urged the Lee Jae Myung administration to abandon what they called its "two-state relationship" policy, arguing that it contradicts Korea's Constitution and risks legitimizing the permanent division of the Korean Peninsula. The criticism stems from the Lee Jae Myung administration's first white paper on unification, released last month, which describes inter-Korean relations as "a peaceful two-state relationship." The coalition argued that the wording effectively formalizes the view that the two Koreas are de facto separate states, a position it said runs counter to the Constitution's goal of national reunification. At a press conference at the National Assembly on Thursday, 54 civic organizations under the One Korea National Coalition called on Lee to issue a public apology and demanded the resignation of Unification Minister Chung Dong-young. Lee Hee-bum, co-chair of the coalition and standing president of the Korea NGO Association, linked the controversy to the 76th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Kor

Jun 26, 2026By Anna J. Park
Civic groups oppose unification minister's 'two-state' approach
Books

French author urges Korean readers to follow inner calling over material success

French novelist Bernard Werber encouraged readers to pursue their unique calling rather than material success, arguing that true happiness comes from discovering the talent each person is born to develop. Speaking at a special lecture during the 2026 Seoul International Book Fair, Thursday, where France is this year's guest of honor, the bestselling author shared his lifelong fascination with spirituality, a recurring theme in many of his novels. Werber said he began exploring yoga, Buddhist meditation and other spiritual practices at the age of 13, leading him to believe there are two fundamentally different ways of living: one driven by materialism and another guided by spirituality. "A materialistic life revolves around finding a job, earning money, building a family and repeating the same cycle," he said. "A spiritual life begins by asking why we were born, why we are here and what only we can contribute to the world." Werber sees spirituality not as a collective doctrine but an individual journey of finding one's vocation. Each person, he said, possesses a unique talent and purpose

Jun 26, 2026By Anna J. Park
French author urges Korean readers to follow inner calling over material success
Foreign Affairs

Dutch Korean War veterans' stories screened in Seoul

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Seoul held a special documentary screening on June 23 to honor Dutch veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War and mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Hoengseong — one of the fiercest engagements of the conflict, fought in February 1951 — highlighting their sacrifices and the enduring friendship between the two countries. The event at Seoul Art Cinema featured a documentary produced in collaboration with the nonprofit initiative Project Soldier, which has spent years documenting the memories and legacies of Korean War veterans around the world. Titled “Dutch Soldiers in the Korean War: Documenting the Living History,” the film sheds light on the contributions of Dutch veterans to the defense of freedom and peace on the Korean Peninsula. As part of the project, the Project Soldier team visited eight Dutch Korean War veterans at their homes across the Netherlands, collecting their personal stories. The one-hour documentary follows the team's journey and captures intimate encounters with the veterans, offering a rare glimpse into the

Jun 24, 2026By Anna J. Park
Dutch Korean War veterans' stories screened in Seoul
Foreign Affairs

Foreign diplomats voice support for UNESCO World Heritage session in Busan

Foreign diplomats from member states of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee expressed support for Korea's preparations to host the committee's annual session in Busan next month during a briefing organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 23. The ministry invited representatives from 13 committee member states stationed in Seoul to provide an update on preparations for the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which will take place in the southeastern port city from July 19 to 29. During the briefing, the ministry outlined Seoul's preparations for the gathering and introduced the government's proposal to adopt a "Busan Declaration" aimed at strengthening international cooperation in the field of cultural heritage preservation. The ministry called on committee member states to lend their support and contribute to discussions surrounding the declaration, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration in safeguarding shared cultural and natural heritage. Diplomats attending the event, including ambassadors from Peru, the Czech Republic, Kenya and Mongolia, commend

Jun 24, 2026By Anna J. Park
Foreign diplomats voice support for UNESCO World Heritage session in Busan
Foreign Affairs

PHOTOS Taste of Thailand in heart of Seoul

Thai Ambassador to Korea Tanee Sangrat, ninth from right, stands next to Theerakun Niyom, eighth from right, special representative of Thailand's foreign ministry, during the opening ceremony of this year's Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival at Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul, Saturday. The opening ceremony of Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2026: Creative Life & Creative Heartbeat was attended by government officials and diplomats from both countries, as well as numerous distinguished guests from Korea and abroad. The Thai ambassador said the festival provides an opportunity for Korea and Thailand to further strengthen bilateral friendship through cultural, diplomatic and people-to-people exchanges and expressed hope that the event will become a meaningful urban festival for both residents and international visitors. Courtesy of Embassy of Thailand in Korea

Jun 22, 2026By Anna J. Parkphoto
[PHOTOS] Taste of Thailand in heart of Seoul
Politics

Lee appoints new top aides as approval ratings fall

President Lee Jae Myung appointed five new senior aides, Sunday, in a move aimed at accelerating the implementation of his administration's policy agenda as it enters its second year, with appointments spanning communications, civil affairs, social policy and national security. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik announced the appointments during a briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, emphasizing that the selections were designed to help realize Lee's vision for the second year of his administration. Seong Ghi-hong, former president and CEO of Yonhap News Agency, was named senior presidential secretary for public relations and communications. Han Chan-sik, a former senior prosecutor, was appointed senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, and is expected to play a key role in advancing the administration's prosecutorial reform agenda. Kim Kyoung-ja, former vice chairperson of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and a pharmacist by training, was named senior presidential secretary for social affairs. Former Army commander Kang Gun-jark was appointed first deputy national s

Jun 21, 2026By Anna J. Park
Lee appoints new top aides as approval ratings fall
Law & Crime

Fraud against foreigners quadruples over 2 years, with K-pop scams rising

As a record number of international visitors flock to Korea on the back of the popularity of Korean culture, crimes targeting foreigners have surged sharply, with K-pop merchandise scams emerging as a growing threat among a broader wave of fraud. According to latest data submitted by the National Police Agency to Rep. Kim Joon-hwan of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, the number of foreign nationals — whether visitors or residents — who fell victim to fraud in Korea nearly quadrupled over the past two years. The number of foreign fraud victims rose from 5,307 in 2023 to 8,671 in 2024, before skyrocketing to 19,907 last year. One of the notable fraud schemes targeting foreigners are scams related to hallyu, or the Korean wave, in which fraudsters approach overseas fans claiming they can purchase and ship merchandise related to K-pop stars or other Korean celebrities. Victims are asked to send money upfront, after which the scammers disappear without delivering the goods. Such complaints have become increasingly common on social media platforms, particularly X, formerly Twitter, wh

Jun 21, 2026By Anna J. Park
Fraud against foreigners quadruples over 2 years, with K-pop scams rising
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