South Korea - The Korea Times

Task force launched to investigate overdue wages for 91 Filipino workers

The government has launched an investigation into a major wage nonpayment case involving 91 Filipino workers at a farm in Yanggu, Gangwon Province. The Ministry of Employment and Labor said Friday that it directed officials at its regional office there to establish a task force dedicated to investigating the incident, just one day after a complaint about it was formally received. The team is expected to begin on-site investigations in the coming days to find out why and how the mass wage delays occurred, the ministry said. “With more than 90 foreign workers involved, we are committed to a swift and thorough investigation,” an official said. “Our aim is to secure the workers’ rights and to deliver justice as quickly as possible.” Beyond wage theft, the ministry is also looking into the involvement of a broker agency that allegedly charged excessive fees to the Filipino workers. The agency is suspected of violating the Labor Standards Act by engaging in illicit profit-taking, according to the ministry. Article 9 of the law states, “No person shall intervene in the employment of

Aug 1, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Task force launched to investigate overdue wages for 91 Filipino workers

‘Stand in the Bootprints of Heroes’ digital tour honors British soldiers of Korean War

A new digital tour commemorating one of the most harrowing events of the Korean War was officially unveiled at the British Embassy in Seoul, July 25. Titled “Stand in the Bootprints of Heroes: Battle of Imjin River,” the self-guided experience invites visitors to retrace the footsteps of British soldiers who fought in the pivotal 1951 battle, using QR codes placed at key locations across the site of the battlefield. The initiative, created by the British Korean War Memorial Committee (BKWMC) with support from the British Embassy and several Korean partners, blends history and technology to preserve the legacy of the 29th British Independent Infantry Brigade Group — most notably the Glorious Glosters, who fought to the last man in defense of Hill 235 from April 22 to 25. Of the more than 1,000 British soldiers who lost their lives during the Korean War, 141 fell during the Battle of Imjin River, making it the most brutal land battle fought by the British military since World War II. Accessible via smartphones, the QR-code-based trail takes users through 11 stops that span approxim

Aug 1, 2025By Alice Hong

‘Stand in the Bootprints of Heroes’ digital tour honors British soldiers of Korean War

Multicultural families see rising incomes, reduced educational barriers

A new report highlights overall improvements in the quality of life for multicultural families in Korea, noting a rise in higher education enrollment among children from diverse backgrounds and a decline in reported experiences of discrimination. According to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’s 2024 national survey, released on Thursday, the college enrollment rate among multicultural youth climbed to a record 61.9 percent last year, up sharply from 40.5 percent in 2021. Meanwhile, the gap in higher education enrollment between multicultural and non-multicultural students has narrowed significantly — from 31 percentage points to 13 — signaling that multicultural families are experiencing fewer barriers to academic progress. These gains suggest a significant step toward greater social integration and equality for multicultural families in Korea. This progress, particularly in education, signals a more inclusive future for the nation's increasingly diverse population. Multicultural households also report substantial financial improvement. Nearly 66 percent of families had in

Jul 31, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Multicultural families see rising incomes, reduced educational barriers

RAS Korea makes connection with RAS Georgia

The Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) has a lengthy history, with the Great Britain and Ireland organization established in August 1824 to further "the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia." Many regional branches around Asia have nearly as long a history, including RAS Korea, which dates back to 1900. But new RAS branches are still forming, with the branch for the country of Georgia, located at the crossroads or Asia and Europe, founded just in 2023. Earlier this month, RAS Georgia Vice President Tamar Latsabidze visited Korea, during which she met with RAS Korea President Denny Park and former RAS Korea leader Rev. Steven L. Shields. The two sides sought to build ties among regional RAS branches. "Ms. Latsabidze envisions a vibrant network of RAS branches collaborating on educational and cultural exchanges, historical research and other scholarly initiatives," Shields told The Korea Times. "RAS Korea wholeheartedly shares this vision and is excited to build a relationship with RAS Georgia — and, in time

Jul 29, 2025By Jon Dunbar

RAS Korea makes connection with RAS Georgia

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK Isaan Isan offers authentic Thai flavors in Suwon

SUWON, Gyeonggi Province — Isaan Isan, the delightful product of a Thai-Korean couple, is a hidden gem in Suwon. The story behind this charming restaurant is as heartwarming as its food. A Korean man, frequently visiting Thailand for business, falls in love with and courts a local Thai woman. Now married, they relocate to his hometown of Suwon, where he proudly shares his wife's culinary talents with the public. Upon entering Isaan Isan, one first notices its rustic and inviting interior and hears a delightful mix of Korean and Thai voices. The walls are adorned with symbols of Thailand, including a picture of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, while the latest hits from the Thai music charts play softly in the background, adding to the distinctively Thai atmosphere. Despite the challenges of sourcing authentic ingredients, the food remains impressively genuine. Partnering with local farmers to grow the necessary vegetables has ensured that the true taste of Thai cuisine is brought to your table in Korea. Thailand is recognized for its delicious food, but many Thai people argue that t

Jul 29, 2025By Eddie Tam

[RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK] Isaan Isan offers authentic Thai flavors in Suwon

From Seoul to NYC to Edinburgh: Hyojin Park's solo performance moves audiences

In “Nina from Our Town Goes to NYC,” playwright and actress Hyojin Park crafts a familiar premise with a fresh perspective: A young woman leaves the familiarity of Seoul for the unknowns of New York, hoping to carve out a life in the arts. While the storyline might echo traditional immigrant narratives, Park imbues the journey with emotional depth and critical self-reflection. The solo performance follows Nina, a Korean woman determined to become an actress. She feels constrained by the rigid expectations of her home country and sees New York as a place where she can live more freely and pursue her career on her own terms. At first, Nina is enthralled by the promise of reinvention, believing her dreams are only possible far from home. Rather than settle for the conventional “fish out of water” narrative arc, Park expands the frame. The play touches not only on the external challenges Nina faces — unspoken biases and assumptions about her ethnicity — but also on her own internal prejudices. In doing so, Park explores how the disorientation of migration can shape self-percept

Jul 28, 2025By Antonia Giordano

From Seoul to NYC to Edinburgh: Hyojin Park's solo performance moves audiences

3rd World Arte Festival brings 150 global artists to Jeongseon

The mountain village of Ararichon in Jeongseon, Gangwon County, will transform into a vibrant stage for international artistic exchange and healing programs from Aug. 1 to 3, as the World Arte Festival welcomes over 150 artists from 22 countries under the slogan, “Hear the World, Heal the World.” Now in its third year, the festival was founded by Company Deullim CEO Choi Youn-young, a musician, entrepreneur and cultural visionary who has dedicated her life to preserving and modernizing Korea’s rich folk heritage. A folk singer from Korea's southeastern Gyeongsang region, she won the grand prize in the folk song category at the KBS Korean Traditional Music Awards in 2015 and 2018. Music director Sun-jae Clemente Min told The Korea Times that the festival features exhibitions of visual and performing arts to foster a deeper sense of collaboration, with artists from Japan, Bangladesh, Colombia and Germany among the many invited. The festival invites about 150 artists each year, including musicians, painters, performers and creators, who collaborate across genres and mediums. Accordin

Jul 28, 2025By Bereket Alemayehu

3rd World Arte Festival brings 150 global artists to Jeongseon

Gov’t plans to discontinue Seoul’s foreign nanny program early next year

The Lee Jae Myung administration plans to discontinue the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s foreign nanny pilot program early next year, as labor authorities re-examine the viability of migrant worker policies introduced by the previous government, according to an official on Monday. Speaking to The Korea Times, an official familiar with the matter said the Ministry of Employment and Labor will not approve a proposal to bring in an additional 1,200 caregivers from the Philippines. Without central government backing, the city government will have to end the foreign nanny initiative when its current trial period concludes in February 2026. “We have reached a consensus that the program should be closed after the test period,” the official said. “There has been a lot of criticism of the scheme, particularly its higher-than-expected cost. After it finishes, we will discuss how to develop a new system to support parents raising children.” Launched in September 2024, the program aimed to reduce the childcare burden for families in Seoul and potentially serve as a model for other region

Jul 28, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Gov’t plans to discontinue Seoul’s foreign nanny program early next year

Asia World Model United Nations addresses global issues

The 2025 Asia World Model United Nations (AWMUN) concluded Monday after providing a discussion platform for future leaders to discuss various global issues, an event official said on the day. Under this year’s theme of “Empowering Youth, Securing Our Future,” hundreds of talent young people from 40 countries worldwide discussed various global issues for five days starting Thursday. The official said in a press release that this year’s conference was divided into five different councils: the Food and Agricultural Organization under the topic of “Youth Involvement in the Agricultural Supply Chain,” United Nations General Assembly under the topic of “Road to Peace: Peace and Security in the Korean Peninsula,” Disarmament and International Security Committee with “Discouraging Usage of Chemical Weapons,” United Nations Human Rights Council with “Importance of Human Rights in Digital Spaces,” and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees with the topic of “Education Measures to Empower Young Refugees.” Co-hosted by Global Peace Youth Korea and International Gl

Jul 28, 2025By Jhoo Dong-chan

Asia World Model United Nations addresses global issues

When football meets music: Rock band Cinnamon Jam joins Newcastle United stars in Seoul

Back in March, English football team Newcastle United won the Carabao Cup — their first major trophy in 70 years. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Newcastle United Football Club (NUFC) is rewarding international supporters with preseason events that offer a unique fan experience. The Seoul installment of the tour will feature various events and live music from Daegu-based band Cinnamon Jam. "Music and football are intrinsically linked," Aaron French, the Newcastle-born guitarist of Cinnamon Jam and one of the event organizers, told The Korea Times. "Whether it's football chants at games or rousing, occasionally embarrassing World Cup songs, football and music go together like chicken and beer." It was with this philosophy that "Black & White and Full of Colour," the upcoming fan event in Seoul, was born. Scheduled for Friday, Aug. 1, the event represents a historic moment for Newcastle United's global fanbase. "As this is the club's first time visiting Korea, a group of Korean fans and I helped organize this event," French said. Alongside bandmate Eonsu Kim, French’s role focuse

Jul 28, 2025By Jamie Finn

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