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Global beer brewers gather in Seoul for KIBEX 2025

Domestic and foreign breweries and beer lovers came together at COEX in southern Seoul for the Korea International Beer Expo (KIBEX) 2025, Thursday through Saturday. This year, KIBEX once again serves as a three-day international all-you-can-sample bar for industry leaders, brewers and suppliers to "day drink," and showcase the newest trends and innovations shaping the beer industry, including special national pavilions from the United States and Brazil. Since 2019, the event’s ongoing influence has been promoting and shaping Korea’s evolving taste in alcoholic beverages, as well as celebrating its collaboration within the international beer community. Adam Dulye is the executive chief of the Brewers Association, a U.S. national association representing small and independent craft brewers. Since 2020, the association has been bringing over brewers from the U.S. who’ve been exporting or are interested in exporting to the Korean market. This year’s KIBEX showcases seven breweries and 40 different styles at the dedicated U.S. pavilion, offering samples to thirsty attendees with cr

Apr 11, 2025By Andrew White
Global beer brewers gather in Seoul for KIBEX 2025

Rights advocates warn of rising anti-immigrant politics

Is ultranationalism gaining ground in Korean politics? Human rights advocates are growing increasingly concerned following a political feat by a once-fringe figure earlier this month. Lee Kang-san, 35, of the Liberty Unification Party — a hard-right minor party with no seats in the National Assembly — garnered more than 32 percent of the vote in the April 2 by-election for the top post at the Guro District Office in Seoul. One of his central pledges was to deport what he referred to as “all the illegal aliens.” In his official campaign brochure sent to voters, Lee emphasized that his top policy priority would be putting “citizens first.” “If I get elected, I will prioritize solving the problem of illegal immigrants. Guro District is home to more than 50,000 foreigners, and the issue of public security has been rising due to illegal immigrants,” he said. “As the head of the district, I would collaborate with police and immigration officers to deport them. I would also apply AI technology to security cameras to analyze behavior patterns and movements to effectively detect

Apr 10, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Rights advocates warn of rising anti-immigrant politics

Overseas adoptees protest early end to truth inquiry

Overseas adoptees on Thursday voiced outrage over the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) plan to wrap up its ongoing investigation into human rights violations in Korea’s past overseas adoptions, as the commission’s term is set to expire May 26. The adoptees, who submitted their cases to the TRC in November 2022, urged the government to establish a third TRC if the current second commission, which began in 2020, fails to complete its work by the deadline. Among the total 367 cases filed, only 56 were identified as involving human rights violations and government responsibility, in the commission’s first announcement on March 26. It is unlikely that all of the pending 311 cases will be resolved before the May 26 deadline. "We are concerned that there will not be enough time to conclude the remaining cases. If all 367 adoptees cannot receive an answer within the current mandate, then a third TRC must be established as soon as possible,” Peter Moller, a Danish adoptee who heads the Danish Korean Adoptee Group, said during a press conference in front of the TRC’s office

Apr 10, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
Overseas adoptees protest early end to truth inquiry

Foreign residents pick Gwanghwamun as Seoul's most iconic landmark: survey

Gwanghwamun — a public square that serves as the main gateway to Gyeongbok Palace and a hub of cultural and political life in Seoul — has been chosen as the city’s most iconic landmark by foreign residents, according to a survey released Wednesday. In the 2024 Seoul Survey, 48.4 percent of 2,500 foreign residents chose Gwanghwamun as the city’s most iconic landmark. It was followed by traditional palaces (36.8 percent), the Han River (23.8 percent), Dongdaemun Design Plaza (23.5 percent) and Seoul Plaza (20.6 percent). Asked to select the most symbolic color of Seoul in a multiple-choice question, 50.9 percent chose blue over pink (39 percent) and white (36.2 percent). Meanwhile, the overall happiness index among foreign residents ― measured based on their health, financial conditions and relationship with other people, among other factors ― increased to 7.19 points from 6.83 points the previous year. By country, the average score among U.S. citizens was the highest at 7.97 points. The survey also shows that their health condition has improved, with 72.7 percent saying it was

Apr 9, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Foreign residents pick Gwanghwamun as Seoul's most iconic landmark: survey

More Canadians in Korea need to register to vote by mail

As the date for Canada's next federal election draws nearer, time is running out for Canadians living overseas to register to vote. Overseas Canadians can apply on the Elections Canada website to receive a voting kit in the mail. Registration remains open until April 22 at 6 p.m. Ottawa time, but with that date just six days before the election on April 28, that's cutting it dangerously close. "We really urge people to apply for their special ballot as soon as possible," said Elections Canada spokesperson Diane Benson. "We need to approve your application, send the voting kit to you and you need to get it back to us by the deadline on Election Day. You have to take into account how long it might take to get through both Canadian and international postal systems." To add your name to the International Register of Electors, you must be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old on polling day, be living outside Canada and have lived in Canada at some point in your life. You need to show one form of identification, which can include a passport, Canadian citizenship certificate or card or

Apr 9, 2025By Jon Dunbar
More Canadians in Korea need to register to vote by mail

Political activity by foreign nationals turns focus on existing law

Can foreigners be deported for participating in political activities here? Article 17 of Korea’s Immigration Act states, “No alien staying in the Republic of Korea shall engage in any political activity unless otherwise permitted by this Act or other Acts,” and, if anyone is caught violating the law, “the Minister of Justice may order the alien in writing to suspend such activity or may issue other necessary orders” such as a deportation order. However, it turns out that the ban on political activity by noncitizens in Korea has never been enforced, according to the Ministry of Justice — at least not yet. “No foreigners have been ordered to be deported or to stop interfering (in political matters in Korea),” its representative said in a response sent to The Korea Times on Monday. Since the introduction of the article, last revised in 2010, it has been used by both domestic right-wing and left-wing activists as a tool to instill fear in foreigners about the potential consequences of expressing political opinions that differ from their own. During the martial law and impeachm

Apr 8, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Political activity by foreign nationals turns focus on existing law

Migrant rights groups rally in Seoul against racial discrimination

To mark the 2025 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Korea-based migrant human rights organizations staged a rally in front of Seoul Station on March 16, reaffirming their intention to create a world without hate and discrimination, even as change within Korean society remains slow. The organizers said that despite repeated recommendations from United Nations human rights bodies, including the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Korea has failed to enact even the most basic anti-discrimination law. Since 2009, the South Korean government has ignored 12 international recommendations to establish comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation. During a joint declaration statement, organizers called on the Korean government to respect the dignity of migrants and ensure equal treatment in all aspects of labor, health and social security. “We have long fought and stood in solidarity against racial discrimination. The global situation continues to deteriorate, and change within Korean society remains painfully slow. However, we refuse to surrend

Apr 8, 2025By Bereket Alemayehu
Migrant rights groups rally in Seoul against racial discrimination

Dance performance 'Strangers' examines complex realities of human migration

Choreographer Kim Hyun-sun presents a dance performance drawing from her personal experience of moving from Korea to France. Titled "Strangers," the ensemble performance is part of the upcoming Korea Dance Festival, held from Sunday to April 20. Hosted by the Korea Dance Association, the event gathers numerous dance teams from across Korea to perform and compete in Seoul. "Strangers" by Dance Us Project delves into the complex realities of migration and emotional displacement — the quiet sense of not quite belonging, the subtle weight of loneliness and the continual negotiation of identity. “While living in France, most people treated me kindly, and I didn’t face significant discrimination or difficulties," Kim told The Korea Times. "I still felt an indescribable sense of loneliness. Simply being there, looking different from those around me, seemed to create a feeling of isolation. The language barrier also played a big role in that experience.” "Strangers" ultimately suggests that even in cycles of isolation and identity searching, we can find opportunities for self-acceptance

Apr 8, 2025By Antonia Giordano
Dance performance 'Strangers' examines complex realities of human migration

New visa system aims to rejuvenate local industries, schools

Local authorities aim to rejuvenate their industries and schools by attracting foreign workers and students under a new visa system introduced to fit their needs. The Ministry of Justice approved a proposal by the Busan city government last week to allow 1,000 additional foreign students over the next two years to study semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries and other areas related to “car parts of future” at colleges and universities in Busan. Previously, those who wished to apply for student visas in the city were required to demonstrate their financial capacity ― a bank statement showing at least 16 million won ($11,000). Under the new system, that condition has been eased to 8 million won. Moreover, students who majored in one of these areas will be allowed to work as interns during their final semester, such as the fourth semester for two-year college students. City officials aim to help students find employment in key industries that they consider vital for the future of Busan's economy. Last year, city officials designated Busan's Gijang and Gangseo districts ― a total

Apr 8, 2025By Jung Min-ho
New visa system aims to rejuvenate local industries, schools

Japan's Texas 3000 set to tour Busan, Seoul

A lot of bands have insisted they're absolutely not emo. But Texas 3000 seems to claim the title "midwest emo" despite being located in Japan, far from the U.S. Midwest, and also the fact that their complex, noisy sound defies easy classification. "To be honest, I don’t think any of us have ever listened to emo," Jojo, the band's guitarist and vocalist, told The Korea Times. "Sakiyama, our drummer, loves Tool and Meshuggah, and his Instagram handle is @johnbonhamfreak. Kirin, our bass player, loves Khruangbin, Elliot Smith and jazz fusion. I’m a big '00s-era David Pajo and Jim O’Rourke fan. But we’re a rock n roll band, and our music is definitely emotional." Their music may sometimes sound a little closer to emo, but things aren't always so straightforward or linear. Their sound is a little more versatile rock if an artist took a pair of scissors to it or a looper. Their latest album, "Weird Dreams," released April 2, makes great leaps between genres across five songs. Starting with "Strange Cherry Red," a pretty straightforward alternative rock song, before skipping to hip-hop

Apr 6, 2025By Jon Dunbar
Japan's Texas 3000 set to tour Busan, Seoul
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