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Gov't establishes task force to foster distribution of wind power

The government on Wednesday launched a task force to promote the use of wind power as part of efforts to accelerate the country's transition to renewable energy and respond to rising electricity demand, the industry ministry said. The task force will support ongoing wind power development projects with a combined electricity generation capacity of 4.1 gigawatts (GW), according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Korea's wind power generation capacity currently stands at 0.35 GW. The ministry said wind power could become a key renewable energy source for South Korea, which is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and for the shipbuilding and steel sectors. Wind power is also expected to help the country meet rising energy demand sparked by the growth of artificial intelligence and other advanced industries, it added. "Experts all agree that this is the last golden time to revitalize offshore wind power in Korea, and the successful implementation of the 4.1 GW projects will determine the success or failure of the initiative," Second Vice Industry Minister Lee Ho-hyeon said. "To s

Sep 10, 2025By Yonhap

Gov't establishes task force to foster distribution of wind power

InterviewKyungpook National University sets sights on becoming country’s AI hub

Education may remain a core mission of universities, but research is increasingly shaping their global standing. Kyungpook National University President Heo Young-woo stressed that a research-focused strategy is no longer optional, but essential for institutions striving to thrive outside Seoul. “The globalization we pursue goes beyond educating students. We view research as a key driver to raise our global profile and strengthen the university’s international competitiveness,” Heo said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. He emphasized that, especially for regional universities, building robust research environments in collaboration with local governments can create a virtuous cycle, cultivating top experts and contributing to more balanced national development. “With artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies at the center of global attention, we are working to reinforce our foundation in basic studies and integrate AI to build greater competitiveness,” Heo added. Kyungpook National University is stepping up efforts to cement its reputation as a r

Sep 10, 2025By Jung Da-hyun

Kyungpook National University sets sights on becoming country’s AI hub

Korea’s foreign student numbers rise, but lag behind other developed nations

International student enrollment at Korean universities has grown in recent years, yet still falls short of the levels seen across OECD nations. With the vast majority of students arriving from Asia, the trend highlights Korea’s limited success in attracting a broader mix of talent to its campuses. The Education Ministry said Tuesday that it had reviewed the latest edition of “Education at a Glance,” the OECD’s annual report that compares education systems and is used by member nations to guide policy and research. The report draws on data collected between 2022 and 2024, depending on the category. In 2023, international students made up 4.6 percent of Korea’s higher education enrollment, more than double the share seen 10 years ago. However, the figure still lagged behind the OECD average of 7.4 percent. Almost 95 percent of Korea’s international students came from Asian countries, compared to the OECD average of 58.3 percent, highlighting the country’s struggle to attract a more diverse student body. The remaining 5 percent was spread thinly across other regions, with 2 pe

Sep 9, 2025By Park Ung

Korea’s foreign student numbers rise, but lag behind other developed nations

JYP founder appointed to lead pop-culture exchange commission

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday appointed singer and JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young to lead the planned Commission on Pop-Culture Exchange, alongside Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young. “Park is one of Korea’s leading singers and has worked to globalize K-pop,” presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik told reporters in a briefing. “He will help create a Korea where people around the world can better enjoy our culture, while we also embrace diverse foreign cultures.” Park, 53, is a singer, songwriter and producer who founded JYP Entertainment in 1997. The agency has since become one of Korea’s leading entertainment companies, debuting acts such as Rain, Wonder Girls, 2PM, TWICE and Stray Kids, helping drive K-pop’s global rise. The commission, expected to launch as early as this month, is a presidential body created to fulfill Lee’s pledge to make Korea one of the world’s top five cultural powerhouses. With global interest in Korean pop culture surging, driven in part by Netflix hits such as “Squid Game” and “KPop Demon Hunters,” the commission will se

Sep 9, 2025By Park Ung

JYP founder appointed to lead pop-culture exchange commission

KBO’s first secretary-general dies at 94

Lee Yong-il, the first secretary-general of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and a key figure in the launch of professional baseball in the country, has died. He was 94. Lee died Sunday of chronic illness, the KBO said. Born in 1931, Lee played baseball at Kyungdong High School and Seoul National University. While serving as president of Kyungseong Rubber, a footwear company founded by his father in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, he established and sponsored the Gunsan Commercial High School team, earning him the nickname “father of the come-from-behind masters,” a reference to the school’s famed baseball program. He later moved to Seoul and served as an executive at the Korea Baseball Association before becoming the inaugural secretary-general of the KBO in 1981. He played a central role in the launch of Korea’s professional league in 1982. In 2011, he briefly served as acting KBO commissioner. Lee’s funeral will be the first official one hosted by the KBO since its founding.

Sep 9, 2025By Kim Hyun-bin

KBO’s first secretary-general dies at 94

Fire-damaged Hangeul Museum to reopen in October 2028

The National Hangeul Museum announced Tuesday it will remain closed for more than three years after a fire severely damaged the building earlier this year, with a reopening slated for late 2028. The museum, dedicated to promoting the Korean alphabet of Hangeul, will undergo extensive restoration work before welcoming visitors again. The fire, which began on Feb. 1 during ongoing construction to expand educational spaces and offices, caused significant damage to the building's interior. A preliminary report submitted to Rep. Jin Jong-oh of the main opposition People Power Party indicated widespread damage, with the third floor being the most affected. A Hangeul-themed playground for children and a hallway section were "completely burned," while a special exhibition hall suffered damage from heat, dust and soot, according to the museum. The fire, which is presumed to have been sparked during work near a steel staircase, led to the rescue of two workers and the evacuation of four others. One firefighter was also injured during the extinguishing process. In the immediate aftermath, museum staf

Sep 9, 2025By Yonhap

Fire-damaged Hangeul Museum to reopen in October 2028

After decades behind bars, N. Korea loyalists still seek repatriation

Last month, 95-year-old Ahn Hak-sop, leaning on others for support, made slow steps across the southern end of Tongil Bridge in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, with a clear goal: to reach North Korea. “I want my body to be buried in the land of a truly independent nation after I die,” Ahn said. “The longing to return home has been unbearably strong, because my ideals, way of life and actions are rooted in North Korea.” Ahn is one of six former North Korean agents and South Korean leftist activists who spent decades in the South’s prisons without renouncing their communist beliefs who recently asked the Ministry of Unification to send them to North Korea. Of the six, two were born in the North, while Ahn and the rest were born in the South and imprisoned for leftist activities or siding with North Korean forces. Ahn’s story highlights how the wounds of Korea’s division remain deeply personal more than seven decades after the 1953 armistice, reflecting the enduring pain of those separated by history. It also underscores a sobering reality: The generation that lived through the confl

Sep 9, 2025By Park Ung

After decades behind bars, N. Korea loyalists still seek repatriation

Tenant in 60s falls to death while evading landlord over unpaid rent

A man in his 60s died after falling from the fourth floor of his apartment in southeastern port city of Ulsan while trying to avoid his landlord amid an eviction dispute over overdue rent. According to Ulsan Dongbu Police Station, the incident occurred around 4:50 p.m. on Sunday in Bangoe-dong, Dong District. The tenant was found in cardiac arrest and taken to a hospital, but he did not survive. Police said the tenant had been asked to vacate the unit after failing to pay monthly rent. When the landlord rang the doorbell, he is believed to have tried to hide on the veranda, where he fell. The landlord is said to have met the tenant at the apartment earlier with a prospective tenant before the accident. Police said there were no signs of foul play and that an investigation is underway to determine the precise cause of the fall. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.

Sep 9, 2025By Hankookilbo

Tenant in 60s falls to death while evading landlord over unpaid rent

Hanbok rental boom by tourists sparks debate over preserving tradition

A debate over what constitutes authenticity in Korean traditional clothing has resurfaced as foreign tourists flock to Korea’s royal palaces in record numbers, with 1.36 million arrivals in July alone. Rental shops offering hanbok, Korea's traditional costume, have become a staple experience for visitors, particularly around Seoul’s palaces. This raises questions about the distinction between traditional and fusion styles and their impact on Korean cultural heritage. On Monday, the narrow, bustling alleys near exits 2 and 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Metro Line 3 were lined with more than 30 hanbok rental shops, each serving a steady stream of international and local customers. These shops, which offer multilingual services, generally charge 15,000 won ($11) to 30,000 won for two-hour rentals. Many sprang up after October 2013 when the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism began offering free palace entry to visitors wearing hanbok, turning the practice into a popular activity. According to the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), nearly 1.72 million visitors wearing hanbok entere

Sep 9, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Hanbok rental boom by tourists sparks debate over preserving tradition

Korean travel influencer dies after fall at Mongolian volcano

A Korean travel influencer in her 20s has died after falling while taking photos at a volcanic tourist site in northern Mongolia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sept. 7 that the woman, identified only as Ms. A, fell to her death on Aug. 28 at Uran Togoo Volcano. She had about 90,000 followers on social media and was traveling in the region at the time. A ministry official said, “It is believed she lost balance and fell after being swept by sudden strong winds while taking photos on the volcano. The exact circumstances are being investigated in cooperation with local authorities.” Uran Togoo Volcano, one of Mongolia’s best-known tourist attractions, stands at an elevation of 1,680 meters. Its crater measures 500 to 600 meters in diameter and 50 to 60 meters in depth. Though dormant, the crater floor is covered with grass and contains small ponds. The site is popular with hikers, especially those visiting the nearby Khuvsgul region, a favorite destination for Korean travelers. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a gene

Sep 8, 2025By Hankookilbo

Society

Society

Gov't establishes task force to foster distribution of wind power

InterviewKyungpook National University sets sights on becoming country’s AI hub

Korea’s foreign student numbers rise, but lag behind other developed nations

JYP founder appointed to lead pop-culture exchange commission

KBO’s first secretary-general dies at 94

Fire-damaged Hangeul Museum to reopen in October 2028

After decades behind bars, N. Korea loyalists still seek repatriation

Tenant in 60s falls to death while evading landlord over unpaid rent

Hanbok rental boom by tourists sparks debate over preserving tradition

Korean travel influencer dies after fall at Mongolian volcano

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