South Korea - The Korea Times

Environment minister hints at halting plans to build new nuclear power plants

Environment Minister Kim Sung-hwan has raised the possibility of halting plans to build new nuclear power plants, saying such plans need to be reviewed by public opinion. In February, the country finalized the 11th basic plan on electricity supply and demand, which outlined the construction of two nuclear reactors and one small modular reactor. "The 11th basic plan is the government's current plan and needs to be respected," Kim said during a press conference Tuesday. "On the question of building new nuclear reactors, there have been calls to make a decision after listening to public opinion. "The opinion (on new reactors) will ultimately be contained in the 12th basic plan." Kim, however, said nuclear power should serve as the country's base power supply as it increases the use of renewable energy and reduces reliance on fossil fuels. The ministry recently unveiled four options for the country's greenhouse gas emission goal for 2035, which Kim said will be finalized through further discussions. The four options are cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the 2018 level by mid-to-high 40 per

Sep 10, 2025By Yonhap

Environment minister hints at halting plans to build new nuclear power plants

Environment ministry to take over energy policy in gov't reorganization

The Lee Jae Myung administration on Sunday announced a plan to consolidate energy and environment policy under one command, as it aims to strengthen Korea’s climate crisis response. The government reorganization plan, finalized following its meeting with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), reflects the administration’s commitment to climate action and green energy transition despite concerns about conflicting goals in one organization. Under the overhaul, the Ministry of Environment will be expanded with the tentative name of Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. The new ministry will take over most energy policy responsibilities from the current Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy except for resource and nuclear industry policy. The new body will merge climate policy from the environment ministry and energy departments from the trade ministry, marking the first time the energy portfolio is transferred out of industry supervision. The reform is designed to strengthen the nation’s climate crisis response and accelerate the shift to renewable energy, as promised by

Sep 7, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Environment ministry to take over energy policy in gov't reorganization

All-out efforts underway to supply water to drought-hit Gangneung

All-out efforts have been underway Sunday to supply water to the drought-hit eastern coastal city of Gangneung, officials said, as it struggles with worsening water shortages. Helicopters, fire trucks and a Navy vessel were set to be dispatched to supply 29,793 tons of water to Obong Reservoir, the city's main water source, and the Hongje water purification plant for the day, according to city and Gangwon Province officials. The government declared Gangneung's drought as a state of disaster on Aug. 30 after the water storage level of the reservoir, which supplies household water to 180,000 Gangneung residents, fell to a record low of 15.7 percent. Despite efforts to replenish the supply, the reservoir has experienced declining water levels, reaching 12.6 percent as of 11 a.m. Sunday, down 0.3 percentage points from the previous day. Officials said around 400 military vehicles, two Coast Guard and Navy vessels, five Army helicopters and dozens of other civilian equipment will be dispatched Sunday as part of efforts to supply water to the city. On Saturday, the city began limiting supplying

Sep 7, 2025By Yonhap

All-out efforts underway to supply water to drought-hit Gangneung

Rail service in North Jeolla resumes after near 4-hour suspension due to flooding

Rail service between the western cities of Iksan and Jeonju resumed Sunday after a near four-hour suspension due to flooding from heavy rains, the state railway operator said. Railway operations between the two cities in North Jeolla Province resumed as of 10 a.m. after being suspended at about 6:20 a.m. as heavy rains flooded a 700-meter section between Jeonju Station and the nearby Dongsan Sation, according to Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL). KORAIL said officials drained water out of the section using pumps and have carried out emergency repairs and inspections. While operations have resumed, KORAIL said trains could travel slower than usual in certain sections to ensure passenger safety.

Sep 7, 2025By Yonhap

Rail service in North Jeolla resumes after near 4-hour suspension due to flooding

Korea’s visual king Cha Eun-woo melts fans’ hearts with dog reunion

Singer and actor Cha Eun-woo of K-pop boy band ASTRO has drawn attention after photos of his reunion with his pet dog Dongdong were shared following the completion of his basic military training. Cha enlisted on July 28 at the Army Training Center in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, and took part in a graduation ceremony on Sept. 2. During the event, he was selected as the trainee representative, leading the salute on behalf of his fellow soldiers. Images of Cha in uniform showcasing his dignified appearance and striking visuals quickly spread across online communities. Following the ceremony, Cha’s agency Fantagio shared photos of the star embracing his pet dog Dongdong. With his short military haircut, bright smile and dog in his arms, Cha appeared relaxed and affectionate, revealing a softer side that contrasted with his disciplined military demeanor. Dongdong’s name combines the character “Dong” from Cha Eun-woo’s real name, Lee Dong-min, and his younger brother’s name, making the dog well known among fans. After completing his basic military training, Cha will continu

Sep 6, 2025By Xportsnews

Korea’s visual king Cha Eun-woo melts fans’ hearts with dog reunion

What’s really in your pet’s vitamins? Consumer watchdog warns of gaps in pet supplement safety

With more Koreans welcoming dogs and cats into their homes, the market for pet health products is booming. Shelves and online platforms now offer everything from joint-support chews to vision-protecting powders, promising to boost pets’ well-being much like human health supplements. Yet behind the glossy packaging, questions are mounting over whether these products actually deliver on their claims. Kim Jun-hee, a 24-year-old office worker, began giving her dog an expensive urinary health supplement after the outdoor-trained pet repeatedly urinated indoors while sleeping. Nearly six months later, she remains unsure whether it has had any effect. “Sometimes I wonder if it’s really doing anything,” she said. Nearly one in four Korean households now includes a companion animal, and spending on pet nutrition and wellness products is surging. According to a 2023 report from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the domestic pet industry grew from about 810 billion won ($591 million) in 2010 to roughly 7.8 trillion won in 2022, and government projections put its value a

Sep 4, 2025By Youn Ye-jin

What’s really in your pet’s vitamins? Consumer watchdog warns of gaps in pet supplement safety

Rain forecast for central regions, drought-hit east coast

Rain is expected to fall across central parts of the nation and the drought-hit east coast on Thursday, the weather agency said. The broader Seoul area and other central parts of the country are expected to see rain due to a pressure trough passing through the country by the westerlies, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. The wider capital area is expected to see 10 to 60 millimeters of rainfall, while the eastern Gangwon Province's northern coast is forecast with 5 to 20 mm of rain and its southern coast with less than 5 mm. Central and southern coastal parts of Gangwon have recently been struggling with water shortages. Meanwhile, the country's east coast is expected to see more rain due to the influence from Typhoon Peipah, which formed early Thursday in waters south of Japan and is currently moving northward.

Sep 4, 2025By Yonhap

Rain forecast for central regions, drought-hit east coast

Coast Guard ship mobilized to supply water for drought-hit Gangneung

The Coast Guard on Wednesday mobilized a patrol vessel to supply hundreds of tons of water for the drought-hit eastern coastal city of Gangneung, officials said. The city has recently struggled with dangerously low water storage levels, prompting the government to shut off 75 percent of household water meters and close off public bathrooms and swimming pools in a bid to reduce water consumption. As part of efforts to send water to Gangneung, the 5,000-ton Sam Bong patrol ship, capable of carrying about 600 tons of water, arrived at the city's Anin port to provide water to fire trucks on standby. The amount is enough to supply about 50 fire trucks. The vessel will provide water to the city through Thursday before returning to its patrol mission in the East Sea. The move is expected to help the city's water supply efforts that have relied on fire trucks and other vehicles transporting water from areas around 50 to 60 kilometers away. The Coast Guard plans to mobilize 1,500-ton and 3,000-ton patrol vessels to supply more water to the city by next Tuesday.

Sep 3, 2025By Yonhap

Coast Guard ship mobilized to supply water for drought-hit Gangneung

Drought-hit Gangneung launches full-scale water conservation

The east coast city of Gangneung, stricken by the worst drought on record, has begun to implement desperate water conservation measures, as water storage at its main water supply reservoir has fallen to a dangerous level, the interior ministry said Tuesday. The water storage level at the Obong Reservoir, the main water source for Gangneung, Gangwon Province, stood at 14.4 percent as of 6 p.m. Monday, down 0.3 percentage point from the previous day, the ministry said. In response, the government shut off 75 percent of household water meters and closed 47 public bathrooms and three swimming pools, as part of the efforts to reduce water consumption. It has also begun operating a governmentwide drought response team comprising the interior ministry, the Gangwon provincial government and the Gangneung city government, after President Lee Jae Myung declared a state of national disaster to cope with the drought last week. A total of 112 vehicles and equipment, including 71 fire trucks and four military water tanks, have been mobilized to transport and supply 5,071 tons of water for the Obong Re

Sep 2, 2025By Yonhap

Drought-hit Gangneung launches full-scale water conservation

Nation records hottest summer on record in 2025

The nation saw the hottest summer on record this season for the second consecutive year amid persistent heat waves due to influences from the North Pacific and Tibetan high-pressure systems, the weather agency said Monday. An average temperature of 25.7 degrees Celcius was recorded from June 1 to August 31, surpassing last year's record of 25.6 degrees Celcius and marking the hottest summer since 1973, when South Korea began actively collecting weather data, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The daily high this summer averaged at 30.7 degrees Celcius, marking the highest for the season since 1973. The country reported 28.1 days under heat waves, or when the daily high reached above 33 degrees Celcius, this season to mark the third highest on record, after 31 days in 2018 and 28.5 days in 1994. It also saw 15.5 tropical nights over the period, marking the fourth highest on record, behind 20.2 days in 2024 and 16.5 days in 2018 and 1994. A tropical night refers to a phenomenon when nighttime temperatures stay above 25 degrees Celcius. The average amount of precipit

Sep 1, 2025By Yonhap

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