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Young Koreans flock to exclusive dating parties where looks are the ticket in

A new trend is taking hold among Korea’s millennials and Gen Z — exclusive “appearance-approved” dating parties that require applicants to submit photos and social media accounts for a visual screening before being allowed in. Promoted via Instagram and other social platforms, these events target the top 30 percent in appearance, often under the banner of “alpha men and women only.” Applicants are asked to submit face and body photos along with links to visually curated social media profiles, such as Instagram. Despite entrance fees averaging around 50,000 won ($38), some parties are booked out weeks in advance, reflecting growing demand. Experts say the popularity of these events reflects shifting attitudes toward romance and relationships among younger generations. As marriage becomes less of a priority, with only 52.5 percent of Koreans now saying it is necessary, down from 68 percent in 2008, visual attraction is becoming a more dominant factor in dating preferences. Sociologists also warn that appearance is increasingly becoming a form of social capital. The influence of d

Jul 31, 2025By Hankookilbo

Young Koreans flock to exclusive dating parties where looks are the ticket in

Korea’s life expectancy reaches 83.5 years, among highest in OECD

Korea’s life expectancy has reached 83.5 years — one of the highest among Organization for Economic Corporation and Development (OECD) member economies, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Wednesday. The ministry released an analysis of key indicators from the OECD Health Statistics 2025 report, providing a snapshot of South Korea’s health care performance. While most data reflects 2023 figures, some metrics — such as suicide rate and avoidable mortality — were supplemented with data from the preceding two years due to the unavailability of 2023 statistics. Korea’s average life expectancy for newborns, which refers to the number of years a baby born in a given year is expected to live, was 2.4 years longer than the OECD average of 81.1. The gap with Switzerland, the top-ranked country at 84.3 years, was just 0.8. Korea still has the highest suicide rate among OECD countries, though the figure has declined over the past decade. The rate fell from 30.3 per 100,000 people in 2012 to 23.2 in 2022. As of that year, the OECD average was 10.7, less than half of Korea

Jul 31, 2025By Park Ung

Korea’s life expectancy reaches 83.5 years, among highest in OECD

Seoul sees 22 tropical nights, most ever recorded in July

Seoul has experienced 22 tropical nights so far this month — the most ever recorded in July since modern weather observations began in Korea in 1908. With another sweltering night in the forecast, the count is expected to rise to 23. A tropical night — defined as a period when temperatures remain at or above 25 degrees Celsius between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. — can pose significant health risks, particularly for the elderly and vulnerable populations. The previous July record was 21 nights of elevated temperatures, set in 1994, when the Korean Peninsula endured one of its most severe heat waves on record, leading to widespread drought and thousands of deaths. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, Seoul’s overnight low from Wednesday to Thursday was 29.3 degrees Celsius — the highest ever in July and the third-highest overall, even including August. The latest overnight temperature came close to what forecasters classify as a “super tropical night,” when temperatures remain above 30 degrees Celsius from dusk to dawn. Only two nights on record — Aug. 1 and 2 in 2

Jul 31, 2025By Park Ung

Seoul sees 22 tropical nights, most ever recorded in July

Scorching heat prompts Korean offices to embrace shorts

As the country swelters under an unprecedented summer heat wave, companies and government agencies are loosening dress codes, encouraging shorter pants and lighter clothing. Known as “Cool Biz” — a blend of “cool” and “business” — the initiative began as a modest effort to lighten office attire in hopes of improving comfort and cutting air-conditioning costs. Now, amid record-breaking heat, the once-unorthodox campaign is gaining ground even within Korea’s traditionally conservative conglomerates and government offices. At Incheon International Airport Corp., the country’s largest airport operator, a six-week campaign launched July 14 encourages employees to wear shorts to work — with free drinks at an in-house cafe offered as rewards for individuals or teams who take part in the “shorts challenge.” The initiative runs through Aug. 22. The company says the campaign is about more than just beating the heat — it’s also an effort to soften hierarchical boundaries, foster intergenerational dialogue and promote a more open and inclusive corporate culture. Korea

Jul 31, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Scorching heat prompts Korean offices to embrace shorts

After fatal accident, father of 2 becomes lifesaving organ donor

A devoted father in his 40s, who died after a workplace accident, went on to save numerous lives through the donation of his organs and tissue. According to the Korea Organ Donation Agency, Jang Sang-bin, 44, was declared brain dead following a workplace accident in May. On June 6, at Gyeongsang National University Hospital, he donated his liver, both kidneys and right eye, offering a second chance at life to four patients in critical need of transplants. In addition to his organs, Jang also donated his skin, bones, cartilage and blood vessels — gifts that offered more than 100 patients the hope of restored function and a path toward recovery. Jang had worked for a private security firm for more than 15 years. On May 3, while performing a safety inspection at a factory, he fell from a height of approximately 5 meters. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition but never regained consciousness. Faced with an unimaginable loss, his family made the difficult decision to donate his organs, hoping his final act would save lives. His wife, who had donated a kidney to her sister in he

Jul 31, 2025By Anna J. Park

After fatal accident, father of 2 becomes lifesaving organ donor

Korean tourist slammed for reckless jump and fall into Thai river from moving boat

A Korean tourist has drawn criticism online after a video showed him falling into a river in Bangkok while attempting a reckless jump from a boat to a dock. The incident occurred earlier this month near the Terminal 21 shopping mall along Rama III Road in Bangkok. According to a report by the Bangkok Post, the man attempted to leap from a ferry that was in the process of docking. Though one foot reached the pier, he lost his balance and fell into the Chao Phraya River. The man was quickly rescued by ferry crew and nearby staff. Some reached out from the boat to pull him up, while others rushed in with ropes. As the ferry was close to the pier, there was concern that the man could have been trapped between the vessel and the dock. To prevent this, onlookers pushed the boat away to create space and eventually lifted him to safety. Though no injuries were reported, footage of the incident has gone viral on Korean social media platforms, sparking sharp criticism. The video, titled “Reckless jump by Korean in Thailand,” circulated widely on Wednesday. Comments on the video included remarks

Jul 31, 2025By Hankookilbo

Korean tourist slammed for reckless jump and fall into Thai river from moving boat

Migrant worker abused in forklift incident opts not to seek punishment for driver

A Sri Lankan migrant worker who was subjected to degrading treatment involving a forklift has decided not to pursue punishment for the driver in the incident, according to advocacy groups. The Gwangju-Jeonnam Migrant Workers Network and the Jeonnam Labor Rights Center said on Wednesday that the worker, a 31-year-old man identified only as A, met with the driver’s legal representative in Naju, South Jeolla Province, the previous day and reached a settlement, including financial compensation. The details of the agreement were not disclosed, but the group said that A found the emotional toll of facing police and labor authorities too burdensome and was reluctant to meet the driver, identified as B, again. However, the advocacy group clarified that A's decision not to seek punishment does not equate to forgiveness. “The victimized migrant worker does not want to suffer further because of this incident,” said Sohn Sung-yong, head of the migrant workers' network. “He does not plan to submit a petition or a statement of non-punishment to the investigative authorities.” In February, A w

Jul 31, 2025By Hankookilbo

Migrant worker abused in forklift incident opts not to seek punishment for driver

Heat-related death toll rises to 13 amid extreme heat wave

A total of 13 people have died from heat-related illnesses so far this year as South Korea continues to endure severe heat waves, health authorities said Wednesday. A total of 2,768 patients had visited emergency rooms for heat-related conditions as of Tuesday since mid-May, when authorities launched the heat-related illness surveillance system. Of those patients, 13 have died, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Compared with the same period last year, the number of patients has increased about 2.6 times, while the number of deaths more than tripled from four. Among the patients reported this year, heat exhaustion, commonly known as sunstroke, accounted for 60.4 percent, followed by heat stroke at 16.6 percent, heat cramps at 13.5 percent and heat syncope at 8 percent. Most parts of the country have come under heat wave alerts. Temperatures were forecast to soar to 38 degrees Celsius in the central city of Daejeon on Wednesday, and 36 degrees Celsius in both Seoul and the southeastern city of Daegu, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KM

Jul 30, 2025By Yonhap

Heat-related death toll rises to 13 amid extreme heat wave

EXPLAINER What’s in Korea’s ‘English kindergarten ban law?’

A bill aimed at restricting early English education for young children has been introduced in the National Assembly, as lawmakers move to curb what they describe as “excessive and premature” tutoring and cram school lessons for preschoolers. Under the bill, led by Rep. Kang Kyung-sook of the minor left-wing Rebuilding Korea Party, all cram school programs in English or other school subject areas would be completely prohibited for children under 36 months. For older children not yet enrolled in school, instruction is restricted to no more than 40 minutes. If passed, it would apply to all types of education, including tutors and for-profit private educational institutions. Penalties for violators include the “cancellation of the registration, or suspension of all or part” of the business. The bill aims to safeguard young children’s well-being while easing the financial and emotional burden of early private education on parents, according to the lawmaker’s office. “Private education expenses are increasing exponentially every year. This year, it reached as much as 32.5 trillio

Jul 30, 2025By Jung Min-ho

[EXPLAINER] What’s in Korea’s ‘English kindergarten ban law?’

Asia-Pacific nations strengthen cross-border disaster response

Disaster management delegations from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members, along with government officials and international representatives, are convening in Incheon for a three-day meeting beginning Wednesday to bolster international cooperation on disaster risk reduction. APEC, a regional forum of 21 member economies, promotes free trade and economic cooperation across the Asia-Pacific. From Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, South Korea will host the APEC Summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, where leaders are expected to focus on key issues including collaboration on artificial intelligence and strategies to address demographic shifts. The annual rotating meeting, held this year under the theme “Advancing Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia-Pacific: Partnerships for a Resilient and Prosperous Future,” was hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. It brings together the Emergency Preparedness Working Group and Senior Disaster Management Officials’ Forum on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. A pavilion showcasing Korea’s disaster safety technologies is on display a

Jul 30, 2025By Park Ung

Society

Society

Young Koreans flock to exclusive dating parties where looks are the ticket in

Korea’s life expectancy reaches 83.5 years, among highest in OECD

Seoul sees 22 tropical nights, most ever recorded in July

Scorching heat prompts Korean offices to embrace shorts

After fatal accident, father of 2 becomes lifesaving organ donor

Korean tourist slammed for reckless jump and fall into Thai river from moving boat

Migrant worker abused in forklift incident opts not to seek punishment for driver

Heat-related death toll rises to 13 amid extreme heat wave

EXPLAINER What’s in Korea’s ‘English kindergarten ban law?’

Asia-Pacific nations strengthen cross-border disaster response

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