The Korea Times

Special counsel wraps up 150-day probe into death of Marine

A special counsel team investigating alleged interference in the case of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun said Friday it had concluded its 150-day probe, asserting that it had uncovered “substantive truth” behind most of the disputed issues despite what it criticized as repeated and excessive court rejections of its arrest warrant requests. Chae’s death — he was swept away during a search and rescue mission during the July 2023 floods — swiftly evolved into a national flash point over military justice and political meddling. An initial Marine Corps investigation sought to hold senior commanders accountable for allegedly ordering the operation without proper safety protocols. But the Ministry of National Defense soon took over the case, igniting public fury after it removed the names of top officers from the list of those to be referred to civilian prosecutors — a move widely seen as an attempt to shield military leadership. The ministry’s intervention fueled accusations of a cover-up and led to the indictment of the Marine officer who conducted the original probe, Col. Park Jeong

Nov 28, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Special counsel wraps up 150-day probe into death of Marine

Foreign Affairs

UAE envoy reaffirms deepening partnership with Korea

United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Korea Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi highlighted the UAE’s rapid transformation, growing global influence and expanding partnership with Korea during a speech marking the country’s 54th National Day in Seoul on Thursday. Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol, attending as guest of honor, praised the UAE’s development and pledged stronger bilateral cooperation. Al Nuaimi said this year’s celebrations were held under the theme “United,” reflecting the cohesion and cooperative values at the foundation of the UAE. He noted that President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has designated 2025 as the “Year of Community,” underscoring the central role of Emirati society in the nation’s development. Reviewing the UAE’s progress since its founding, the ambassador credited the country’s long-term strategy, human-centered development and investment in knowledge for turning the federation into “a unique model in nation-building, development and progress.” He cited achievements in space, clean energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and econo

Nov 27, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

UAE envoy reaffirms deepening partnership with Korea

Foreign Affairs

ProColombia sees rising Korean interest at Cafe Show Seoul 2025

ProColombia Korea, the commercial office of the Colombian Embassy in Seoul, said it successfully concluded its official participation in Cafe Show Seoul 2025, held Nov. 19–22 at Coex. Colombia operated its national pavilion in Coex Hall C, showcasing the country’s coffee industry with seven leading exporters. The pavilion highlighted Colombia’s production capacity, flavor diversity and export competitiveness across regions and processing methods. According to ProColombia, an estimated 900 to 1,000 visitors stopped by the Colombia Pavilion over the four-day exhibition, including professional buyers, industry officials and media representatives. Interactive cupping sessions allowed attendees to sample beans by origin and processing type, offering a hands-on demonstration of Colombia’s specialty-grade quality and contributing to high visitor satisfaction. The seven participating companies held a combined 72 B2B meetings during the show. Consultations involved coffee importers, roasteries, franchise operators, F&B brands and major retailers, covering a broad range of topics such as

Nov 26, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

ProColombia sees rising Korean interest at Cafe Show Seoul 2025

Foreign Affairs

Envoys gather to showcase kimchi’s global appeal

Ambassadors from around 20 countries — including Canada, New Zealand and Thailand — gathered at Signiel Seoul last Friday for a “Kimchi Day diplomatic luncheon,” an event aimed at showcasing Korea’s iconic dish and strengthening people-to-people exchange, Lotte Hotels & Resorts said Monday. The gathering was part of broader efforts to use culinary culture as a bridge for informal diplomacy and to deepen envoys’ understanding of Korean traditions. The envoys were invited to learn about the history and cultural significance of kimchi while fostering informal diplomatic ties. The program included a lecture on the origins, fermentation methods and regional varieties of kimchi, as well as a menu built around the theme of “kimchi in harmony with global cuisines,” illustrating how Korean flavors can be adapted across culinary borders. Dishes served ranged from tacos paired with napa cabbage kimchi to milk porridge enhanced with aged radish kimchi and mushroom risotto complemented by white kimchi and marinated beef — contemporary interpretations of traditional kimchi pairings

Nov 25, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Envoys gather to showcase kimchi’s global appeal

Foreign Affairs

Germany marks 70 years of Bundeswehr, highlights deepening security ties with Korea

Germany’s ambassador to Korea and its defense attaché underscored historic ties between Berlin and Seoul and called for strengthened security cooperation as the German Embassy marked the 70th Inauguration Day of the Bundeswehr at a reception in Seoul on Monday. Germany’s Bundeswehr, the unified armed forces established in 1955, serves as the country’s federal defense institution and a key pillar of NATO. Speaking to Korean defense officials, members of the German community, scholars, industry representatives and military guests, German defense attaché Col. Holger Oswald said it was significant to commemorate the anniversary “in a place where cooperation and friendship between our nations and our militaries are not only real but lived reality.” Oswald noted that while technology, missions and structure have changed since the Bundeswehr's founding, its core principles remain constant, with leadership grounded in democratic values, military readiness and excellence, and a commitment to international cooperation. “From its very beginning, the Bundeswehr was never a purely natio

Nov 25, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Germany marks 70 years of Bundeswehr, highlights deepening security ties with Korea

Society

Use 'em or lose 'em: Gov't vouchers expire on Nov. 30

The government is urging the public to use the remaining balance on state-issued consumption coupons before the program expires on Nov. 30, when all unused funds will be forfeited. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said the coupons from the first and second phases of the consumption coupon initiative can be used until midnight on Nov. 30, emphasizing that any unused amount will automatically expire. Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung said the coupons have played a meaningful role in helping revive local economies. “Thanks to the active use of consumption coupons by citizens, neighborhood businesses have regained vitality,” he said. “For those who have not yet used their full coupon balance, please make sure to spend it before the deadline.” The ministry said it has been notifying users of the approaching deadline via the National Secretary Service, text messages, mobile apps and websites, in cooperation with credit card companies and local governments. As of midnight on Nov. 16, users had spent 8.8407 trillion won ($6 billion), amounting to 97.5 percent of the total 9.0688 trill

Nov 24, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Use 'em or lose 'em: Gov't vouchers expire on Nov. 30

Defense

Defense ministry seeks $16 mil. to cover cost of move back to Yongsan headquarters

The Ministry of National Defense is requesting an additional 23.86 billion won ($16.2 million) in next year's budget to help cover its return to its former headquarters in Yongsan District, as the presidential office is set to move back to the Cheong Wa Dae compound. Rep. Kang Dae-sik of the main opposition People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee, said the defense ministry informed lawmakers that relocating its offices along with those of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be necessary once the presidential office returns to Cheong Wa Dae. When former President Yoon Suk Yeol took office in May 2022, he relocated the presidential office from Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul to the former Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan. The move was presented as a break from what critics called the “imperial presidency” of Cheong Wa Dae and a way to reopen the historic compound to the public. To accommodate the transition, the Yongsan facility underwent extensive renovations in 2022, including upgraded communications systems, expanded media room

Nov 23, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Defense ministry seeks $16 mil. to cover cost of move back to Yongsan headquarters

Foreign Affairs

Omani envoy highlights deepening ties with Korea at National Day reception

Omani Ambassador to Korea Zakariya Al Saadi reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to expanding cooperation in clean energy, security, culture and economic development as Oman celebrated its National Day in Seoul on Thursday. Speaking at the reception, Al Saadi said relations between Oman and Korea continued to grow “as a distinguished model of friendship and cooperation founded on mutual respect and shared interests.” He highlighted the momentum gained through high-level visits and expanded political and economic dialogue, noting that celebrations for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties — established in 1974 — underscored the historic depth of the relationship. Al Saadi said bilateral trade surpassed $5.66 billion this year and praised Korea’s investments in energy, green hydrogen and infrastructure projects that aligned with Oman Vision 2040, a government development program. He cited “tangible progress” in green hydrogen cooperation, reflecting the countries’ shared commitment to a global clean-energy transition. He also said cultural and tourism exchanges hav

Nov 21, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Omani envoy highlights deepening ties with Korea at National Day reception

Foreign Affairs

Changwon mayor, Czech envoy discuss nuclear, energy cooperation

Acting Changwon Mayor Jang Geum-yong met with Czech Ambassador to Korea Ivan Jancarek at Changwon City Hall to discuss cooperation in the nuclear and energy industries on Wednesday. The Czech Republic, which operates the Dukovany and Temelin nuclear power plants, is widely recognized for its global competitiveness in the nuclear sector. Changwon has built expertise in next-generation nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors, led by Doosan Enerbility, one of Korea’s major nuclear equipment manufacturers. During the meeting, Jang and the ambassador agreed to explore sustainable cooperation models not only in nuclear power but also in culture, academia and youth exchanges. Before the meeting, Jancarek delivered a special lecture at Changwon National University titled “Economic Cooperation Focused on Nuclear Power Plant Construction Agreements between the Czech Republic and Korea.” He highlighted potential ways Czech nuclear technology and Korea’s industrial capabilities can complement each other. “Czechia is an important partner in the global nuclear industry and ther

Nov 21, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Changwon mayor, Czech envoy discuss nuclear, energy cooperation

Foreign Affairs

Indian petroleum minister visits Ulsan to deepen maritime cooperation

India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Hardeep Singh Puri visited the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan on Nov. 13 as part of a two-day series of high-level engagements in Korea aimed at expanding cooperation in the maritime, shipping and shipbuilding sectors. The trip, held Nov. 13–14, aligns with India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, a long-term plan to strengthen domestic shipbuilding, expand the country’s commercial fleet and enhance global competitiveness across the shipping and maritime industries. Puri toured the sprawling HD Hyundai Heavy Industries complex — the world’s largest shipyard at 1,680 acres — and described the visit as “highly productive.” He said India’s fast-growing energy and shipping sectors, driven by the "Make in India" initiative and a young consumer base, present what he called a golden opportunity for Korean shipyards. With nearly 20 percent of global vessels expected to arrive in or depart from India over the next 15 years, Puri said the two countries have significant room to deepen cooperation. India, a major

Nov 18, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

Kim Hyun-bin

Read more

Special counsel wraps up 150-day probe into death of Marine

UAE envoy reaffirms deepening partnership with Korea

ProColombia sees rising Korean interest at Cafe Show Seoul 2025

Envoys gather to showcase kimchi’s global appeal

Germany marks 70 years of Bundeswehr, highlights deepening security ties with Korea

Use 'em or lose 'em: Gov't vouchers expire on Nov. 30

Defense ministry seeks $16 mil. to cover cost of move back to Yongsan headquarters

Omani envoy highlights deepening ties with Korea at National Day reception

Changwon mayor, Czech envoy discuss nuclear, energy cooperation

Indian petroleum minister visits Ulsan to deepen maritime cooperation

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