Korea Times Politics & City Reporter
Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
President Yoon Suk Yeol greets Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon, new head of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), during a dinner for the new leadership of the PPP at the presidential office in central Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of presidential office
Participants of the female leadership group "Women In koRea (WIR) 2.0" pose during a kick-off event at the residence of the German Ambassador to Korea Michael Reiffenstuel in Seongbuk District, Seoul, Wednesday. The group, co-organized by the Embassy of Germany in Korea and the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, features some 90 members encompassing female executive mentors and mentees from various industries and companies. Courtesy of KGCCI
Cambodian Ambassador to Korea Chring Botum Rangsay poses with the country's traditional clothes at the National Culture and Women's Day event at Urban Plant Myeongdong in central Seoul, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yooBy Kwon Mee-yooFrom food and music to traditional clothes and craftwork, unique elements of Cambodian culture were unraveled in the heart of Seoul as the Embassy of Cambodia in Korea held the Southeast Asian country's National Culture and Women's Day event, Saturday.The event, held at Urban Plant Myeongdong, offered visitors chances to experience Cambodian tradition and culture through art exhibitions, trying on traditional clothing, sampling delicious cuisine and enjoying traditional and modern performances and martial arts.Ambassador of Cambodia to Korea Chring Botum Rangsay said she wanted the visitors to feel like they are in Cambodia through this event. "When you go to Cambodia, we want you to feel like this. Even here in Korea, we welcome you like (you're) in Cambodia. You will receive this type of welcome when you go to Cambodia. I want to showcase tha
Participants in the 2023 KF Korean Language and Culture Program for Diplomats pose during a welcoming ceremony organized by the Korea Foundation, March 8. This year, the program hosts 25 diplomats from 25 different participating countries. The goal is to increase awareness of the Korean language and culture. The program offers various activities, including learning about taekwondo and K-pop, visiting important sites such as Gyeongbok Palace and the Demilitarized Zone and building connections with Korean diplomats. Over 560 diplomats from 115 countries have taken part in the program since its launch in 2005. Courtesy of Korea FoundationSerbian Ambassador to Korea Nemanja Grbic speaks during a welcoming ceremony for the 2023 KF Korean Language and Culture Program for Diplomats, organized by Korea Foundation, March 8. Ambassador Grbic participated in the program in 2017 and shared his experience with the 25 diplomats who are joining the program this year. Courtesy of Korea Foundation
Korean navy destroyer ROKS Choe Yeong, right, sails next to USS Rafael Peralta during a field exercise in international waters south of Jeju Island in this photo posted on the Twitter page of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, March 9. Rafael Peralta, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, visited Jeju Island on Feb. 27 to strengthen relationships and improve interoperability between the two countries. Captured from Twitter
Poster for 11th Nordic Talks Korea, themed “Bridging the Gender Divide in Entrepreneurship” / Courtesy of Nordic Talks By Kwon Mee-yooKorea has made rapid progress in economic development, but it still has a long way to go in achieving gender equality in the workplace.On the occasion of International Women's Day, which fell on March 8, the four Scandinavian embassies in Seoul ― Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden ― hosted the 11th Nordic Talks at Seoul Startup Hub to discuss the gender gap in entrepreneurship from Korean and European perspectives.Two male ambassadors from the Nordic countries took part as panelists to share their thoughts on gender equality, especially in the field of economy.Swedish Ambassador to Korea Daniel Wolven noted that the lack of gender diversity in entrepreneurship is not just an issue of fairness and equality, but also a question of economic growth. "Women make up half the population, half of the workforce, half our creativity ― maybe mo
Voula Tegou from Greece gives a presentation about organic food products from the European Union during an EU organic event in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Hellenic TradingBy Kwon Mee-yooOrganic food products ranging from fruits, olive oil and wine sourced from the European Union (EU) are poised to approach the Korean market, showcasing their superior quality, which is attributed to the favorable climate conditions and certified organic farming methods.Bio Net West Hellas, a group of organic producers in Greece, and the Bulgarian Organic Products Association hosted an event introducing organic products from the EU in Seoul, Tuesday, in cooperation with the Korean company, Hellenic Trading."This event brings all of us together around the Greek philosophy of wine. Greece is actually the mother of viticulture," Konstantinos Daskalopoulos, a counselor at the Embassy of Greece in Seoul, said. "Tonight's opportunity is about sharing also other great products from Greek soil like kiwis."During a presentation on organic food products from the European Union ― specifically Greece and Bulgaria
Participants in the “Perspectives on Women in the Media” conference commemorating International Women's Day on March 8 pose during the event at Korea Press Center in central Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yoo By Kwon Mee-yooAlthough there has been progress in media representation and portrayal of women, they are still significantly underrepresented, especially in decision-making positions.The European Union delegation in Korea hosted a conference to discuss perspectives on women in the media and explore ways to empower women in the media industry, Monday, ahead of International Women's Day, which falls on March 8. EU Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo-Fernandez emphasized the importance of gender equality and media diversity in her opening remarks. "This is a location first of all to celebrate International Women's Day, which is something that we continue pushing together with our male colleagues. This is about gender equality," Castillo-Fernandez said
"Journey of an Architect," an exhibition showcasing Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura's works, is underway at the Seoul Hall of Urbanism and Architecture in central Seoul through March 26. Courtesy of Seoul Hall of Urbanism and ArchitectureBy Kwon Mee-yooPortuguese Ambassador to Korea Susana Vaz PattoEduardo Souto de Moura is one of the most prominent figures in Portugal's modernist architecture, known for blending modern and traditional elements in his work.An exhibition at the Seoul Hall of Urbanism and Architecture sheds light on the works of Souto de Moura, ranging from residential buildings to large-scale projects in cooperation with Casa da Arquitectura, or the Portuguese Centre for Architecture, in Matosinhos, Portugal.Titled “Journey of an Architect," the exhibition showcases Souto de Moura's vision through original architectural models as well as authenticated reproductions of the architect's drawings, drafts, conceptual studies and technical drawings, alongside pictures of the structures taken by Portuguese architectural photographer Luis Ferreira Alves.Amba
U.S. Forces Korea spokesperson Col. Isaac L. Taylor, left, and Col. Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, bump fists during a joint press conference on combined military drills at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul, Friday. YonhapBy Kwon Mee-yooSouth Korea and the United States jointly announced Friday that they will resume their annual combined springtime military exercise in mid-March after five years.According to the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), the joint exercise, also known as the Freedom Shield, will be conducted from March 13 to 23. This is the longest-ever period for the allies to conduct an operational exercise. "Freedom Shield is designed to strengthen defense and response capabilities of the alliance by focusing within the exercise scenario on things such as the changing security environment, DPRK aggression and lessons learned from recent wars and conflicts," USFK spokesperson Col. Isaac Taylor said during a joint press briefing. DPRK stands for the North's official name, Democratic People's Repu