Photos - The Korea Times

PHOTOS North Korea says 'rocket launchers, guided weapons tested'

A rocket blasts off from a mobile launcher in this photo North Korea's state media KCNA released on Sunday, a day after the nuclear-armed North fired multiple short-range projectiles into the East Sea. YonhapNorth Korea has conducted a "strike drill" for multiple rocket launchers and tactical guided weapons to test their performance, state media reported Sunday, a day after the communist nation fired unidentified short-range projectiles into the East Sea.North Korean leader Kim Jong-un supervised the "strike drill of defense units in the forefront area and on the eastern front which took place in the East Sea of Korea on Saturday," according to the Korean Central News Agency."The purpose of the drill was to estimate and inspect the operating ability and the accuracy of striking duty performance of large-caliber long-range multiple rocket launchers and tactical guided weapons by defense units in the frontline area and on the eastern front," the KCNA said."And the combat performance of arms and equipment and to more powerfully arouse the entire army to the movement for becoming cracksh

May 5, 2019

North Korea says 'rocket launchers, guided weapons tested' [PHOTOS]

PHOTOS Opposition takes it to Cheong Wa Dae

Lawmakers from the main opposition Liberty Korea Party have taken their protest to Cheong Wa Dae Thursday as they failed to block a “fast-track” package of reform bills by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and three other parties. The bills include items on President Moon Jae-in's key legislative agenda such as establishment of a new anti-corruption investigative authority. The LKP, led by Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn and floor leader Rep. Na Kyung-won, gathered at a fountain square in front of the presidential office Thursday morning and held placards reading, “Punish dictatorship, protect constitution” and “Moon Jae-in stop.” Five lawmakers of the party had their heads shaved to highlight the party's voice. A petition posted to the Cheong Wa Dae website on April 22 calling for the party's disbandment has drawn the online petition portal's record number of over 1.6 million endorsers as of Thursday.

May 2, 2019By Ko Dong-hwan

Opposition takes it to Cheong Wa Dae [PHOTOS]

PHOTOS Korea Forum 2019

Seung Myung-ho, center, chairman of The Korea Times and Hankook Ilbo, stands hand in hand with VIP guests for the 6th Korea Forum at the Hotel Shilla in Seoul, Thursday. Under the theme “Third year of the Moon Jae-in administration and three hurdles lying ahead,” the one-day forum attracted hundreds of dignitaries, including top government officials, leaders of political parties, ambassadors and senior embassy officials. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geunJoining hands are, from left, Sohn Kyung-shik, CJ Group chairman; Son Hak-kyu, Bareunmirae Party leader; Seung Myung-ho, chairman of The Korea Times and Hankook Ilbo; Chung Dong-young, leader of the Party for Democracy and Peace; Lee Joon-hee, president and publisher of Hankook Ilbo; and Rep. Song Young-gil of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukSeung Myung-ho, right, chairman of The Korea Times and Hankook Ilbo, shakes hands with Bareunmirae Party leader Son Hak-kyu. In the center is Lee Joon-hee, president and publisher of Hankook Ilbo. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geunIndian ambassador t

Apr 25, 2019

PHOTOS Assembly Speaker pressured to step down over 'cheek touching' sexual harassment

National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang touches Rep. Lim Lee-ja on the cheeks Wednesday. Courtesy of Rep. Song Hee-kyeongBy Park Si-sooNational Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang is under pressure to step down after he touched a female lawmaker on the cheeks in a physical confrontation with lawmakers over a controversial reform bill on Wednesday. Photos show Moon putting his hands on the cheeks of Rep. Lim Lee-ja of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP). She was trying to block Moon from leaving his room that was packed with protesting lawmakers. The controversial “cheek touching” came on the heels of Moon hugging Lim abruptly. According to witnesses, the hugging was an “accident” that happened when the Speaker was in a shoving match with protesting lawmakers. Lim complained to the Speaker over the touch, saying “This is a sexual harassment.” The Speaker then touched her on the cheeks, saying “Is this too?”Moon, who managed to escape, is being hospitalized to treat hypoglycemic shock, which his aides blamed on the confrontation that

Apr 25, 2019

Assembly Speaker pressured to step down over 'cheek touching' sexual harassment [PHOTOS]

PHOTOS Children sample life of monk ahead of Buddha's Birthday

A boy rolls backward during the commencement ceremony for the “Bodhi Tree Sapling School” in the Jogyesa Temple in downtown Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul“Bodhi Tree Sapling School” is a temple stay that gives children a chance to live the life of a monk at Jogyesa Temple, downtown Seoul. It began on April 22. The purpose of the program is to help participants learn the values of the religion at a young age. It will last until Buddha's Birthday on May 12.A boy closes his eyes and makes a face while a Buddhist monk shaves his hair in an enactment of a traditional ceremony to become a monk. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulA boy with a look of embarrassment on his face covers his shaved head with his hands. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulOne of the boy monks is presented with prayer beads. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulA boy monk prays. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulThe boy monks stand with hands together in “Hapjang” prayer. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Apr 24, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee

Children sample life of monk ahead of Buddha's Birthday [PHOTOS]

Special forces extreme weather training

PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province — ROK special warfare command soldiers participate in a winter military training exercise on Jan. 8. The troops participated in the endurance exercise in temperatures below minus 20 degrees Celsius in a scenario in which they were defending the country from possible commando attacks from North Korea. / Coverage by Shim hyun-chul and Choi won-sukMilitary martial artsHelicopter rappelingMilitary martial artsSniper in a frozen riverBombing the targetHurling snow

Jan 12, 2015

Tattoos go mainstream in Korea

Body painting by artist NOVO / Courtesy of NOVOBy Rachel LeeHaving a tattoo was once considered something of a taboo in Korean culture. Often relegated to the realm of counterculture and seen as a surefire way to fail a job interview, tattoos have started to go mainstream and built a ubiquitous presence in the fashion industry.In what is perhaps the greatest fashion shift for a generation, they are now displayed and admired like a Celine bag or a Prada shoe.They are not subversive, nor transgressive; neither are they a mark of the outsider ― gang members or criminals. What was once the mark of sailors, bikers and rockers is now commonplace with consulting managers, advertising executives and stay-at-home moms. You would be hard-pressed to find a celebrity who doesn't boast a tattoo these days.In the fashion world, tattoos are seen everywhere, including the runways and with most advertising. Danish model Freya Beha Erichsen’s “Breathe” tattoo has been splashed across Chanel’s latest campaign and last year’s Valentino ads featured a model with a heavi

Oct 7, 2014

In mourning

A mourner, right, cries while he ties a yellow ribbon on a tree near a memorial altar in front of Seoul City Hall, Tuesday. The yellow ribbons contain mourners’ messages of condolence for those who died in the sinking of the ferry Sewol on April 16. / Korea Times photos by Shim Hyun-chulBy Yoon Sung-wonMourners were queuing up to pay their respects at a memorial altar in front of Seoul City Hall for those who died in the sinking of the ferry Sewol.The Sewol sank off the southwestern coast, with 476, most of them students, onboard.As of Tuesday afternoon, 205 were confirmed dead with 97 missing.Praying for the victims, many mourners were apologetic for the failure to protect their young lives.Lee Dong-su, a college student who visited the altar with his friends, said, “If only the government had done the right thing in the initial stages.”Mourners, in three rows at a time, laid chrysanthemums on the altar and offered a collective prayer in silence. Some wore a black ribbon on the left side of their chest.Afterward they wrote messages of condolence, hope or apolo

Apr 29, 2014

Trips back home

A light from a boat is seen near Paengmok Port in Jindo Island, South Jeolla Province, April 18. / Korea Times photos by Shim Hyun-chulBy Yoon Sung-wonJINDO ― A lone beam of light appeared on the pitch-dark night horizon off Paengmok Port. The beam eventually grew into the shape of a Coast Guard vessel. On board were the remains of passengers recovered from the sunken ferry Sewol.The boat came close to the pier, prompting a dozen workers to scramble to moor it. Methodically, the remains covered with white sheets were moved into a tent.They came ashore finally, eight days after their scheduled arrival time on Jeju Island. Parents cried out their children’s names and others gazed at the sea. Religious figures came and prayed for the return of the missing.As indescribable grief and frustration replaced hope, the scene has been repeated often and will continue to be for days to come.  Here, time is marked by the shrinking number of makeshift beds at shelters for families, where many have left with the bodies of their loved ones. People may gradually return to their normal

Apr 24, 2014

If we could turn clock back by one week

Messages wishing for the safe return of the missing passengers of the sunken ferry Sewol are left on a tent flap at Paengmok harbor on Jindo Island, South Jeolla Province, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Yoon Sung-won, Shim Hyun-chulJINDO ― This island has been one of sadness for the week since the sinking of the ferry Sewol.On board were more than 470 passengers. There have been no more survivors found after the 174 who were rescued before the ship went down, while more bodies have been recovered.This creates an odd mixture of feelings ― anticipation, disappointment, anger and a sense of resignation, all enveloped by great sorrow.No one can escape from it for even a moment.If you try to distract yourself from it, either a sound of wailing or a deep sigh from someone who has just found out they have lost a loved one, or is about to lose one, overtakes you. Everybody here wishes they could go back one week and relive it differently.Few will say it out loud, not because of the futility of it but because of the sense of guilt over not being able to do anythi

Apr 23, 2014

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