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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.

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Travel & Food

Lotte hotel elevates Gyeongju's hospitality ahead of APEC summit

Lotte Hotels & Resorts announced on Monday that it had provided a comprehensive protocol training program for accommodation professionals in Gyeongju, sharing nearly five decades of expertise in top-level guest services in order to raise the bar for local hospitality standards ahead of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The training focused on Lotte’s world-class experience in hosting heads of state and major international events. Lectures and practical exercises in hosting VIPs were led by experts from the acclaimed concierge team at Lotte Hotel Seoul and the company’s hospitality training center, Service Academy. Notably, the program covered cultural sensitivity and personalized service. Attendees explored detailed manuals covering diverse national customs, religious considerations and diplomatic protocols in preparation for welcoming dignitaries from around the world. Participants in the initiative included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ APEC preparation task force, the North Gyeongsang Province’s APEC support team, the Presidential Suite committee and

Jun 17, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Lotte hotel elevates Gyeongju's hospitality ahead of APEC summit
Society

Former first lady's master's degree to be revoked amid plagiarism allegations

Sookmyung Women’s University announced on Monday that it had completed a revision of its academic regulations to revoke former first lady Kim Keon Hee’s master’s degrees amid plagiarism allegations. The university council held a meeting and finalized the addition of a supplementary provision to the academic regulations regarding the revocation of degrees. The original regulation allowed degrees obtained through fraudulent means to be revoked following deliberation by the Graduate School of Education committee. However, this regulation has only been in effect since June 13, 2015, meaning it could not be applied to Kim, who received her degree in 1999. In response, the council added a clause stating that the revocation of degrees conferred prior to this provision shall be limited to cases involving serious and clear misconduct that significantly undermines ethical standards. Allegations of plagiarism against Kim surfaced in December 2021, at a time when her husband, the now impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol, had emerged as a prominent presidential candidate. Following an accusa

Jun 17, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Former first lady's master's degree to be revoked amid plagiarism allegations
Politics

How many women will Korea’s new government see in Cabinet?

President Lee Jae-myung’s pledge to increase the number of women in ministerial positions to at least 30 percent is being put to the test with the imminent unveiling of the first Cabinet, following years of regression in women’s rights under the ousted Yoon Suk Yeol administration. During a campaign event on May 28, Lee told reporters, “My goal is to exceed 30 percent women.” Earlier in 2022, he had acknowledged the existence of a social hierarchy between men and women in Korea, promising to strive for gender equality in his Cabinet. While the Cabinet composition remains undisclosed, several women candidates have been mentioned as potential contenders for key ministries. One of the most prominent figures among the potential candidates is Jeong Eun-kyeong, the former Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, who played a crucial role in Korea’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeong is joined as a potential Minister of Health and Welfare candidate by welfare expert Rep. Nam In-soon and former dentist Rep. Jeon Hyun-heui of the liberal Democratic Party of Ko

Jun 17, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
How many women will Korea’s new government see in Cabinet?
Society

Seoul Queer Culture Festival sees record turnout with enhanced solidarity

Over 170,000 people took to the hot asphalt roads in downtown Seoul, Saturday, to participate in the Seoul Queer Culture Festival (SQCF), with sexual minorities celebrating their existence and allies showing support for them. Despite the scorching heat and opposing rallies by conservative Christian groups, the 26th edition of the annual event had record-high turnout, according to organizers — compared to its inaugural event in 2000 when only about 50 people attended. Under the slogan “We Will Never Stop,” the event brought out those who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) and their allies in solidarity. This year’s event kicked off with a group blessing by “Rainbow Jesus,” a coalition of religious leaders in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. “We dream of a world with love instead of hatred, mercy instead of discrimination,” prayed 40 Protestant pastors wearing rainbow-colored shawls standing in a circle. “May love, friendship and solidarity fill the lives of everyone gathered here today.” Several organization

Jun 15, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Seoul Queer Culture Festival sees record turnout with enhanced solidarity
Society

Korea faces calls to establish unified task force to combat illegal overseas gambling

Tourism experts on Wednesday called for the creation of a centralized task force to address gambling abroad by Korean nationals, alongside the formation of an international regulatory network aimed at promoting the responsible growth of integrated resorts. The recommendations emerged during a policy forum jointly hosted by The Korea Times and the Tourism Sciences Society of Korea (TOSOK), where academics, government officials and industry leaders gathered to assess the nation’s current approach to overseas gambling by Korean nationals and to explore potential policy interventions. Participants emphasized the need for coordinated oversight and international cooperation to address regulatory blind spots and mitigate the socioeconomic risks associated with unregulated gambling. Lee Jae-seok, a professor of tourism at Gangneung-Wonju National University, started the event with a keynote address by defining gambling abroad by a Korean national as “the act of a Korean citizen engaging in gambling at overseas casinos or other gambling facilities with the purpose of financial gain.” While

Jun 13, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Korea faces calls to establish unified task force to combat illegal overseas gambling
Society

Korea’s homeless population falls 15%, but ages and clusters in Seoul area

The number of homeless individuals in Korea has declined by more than 15 percent over the past three years, but the population has grown older and become increasingly concentrated in the greater Seoul area, according to a government survey released Tuesday. The Ministry of Health and Welfare’s 2024 report found that 1,349 people were living on the streets nationwide last year, down 15.4 percent from 1,595 in 2021. The population of individuals experiencing homelessness and precarious housing situations has seen an 11.6 percent decline over the past three years, now standing at 12,725. This total encompasses 6,659 individuals housed in shelters and various care facilities, alongside 4,717 residents of "jjokbang," a category of small, low-cost rooms. Data further reveals a pronounced gender disparity, with men accounting for 77.6 percent of this vulnerable population. Despite the overall decline, the survey revealed a growing concentration of homeless individuals in urban areas. About three out of four homeless individuals — 75.7 percent — were found in the Seoul metropolitan area, e

Jun 11, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Korea’s homeless population falls 15%, but ages and clusters in Seoul area
Travel & Food

KTO teams up with Netflix to promote Korean tourism worldwide

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), has joined forces with Netflix to promote Korean tourism on the global stage, the KTO announced Tuesday. The initiative marks the first collaboration between a Korean government agency and the global streaming giant on a comprehensive campaign, featuring co-produced advertising, targeted marketing to Netflix users with an interest in Korean content and interactive events aimed at consumers. Notably, the campaign includes a tourism promotion video inspired by Netflix’s hit original series "Squid Game." A teaser is scheduled for release on June 23, with the full version set to debut in early July. Coinciding with the video’s release, the KTO will launch an interactive event titled “VIP Tour to Korea Escorted by Pink Guards” — a nod to the masked enforcers in Squid Game who maintain order while hiding their identities. Winners will receive a trip to Korea as the grand prize. All campaign content, including the teaser, main video and event details will be available on KTO’s offi

Jun 10, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
KTO teams up with Netflix to promote Korean tourism worldwide
Society

Seoul’s diplomatic shift expected to fuel China tourism surge

Under the new Lee Jae-myung administration, which advocates pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests, Korea is expected to see a rise in tourism exchanges with China, driven by an anticipated strengthening of ties between the two countries, industry insiders said Monday. During his campaign, Lee described China as “an important trading partner” and a country that “influences the security of the Korean Peninsula,” pledging to “stably manage the Korea-China relationship, which has deteriorated to its lowest point since the previous administration.” In a TV debate, he said, “We should not neglect relations with China and Russia. There is no need to unnecessarily antagonize them like now.” His remarks come after ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol prioritized closer ties with the United States while cooling relations with Beijing over the past several years. During that period, the number of Chinese tourists to South Korea nearly halved, dropping to 4.6 million in 2024 from prepandemic numbers of 8 million. This sharp decline dealt a significant blow to China-dependent

Jun 10, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Seoul’s diplomatic shift expected to fuel China tourism surge
Law & Crime

POLL 7 in 10 Koreans back prosecutorial, judicial reforms led by new president

Nearly seven in 10 Koreans support prosecutorial and judicial reforms spearheaded by newly elected President Lee Jae-myung, according to a poll commissioned by The Korea Times. The survey found that 67 percent of respondents believe in the necessity of the reforms the president has pledged to implement in the country’s prosecution service and judicial system, while 31 percent consider them unnecessary. In particular, an overwhelming 90 percent of respondents who identified as liberals expressed support for the reforms. Among self-identified centrists, 68 percent also regarded the changes as necessary. Similarly, 92 percent of those who said they support the ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) believed the reforms are essential, with only 7 percent opposing them. Those on the opposite side of the ideological spectrum held opposing views. Sixty-five percent of those who support the conservative People Power Party and 58 percent of supporters of the minor conservative Reform Party said prosecutorial and judicial reforms are unnecessary. Prosecutorial and judicial reform has long

Jun 7, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
[POLL] 7 in 10 Koreans back prosecutorial, judicial reforms led by new president
Politics

Conservative party faces deepening crisis after election defeat

Just two days after its decisive defeat in the presidential election, Korea's conservative People Power Party — now in opposition — has plunged into internal turmoil, marked by the resignation of its senior leaders and deepening ideological fissures within its ranks. This swift descent into disarray is casting doubt on the party's ability to effectively serve as a check on the newly elected government. A fractured and leaderless opposition could weaken the vital function of parliamentary oversight and hinder efforts to address the nation's pressing challenges — potentially reshaping the political landscape for years to come. The gravity of the party's postelection unraveling was quickly acknowledged by its own senior members. “As floor leader, I bear a significant share of the blame. I have no intention of avoiding that responsibility or making excuses,” Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, a veteran politician and close ally of former President Yoon Suk Yeol — who was impeached after declaring martial law late last year — said during a party meeting at the National Assembly. He stressed

Jun 5, 2025By Lee Hae-rin
Conservative party faces deepening crisis after election defeat
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