The Korea Times

Actor Lee Soon-jae, loved by all ages, dies at 91

Beloved veteran actor Lee Soon-jae, who remained active on stage and screen until his final days, died on Tuesday. He was 91. According to his family, Lee died early Tuesday morning. The actor had been battling health issues since late last year, which forced him to step down from a theater production to focus on recovery. Despite hopes for a return expressed by his agency in August, his health continued to deteriorate, ultimately bringing an end to an extraordinary career that spanned seven decades. Born in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, now in North Korea, in November 1934, Lee moved to Seoul at the age of 4. He graduated from the prestigious Seoul National University with a degree in philosophy, but found his passion in acting, making his stage debut in 1956 with the play "Beyond the Horizon" during his college years. Having started his career with HLKZ-TV, Korea’s first television station, Lee was selected as part of KBS’ first class of actor recruits in 1960. He was a living history of Korean broadcasting. Throughout his 70-year career, he transcended genres, moving fluidly

Nov 25, 2025By Jane Han and Baek Byung-yeul

Actor Lee Soon-jae, loved by all ages, dies at 91

World

Korean bathhouse in US told to open women’s nude area to trans guests

SEATTLE — A major Korean bathhouse chain in the U.S. must now allow transgender women into its female nude section, regardless of surgery status, under a legal settlement with a customer who said staff interrogated her about her body. According to court documents cited by the New York Post, the dispute began when Alexandra Goebert, a transgender woman, tried to enter a women-only nude area at King Spa & Sauna in New Jersey but was stopped by staff who questioned her about her body. Although her ID listed her as female, workers asked whether she had undergone gender-affirming surgery and told her she could only enter if she wore “uniform shorts.” Goebert refused, saying no other customer was required to cover up, and later filed a discrimination complaint after she was denied access and offered a refund. The settlement requires the spa to revise its long-standing gender-segregated policy. Under the revised rules, customers may use the facilities that match their gender identity, regardless of anatomy or surgical history. Guests are also advised they may encounter others whose physi

Nov 25, 2025By Jane Han

Korean bathhouse in US told to open women’s nude area to trans guests

World

Shoppers in US give Costco hot dogs a Korean twist with ‘Costco kimchi’

SEATTLE — At Costco food courts across the United States, a new condiment trend known as “Costco kimchi” is transforming the chain’s $1.50 hot dog into a surprising cross-cultural mashup. Shoppers are mixing ketchup, mustard, relish, diced onions and crushed red peppers into a bright, tangy pile that many say mimics the flavor and crunch of kimchi. The viral hack, first shared by social media food influencer Photogami, has spread across TikTok, Instagram and Reddit, inspiring customers of all backgrounds to give their hot dogs a zesty upgrade. It’s not real kimchi, of course. There’s no fermented cabbage or chili paste involved, but fans insist this quick mix delivers a similar bite reminiscent of “geotjeori,” Korea’s fresh, unfermented version of the dish. “It’s crunchy, a little bit spicy, salty. You get the tang and heat from the mustard, and that tiny bit of relish gives it sweetness. It kind of makes it like Korean-style quick kimchi,” says Photogami, demonstrating the mixture at a Costco food court. The recipe is simple: two cups of diced onions, three pumps

Nov 14, 2025By Jane Han

Shoppers in US give Costco hot dogs a Korean twist with ‘Costco kimchi’

South Korea

Foreign content creators, be careful what you post about Korea

Foreign content creators planning to feature Korea on their channels are getting a new cautionary note: Their words now carry higher stakes. During a Cabinet meeting this week, Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho said the government may restrict entry for foreigners who make hateful or derogatory comments about the country. “We will review comprehensive measures to restrict entry for foreigners who express hate toward South Korea from overseas,” Jung said. Under this new enforcement, an influencer whose overseas channel posts derogatory commentary about Korea could face more than social backlash — they could find themselves banned from entering the country. For global creators who routinely post in English on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, the message is clear: content matters. A video joking about Korean culture or making sweeping negative generalizations might once have passed as edgy or clickbait. But with the proposed clampdown, serious consequences may follow. Recent cases of foreign content creators drawing public backlash include Johnny Somali and Debo-chan. Somali, an Amer

Nov 12, 2025By Jane Han

Foreign content creators, be careful what you post about Korea

World

Obese or diabetic? Getting US visa may become harder

SEATTLE — If you’re obese or diabetic, moving to the United States could soon become much harder. Under the new Trump administration guidance, immigrants with chronic conditions such as diabetes or obesity may be denied U.S. immigrant visas as officials expand medical screening to include non-contagious illnesses. The policy, sent to U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, instructs visa officers to assess whether applicants with long-term or costly health issues might become a “public burden,” tightening health-based grounds for immigration. The directive coincided with President Donald Trump’s announcement Thursday to cut consumer costs for popular weight-loss drugs. On the same day he pledged to make medications like Ozempic and Wegovy more affordable for Americans, the administration issued new instructions that could make it harder for obese foreigners or those with diabetes to qualify for immigrant visas. According to a U.S. State Department cable, consular officers are now required to consider a wide range of chronic conditions including cardiovascular and respiratory

Nov 8, 2025By Jane Han

Obese or diabetic? Getting US visa may become harder

Others

Shutdown leaves Korean families in US scrambling for groceries

Across the U.S., low-income families are tightening their grocery budgets as the federal government shutdown drags into its sixth week. With food stamp benefits in limbo, many are unsure whether they will get money for groceries this month, and community centers from Los Angeles to New York are fielding anxious calls from families worried about how to put food on the table. The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits to about 42 million Americans, including thousands of Korean American households. But as the shutdown continues without a spending agreement, several states have warned that November deposits could be delayed or reduced. The White House said Monday that it would release limited emergency funds to provide partial food benefits this month, though officials cautioned the money would cover only a fraction of normal payments and could take weeks or even months to reach recipients. For many who rely on food aid from SNAP, the uncertainty has turned into panic. “They say EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) payments in California are delay

Nov 8, 2025By Jane Han

Shutdown leaves Korean families in US scrambling for groceries

World

Democrats win surprisingly big in early test of Trump’s second term

SEATTLE — From immigration raids and a prolonged government shutdown to food stamp cuts and a lavish “Gatsby” party at the White House, Americans turned their frustration into votes this week. In Tuesday’s elections, Democrats won surprisingly big, defying forecasts and signaling growing public pushback against President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda. The results, which included gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey and a historic mayoral victory in New York City, gave Democrats new momentum in what many viewed as an early test of Trump’s leadership. Voters across several states and cities chose candidates who emphasized stability and practical solutions over partisan conflict, reflecting deep fatigue with political turmoil. Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York’s first Muslim mayor became the night’s defining moment. By emphasizing affordability and inclusion, he tapped into the frustration of urban voters who feel priced out and politically alienated. For Democrats, it was both a symbolic and strategic victory that helped restore energy after months of

Nov 6, 2025By Jane Han

Democrats win surprisingly big in early test of Trump’s second term

World

For Koreans in US tech, big paychecks come with big uncertainty

SEATTLE — As new data shows an unexpectedly high number of young Korean engineers hoping to move overseas, those who have already crossed the Pacific offer a glimpse of what life is really like on the other side. Korean professionals in Silicon Valley and Seattle agree that the U.S. offers better pay and freedom, but job security remains fragile and uncertainty runs high. A recent survey from the Bank of Korea (BOK) found that nearly two in three Korean scientists and engineers in their 20s and 30s are considering moving abroad within three years. For some, that dream has already come true — but the reality is not without its challenges. “Honestly, the pay difference is huge,” said Lee Jae-kyung, 29, a software engineer in Seattle. “I have friends in Korea who are in a similar level as I am, but get paid a third.” The BOK survey results showed that the average annual starting salary in Korea was 58 million won ($42,000), while overseas, including in the United States, it was about 2.8 times higher at 163 million won. The gap widened further after 10 years of experience, with

Nov 5, 2025By Jane Han

For Koreans in US tech, big paychecks come with big uncertainty

South Korea

What tech titans wore to Seoul 'chimaek' outing

Even a fried chicken dinner becomes a style event when tech titans are involved. Samsung’s Lee Jae-yong, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Hyundai’s Chung Euisun appeared in effortlessly sophisticated looks that once again sparked a public buzz over what they wear. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee arrived in an ash-colored blouson jacket from Lansmere, the premium, top-tier line of Samsung C&T’s fashion brand Galaxy. The faux-suede outerwear, priced at 890,000 won ($630) and ideal for the crisp fall weather, reflected Lee’s refined yet approachable style. Often dubbed Korea’s “sellout man,” a direct translation from a Korean term reflecting that Lee has a track record of turning his wardrobe choices into bestsellers. A Lansmere Golf padded jacket he wore in Abu Dhabi last year quickly sold out, as did a Beanpole Golf vest from his 2022 Vietnam trip. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung opted for a more luxurious look in a goose-down vest by Italian designer Brunello Cucinelli, estimated at around 5 million won ($3,500). Known for its muted colors and sleek design, the piece

Nov 1, 2025By Jane Han

What tech titans wore to Seoul 'chimaek' outing

South Korea

Seoul's Halloween stirs Itaewon tragedy memories as police tighten safety controls

As Halloween returned to Seoul on a Friday night, memories of the deadly Itaewon crowd crush lingered over the city’s party districts, where festive crowds packed Itaewon, Hongdae and other areas while the authorities issued safety alerts and worked to manage swelling foot traffic. Police began blocking entry to the alley behind the Hamilton Hotel, the site of the 2022 tragedy that killed 159 people, and guided pedestrians through nearby streets. The Yongsan District Office said subways would skip Itaewon Station from 11 p.m. due to overcrowding and sent a mobile safety alert around 10:30 p.m. warning that dense crowds near the station could be dangerous. In Hongdae, more than 100,000 revelers gathered in the nightlife zone, prompting large electronic billboards to flash “very crowded” warnings. Officials estimated between 105,000 and 110,000 people were in the tourist area, with another 30,000 near Hongik University Station. Safety workers patrolled the streets, calling for people to “keep walking” and “avoid standing still,” while police installed temporary fences to di

Nov 1, 2025By Jane Han

Jane Han

Read more

Actor Lee Soon-jae, loved by all ages, dies at 91

Korean bathhouse in US told to open women’s nude area to trans guests

Shoppers in US give Costco hot dogs a Korean twist with ‘Costco kimchi’

Foreign content creators, be careful what you post about Korea

Obese or diabetic? Getting US visa may become harder

Shutdown leaves Korean families in US scrambling for groceries

Democrats win surprisingly big in early test of Trump’s second term

For Koreans in US tech, big paychecks come with big uncertainty

What tech titans wore to Seoul 'chimaek' outing

Seoul's Halloween stirs Itaewon tragedy memories as police tighten safety controls

Top 5 stories