South Korea - The Korea Times

Gov't vows strict measures against foreigners' illegal real estate transactions

The government vowed Monday to take strict measures against illegal real estate transactions by foreigners, noting their harmful effects on the housing market and citizens. A real estate monitoring team under the Office for Government Policy Coordination held a meeting with relevant agencies, during which the land ministry reported 210 suspected cases of illegal real estate transactions involving foreigners between June 2024 and last May. The government said it plans to take necessary steps against the cases, including by launching tax inspections, referring them to the prosecution and retrieving loans. It also plans to discuss toughening legal measures against such illegal activities and requiring foreigners' inclusion of overseas funding plans in home purchase deals. By nationality, 125 of the suspected illegal cases involved Chinese nationals, followed by Americans at 78, Australians at 21 and Canadians at 14. By region, 89 of the cases involved purchases in Seoul, 63 in Gyeonggi Province, 51 in South Chungcheong Province and 38 in Incheon.

Nov 17, 2025By Yonhap

Gov't vows strict measures against foreigners' illegal real estate transactions

Plan to build memorial in Gwanghwamun Square reignites clash between Seoul City, ruling bloc

The ruling bloc and Seoul City are clashing again as the former voices its opposition to the latter’s plan to establish a new memorial for the 1950-53 Korean War at Gwanghwamun Square in the center of the capital. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Monday he would look into whether there were any procedural or legal flaws in pursuing the project. It was the ruling bloc’s latest criticism of projects led by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, a prominent People Power Party (PPP) politician who is seeking another term in next June’s local elections. Speculation is that the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is moving to constrain Oh and take back the Seoul mayorship, and that Kim himself is planning to run for the post, since it is rare for a prime minister to intervene in a local government’s affairs. "Gwanghwamun is Korea’s symbolic face and the heart of its democracy and future. It is questionable whether transforming it in this way has public support," Kim said while looking around the planned site, as the city government began construction for the project. “In matters like this, I th

Nov 17, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Plan to build memorial in Gwanghwamun Square reignites clash between Seoul City, ruling bloc

Major innovation plan unveiled for Namdaemun Market

The Seoul metropolitan government unveiled an ambitious plan Monday to rejuvenate Namdaemun Market, the country’s oldest and largest traditional marketplace, aiming to blend modernization with the site’s historic character. The project aims to blend six centuries of heritage with contemporary urban energy, transforming Namdaemun not just into a commercial hub but also a vibrant cultural and tourist destination for the next century, city officials said. Home to nearly 20,000 wholesalers and retailers, Namdaemun Market dates back to 1414, when it was founded as a small marketplace during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Over the centuries, it has grown into a central fixture of Seoul’s commercial and cultural life. “Despite being one of Korea’s most famous markets, Namdaemun Market has recently faced a crisis of declining competitiveness due largely to rapidly changing distribution and consumption trends, as well as a lack of modern facilities and public space — making it clear that innovative solutions are needed,” a city official said. “Many of world-famous traditional ma

Nov 17, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Major innovation plan unveiled for Namdaemun Market

2 killed, 4 injured in expressway chain collisions of 13 vehicles

A chain-reaction accident involving 13 vehicles, including a tank truck, occurred on an expressway in the southeastern city of Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, early Monday morning, killing two and injuring four others. The chain rear-end collisions occurred on a bridge near the Shinnyeong interchange on the Sangju-Yeongcheon expressway, North Gyeongsang Province, at 3:12 a.m., when the 26-ton tank truck loaded with 24,000 liters of bunker C oil rear-ended a 25-ton cargo truck, according to police. Afterward, a 14-ton truck rear-ended the tank truck, leading to a chain reaction of collisions among seven other vehicles, including passenger cars and a bus. Also, several H beams loaded on one of the trucks fell on the opposite lane, causing additional collisions of a passenger car, another tank truck and a 13-ton cargo truck, as they tried to avoid the fallen objects. Police said two passenger car drivers and one truck driver were killed, and four others were injured in the accident. They added some 20 passengers on the bus were not injured. The accident resulted in fires in three vehi

Nov 17, 2025By Yonhap

2 killed, 4 injured in expressway chain collisions of 13 vehicles

Triathlon participant dies during pre-race swim test in Tongyeong; event canceled

A 40-year-old amateur triathlete died Saturday while taking part in a pre-race swim test ahead of the 2025 Tongyeong World Triathlon Cup, prompting organizers to cancel the event. According to the Korea Triathlon Federation, the participant showed signs of distress during a swim safety assessment at around 2:35 p.m. in the waters off Triathlon Plaza in Donam-dong, Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province. He was pulled from the water by safety personnel and transferred to a hospital but was later pronounced dead. He was participating in a pre-race swim evaluation ahead of Sunday’s amateur competition. Tongyeong Coast Guard is investigating the exact cause of the incident. Organizers promptly canceled the event following the tragedy. “We regret to announce that the competition has been entirely canceled,” the Korea Triathlon Federation said in a statement. “We express our deepest condolences over the loss of a precious life during a beginner swim test and are implementing all necessary safety measures.” The international event, sanctioned by World Triathlon, had been set to feature

Nov 17, 2025By Hankookilbo

Triathlon participant dies during pre-race swim test in Tongyeong; event canceled

PM urges safety measures after Seoul river bus accident

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Sunday instructed the Seoul city government to conduct a joint probe with the interior ministry into a recent river bus accident and draw up necessary safety measures. On Saturday, one of the boats that run on the water bus service along the Han River came to a stop near a dock in southeastern Seoul while passing through shallow waters. All 82 passengers aboard were safely rescued by police and fire authorities. Kim expressed grave concerns over the overall safety of the service, including whether the Seoul city government had factored in topographic circumstances when choosing the locations for stops and operation routes, according to Kim's office. In a statement, the city government apologized for causing inconvenience to the public and vowed to more thoroughly inspect operation. All safety response measures were normally carried out following the incident, it added. The water bus service is a key project launched by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon but has faced criticism over its safety, mainly from the ruling bloc.

Nov 16, 2025By Yonhap

PM urges safety measures after Seoul river bus accident

Hangang Bus suspends service again after vessel runs aground near Jamsil

Seoul’s Hangang Bus service came to an abrupt halt again when one of its vessels ran aground 118 meters from Jamsil dock on Saturday evening. The incident took place less than two weeks after resuming operations following a monthlong service suspension due to repeated breakdowns. The hybrid-powered ferry, carrying 82 passengers, stopped after striking the riverbed at 8:15 p.m. All aboard were safely evacuated within an hour by fire and police rescue teams. No injuries were reported. City officials, led by Park Jin-young, head of Future Han River Headquarters, explained that the ferry’s propeller and protective skeg likely scraped the bottom of the riverbed, transferring a shock to the hull. "The accident occurred close to the dock, and most passengers were seated, minimizing harm," Park said, adding that divers will be deployed to inspect the vessel and riverbed for debris or sediment buildup, which may have accumulated more than usual due to an early dry season and low river flow. City officials confirmed on Sunday that the ferry deviated from its authorized regular path right befor

Nov 16, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Hangang Bus suspends service again after vessel runs aground near Jamsil

Lee vows stern punishment for lax workplace safety after Ulsan power plant collapse

President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday pledged to determine whether there were safety lapses at a thermal plant site in the southeastern city of Ulsan where seven workers were killed and sternly punish those found accountable. Lee made the remark after authorities on Friday recovered the last of the seven workers who were trapped when a 63-meter tower at the plant collapsed on Nov. 6. The bodies of the six others had been recovered. "As the person ultimately in charge of public safety, I am genuinely and deeply sorry," Lee wrote on Facebook. "Despite the people's wishes, all seven trapped workers returned to their families as bodies. My heart is deeply torn." Lee called the accident one that "should not have happened" and vowed to prevent similar accidents. "I will make sure that a tragedy like this is not repeated. We need to put an end to such a tragedy, where workplaces become a site of death." The president called for a swift and thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident and vowed to take stern punitive measures against those found accountable, regardless of their

Nov 16, 2025By Yonhap

Lee vows stern punishment for lax workplace safety after Ulsan power plant collapse

Bucheon crash renews debate on older drivers

At Jeil Market in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, few anticipated the moment Thursday a 1-ton truck would surge into the crowd, killing two people and leaving 19 others injured. “The truck came barreling in just as I stepped forward to help a customer checking radishes,” a vendor said. “If I had stayed where I was, I could have died. Later, I told her how grateful I was.” With police attributing the crash to driver error by the 67-year-old behind the wheel, the incident has revived debate over tightening regulations for older motorists, a discussion that has flared anew after a series of fatal accidents. Last July, a 68-year-old driver struck pedestrians near Seoul City Hall, killing nine and injuring five. He claimed unintended acceleration, but an appeals court in August rejected the argument and sentenced him to five years in prison. A similar incident occurred last December, when a 74-year-old man drove into a traditional market in Yangcheon District, southwestern Seoul, killing one and injuring 12. These cases underscore a broader trend: Both the number of drivers 65 and older an

Nov 15, 2025By Park Ung

Bucheon crash renews debate on older drivers

Restaurant’s ban on solo diners sparks debate online in Korea

A handwritten sign at a Korean restaurant declaring that it will not serve solo diners has stirred heated debate online, with most commenters criticizing the policy but some arguing that business owners have the right to set their own rules. The controversy began on Monday when a social media user posted a photo of the sign on Threads, saying, “I turned around after seeing this at the entrance.” The notice listed four “options” for customers eating alone: “1. Pay for two servings, 2. Eat two servings, 3. Call a friend, 4. Come back with your wife next time.” A speech bubble beneath the list read, “We don’t sell loneliness. Please don’t come alone.” The tone made it clear that solo diners were not welcome. Most online users reacted negatively. Comments included, “The owner’s mindset seems outdated" and “The owner probably thinks this is funny.” Other users, however, defended the restaurant, saying, “People accepted cafés banning Chinese customers, but draw the line at banning solo diners? That’s contradictory” and “If the owner is willing to take the

Nov 15, 2025By Hankookilbo

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