South Korea - The Korea Times

First lady meets ethnic Koreans active in Japan's cultural sector

First lady Kim Hea Kyung on Tuesday met with ethnic Koreans active in Japan's cultural sector and exchanged views on ways to promote cultural exchanges between the two countries, Cheong Wa Dae said. Kim, who was accompanying President Lee Jae Myung on his visit to Japan's Nara Prefecture, met with Korean descendants in Japan as part of her cultural diplomacy, vice presidential spokesperson Jeon Eun-soo said in a written briefing. The gathering brought together actress Park So-hee, who appeared in the Apple TV+ series "Pachinko"; novelist Ushio Fukazawa; and chef Koh Hyun-cheol among others. Kim described them as "precious bridges" connecting Korea and Japan. "I hope you will be recognized in both Korea and Japan, but I know how difficult that journey can be," Kim said, adding that she will support their future endeavors. The first lady also shared traditional Korean sweets, known as hangwa, that she had made herself, and made a "time capsule" together with them to express hopes for continued cultural exchanges between the two nations, according to Jeon.

Jan 13, 2026By Yonhap

First lady meets ethnic Koreans active in Japan's cultural sector

Korean donor’s ‘memory of a cup of milk’ brings hope to children and women farmers in Bangladesh

A Korean donor’s childhood memory of drinking relief milk after the Korean War has grown into a program that is now improving nutrition for children and supporting poor women dairy farmers in Bangladesh. Since 2023, the international development nongovernmental organization Heifer Korea has been running the “Milk for School” program in Sirajganj, Bangladesh, to address childhood malnutrition while strengthening the livelihoods of women-led dairy cooperatives. The initiative has already produced visible results. According to local health data, nearly 50 percent of Bangladeshi children under five suffer from vitamin A deficiency, while 31 percent lack zinc. Around 22.6 percent are underweight and 28 percent experience stunted growth. To help tackle these conditions, Heifer Korea partnered with Heifer Bangladesh women’s dairy cooperatives, social enterprise Grameen Danone, and local authorities to introduce school milk feeding at five public primary schools in the Bangla Union of Sirajganj. Today, 1,245 primary school students in the region receive free servings of Shokti, a fortif

Jan 7, 2026By KTimes

Korean donor’s ‘memory of a cup of milk’ brings hope to children and women farmers in Bangladesh

Former PM Kim Hwang-sik defends Syngman Rhee at Far East Forum

Former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, who served from 2010 to 2013, said that blaming Syngman Rhee, Korea’s first president, for the division of the Korean Peninsula amounts to "historical distortion." “It was already the case that a communist regime had been established in the North before the formation of a separate government in South Korea. If this had been left unchecked, there was a high possibility that the entire Korean Peninsula would have become communist,” Kim said Monday at the 56th Far East Forum held in Seoul. The forum was organized by the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC)-Korea. Views on Rhee’s legacy remain deeply divided in Korea. Critics argue that Rhee failed to pursue reunification as the country’s leader, while his defenders contended that without Rhee, the entire peninsula could have fallen under communist rule. Born in 1875, Rhee spent his young adult life in the United States and contributed to Korea's independence fight against Japan's 1910-45 colonial occupation. After liberation, he was elected Korea’s first president in 1948, and remained in of

Dec 30, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

Former PM Kim Hwang-sik defends Syngman Rhee at Far East Forum

5 crew members rescued after falling overboard off Jeju's Seogwipo

Five crew members were rescued Friday after falling overboard from a merchant ship sailing off the southwest coast of Seogwipo on Jeju Island, officials said. According to Coast Guard officials, a report was filed at 4:47 p.m. that five crew members had fallen into the sea from the 8,580-ton cargo ship about 33 kilometers southwest of Seogwipo Port. Ten people were aboard the vessel at that time. The Coast Guard immediately dispatched rescue boats and a helicopter to the scene for rescue operations, and all of them, who were aboard a life raft, were rescued safely by around 5:52 p.m. The rescued crew members, all of whom are foreign nationals, were reported to be in stable condition and are being transported to hospitals nearby. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, officials said.

Dec 12, 2025By Yonhap

5 crew members rescued after falling overboard off Jeju's Seogwipo

Seoul reaffirms sovereignty over Dokdo following Japanese PM's claim

The presidential office reaffirmed Tuesday that Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo are unequivocally Korean territory, rejecting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's renewed claim over the islets in the East Sea. A senior presidential official dismissed Takaichi's remarks during a parliamentary session earlier in the day, reasserting that no territorial dispute exists over Dokdo. "Dokdo is an integral part of Korean territory historically, geographically and under international law," the official said. "We will sternly and firmly respond to Japan's unjust claims over Dokdo." It marks Seoul's first strong response toward Tokyo since President Lee Jae Myung took office in June vowing to improve relations with Japan. Takaichi's renewed claims raised concerns that it could strain the bilateral ties at a time when Lee has emphasized a two-track approach that separates future-oriented cooperation from historical and territorial disputes. The two countries have reportedly been coordinating Lee's potential visit to Nara Prefecture, Takaichi's home region, next month for a summit with the Jap

Dec 9, 2025By Yonhap

Seoul reaffirms sovereignty over Dokdo following Japanese PM's claim

Korea to provide $500,000 in humanitarian aid for central Vietnam flood victims

The Korean government will provide $500,000 in humanitarian aid to Vietnam to help those affected by severe typhoons and floods in the country's central region, officials said Monday. Since mid-November, heavy rainfall in central Vietnam has triggered widespread floods and landslides, leaving at least 90 people dead so far. The Seoul government plans to swiftly provide assistance to affected areas and residents in need, in consultation with the Vietnamese authorities, the Korean Embassy in Vietnam said, expressing hope that the aid will contribute to a swift recovery and the restoration of daily life. Last year, Korea provided $2 million in support for recovery from Typhoon Yagi, which claimed 323 lives in Vietnam. In October, it also provided $1 million in humanitarian aid for victims of typhoons in northern Vietnam.

Dec 1, 2025By Yonhap

Korea to provide $500,000 in humanitarian aid for central Vietnam flood victims

Two Koreans detained in Iran on smuggling charges

Two Korean nationals have been detained in Iran over alleged smuggling, diplomatic sources said Monday. The two individuals, along with an Iranian national, were taken into custody around Nov. 20 in the southwestern region of the country on smuggling charges, the sources said. One of the Koreans is an employee of a Korean public institution, while the other is a Korean resident in Iran, and all three are facing the same charges, they added. Further details have not yet been confirmed. Korean diplomatic authorities said they have been in contact with the local embassy and Iranian officials since the incident and are providing the necessary consular assistance to those involved. "It is difficult to disclose details as the case is still under investigation by local authorities," a Seoul government official said.

Dec 1, 2025By Yonhap

Two Koreans detained in Iran on smuggling charges

‘Kimchi cabbage’ added to global standard; seaweed on track for global recognition

Korea has successfully added the term "kimchi cabbage" to the global standard for kimchi, marking another milestone for the country’s iconic dish. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CODEX), an international body under the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization, approved the update during its 48th session held in Rome from Nov. 10 to 14. The change adds "kimchi cabbage" to the existing ingredient names — Chinese cabbage and napa cabbage — updating the international standard that Korea first proposed in 2001, when kimchi was officially recognized by CODEX. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Food Research Institute shared their achievements at this year’s meeting on Monday, strengthening the international standing of Korea’s traditional agricultural and seafood products. The ministries said this move will help solidify Korea’s reputation as the homeland of kimchi and distinguish authentic Korean kimchi from other similar products for its brandin

Nov 17, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee

‘Kimchi cabbage’ added to global standard; seaweed on track for global recognition

Authorities locate last missing person in Ulsan power plant collapse

ULSAN — Authorities said Friday they have located the last remaining person buried under the collapsed boiler tower at a thermal power plant in the southeastern city of Ulsan, with operations under way to recover the individual from the debris. The search had continued to find the last of the seven workers who were trapped when the 63-meter tower collapsed on Nov. 6. The bodies of the six others have been recovered. Firefighting authorities said they are cutting through metal structures around the spot where the person was located to create space for rescuers to reach the area. The Tower 5 at the thermal power plant, operated by the state-run Korea East-West Power Co., collapsed while in the process of being demolished after 40 years of use ending in 2021. Two other towers had flanked it, but both were blown up Tuesday to remove the risk they too could crumble during the search for the missing.

Nov 14, 2025By Yonhap

Authorities locate last missing person in Ulsan power plant collapse

Safety officials block sale of N. Korean liquor despite unification ministry approval

Efforts to sell North Korean-made liquor in South Korea have stalled after regulators rejected an import registration over missing safety documents. The unidentified importer brought in about 3,500 bottles of Goryeo doenjang (soybean paste) liquor and deuljjuk (bog bilberry) liquor through Incheon Port in September, after receiving prior approval from the Ministry of Unification. But the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety later denied registration for the products, citing the importer’s failure to provide documentation verifying the overseas manufacturing site, the unification ministry said Sunday. The decision was made under the Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control, enacted in 2016, which requires importers to register detailed information about foreign production facilities before filing import notifications. The system ensures that imported goods come from safety-regulated plants and allows South Korean authorities to conduct onsite inspections if potential risks are found. The ministry said the deal with North Korea’s Sangmyong Trading did not violate international sanctions

Nov 2, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

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