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Lee Kyung-min

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People & Events

Seoul turns underground municipal gallery into Pokémon destination

Seoul City Hall is trading bureaucratic gray for Pikachu orange. The Seoul Gallery, an underground exhibition space owned by the municipal government, is preparing to welcome an unusual resident: An exclusive Pikachu dressed in traditional Korean clothes, brought to life through a high-profile civic partnership. Beginning Friday and running through Oct. 11, the basement level of City Hall will host a special Pokémon GO autumn picnic event. The collaboration arrives as the gallery approaches a special milestone of one million visitors since its grand opening in February 2026, cementing its status as an unorthodox anchor for public engagement in Korea’s bustling capital. City officials are leaning into global pop culture as a nontraditional way to bridge the gap between citizens and the municipal government. Inside the venue, players opening the mobile game will encounter the rare hanbok-clad Pikachu, along with themed augmented reality photo booths and digital garden projections. This playful atmosphere is seamlessly interwoven with civic education. Directly adjacent to the gaming zone

Sep 14, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seoul turns underground municipal gallery into Pokémon destination
South Korea

Kim Byung-min named Seoul Tourism Organization chief

Seoul has appointed former deputy mayor Kim Byung-min as president and chief executive of the Seoul Tourism Organization, putting a seasoned policy strategist at the helm for a three-year push to elevate the capital's global profile. Kim began his three-year term Monday, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Kim holds a doctorate in public administration from Kyung Hee University and served as a research fellow at Seoul National University’s Institute of Engineering Research from 2015 to 2017 and as an adjunct and visiting professor at Kyung Hee University’s Department of Public Administration from 2016 to 2024. He served as Seoul’s deputy mayor for political affairs from 2024 to 2026, gaining broad experience in city administration and policy coordination. During his tenure as deputy mayor, Kim also co-chaired Seoul’s G3 Planning Committee and oversaw the development of the G3 Seoul Plan, which set out a vision of Seoul as a global top-tier city and outlined 100 key initiatives aimed at strengthening its international competitiveness. Kim said establishing Seoul as a to

Sep 14, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Kim Byung-min named Seoul Tourism Organization chief
Companies

Gyeonggi Province partners with Naver to boost local pet product brands

In a country where pets are increasingly treated as full-fledged family members, Korea’s most populous province is stepping in to give local pet supply startups a digital boost. Gyeonggi Province said it has teamed up with Naver Happybean — the charitable and social impact arm of Korea’s dominant search engine operator — to launch Gyeonggi Petstar, a monthlong online showcase designed to connect homegrown pet businesses directly with consumers nationwide. Running through Oct. 11, the virtual storefront on Naver Happybean’s Empathy Store offers a curated selection of high-quality treats, pet essentials and walking accessories crafted by local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To entice shoppers, the platform is offering 30 percent discount coupons alongside extra Naver Pay point rewards. The initiative targets a fundamental hurdle for small businesses in Korea's crowded retail market: digital visibility. While many local makers produce premium goods, standing out on massive e-commerce platforms often requires marketing budgets that fledgling brands simply do not have. T

Sep 13, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Gyeonggi Province partners with Naver to boost local pet product brands
People & Events

Korea's hottest new cultural exports take center stage at The Hyundai Seoul

Forget cheap plastic keychains and generic refrigerator magnets. Korea is elevating the humble travel souvenir into a high-design art form, debuting its premier lineup of culturally rooted artisanal goods in the heart of Yeouido. Starting Friday, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) unveiled "Korea Select 25," an exclusive 10-day showcase at The Hyundai Seoul running through Sept. 20. Staged on the department store’s lively fifth floor, the pop-up introduces the 25 winning entries of the 2026 Korea Tourism Souvenir Contest to the public for the first time. The crown jewel of this year’s competition — securing the prestigious Presidential Award — is a handcrafted brass tableware set titled "The Brilliant Stage of Baudeogi, Unfolded on the Dining Table." Drawing inspiration from the traditional folding fans used by Baudeogi, Korea’s legendary 19th-century female folk performer from Anseong, the "bangjja yugi" (forged bronze) collection seamlessly blends historic performing arts with modern lifestyle aesthetics. The choice of venue reflects a broader shift in how international vis

Sep 12, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korea's hottest new cultural exports take center stage at The Hyundai Seoul
Companies

LG AI institute, National Pension Service join forces to manage retirement funds

LG AI Research and the National Pension Service are joining forces to develop artificial intelligence (AI) tools tailored to managing Korea’s national pension fund, betting that AI can make investment research and decision-making more efficient. The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday at LG AI Research’s headquarters in Magok, western Seoul, LG AI Research said. The partnership will combine LG AI Research’s financial AI technology with NPS’ investment expertise to build services designed specifically for pension fund management. Their first project will focus on an AI-powered service for analyzing currency movements, using economic indicators, financial news, research materials and NPS data to develop predictive and analytical models tailored to the fund. LG AI Research will base the project on EXAONE Business Intelligence, its financial AI agent, which the company says is already used by LSEG, Koscom and Kiwoom Securities to analyze more than 8,000 stocks listed in Korea and the United States each day. The system provides predictive scores for individu

Sep 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
LG AI institute, National Pension Service join forces to manage retirement funds
Korean Heritage

Traditional court music meets ballet at Gyeongbok Palace

This autumn, the historic grounds of Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul will serve as the backdrop for a rare cultural fusion, bringing together royal Korean court music and Western classical ballet for a four-night spectacle featuring more than 90 performers. Titled "Ballet x Sujecheon," the open-air production will run from Oct. 2-5, starting at 7 p.m. each evening at Jipokjae, a two-story royal library constructed during the late 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty. Known for its distinct architectural blend of traditional Korean and Chinese influences, the pavilion provides a dramatic stage for an artistic experiment that bridges centuries of East Asian heritage with European performance arts. The ambitious program pairs Sujecheon — a legendary piece of court music dating back to the Baekje Kingdom that was historically performed to wish peace upon the royal family — with classical ballet. The three-act showcase is brought to life through a collaboration between the K-Arts Ballet of the Korea National University of Arts, the Sujecheon Project and the traditional performance troupe Yeonhui C

Sep 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Traditional court music meets ballet at Gyeongbok Palace
People & Events

Seoul, Bangkok teens bridge history and culture to build global friendships

Sixty teenagers from Seoul and Bangkok have wrapped up a dynamic five-day cultural exchange, forging cross-border friendships while tracing the deep historical roots connecting Korea and Thailand. The initiative, hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, brought 30 students from Bangkok to the Korean capital from Monday through Friday. Running continuously since 2008, the long-standing exchange bridges youth from both metropolises through hands-on cultural immersion and shared heritage. Joined by 10 chaperones and city officials, the delegation kicked off the week Monday at Gwanghwamun Square’s “Garden of Gratitude.” Together, the students paid tribute to Thailand’s pivotal role in the 1950-53 Korean War. Thailand was among the first nations to dispatch food aid and deployment forces — including land, naval and air units under the United Nations Command — where Thai soldiers earned the legendary moniker “Little Tigers” for their bravery on the battlefield. Beyond historical reflections, the itinerary plunged participants straight into Seoul’s modern rhythm. The group

Sep 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seoul, Bangkok teens bridge history and culture to build global friendships
South Korea

Seoul expands phone access to taxi service for digitally vulnerable residents

In one of the world's most hyper-digitized capitals, Seoul is turning back the clock — letting residents and visitors hail a taxi with a simple phone call instead of a smartphone app. The 120 Dasan Call Foundation has added a dedicated automated route, allowing callers to reach the 120 Companion Call Taxi center directly by dialing 02-120 and pressing 6 when prompted. Since Aug. 13, when the new automated response system was introduced, 4,423 calls were connected directly to the dedicated center through Aug. 31, the foundation said. Before the change, callers had to go through a counselor before being transferred, a process the foundation said was streamlined to make the service easier to access. During the six days before the new system was introduced, from Aug. 7-12, the dedicated center received 750 calls, or an average of 125 per day. In the six days after the change, 948 calls were connected, lifting the daily average to about 160, according to the foundation. The 120 Companion Call Taxi service, introduced by Seoul in July 2025, allows users to request a nearby taxi by phone withou

Sep 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Seoul expands phone access to taxi service for digitally vulnerable residents
Companies

Shin Ramyun brings Korean spice to Toronto film festival

Nongshim is bringing Shin Ramyun’s fiery flavor to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), turning one of Korea’s best-known instant noodles into a taste of Korean culture during one of North America’s biggest film events. Nongshim is operating a “Shin Ramyun Bunsik” booth through Monday at TIFF Festival Street around King and John streets in downtown Toronto, where visitors can sample products including Shin Ramyun Toomba and Shin Ramyun Kimchi Stir-Fry. Visitors can also build their own Shin Ramyun cups by choosing noodles, soup bases and toppings, then decorating their cups with pens and stickers. Proceeds from the cup-making program will be donated in full to a local Toronto food bank, giving the promotion a community component alongside its effort to introduce Shin Ramyun to international audiences. The festival appearance follows Nongshim’s participation in Korea’s Jeonju International Film Festival and reflects the company’s effort to position Shin Ramyun beyond instant noodles as a lifestyle brand linked to film, games and other cultural experiences. A Nong

Sep 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Shin Ramyun brings Korean spice to Toronto film festival
Companies

Samsung E&A wins $3.5 bil. Saudi fertilizer project

Samsung E&A has secured a 4.7 trillion won ($3.5 billion) fertilizer project in Saudi Arabia, marking another major milestone in its growing Middle Eastern expansion and reinforcing its long-standing partnership with SABIC. Under the newly signed engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with SABIC Agri-Nutrients, the company will independently execute the project — dubbed SAN-7 — with completion targeted for 2030. The signing ceremony was held Tuesday (local time) at SABIC headquarters in Jubail and was attended by senior executives including Namkoong Hong, president of Samsung E&A, and Fahad Misfer Al-Battar, president of SABIC Agri-Nutrients. The plant will be built in Jubail Industrial City and will use natural gas to produce 3,500 metric tons of ammonia per day and 7,700 metric tons of urea fertilizer, with all production destined for export. The facility will include postcombustion carbon capture technology that will use carbon dioxide generated during ammonia production in urea synthesis, reducing emissions while improving economic efficiency, Samsung E&A said. S

Sep 11, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Samsung E&A wins $3.5 bil. Saudi fertilizer project
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