South Korea - The Korea Times

Cities across Korea racing to build ‘Korean Times Squares’

Local governments across Korea are rushing to create their own versions of New York's “Times Square,” unveiling massive outdoor screens and digital media facades in an effort to boost tourism and revitalize local economies. Inspired by iconic landmarks such as New York’s Times Square, London’s Piccadilly Circus, Toronto’s Dundas Square and Osaka’s Dotonbori, municipalities are competing to establish high-tech media zones that double as urban attractions. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on Sunday, Seoul’s Gangnam District around Coex was first designated as a “free outdoor advertising zone” in 2016, followed by Gwanghwamun Square, Myeong-dong and Haeundae District in Busan in 2023. The government’s easing of regulations — once tightened to curb light pollution and visual clutter — has triggered what officials describe as a “new era” in the outdoor advertising market. Cities light up with mega screens In the designated free zones, billboard size, shape and installation methods are no longer restricted. Private companies install the screens, d

Oct 14, 2025By Hankookilbo

Cities across Korea racing to build ‘Korean Times Squares’

Over 300 Koreans repatriated from Cambodia amid surge in abduction cases

Calls for help from Koreans trapped or exploited by criminal networks in Cambodia are rising sharply, with at least 300 people already repatriated this year, according to the local Korean community. “Every week, five to 10 people contact us asking for help to escape,” said Chung Myung-kyu, head of the Korean Association in Cambodia, during a phone interview with CBS Radio on Monday. He said those rescued are often victims of confinement, assault and forced participation in illegal activities. “They flee without passports or belongings, so they take taxis straight to the embassy or our office,” he added. Chung said the association works closely with the Korean Embassy in Phnom Penh to help victims return home, but the process is dangerous and resource-intensive. “There have been cases where gang members showed up at airports to recapture escapees. We try our best to help until the end, but the number of cases has grown too large to handle,” he said. Hundreds rescued, but many remain missing Chung estimated that the number of reports related to criminal organizations received by

Oct 13, 2025By Hankookilbo

Over 300 Koreans repatriated from Cambodia amid surge in abduction cases

Koreans aged 70 and over surpass 20-somethings for 1st time

The number of Koreans aged 70 and above has overtaken those in their 20s for the first time, as decades of low birthrates and rapid aging continue to reshape the country’s demographics. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics, the number of people in their 20s stood at around 6.3 million last year, down 193,000 from the previous year — the steepest decline among all age groups. As a result, the number of people in their 20s last year fell below that of people aged 70 and older — approximately 6.54 million — for the first time since the national census began in 1925, making them the smallest adult age group in Korea’s modern history. The population in their 20s peaked at around 7.03 million in 2020 but has since declined for four consecutive years, falling by 140,000 to 210,000 annually. By age, people in their 50s made up the largest share of the population at 8.71 million, followed by those in their 40s at 7.81 million and those in their 60s at 7.79 million. Meanwhile, people in their 20s are facing growing marginalization in the job market. As of August, the employment

Oct 13, 2025By Park Ung

Koreans aged 70 and over surpass 20-somethings for 1st time

36.7% of online gov't services restored after data center fire

More than 36 percent of the government's online administrative services affected by a fire at a state data center last month have been restored, officials said Sunday. As of 9 p.m., 260 out of 709 services hit by the fire at the National Information Resources Service (NIRS) in the central city of Daejeon had been brought back online, marking a restoration rate of 36.7 percent. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters said the newly restored services include the cultural ministry's administrative support system for Korean culture centers and websites related to the Public Procurement Service. Currently, 30 out of 40 "Grade 1" services, which are considered the most essential based on their impact and number of users in a four-tier system, have been restored, representing a recovery rate of 75 percent. The restoration rate for "Grade 2" services came to 51.5 percent. The fire at the NIRS began when a lithium-ion battery exploded in a server room on Sept. 26 and was completely extinguished the following day. Police are investigating the exact cause of the fire.

Oct 12, 2025By Yonhap

36.7% of online gov't services restored after data center fire

Sungkyunkwan University rises to 87th in 2026 THE World University Rankings

Sungkyunkwan University ranked 87th in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, reaffirming its standing as a globally competitive research-centered institution. The university made a notable leap of 15 places from last year in the global ranking, which assessed 2,191 universities worldwide. Placing fourth among Korean universities and second among private institutions, it further solidified its academic presence on the international stage. The rise was driven largely by advancements in education and research, with marked improvements in the quality and impact of its research. In recent years, the university has aimed to enhance the quality of its international publications, as measured by the Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI), through bold research innovations, the strengthening of global partnerships and expansion of collaborative projects. It also reflects the continued dedication of faculty members who have maintained high standards of research excellence across diverse academic fields. Sungkyunkwan University also excelled in industry collaboration, ranki

Oct 12, 2025By Jung Da-hyun

Sungkyunkwan University rises to 87th in 2026 THE World University Rankings

Over 210,000 passengers travel daily via Incheon airport during Chuseok holiday

More than 210,000 passengers traveled through Incheon International Airport per day during this year's eight-day Chuseok holiday period, marking the highest daily average for the holiday, data showed Sunday. An average of 217,613 travelers used the airport from Oct. 2-9, up 6.4 percent from the same period a year ago, according to data compiled by the airport. A total of 1.74 million passengers used Korea's main gateway airport, west of Seoul, during the period. The figure is the highest daily average for the Chuseok holiday since the airport opened in 2001 and the second highest among all holiday periods, following the record daily average of 219,026 logged during this year's Lunar New Year holiday, the airport said. By region, 448,081 people traveled to and from Southeast Asia, followed by Japan with 431,827 and China with 296,168, the data showed.

Oct 12, 2025By Yonhap

Over 210,000 passengers travel daily via Incheon airport during Chuseok holiday

‘Shirtless runners’ and group running stir debate in Korea over freedom vs. public nuisance

As the running boom continues in South Korea, conflicts between runners and other city residents are intensifying. Critics say so-called “shirtless runners” and groups running recklessly through the city are disrupting public spaces and making pedestrians uncomfortable. Seoul resident Son, a graduate student, often frowns during his neighborhood walks because of groups of people “running without shirts or in tight sportswear that reveal their bodies.” Son added, “Taking off one’s shirt in public makes others uncomfortable. People should show manners in shared spaces.” In contrast, Lee, a 20-something office worker who recently took up running, said, “Running in a group motivates me far more than running alone. As long as we’re respectful, running crews can be a positive culture.” Still, Lee added that “safety should be prioritized when running in crowded city centers or on narrow paths.” As the number of runners grows, some local governments are responding to a surge in complaints. In Seoul’s Yeouido Park, authorities recently installed a sign titled “4 Nos f

Oct 11, 2025By Hankookilbo

‘Shirtless runners’ and group running stir debate in Korea over freedom vs. public nuisance

Seoul's Tapgol Park sees end as Korea's iconic senior playground after janggi ban

Kim, 80, traveled every day from his residence in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province to come to Tapgol Park in central Seoul by subway to play janggi, a traditional Korean strategy game similar to chess, with his friends. Now he has "nowhere to go." "I feel completely lost. It’s absurd that playing janggi has been banned overnight," he said. Ahn, 75-year-old based in western Seoul, offers a similar perspective: "We elders have nowhere to go and we are not welcome anywhere anymore. Playing janggi and having lunch here was my only joy, and in an instant, that joy is gone," he said. Their voices mark the end of an era in Tapgol Park, the oldest modern park in Korea and an enduring symbol of both resistance and refuge. On July 31, Seoul’s Jongno District Office installed signs banning all entertainment activities within Tapgol Park, including janggi and baduk (go), as well as smoking, consuming alcohol, posting signs and vending. "Tapgol Park is a historic site in which the spirit of the March 1 Independence Movement lives on," the signs read, warning violators of potential jail time or fines un

Oct 11, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Seoul's Tapgol Park sees end as Korea's iconic senior playground after janggi ban

Korea eases rules to let older city homes join guesthouse market as tourism surges

Korea is easing regulations on urban guesthouses for foreign tourists, allowing homeowners to register properties built more than 30 years ago, provided they meet safety standards, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Friday. The revision comes as a follow-up measure to a pledge made during the 10th National Tourism Strategy Meeting held on Sept. 25, aimed at accommodating the rise in inbound travel demand. Under current guidelines, homes that are 30 years or older cannot be registered as foreigner-friendly urban homestay businesses, regardless of their safety conditions. However, the new rules will allow registration of such properties if they comply with safety measures under the Building Act and Building Management Act. Local governments will check whether a property is labeled as "violation" and seek input from architects or safety experts to assess structural soundness, if needed. The government also overhauled evaluation standards for foreign-language services. Previously, operators were assessed mainly on fluency. Under the revised rules, they can be deemed to provide a

Oct 10, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Korea eases rules to let older city homes join guesthouse market as tourism surges

Number of people taking Korean language proficiency test hits record high as interest surges

What began with the worldwide success of K-pop and TV dramas has evolved into something broader: Korean is now among the most widely studied languages around the world. More than half a million people took the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) this year, highlighting how the global popularity of Korean culture is attracting a growing number of learners. According to data from the Ministry of Education and the National Institute for International Education, around 550,000 people had taken TOPIK as of September this year — the highest number since the exam was first introduced in 1997. The number of test-takers has steadily increased in recent years, rising from approximately 360,000 in 2022 to 420,000 in 2023 and 490,000 in 2024, before surpassing 500,000 for the first time this year. Internet-based testing (IBT) is currently available in 13 countries, including Korea, the United States, China and Indonesia. Four more countries — Nepal, Laos, Bahrain and India — will be added next year, bringing the total to 17. The ministry plans to increase the number of annual testing sessions

Oct 10, 2025By Bahk Eun-ji

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