The Korea Times

Bananas ripen in Seoul as scorching summer sparks tropical fruit bloom

As Seoul endures a record-breaking heat wave this summer, an unexpected tropical fruit has begun to take root at an urban farm nestled at the foot of Mount Buram in northern Seoul. The banana tree, native to Southeast Asia’s humid climates, stands tall and vibrant on a sweltering Thursday afternoon at Cheonsu Urban Farm in Nowon District, nearly one and a half times the average height of an adult man. Its broad, waxy leaves and clusters of ripening fruit have become a local curiosity — and a striking symbol of Korea’s shifting climate. A rise in average temperatures in Korea — 1.6 degrees Celsius higher than in the early 20th century — has lengthened the growing season, allowing more farmers to cultivate mangoes, bananas, papayas and dragon fruit. “We began cultivating bananas about four years ago as an experiment, inspired by the success of other subtropical fruits like figs in the warming climate,” said Ma Myung-sun, 75, who has managed the 2,300-square-meter Cheonsu Urban Farm community garden for nearly three decades. He spoke with The Korea Times at his farm. “Now, o

Aug 1, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Bananas ripen in Seoul as scorching summer sparks tropical fruit bloom

Society

Scorching heat prompts Korean offices to embrace shorts

As the country swelters under an unprecedented summer heat wave, companies and government agencies are loosening dress codes, encouraging shorter pants and lighter clothing. Known as “Cool Biz” — a blend of “cool” and “business” — the initiative began as a modest effort to lighten office attire in hopes of improving comfort and cutting air-conditioning costs. Now, amid record-breaking heat, the once-unorthodox campaign is gaining ground even within Korea’s traditionally conservative conglomerates and government offices. At Incheon International Airport Corp., the country’s largest airport operator, a six-week campaign launched July 14 encourages employees to wear shorts to work — with free drinks at an in-house cafe offered as rewards for individuals or teams who take part in the “shorts challenge.” The initiative runs through Aug. 22. The company says the campaign is about more than just beating the heat — it’s also an effort to soften hierarchical boundaries, foster intergenerational dialogue and promote a more open and inclusive corporate culture. Korea

Jul 31, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Scorching heat prompts Korean offices to embrace shorts

Travel & Food

Hotels roll out stamina-boosting summer menus to combat sweltering heat

As Korea endures one of its hottest summers on record, major hotels nationwide are rolling out special summer stamina menus — a seasonal tradition designed to help patrons restore energy during the sweltering heat. Koreans traditionally favor steaming, protein-rich dishes believed to replenish depleted energy during the dog days of summer over chilled dishes. Korea has a tradition of "boknal," supposedly the three hottest days of summer between mid-July and mid-August, according to the lunar calendar. This year, those days fall on July 20, July 30 and Aug. 9. Throughout the season, Koreans traditionally gather with friends and family to eat dishes to improve stamina, believing that “fighting heat with heat” helps the body persevere through high temperatures. While some older customs, such as eating dog meat, have grown less common and are often debated, the prevailing tradition is focused more on restoring energy and celebrating with hearty, nutritious meals and outings to the countryside or mountains to escape the heat. Blending culinary heritage with modern flair, hotels are putti

Jul 30, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Hotels roll out stamina-boosting summer menus to combat sweltering heat

Law & Crime

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

Lee Hae-rin

Read more

Bananas ripen in Seoul as scorching summer sparks tropical fruit bloom

Scorching heat prompts Korean offices to embrace shorts

Hotels roll out stamina-boosting summer menus to combat sweltering heat

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

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