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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.

How a small Seoul hat maker crafted 'MASGA' hat that helped unlock tariff talks

A red baseball cap embroidered with the slogan “Make America Shipbuilding Great Again (MASGA)” has emerged as an unlikely symbol of progress in recent U.S.-Korea tariff negotiations. Behind the scenes, a small Seoul-based manufacturer's urgent production of these hats shows how symbolism and speed can converge in diplomacy. The order came suddenly. “The U.S. and Korean flags must be stitched side by side above the MASGA slogan on the front of the cap,” a Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) official told the Seoul-based hat maker, Moja Factory, located in Dongdaemun District. The design was intended not just as merchandise, but as a key visual aid in high-level talks. The MASGA slogan, created by MOTIE staff as part of a strategic policy proposal for bilateral shipbuilding cooperation, had helped break a stalemate in tariff talks. To make it stick, Korean negotiators needed a bold, tangible object, a hat echoing U.S. President Donald Trump’s iconic red MAGA cap, tailored to American tastes but delivering a Korean message. In an interview with Hankook Ilbo on Wednesday

Aug 7, 2025By Hankookilbo
How a small Seoul hat maker crafted 'MASGA' hat that helped unlock tariff talks

2025 Miss Korea pageant winners

Winners of the 69th Miss Korea pageant, hosted by Global E&B, smile with their trophies at COEX Auditorium in Seoul’s Gangnam District, Tuesday. From left are third runner-up Lee Seo-hyun, first runner-up Kim Bo-gum, grand prize winner Jung Yeon-woo, second runner-up Yoo Eun-seo and fourth runner-up Park Ji-yu. Korea Times photo by Ha Sang-yoon

Aug 6, 2025By Jung Da-hyunphoto
2025 Miss Korea pageant winners

94-year-old survivor of Japanese forced labor awarded national medal

Yang Geum-deok, a 94-year-old survivor of Japan’s forced labor during World War II, has spent decades fighting for justice. She was recently awarded Korea’s Moran (Peony) Medal, the nation’s second-highest civilian honor. The medal was presented Saturday at a hospital in Gwangju, where Yang has been receiving treatment due to her deteriorating health. The ceremony was modest and held without public notice. It was organized by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) and attended by a few local officials and civic representatives. “I’m thankful to President Lee Jae Myung for this recognition,” Yang said, expressing her appreciation for the administration’s support. The idea of awarding her the medal had previously been raised by the NHRCK under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, but the plan was dropped after the foreign ministry objected, citing concerns about fairness among victims. Yang was born in Naju, South Jeolla Province, in 1929. She was only 15 when she was taken to work at a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries factory in Nagoya, Japan. She was misled by her t

Aug 6, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji
94-year-old survivor of Japanese forced labor awarded national medal

Jecheon to host medicine, natural products industry expo next month

The 2025 Jecheon Korean Medicine and Natural Product Industry Expo will be held from Sept. 20 to Oct. 19 in Jecheon, North Chuncheong Province. The event will take place at the Jecheon Hanbang Expo Park. This marks the third international event of its kind hosted by Jecheon, following expos in 2010 and 2017. Unlike previous editions, this year’s expo expands its focus from traditional Korean medicine to the broader natural products industry, under the theme of “A Better Future with Natural Products.” Jecheon is a major production and distribution center for medicinal herbs like astragalus and angelica. The city has established itself as a hub for natural materials and was selected in 2023 as a national standardization center for the full cycle of natural product development. The expo will feature themed exhibition halls on herbal medicine, natural product industries, international cooperation and more. Cultural performances, hands-on programs and immersive media content will also be offered, including virtual reality experiences and traditional craft workshops. Visitors can receive

Aug 5, 2025By Jhoo Dong-chan
Jecheon to host medicine, natural products industry expo next month

North Chungcheong to host traditional music, arts festival next month

The 2025 Yeongdong World Traditional Music & Arts Expo will take place for a month starting Sept. 12 at the Yeongdong Rainbow Healing Tourism Complex in Yeongdong, North Chungcheong Province. The Yeongdong Korean Classical Music Experience Village is also set to host side events in the city’s northwest area of Simcheon. Gugak refers to Korea’s traditional music, and a provincial official said in a press release that the event aims to present gugak not merely as a cultural artifact but as a globally viable content platform under the theme, “The Fragrance of Gugak Colors the World.” The festival is expected to feature a wide array of performances, exhibitions and interactive programs that blend traditional music with modern interpretations. The expo will open with a parade, followed by an air show by the Republic of Korea Air Force 53rd Air Demonstration Group. A traditional royal ceremony will also be held during the opening event. Pansori artist Nam Sang-il, festival ambassadors Park Ae-ri and Kim Da-hyun, and with various bands, including Leenalchi, will also perform. The opening

Aug 5, 2025By Jhoo Dong-chan
North Chungcheong to host traditional music, arts festival next month

What happens when a K-pop star joins the army? Cha Eun-woo’s story so far

ASTRO member Cha Eun-woo’s life in the military is drawing attention, with updates shared by fellow group members and online witnesses. On Aug. 3, ASTRO’s Sanha communicated with fans through a social platform, revealing a humorous moment from their group chat. “On Saturday, Eun-woo suddenly said, ‘How did MJ do it? Save me,’” Sanha said, offering a glimpse into Cha’s early struggles in training. “Even our physically fit Eun-woo seems to be having a hard time,” he added. “But I think he’s adjusting well.” Given Cha's reputation for being in top physical shape, the candid comment amused fans while hinting at the demanding nature of military life. Further insight came from an anonymous online user who said their boyfriend — also undergoing training — had passed along an observation. “He told me Cha Eun-woo went to church today. The training assistant apparently told people, ‘Please don’t stare. He’s just another human,’ because so many were looking at him,” the user wrote. Cha Eun-woo enlisted on July 28 at the Korea Army Training Center in Nonsan, S

Aug 4, 2025By Xportsnews
What happens when a K-pop star joins the army? Cha Eun-woo’s story so far

Girls’ Generation reunites for Tiffany’s birthday and debut anniversary — fans celebrate 18 years

Girls’ Generation has once again reminded fans why they’re called the "nation’s girl group" — proving that all it takes is a reunion photo to stir both headlines and emotion. On Aug. 1, member Tiffany shared a group photo of all eight Girls’ Generation members — Taeyeon, YoonA, Sooyoung, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Tiffany, Sunny and Seohyun — on her social media with the caption, “yay its august.” The post appears to commemorate both Tiffany’s birthday and the group’s debut anniversary. Girls’ Generation officially debuted on Aug. 5, 2007, making this their 18th anniversary and approaching their 18th year together. In true tradition, the members celebrated the occasion with a full group photo, continuing their annual custom of sharing reunion moments via social media or YouTube around their debut date. Last year, the group similarly delighted fans with reunion content posted on their personal accounts and Yuri’s YouTube channel. While most members coordinated in elegant white outfits, Yuri stood out in a sporty look that sparked laughter among fans. Sunny, who was overseas

Aug 2, 2025By Xportsnews
Girls’ Generation reunites for Tiffany’s birthday and debut anniversary — fans celebrate 18 years

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Nomura Motoyuki, revered for helping Seoul’s impoverished, dies at 94

Nomura Motoyuki, a Japanese pastor and social activist who worked with the urban poor in Seoul’s Cheonggye Stream area, died Saturday. He was 94. Nomura had been receiving treatment for malignant lymphoma since last month and died in a hospital, according to the Purme Foundation. In accordance with his wishes, no funeral was held. Nomura dedicated much of his life to serving the urban poor along the Cheonggye Stream in Seoul. After the 1950-53 Korean War, refugees settled in the area, forming sprawling slums. Waste from city sewers flowed directly into the stream, creating unsanitary conditions. In 1969, a massive fire destroyed 150 homes — a stark reminder of the vulnerability of residents in the densely packed shantytown. Born in Kyoto in 1931, Nomura left veterinary school after witnessing the devastation of World War II. He later moved to the U.S. to study theology, where experiencing racial discrimination deepened his empathy for Koreans under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. Motivated by lifelong remorse, he visited Korea dozens of times from 1968 to 1985, each time wo

Jul 31, 2025By Park Ung
Nomura Motoyuki, revered for helping Seoul’s impoverished, dies at 94

Sungkyunkwan University discusses AI innovation at international academic conference

Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) discussed the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), humanity and innovation across culture, health and education at a recent international academic gathering. An SKKU official said Wednesday that the college hosted the 2025 Global Colloquium at the Cho Byung Doo International Hall in the 600th Anniversary Building, July 24. The event was part of the school’s international summer semester program, bringing together 200 participants, including faculty, graduate students and external experts. “The academic gathering served as a platform for global exchange on the challenges and possibilities AI presents to the humanities and social sciences,” the official said in a press release. “The 2025 Global Colloquium underscored our commitment to fostering global dialogue on how AI can enrich human-centered progress.” The event started with SKKU Vice President for International Affairs Cho Min-hyo’s welcome remarks, followed by opening speeches from President Yoo Ji-beom and Deputy Minister of Education Kim Young-gon. Harvard University Under

Jul 30, 2025By Jhoo Dong-chan
Sungkyunkwan University discusses AI innovation at international academic conference
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