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World’s tallest sea bridge observatory set to open in Incheon

The world’s tallest observatory on a sea bridge will open in the port city of Incheon in April, offering sweeping views of Korea’s West Sea from nearly 200 meters above the water. The Sky 184 observatory is built into the top of the main tower of Cheongna Sky Bridge, which connects Yeongjong Island with the mainland at Cheongna International City. Rising 184.2 meters above sea level, it has been certified by Guinness World Records as the highest public bridge observatory on the sea, beating the 128-meter Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory in the U.S. state of Maine. According to Incheon city officials, the two-story facility has a total floor area of 339 square meters. The first level is an indoor observatory equipped with telescopes, while the second level is an open-air deck featuring an “edge walk,” where visitors wearing safety gear can circle the outside of the platform. On clear days, the skyline stretches from Yeongjong and Cheongna across Incheon to Seoul landmarks such as N Seoul Tower and Lotte World Tower, officials said. After additional safety checks, the observato

Apr 1, 2026By Jung Min-ho
World’s tallest sea bridge observatory set to open in Incheon

'Spring for Travel' campaign offers big discounts on flights, trains, stays

Spring travel deals are here, packed with discounts to lure people outdoors. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization kicked off the 2026 "Spring for Travel" campaign, which runs from April 1 through May 31. Free train travel to depopulated regions Korea Railroad KORAIL is offering 100 percent refunds in points on fares to 42 depopulated regions for trips booked April 1 to May 31. Riders can verify their visits via QR code to unlock coupons matching their round-trip costs. For instance, if you travel from Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul to Andong using the depopulated-region independent travel package, which costs 55,400 won ($36.5) round trip, you can receive a 55,400 won discount on your next train ride, by verifying the visit with a QR code or digital tourism resident card. Tourist trains are joining in, too, with five themed routes at half price. Eligible trains include the East Santa Train (Gangneung-Buncheon), the V-Train (Yeongju-Cheolam), the G-Train (Yongsan-Iksan), the S-Train (Seoul-Yeosu, Busan-Mokpo) and the A-Train (Cheongnyangni-Mindungsan).

Apr 1, 2026By Park Jin-hai
'Spring for Travel' campaign offers big discounts on flights, trains, stays

K-food guide: How to make healthier gimbap

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. As blood sugar management gains more attention, gimbap (seaweed-wrapped rice rolls) has occasionally been labeled as a major culprit for raising blood sugar. But this is not true for all gimbap. Gimbap varies widely depending on how it’s made, and the degree to which it raises blood sugar can differ significantly. If it contains a lot of white rice and few vegetables, it can cause a sharp rise in blood sugar. On the other hand, if it includes mixed grains and plenty of vegetables, it can actually help regulate blood sugar and be a healthy meal. Cut down on the rice Gimbap often contains more rice than expected. In addition, ingredients like sweet pickled radish (danmuji) and processed meats (such as sausages or imitation crab), which are high in sugar or sodium, are sometimes included. Of course, the amount varies depending on the store or product, so it’s hard to generalize, but the combination overall is not ideal for blood sugar control. Another issue is how quickly people tend to eat gimbap. It’s often chosen as a quick meal when busy.

Mar 27, 2026By Kormedi.com
K-food guide: How to make healthier gimbap

These breakfast picks can help you feel full for longer

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Eating the right food on an empty stomach in the morning can help with dieting. Food rich in protein and dietary fiber slow digestion and keep you feeling full for a longer time, which can reduce overall food intake. On the other hand, eating foods high in sugar or refined carbohydrates first thing in the morning can cause blood sugar to spike and then drop again, making you feel hungry more quickly. Here are foods that are good to eat on an empty stomach in the morning and help maintain a feeling of fullness. Greek yogurt Greek yogurt is rich in protein and helps you feel full for a long time. Protein takes longer to digest, which suppresses appetite and reduces unnecessary snacking. In addition, Greek yogurt contains probiotics beneficial for gut health, which can also have a positive effect on weight management. However, flavored products often contain a lot of added sugar, so it is better to choose plain yogurt. Eggs Eggs are a signature high-protein food that helps maintain satiety. Eating eggs for breakfast helps regulate appetite throughout

Mar 27, 2026By Kormedi.com
These breakfast picks can help you feel full for longer

Seoul names 175 spring flower routes across 251 kilometers

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Friday named 175 spring flower routes spanning a total of 251 kilometers across the city. The routes, branded “Seoul Spring Flower Paths,” are divided into urban street paths (74 routes), park paths (55 routes), waterway paths (37 routes) and neighborhood greenway paths (9 routes). Featured locations include Yeouido's cherry blossom boulevard along Yeouido Dong-Seo-ro, Eungbongsan hill in Seongdong-gu for forsythia, Songnaru Park at Seokchon Lake and the Anyang Stream embankment. According to weather forecaster Weatheri, forsythia and azaleas are expected to bloom in late March, with cherry blossoms reaching full bloom around April 10. In addition to familiar spring flowers such as cherry blossoms, ireum tree flowers and royal azaleas, the city said this year's routes incorporate plants from its “Seoul's 400 Attractive Plants” list. The city also noted that 424 new gardens have been added this year, bringing the total number of “Attractive Gardens” and “Companion Gardens” citywide to approximately 1,500 — up from 1,076 installed throu

Mar 27, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan
Seoul names 175 spring flower routes across 251 kilometers

K-food guide: Tricks for grilling samgyeopsal at home without the smell

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Koreans have a special affection for grilled pork belly, known locally as samgyeopsal, but it's not the easiest dish to make at home. It produces a strong smell that can spread within and outside the home. Since many Koreans live in apartments, grilling at home has been frowned upon by people who are sensitive to food odors. A recent social media post by Lee Mi-joo of the K-pop girl group Lovelyz has renkindled the debate: Is grilling pork belly on your balcony harmless, or a nuisance to neighbors? The controversy quickly turned into practical tips on how to reduce the strong, lingering smell that comes from grilling meat at home: 1. Line your pan with parchment paper Parchment paper cuts down oil splatter and smoke, which helps reduce odor. 2. Control airflow, but don’t just open everything Instead of opening all windows, create directional ventilation by opening balcony windows, closing inside doors and turning on fans to push smells outward instead of letting them circulate indoors. 3. Clean the meat before cooking Use a paper towel to remove

Mar 27, 2026By Kormedi.com
K-food guide: Tricks for grilling samgyeopsal at home without the smell

5 places in Korea to enjoy cherry blossoms

Warm spring winds have brought national attention to cherry blossoms, which are expected to bloom earlier than usual this year, heightening anticipation for one of Korea’s most cherished seasonal rituals. According to weather forecasts, global warming has pushed flowering dates forward by one to seven days compared to the annual average. Seogwipo in the southern part of Jeju Island has already seen blossoms emerge, with Busan, Daegu and Ulsan to follow, before the blooms reach Seoul around April 3. For both locals and visitors, cherry blossom viewing is a popular way to celebrate the season, with many taking time off to enjoy the fleeting spectacle. Numerous flower festivals are also held across the country to cater to seasonal travelers. The Korea Times has compiled a list of five places to enjoy cherry blossoms. Jinhae, South Geongsang Province Each spring, Jinhae District in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, transforms itself into a sea of cherry blossoms, earning its designation as Korea's largest cherry blossom destination. This year's Jinhae Gunhangje Festival runs for 10 days

Mar 26, 2026By Park Jin-hai
5 places in Korea to enjoy cherry blossoms

Spring fields, fortress nights: Behind Gochang's festivals

GOCHANG COUNTY, North Jeolla Province — When the spring wind sweeps across the rolling hills of Gongeum-myeon in Gochang County, nearly 770,000 square meters of green barley sway in unison like ocean waves. This picturesque landscape is drawing visitors from across the country to a county that has mastered the art of turning its rural landscape into a year-round tourism landmark. Gochang County, home to seven UNESCO designations, anchors its tourism calendar around two vastly different festivals — a spring celebration of grain fields and an autumn homage to a 15th century stone fortress — that altogether draw more than 700,000 visitors a year to a place with a population of less than 60,000. Gochang Green Barley Field Festival The Gochang Green Barley Field Festival is arguably Korea's most successful example of "landscape farming," turning farmland into scenic tourism spot. The story of how it began is deceptively simple. Professional photographers started exhibiting their barley field shots at exhibitions around the country, and word spread. Crowds began arriving, eventually grow

Mar 26, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Spring fields, fortress nights: Behind Gochang's festivals

Gochang's 7 treasures: Visit Korea’s renowned UNESCO county

GOCHANG COUNTY, North Jeolla Province — Gochang, a quiet county on Korea’s southwest coast that is the size of Seoul, calls itself a “UNESCO destination with seven crowns.” From World Heritage sites and a biosphere reserve to an Intangible Cultural Heritage and a Global Geopark, the county holds seven internationally recognized designations that serve as Gochang’s main attractions and anchor the county government’s push for sustainable tourism. It makes for an ideal weekend getaway for travelers seeking heritage-rich destinations in Korea. Prehistoric stone city: Gochang dolmen site Gochang’s UNESCO story begins in the Bronze Age landscape around Maesan village, home to the largest and most diverse cluster of dolmens in Korea. Of the 1,748 dolmens recorded across the county, more than 440 were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000 for vividly illustrating the global “megalithic culture” of the second and first millennia B.C. These table-like stone tombs, alongside quarry remains that show how they were carved and raised, offer a rare insight into prehistori

Mar 26, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Gochang's 7 treasures: Visit Korea’s renowned UNESCO county

K-food guide: How to make japchae healthier

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Japchae is a Korean dish made by mixing cooked glass noodles with meat and vegetables. The main ingredient is dangmyeon (glass noodles), typically made from sweet potato starch in Korea. While the chewy texture makes it popular, it’s also high in carbohydrates, so eating it with rice is not recommended for weight watchers. However, adding plenty of vegetables can help with blood sugar control and weight management. Glass noodles are dried noodles made from starch such as mung bean, potato or sweet potato. They’re called “glass noodles” or “cellophane noodles” because they become translucent when soaked. Why portion control matters According to Korea’s food composition data, 100 grams of glass noodle contains 35.2g of carbs and 143 kcal while being very low (0.6g) in fiber. So eating japchae with rice can double carb intake. Experts suggest reducing either the rice or the noodles, not eating both fully. Overconsumption of carbohydrates is particularly harmful for blood sugar control. Load it with vegetables Vegetables are rich in fiber

Mar 25, 2026By Kormedi.com
K-food guide: How to make japchae healthier
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