The Korea Times

Sunfull Foundation chief shares vision for entrepreneurship in global MBA lecture

Min Byoung-chul, an endowed chair professor at Chung-Ang University and chairman of the Sunfull Foundation, delivered a special lecture Tuesday to the school's Global MBA students from 21 countries. Under the theme “Designing the future of humanity with AI — AI x metaverse: a new frontier for startup innovation,” Min encouraged students to pursue entrepreneurship that combines innovation with empathy. As part of the "Global Leader Special Lecture" series, the program featured team-based startup simulations that challenged students to develop business concepts incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and metaverse technologies. Emphasizing the importance of practical experience, Min said, “Now is the best time for humanity to grow alongside AI with creativity and empathy.” He added, “Global companies expect even fresh graduates to have real-world experience. This lecture was designed to help students build the competitiveness needed to join global firms or launch their own startups.” Min is a long-standing advocate of English education, using language as a tool to foster gl

May 23, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Sunfull Foundation chief shares vision for entrepreneurship in global MBA lecture

Defense

Eye in the sky: inside Korea Air Force's radar nerve center

PYEONGTAEK, Gyeonggi Province — Beyond layers of security — identification checks, sealed gates and electronic scans — lies the nerve center of South Korea's aerial defenses. Within the dim operations hall of the First Master Control Reporting Center (MCRC) at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, a hushed intensity permeates the air. Rows of glowing consoles illuminate the focused faces of service members and officers, their hands moving with practiced precision over trackballs and keyboards, shaping the ever-changing, flickering map of South Korea's skies. For these airmen, this is not a simulation. Even on a rain-soaked day when flight activity is relatively low, the room pulses with tension. Each duty shift can last up to six hours, and during that time, many do not leave their stations — not even for a sip of water. Overhead, a sign reads: “Eyes on the sky, victory in our hands.” It’s more than a motto — it’s a mindset. The MCRC is the first line of defense against any intrusion into South Korean airspace. The facility operates around the clock, divided among teams special

May 22, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Eye in the sky: inside Korea Air Force's radar nerve center

Politics

Behind the scenes, Korea’s presidential candidate spouses quietly redefine campaign roles

With Korea's presidential election reaching its critical juncture, an intriguing contrast is emerging in the campaign strategies of the leading candidates' spouses. The spouses of the two leading candidates — Kim Hye-kyung, wife of Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Jae-myung, and Seol Nan-young, wife of People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo — are deploying a quiet, understated approach instead of flashy public displays. Kim has centered her role on religious outreach and volunteer work. Since Lee’s nomination, she has visited various religious sites, including the Cheongryeon Temple in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province; Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul; and Bulguk Temple in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. Her visits have remained largely unpublicized, which her aides describe as a quiet tour to connect with local communities away from the media spotlight. She has also taken part in community service activities, such as serving meals at older adult centers in Gwangju, and held a private meeting with bereaved families at the May Mothers House. Notably, she has coordinated her sc

May 20, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Behind the scenes, Korea’s presidential candidate spouses quietly redefine campaign roles

Politics

Young voters, Busan may decide election outcome

With Korea's June 3 presidential election just two weeks away, the path to victory increasingly hinges on the voting trends of two pivotal voting blocs: young adults and residents of the southeastern provinces, which include important urban areas such as Busan and Ulsan. The sharpened focus on these groups underscores the shifting dynamics of the election, revealing a recognition that traditional strongholds and past voting patterns may not guarantee victory. This strategic pivot highlights the growing importance of engaging younger voters and winning over a potentially volatile southeastern electorate. Recent polls indicate that Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate Lee Jae-myung holds a commanding national lead. A Realmeter poll of 1,509 adults, conducted from Wednesday to Friday and commissioned by Energy Economic News, found that Lee had 50.2 percent support, followed by People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo with 35.6 percent and Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok at 8.6 percent. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points at a 95 percent co

May 19, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Young voters, Busan may decide election outcome

Politics

Presidential hopefuls lock horns over Trump trade response strategy

The specter of trade negotiations with the United States under President Donald Trump loomed large Sunday night as Korea's presidential hopefuls offered sharply divergent strategies during their inaugural televised debate. Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate, advocated for a measured, interest-driven path in dealing with Washington, while Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party championed a rapid, trust-based summit approach. Lee said there was “no need to rush” into an agreement. “The foremost principle in trade negotiations is to prioritize the national interest," he said. “We shouldn't feel compelled to concede just because the United States makes demands.” He stressed the value of strategic patience, pointing to Japan and China as examples of countries that have successfully employed this approach. “Japan, which initially demanded early negotiations, has taken a step back. China also set strong conditions before ultimately adjusting its position. We need to navigate this wisely, too,” he said. Lee added that Korea should seize the moment to pivot a

May 18, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Presidential hopefuls lock horns over Trump trade response strategy

Global Community

Immigrant communities urge presidential candidates to adopt more inclusive policies

An alliance of immigrants and civic groups is calling on presidential candidates of all parties to adopt policies to better protect the rights and inclusion of immigrant communities. The national multicultural voters’ alliance unveiled 10 key policy proposals ahead of the June 3 presidential election, as it seeks greater political recognition for Korea’s increasingly diverse population. The alliance, comprised of 20 groups, including the Seoul YMCA and the Korean Immigrant Women’s Voter Network, said the election is a critical opportunity to empower multicultural voters. With over 500,000 voters believed to be from immigrant or multicultural backgrounds, the alliance emphasized that this demographic could become a meaningful force in Korean democracy. “We may look different, but we stand united,” the alliance said in a joint statement. “This election must mark a shift in how multicultural citizens are seen, not just as recipients of support services, but as active participants in shaping public policy.” The 10 proposals address a wide range of issues. Among them is a call fo

May 16, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Immigrant communities urge presidential candidates to adopt more inclusive policies

Politics

Kim Moon-soo apologizes for martial law, calls former leader’s decision wrong

People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo on Thursday issued a rare and formal apology over the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s attempt to invoke martial law, calling it an inappropriate decision that triggered nationwide turmoil. "Had I known in advance, I would have clearly advised the president against it. Martial law should never be activated unless the nation is on the brink of collapse beyond what law enforcement can control," Kim said at an emergency press conference at the National Assembly. “To all the people who suffered — from small business owners to those emotionally burdened by the political chaos — I offer my sincerest and most respectful apology.” His apology came amid growing criticism over the Dec. 3 martial law declaration, and Kim's previous stance that Yoon did nothing wrong regarding the former president's attempt to invoke emergency powers in response to political unrest caused due to the National Assembly impeachment proceedings. The move has since drawn widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum for underminin

May 15, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Kim Moon-soo apologizes for martial law, calls former leader’s decision wrong

People & Events

Better late than never: 71-year-old tackles first grade

At an age when most people are settling into retirement, 71-year-old Kim Young-ja has embarked on a different journey — starting first grade. Kim recently began her first year at Deokdo Elementary School in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province — a lifelong dream finally realized after decades of being denied the chance due to poverty and social stigma. As a child, Kim was unable to attend school because of financial hardship and the widespread belief in her rural community that education was unnecessary for girls. “I always envied children in school uniforms, carrying their books,” she said. “Now, I finally get to be one of them.” Her enrollment marks the first time in the school’s history that someone of her age has joined as a full-time student. Although there were initial concerns about her physical stamina and ability to adjust to life among much younger classmates, school officials unanimously supported her admission, commending her unwavering determination and the inspiration she brings to the classroom. Teachers have made small adjustments to help her settle in, and her fellow

May 14, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Better late than never: 71-year-old tackles first grade

Politics

Shunned by key figures, PPP candidate struggles to unite campaign

People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo officially launched his campaign this week, but early efforts to unite the conservatives have already encountered setbacks. Key party heavyweights, including former acting President Han Duck-soo and ex-PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, have distanced themselves from his election committee, deepening concerns over the campaign’s cohesion. Their absence highlights the fragile state of Kim’s leadership. While he has sought to present himself as a unifying figure after a bruising nomination battle, doubts remain over his ability to bring together a fractured party — especially with less than three weeks to go before the June 3 election. While Kim is widely respected in conservative circles for his austere and principled reputation, he remains burdened by his association with far-right figures. His longstanding ties to firebrand pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, with whom he co-founded the Liberty Unification Party in 2020, continue to complicate efforts to appeal to moderate voters. During his opening campaign speech, Kim invoked the slogan

May 13, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

Shunned by key figures, PPP candidate struggles to unite campaign

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

Bahk Eun-ji

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Sunfull Foundation chief shares vision for entrepreneurship in global MBA lecture

Eye in the sky: inside Korea Air Force's radar nerve center

Behind the scenes, Korea’s presidential candidate spouses quietly redefine campaign roles

Young voters, Busan may decide election outcome

Presidential hopefuls lock horns over Trump trade response strategy

Immigrant communities urge presidential candidates to adopt more inclusive policies

Kim Moon-soo apologizes for martial law, calls former leader’s decision wrong

Better late than never: 71-year-old tackles first grade

Shunned by key figures, PPP candidate struggles to unite campaign

PROFILE Who is DPK's Lee Jae-myung?

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