The Korea Times

Forged IDs used in Korean exam cheating scheme

Several Chinese nationals were caught using forged alien registration cards (ARC) to take the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) on behalf of others, authorities said Monday, raising concerns about organized cheating in high-stakes language exams. According to police, a Chinese woman in her 30s was arrested on July 13 at Soongsil University in Seoul’s Dongjak District after being found in possession of a counterfeit ARC during the 101st session of the TOPIK. The exam proctor grew suspicious while examining her identification and alerted authorities, who apprehended her at the scene. Investigators later uncovered evidence on her smartphone indicating communication with an exam broker to facilitate the fraud. Authorities suspect she was paid to take the test on behalf of another individual. Administered by the National Institute for International Education under the Ministry of Education, the TOPIK is designed to assess and certify Korean language abilities for non-native speakers, mostly foreign nationals seeking to enter universities, get a job or secure long-term visas in Korea. Si

Jul 30, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Forged IDs used in Korean exam cheating scheme

Travel & Food

Heartthrob Park Bo-gum leads campaign to boost Korea’s appeal to travelers

Actor Park Bo-gum was officially named the honorary ambassador for Korean tourism on Tuesday at a ceremony in Seoul, a role aimed at highlighting the country’s vibrant culture and regional attractions. The announcement marks the latest chapter in the country’s tradition of partnering with Korea’s most influential stars — following in the footsteps of BTS, Lee Jung-jae and NewJeans — to boost its appeal as a top travel destination. “It is an honor to share Korea’s charm with the world. I am grateful to be invited to this meaningful role,” he said. The actor highlighted the nation’s deep history and modern energy, along with the distinctive warmth — known as “jeong” — that characterizes Korean hospitality. He also urged visitors to discover both metropolitan and coastal treasures, recommending a bike ride along the Han River — his own favorite route — and a tour of Busan’s vibrant coastline, recently showcased in a drama series in which he starred. Central to the campaign launch were two new films featuring Park: a short film and a music video. Notably, Park

Jul 29, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Heartthrob Park Bo-gum leads campaign to boost Korea’s appeal to travelers

Environment & Animals

Sleepless in Korea: Prolonged heat wave brings tropical nights

Nighttime temperatures have remained over 25 degrees Celsius in many parts of the nation as the Korean Peninsula has been gripped by a sweltering heat wave, causing many to have difficulties sleeping. According to the weather agency on Monday, Seoul's nighttime mercury remained at 28.8 degrees the previous night and the city has had nine consecutive days of tropical nights — a phenomenon where overnight lows stay above 25 degrees. Seogwipo on the south side of Jeju Island has experienced 13 consecutive tropical nights. Meanwhile, the low in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, was 30 degrees, constituting an "extreme tropical night" where nighttime temps remain at 30 degrees or higher. Daytime highs also continue to surpass 35 degrees in many parts of the country. The central and local governments are ramping up emergency responses as they battle an unprecedented wave of heat-related health crises, widespread power outages and mass livestock deaths. Heat alerts are blanketing nearly the entire peninsula, with 180 of 183 weather zones — or 98 percent — under a heat wave watch or heat warnin

Jul 28, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Sleepless in Korea: Prolonged heat wave brings tropical nights

Society

Korean fathers increasingly take paternity leave amid demographic crisis

A record number of Korean men are opting for paternity leave in a notable cultural shift, government data showed Sunday, as the country faces an intensifying demographic crisis driven by one of the world’s lowest birthrates. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, 95,064 workers began receiving parental leave benefits between January and June this year, marking a 37.4 percent jump from the same period in 2023. Of these, 34,645 — roughly 36.4 percent — were men, the highest proportion in Korean history, and up 54.2 percent from last year. The figures exclude civil servants and teachers not covered under the national employment insurance program, indicating the true number is likely even higher. The share of male parental leave recipients has climbed steadily from 13.4 percent in 2017 to 31.6 percent last year, with a dramatic leap to 36.4 percent in the first half of 2024. Authorities attribute the surge to improved parental leave policies and expanded financial incentives. Recent reforms extended the "6+6 Parental Leave" program, granting both parents up to six months of

Jul 27, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Korean fathers increasingly take paternity leave amid demographic crisis

Society

Korean brick factory faces sanctions after shocking abuse of foreign worker

Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor is moving to revoke the foreign worker employment permit from a brick factory in Naju, South Jeolla Province, in response to revelations of severe human rights abuse in which a Sri Lankan worker was tied to a load of bricks by his co-workers and hoisted into the air by a forklift. The ministry plans to impose the strictest penalty available under the labor law, banning the business from hiring migrant workers for up to three years. The ministry also vowed to intensify its investigation, focusing on workplace harassment, wage violations and breaches of industrial safety law. Inspection will extend to worker living conditions, compliance with employment regulations regarding migrant workers and the condition of provided dormitories. On Feb. 26, a 31-year-old Sri Lankan national was bullied by his Korean colleagues while tied to a load of bricks with plastic wrap and being lifted by a forklift. He entered Korea in December under the E-9 visa employment program, which permits a three-year stay for nonprofessional migrant workers. After the incident,

Jul 27, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Korean brick factory faces sanctions after shocking abuse of foreign worker

Law & Crime

Cambodia-based voice phishing ring caught by Korean investigation team

A Cambodia-based voice phishing syndicate operating under the alias “Ma Dong-seok” was brought down by Korea’s government-led joint investigation team, authorities announced Friday. The phishing group operated like a corporation, with specialized teams assigned to distinct criminal schemes, targeting vulnerable young Koreans with promises of high-paying jobs overseas. The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office revealed that 18 members of the so-called “Hanya call center" organization have been arrested on charges of participating in and operating a criminal syndicate. Sixteen of them, all in their 20s and 30s, have been indicted and will stand trial. Investigators are continuing to pursue key Korean members of the organization as well as the ringleader, who is of non-Korean nationality and operates the organization under the nickname Ma Dong-seok, based on the Korean-American actor. Investigators revealed the group, operating in Cambodia, built a corporate-style structure with seven specialized teams, each executing a distinct type of scam under the ringleader’s financial

Jul 18, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Cambodia-based voice phishing ring caught by Korean investigation team

Society

Unexpected hazards of rain boots: Why they’re not safe in extreme rainfall

With many people pulling on their rain boots as heavy rain continues to pound the country, the hidden dangers of wearing the popular footwear during severe downpours are gaining renewed attention here. On Friday, a poster originally distributed by Japanese broadcasting channel NHK to foreign residents was widely shared on Korean social media platforms, offering a guideline for evacuating during torrential rain. The poster specifically warns against wearing rain boots when evacuating on foot in extreme conditions. That's because in heavy rain or flooded streets, water often rises above boot height and can easily flow into boots, which then quickly become cumbersome. This added weight can make movement difficult and slow down evacuation. Rain boots may also provide less traction, increasing the risk of slipping and falling on wet surfaces. Instead, the guideline recommends wearing lace-up sneakers, which are less likely to be filled with water and typically offer better grip, making it safer to walk in wet and hazardous conditions. For safer evacuation during floods, experts advise wearing

Jul 18, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Unexpected hazards of rain boots: Why they’re not safe in extreme rainfall

Travel & Food

Incheon Int'l Airport sees record passenger numbers in 1st half of 2025

INCHEON — Incheon International Airport reached new heights in the first half of 2025, setting a record for international passenger volume as global travel demand continues to surge, according to the Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC) Thursday. Between January and June, the country's main airport welcomed 36.36 million passengers and managed 207,959 flights — marking its busiest six-month period since opening in 2001. The passenger tally marks a 2.3 percent increase from prepandemic levels in 2019 and a 6.1 percent rise compared to the first half of 2024. Officials attributed the growth largely to strong demand for short-haul flights to neighboring countries, particularly Japan and China. International routes to Japan remained especially popular, drawing approximately 9.34 million travelers — a 9.3 percent increase over the same period last year. Demand for travel to China also surged, fueled by the extension of temporary visa waivers for Koreans. Routes to China carried 5.75 million passengers, a 24.3 percent increase over the same period last year. Riding the wave of passe

Jul 17, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Incheon Int'l Airport sees record passenger numbers in 1st half of 2025

People & Events

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul welcomes new general manager

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul has appointed Douglas Ariza-Giammaria as its new general manager, the hotel said in a statement Wednesday, bringing decades of international hospitality experience to the flagship property in Gangnam’s Shinsegae Central complex. Ariza-Giammaria, a native of Venezuela, has more than 30 years of experience in the luxury hotel industry, including 25 years with Marriott International. He holds degrees in hotel management and global hospitality management from the University of Houston and has worked in major markets including the United States, Greece, Singapore, Indonesia and China. He previously held leadership roles with high-profile brands such as Four Seasons, Hilton, Starwood and Marriott. For the past 14 years, he has served as general manager at several properties, earning a reputation for operational expertise and an ability to deliver strong performance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ariza-Giammaria led Marriott’s recovery strategy for Southeast China and chaired the Hunan Business Council, playing a key role in regional hospitality industry efforts duri

Jul 17, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul welcomes new general manager

Environment & Animals

South Chungcheong Province reels from 'once-in-a-century' rainfall

Torrential rainfall battered the Chungcheong region in central Korea, killing at least four people, inundating hundreds of homes and farms, triggering landslides and forcing more than 1,300 residents to evacuate. Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, was deluged with more than 400 millimeters of rain over just half a day on Thursday, including 114.9 millimeters in a single hour. The national weather agency described the downpour as a “once-in-a-century” event. Those regions, as well as other parts of the country, are forecast to receive more rainfall through Friday. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), Seosan saw 438.5 millimeters of rain early Thursday between midnight and 10 a.m., which is the largest daily amount since weather observation began in the city in January 1968. The previous record was 274.5 millimeters on Aug. 2, 1999. The city received 114.9 millimeters of rain in a one-hour period starting from 1:46 a.m. Streams feeding into the Geum River were among the hardest hit. In Yesan, all four monitoring stations along Sapgyo Creek issued flood warnings,

Jul 17, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Lee Hae-rin

Read more

Forged IDs used in Korean exam cheating scheme

Heartthrob Park Bo-gum leads campaign to boost Korea’s appeal to travelers

Sleepless in Korea: Prolonged heat wave brings tropical nights

Korean fathers increasingly take paternity leave amid demographic crisis

Korean brick factory faces sanctions after shocking abuse of foreign worker

Cambodia-based voice phishing ring caught by Korean investigation team

Unexpected hazards of rain boots: Why they’re not safe in extreme rainfall

Incheon Int'l Airport sees record passenger numbers in 1st half of 2025

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul welcomes new general manager

South Chungcheong Province reels from 'once-in-a-century' rainfall

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