The Korea Times

‘It’s about democracy, suffrage, sovereignty of people’

University students across the country denounced the ballot shortages in last week's local elections as a fundamental violation of the right to vote and the Constitution, demanding sweeping reforms at the National Election Commission (NEC). They warned the political parties, both liberal and conservative, that they should not use the issue for their own political gains, saying the students are calling for a thorough investigation to establish the reason behind the ballot shortages and measures to prevent a repeat of the incident. Student bodies at 18 universities issued a joint declaration Wednesday, a week after at least 91 polling stations nationwide faced ballot shortages, leaving many voters unable to cast their ballots or forced to wait past the 6 p.m. closing time. Former NEC Chairman Roh Tae-ak resigned days later to take responsibility, and a joint police-prosecution investigation was launched this week. “We gathered here not merely to speak about the flaws in the electoral system, but to speak about the one vote that was taken from us,” Hwang In-seo, emergency council head

Jun 11, 2026By Park Ung and Jung Da-hyun

‘It’s about democracy, suffrage, sovereignty of people’

South Korea

Handong Global University seeks to build worldwide Christian academic network

Handong Global University in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, is pursuing a globalization strategy that goes well beyond conventional student exchanges — aiming to become a hub connecting Christian universities, professionals and organizations across the globe. “We envision the university becoming a hub that opens a new chapter in global Christian higher education by expanding partnerships not only with institutions in advanced countries, but also with universities across developing regions, including Africa and South America,” Park Seong-jin, the university's president, told The Korea Times in a recent interview. Park said the school plans to establish joint-degree programs with leading Christian institutions in the United States, including Liberty University and Wheaton College, to deepen academic collaboration and global connectivity. "Our goal is to create a campus where Handong students can venture out into the world while talented students from across the globe come to study at Handong," he said. Park said his vision is for Handong to become a platform where students can co

Jun 10, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Handong Global University seeks to build worldwide Christian academic network

People & Events

Korean American author explores identity, memory through cross-cultural lens

For nearly five decades, Nicole Ochongae Conrad has lived between cultures, and that experience — of belonging fully to neither Korea nor America while being shaped by both — became the foundation of a career in photography, education and cultural exchange. Now, those experiences are captured in “An Artistic Journey,” a recently published collection of photography, personal essays and cultural narratives exploring identity, memory and diaspora. “Being Korean American is not only about preserving our roots but also about sharing them with others,” Conrad said in a written interview with The Korea Times. “For me, being Korean American means serving as a bridge between cultures — honoring my heritage while fostering understanding, connection and mutual respect in an increasingly interconnected world.” Conrad, who earned both her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees from Arizona State University, has built a career spanning education, photography and cultural exchange. She later served as a professor of fine art and humanities at Central Texas College and T

Jun 10, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Korean American author explores identity, memory through cross-cultural lens

Society

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

Jun 7, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Starbucks HQ apologizes over 'Tank Day' controversy

Society

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

Jun 7, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

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

Society

Jeonbuk National University builds physical AI lab to keep students from leaving for Seoul

Jeonbuk National University is trying to reverse a pattern that has long defined regional higher education in Korea: training talented students who leave for the capital. The university in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, is positioning itself as a regional innovation hub, banking on physical artificial intelligence (AI), future mobility and industry-academia collaboration to attract talent, researchers and businesses into the region rather than losing them to opportunities in the capital. University President Yang O-bong said the effort reflects the government's initiative to strengthen regional flagship universities — commonly known as the "making 10 Seoul National Universities" plan. Under this plan, the Ministry of Education will select three universities in the second half of this year and provide each with 100 billion won ($66.5 million) annually for five years. Yang argued the program should be seen as more than just another higher education funding — it is a national strategy for balanced regional development, anchored by globally competitive universities. “Regional universit

Jun 2, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Jeonbuk National University builds physical AI lab to keep students from leaving for Seoul

Politics

Early voters weigh competence, daily concerns as local election voting begins

Long lines formed at early voting stations in Seoul's business districts Friday as office workers stopped by polling places near their workplaces, offering an early glimpse into the issues shaping voter sentiment ahead of next week's local elections. Early voting for the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections began Friday at 3,571 polling stations nationwide. Nationwide early voting turnout reached 11.6 percent on Friday, about 1.42 percentage point higher than at the same point during the 2022 local elections. Voters lined up from morning at an early voting station in Sogong-dong, central Seoul, as people turned out to cast their ballots on the first day of early voting. At around 10:30 a.m., long lines formed at the early voting station. The line for out-of-district voters was noticeably longer than that for local residents. Located on the fifth floor of the building, the polling station drew a steady stream of voters, with elevators arriving packed with people. Voters waited in line for elevators both on their way to the polling station and after casting their ballots. Th

May 29, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Early voters weigh competence, daily concerns as local election voting begins

Politics

Early voting for June 3 local elections begins across Korea

Early voting for the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections takes place nationwide from Friday through Saturday. The National Election Commission said Thursday that 3,571 early voting stations across the country will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. over the two-day period. Voters can check polling station locations on the commission’s website or major online portal sites. Eligible voters may cast their ballots at any early voting station nationwide regardless of where they are registered to vote, as long as they bring a valid form of identification such as a resident registration card, driver’s license or passport. Saved images or screenshots will not be accepted for mobile identification. Voters will receive a total of seven ballots in most areas. In regions where parliamentary by-elections are also being held, voters will receive an additional ballot, bringing the total to eight. In Sejong and Jeju Province, which do not have lower-level local governments and therefore hold no elections for their heads or council members, voters will receive four. Voters casting ballot

May 29, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Early voting for June 3 local elections begins across Korea

Society

K-water partners with OpenAI on AI-driven climate, water management

Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-water) and OpenAI signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-powered water management technologies for climate change and disaster response, marking OpenAI's first collaboration with a climate-tech company worldwide, K-water said. Under the agreement, the two sides will cooperate in four key areas: accelerating AI transformation in water management, exploring generative AI solutions tailored to K-water, jointly developing AI technologies for climate disaster response and water management, and pursuing global expansion in climate and water-tech businesses. The partnership combines K-water's decades of operational expertise with OpenAI's globally competitive AI capabilities to strengthen responses to climate-related disasters such as floods and droughts, the state-run corporation said. K-water has been accelerating the adoption of AI-based technologies across the water management sector, including digital twin systems that recreate waterways in virtual environments and AI-powered water purification plants. The compan

May 27, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

K-water partners with OpenAI on AI-driven climate, water management

Society

How shy Cambodian student became AI developer in Korea through GKS

Studying, finding employment and settling down in a foreign country is rarely a smooth process — even for recipients of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), a government-funded program that covers tuition, living costs and language training for outstanding international students. What it cannot guarantee is that they stay. Sereimony Sek, a GKS alumna who arrived from Cambodia at 17 and now works as an artificial intelligence (AI) developer at a Seoul telecommunications company, says the difference often comes down to something simpler: whether students ask for help. “I think it’s important to seek help when we need it because I’ve seen some GKS students give up their scholarships and return home for various reasons,” she told The Korea Times in a recent interview. “Because we come here through the GKS program, we already have a strong support network around us, so students shouldn’t be afraid to reach out to others or ask for help.” Sek believes that such support systems and alumni networks can play an important role in helping international students adapt to life in Korea

May 27, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

Jung Da-hyun

Read more

‘It’s about democracy, suffrage, sovereignty of people’

Handong Global University seeks to build worldwide Christian academic network

Korean American author explores identity, memory through cross-cultural lens

Starbucks HQ apologizes over 'Tank Day' controversy

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

Jeonbuk National University builds physical AI lab to keep students from leaving for Seoul

Early voters weigh competence, daily concerns as local election voting begins

Early voting for June 3 local elections begins across Korea

K-water partners with OpenAI on AI-driven climate, water management

How shy Cambodian student became AI developer in Korea through GKS

Top 5 stories