South Korea - The Korea Times

Over 840 labor violations uncovered at worksites employing foreign nationals

The government uncovered widespread labor rights violations during two rounds of targeted inspections this year at worksites employing foreign workers. The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced Wednesday that its probe discovered a total of 846 violations at 182 worksites among 196 high-risk workplaces inspected, from late April to June and again in September. While a broad 2022 review of 1,365 workplaces uncovered 5,162 violations, this year’s more narrowly targeted inspections of 182 high-risk sites still revealed 846 violations. Officials said the inspections uncovered troubling patterns of mistreatment toward foreign workers, including 10 workplaces that were found to have committed physical assault and blatant discrimination. Wage theft was the most prevalent offense, with a total of 1.7 billion won ($1.16 million) in unpaid wages identified at 123 businesses. Additionally, 65 companies were cited for forcing excessive overtime, and 22 denied workers their legally mandated breaks or days off. The violators were found to have exploited workers’ noncitizen status, withholding

Nov 19, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Over 840 labor violations uncovered at worksites employing foreign nationals

Seoul city gov't launches agency to attract corporate investments

In an ambitious bid to establish the Korean capital as a leading investment destination, the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday launched Invest Seoul, a dedicated city agency designed to attract and facilitate corporate investments. At an event held to celebrate the establishment of Korea’s first municipality-led institution focused on investment promotion, officials said its creation is a response to the growing global competition to attract foreign capital. The agency was officially registered on Oct. 21 and is set to serve as the control center for the city’s investment initiatives. The organization’s strategies include making investment plans that leverage Seoul’s unique strengths, offering tailored support and business networks for companies, promoting major development sites, and strengthening the city’s global profile to attract investors. Lee Ji-hyung, the inaugural president and CEO of Invest Seoul, outlined a vision to elevate the city as “Asia’s leading global investment hub.” “We will reorganize the organization to provide close support throughout the

Nov 13, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Seoul city gov't launches agency to attract corporate investments

LAUGHING THROUGH HISTORY 21 'I’d Rather Have Two 25-Year-Old Husbands'

Today I’m translating two short jokes that both depict marriages with an age gap. Conflicts between husbands and wives are the most frequent subject for jokes in “Kkalkkal Useum.” The 1910s, when this book was published, was a period when Korean intellectuals were actively discussing questions about what marriage should be. Although in Joseon-era Korea it was common for people to marry in their early teens, the writer Yi Gwangsu in particular drew attention for condemning “early marriage” as harmful and immoral. There was also debate about whether marriage should be arranged by families or be a free choice between individuals. The first of these two jokes shows a difference of opinion between a man and his daughter as to what she should be looking for in a husband. The humor genre makes it possible for her to express her own agency and desires, rejecting his values without facing criticism or negative consequences. The second joke depicts a marriage between a very young groom and a girl several years older. Although social convention placed a husband in a position of authorit

Nov 11, 2025By G.S. Hand

[LAUGHING THROUGH HISTORY 21] 'I’d Rather Have Two 25-Year-Old Husbands'

Vietnamese team wins top prize at Yongsan’s Multicultural Cooking Contest

A Vietnamese team took home the top prize at the 15th Multicultural Cooking Contest held at Yongsan Family Center, a culinary event celebrating the district’s diversity. Officials said Monday that Yongsan hosted the "Global Flavors Meet Korean Taste" event, reflecting the district’s status as home to the highest number of households with foreign-born spouses in Seoul. Shaped by decades as the site of a major U.S. military base and the cosmopolitan neighborhood of Itaewon, Yongsan remains Seoul’s most ethnically diverse district, characterized by a sizable foreign resident population, numerous embassies, and the city’s largest mosque. Teams representing seven countries — Nigeria, India, Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, China, and Mexico — participated, each tasked with preparing an original fusion dish that incorporated traditional kimchi and at least one of three Korean-style sauces: soy sauce, gochujang (red chili paste) or doenjang (fermented soybean paste). The Vietnamese team impressed the judges the most with their spring rolls and vibrant rainbow fried rice, earning the

Nov 10, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Vietnamese team wins top prize at Yongsan’s Multicultural Cooking Contest

Colonial traces remain embedded deep in Seoul’s urban landscape

Standing near Sookmyung Women’s University Station in central Seoul is a nondescript building with an unassuming doorway, above which a sign in Korean reads “Namyeong Arcade.” Stepping inside, one can’t help but notice the high ceiling with wooden roof trusses stretching above a trendy cafe. While the exact age of the building is unclear, as an institution, it dates back to 1922, when it was established as one of several modern markets built for Japanese residents. The original building burned down within a year of opening, highlighting the threat from fires, particularly in the winter months. In 1925, two fires were quickly put out but were suspected of having been caused by arson, leading to, as the Chosun Ilbo reported, “fear and unease” among local residents. The same newspaper reported in late 1938 that skyrocketing inflation in the wake of the outbreak of war in China led to the formation of the Gyeongseong Retail Market Association Federation, which aimed to implement price controls, thereby “fulfilling its mission as an essential supply organization during wartime

Nov 10, 2025By Matt VanVolkenburg

Colonial traces remain embedded deep in Seoul’s urban landscape

Seoul council proposal to limit welfare programs based on nationality sparks criticism

A proposed ordinance at the Seoul Metropolitan Council has sparked controversy, as it would allow the city government to differentiate welfare and support programs for foreign residents based on nationality. According to the council, Shim Mi-kyung, a council member from the conservative People Power Party, along with 32 party colleagues, recently introduced a bill to make foreign residents eligible for certain city-funded programs only if their home countries provide similar benefits to Korean nationals. It would also require the mayor to review whether those countries provide similar support before implementing policies aimed at assisting foreign nationals. Under the proposal, foreign nationals could be excluded from city support programs if their home countries fail to provide equivalent benefits or if Koreans are deemed to face discriminatory treatment there. Exceptions would be made for refugees, those in need of humanitarian aid and foreign entrepreneurs or skilled workers who contribute to the local economy and job market. The bill, introduced in late October, has not yet been refer

Nov 6, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin

Seoul council proposal to limit welfare programs based on nationality sparks criticism

RAS Korea Library finds new home at Soongsil University

For more than a century, Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) Korea has worked to make knowledge about Korea accessible through its lectures, annual Transactions journal, excursions and the maintenance of a collection of primarily English-language specialist materials. The library began as a small collection of books gathered mainly by missionaries and a few other foreign residents in Seoul who wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the peninsula. At a time when public libraries were rare and university collections were largely closed to outsiders, RAS Korea followed the example of the founding branch in London, as well as branches in India and Southeast Asia, and provided scholars with shared access to resources that would otherwise have been inaccessible. Maintaining the RAS Korea Library has never been easy. In its early years, librarians came and went almost every year, and the collection was modest. Over time, it grew into a treasured resource for researchers. Last year, when RAS Korea dissolved its board and gave up its long-time office and library space in the Korea Ecumenical Building

Nov 4, 2025By Jack Greenberg

RAS Korea Library finds new home at Soongsil University

Mongolian-born public servant leads multicultural change in Seoul's most affluent district

In a city with growing global diversity, one small office in Seoul's Gangnam District is quietly shaping the future of social integration. At the helm of the Gangnam Global Village Center (GGVC) is Yun Seung-ju, a visionary whose personal and professional journey reflects the multicultural transformation of Korean society. Originally from Mongolia, Yun arrived in Korea over two decades ago, later becoming the first foreign public servant of Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2011. After eight years at City Hall and earning a Ph.D. in early 2024, she was appointed as director of GGVC in April the same year. Now, she’s drawing on both her experience as a long-term resident and her academic background to reimagine the role of the center. “I want this center to be more than a place where foreigners take language classes,” she said in an interview. “I want it to be a space where Koreans and foreigners can truly meet, connect and understand one another.” A growing need for belonging Since its founding in 2008, the GGVC — formerly known as Yeoksam Global Village Center — has served a

Nov 4, 2025By Alice Hong

Mongolian-born public servant leads multicultural change in Seoul's most affluent district

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK Restaurant serves Puck’n good smash burgers

Seoul’s northeastern corner had stood out until recently as one of the few areas of the city to not become completely overrun with burger joints. For whatever reason, Western fare here has yet to catch on the way it has in hip locales like Mangwon, Gangnam and Mullae. Older neighborhoods in Seongbuk and Jungnang districts are still predominantly lined with eateries serving local dishes. Nonetheless, one upstart diner is going against the grain in hopes of reshaping the area’s culinary landscape. Just a hop, skip and jump from Anam Station on Seoul Metro Line 6 lies Puck’n Onion. This tidy, unassuming eatery, hidden in one of the quarter’s many winding alleys, has created quite the buzz since opening its doors in spring 2022. As far as burger joints go, Puck’n Onion is an average-sized operation. It boasts an open concept dining area, ample seating and a back-of-house grill. The walls are adorned with minimal decoration, and the front of the shop is as basic as can be. Gimmicks aren’t paramount to the dining experience here. I recently paid my first visit in the midst of an a

Nov 4, 2025By Zack Wilson

[RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK] Restaurant serves Puck’n good smash burgers

Seoul's 10-Minute Play Festival pits 16 productions against each other

This year’s 10-Minute Play Festival is looking to differentiate itself from its 11 predecessors. The theatrical event, a mainstay of the English language theater scene in Seoul, returns this month, although with some departures from previous years. This year, the festival received a record number of scripts from around the world when it began its open call. “We had a high of 395 plays submitted in 2019. This year we had over 500 plays in the first two weeks,” Lorne Oliver, who is both producing and acting in the festival, told The Korea Times. “We had to shut down submissions given that intense volume.” Of course, such interest in the festival is welcomed, but it also creates much more work for those involved in bringing the plays to life. Brian Petersen, the artistic director, detailed the process of script selection, which involves each piece being read by three different people. Only the top 40 plays are carried forward to the reading weekend, where actors are invited to read each script aloud, so that 16 can be selected for performance. These 16 scripts are split up into tw

Nov 3, 2025By Rory Kelly

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