my timesThe Korea Times
lkm

Lee Kyung-min

Korea Times AI content 2 team Reporter

Value context and insight. lkm@koreatimes.co.kr

Go to EmailGo to URL

Read more

South Korea

Korea seizes 657 kilograms of drugs in sweeping overseas crackdowns

Korea’s customs authorities have intercepted a growing volume of illicit drugs before they reach the border, seizing 657 kilograms in a coordinated overseas crackdown that underscores the expanding reach of transnational trafficking networks. The Korea Customs Service said Thursday it conducted joint enforcement operations with its counterparts in Thailand and Cambodia from January through March, uncovering 32 drug trafficking attempts involving methamphetamine, cannabis and etomidate. Officials said the amount seized was enough for roughly 1.81 million doses. The operations are designed to stop narcotics at the source, with authorities sharing intelligence in advance and tightening inspections of passengers and cargo bound for Korea. Officers from both countries worked side by side to identify high-risk shipments and exchange information in real time when drugs were detected. In Thailand, the two sides conducted their fifth joint operation, code-named “Trident,” seizing 651.4 kilograms of drugs — the largest haul since cooperation began in 2022. Over the five rounds, authoritie

Apr 23, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea seizes 657 kilograms of drugs in sweeping overseas crackdowns
South Korea

Government taps 20 universities to expand AI education nationwide

Korea’s education ministry unveiled a sweeping plan to embed artificial intelligence (AI) into the core of university education, selecting 20 educational institutions to lead a new national curriculum effort aimed at every student, regardless of major. The Ministry of Education said Thursday that the schools had been chosen for the “2026 University AI Basic Curriculum Development Support Project.” The initiative is designed to ensure that all university students acquire fundamental AI competencies as the use of the technology becomes ubiquitous. The ministry said the program also seeks to narrow disparities in AI education across regions and institutions. A total of 80 universities applied. Following document reviews and on-site evaluations, 20 were selected — including six in the capital region and 14 elsewhere. Participating universities will develop foundational liberal arts courses covering AI literacy, including ethics and critical thinking, as well as smaller specialized programs that apply AI to fields outside of engineering. They will also strengthen faculty capabilities

Apr 23, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Government taps 20 universities to expand AI education nationwide
Korean Heritage

Ancient bronze bell gains National Treasure status

A towering bronze bell cast for a king’s prayers more than five centuries ago has been elevated to Korea’s highest cultural status, officials said Thursday, in a move that underscores renewed efforts to safeguard the nation’s artistic legacy. The Korea Heritage Service said the "Bronze Bell of Bongseonsa Temple in Namyangju," long designated as a treasure since 1963, has now been upgraded to National Treasure status. The bell was commissioned by King Yejong, the eighth monarch of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, in honor of his father and has remained at its original site since its creation. The heritage service said the bell represents the culmination of early Joseon Dynasty design, blending elements of Chinese bell forms with distinctly Korean decorative patterns. Its inscription, composed by Kang Huimaeng and written by Jeong Nanjong, details its origins, artisans and purpose. Also designated as treasures are a 13th-century celadon work, the "Celadon Inlaid Dish with Twin Dragons and Chrysanthemum Design,” and the “Portrait of Yu Hyo-geol and Chest,” a Joseon-era painting li

Apr 23, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Ancient bronze bell gains National Treasure status
South Korea

POSTECH researcher unlocks switchable lens for 2D, 3D displays

A film no thicker than a fingernail could soon transform smartphones into immersive 3D displays, after Korean researchers unveiled what they describe as the first switchable metalens capable of toggling seamlessly between 2D and 3D viewing. The Ministry of Science and ICT said that a joint team led by Professor Rho Jun-suk of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), working with Samsung Research’s Visual Technology Team, developed the next-generation optical device capable of dynamically controlling light. The study was published on Thursday in Nature, one of the world’s most prestigious scientific journals. In a rare feat, Rho is also listed as a corresponding author on a second paper in the same issue, marking the first time a Korean researcher accomplished two such publications simultaneously. Unlike conventional lenses, metalenses are built from nanoscale structures that precisely manipulate the phase, amplitude and polarization of light. At just 1.2 millimeters thick, the lens switches function depending on voltage. Without power, it acts as a concave lens, delive

Apr 23, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
POSTECH researcher unlocks switchable lens for 2D, 3D displays
South Korea

Seoul scrambles to process migrant worker visas as planting season starts

Facing a surge in seasonal labor demand, the Ministry of Justice has moved to clear a growing backlog of visa approvals for foreign farmworkers, seeking to avert disruptions during Korea’s critical planting season. The ministry said it has instructed immigration offices nationwide to accelerate the issuance of certificates of visa issuance, a required step for overseas workers entering the country for short-term agricultural jobs. More than 3,700 applications remain pending, with an additional 2,000 expected by the end of April, underscoring the strain on the system as demand rises. In a sign of mounting pressure, the ministry dispatched a two-member emergency response team to the Jeonju Immigration Office in southwestern Korea, where delays have been particularly pronounced. Officials called for expedited reviews to ease labor shortages in rural areas, where planting activity is now intensifying. The move reflects a broader effort by the government to stabilize agricultural production, as farms grow increasingly dependent on foreign seasonal workers amid a shrinking domestic labor po

Apr 23, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seoul scrambles to process migrant worker visas as planting season starts
Business

Singapore luxury hotel offers ‘Baby Shark’ vacation package

A viral children’s song is getting a high-end makeover as The Pinkfong Company rolls out an immersive hotel experience in Singapore, blending global intellectual property with tourism to court traveling families. The company said Wednesday it has partnered with the Singapore Tourism Board and Fairmont Singapore to launch a “Baby Shark” themed staycation package, running from May 18 to Nov. 17. The program transforms the five-star hotel’s 778 rooms and public spaces into a story-driven environment built around the globally recognized character. Guests will move through a fully themed experience, from lobby to room, with exclusive content and limited-edition merchandise provided as part of a welcome kit. Dining and activities extend the concept. A poolside restaurant is redesigned into a themed venue offering family-focused menus, while on-site programming includes cooking classes and character meet-and-greet sessions designed to deepen engagement. The collaboration also incorporates local elements, featuring Singapore Tourism Board mascot Merli and Fairmont Singapore’s mascot Pa

Apr 23, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Singapore luxury hotel offers ‘Baby Shark’ vacation package
Business

GE Aerospace turns to Korea to shore up volatile supply chain

A senior delegation from GE Aerospace arrived in Korea this week, signaling a renewed push to deepen ties with local suppliers as global aviation and defense supply chains undergo rapid change. The state-run Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) said it hosted “KOTRA x GE Aerospace Day” earlier this week at the JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, bringing together 23 Korean aerospace and defense firms for briefings and one-on-one export consultations. The visit comes as the industry pivots toward unmanned systems and integrated manned-unmanned operations, with software-driven capabilities — including artificial intelligence (AI)-based mission systems and modular architectures — emerging as critical competitive edges. During a morning session, GE Aerospace outlined demand across key areas, including avionics, power systems, engines, additive manufacturing and aerospace communication technologies. In the afternoon, nine prescreened Korean firms took part in targeted business meetings following technical evaluations. KOTRA said it plans to build a structured cooperation pipeline with

Apr 23, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
GE Aerospace turns to Korea to shore up volatile supply chain
South Korea

New university funding aims to reverse decline in technical literacy

Korea is moving to address growing concerns over declining basic science and mathematics skills among university students, introducing a funding program aimed at strengthening core academic foundations before weaknesses widen further. The Ministry of Science and ICT said Thursday it will launch a new initiative to strengthen core competencies among science and engineering undergraduates at regional universities. The program will initially select two institutions outside the capital region for support. Each selected university can overhaul introductory coursework, expand lab facilities and redesign curricula to better prepare students for advanced study. Officials said the effort comes as more freshmen struggle to keep pace with foundational courses, raising concerns about higher dropout rates in later years. The problem has been more pronounced at universities outside the capital region, fueling fears of a broader regional talent divide. Participating universities will be required to draft and implement comprehensive plans to improve basic education in mathematics and science, including

Apr 23, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
New university funding aims to reverse decline in technical literacy
South Korea

Korea enacts sweeping law to fast-track bioengineering

Seeking to outpace global rivals in the race for biotechnology leadership, Korea has introduced a comprehensive legal framework designed to accelerate synthetic biology — an emerging field that applies engineering principles to living systems. The policy is intended to speed the translation of rapidly advancing research into commercial applications, positioning the sector as a key driver of economic growth and technological independence. The Ministry of Science and ICT said the new law, which took effect Thursday, establishes a full-cycle support system spanning research, infrastructure, data use and safety oversight. The measure is designed to bring order and speed to a field increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and automation. Synthetic biology allows scientists to design and engineer biological systems, with applications ranging from biomanufacturing and health care to energy and agriculture. The ministry said the law formalizes a national strategy first outlined in December 2023, when the technology was designated a key strategic sector. Under the framework, the governmen

Apr 23, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea enacts sweeping law to fast-track bioengineering
Business

Samsung SDS deepens Google Cloud alliance

Samsung SDS and Google Cloud unveiled an expanded partnership aimed at tapping fast-growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI), cloud and security services in industries with strict data and security requirements. The two companies announced the expansion of their partnership at Google Cloud Next 2026 in Las Vegas, where executives outlined plans to jointly target sectors including public services and finance. The companies said they will focus on high-security and compliance-driven markets, leveraging Google Distributed Cloud to meet requirements such as data localization, low latency and system resilience. Samsung SDS said it also plans to integrate Google’s Gemini Enterprise into its Samsung Cloud Platform to deliver agentic AI solutions to corporate clients. The partnership will extend to managed service provider offerings, combining Google Cloud Platform with Samsung SDS’ industry expertise to expand enterprise adoption. It is also expected to deepen security collaboration, with the companies integrating Google’s Wiz platform with Samsung SDS’ managed security services t

Apr 23, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Samsung SDS deepens Google Cloud alliance
previous page
2930313233
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.