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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Search for missing in boiler tower collapse enters 5th day

The search for two missing workers entered its fifth day Monday after a boiler tower collapsed at a thermal power plant in the southeastern city of Ulsan. A total of seven workers were initially trapped at the plant of the Ulsan branch of Korea East-West Power, a state-run utility company, on Thursday. Three bodies have been recovered, while four people are still trapped, including two who are presumed dead. Firefighting authorities said drones were sent inside the debris overnight to aid in the search but failed to locate the missing. Search personnel have withdrawn from the site temporarily as work began the previous day to prepare for the demolition of two other boiler towers flanking the one that collapsed. Once the two towers are demolished, sometime early this week, officials plan to use heavy equipment to lift the debris from the collapse, speeding up the search for the missing. The collapsed tower was 60 meters tall and in the process of being demolished after 40 years of use ending in 2021.

Nov 10, 2025By Yonhap
Search for missing in boiler tower collapse enters 5th day

Teens, young adults account for 4 in 10 ER visits for self-harm

Nearly four in 10 people who visited emergency rooms last year as a result of self-inflicted injuries or suicide attempts were in their teens or 20s, highlighting growing mental health concerns among young people and the urgent need for stronger prevention measures. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Medical Center, 35,170 cases of self-inflicted injury or suicide attempts were seen at regional and local emergency medical centers last year. Although the total number dropped by roughly 11,000 from 2023, these cases still accounted for 0.8 percent of all ER visits for the third consecutive year, reflecting a broader decline in overall emergency care use. Of those who attempted self-harm or suicide, roughly 21,500 were women, accounting for 61.1 percent, while nearly 13,700 were men, representing 38.9 percent. By age group, people in their 20s made up the largest share at 23.6 percent, followed by teenagers at 16.3 percent — together accounting for 39.9 percent. Those in their 30s represented 14.7 percent, those in their 40s accounted for 14.3 percent and tho

Nov 9, 2025By Park Ung
Teens, young adults account for 4 in 10 ER visits for self-harm

No bomb found after online threat prompts moviegoers' evacuation in Seoul

About 100 people were evacuated from a Seoul department store after a fake bomb threat was posted online, but no explosives were found, authorities said Sunday. The threat appeared late Saturday on the online community DC Inside, warning readers to "bolt out of the Lotte Department Store in Seoul right now" and claiming that five explosives had been planted on the second floor, according to police and fire officials. An anti-terrorism response team and other officers were dispatched to 10 Lotte Department Store branches in Seoul, but no explosives were discovered. All of the stores had already closed for the day, but about 100 moviegoers at a cinema inside a Lotte Department Store in northern Seoul were evacuated as a precaution, officials said. Police said they are tracing the internet protocol address -- the online equivalent of a street address or phone number -- used to post the threat to identify the suspect. On late Sunday morning, another bomb threat was posted online, claiming that explosives had been planted at The Hyundai Seoul department store in Yeouido, Seoul's western distri

Nov 9, 2025By Yonhap
No bomb found after online threat prompts moviegoers' evacuation in Seoul

Chinese tourists spark backlash in Seoul over ‘military-style’ march at Han River park

A video showing a group of Chinese tourists marching in military-style uniforms along Seoul’s Han River Park has prompted strong backlash in Korea, with critics accusing the participants of crossing a line. The footage, first uploaded to Chinese social media on Tuesday and later shared widely online in Korea, shows dozens of men and women in matching uniforms and caps marching in formation, their arms swinging in sync. At the front, a participant carries a red flag, giving the scene the look of a military parade. The event was part of the International Walking Exchange organized by the Korea-China Cultural Exchange Organization and the China Health Walking Sports Association. It reportedly took place on Oct. 31 at Yeouido Hangang Park with about 100 participants, many of them Chinese tourists. The organizers told local media that the controversial outfits were “not military uniforms but club attire.” A representative from the Korea-China Cultural Exchange Organization said, “It was simply a walking event for Chinese visitors who enjoy fitness activities. The clothing was a coord

Nov 8, 2025By Hankookilbo
Chinese tourists spark backlash in Seoul over ‘military-style’ march at Han River park

Gov't mulls ways to boost public housing in Seoul through state-owned land use

Government officials discussed Friday ways to supply public housing in the greater Seoul area through the use of idle state-owned land in order to meet the growing need for new homes in the capital region, according to the finance ministry. The meeting, attended by officials from relevant ministries and agencies, was held to discuss the government's initiative to supply a total of 28,000 public housing units, primarily for young people, low-income households and newlyweds. The plan includes the development of unused government land and properties in central Seoul and nearby cities such as Gwangmyeong, aiming to expand affordable housing options. Kang Young-kyu, the finance ministry official who presided over the meeting, emphasized the need to make greater use of aging public buildings and other state-owned assets. "We need to actively expand the role and function of state-owned properties in housing development," Kang said, calling for efforts to achieve the goal by 2030. The initiative is part of a broader government effort to stabilize housing conditions for younger residents in the ca

Nov 7, 2025By Yonhap
Gov't mulls ways to boost public housing in Seoul through state-owned land use

Seoul Cyber University joins hands with Anderson University

Seoul Cyber University announced on Friday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Anderson University, a private liberal arts university in the Southern U.S., at the Korean university’s campus in Seoul, Monday. Under the deal, the schools will engage in academic cooperation and enhance their partnership in education, culture and technology, while supporting globalization in education and strengthening their contributions to local communities in the region. Anderson University's incumbent President Evans Whitaker and his wife Cynthia Whitaker, as well as the school’s former President Christopher White and his wife Linda White, participated in the signing ceremony with their counterparts, Shinil Educational Foundation Board Chair Lee Sang-kyun and Seoul Cyber University President Lee Eun-joo. Located in South Carolina, Anderson University offers more than 60 majors for its 4,519 undergraduate students, along with more than 30 graduate programs. It was recognized as one of the “Best Online Programs” by U.S. News & World Report. Seoul Cyber University has enrolled the

Nov 7, 2025By Jhoo Dong-chan
Seoul Cyber University joins hands with Anderson University

Korea wrestles with rising unemployment payouts, fraud

Many countries are facing mounting challenges in maintaining a robust labor force, particularly for workers who have faced multiple layoffs or other employment issues. Korea is no exception. Since 1995, the country has operated an unemployment benefits system that provides up to 60 percent of a worker's average wages from their final three months of employment. The system offers temporary financial support and facilitates the transition back into the workforce. For 33-year-old Choi, the benefits came at a critical time. After his employer delayed paying wages for months, he quit and began looking for other opportunities. During that period, unemployment benefits proved to be essential, providing roughly 2 million won ($1,378) per month for six months. "The benefits allowed me to take my time and prepare carefully for my next move," he said. But the cost of that safety net is swelling. Payouts are reaching record levels as Korea contends with a sluggish job market, exacerbated by a prolonged economic downturn and a rapidly aging population. Unemployment benefits disbursed in September tota

Nov 7, 2025By Lee Yeon-woo
Korea wrestles with rising unemployment payouts, fraud

Reactions mixed as lawmakers target early English education

News about the progress of a legislative bill targeting the restriction of English education for young children has been concerning for Choi Go-eun (not her real name). As the mother of a six-year-old who attends an English kindergarten in Gimpo, a city near Seoul, she worries that she may have to move her child to another institution if the bill passes. “That’s a big deal,” Choi told The Korea Times. “That means I will have to find an alternative without knowing whether there is one I would like, and change my education plan for her. It would be hugely inconvenient, to say the very least.” The bill, proposed by left-wing legislators including Rep. Kang Kyung-sook of the minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party, would completely prohibit all private academy programs in English and other academic subjects for children under 36 months. For older children not yet enrolled in school, instruction would be limited to no more than 40 minutes per day. The measure would also have a significant impact on Choi’s career as an English teacher for children. “It would affect the jobs and caree

Nov 7, 2025By Jung Min-ho
Reactions mixed as lawmakers target early English education
  • Bill to ban English kindergartens gains traction with bipartisan support

Over 40% of science, engineering talent consider moving abroad within 3 years: BOK survey

More than 40 percent of South Korea's science and engineering professionals are considering or preparing to move overseas due mainly to financial and research environment reasons, a survey by the central bank showed Friday. According to a Bank of Korea (BOK) survey of 1,916 master's and doctoral degree holders in science and engineering fields residing in the country, 42.9 percent said they were considering working overseas within the next three years. Among them, 5.9 percent said they had already made detailed plans or were undergoing interviews for overseas positions. By sector, bio, pharmaceuticals and medical devices showed the highest proportion of respondents considering jobs abroad at 48.7 percent, followed by information technology (IT), software and communications at 44.9 percent, and shipbuilding, plant and energy at 43.5 percent. Younger workers were more inclined to relocate overseas, with 72.4 percent in their 20s, 61.1 percent in their 30s and 44.3 percent in their 40s saying they may consider doing so, the survey showed. Asked about the reasons behind such an intention, 66.

Nov 7, 2025By Yonhap
Over 40% of science, engineering talent consider moving abroad within 3 years: BOK survey

Land minister visits Ulsan plant collapse site, urges swift rescue efforts

Land Minister Kim Yun-duk has visited the site of a boiler tower collapse at a thermal power plant in Ulsan, urging rescuers to make all-out efforts to save workers trapped under the debris, his office said Friday. The boiler tower collapsed Thursday at a power plant of the Ulsan branch of Korea East-West Power Co., a state-run utility firm. One worker was killed and another was feared dead among the seven still trapped. Kim arrived at the site at around 11 p.m. Thursday to inspect ongoing rescue operations, according to the land ministry. "The government will provide full support to ensure the victims are rescued as quickly as possible," Kim said, calling on responders to do their utmost in the recovery and rescue work. Kim added the ministry will cooperate with relevant agencies in investigating the cause of the accident and preventing similar incidents in the future.

Nov 7, 2025By Yonhap
Land minister visits Ulsan plant collapse site, urges swift rescue efforts
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