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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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Foreign Affairs

Thai startups pitch to Korean investors at Seoul-Thailand Startup Innovation Space

The Thai Embassy hosted the inaugural Seoul-Thailand Startup Innovation Space (STSiS) at the ambassador's residence in Korea, Wednesday, bringing together Thai startup founders, Korean investors and accelerators to explore new opportunities for cross-border collaboration and expansion. Jointly organized by Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA), the program featured startup pitching sessions, networking activities and a luncheon designed to connect promising Thai startups with Korea’s investment and innovation ecosystem. A total of 10 Thai startups selected through a competitive screening process participated alongside 10 Korean investors and startup accelerators. The event is part of the entrepreneurs' week-long program in Korea that includes training sessions, networking events and attendance at NextRise, billed as Asia’s largest startup and venture capital event, in Seoul from Thursday to Friday. The STSiS event is the first time the initiative has been held in Korea, following similar programs in Malaysia and Singapore last year as part of NIA’s efforts to help Thai sta

Jun 18, 2026By Anna J. Park
Thai startups pitch to Korean investors at Seoul-Thailand Startup Innovation Space
Health

Korean stroke expert elected to World Stroke Organization board

Professor Kim Beom-joon of the department of neurology at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital has been elected to the board of directors of the World Stroke Organization (WSO), marking an achievement for Korea’s stroke research community. According to Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Kim will serve on the WSO board as a representative of the Korean Stroke Society. His four-year term is scheduled to begin in October. "Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and reducing that burden depends on collaboration that crosses borders, disciplines, and health systems," Kim wrote on his LinkedIn posting. "I am grateful for the chance to contribute to that effort on a global stage and to help carry the voice of the Korean and Asia-Pacific stroke community into it." The WSO is the world’s largest international academic organization dedicated to stroke. It plays a leading role in establishing global standards across stroke prevention, treatment, research, education and health care policy. The organization’s board of directors serves as its

Jun 17, 2026By Anna J. Park
Korean stroke expert elected to World Stroke Organization board
Foreign Affairs

Slovakia strengthens its position as hub for Korean investment in Europe

As Korean companies accelerate their expansion into Europe, Slovakia is emerging as one of the continent’s most attractive gateways, leveraging its strategic location, advanced manufacturing base and growing cooperation with Korea in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and research. Officials from the Embassy of the Slovak Republic and Slovakia’s investment promotion agency say bilateral ties are entering a new phase, moving beyond traditional manufacturing into high-value sectors such as AI-driven automation, semiconductors, industrial robotics and joint research. “Slovakia’s goal is not simply to attract more factories, but to bring in investment with added value,” Michal Dutko, head of the Slovak Investment Office in Korea under the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), told The Korea Times at the Slovak Embassy in Seoul. “That is why we are focusing on robotics, AI, semiconductors and cooperation between universities and research institutions,” Dutko said. Robotics has become a strategic priority for Slovakia as the country prepares its workforce fo

Jun 16, 2026By Anna J. Park
Slovakia strengthens its position as hub for Korean investment in Europe
Politics

Political clash reemerges over Seoul's high-rise project near Jongmyo Shrine

Reelected Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's drive to accelerate major redevelopment projects is facing its first major political test, as the incoming chief of Jongno District seeks to suspend approvals for a controversial high-rise development near the UNESCO-listed Jongmyo Shrine. The Sewoon District 4 redevelopment project would permit the construction of a 142-meter tower opposite the centuries-old royal shrine, one of Korea's most significant cultural heritage sites. According to Seoul city officials, the city's architectural committee approved the Sewoon District 4 redevelopment project's building safety impact assessment during a review meeting held on June 5, clearing one of the final procedural hurdles before construction can begin. With the city-level review process now complete, the remaining procedures include approval of the revised project implementation plan by the district office and a review of buried cultural heritage by the National Heritage Committee. Jongno District Office had initially planned to decide by June 24 whether to approve revisions to the project's implementation

Jun 12, 2026By Anna J. Park
Political clash reemerges over Seoul's high-rise project near Jongmyo Shrine
Foreign Affairs

PHOTOS German Embassy brings Berlin techno to Seoul

German Ambassador to Korea Georg Wilfried Schmidt, third from left, stands with club operators, DJs, artists and panelists at Kockiri in central Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood, June 9. More than 150 members of the electronic music community from Korea and Germany attended the event, where participants discussed the role of club culture and spaces in fostering cultural exchange and strengthening bilateral ties. The event was hosted by the German Embassy as part of its Techno Diplomacy program, which promotes cultural diplomacy through techno music. Berlin techno was added to Germany’s national inventory of intangible cultural heritage in 2024. Courtesy of the German Embassy in Korea

Jun 12, 2026By Anna J. Parkphoto
[PHOTOS] German Embassy brings Berlin techno to Seoul
Foreign Affairs

Norwegian architect behind Busan Opera House highlights architecture’s role in social change

Architecture should do more than create iconic buildings — it should shape how people interact, gather and experience their cities, according to Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, founding partner of Norwegian architectural and design firm Snøhetta, which is currently leading the Busan Opera House project. Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday, Thorsen outlined Snøhetta’s design philosophy and highlighted projects from around the world, arguing that architecture can serve as a catalyst for cultural participation, social integration and sustainable development. The event, held at the Norwegian ambassador’s residence under the theme “Designing Culture, Designing Change: Architecture as a Catalyst for Collective Futures,” brought together architects, cultural leaders and industry professionals to explore the role of design in shaping contemporary society. Welcoming guests, Norwegian Ambassador Anne Kari Hansen Ovind described Snøhetta as one of Norway’s most influential creative enterprises and a global ambassador for Norwegian design. “Sn

Jun 11, 2026By Anna J. Park
Norwegian architect behind Busan Opera House highlights architecture’s role in social change
Foreign Affairs

Greece eyes more Korean travelers through Santorini tourism showcase in Seoul

The Greek Embassy and the Greek National Tourism Organisation in Korea hosted a tourism promotion event highlighting Santorini and other iconic Greek destinations, as officials and tourism leaders sought to strengthen travel ties and attract more Korean visitors to Greece. Titled “Greece: A 365 Day Destination," Greek Ambassador to Korea Loukas Tsokos opened the event with a speech underscoring the importance of tourism as a bridge between cultures and economies. Calling tourism-related events his “favorite events,” Tsokos noted that tourism brings joy while fostering deeper understanding between nations. The ambassador praised Korea’s growing success in promoting its own tourism industry, pointing to the global influence of K-pop, K-dramas and other aspects of Korean culture. “Korea has become very popular in Greece lately,” he said, adding that Greece hopes to project the image of Santorini to Korean travelers in much the same way Korea has successfully promoted its cultural identity worldwide. While a significant number of Koreans already travel to Greece annually, the Gre

Jun 10, 2026By Anna J. Park
Greece eyes more Korean travelers through Santorini tourism showcase in Seoul
Business

FORUM Ambassadors, business leaders gather to chart Korea's path as global AI leader

Ambassadors, business executives and policymakers gathered at The Korea Times Forum Tuesday to discuss how Korea can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to expand its global influence and shape the future of innovation, under the theme “Made in Korea: Global and AI Enablement.” The forum, co-organized by The Korea Times and GR Korea and held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in central Seoul, brought together diplomatic representatives and industry leaders who emphasized the transformative potential of AI and the importance of international cooperation as Korea seeks to position itself as a global leader in the emerging AI era. Singaporean Ambassador to Korea Wong Kai Jiun highlighted the timeliness of the event amid the rapid rise of AI. "I think this particular forum coming at this time is a very timely one given the importance of AI in our economy and our society," he said. Irish Ambassador to Korea Michelle Winthrop stressed that AI adoption will be critical to future economic success. "I just think that Irish experience shows us that the success of business will be

Jun 9, 2026By Anna J. Park
[FORUM] Ambassadors, business leaders gather to chart Korea's path as global AI leader
Foreign Affairs

PHOTOS ‘Made with Sweden’: Sweden Day 2026 showcases innovation in Seoul

Swedish Ambassador to Korea Karl-Olof Andersson delivers a welcome address during the 2026 Sweden Day celebration at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, Thursday. Sweden’s National Day is officially observed every June 6, marking the election of Gustav Vasa as king of Sweden in 1523, which led to Sweden’s independence from the Kalmar Union with Denmark and Norway, and the adoption of a new constitution in 1809. Courtesy of Embassy of Sweden

Jun 8, 2026By Anna J. Parkphoto
[PHOTOS] ‘Made with Sweden’: Sweden Day 2026 showcases innovation in Seoul
Politics

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

Jun 7, 2026By Anna J. Park
Seoul result denies both major parties outright victory in local elections
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