my timesThe Korea Times
lhr

Lee Hae-rin

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.

Go to Email

Read more

Society

Isolation, poverty push older adults to forefront of Korea’s crime statistics

Korea is seeing a rise in crime among older adults, with those aged 60 and older now making up the largest share of criminal suspects — a trend driven by the country’s rapidly aging population. Data from the National Police Agency’s 2024 crime statistics show that individuals aged 60 and older accounted for 18.8 percent of all criminal suspects last year, edging past the 18.3 percent attributed to people in their 20s. A decade ago, older adults made up just 8.8 percent of suspects — less than half their current share. In contrast, the proportion of suspects in their 20s, 40s and 50s declined over the same period. Experts attribute the rise in elderly crime to Korea’s rapid demographic shift. The population of older people has expanded rapidly, leading to more social interaction — and sometimes friction — between older Koreans and the broader public. Korea entered “super-aged” status in 2024, with more than 20 percent of citizens over 65. Crimes committed by older adults are often tied to basic economic needs. The latest figures show people aged 60 and up accounted for a s

Oct 2, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Isolation, poverty push older adults to forefront of Korea’s crime statistics
Society

Online sellers criticized for promoting Chinese attire as hanbok ahead of Chuseok

Controversy is growing in Korea after it emerged that several online retailers have been marketing Chinese traditional garments, known as hanfu, as “Chinese-style hanbok” ahead of the Chuseok holiday. The issue came to light after professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University voiced concerns on social media, revealing that searches for “hanbok” on major platforms yield numerous products marked as “Chinese-style hanbok” and related items. Seo said the mislabeling conflates Korean hanbok with Chinese hanfu, denouncing it as “absurd” and an affront to Korea’s cultural heritage. Angry online users quickly joined the conversation, asserting their criticism was not about banning sales of Chinese garments, but about demanding clear distinction between hanbok and hanfu in product listings. “The two garments carry distinct traditions and have significant differences, and must be labeled accurately,” one observer argued. Hanbok and hanfu, while both Asian traditional clothing, originate from different historical and cultural contexts and are distinct in style. Hanbo

Oct 2, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Online sellers criticized for promoting Chinese attire as hanbok ahead of Chuseok
Society

Anti-China rallies increase in Korea amid visa-free tourism policy

An increasing number of anti-China rallies are being held in areas of Seoul such as the shopping district of Myeong-dong and neighborhoods with large Chinese immigrant populations, especially after the nation began a new visa-free entry policy for Chinese tour groups. Over the past months, protesters aligned with conservative civic groups — mostly right-wing supporters of former President Yoon Suk Yeol — have staged demonstrations. Some participants even showed aggressive behavior, tearing down banners depicting the Chinese ambassador’s face, shouting slogans such as “China Out” and confronting foreign tourists with hostile remarks. Demonstrators have also linked their grievances to various alleged crimes by Chinese nationals, intensifying the wave of animosity. According to data released by Rep. Chung Choon-saeng of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party on Wednesday, the number of anti-China rallies in Seoul’s Myeong-dong area — where the Chinese Embassy is located — was 20 in 2022, 15 in 2023 and 13 in 2024. But the number has surged to 65 this year, including those reporte

Oct 1, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Anti-China rallies increase in Korea amid visa-free tourism policy
Others

Yeosu set to showcase World Island Exhibition next year

Preparations are underway in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, as the southwestern port city readies to host the world’s first government-backed international island exhibition next year. The 2026 Yeosu World Island Exhibition, set to run next year from Sept. 5 to Nov. 4, will be the first of its kind to focus on the diverse cultures and economic, environmental and historical significance of islands under the theme “Islands, Connecting the Sea and the Future.” Known for its beautiful coastal scenery, Yeosu has one of Korea’s most famous island clusters featuring 365 islands. Eight major exhibition halls, including the landmark theme hall and island marine ecology hall, are under construction at the main venue on Dol Island's Jinmo area, with additional facilities for island-themed outdoor performances and eco-friendly city gardens also underway. Visitors will be able to experience the region’s natural wonders and participate in hands-on island living at event venues on Geumo Island and Gae Island, complete with camping, trekking and local food and culture experiences. A highlight of

Oct 1, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Yeosu set to showcase World Island Exhibition next year
Others

Ieodo Int'l Seminar discusses strategies to counter maritime security threats in East Asia

JEJU ISLAND — Leading experts on maritime law and sea disputes convened on Korea’s southern resort island of Jeju last week to explore new strategies for resolving escalating territorial conflicts across East Asia. At the ninth edition of the Ieodo International Seminar, held between Sept. 25 and 27, experts and scholars underscored Ieodo’s evolving role. Once regarded as a regional symbol, the submerged reef located off the southwest coast of Jeju Island now stands at the center of international maritime interest, requiring global engagement with Korea’s aim to maintain peace and stability throughout the region. This year’s seminar, themed “New Strategic Responses to Maritime Security Threats in East Asia,” gathered a diverse group of academics from Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines, each lending expertise to urgent debates about maritime challenges in East Asia. “Today, Ieodo has grown beyond being a subject of academic interest or a regional symbol; it has become a maritime space that draws the attention of the international community,” Koh Choong-su

Sep 30, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Ieodo Int'l Seminar discusses strategies to counter maritime security threats in East Asia
Others

US eyes partnership with Korea for maritime radar in waters claimed by China

JEJU ISLAND — A U.S. Special Operations Command official identified a Korean research group as a potential partner for a grant to install a powerful maritime radar in the waters southwest of Jeju Island around Ieodo, a submerged reef where Korea has maintained a science station to monitor the seas. The suggestion came after China was found setting up structures in the West Sea, where Ieodo is located and where the two countries’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs) overlap. The Ieodo Research Society, a civilian think tank with close ties to Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, received inquiries about the possibility of a $150,000 grant to install the radar, according to people familiar with the discussions. “I have a $150,000 U.S. government grant to provide partners with enhanced maritime domain awareness radar. We would be able to set up and run a server and push all of the data to whomever you chose. I would like to discuss further,” the official said in an email to the think tank, obtained by The Korea Times. The official added that improved monitoring of the undelimited

Sep 28, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
US eyes partnership with Korea for maritime radar in waters claimed by China
Travel & Food

K-pop DJ party scheduled in historic Seoul neighborhoods

The Seoul Tourism Organization will host the “Visit Seoul Club” DJ event on Sept. 28 and Oct. 11, showcasing the city’s nightlife and cultural venues with K-pop remixes and interactive activities. The upcoming hybrid online-offline celebration is aimed at amplifying Seoul’s official tourism brand, Visit Seoul, introducing both residents and visitors to new urban experiences. The first event, scheduled for Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., will take place at Ewha Mart, a quirky local supermarket just a two-minute walk from Anguk Station Exit 1 on Subway Line 3. With its modest exterior typical of a local community hub, Ewha Mart will allow participants to engage with the city’s lively local scene, a city experience that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions. On Oct. 11, the fun moves to Seoul Hiking Tourism Center in Samcheong-dong, located in a traditional hanok at the foot of Mount Bukak. The site, celebrated for its cultural importance and scenic walks, allows visitors to explore Seoul’s historic architecture while enjoying a peaceful break from the city’s fast pace. The

Sep 25, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
K-pop DJ party scheduled in historic Seoul neighborhoods
Society

Seoul’s Hangang Bus faces backlash over safety failures

Seoul’s 150 billion won ($105 million) Hangang Bus project is facing criticism over repeated breakdowns and safety lapses just days after its launch on Sept. 18, raising doubts about its viability as the city’s new waterborne transport service. During rush hour on Monday and Tuesday, two Hangang Bus vessels suffered critical breakdowns, forcing emergency dockings and leaving more than 100 passengers stranded on each occasion. Sudden rudder failures and electrical glitches stalled the boats mid-river or prevented departures, as operators rushed to evacuate passengers and issue refunds. While city officials say repairs have been completed, the persistent nature of these failures has heightened anxieties about the reliability and safety of the boats. Concerns extend beyond mechanical defects. Local media reported that access to critical emergency equipment — including cabinets for infant life jackets — was blocked by ramps for wheelchairs and bicycles, which would be unsafe in an emergency. Fire extinguishers on board showed no recent inspection records, and on several occasions the

Sep 24, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Seoul’s Hangang Bus faces backlash over safety failures
Travel & Food

KTO launches campaign showcasing Korea's hidden culinary gems

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) unveiled “K-Local Food Trip: 33 Must-Try Destinations,” a campaign highlighting Korean culinary culture and aiming to position the country as a premier destination for global food travelers, the organization said Wednesday. The KTO officially inaugurated the gourmet expedition team at Pyongyangok, a century-old eatery in Seoul’s Seodaemun District, kicking off a nationwide campaign to showcase 33 distinctive local food experiences. Team members include Fabrizio Ferrari, a Michelin-starred Italian chef known for his social media and television appearances in Korea, and Joshua Kirby, a British YouTuber living in Korea who is famous for his culinary adventures. Also joining is Cookim, a renowned Korean food influencer and content creator known for sharing accessible Korean cooking recipes on YouTube and Instagram. From October to November, these food lovers will travel across the country, producing content that showcases the ingredients and dishes that define each region. Kirby and two other international creators residing in Korea will make web co

Sep 24, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
KTO launches campaign showcasing Korea's hidden culinary gems
Politics

From history lecturer to hard-line YouTuber, Jeon Han-gil shakes up Korea’s conservative politics

For months, Jeon Han-gil — a former history lecturer who gained national attention as a hard-line conservative commentator on YouTube during the impeachment proceedings against former President Yoon Suk Yeol — had operated on the margins of Korea’s main conservative opposition, the People Power Party (PPP). Since joining the party in June, however, he has become a powerful and polarizing figure with a devoted online following, even though he holds no official title. Then, one afternoon in August, as a crowd of supporters gathered for a party convention in Daegu, a conservative stronghold, Jeon made a surprise appearance. He was not a scheduled speaker and the move stunned both supporters and critics. In a moment that captured the deep, and often uncomfortable, ties between the mainstream party and its most ardent online base, the lecturer-turned influencer, clad in a red tie, rose among the audience, raising his fist in the air. “Betrayers!” Jeon shouted each time a PPP lawmaker who had voted for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment appeared, rallying other supporters in the

Sep 24, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
From history lecturer to hard-line YouTuber, Jeon Han-gil shakes up Korea’s conservative politics
previous page
2526272829
next page

Top 5 stories

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.