The Korea Times

US Koreans say dual nationality pledge overlooks birthright, tax hurdles

SEATTLE — President Lee Jae Myung’s plan to lower the age limit for dual citizenship is drawing skepticism from many Korean Americans, who see the pledge as largely symbolic and say it overlooks deeper problems tied to automatic citizenship and tax burdens. At present, Korea permits only overseas Koreans aged 65 or older to hold dual citizenship. Lee said Thursday his administration would review lowering that bar, citing the need to strengthen ties with Korean nationals abroad and respond to longstanding requests from diaspora groups. He also promised better protections for Koreans overseas and improvements to voting access. But online forums and community discussions show a disconnect. For many Korean Americans, the age limit is less of a concern than the unintended burdens created by Korea’s laws on citizenship and taxation. “Most of us here already chose to become U.S. citizens,” one commenter wrote on MissyUSA, the largest Korean online community in the U.S. “Lowering the age doesn’t matter. What we really need is for Korea to fix the problem of U.S.-born kids who are a

Oct 5, 2025By Jane Han

US Koreans say dual nationality pledge overlooks birthright, tax hurdles

South Korea

Travel chaos averted as airport staff settle on overtime

Security screening workers at Incheon International Airport have agreed to work overtime during the Chuseok holiday, reversing an earlier plan that had raised fears of travel chaos at Korea’s busiest gateway. The two unions representing Incheon International Airport security employees said Thursday they would carry out scheduled overtime from Oct. 3 to 12, when more than 2.4 million passengers are expected. The groups had previously announced they would reject extra shifts as a form of protest against what they called management’s “union suppression” and insufficient staffing. Because security screeners are legally barred from striking, the overtime refusal had been seen as a way to exert pressure during the peak travel period. But the last-minute reversal means security checks at Incheon’s passenger terminals are expected to run normally. A union official said the outstanding labor issues will instead be discussed through future negotiations. While the immediate risk of congestion has eased, unrest continues across the country’s airports. Since Wednesday, about 2,000 subcontr

Oct 3, 2025By Jane Han

Travel chaos averted as airport staff settle on overtime

South Korea

K-pop gets fresh lift with presidential push

President Lee Jae Myung didn’t just give a policy speech on Wednesday — he joined the show. Sitting front-row in a sleek hanbok, he applauded as Le Sserafim performed and later grabbed the microphone to personally introduce Stray Kids to the crowd. The president’s rare appearance with idol performers set the tone for the government’s new emphasis on culture. The event marked the launch of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, a new body designed to supercharge Korea’s cultural influence overseas. By naming Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young and JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young as co-chairs, Lee signaled an unusual partnership: government authority working hand-in-hand with one of the industry’s biggest insiders. Lee cast the initiative as “Hallyu 4.0,” the next stage of the Korean Wave, where music, film, gaming and webtoons evolve from cultural exports to global connectors. He described K-culture not just as a soft power tool but as a potential economic engine on par with Korea’s iconic industries like semiconductors and shipbuilding. "Our gover

Oct 2, 2025By Jane Han

K-pop gets fresh lift with presidential push

South Korea

‘Airport fashion’ may not fly so freely

For years, Incheon International Airport has doubled as a fashion runway, with K-pop idols and TV stars turning routine departures into photo ops that quickly found their way into entertainment media and social feeds. Now that ritual is under review. The Incheon International Airport Corp. recently met with airport police and private security firms to discuss how to manage the crowds that gather when celebrities travel abroad. One idea raised was requiring celebrities to submit a “travel usage plan” before departure to reduce congestion and prevent chaotic scenes. The talks followed several recent incidents in which impromptu fan gatherings and photo events disrupted the terminal, raising concerns that ordinary passengers were being inconvenienced or even put at risk. Incheon International Airport Corp. president Lee Hak-jae said passenger safety remains the top priority. “We’ll keep working with partner agencies to minimize inconvenience for passengers and create a smoother, more orderly travel environment,” he said. Airport fashion has been part of Korean pop culture since the

Sep 30, 2025By Jane Han

Foreign Affairs

Korea left behind as US lowers auto tariffs for Europe, Japan

WASHINGTON — The U.S. has finalized agreements to cut tariffs on imported cars from both Europe and Japan, leaving South Korea as the only major auto exporter still facing a hefty 25 percent duty. The U.S. Commerce Department confirmed this week that tariffs on European cars and auto parts will drop to 15 percent, retroactive to August 1, under a trade deal reached in July. Japan secured the same rate earlier this month after wrapping up its own negotiations with Washington. The moves significantly improve the competitiveness of European and Japanese automakers in the world’s second-largest car market. South Korea, by contrast, has yet to benefit. Seoul reached a preliminary understanding with the U.S. in July to cut tariffs to 15 percent, but follow-up talks have stalled. As a result, Korean automakers — led by Hyundai and Kia — continue to pay 25 percent on vehicles shipped to the U.S., a key market that accounts for a major share of their global sales. Industry analysts warn the gap could hurt Korean firms’ pricing power at a time of slowing demand and fierce competition from

Sep 25, 2025By Jane Han

Korea left behind as US lowers auto tariffs for Europe, Japan

Foreign Affairs

Lee’s message lands better in US with new interpreter

NEW YORK — Korean Americans are welcoming President Lee Jae Myung’s new interpreter on his current visit to New York, seeing it as a much-needed change after his previous aide drew criticism for what was described as sloppy and inaccurate translations during recent high-profile events. Observers in the U.S. said the smoother interpretation not only lifted the president’s image but also eased the awkwardness many felt at past slip-ups. The new interpreter is Kim Jong-min, a director-level foreign ministry official who joined the delegation to New York and quickly drew notice for his steady performance. On Monday, Kim handled interpretation as Lee met first with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and later with U.S. lawmakers. Video clips of the sessions circulated online, with many viewers noting that his delivery sounded smooth and natural — a clear contrast to the halting translations that sparked criticism during last month’s summit between Lee and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. One example was when Lee made a lighthearted remark about Trump’s distinctive autograph,

Sep 24, 2025By Jane Han

Lee’s message lands better in US with new interpreter

Trends

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ set to dominate Halloween

Witches, vampires and zombies are out. This Halloween belongs to “KPop Demon Hunters,” as flashy looks from the hit animation are already being called the season’s hottest costumes. It marks yet another year of Korean-inspired outfits sweeping the U.S., following the “Squid Game” craze of 2021. Fans went into overdrive Monday when Netflix announced it had teamed up with Spirit Halloween, America’s biggest costume retailer, to officially release costumes based on the film characters. Online forums lit up as people discussed getting costumes for themselves and for children. “Finally!” one Reddit user wrote. “No more making it from scratch. This will be one of the top costumes this year.” Another chimed in, “Is it weird for a 42-year-old man to dress up as the Saja Boys?” On the company’s website, Rumi, Mira and Zoey costumes were listed as “coming soon,” and start at $60 (approximately 83,000 won). While no official Saja Boys outfits are being offered, fans say all they really need is the gat, a traditional black hat — dozens of which are on Amazon, at a ra

Sep 23, 2025By Jane Han

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ set to dominate Halloween

Law & Crime

Unification Church leader arrested over gifts to ex-first lady

The leader of the Unification Church, the sprawling religious empire built by the late Rev. Moon Sun-myung, was taken into custody Tuesday in a widening corruption probe tied to ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee. The arrest marks another dramatic turn in a scandal that has gripped the country’s political and religious establishment. Prosecutors allege that 82-year-old Han Hak-ja conspired with a former church official named Yun to deliver 100 million won ($72,400) to People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong in 2022. In return, Kweon was expected to help secure favors for the church if Yoon Suk Yeol won the presidential election, which he did later that year. Han also allegedly ordered church officials to provide luxury gifts, including high-end handbags and jewelry, to Kim as part of a broader effort to win preferential treatment for the church in business deals. The church has denied these claims, insisting any gifts were coordinated independently and not under Han’s direction. Authorities justified the arrest warrant on the grounds that Han might destroy evidence. Han appeared in Seou

Sep 23, 2025By Jane Han

Unification Church leader arrested over gifts to ex-first lady

Global Community

City pays shops to drop English for Korean signs

Correction: The caption for the photo used in this article incorrectly stated that it was taken in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. The photo was taken near Samgakji Station in Yongsan District, Seoul. The article has since been updated. In Suwon, just south of Seoul, city officials are taking steps to make Korean streetscapes look — and read — a little more Korean. The city announced a subsidy program this week to encourage small businesses to replace signboards written only in foreign languages with ones featuring Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. Under the plan, stores will be eligible for up to 2 million won (about $1,450) to help cover design and installation costs. About 18 businesses will be selected for support in the first round, with application period open until Oct. 10. Qualifying shops include those with signboards entirely in English or other foreign languages. Businesses can either switch entirely to Hangeul or add Korean lettering alongside foreign text. City officials say the move is about more than signage. “We want to promote proper advertising practices while also sharing

Sep 23, 2025By Jane Han

City pays shops to drop English for Korean signs

Economy

How Korea handles holiday inflation

Every autumn, South Korea gears up for Chuseok, a holiday as central to Koreans as Thanksgiving is in the U.S. Families gather, ancestral rites are held and dining tables overflow with meat, fruit and traditional dishes. But the season also throws a familiar problem: food prices soar just as households are preparing for one of the biggest shopping weeks of the year. This year, the government is stepping in with officials saying Friday that they will release a record 172,000 tons of food reserves to keep costs under control, the largest holiday stock program the country has ever attempted. The plan was signed off on by First Vice Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il, underscoring Seoul’s determination to ease pressure on household budgets. The measures go beyond routine stockpiles. Premium Korean beef, known as “hanwoo,” will nearly double in supply this month compared to the average Chuseok season, while pork distribution will rise to 6.5 tons, about 30 percent above usual volume. Eggs and other daily staples will also be made more widely available, and shoppers can expect discounts of u

Sep 20, 2025By Jane Han

Jane Han

Read more

US Koreans say dual nationality pledge overlooks birthright, tax hurdles

Travel chaos averted as airport staff settle on overtime

K-pop gets fresh lift with presidential push

‘Airport fashion’ may not fly so freely

Korea left behind as US lowers auto tariffs for Europe, Japan

Lee’s message lands better in US with new interpreter

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ set to dominate Halloween

Unification Church leader arrested over gifts to ex-first lady

City pays shops to drop English for Korean signs

How Korea handles holiday inflation

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