The Korea Times

French embassy unveils diverse cultural events scheduled through 2025

The French Embassy in Seoul unveiled its cultural program Tuesday for the second half of 2025, featuring a diverse array of events ranging from art exhibitions and film screenings to music festivals and educational workshops across Korea. Speaking at the press conference, Agathe Vinson, audiovisual attachée at the embassy, emphasized the importance of fostering mutual cultural exchange. “While Korean content like video games and webtoons have already made significant inroads into the French market, French content often takes longer to gain traction here,” Vinson said. “That’s why our efforts focus not only on showcasing works but also on ensuring their dissemination. France and Korea are highly complementary in this space, with exceptional talent on both sides.” The calendar kicks off with a solo exhibition by French sculptor Floryan Varennes in Busan, following his artist residency at Villa Busan from June 1 to Aug. 31. His project, inspired by the city’s "haenyeo" (female divers) community, will be showcased at Hongti Art Center from Aug. 11 to 24. Varennes noted that over

Jul 2, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

French embassy unveils diverse cultural events scheduled through 2025

Foreign Affairs

Belarusian envoy highlights cultural, economic ties with Korea on Independence Day

Belarusian Ambassador to Korea Andrew Chernetsky highlighted growing cultural and economic exchanges between Korea and Belarus during a reception marking Belarus' Independence Day in Seoul on Tuesday, while acknowledging ongoing diplomatic challenges between the two countries. The event commemorated the liberation of Minsk from Nazi occupation during World War II, a pivotal moment Belarus observes as a national holiday. “This victory is forever captured in history, which no one will be able to rewrite or distort,” Chernetsky said, emphasizing the enduring significance of the date for Belarusian national identity. Turning to bilateral relations, the ambassador noted “positive shifts” in ties over the past year, pointing to the first-ever Korean participation in an international election observation mission during the Belarusian presidential election. One of the delegates, Kwaak Young-hoon, attended the reception. Cultural cooperation has been another area of strength. Chernetsky pointed to the participation of Korean film professionals in the jury of the “Listapad - 2024” film

Jul 2, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Belarusian envoy highlights cultural, economic ties with Korea on Independence Day

Law & Crime

Nearly 90% of Koreans believe nation no longer drug-free

A majority of Koreans no longer see their country as a “drug-free nation” and view drug abuse as an escalating public health crisis, according to a new nationwide survey. In a poll released Friday by the research firm Southern Post, 88 percent of respondents said drug abuse is a serious problem, while 87 percent said Korea can no longer be considered free of drugs. The survey, based on responses from 1,000 adults, reflects a shift in public perception: More Koreans now see drug addiction as a medical condition rather than solely a criminal issue. More than 92 percent of respondents said addiction requires medical treatment and 72 percent backed the use of public funds to support recovery programs. When asked how they felt about rising drug use among youth, most said they felt sadness, anxiety or anger. Nearly 60 percent said it is easy to obtain drugs today, citing access through social media and the dark web. Over 43 percent called for stronger investigations into online drug sales, while others supported tighter control of medical narcotics and border security. The Supreme Prosecut

Jun 27, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Nearly 90% of Koreans believe nation no longer drug-free

North Korea

N. Korea unveils grand beach resort as it seeks to exploit sanctions loophole

North Korea has officially opened its long-delayed Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone, signaling a renewed push to generate foreign currency through tourism — one of the few sectors not explicitly banned under United Nations sanctions. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Tuesday, joined by his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter, Kim Ju-ae. The event marked the culmination of more than a decade of planning for what Pyongyang has billed as a “world-class coastal resort” aimed at attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. The complex, located on the east coast near the military port city of Wonsan, includes high-rise hotels, beaches, swimming pools, shopping centers and recreational facilities designed to accommodate up to 20,000 visitors. According to the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency, the site will open to North Korean citizens on Tuesday, with foreign tourist access to be phased in later. The move to open the Wonsan-Kalma resort comes as North Korea’s economy remains under severe strain from international sanctions targeting

Jun 27, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

N. Korea unveils grand beach resort as it seeks to exploit sanctions loophole

Foreign Affairs

PHOTOS Korea Times-AMCHAM Forum

Korea Times Chairman Seung Myung-ho, front row sixth from left, and American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) Chairman James Kim, front row seventh from left, pose with other dignitaries during the Korea Times-AMCHAM forum at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, Tuesday. From front row left are Italian Ambassador Emilia Gatto, Korea Network of Women in Finance Chairperson Kim Sang-kyung, Korea Federation of Banks Chairman Cho Yong-byoung, German Ambassador Georg Schmidt, secretary to the president for public relations Lee Min-joo, Seung, Kim, Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Rep. Kwon Chil-seung, DPK Supreme Council member Lee Un-ju, French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux, international lawyer for Kim & Chang Jeffrey D. Jones and Wrtn Technologies co-founder Kim Tae-ho. Back row from left are BNC Global founder and CEO Fred Bozorov, Deloitte Consulting Korea Executive Director Jung Chang-mo, Hana Life CEO Namgung Won, Deloitte Korea CEO Son Jae-ho, S-Oil President Ryu Yul, Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer Craig Katerberg, GM Asia Pacific President and Managing Director Hector Villarreal, Lockheed Martin Korea Country Executive Lee Won-ik, The GR Company founder & CEO Jakob Edberg, MSD Korea Managing Director Albert Kim, Chong Kun Dang Holdings CEO Choi Hee-nam, Bloom Energy Korea Country head June Choi, Korea Financial Investment Association Chairman Seo Yoo-seok, Woori Investment Securities CEO Nam Ki-cheon, Kim & Chang lawyer Chung Kye-sung, The Asia Group Managing Director Lim Byung-dae, CODIT CEO & co-founder Chung Ji-eun and SK Innovation Energy Solution Division Executive Vice President Kim Moo-hwan. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Jun 24, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Foreign Affairs

Foreign envoys, businesspeople voice confidence in Korea-US partnership proposals

Ambassadors and business leaders highlighted the need to fortify Korea-U.S. economic relations and pursue new partnerships during a forum titled “Strategic Proposals for Korea-U.S. Partnership,” jointly hosted Tuesday by The Korea Times and the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea. Vietnamese Ambassador to Korea Vu Ho highlighted how deeply interconnected modern diplomacy has become. “Korea has a new government. We’ll be discussing the upcoming developments in Korea-U.S. relations, noting that politics, security, economy and people-to-people exchanges — it’s all interconnected,” Vu told The Korea Times. Dominican Republic Ambassador to Korea Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo also underscored the importance of Korea-U.S. cooperation in an evolving global landscape. “Especially now, with Korea under a new administration, the relationship with the U.S. will always be important, no matter what uncertain times we may be living through,” Cuello said. “I look forward to hearing what the experts have to say about new directions in the bilateral relationship, and how we can ensu

Jun 24, 2025By Park Ung and Kim Hyun-bin

Foreign envoys, businesspeople voice confidence in Korea-US partnership proposals

Foreign Affairs

Mongolia’s parliamentary speaker highlights strengthening strategic ties with Korea

Korea and Mongolia are marking 35 years of diplomatic relations with renewed efforts to deepen their strategic partnership across economic, technological and cultural fronts, according to Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan, chairman of the State Great Khural, or parliament, of Mongolia. In a written interview with The Korea Times, Amarbayasgalan described the current relationship as having been “elevated to the level of a strategic partnership,” emphasizing shared democratic values and common regional interests. “Over the past 35 years, relations and cooperation between our two countries have expanded across all sectors of society and the economy,” he said. Amarbayasgalan emphasized that the bilateral relationship, which stems from Mongolia’s “Third Neighbor” policy, is rooted in shared values such as democracy, human rights and the principles of a market economy. “Mongolia deeply appreciates the consistent support provided by Korea during our democratic and economic transition,” he said. In terms of economy, Amarbayasgalan highlighted the significant potential of mining and sup

Jun 23, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Mongolia’s parliamentary speaker highlights strengthening strategic ties with Korea

Society

E-9 foreign worker arrivals down 21% this year amid economic slowdown

The number of foreign nationals entering Korea under the E-9 work visa has dropped by more than 20 percent compared to the same period last year, government data showed, amid signs of a broader economic slowdown. As of June 10, a total of 28,520 foreign workers had entered the country under the Employment Permit System (EPS), which grants E-9 visas to workers in selected non-professional industries, according to the Ministry of Employment and Labor on Sunday. The figure marks a 20.9 percent decrease from 36,048 during the same period in 2024. The E-9 visa program issues a fixed number of work permits annually. So far, only 21.9 percent of this year’s overall quota of 130,000 have arrived, and 29.1 percent of the sector-specific quota of 98,000 have been filled. The manufacturing sector, which traditionally absorbs the largest share of E-9 workers, saw the steepest decline. Only 21,443 foreign workers entered under the visa category, down 25.8 percent from 28,887 a year earlier. Other industries also recorded notable declines: Fisheries dropped by 21.7 percent to 2,198 workers, and cons

Jun 22, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

E-9 foreign worker arrivals down 21% this year amid economic slowdown

Foreign Affairs

Beijing envoy calls Korea 'key partner,' urges speed on upgraded trade pact

China’s ambassador to Korea on Thursday urged swift progress on Phase 2 negotiations of a bilateral free trade agreement, calling Seoul a vital partner in deepening economic ties. Speaking at the 2025 Korea-China Economic and Industry Forum in Incheon, Ambassador Dai Bing described the two nations as “high-quality partners” engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation. He emphasized that deeper collaboration in emerging sectors, ranging from digital innovation and biohealth to low-carbon industries, would be critical to shaping the future of the bilateral relationship. Dai pointed to three decades of economic exchange between the two countries, calling the forum a milestone in charting the next chapter of Korea-China cooperation. He cast China as a stabilizing force and growth engine in the global economy, citing a first-quarter growth rate of 5.4 percent in 2025. He also underscored Beijing’s ongoing efforts to reform regulatory frameworks and expand market access for foreign investors. He said the current moment presents a prime opportunity for Korean and Chinese companies to ha

Jun 20, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Beijing envoy calls Korea 'key partner,' urges speed on upgraded trade pact

Foreign Affairs

US Embassy resumes student visa interviews after nearly 3-week suspension

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul has resumed accepting interview appointments for student and exchange visitor visas, nearly three weeks after suspending the process. The resumption comes alongside stricter screening guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of State, which now requires applicants to disclose their online presence. The embassy began processing the F (student), M (vocational training), and J (exchange visitor) visa categories again on Friday, after a suspension that began on May 28. Online communities for students planning to study in the U.S. had postings that a limited number of interview slots were released shortly after 11 a.m. on Friday. The slots were filled within minutes, reflecting a surge in demand. The embassy also said under the new guidelines, all student and exchange visitor visa applicants will be subject to more extensive screening processes, including a review of online activities, so applicants will be asked to set their social media profiles to public to facilitate background checks. "Every visa adjudication is a national security decision," the embassy said in

Jun 20, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Kim Hyun-bin

Read more

French embassy unveils diverse cultural events scheduled through 2025

Belarusian envoy highlights cultural, economic ties with Korea on Independence Day

Nearly 90% of Koreans believe nation no longer drug-free

N. Korea unveils grand beach resort as it seeks to exploit sanctions loophole

PHOTOS Korea Times-AMCHAM Forum

Foreign envoys, businesspeople voice confidence in Korea-US partnership proposals

Mongolia’s parliamentary speaker highlights strengthening strategic ties with Korea

E-9 foreign worker arrivals down 21% this year amid economic slowdown

Beijing envoy calls Korea 'key partner,' urges speed on upgraded trade pact

US Embassy resumes student visa interviews after nearly 3-week suspension

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