South Korea - The Korea Times

PM set to visit US for talks on UN hub, possible meeting with Vance

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is set to depart for the United States on Thursday to promote Korea's bid to host a U.N. hub and meet with senior U.S. officials, possibly including Vice President JD Vance. Kim's weeklong trip, which will also take him to Geneva, Switzerland, comes as the government is bidding to host the tentatively named "U.N. AI hub," an initiative aimed at bringing together U.N. bodies, and Korea's private and public sectors to produce AI-based solutions to global issues. A meeting with Vance is being arranged for his stop in Washington, sources said, which he could use to discuss tariffs and other bilateral issues, including a bill supporting Korea's $350 billion investment commitment to the U.S. The bill is set to be passed by the National Assembly later Thursday. Kim and Vance previously met in January, also in Washington. From the U.S. capital, the prime minister will travel to New York, where he plans to visit the U.N., UNICEF and the United Nations Development Program to meet with heads of organizations, including U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, to discuss t

Mar 12, 2026By Yonhap

PM set to visit US for talks on UN hub, possible meeting with Vance

Foreign residents should be included in state cash handouts, human rights watchdog says

The state human rights watchdog said Wednesday that the government should consider expanding eligibility for state relief funds to be more inclusive of foreign residents, citing concerns about discrimination. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) said it had conveyed its opinion to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and other relevant agencies, urging them to gradually broaden the scope of foreign nationals eligible for government support programs aimed at aiding households coping with economic hardship. The issue was raised in a complaint filed July last year by migrant worker groups, which argued that the government's voucher-based cash assistance program treated foreign residents unequally depending on their visa status and household composition. Last year's cash handouts were part of the government's emergency response to sluggish domestic spending. Under the scheme, all citizens and some foreign residents were eligible to receive 150,000 won ($100), with additional benefits for low-income households. Non-Korean citizens were in principle excluded from the initia

Mar 11, 2026By Lee Hyo-jin

Foreign residents should be included in state cash handouts, human rights watchdog says

Korea's truth commission to open new bureau for overseas adoption cases

Korea’s truth-seeking commission plans to establish a dedicated bureau to investigate alleged human rights abuses linked to the country’s overseas adoption program and residential facilities, its chair said Wednesday, as complaints from adoptees continue to mount. Song Sang-kyo, chairperson of the newly launched third Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), said the body will also step up efforts to help people living abroad submit complaints through Korean diplomatic missions. Complaints related to overseas adoption have flooded the commission. A total of 311 applications alleging misconduct in intercountry adoptions were filed on Feb. 26, the commission’s launch day, and officials expect the number to rise as more adoptees living overseas learn about the process. "There have been continued calls, both within and outside the commission, to establish Investigation Bureau 3 dedicated to cases involving human rights abuses at institutional care facilities and in overseas adoptions," Song said at a press conference, his first since taking office on March 4. Legislation passed in Fe

Mar 11, 2026By Lee Hyo-jin

Korea's truth commission to open new bureau for overseas adoption cases

All-Korean band to perform Irish music for St. Patrick's Day Festival

One of the music acts set to perform at the St. Patrick's Day Festival this Saturday is the somewhat mysteriously named Gan Ainm. Gaelic for "without name," the band features four talented Korean musicians. This includes banjo player Darren Choi, fiddler Koh Hae-young, concertinist Koh Seulki and vocalist and guitarist Zee. This will be Gan Ainm's first appearance at the annual festival, organized by the Irish Association of Korea. When Choi, a Korean national whose real name is Jong-wook, joined the band in 2013, it wasn't all Koreans. He entered the picture when he attended a traditional music session and met Patricia Jones, the band's button accordion player. After the departure of some of the original members, it was down to him, Jones and Hae-young on fiddle. They went busking almost every weekend, and occasionally played other shows, including for charities. It was around this time when the band settled on Gan Ainm as the name, as they didn't want to spend too much more time thinking it over. "After much deliberation, Patricia, feeling a bit lazy about the whole process, simply sugg

Mar 11, 2026By Jon Dunbar

All-Korean band to perform Irish music for St. Patrick's Day Festival

Over half of skilled visa holders earn more than $2,000 per month

More than half of foreign workers on so-called “professional” visas in Korea — holders of E-1 to E-7 work permits — now earn over 3 million won ($2,000) a month, according to new data released Tuesday. A survey published by the Ministry of Data and Statistics shows that among professional workers — including professors (E‑1), foreign language teachers (E‑2), researchers (E‑3), tech experts (E-4), licensed professionals (E‑5), artists and performers (E‑6) and specific‑activity workers (E‑7) — more than half reported a monthly income of at least 3 million won. Across all foreign employees in the country, 50.2 percent earned between 2 million and 3 million won a month, while 36.9 percent took home more than 3 million won. However, among “non-professional” workers such as E-9 visa holders, 68.9 percent were concentrated in the 2 million to under 3 million won range. The survey also examined working hours. Among foreign workers overall, 58.1 percent said they worked between 40 and 50 hours per week. Another 17.8 percent worked between 50 and 60 hours, and 8.7 per

Mar 10, 2026By Jung Min-ho

Over half of skilled visa holders earn more than $2,000 per month

Number of foreign residents in Korea nears 1.7 mil. in 2025

The number of foreign nationals residing in Korea approached 1.7 million as of May last year, government data showed Tuesday. The total number came to 1.69 million, up 8.4 percent from a year earlier, according to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics. The figure refers to foreigners aged 15 and older who have resided in the country for more than 91 days. By category, Koreans with foreign nationalities accounted for the largest share at 24.2 percent, followed by non-professional employment visa holders at 19 percent, the data showed. International students accounted for 14 percent and permanent residents at 9.6 percent. Among foreign nationals, ethnic Koreans with Chinese nationality accounted for 29.9 percent of the total, followed by those from Vietnam with 16 percent, the data showed. The data also showed that 65.5 percent of foreign nationals had jobs. Among those employed, 10.8 percent of foreign workers said they were seeking new jobs, with most citing low income as the main reason. About 32 percent of foreign nationals reported earning a monthly income between 2 milli

Mar 10, 2026By Yonhap

Number of foreign residents in Korea nears 1.7 mil. in 2025

Indians in Korea celebrate spring’s colorful Holi Hungama festival in Seoul

Spring arrives this year in an explosion of colors with Holi Hungama, a major Hindu festival celebrated mainly in India and Nepal and by diaspora communities worldwide. Participants throw colored water and powder at each other in a celebration symbolizing the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring and the celebration of love, unity and renewal. For anyone in Korea interested in taking part in this high-energy festival, the Indian community here is organizing its own Holi Hungama event. Organizers highlighted that Holi celebrations in Korea began informally within the Indian community in the early 2000s. Over time, through the structured efforts of Indians in Korea (IIK), a registered nonprofit organization and community chamber established in 2002, the festival has evolved into a well-organized multicultural event in Seoul and other cities. IIK President Nagendra Kumar Kaushik, a professor at Kwangwoon University, told The Korea Times about the festival's origins. “Holi has deep roots in Indian mythology,” he explained. “One of its most significant origins is linked to th

Mar 10, 2026By Bereket Alemayehu

Indians in Korea celebrate spring’s colorful Holi Hungama festival in Seoul

Japan's Melt-Banana returns to Korea after 17 years

The legendary Japanese noise rock band Melt-Banana is finally coming back to Korea for the third time, 17 years after their last show. The band had its first show here in January 2005, and returned for a second show in August 2009. "This time will be our third visit," said Yako, the duo's lead vocalist. "I clearly remember how cold it was the first time we went, and I remember that everything we ate tasted incredibly good." "The second time, we also visited a recording studio in Korea, and we had a bit more time to relax," said Agata, the other half of the duo. "We went to a building that had a lot of musical instrument shops, and I ended up making a bit of an impulse purchase. Both stays were really enjoyable." Finally, after years of scheduling conflicts and the pandemic, Melt-Banana is ready to return to Seoul. Melt-Banana was founded in 1993, and the name was chosen shortly before their first show in May that year. "There isn’t really a deep meaning behind it," Yako said. "Maybe at the time I just liked the combination of the word 'melt,' with its particular sound, and 'banana,' with

Mar 10, 2026By Jon Dunbar

Japan's Melt-Banana returns to Korea after 17 years

Seoul goes green for St. Patrick's Day Festival

It's that time of year again — the ice melts, the sun sets later and the greens come out. It's time once again for St. Patrick's Day, including the big annual festival at D-Cube City Plaza in southwestern Seoul this Saturday. Under this year’s theme of “Seoul’s Going Green,” the plaza will be transformed into a lively showcase of Irish heritage and contemporary culture, highlighting the deep and growing tie between Ireland and Korea. “St. Patrick’s Day has been a staple in Seoul for many years now, and what makes it special is the feeling of Irish hospitality and community on display for all to see," said Alan Leavy, chairman of the Irish Association of Korea (IAK), the main organizer. "It’s not just for Irish people. We really want it to be open to anyone who wants to come along, take part and enjoy themselves. St. Patrick’s Day is among the most widely celebrated national days in the world, and here in Seoul it’s a great day out for the whole family and a chance to experience a bit of Irish culture.” Running from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., the free, family-friendly outdoo

Mar 9, 2026By Jon Dunbar

Seoul goes green for St. Patrick's Day Festival

ExclusiveKorea to allow Iranians to overstay visas until conflict eases

Korea will allow Iranians to remain here beyond their visa limits on humanitarian grounds, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran intensifies in the Middle East. In response to inquiries from The Korea Times regarding Iranian nationals in Korea, the Ministry of Justice said those whose visas cannot be extended under ordinary rules will be permitted to stay until war-related risks are deemed to have subsided enough to allow safe travel. As of January, 2,133 Iranian nationals were residing legally in Korea. “The Ministry of Justice plans to allow Iranians who are currently staying in Korea legally, but can no longer extend their visas or change their status, to remain here on humanitarian grounds until the situation stabilizes,” a ministry official said. This measure comes as some other countries are moving to ease immigration rules or grant temporary protections to Iranians who would face heightened danger if forced to return. At least two countries — Canada and Japan — have so far announced special measures allowing Iranians to extend their stay rather than forcing them to return to a w

Mar 8, 2026By Jung Min-ho

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