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Lee Kyung-min

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South Korea

Jeju Island’s premier forest opens to growing tide of hikers

Deep within the lush volcanic terrain of Jeju Island, one of Korea’s most prized ecological sanctuaries is preparing to welcome a larger tide of visitors seeking refuge under its emerald canopy. The National Institute of Forest Science said Wednesday that the Hannam Saryeoni Oreum Forest, located in Seogwipo, will officially open to the public this season on May 16. Recognized by the Korea Forest Service as one of the nation’s “100 masterpiece forests,” the site offers a rare, multilayered journey through evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved woodlands, culminating in a towering exhibition forest of cedar trees. The seasonal opening comes with a significant expansion of access. Responding to a dramatic surge in interest — visitation tripled in 2025 to reach approximately 30,000 people — officials have raised the daily visitor cap from 300 to 400. The decision reflects a growing national appetite for nature-based wellness and high-quality ecological education in a postpandemic era. To maintain the delicate balance between public enjoyment and environmental preservation, the for

May 6, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Jeju Island’s premier forest opens to growing tide of hikers
South Korea

Historic manor, shamanic paintings elevated in status as National Treasures

In a quiet village nestled within the heart of North Gyeongsang Province, a centuries-old residence has been elevated to the status of a National Folklore Cultural Heritage, marking a new chapter for one of the region’s most storied architectural and intellectual lineages. The National Heritage Administration said Wednesday that it designated Haknam Gotaek, a historic manor in Andong, as a protected national treasure. Simultaneously, the agency issued an advance notice of designation for "Musindo" (shamanic paintings) of Geumseongdang, a rare collection of 19th-century religious art currently housed at the Eunpyeong History and Hanok Museum in Seoul. The Haknam Gotaek sits within Omi Village, a historic enclave of the Pungsan Kim clan. The estate’s evolution reflects the architectural transition of the 1392-1910 Joseon period: its inner quarters were built in 1759 by Kim Sang-mok, followed nearly 70 years later by a grandson, Kim Jung-woo, who added the men’s quarters and servants' wing. Unlike the typical fully enclosed square layouts of the region, the manor maintains a distinc

May 6, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Historic manor, shamanic paintings elevated in status as National Treasures
South Korea

Young fans pack Seoul park for glimpse of ILLIT

Under a brilliant spring sky, the manicured lawns of Seoul Children’s Grand Park were transformed earlier this week into a sprawling, pastel-hued arena of pop culture fervor. What was billed as a traditional Children’s Day celebration evolved into a high-octane showcase for ILLIT, the latest breakout quintet from the HYBE hit-making machine, as an estimated 24,000 fans converged for a festival that felt more like a coronation. The air was thick with the scent of street food and the rhythmic, sugary basslines of "It’s Me," the title track from the group’s fourth mini-album, MAMIH LAPINATAPAI. From the early morning hours, the park’s quiet pathways were swallowed by a sea of families and young enthusiasts, many of whom had spent hours queuing at interactive booths that snaked across the central plaza. The scene offered a vivid snapshot of the cross-generational magnetism that has become the hallmark of the Belift Lab label. While toddlers in sun hats clutched lightsticks, their parents were frequently caught in the fray, humming along to the group’s hook-heavy melodies with a

May 6, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Young fans pack Seoul park for glimpse of ILLIT
Business

LS Electric targets North American power market with data center solutions

LS Electric, which specializes in power transmission, distribution and automation solutions, is stepping up its push into North America’s evolving power market, unveiling a broad suite of next-generation solutions at one of the region’s largest energy exhibitions, with a sharp focus on direct current technology and data center infrastructure. The company unveiled a sweeping portfolio of next-generation energy solutions this week at the IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition. Held at McCormick Place in Chicago, the biennial event serves as the premier stage for the hardware that underpins the U.S. continental grid. The centerpiece of LS Electric's expansion strategy is a pivot toward direct current (DC) technology. While alternating current (AC) has long dominated the landscape, the rise of hyperscale data centers — the engines of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution — has created a lucrative opening for DC distribution. By delivering power in the same format that servers and semiconductors consume it, LS Electric’s systems aim to eliminate the

May 6, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
LS Electric targets North American power market with data center solutions
Business

Hanwha Systems leads defense industry shift toward sustainability

Hanwha Systems, the aerospace and defense arm of Hanwha Group, reached a milestone in corporate governance, as it became the first Korean defense firm to be included in a top-tier Dow Jones sustainability index for the Asia-Pacific region, the company said Wednesday. The inclusion in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices, an annual ranking compiled by S&P Global, places Hanwha Systems at the top of the regional aerospace and defense category. The index, which serves as a critical scorecard for the modern investor, evaluates the top 600 companies in the region and selects only those in the upper 20 percent of their respective industries based on rigorous economic and environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. For a sector often scrutinized for its ethical footprint, Hanwha’s top ranking signals a significant shift in how global financial markets view the sustainability of the defense industry. The company received high marks across several metrics, including human rights management, workplace safety and the oversight of its sprawling supply chains. The Dow Jones Best-in-Class f

May 6, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Hanwha Systems leads defense industry shift toward sustainability
Business

Musinsa's Tokyo expansion signals global appetite for Korean minimalism

Musinsa Standard, the private-label powerhouse of Korea’s dominant fashion platform Musinsa, is accelerating its international push, posting its strongest monthly global sales following a high-profile Tokyo pop-up. The brand’s ascent signals a broadening appetite for "K-fashion" beyond mere trend, as its minimalist, trendy essentials begin to challenge established global retailers. For Musinsa — an enterprise that grew from an online community for sneaker enthusiasts into a multi-billion-dollar unicorn — the success of its in-house line underscores a strategic pivot toward a permanent, physical presence in the competitive global market. The company said Wednesday that transactions at its Tokyo pop-up store surged 170 percent in April compared to the previous month, propelling global sales to a record high. This momentum, bolstered by a successful 17-day residency in Tokyo's competitive retail landscape, highlights a growing synergy between physical discovery and digital growth, as shoppers increasingly transition from in-store visits to the brand’s online platform. Musinsa's s

May 6, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Musinsa's Tokyo expansion signals global appetite for Korean minimalism
South Korea

Seoul to bring thousands together for women’s marathon Saturday

Seoul will turn its western riverside park district into a sea of runners and walkers Saturday morning as about 7,000 participants take part in a women's marathon designed less for competition than for community. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said the 2026 Women’s Marathon will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Peace Plaza in World Cup Park in Mapo District, marking the 26th edition of an event first launched in 2001 in partnership with the Women’s News. Unlike elite road races focused on finish times, the event emphasizes participation and public health, organizers said. The course includes 10-kilometer and 5-kilometer runs as well as a 3-kilometer walking route aimed at families, beginners and casual participants. The event is open to all genders and ages. Officials said the event is designed to encourage broader participation in recreational exercise, reflecting what they describe as Seoul’s push to become a “city of companionship and attractiveness” through accessible sports programming. The race includes a charitable program called the “Together Run,” which invites children fr

Apr 30, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seoul to bring thousands together for women’s marathon Saturday
South Korea

Budget ministry turns to AI to help steer fiscal planning

Korea is moving to hand a portion of its fiscal planning to artificial intelligence (AI), betting that algorithms can sift through decades of data faster — and perhaps more rigorously — than overworked civil servants. The Ministry of Planning and Budget said Friday it will introduce an “AI budget assistant” to support nearly every stage of fiscal planning, from drafting proposals to restructuring expenditures, with full deployment targeted for May 2027. The initiative was discussed at a government meeting, where participants agreed that the system is intended to make the ministry a “first mover” in adopting AI across government operations. The tool will rely on a large language model trained on accumulated fiscal data, including budget requests, program descriptions, statistical records and internal reviews. Officials said the system will generate tailored responses when staff input queries, dramatically reducing the time needed to gather and analyze information. The ministry has sharply expanded its broader AI spending to support such efforts, tripling the national AI budget

Apr 30, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Budget ministry turns to AI to help steer fiscal planning
South Korea

Korea opens real-time infectious disease risk data to the public

Korea is throwing open a once-internal system for tracking global outbreaks, giving the public a clear window into the risks of infectious diseases spreading across borders. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Thursday that it began publishing weekly risk assessments for more than 15 infectious diseases on a public portal (https://dportal.kdca.go.kr), a move intended to bolster transparency and public safety. The newly released data assess the risk of domestic inflow and the potential spread of diseases, including Ebola, Middle East respiratory syndrome, cholera, measles and dengue fever. To make the information more accessible, the agency is using visual tools designed to clarify complex risk levels at a glance. Officials said the initiative reflects a growing public demand for timely health information as international travel rebounds and global outbreaks remain a persistent concern. Previously, these analyses were reserved for internal use to guide quarantine measures and the designation of high-risk regions. By opening the data to the public, authorities aim to help

Apr 30, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea opens real-time infectious disease risk data to the public
South Korea

Seoul land prices climb as Myeong-dong plot retains crown as costliest property in Korea

Land values across Seoul rose again this year, with nearly every parcel gaining ground and a prime commercial site in Myeong-dong holding its title as the city’s most expensive property for the 23rd consecutive year, Seoul city government officials said Thursday. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it finalized and disclosed individual land prices for 857,493 parcels as of Jan. 1, showing an average increase of 4.9 percent from a year earlier. The increase follows a 4.02 percent rise in 2025, reflecting what officials said is the influence of higher benchmark land prices set earlier this year by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Among the city’s districts, Yongsan posted the steepest increase at 9.20 percent, followed by Seongdong at 6.52 percent, Gangnam at 6.30 percent and Seocho at 5.82 percent. Mapo, Gwangjin and Yeongdeungpo also recorded gains above the citywide average. Of the total parcels, 98.6 percent saw prices rise, while just 0.3 percent declined. About 1.0 percent remained unchanged, and newly assessed plots accounted for 0.1 percent. The most expens

Apr 30, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seoul land prices climb as Myeong-dong plot retains crown as costliest property in Korea
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