South Korea - The Korea Times

Over 40% of foreigner deaths in Korea have unknown causes

The government has failed to establish the causes of more than 40 percent of deaths of foreign nationals who died in Korea in recent years, a Ministry of Justice report shows.

Oct 20, 2024By Jung Min-ho

Over 40% of foreigner deaths in Korea have unknown causes

Swiss ambassador to detail bilateral relations at RAS Korea lecture

Swiss Ambassador to Korea Dagmar Schmidt Tartagli will give a lecture for Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) Korea detailing the rich and dynamic history of bilateral relations.

Oct 20, 2024By Jon Dunbar

Swiss ambassador to detail bilateral relations at RAS Korea lecture

INTERVIEW Overseas Koreans are key asset for Korea to realize its global pivotal state vision: OKA chief

Koreans living abroad are valuable assets to the nation's ambition of becoming a global pivotal state, according to Lee Sang-deok, commissioner of the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA). He pledged to expand the global network of overseas Koreans to ensure their elevated status enhances the nation's capabilities.

Oct 19, 2024By Lee Hyo-jin

[INTERVIEW] Overseas Koreans are key asset for Korea to realize its global pivotal state vision: OKA chief

Rights commission urges gov't to find alternatives to detaining asylum seekers

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea called on the government, Thursday, to develop alternatives to its detention-centered policy for asylum seekers in the country.

Oct 17, 2024By Jung Min-ho

Rights commission urges gov't to find alternatives to detaining asylum seekers

Artists open window between Gwangju, Arctic

GWANGJU — "Home and Other Places," this year's Canadian Pavilion exhibition in Yangnim Art Center for the Gwangju Biennale, transcends the familiarity one might expect from a second consecutive exhibition of Inuit art at the event. After schedule disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 15th Gwangju Biennale opened just over one year after the 14th, to return to its even-year biannual cycle. It was at last year's Biennale that a special connection between Gwangju and the Canadian Arctic began to develop. It seems appropriate that for the 2024-2025 Year of Cultural Exchanges between the two nations, a unique collaboration has produced an exhibition that manages to be wildly different from its predecessor. "The idea of differentiating this pavilion from last year's was exactly the starting point for the creation of this pavilion," co-curator William Huffman explained. In 2023, Inuit art made its way to Gwangu for the first time. For the 14th Gwangju Biennale, assorted works from the West Baffin Art Collective in Kinngait (Cape Dorset) in Canada's northern territory of Nunavut were e

Oct 17, 2024By Arlo Matisz

Artists open window between Gwangju, Arctic

Busan film fest brings cinema magic, star power to Korea's 'second city'

Last Friday saw the wrapping up of the 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), that electric time of the year when Korea’s oft-neglected second city is temporarily transformed into the most glamorous spot on the peninsula. This year’s fest was a resounding success, drawing industry folks, aficionados, media and festival organizers from across Asia and beyond for 10 days of movies, events, boozy soirees and enough schmoozing to power all of Los Angeles for a good month. Running Oct. 2 to 11, BIFF 2024 featured 278 official selections and 633 screenings, drawing 145,238 spectators, up by 18 percent from last year’s event. Anyone who has tried buying tickets to a BIFF screening can attest to this popularity, as many sell out within seconds, especially during opening weekend. While frustrating, this can contribute to the festival’s charm. Not getting into your first or even second choice can force you to take in a film that you never would have otherwise, which sometimes leads to pleasant surprises. Who knew a movie about a telepathic goat herder in Tajikistan could move you

Oct 15, 2024By Chris Tharp

Busan film fest brings cinema magic, star power to Korea's 'second city'

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK Kamar brings Southeast Asian flair north of Itaewon-ro

Nestled above the bustling alleys of central Seoul's multicultural Itaewon is Kamar, a newly opened fusion restaurant and dining bar offering flavors reminiscent of Southeast Asia.

Oct 15, 2024By Audrey Tay

[RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK] Kamar brings Southeast Asian flair north of Itaewon-ro

When will Halloween return to normal in Itaewon?

Nearly two years have passed since a deadly crowd disaster during Halloween weekend shocked the world on Oct. 29, 2022. That traumatic event led to 159 deaths and left permanent scars in central Seoul's multicultural Itaewon area. As Halloween 2024 approaches, many are questioning whether the neighborhood will see a return to what was once one of the most vibrant and profitable weekends for local businesses.

Oct 14, 2024By Jon Dunbar