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Lee Hyo-jin

Korea Times Finance Reporter

Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.

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Travel & Food

Inspire Entertainment Resort names Ko Gyu-bum as new CEO

Inspire Entertainment Resort appointed Ko Gyu-bum as its new CEO, the operator of Korea's largest foreigner-only casino said Tuesday. Ko will take office on Dec. 1, succeeding Chen Si, the current CEO, who will remain in the role until the end of November to ensure a smooth leadership transition. According to Inspire, Ko is a seasoned business leader with more than 20 years of proven leadership and management experience in global markets. He has accumulated extensive international experience across countries including the United States, China, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Australia. Ko earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Seoul National University and a master's in business administration from Harvard Business School. He has held senior leadership positions at companies such as Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Smith & Nephew and Stryker. The new CEO will focus on strengthening the resort's brand and service quality, and expanding its international customer base by effectively connecting global strategy with local execution, the comp

Oct 22, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
Inspire Entertainment Resort names Ko Gyu-bum as new CEO
Foreign Affairs

Incoming US acting envoy fuels hopes for revived Washington-Pyongyang talks

The U.S. government's plan to appoint Kevin Kim, a senior State Department official overseeing East Asian affairs, as acting envoy to South Korea has fueled renewed speculation that President Donald Trump may be preparing a fresh diplomatic overture toward North Korea. According to diplomatic sources, Kim, who currently serves as deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs overseeing Korea, Japan and Mongolia, is expected to succeed Joseph Yun as chargé d'affaires. Yun, who has led the U.S. Embassy in Seoul in an acting capacity since January, is set to leave his post this Friday. Kim's appointment, which does not require a formal credentials process, is expected to take effect in the coming days, with some sources suggesting it could be as soon as Saturday. The timing of the change has surprised local observers, as Yun had been widely anticipated to remain in his post until the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, later this month. Trump is expected to visit the city on Oct. 29 for a day or two. The

Oct 22, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
Incoming US acting envoy fuels hopes for revived Washington-Pyongyang talks
Foreign Affairs

FM announces sweeping reforms in consular services amid Cambodian crime ring crisis

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Monday that his ministry will undertake sweeping reforms in consular services, including adding 40 specialized personnel, amid a growing crisis involving Koreans trapped by scam syndicates in Cambodia. The ministry also plans to launch an early warning system across Southeast Asia to better assist Koreans affected by crimes or other emergencies. "We plan to request an additional 40 consular staffers, significantly increasing our presence in Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries," Cho said during a press briefing, stressing the need for extraordinary measures to better protect Koreans abroad. He added that the deployment of additional personnel will be coordinated with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, though an exact timeline has yet to be finalized. Not all 40 staffers will be assigned overseas, he said, noting that some will remain at headquarters to support operations. Cho also said the ministry will launch an early warning system in high-risk areas, using existing resources such as a 24/7 consular call center and overseas missions. "Previou

Oct 20, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
FM announces sweeping reforms in consular services amid Cambodian crime ring crisis
Defense

USFK protest over Osan Air Base search raises eyebrows

A recent protest lodged by United States Forces Korea (USFK) over a special counsel team’s search at Osan Air Base has raised questions among Seoul officials about the basis of the complaint, sources said Friday. The rare protest by the U.S. military focuses on the fact that the search was not communicated in advance, even though investigators passed through areas managed by U.S. forces to reach a Korean-managed zone — their intended target during the search on July 21. Washington has claimed that the move violated procedures under the bilateral Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which governs the legal status of the U.S. military’s operations in Korea. Seoul, however, appears to argue that passing through the U.S.-managed area was unavoidable for the investigators to access their target area, and thus does not constitute a violation of SOFA. "The investigators’ entry to Osan base was carried out in line with established security and entry procedures agreed upon by both sides," a government official told The Korea Times on condition of anonymity. "Under the agreement, visitors fr

Oct 17, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
USFK protest over Osan Air Base search raises eyebrows
Defense

Indonesia's renewed ties with Pyongyang stir worries over KF-21 technology leaks

Indonesia's renewed diplomatic engagement with North Korea has raised concerns in Seoul over the possible breach of sensitive technology related to the KF-21, a cutting-edge fighter jet jointly developed with the Southeast Asian nation. South Korean officials maintain that KF-21 data is protected under existing nondisclosure agreements with Jakarta. Still, critics point to Indonesia's record on the joint project, including payment delays and leak scandals, which have undermined its credibility. According to Indonesian media reports, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono earlier this month met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui in Pyongyang, marking the first visit to North Korea by an Indonesian top diplomat since 2013. The meeting coincided with a military parade on Oct. 10 celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea. During the visit, the two countries renewed a memorandum of understanding establishing a mechanism for bilateral consultations, aimed at expanding cooperation across the political, socio-cultural, technical and sports sectors. Details of the

Oct 17, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
Indonesia's renewed ties with Pyongyang stir worries over KF-21 technology leaks
Foreign Affairs

Korea moves to arrange Trump, Xi state visits on sidelines of APEC meeting

Korea is seeking to host U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping for respective state visits on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting later this month. State visits involve the highest level of diplomatic protocol and it is very rare for a country to host two such visits within a short period of time. Seoul officials are reportedly in last-minute talks with Washington and Beijing to finalize arrangements. But Trump's shifting Asia itinerary, complicated by political developments in Japan, is causing uncertainty in diplomatic planning for major countries attending the APEC summit, diplomatic observers said. According to diplomatic sources Thursday, both Trump and Xi are highly likely to visit Korea during APEC week, which runs from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1 in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac viewed Oct. 29 as the most probable date for Trump's arrival, with a one or two-day stay under consideration. Speculation is growing that a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Trump could ta

Oct 16, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
Korea moves to arrange Trump, Xi state visits on sidelines of APEC meeting
Foreign Affairs

Asan Institute chair calls for closer Korea-Japan ties

Cooperation between Korea and Japan is no longer a matter of choice but a necessity amid the swiftly shifting geopolitical landscape, Chung Mong-joon, founder and honorary chairman of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said Wednesday. Speaking at the Korea-Japan Policy Dialogue in Tokyo, Chung emphasized that both nations should take a leading role in building a collective security partnership in the Indo-Pacific region to address growing security challenges. "Sixty years ago, intense protests erupted in Korea opposing the establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan. Yet, political leaders made a difficult decision to normalize ties, opening a new chapter in the history between our two countries," Chung said during his welcoming remarks. “Today, Korea and Japan have become inseparable neighbors in areas such as the economy, culture and people-to-people exchanges. In recent years, mutual favorability and closeness have steadily increased." Stressing the need to increase collaboration on the security front, he suggested joint efforts by Seoul and Tokyo to strengthen their nuclea

Oct 15, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
Asan Institute chair calls for closer Korea-Japan ties
Foreign Affairs

Around 1,000 Koreans involved in Cambodian scam rings: Seoul

Around 1,000 Koreans are estimated to be involved in organized crime rings in Cambodia, although it remains unclear how many are victims and how many participated voluntarily, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Wednesday. The estimate comes amid mounting concerns in Seoul over Cambodian crime rings accused of orchestrating job scams and kidnappings that have trapped dozens of Koreans in the Southeast Asian nation. "The online scam industry in Cambodia is reportedly employing around 200,000 people of various nationalities, targeting victims worldwide, including Korea. While the exact number of Koreans involved there is unclear, our related authorities estimate it to be around 1,000 individuals," Wi said during a briefing at the presidential office. According to witnesses and survivors, many Korean victims were lured through online ads promising high salaries for work such as interpretation, data entry or social media management, with relocation and other costs covered. After arriving, they found themselves held captive, forced to take part in online scams or extortion schemes. As

Oct 15, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
Around 1,000 Koreans involved in Cambodian scam rings: Seoul
Foreign Affairs

Around 80 Koreans unaccounted for in Cambodia: foreign ministry

Around 80 Korean nationals in Cambodia remain unaccounted for as of August, according to Seoul's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the government moves to address a surge in crimes targeting Koreans in the Southeast Asian nation. Officials in Seoul have expressed alarm over a surging number of reports involving organized crime rings engaged in online scams and kidnappings of Koreans. "From January to August this year, a total of 330 cases were filed through the Korean Embassy in Cambodia. These include reports submitted by the individuals themselves or by their families and acquaintances in Korea. As of August, about 260 of those cases have been closed," a foreign ministry official said Tuesday during a closed-door briefing. A case is considered closed once authorities confirm that the individual is no longer being detained, whether as a result of the perpetrators’ arrest by local police, the individual securing their own freedom or reestablishing contact with family or acquaintances. The official also added that among 220 cases reported in 2024, nearly 95 percent have been resolved, lea

Oct 14, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
Around 80 Koreans unaccounted for in Cambodia: foreign ministry
Environment & Animals

KTO unveils guidelines to make Korea pet-friendly travel destination

As more Koreans consider their pets part of the family, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is taking steps to make travel easier for them — and for everyone else. In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the KTO released new guidelines for creating pet-friendly travel facilities on Monday. The comprehensive manual is designed to help tourism sites better accommodate travelers with pets. The guidelines outline measures that can be applied across various facilities, including tourist attractions, accommodations, restaurants and cafes. They specify essential features such as leash hooks and disinfectants, as well as recommended amenities like pet lounges, playgrounds and waste disposal areas. The guide also compiles key regulations under the Animal Protection Act, Food Sanitation Act and Feed Management Act. To ensure practicality, the KTO consulted with experts including veterinarian and animal behaviorist Seol Chae-hyun, Petsgo Travel CEO Lee Tae-gyu and officials from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The organization said the initiative aims to create an

Oct 13, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
KTO unveils guidelines to make Korea pet-friendly travel destination
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