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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.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV expected to visit Korea for World Youth Day 2027

Pope Leo XIV, newly elected as the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, is expected to visit Korea in 2027 to attend the next World Youth Day (WYD) in Seoul. If realized, the visit would make him the third pope in history to set foot on Korean soil. The prospect of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Korea emerged as Pope Francis had already announced Seoul as the next WYD host city during the 2023 gathering in Lisbon. Given the tradition of popes attending WYD in person, including in 2005 when Pope Benedict XVI attended the Cologne event following the death of John Paul II, expectations for Leo XIV’s attendance in Seoul are high. First formalized in 1986 under Pope John Paul II, WYD has since become a landmark event in global Catholicism, bringing hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world together for worship. The Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul predicts between 400,000 to 800,000 participants for the 2027 gathering, including both domestic and international visitors. It would become the fourth papal visit to Korea, following those of Pope John Paul II in 1984 and 1989 a

May 9, 2025By Kwon Mee-yoo
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV expected to visit Korea for World Youth Day 2027

Yoido Full Gospel Church pastor honored for promoting family-friendly culture

Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, received a presidential award Thursday for his leadership in advancing family-friendly initiatives through the church’s outreach programs. The award was presented by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family as part of May's Family Month celebrations. Lee was among 85 honorees recognized at a ceremony in Seoul. “The church was recognized for promoting the value of life through support for single-parent families and for contributing to the spread of a family-friendly culture through initiatives like childbirth celebration grants and day care centers,” the church said in a statement. Yoido Full Gospel Church is the largest Protestant church in the world by membership, with approximately 480,000 members, of which 150,000 are active. Lee has served as senior pastor since 2008. Between 2021 and 2024, the church has distributed a total of 6.1 billion won ($4.2 million) in childbirth encouragement funds and donated 120 strollers to single-parent families. In addition, the church supports the elderly, children and people w

May 8, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Yoido Full Gospel Church pastor honored for promoting family-friendly culture

Celebrating 141st anniversary of Korea-Italy ties in Venice

First Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yong Ho-seong speaks during the opening ceremony of the exhibition "For All that Breathes on Earth: Jung Youngsun and Collaborators" at San Marco Art Centre in Venice, Italy, Wednesday (local time). The exhibition, which originated from the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, is part of cultural exchange program between Korea and Italy that celebrates the 141st anniversary of diplomatic relations and coincides with the 2025 Venice Biennale of Architecture. Courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

May 8, 2025By Kim Se-jeongphoto
Celebrating 141st anniversary of Korea-Italy ties in Venice

'If you are truly passionate about something, it can become reality,' says winner of King Edward VII prize

When you are truly passionate about something, it can become a reality, according to Lee Yoon-ki, the winner of this year’s King Edward VII prize at the inaugural Entente Cordiale University Challenge competition. The prize was awarded under the joint patronage of His Majesty King Charles III and French President Emmanuel Macron, April 8 (local time). Lee’s teammates included Theo Kaiser from Germany and Nachiket Midha from India, who are also students at St Antony's College, University of Oxford. The competition aims to bring together students from U.K.- and French-based universities to produce and deliver solution-focused research on today’s most pressing issues. This year’s theme was climate change, biodiversity and developing countries. The title of their paper was "Fields on Fire: Policy Recommendations to Combat Stubble Burning in India." Lee, a graduate student majoring in international relations at University of Oxford, is a Korea Times Economic Essay contest winner. “It was especially meaningful to be the only Korean participant in the finalist round, and truly a histori

May 8, 2025By Lee Kyung-min
'If you are truly passionate about something, it can become reality,' says winner of King Edward VII prize

Chef Edward Lee named ambassador to promote Seoul’s culinary culture

A ceremony appointing Korean American chef Edward Lee as an honorary ambassador of Seoul was held at Seoul City Hall on Wednesday. Lee, runner-up on the Netflix show "Culinary Class Wars," has played a key role in globalizing Korean cuisine through his TV appearances and cookbooks. He emigrated to the United States with his parents when he was a toddler. Although raised in New York, he later moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he ran a restaurant for 22 years. “Seoul is a city with an incredibly diverse and rich food culture,” Lee said. “As the city’s honorary ambassador, I will do my best to introduce Seoul’s flavors to the world and share its unique charm with as many people as possible.” Following the ceremony, Lee and city officials shared a lunch featuring tofu — a dish that left a lasting impression on "Culinary Class Wars" and symbolizes Seoul’s healthy food culture. The city said the meal, low in sugar and linked to anti-aging benefits, was intended to highlight its commitment to promoting healthy eating. “We expect Lee’s recognition and genuine culinary phil

May 8, 2025By Park Ung
Chef Edward Lee named ambassador to promote Seoul’s culinary culture

Culture minister visits Gangwon Province

Culture Minister Yu In-chon, right, listens as Sokcho Mayor Lee Byeong-seon explains the history of his city during the minister's visit to the coastal city in Gangwon Province, Wednesday. Yu visited the city as part of a general inspection on local tourism. Yonhap

May 7, 2025By Kim Se-jeongphoto
Culture minister visits Gangwon Province

Han Ji-min shares heartfelt message at wedding of ‘Our Blues’ co-star Jung Eun-hye

Actress and caricature artist Jung Eun-hye celebrated her wedding surrounded by heartfelt congratulations — including a touching tribute from fellow actress Han Ji-min. On Sunday, Han shared a photo on her Instagram story showing herself beaming beside the bride. “A wedding full of love, just like Eun-hye. Congratulations, Eun-hye,” Han wrote in the caption. The two actresses previously portrayed twin sisters in the 2022 tvN drama “Our Blues,” and their friendship has continued beyond the series. Han made headlines in 2022 for attending the premiere of “Your Face,” a documentary film starring Jung. Jung's wedding took place on Saturday, with Han delivering a speech at the ceremony. In her address, Han reflected on their unique bond and praised Jung's influence on her life. “Whenever I talk with Eun-hye, I feel like I become clearer and more innocent,” Han said. “She scolds me a lot, actually. When I ask certain questions, she tells me, ‘Don’t compare,’ ‘Everyone is beautiful,’ or ‘I love everyone.’ Every time she says those things, she feels like a teach

May 6, 2025By KTimes
Han Ji-min shares heartfelt message at wedding of ‘Our Blues’ co-star Jung Eun-hye

Lee Seung-gi receives Buddhist award amid family estrangement, remains committed to his faith

Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi has been honored with a major Buddhist award, even as he publicly distances himself from his in-laws following the controversy surrounding his wife's family. On Monday, Lee attended the Buddha’s Birthday ceremony for the Buddhist Era 2569 at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul’s Jongno District, where he received the 2025 Buddhist Devotee of the Year award. The award recognizes individuals who embody Buddhist teachings in their daily lives, contribute to social and national development and elevate the presence of Korean Buddhism. The selection committee of the Jogye Order, Korea’s largest Buddhist sect, announced Lee as the recipient last month, citing his role in the film “Big Family” as a significant contribution to spreading Buddhist values and sentiments to the public. Lee was also recognized for his involvement in Buddhist outreach efforts, including serving as a host for a national music concert during last year’s Seon Meditation Summit. He further donated 100 million won (about $73,000) to the Jogye Order’s millennium temple construction project tit

May 6, 2025By KTimes
Lee Seung-gi receives Buddhist award amid family estrangement, remains committed to his faith

Fans swoon as Byeon Woo-seok of ‘Lovely Runner’ brings spring romance to Clinique event

Actor Byeon Woo-seok had fans swooning at a spring-themed fan meet hosted by beauty brand Clinique. Clinique announced Friday that it successfully wrapped up its fan event titled “Clinique, capturing Woo-seok in spring,” held in collaboration with its brand Ambassador Byeon. The fan meet took place on April 30 at C-SQUARE on the first floor of Cultureland Tower in Seoul’s Gangnam District. One hundred fans, selected through prior application, were invited to spend a heart-fluttering spring afternoon with the rising star. The venue was transformed into a spring wonderland, complete with floral photo zones and oversized blossoms, evoking the feeling of a seasonal pictorial. The whimsical setting paired perfectly with Clinique’s Cheek Pop line, known for its watercolor-like tones, making fans feel as though they had stepped into a blooming garden. The brand’s signature warmth and aesthetic created unforgettable memories for attendees. The event featured a Q&A session with questions submitted by fans in advance, an interactive balance game titled “Byeon Woo-seok PICK!,” and a lu

May 3, 2025By KTimes
Fans swoon as Byeon Woo-seok of ‘Lovely Runner’ brings spring romance to Clinique event

TWICE’s Jihyo becomes Seongsu building owner with $2.9 million cash purchase

Jihyo of the K-pop group TWICE has purchased a building in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong District, cementing her status as a savvy investor in real estate. According to the real estate industry Friday, Jihyo acquired the building in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong District, for 4 billion won (about $2.9 million) last year. She finalized the purchase in early March 2024, completing the full payment and ownership transfer by the end of that month. As no mortgage or lien was registered on the property, the transaction is believed to have been made entirely in cash. In April 2024, just a month after the purchase, Jihyo registered as a residential lease business operator and completed the official registration of the property as a private rental home. This registration allows for certain tax benefits such as reductions in acquisition tax but also subjects the owner to regulations under the Special Act on Private Rental Housing, including a five percent cap on rent increases, a minimum lease period, and mandatory insurance coverage for rental deposits. The building Jihyo purchased was originally constructed

May 3, 2025By KTimes
TWICE’s Jihyo becomes Seongsu building owner with $2.9 million cash purchase
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