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Kim Bo-eun

Korea Times Digital Content Reporter

Bo-eun leads the digital content team. She has covered foreign affairs, North Korea, tech, economy and gender issues at The Korea Times. She did a short stint at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where she obtained a new perspective on news production and life. Small sources of joy for her are lounging in the sun, having a good latte and swimming.

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South Korea

What went wrong with Hangang Bus?

The minds behind the Hangang Bus may have envisioned the project becoming something akin to Hong Kong's iconic Star Ferry. Locals in Korea and travelers from abroad may have set plans to enjoy the ferry ride over the Chuseok holidays. However, only 10 days after setting sail, Sept. 18, the Seoul government announced it would suspend passenger services for a month. The Hangang Bus operates a 28.9 kilometer route that spans seven stations — Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Apgujeong, Oksu, Ttukseom and Jamsil. The plan was to operate 14 times a day from 11 a.m. through Oct. 9. Starting Oct. 10, the Seoul government intended on increasing the number of trips to 30 per day, starting at 7 a.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. on weekends. Citizens were eager to board the new form of transportation, with 4,361 passengers flocking to the ferry on its first day. But just days after its official launch, the ferry headed for Jamsil stood idle for 20 minutes from around 7 p.m. due to a rudder malfunction, leaving 114 passengers stranded. Around 30 minutes later the ferry headed for Magok departing at 7:30 p.m

Oct 6, 2025By Kim Bo-eun
What went wrong with Hangang Bus?
South Korea

Cash handout guide for foreign nationals: Your questions answered

Applications for the first round of government cash handouts began Monday, with applications for the second round set to open on Sept. 22. Below are some frequently asked questions about the cash handouts for foreign nationals. Q. Who are the foreign nationals eligible to apply for the cash handout? A. Those with F-5 permanent resident visas, F-6 marriage visas, refugees, and those included on household registers that include at least one Korean national while also being enrolled in Korea's national health insurance program. Q. How can recipients apply for the cash handout? A. Through credit and debit card websites, apps or call centers. Applicants can also visit bank branches affiliated with their credit card. For the paper form of the local gift certificates, also known as "love gift certificates," applicants should visit their local community center. Heads of household should apply on behalf of minors. The handouts will be issued the day after application. Q. Until when can recipients apply for the cash handout? A. Registration is open through Sept. 12. For the first week starting July

Jul 23, 2025By Kim Bo-eun
Cash handout guide for foreign nationals: Your questions answered
Photo News

PHOTOS Downpours across Korea

Citizens cross a pedestrian crossing in Mapo-gu, Seoul, amid heavy rain accompanied by strong winds, thunder and lightning early Thursday. Yonhap

Jul 17, 2025By Kim Bo-eunphoto
[PHOTOS] Downpours across Korea
Photo News

PHOTOS Beating the heat

People beat the heat in a valley stream in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Yonhap

Jul 1, 2025By Kim Bo-eun
[PHOTOS] Beating the heat
Society

Trending Chinese doll Labubu's offline sales suspended in Korea

The Chinese brand behind the globally coveted "ugly doll" Labubu has suspended offline sales at locations in Korea. Pop Mart's Korean branch stated on its Instagram account Saturday it is temporarily halting sales of its plush dolls and plush keyring series at nationwide offline sales locations due to "safety concerns," at a time tourists and local customers have been flooding to their stores to purchase the in-demand items. "We are doing our utmost to resume sales with better service to meet your expectations," Pop Mart Korea said in the notice. The brand did not state when it would resume sales of its products. The furry bunny character designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung gained popularity after BLACKPINK member Lisa endorsed merchandise such as keychains and plush toys in 2024. Global celebrities including Rihanna and David Beckham have also been seen with Labubu bag charms. Prices of Labubu merchandise range from 15,000 won to 268,000 won ($11 to $197) in Korea. Labubu has seven official sales locations in Korea — four in Seoul, one in Busan and two in Gyeonggi Province, in Suw

Jun 16, 2025By Kim Bo-eun
Trending Chinese doll Labubu's offline sales suspended in Korea
Photo News

PHOTOS President Lee Jae-myung's inauguration day

President Lee Jae-myung receives a report on the transfer of military command authority during a phone call with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Myung-soo at his residence in Incheon, Wednesday. Yonhap

Jun 4, 2025By Kim Bo-eunphoto
[PHOTOS] President Lee Jae-myung's inauguration day
Politics

Lee Jae-myung pledges to integrate polarized nation

Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) pledged early Wednesday to integrate the polarized nation in his acceptance speech delivered after the presidential election held Tuesday. Broadcasters late Tuesday declared Lee would win the election, defeating Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party (PPP). Lee pointed out that his victory reinforces that the country belongs to the people, referring to voters' sentiment against the conservative People Power Party based on former President Yoon Suk Yeol's abrupt declaration of martial law in December. "We will overcome the insurrection and make sure that a military coup that threatens the people will never again take place," Lee said in his speech in Seoul's Yeouido. He stated that his next priority will be to boost the economy and improve the people's livelihoods, at a time Korea faces increasing uncertainty due to U.S.-imposed tariffs. Lee also said his administration would ensure deterrence against North Korea with strong military capabilities, but emphasized peaceful relations over conflict. This would be a shift

Jun 3, 2025By Anna J. Park and Kim Bo-eun
Lee Jae-myung pledges to integrate polarized nation
Politics

PROFILE Who is Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok?

From Harvard graduate to youngest presidential candidate Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative Reform Party is only 40 years old, but he benefits from strong public recognition, given his political career spanning more than a decade. A central focus of his campaign is winning over voters in their 20s and 30s through targeted policy pledges, including major pension system reforms aimed at appealing to younger generations. He stepped into the political arena in 2011 at the age of 26, when former President Park Geun-hye, then head of the conservative party's interim committee, selected Lee as a member for his outspoken opinions on social media. The selection earned him the nickname "Park Geun-hye kid." Lee is known for his elite education and upbringing. Born in Seoul in 1985, he attended Seoul Science High School and was accepted into the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), but withdrew and went to Harvard University with a presidential scholarship, obtaining a degree in computer science and economics. In 2011, he launched an education-technology startup that develo

May 14, 2025By Kim Bo-eun and Jung Da-hyun
[PROFILE] Who is Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok?
Politics

PROFILE Who is PPP's Kim Moon-soo?

From labor activist to hardcore conservative Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo registered as the conservative People Power Party's (PPP) presidential candidate on Sunday for the June 3 snap election, after a week of internal strife as the party leadership sought to push him out in favor of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Kim, 73, is part of Korea's first-generation labor activists of the 1970s and 1980s, but has an unusual trajectory of becoming a hardcore conservative afterward. He was born the sixth of seven children to his parents in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, in 1951, and spent his childhood years in a shantytown. He entered Seoul National University's Department of Business in 1970, but it took 25 years for him to graduate because he was expelled for his involvement in anti-dictatorship student activism under the Park Chung-hee administration. After being expelled from school, he found work at a fabric factory near central Seoul's Cheonggyecheon area and delved in to labor activism. Kim spent seven years working in physically demanding jobs on the factory floor. In 1

May 12, 2025By Kim Bo-eun
[PROFILE] Who is PPP's Kim Moon-soo?
  • PPP loses public trust after failed gambit to replace presidential candidate
  • PPP candidate Kim kicks off official campaign for presidential election
Politics

PROFILE Who is DPK's Lee Jae-myung?

Controversial, stubborn and tenacious are some adjectives that can be associated with Lee Jae-myung, 61, who is competing for the third time in South Korea's June 3 presidential election. Leading the polls with a wide margin, Lee is a heavyweight politician with the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), having served as the former party leader, as well as governor of Gyeonggi Province and mayor of Seongnam City. Born in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, as the fifth child out of seven, he grew up poor. He often skipped elementary school because he had to walk 5 kilometers to get there. Lee moved to Seongnam as a teenager, but had to give up school to earn money, alongside his mother and sister who cleaned toilets. He worked at multiple factories, and his wrist was crushed in an industrial accident. This injury later exempted him from mandatory military service. He substituted his missed school years with equivalency exams and studied law at Chung-Ang University with a scholarship. Lee passed the state bar exam in 1986, and became a human rights lawyer and activist. He entered the poli

May 10, 2025By Kim Bo-eun and Bahk Eun-ji
[PROFILE] Who is DPK's Lee Jae-myung?
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